Part 15 (1/2)

Hoym gazed into the King's eyes in astonishment.

”It is evident that you have some enemies at court,” said the King.

”They wished to keep you away from me, but fear nothing, I am your friend, I will not allow you to be wronged.”

Hoym thanked the King for his favour. Then, during their further conversation, His Majesty complained that he had not sufficient money.

”Dear Hoym,” said he, ”you must procure it, I need it so very badly.”

It was towards noon when Hoym at length returned to his home. He had scarcely crossed the threshold of his room, than Anna, dressed in black, appeared before him. Never before had she looked more beautiful, calm, and dignified.

Hoym sprang towards her, but she received him coldly, and kept him at a distance.

”I have been waiting for you,” she said. ”I have come to thank you for every good thing you have done for me, and to a.s.sure you that I shall never forget it. But at the same time, I have to tell you that our marriage, which is not based on mutual sympathy, and therefore cannot give us any guarantee of happiness, must come to an end. We must be separated. You know I always speak frankly. The King has been good enough to a.s.sure me of his favour--I cannot refuse it. Moreover, I love him, and am determined to obey him. But I cannot be false to you. I am come, therefore, to ask you for a divorce; this will save the honour of your name. We cannot act otherwise. Should you consent to a divorce, you may rest a.s.sured of my grat.i.tude; I will also endeavour to a.s.sist you in everything. Should you, on the contrary, prefer to resist my wish, it will not in anywise alter my determination, but it will cause me to forget my grat.i.tude towards you, and to remember you only as a hindrance to my happiness.”

From the first words of his wife's artful and formal speech, Hoym had guessed everything. He drew back as though struck by a thunderbolt. He had not suspected that matters had gone so far as that. His pale face became crimson. Several times he would have interrupted her, but the magnetic gaze that Anna fixed upon him kept him silent until her speech was ended. The indifference and self-possession with which she spoke filled Hoym with indignation.

By the time she had finished speaking, his anger was so great that he was unable to utter a word.

”Madam,” shouted he at length, ”you reward me nicely for having drawn you from your obscure corner. You will leave home and husband to depend on the favour of a most frivolous man.”

But Anna did not allow him to proceed with his speech.

”Enough of this!” she exclaimed. ”I know all that you are going to say; I know also what I intend doing. The care for my future fate you can leave to me. Nothing will alter my determination. I only ask you to choose and tell me whether, or no, you will consent to the divorce. Are we to be friends or enemies? Yes or no?”

Hoym was one of the most licentious of the courtiers; his relations with his wife were of the worst, but the moment he realized that he was to lose her for ever, grief, jealousy, and anger overwhelmed him to such a degree that he was unable to speak.

As was his custom when enraged, he began to tear his wig, and rush to and fro across the room, overthrowing the chairs as he went. He clenched his hands, stood for a few moments at a window, gazing into the street beneath, then he rushed threateningly towards his wife, and vainly endeavoured to speak. Then again he hurried from her. In short, he looked just like a madman who does not know what he is doing.

But all this outburst of fury made not the least impression on Anna.

She only waited quietly, looking at him ironically. At length, being unable to obtain an answer, she said, coldly,--

”I see you cannot decide between peace and war. I would only remind you that war with me and the King would be a trifle dangerous.”

She left the room as she spoke.

Hoym still continued his mad rushes to and fro.

He tore his clothes, he sat down, rose again, and gave way to every possible action of despair. And in this he continued until he was interrupted by the entrance of Vitzthum.

”Hoym!” exclaimed his visitor, ”what is the matter?”

”You know that better than I do. It is you, my dearest friends, who have prepared this surprise for me. Anna leaves me! The King requires her! Why did she ever marry me? Why does she wish to make me the laughing-stock of the people?”

Vitzthum let him have his storm out, then he spoke.

”Listen, Hoym,” said he. ”I can understand that you would regret parting with the beautiful Anna, but you know well that she never loved you, and you led her such a life, that I doubt if you really loved her.

Thus, then, there can be no question of love in the matter. Let us now talk calmly; I have come here by the King's command.”