'When did your Excellency return?' she exclaimed, 'for I did not know you were back.'
'Well, up to the present I am half incognito,' said the Count smiling. 'Just imagine, my beautiful lady, that since yesterday I have not seen the King. I!' said he pointing to himself. 'Twice they would not admit me to his Majesty. I began to believe that my absence made me forget the customs of the court, and I came to beg you for some explanation.'
'The Count is kind enough to joke with me,' the singer replied, looking at him with a mixture of commiseration and fear. 'I only know the stage court. On the stage I am either a Queen or a goddess, but when I am off the stage I know nothing of what is going on in the world.'
'But,' said Sulkowski in a low voice, 'tell me, have you heard anything? Am I really threatened by your friend Guarini?'
'I do not know anything,' said Faustina, shaking her head. 'I have enough of my own theatrical sorrows. It is very probably that they are plotting against you, but you, Count, you need not be afraid.'
'Neither am I afraid, but I would like to tirer au clair and to know what it is.'
'It is jealousy and competition,' Faustina rejoined, 'In theatres they are very common, we are well acquainted with them.'
'And the remedy?'
Faustina shrugged her shoulders.
'Some people would withdraw; those who wish to fight it out, must stick to their guns, for they will never find peace.'