Brühl shivered but said coolly:
'You ought to help me to overthrow Sulkowski.'
'Yes, mother told me the same, implying that he might introduce Adelaida Stein or some other woman to the King. What do I care for that?'
'But are you not fond of diamonds, dresses, luxury, high living?' Brühl asked.
They looked into each other's eyes.
'Very well then,' she said, 'we shall overthrow Sulkowski, it will be a revenge for Watzdorf; it will be a distraction. We shall overthrow that boaster.'
'But you must act carefully, slowly, you must--'
He wanted to explain to her at length, when Frances rose, as if lacking in patience.
'You think I need some instruction?' she said laughing. 'And what am I a woman for? You think it necessary to teach me cunning, how to pour the poison by drops, how to whisper traitorous words? How to answer suspicions with a double-meaning word? Ah! my dear sir, I was brought up at court. I looked at you ministers, my mother was my teacher, who, while still in the cradle, taught me how to lie, how to love falsehood!'
And she laughed strangely, almost desperately.