Part 9 (2/2)

The old courtiers also, who had seen the King embracing Chancellor Beichling the day before he was sent to Konigstein, knew how to interpret His Majesty's tenderness towards the Princess Teschen.

”Do you know,” said the King, seating himself by her side, ”that looking at you in that black dress, you are so beautiful that you remind me of that tournament at Warsaw, when you fainted through anxiety for my safety?”

”But Countess Hoym is more beautiful than I am, than the tournament, or the remembrance of my fainting,” replied the Princess sarcastically.

”Countess Hoym may be beautiful, even most beautiful,” said Augustus, ”but there are things more beautiful than beauty itself--and one is a tender and loving heart. Dear Princess, do not make such a spectacle of yourself; return home, put on your blue dress, that is so becoming to you, and wait for me for supper.”

A deep blush overspread the pale face of the Princess Ursula.

”My King! my Lord!” she exclaimed, forgetful of all that had gone before. ”Is this true? Is it possible that Augustus is still mine?”

”Pray do not doubt me,” replied the King gravely. ”Why should I lie?”

It was true. At that moment the King did not lie; Countess Hoym's beauty had made a great impression on him, but at the same time it had filled him with a sort of fear. The energy of her character betrayed itself in her every movement and glance, and he felt that he should be obliged to lay half of his power at her feet. Anna's face said, ”I must rule;” the face of Ursula said, ”I love you, and I am dying for your love!” Countess Hoym even appeared to him too sad and serious. That, therefore, was the reason he went over to console the Princess; he had no wish to lose her, and place his neck beneath the yoke of a woman who seemed not in the least anxious to conquer him.

Countess Hoym was very tastefully dressed; she wore no jewels, but her coiffure and the colour and cut of her dress lent an added charm to her beauty. The portraits of her taken at that time, represent her as having a face of an exquisite oval, a small nose, lovely lips, and very expressive, large black eyes, whilst her features were very delicate, and her long black hair very abundant. Her hands, bust, and waist were of a corresponding beauty; and her fair face blushed and paled with every succeeding emotion.

Although exposed to the gaze of several hundred persons, Anna Hoym was not in the least confused; at first she was silent and dignified, but she speedily became accustomed to the dazzling splendour, which appeared to her to be an ordinary thing here, for although the court in which she had pa.s.sed her young days was not so splendid as that of Dresden, the forms, she found, were the same.

Princess Teschen at once prepared to obey the King's command, and having cast on him one languis.h.i.+ng glance, she left the ball-room almost triumphant. A few moments later Augustus stood beside Countess Hoym's chair. He gazed at her in silence, and, having noticed his approach, Anna rose. The King requested her to be seated, and she obeyed, but without any exaggerated respect.

At that time it was the custom that when the King desired to talk with any one, those standing near immediately retreated. This custom was observed in the present instance.

”Countess, you are the most beautiful lady at my court,” said the King gallantly, bending towards her as he spoke. ”I am delighted with the new and splendid star that has now risen on my horizon.”

Anna raised her head proudly.

”Your Majesty!” replied she, ”at night, any small light looks like a star, but with the daylight it expires. I know how to appreciate your Majesty's favour, and it is to this favour that I attribute these flattering words.”

”I only repeat what I hear,” said Augustus.

”People who see me for the first time,” rejoined Anna, laughing, ”usually see badly. A new object amuses; that alone is truly beautiful which, after many years, still appears beautiful.”

The King was silent, for he understood that the beautiful lady beside him was referring to his gallantry towards Princess Teschen. But after a few moments, he said,--

”You are too modest.”

”Oh, no!” replied Anna with animation. ”I do not attach any value to beauty.”

”But beauty of face indicates beauty of soul,” rejoined the King.

Anna lowered her eyes. The King did not leave her.

”After the long solitude imposed on you by your husband,” continued Augustus, ”the court must appear very strange to you.”

”Not at all,” replied Anna. ”I spent my youth at a court which, although more modest than your Majesty's, gave me just the same idea as to what all courts are.”

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