'I do not know about that,' answered Lowendhal, 'perchance it may be cancelled later, but for the present you must excuse me for executing my orders.'
Sulkowski not wishing to condescend to a quarrel, sure that later he would be able to avenge such improper behaviour, saluted, turned and went off.
He determined to come again at eleven o'clock, when the King used to receive everybody. Coming down from the stairs, he perceived Brühl's porte-chaise and it angered him.
'Patience,' he said to himself, 'these are their last efforts, for they would not dare to shut the door in my face. We shall see--'
He went to Ludovici's office and found him pale and confused.
'The papers? Have you the papers?' asked the Count.
'I have not got them up to the present; there is something mysterious about the way the officials treat me--it does not portend anything good to us.'
'I understand,' said the Count laughing, 'they see their near downfall and lose their heads. I have not yet seen the King; they told me he was very busy. They must hold council what to do with Sulkowski, who ruins all their plans.'
He laughed; Ludovici sighed but did not dare to tell him that he was mistaken.
The Count hesitated as to whether or not he should call on Brühl, who ought to have already paid a visit to him. That was also a kind of a declaration of war.