'Come as you are.'
'Such is the order?'
'Word for word.'
Brühl rose as if he were forced, but he was satisfied inwardly.
They both went silently upstairs.
The door opened, Brühl entered slowly with such a sorrowful expression on his face, that the Prince dropped his pipe and rose.
The door closed and Brühl fell on his knees.
'I bring to Your Majesty the saddest news, but first bow down at the feet of the new King. Our most gracious lord, the King, is dead.'
Frederick stood for a while as if turned into a block of stone; he covered his face. There was a moment of silence; at length Frederick gave Brühl his hand to be kissed and made a sign to him to rise.
'Brühl, how and when did it happen?'