Part 8 (2/2)
”I could have a fourth, if I wished.”
”I will tell you his name, if you like,” interrupted the Baroness, and, running up to her sister, she put her mouth to her ear, saying,--
”The Prince Alexander Sobieski, is it not? But he will not marry, while Ludwig will. Try and hold him.”
The Princess turned from her sister in disgust, and the Baroness looked in the mirrors, flitted about the room, all the while keeping an eye on the couple, at whom she laughed dreadfully.
”If you are clever, Teschen, you may still come out of this crisis triumphant. Hoym's wife is a simpleton; she will disgust the King; she will attract him at first by her beauty, but she will repulse him with her pride; after her, Teschen will appear dear and sweet. Well, one must forgive the King's fancy. Such men have great sorrows, and great privileges. Only I am sorry,” she continued, ”that every one is tearing you to pieces already. The Countesses Reuss and Hulchen are offering sacrifices to the new G.o.ddess, while Furstenberg and even brother-in-law Vitzthum are ready to supplant Hoym. Poor Hoym, when his wife leaves him, I would marry him, if it were not for my duties. But the old libertine never cared for me.”
Here Prince Ludwig rose to take his leave, and the way in which Princess Ursula shook hands with him did not escape the notice of the Baroness, who bowed to him distantly.
There was silence for a few moments after the sisters were left alone.
”You must not take it so tragically,” began the Baroness, ”any one could have foreseen that this would happen sooner or later. The King is tired of a blonde, you have a princ.i.p.ality, you have estates in Hoyerswerd; you have millions, diamonds, a palace; you are still young, still beautiful; and there is Prince Ludwig, who is ready to marry you.
I tell you frankly, I would gladly exchange my lot for yours, and I would give you Schulemberg in addition.”
”But I loved him,” interrupted the Princess, weeping bitterly.
”But that is all over,” rejoined the Baroness, ”I know that you were both in love with each other, for a whole year at the least, during which time the King betrayed you secretly, at least, ten times, and you repaid him in the same coin.”
”Sister!” exclaimed the Princess indignantly.
”Well, then, you did not. But during that time you were able to obtain for yourself the love of the Prince von Wurtemberg. I am called malicious and wicked, but I should not have been able to do it. I only found Schulemberg after I had been bitten by Gla.s.senapp.”
She laughed a little, and then continued,--
”Listen, Kings have a custom, when taking leave of their favourites, to ask for the return of the diamonds they have given. I warn you, therefore, to put yours in a safe place.”
She looked at her sister, who apparently did not hear what she was saying.
”Are you going to the ball?” she inquired.
”The ball?” repeated the Princess, thoughtfully. ”Yes; I must go to the ball. I shall go dressed in mourning, and without any jewels; but tell me, will a black robe be becoming to me?”
The Baroness laughed.
”Undoubtedly!” she replied. ”Mourning is becoming to every one. But if you think that by doing this you will soften the hearts of Augustus and his courtiers, you are mistaken; they will all laugh at you; they do not like tragedies.”
”What will be, will be!” replied the Princess. ”I shall go in mourning.
I will appear before him like a silent ghost.”
”And as Countess Hoym will be merry and fresh, you will also disappear like a ghost. Believe me, the past can never be recalled.”
She looked at the clock.
”It is late already! I shall see you again at the ball--I shall be there, but I shall be in the background, like a spectator who applauds the actors. Good-bye!”
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