'Excellent!' cried he. 'Pauli could not do better, not even so well. Copy it.'
Brühl bowing humbly presented the letter to the King, which was so well written that it was not necessary to copy it.
Augustus clapped him on the shoulder.
'From to-day, you are my secretary. I will have no more to do with Pauli; may the deuce take him! Let him drink and die!'
The King rang the bell, a chamberlain entered.
'Count,' said Augustus, 'give orders that Pauli is to be carried home; when he becomes sober express to him my great displeasure. I never wish to see him again! Brühl is my secretary from to-day. Discharge him from his duties as a page.'
The chamberlain smiled at the boy standing modestly aside.
'He saved me from a great trouble,' said the King. 'I know Pauli, he will be drunk till to-morrow, and it was necessary to send the letter at once.'
The King went to the table to sign the letter.
'Make a copy of it,' said he.