Part 33 (1/2)
”Marie, you may well consider yourself happy, having such a solicitous tutor.”
Then addressing the King, she added,--
”I would venture to observe to your Majesty that Countess Cosel will not obey every one.”
”Choose whom you please,” replied the King, much bored by the scene.
The old lady recommended a Frenchman, by name Montargon, who had come over to Poland with Prince Polignac. Half an hour later he had the King's order that Cosel was to be sent back to Dresden.
”What am I to do, supposing she will not obey your Majesty's order?”
inquired the Frenchman.
The King looked thoughtful; then, after a short silence, replied,--
”I will order Captain La Haye and six guards to accompany you; it seems to me that should be sufficient.”
The captain was sent for, and given the necessary orders, and that same night the detachment of soldiers marched out against one unarmed woman.
CHAPTER XVI.
Before starting on her journey, Cosel summoned the faithful Zaklika.
”All have forsaken me,” said she; ”I have none on whom I can rely.”
Zaklika looked gloomy.
”Will you also leave me?”
”I? Never!” he replied shortly.
”I think I can rely on your n.o.ble character, and your devotion to me.”
”Always!” said Zaklika, raising two fingers, as though he were taking an oath.
”I wish to entrust you with the most precious thing that I possess,”
said the Countess, lowering her voice, ”but you must promise me that you will sacrifice your life, rather than give up that which I am about to give you; that you will guard my honour as--”
”As a holy relic,” said Zaklika, raising his fingers a second time.
”You may rely on me!”
”No one must know that you possess this thing.”
”Do you wish me to swear?”
”No; I believe your word. But you must know what it is you have to guard. I said you would be the guardian of my honour. When the King granted me a divorce from my husband, he gave me a written and sealed promise that he would marry me, otherwise I should never have consented to such a life. They will try to take this promise from me. They may torture me, but I will never tell them where it is. I cannot conceal it here, for they can banish me, and it would not be safe to carry it with me.”