ghteous complaints to the queen. This
it was that caused Count Bruhl to tremble; this it was that robbed him
of sleep at night, of peace by day, this fear of a possible disgrace.

He was well acquainted with the history of Count Lerma, minister to King
Philip IV. of Spain. Lerma was also the ruler of a king, and reigned
over Spain, as Bruhl over Saxony. All had succumbed to his power and
influence, even the royal family trembled when he frowned, and felt
themselves honored by his smile. What was it that caused the ruin of
this all-powerful, irreproachable favorite? A little note which King
Philip found between his napkin one day, upon which was this address:
"To Philip IV., once King of Spain, and Master of both the Indies, but
now in the service of Count Lerma!" This it was that caused the count's
ruin; Philip was enraged by this note, and the powerful favorite fell
into disgrace.

Count Bruhl knew this history, and was on his guard. He knew that even
the air which he breathed was poisoned by the malice of his enemies;
that those who paused in the streets to greet him reverentially when he
passed in his gilded carriage, cursed him in their inmost hearts; that
those friends who pressed his hand and sung songs in his praise, would
become his bitterest enemies so soon as he ceased paying for their
friendship with position, with pensions, with honors, and with orders.
He spent hundreds of thousands yearly to gain friends and admirers, but
still he was in constant fear that some enemy would undermine him. This
had indeed once happened. During the time that the king's favor was
shared equally with Count Bruhl, Count Sulkovsky, and Count Hennicke,
whilst playing cards, a piece of gold was given to the king, upon which
was represented the crown of Poland, resting upon the shoulders of three
men, with the following inscription: "There are three of us, two
pages and one lackey!" The King of Poland was as much enraged by this
satirical piece of gold as was the King of Spain by his satirical note.
But Count Bruhl succeeded in turning the king's anger upon the two other
shoulder-bearers of his crown. Counts Sulkovsky and Hennicke fell into
disgrace, and were banished from the court; Count Bruhl remained, and
reigned as absolute master over Poland and Saxony!

But reigning, he still trembled, and therefore he favored the queen's
fancy for the strictest etiquette; therefore, no one but Count Bruhl
was to eat at the royal table; he