She shrugged her shoulders.
'Provided it lasts longer than Sulkowski's reign.'
'I should add, that you are very clever, having laid your throne on women's shoulders. The Queen, I, the Countess Moszynski, and Fräulein Hernberg--not counting Abbuzzi, for she is a supernumary.'
'It is your fault that I must seek for hearts outside my own house.'
'Ah! hearts! hearts!' interrupted his wife, 'neither you nor I have any right to speak about hearts. We have fancies, but not hearts; we have senses, but not sentiments, but--it is better so.'
She turned from him.
'One word,' said Brühl, 'later the guests will arrive and I shall not have a chance of talking to you.'
'What is it?'
Brühl bent close to her ear.
'You are compromising yourself.'