The minister waited for the answer. Augustus cleared his throat, coughed loudly and looked challengingly at Brühl.
'Your Majesty,' Brühl continued, 'knows that I am against severe measures. I also loved that man, he was my friend as long as he was faithful to my lord. To-day as a minister, as a faithful servant, I must act against my heart.'
It was evidently an understood thing between Brühl and Guarini, that the Padre was to enter during this conversation, and in he came. But the King made quite a different use of his presence and asked after Faustina.
'She is very well,' answered Guarini laughing. 'Chi ha la sanita, è ricco, e se no 'l sa.'
But Brühl stood there like an executioner. 'Will Your Majesty permit me to finish my unpleasant business?' he said. 'Father Guarini knows all about it.'
'Ah! He knows! Very well!' said the King and turning to the Padre asked him: 'And what do you think of it?'
The Padre shrugged his shoulders. 'I hold the same opinion as my gracious lord,' he said laughing. 'I am a priest, it is not for me to judge these things.'
There was a pause; Augustus looked at the floor; Brühl was frightened.
'During the reign of Augustus the Strong, Sulkowski would by this time have been in Königstein,' said Brühl.
'No! No!' said Augustus, looking at Brühl and growing pale; then he rose and paced to and fro.