Part 32 (2/2)
”Pray think it over! What shall I tell Flemming!”
”Tell him I do not wish to go!”
The Baron returned to the General, and told him of his conversation with Cosel.
Flemming was sorry he was obliged to use force: he went to her. She received him haughtily.
”You place me in a most awkward position,” said he, ”for I wished to save you unpleasantness. I have kept back the King's order for several days; now I bring it to you personally. Should you refuse to obey it, I shall be grieved, but I shall be compelled to force you to submit to it. The King does not wish to meet you in Dresden.”
Looking from the window, Cosel saw a detachment of dragoons standing before her house. Her black eyes gleamed angrily, but she kept her anger under control.
She glanced at the letter.
”I am going at once,” said she; ”you can trust my word.”
Flemming bowed and departed; the dragoons followed him.
An hour later, Cosel, hidden in a carriage, was journeying towards Pillnitz.
A few days later she had disappeared; she was on the road to Warsaw.
Letters were immediately dispatched in great haste to Countess Przebendowska, notifying her of the danger.
Cosel's arrival would change their well-played comedy into a drama. The King was already in love, or rather entangled by those ladies, and they determined to act at once, in order to avoid danger. When the King came to see Countess Denhoff, he found her dressed in black, and weeping.
”What ails you, my beautiful lady?” he inquired solicitously, at the same time kissing her beautiful hands.
”Your Majesty,” said Denhoff, ”I am threatened by a great danger. I should not mind death, were I persuaded that your Majesty loves me; but, alas! they wish to take my life from me, together with your Majesty's heart. Cosel is coming to Warsaw; perhaps she is already here. Perhaps your Majesty has come to tell me that I must yield to my rival.”
”From whence did you receive such news?” inquired the King in surprise.
”Still, let Cosel come; your triumph over her will then be more complete.”
”No! no!” exclaimed Denhoff. ”If she comes, I leave Warsaw.”
The mother was listening at the door, waiting for an agreed signal to enter. Marie coughed, the door opened, and the Countess entered. She appeared much surprised at seeing the King.
”I am glad you are come,” said Augustus. ”You must help me to quiet your daughter.”
”Why, what is the matter?” rejoined the mother, still pretending to be surprised.
The King repeated what Countess Denhoff had just told him. The mother listened, looking in wonder, now at her daughter, now at Augustus.
”I do not wonder that Marie is afraid,” said she. ”Every one knows of Cosel's threats, and how impetuous she is.”
”Well,” interrupted Augustus, ”it is very easy to settle matters. If you wish, I will order Cosel to be sent back to Dresden.”
The old lady replied to this with exclamations of grat.i.tude.
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