'Ah! dear Count! You must excuse me--I am ashamed--but sometimes one needs to pray--so much time do we give to the pleasures of life and it is only right that some should be given to prayer--'
'It is I that must beg your pardon,' said Sulkowski advancing slowly, 'and I am edified by your piety. Forgive me that I have interrupted you.'
'I was just finishing,' Brühl said pointing to the sofa.
Two candles were burning on the table.
'A man who prays like that,' thought Sulkowski, 'cannot be bad and perverse; it is impossible.'
A heavy weight fell from his breast. He looked at Brühl who seemed to be still in pious ecstasies.
'Well,' said Sulkowski, seating himself comfortably on the sofa, 'you know that I am going away.'
Brühl's face became melancholy.
'You must do as you please,' he said slowly, 'as for me I neither approve your voyage, nor do I advise it. Speaking frankly, I was against it and I am still. In the first place nobody can be a substitute for you with the King. I can and I must be frank with you. The Queen is a saint, but she is a woman. If you go her influence will increase and the King will fall under her and Guarini's influence. You know that I am a good Catholic but I should dislike to see the King's mind too much under the influence of the priests. Our gracious lord hearkens too much to them already and hurts the feelings of his Saxon subjects.'
Sulkowski listened very attentively.