Part 42 (2/2)

She never looked at the human faces; her gaze was fixed on s.p.a.ce. Only when many people gathered and began to whisper, with curious looks at her, she started and left the window.

The door of her house was always shut; n.o.body visited her; a servant obtained her meals from a restaurant. Only from time to time a young, elegantly dressed man knocked at the door. He went in and stayed for a few moments; then he returned, sad. The students called him the lover of the beautiful unknown, although he did not look like it.

The beautiful mysterious lady--for every one believed her to be a lady--was the sole topic of conversation in Halle at that time.

The landlord and his wife, questioned by their friends, even the bribed servant, would not give a word of information about her. When questioned, they threw a frightened look round, and muttered something about not knowing anything.

Besides the curious, from time to time a soldier walked past the house, looking in at the windows; then a man, whose mien indicated that he had been a soldier.

That beautiful unknown lady was the Countess Cosel, but how terribly changed!

The latest incident had broken the spirit of the woman, filled her soul with fear, and driven away all hope. She was now sad and in despair, and continually crying. The vengeance that persecuted her was so implacable, that now she expected everything--even death.

In Berlin she was free--she could escape; in Halle she was a prisoner.

Zaklika, who had accompanied her here, told her the next day that all the doors of the house were watched. She was still free, but she could not take a step. She wanted to go to church on Sunday, but, seeing that she was watched, she returned home. The landlord and his wife were very civil, but could not be trusted. The burgher had fox-like eyes, and his wife was pale and did not dare to speak a word.

Zaklika tried to make friends with them; they ran from him as from the pestilence.

A few days later the Chamberlain Von Sinen was announced. He came in sad, modest, and confused, as if he did not know what to say.

”With what do you come?” asked Cosel, ”for I know that you do not come in sympathy, but by command.”

”You are mistaken,” answered Von Sinen. ”It is both; I preferred to come myself rather than let any one else be sent here.”

”Speak, then,” said Cosel, ”I am ready for anything.”

”Were you only ready to have more resignation,” said he, ”everything could be repaired.”

”What do they require from me?”

Von Sinen sighed.

”The King has sent me to ask you for the paper which he signed for you,” said the Chamberlain.

”And he thinks that I shall surrender it, so that from a wife I shall become a mistress, whom he can dismiss whenever he likes.” And she added, ”If you have come only on that errand, then return and tell the King that Cosel will never sell her honour.”

”Madam, for heaven's sake,” said the Chamberlain, ”do not be stubborn. If you return that paper, you can yet recover your freedom--everything.”

”Augustus' heart is what I want,” whispered Cosel. ”But he has none in that breast glittering with diamonds; he is as cold as are the stones.

I shall never get back that which is dearest to me--faith in mankind.”

Von Sinen remained a couple of hours; but not being able to prevail upon her, he stayed in Halle several days, giving her plenty of time to think it over.

He visited her each day, trying to persuade her by all possible arguments; but she was persistent in her refusal.

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