Part 20 (1/2)

Furstenberg understood that he had gone too far. Whenever Augustus wished to get rid of a favourite, he was glad to hear something against her. His anger on the present occasion was a proof that as yet Cosel was not an object of indifference to him.

Not wis.h.i.+ng to talk any more, Augustus nodded to his guests, and retired to his chamber.

Furstenberg and the other courtiers regarded each other sorrowfully--they feared the consequences of such a bold attack.

But an unseen witness had overheard the conversation; this was none other than Zaklika, whom Countess Cosel had sent with a letter to the King. Wearying of her solitude, she had written to the King, begging him to come and see her, and had sent the faithful youth with the message. No one save Zaklika was allowed to enter the room while the King was merrymaking; unseen, he had entered the room, and stood behind the great side-board, waiting until the conversation was ended to deliver his letter. Thus he had overheard everything. The danger threatening Anna gave him sufficient courage to leave the room without handing the King the letter; he rushed back to his mistress's palace, and tapped at the door of her chamber. She had just risen for the first time. The moment he entered, she knew by his pale face that something had happened.

”Speak!” she exclaimed. ”Has something happened to the King?”

”No,” replied Zaklika, and then he repeated all that he had heard.

Cosel listened, blus.h.i.+ng, confused and offended; when he had finished, she took the letter from him, and signed to him to withdraw. She left her chamber and entered the drawing-room, the walls of which were covered with pictures representing scenes in the life of the King. One of them was a picture of the King's coronation.

As Cosel was gazing on it, her eyes filled with tears, steps were heard approaching--it was Augustus. He walked quickly, and looked pale and angry.

As though she had not noticed his entrance, Anna rose and approached the picture.

”Well,” said he angrily, ”so you condescend to look at my portrait?

Surely it is a mistake? I cannot believe that I still receive such honour.”

”Your Majesty,” replied Anna calmly, ”it would be ridiculous to suppose, that, being aware of all that makes you superior to other men, any one else should attract my glance after you. The most frivolous woman would be incapable of doing so. How could your Majesty have such suspicions?”

”Yes,” interrupted the King with trembling voice, ”until to-day I flattered myself, I thought--but appearances are deceiving, and the caprices of a woman are in most cases difficult to understand.”

The King's angry tones rejoiced Anna, for she was sure his jealousy meant that he still loved her, but she pretended to be offended.

”I do not understand your Majesty,” she said. ”Will your Majesty please to speak clearly, so that I may have a chance of justifying myself?”

”To justify,” interrupted the King pa.s.sionately, ”there are some deeds that cannot be justified. You wish to deceive me, but I have proofs.”

”Proofs against me!” exclaimed the Countess, wringing her hands.

”Augustus! You torture me! Speak! I am innocent.”

She threw her arms round his neck; he tried to push her away, but she grasped his hand and began to weep.

”Have mercy upon me! Speak! Let me at least know why I suffer. Who has dared to slander me?”

It took quite a long time to pacify the King, but her tears softened him, and he made her seat herself beside him.

”Very well, then,” said he, ”I will tell you everything. Furstenberg told me that the whole city was scandalized at your conduct towards Lecherenne, whom you received every day, during my absence; he used to spend whole evenings with you.”

Cosel put on the air of an offended woman.

”Yes,” she replied, ”it is all true, Lecherenne is in love with me, but I laugh at him. He amused me with his love, but I do not think I sinned in listening to him. Your Majesty is mistaken in thinking that it is enough for any one to be in love with me, to have my love in return.

But it is dreadful,” continued she, wringing her hands again, ”to think that such a person as Furstenberg can shake your Majesty's faith in my love.”

She sank back on the sofa, weeping bitterly. The King was completely disarmed; kneeling before her, he began to kiss her.

”Cosel, forgive me,” he pleaded, ”I should not be jealous, if I did not love you. Furstenberg is the most poisonous snake at my court. Forgive me! but I do not like your being even suspected.”