Part 30 (1/2)

With these instructions, Countess Przebendowska started for Warsaw, where she was to choose. Flemming's cousin was a great friend of Countess Bielinska, whose two married daughters, the Countesses Denhoff and Pociej, both pretty, quiet and merry, could be placed on the list of candidates.

The first day after her arrival, Przebendowska paid a visit to her friend, who gave her a cordial welcome. She knew Przebendowska's influence over Flemming, and his power over the King.

”My dear,” said Przebendowska, ”I come to you with many troubles, and I hope you will help me.”

”I will share them with you willingly,” rejoined Bielinska.

”We are having great trouble with the King,” continued Przebendowska.

”He is in love with a woman who for several years has made him do whatever she pleases.”

”I know Cosel!” interrupted Bielinska. ”But why did not the King hold to Teschen?”

”He is never faithful to any one for long. We must get rid of Cosel, and find him some one else. The King is wearied.”

Bielinska became thoughtful.

”It is easy enough to find some one else, but we must be careful not to put new fetters on him.”

Countess Przebendowska stayed to dinner with her friend, whose two daughters were also dining with her. Both of these ladies were young, elegant in movement, and pretty. Countess Pociej was small and neat; she appeared frail, but her eyes lit up with fire, laughter was for ever bursting from her lips. Countess Denhoff was not tall either; she was gracious, and played the part of a melancholy person, although naturally she was flighty, and burned with a desire for gaiety. Her eyes sparkled with wit and malice, which she veiled under an exaggerated modesty.

Countess Przebendowska talked on indifferent subjects, but she never let the two pretty young ladies out of her sight for a moment. The dinner ended, the two old ladies were left alone.

Przebendowska knew well that Bielinska's affairs were in a bad state, and she at once began to condole with her about them. Presently her friend said,--

”You have seen my daughters. Marie is quiet, fresh, and pretty; she is also good-hearted, submissive, and easily guided. How do you like her?”

”She is charming.”

”She is like quicksilver, and, although she seems delicate, she is really very strong and lively.”

Then, lowering her voice, the mother continued,--

”We have been good friends since childhood; if some one must be so happy as to attach the King, why should we not introduce Marie to him?”

”I did not know if you would wish it.”

”Why not? Denhoff is a bad husband, and he is not young, either; she is very unhappy with him. If he objects to have the King as a rival, Marie will obtain a divorce from him.”

”But would she be willing?”

”I will persuade her,” said the anxious mother. ”It would really be a great blessing for us. Our affairs are in a shocking condition. Should my husband die, we should all be ruined.”

Countess Przebendowska neither promised nor refused.

”We shall see, we shall see,” she said; then added, ”We must not say a word to Marie until we are sure she pleases the King. Cosel was jealous and arbitrary; after her, he will require some one who is gentle, merry, and submissive.”

”He would not find any one who answered that description better than Marie does--that I warrant you.”

After a long time spent in conversation, the friends separated, a good understanding having been established between them.