There stood a lackey as if waiting for orders.
'Send page Berlepsch at once to me.'
The servant went off and five minutes later a boy, wearing the uniform of the King's pages, rushed in out of breath.
Brühl, standing near the door, put his hand on the boy's shoulder.
'Berlepsch, I hope you have confidence in me; don't ask any questions but go to the Prince's apartments, and on your own responsibility, understand, on your own responsibility tell the Prince that I have arrived. Listen! If anything prevented you all would be useless.'
The intelligent boy looked into Brühl's eyes, did not say a word, and went out. Brühl again sat at the table and covered his face with his hands.
It was quiet about him, but he trembled at the slightest noise. There was some stir and bustle on the upper floor, and on the stairs one could hear someone rushing down; a good-looking man, with an ironical smile, appeared in the doorway, and said:
'His Royal Highness, the Prince, having learned by an accident about your arrival, commands you at once to bring him the dispatches.'
Brühl pretended to be embarrassed.
'I am not dressed.'