'Brühl,' he said, 'announce to the Queen that I should like to see her; the Queen either prays or paints; if she paints I can see her.'
Brühl went out; five minutes later, the King, preceded by a chamberlain, went to his consort's apartments. He found her painting. A young artist stood respectfully behind her. The august artist was painting a head of Christ. The fact was that very little was done by her, for the artist, when the Queen was absent, corrected and improved that which was badly done; but the next day the Queen thought it was her own work and was satisfied with herself. That way the picture progressed; when it was finished it was said that it was painted by the Queen and the court admired her talent.
When the King entered, the Queen did not rise, but pointed at the work. Augustus stood behind her and admired the picture, which having been recently improved by the artist was not at all bad. The King, having complimented the Queen, made a sign to the artist to retire for a time into the next room, which he did as quickly as he could, bowing humbly.
Augustus III bent to the Queen's ear and said:
'It shall be as you wish; we shall dismiss Sulkowski; I came to tell you this.'
The Queen turned quickly and smiled at the King.
'But not a word!' said the King. 'Brühl will arrange the matter, I do not wish to trouble myself about it.'
'You do not need to,' said the Queen. 'Guarini and Brühl will do everything.'
The King did not wish to prolong the subject and began to talk about the picture.
'I congratulate you on your colouring,' he said, 'très fin, and very fresh. Listarde could not paint a better pastel; you paint beautifully--only do not permit that artist to spoil your work and do not follow any advice.'