Saying this, Brühl, as if he were tired, wiped the perspiration from his forehead and sat on the nearest chair.
'One would think,' said Moszynski, 'that he had met with the greatest misfortune.'
This was lost on Brühl, for he was deep in thought. All in the room dropped their voices to a whisper as they told the story of the lucky boy to those who came in. The news spread in the town and when in the evening Brühl appeared in the theatre among the pages, Sulkowski, who attended the Prince, came to congratulate him.
Brühl seemed to be very grateful and could not find words to thank him for his kindness.
'Do you see, Brühl,' whispered Sulkowski, looking upon him protectingly, 'I told you that they would appreciate you at your right value. I was not mistaken in thinking that our lord's eagle eye had singled you out in the crowd.'
They applauded the singer; Sulkowski also clapped his hands, but turning to his friend he said:
'I applaud you.'
The page bowed humbly, blushing.
After the end of the play he had a chance of disappearing, and the friends who looked for him in the castle and in his rooms could not find him. They thought it was his modesty; it was nice of him not to boast of his good fortune. On enquiry his servant told them that he had gone out.
The fact was, that after the opera Brühl stole into the Castle street and from it he went towards Taschenberg, where Cosel formerly lived, and which was now occupied by a daughter of the Emperor of Austria, Josepha.