Countess Cosel

“ You must endure it; you must not pay attention to many things, the others you must forgive. You know I bear a great deal from her."
"Countess Cosel pays your Majesty with her love," said Flemming familiarly, "that is quite different."
"Well, get on well with Cosel," added Augustus.
"It will be difficult; I cannot be her courtier; I can neither lie nor flatter, and it is no easy matter for me to bow, for my back is old."
To this the King replied, laughing,--
"It is true, she does not like you either. She says that you look just like a monkey." ”

“ The ring disappeared, and instead, the white hand approached Zaklika's lips.
He kissed it rapturously, and then rushed from the room like a madman, and Countess Cosel was left alone, thoughtful, and with tears in her beautiful dark eyes.
"It is thus that poor men love," said she to herself. "Kings are different."
All this time the Swedes were still in Saxony. Charles XII. was heartless and sardonic towards the King; severe towards the nobility; and a grievous burden to the country, for his soldiers went about catching men and enrolling them in the Swedish army. ”

“ Over the earth there blew a warm air, mingled with the scent of flowers. Even around the castle some life appeared; the ploughmen went freely to the fields--she alone could not move. Cosel used to stay at the window for hours deep in thought, and did not notice that a soldier, astonished at her beauty, would often look at her, and ask himself what this angel-like woman could have done to merit imprisonment. Old Von Wehlen, smoking his pipe on the ramparts, looked also at her windows, and his thoughts were bitter; his heart heaved, for he felt that he loved his lord Friederich Augustus less. ”

“ From that moment he was again for her the dear Augustus.
Five days later there came an official from Dresden, sent by the Kurfürst, who was then Augustus III., King of Poland. He asked to be announced to the Countess.
"I am sent to your Excellency," said he, "by our most gracious lord, to announce to you that you are free, and that you may live where you please."
Cosel rubbed her forehead.
"I? Free?" said she. "What do I need freedom for now? The people have become strangers to me, and I am a stranger to them. Where can I go? I have nothing; they have robbed me of everything. ”

“ Mlawa was thoughtful.
"What are you going to tell me?" whispered Cosel uneasily.
"You are going on towards your destiny. Who has ever avoided his fate? Who has ever seen its precipices? After long happiness, there awaits you a still longer, oh, far longer season of penitence, a rigorous captivity, sleepless nights, unaccustomed tears. Having children, you will be childless; with a husband, you will be a widow, you will be an imprisoned Queen; you will be free, but you will throw away your freedom--you will be--oh! don't ask me--"
Cosel was as white as marble, but still she tried to smile. ”

“ Cosel turned, apparently with indifference, and bowed slightly to the new-comer, who stood pale, full of emotion, looking at that beautiful face, still alight with the same charm which first shone for him under the linden trees in Laubegast.
After a moment of silence the Countess said,--
"Are you here on a visit?"
"No, madam, I am on service, which I daresay will last quite a long time, for I doubt whether anybody would care to exchange with me."
"It is surely the worst prison any one could find," exclaimed the Countess. "In a dark room the world is unseen, and so forgotten ”

“ The old commandant did not notice these sentiments in his nephew. He was the most prosaic of men, and did not care for feminine beauty. Formerly he had a smile for them all, but now for none of them.
It was Henry who had carefully suggested to him to permit the Countess to enjoy the garden. Very often acting as lieutenant to his uncle, he was practically master of the castle, and Cosel knew well that she could count on him, although she seldom deigned to look at him. She preferred to wait for Zaklika. ”

“ Every one of importance at Court was against Cosel, profiting by the King's absence in Flanders, whither he had gone to fight against France, in the hope that by some deed of daring he might brighten his fame, so clouded by the Swedish defeat. Fürstenberg and Flemming wished to shake the King's love by writing to him about the Countess's extravagant luxuries. So black did they succeed in painting her, that the King gave orders that she should not be furnished with too much money. ”

“ Augustus did not answer; and Cosel laughed bitterly.
"To expect pity from you, vile tyrant! From you who break your promises and then imprison those who ask you to fulfil them! What do you care for human life? What do you care for human heart? Cosel, a prisoner, despises you and curses you: yourself, your family and your country! Die, you villain!"
She aimed and fired at the King. The pistol shot resounded in the castle mingled with laughter. The King, hearing the whizz of the ball, came to his wits; he saluted smiling, and galloped off in the direction of Pillnitz. ”

“ The Count stopped her.
"Think of what you are doing; you are forcing the King to be severe with you. He can use force! You cannot hide the paper so that it cannot be taken from you."
"Let him try, then," said the Countess.
"It would be a very sad extremity," rejoined Watzdorf, "and we would like to avoid it. If you oblige us to use force, you cannot expect anything else."
Cosel did not let him finish, but said to him,--
"You wish me, then, to sell my honour? I assure you that there is not money enough in the King's treasury to pay for the honour of such a woman as I am. ”

