Part 32 (1/2)

”Then speak.”

”Flemming has shown me an order from the King, saying that you are to leave Dresden and go to Pillnitz. I think it will be better for you; it will be more agreeable for you than to see--”

Tears dimmed her eyes.

”It is so hard! so very hard!” said she softly. ”I know that you are my friend, and I can tell you that you have no idea what an effort it will cost me. Have you seen the King's order? Do they not lie?”

”Yes, I have seen it!”

She flushed, and then grew angry.

”They do not know me!” she exclaimed. ”They will tease me until they arouse a fearful vengeance within me. They are mistaken in thinking that I shall respect the man who thinks that the crown gives him the right to scoff at sentiment.”

Haxthausen listened in silence.

”And all this,” she continued, ”I have to suffer for such a woman as that Denhoff, who has already had several lovers. They wished to abase the King that they gave him such a woman as that.”

She began to weep.

”Could I have expected this?” said she, sobbing. ”He swore that I had his heart, he did not hesitate to give up everything for me, and I believed him; I was sure of the future. Three children unite us, he loved them, he acknowledged them; he was not ashamed of his love for me. I was faithful to him. I tried to please him in everything. I served him like a slave. And to-day, after so many years, I have to remain alone, driven out without a word of good-bye, without a word of sympathy. Alas! that man has my heart.”

In such pa.s.sionate outbursts half an hour pa.s.sed; at length she sank on the sofa exhausted.

”Madam,” said Haxthausen, ”your anger is justifiable, but at present you must be patient and cautious, so that you may not shut the door to a return. You know how changeable the King is; you must win him back, but you must be patient.”

”Then give me your advice, my good friend,” said Anna.

”Will you allow me to speak frankly?”

”Yes!”

”Flemming is better disposed to you than formerly. You must try and keep him in that frame of mind. Everything is changed at Court. You might be useful to him. If you act quietly now, the King will be grateful to you. They are continually frightening him by saying that you threatened to kill him. The King is afraid, and Denhoff will not venture to start for Dresden, being afraid for her life. As long as the King thinks that you are excited he will not venture near you. The best way, therefore, is to show that you are not vehement. Countess Konigsmark has preserved her friendly relations with the King. Princess Teschen was not driven from Dresden, while Esterle, by her obstinacy, has closed the entrance to the palace to herself for ever.”

”How dare you give me such examples!” exclaimed Cosel. ”Esterle, Konigsmark, Teschen, were the King's mistresses, while I am his wife!

You must not compare me with them.”

Haxthausen was silent.

”Still, you are right,” she continued; ”I must not make him angry. I will go to-morrow.”

The envoy was about to depart with the good news, when Cosel broke forth again,--

”They would not dare force me! The King himself would not dare do that!

It cannot be!”

Haxthausen tried to persuade her to be submissive, but no sooner had she agreed to follow his advice than she was again bent on resistance.

Three or four times she changed her mind. Finally she said,--

”I will not go! Let them use force if they dare!”