Part 41 (1/2)

”Frankly speaking, my heart bleeds at the thought of what I have seen and heard. She is still angry, and never will forgive. But in her misfortune she arouses respect. She is marvellous and grand.”

”Consequently dangerous!” said Lowendahl; ”but she must have lost much of her beauty?”

”She is more beautiful than ever--she is beaming with beauty.”

”So much the worse!” said Lowendahl. ”The King might see her, and, being tired of Denhoff's withered face, she would capture him again.”

”There is no doubt about that,” said Von Sinen.

Little by little Lowendahl learned what he wanted to know in order to repeat it to the Countess Denhoff. The very same day he went to pay her a visit, and during the conversation he mentioned that there was news from Cosel.

”Where is she?” asked the Countess.

”She is in Berlin, and uses her liberty to blacken our King and his company,” said Lowendahl. ”But the worst thing is that she threatens to kill our lord.”

Denhoff screamed and rushed from the sofa.

”But that is dreadful! We must warn the King,” she said.

”Yes, we must try to deprive her of her freedom.”

The Countess did not answer, for it entered her mind that the same fate might be hers too.

Lowendahl guessed her thoughts, for he added,--

”The King was never severe towards those whom he loved; the best proof of it is those ladies whom you have met here; but there are some cases--”

Here the Countess Bielinska, the mother, entered, and having learned what the question was, she became indignant.

”Truly, the King is too good for that mad woman! She challenges him! We must put an end to her daring!”

They agreed that Denhoff should warn the King; but, upon reflection, the mother said that she could do it better.

Lowendahl, having entrusted his vengeance to such hands, went out.

In the evening of the same day, there was an entertainment in the garden of the Hesperides, as they then called the garden surrounding Zwinger, now the famous picture gallery. The garden was laid out in accordance with the taste of those times; the flower-beds were surrounded by trimmed box trees; there were many fountains, grottoes and mythological statues. During the evening the lighted j.a.panese lanterns made it still prettier than it was during the day. On the balconies surrounding Zwinger, bands played lively melodies, which were carried afar on the sweet breezes. In the middle of the garden was an enormous tent, destined for dancing.

The King came dressed in blue, silver and white lace; he was looking quite young. The Countess Denhoff also wore a pale blue and white dress which was very becoming to her. Forcing herself to be merry, she greeted the King with some jests. Her sister, the Countess Pociej, helped her to entertain the King, who, as he grew older, was more difficult to amuse.

Augustus was gloomy and looked tired.

By a preconcerted arrangement, the Countess Pociej suggested that formerly he amused himself better with Cosel, and that perchance he regretted her.

The gallant King replied that in the presence of such charming ladies he did not remember and did not regret anything.

Countess Denhoff seized the opportunity of saying something about Cosel; but, as usual, she did it awkwardly, and her mother, waiting for the opportunity, came to her help. Then both began to lament on the theme of Cosel.

The King did not like that, for he was quite silent. At that moment both women were frightened, but at last the King said,--

”Dear Countess, pray be easy about me. I am watched by many guardians, some asked and some not asked; and nothing will happen to me. I do not like to talk about these matters. Better let us go and look at the dancing.”