“ But whilst at Dresden all was sad and quiet, the King, in the best of spirits, and full of hope, was hastening to Warsaw. Flemming was with him, the Countess Przebendowska preceded him. It was an open secret that they wished to find a new lady for the King at Warsaw. They did not wish her to be as beautiful as Cosel, for beauty such as hers threatened a long attachment; neither must she be witty, for the King was content with giddiness, and she must not possess a heart, for it was only at the commencement that Augustus played a sentimental part. ”

“ You cannot live in peace with any one."
"Because no one is friends with me," replied Anna.
She began to cry; thereupon the King rang the bell, and, despite Cosel's opposition, ordered Flemming to be summoned.
After a long time, which Augustus employed in pacing furiously up and down the room, the General arrived. He did not salute Cosel on entering, but turned straight towards the King.
"My dear Flemming," said Augustus, "if you love me, you will ask pardon of the Countess. Shake hands both of you!"
"Never!" exclaimed Cosel. ”

“ Augustus rushed towards her.
"That has been yours for a long time," he exclaimed.
"I neither see it, nor feel it," said the Countess slowly. "The heart is shown in deeds. A heart that loves truly would never wish to dishonour the object of its love. My Lord, I cannot conceal from you that I love you. I could not resist your love, but I cannot stain it!"
The King knelt before her, but Anna retreated.
"Your Majesty, listen to me, I pray you."
"Command me!"
"Anna Hoym could never be yours except she felt she were worthy of you." ”

“ La Haye, who up to the present had not uttered a word, remained. The lesson his comrade had received had been good for him, and he now began very delicately,--
"Countess," said he, "ambassadors are never fired on; I pray you, calm yourself. We are not responsible for bringing such an unpleasant message. I should be in despair, should I incur your displeasure; but for Heaven's sake, consider; to a military man, the King's order is a sacred thing, and must be accomplished."
"Have you seen the King?" inquired Cosel. ”

“ Cosel was surprised.
The old man, who had spoken very little, said respectfully to her as he took his leave,--
"Countess, permit me to make a remark to you. Time flies pleasantly in your house; but although the doors and windows are shut, a great many things get out. Any breeze can carry gossip to the banks of Elbe; our neighbour may frown on our King, because such things are said here against our good neighbour and ally. ”

“ Her dress was black enlivened with crimson ribbons, which made a most picturesque costume. The Countess Vitzthum, who came to fetch her, screamed with admiration on beholding her, so beautiful did she appear, and she for one would have felt no surprise had a crown been thrown at her feet.
"You say you wish to live with my brother," said she, "and yet you dress so beautifully to receive the King?"
"No woman would willingly make herself appear homely," replied Anna coldly. ”

“ Augustus' cold and sometimes cruel treatment of his best favourite warned the others to be armed against the caprices of their lord, who could take everything from them. Thus Hoym, the Countess Cosel's ex-husband, whom the King needed but did not like, remembering the fate of Beichling, Imhoff, and even his ex-wife, had sold his estate in Saxony, sent away the money, and, resigning from the Saxon service, had retired to Silesia.
With Denhoff the reign of omnipotent King's favourites was ended. The actors of those comedies and dramas grew old and died out. ”

“ Countess Hoym was sharp and proud--that repelled him for a time, but her beauty appeals to his senses, and his senses always subdue him. He is afraid of her, and therefore he will desire her all the more--and you know that he must always have that for which he longs. It appears that Countess Hoym is not inclined to play the part of an easy favourite, and the King will exhaust all his strength before he conquers her, but there is no doubt that he pleases her. ”

“ Von Sinen could hold no longer. Pity was stronger within him than any other consideration.
"I implore you," said he, "to go away from here! I can say no more."
"What!" said Cosel. "Is it possible that even here I am threatened? Would the King of Prussia surrender a woman as Augustus surrendered Patkul?"
Von Sinen stood silent; it was evident he could not say any more.
"Where is there to go?" she murmured to herself. "I could not live too far from him; my heart still longs for him. Let them do with me what they please. I am disgusted with life. ”

“ Outside he found Cosel just where he had left her; she appeared gloomily thoughtful.
"What a dreadful place!" she repeated. "It seems as if I could--can hear the moans of those who have been tortured here."
"We cannot be tender towards every one," said Augustus, indifferently. "But how is it you have such gloomy thoughts? Let us leave the castle and go into the park. I have ordered them to have lunch ready. Soon they will drive up some game, and we shall be able to admire your skill in shooting them." ”

“ Repeat to them what you have heard from me; let them know what I think of them; and if you wish to be well rewarded, tell the King that you have heard from Anna Cosel's own lips that she will do as she told him, she will shoot him for his treachery and unfaithfulness. In one, two, ten years, the first time I meet Augustus, I shall fire at him. I always have a pistol with me, and shall not discard it until I have accomplished my vengeance."
The Baron was mortally pale.
"Countess," he exclaimed, "you force an honest man to be a traitor. I am a nobleman, and I am in the King's service. ”

“ It would not be a difficult matter to get a couple of horses in the town, and the frontier was not far away.
A few days later he found an opportunity of entering Cosel's room without arousing any suspicion. The Countess extended her hand to him.
"You have made me wait too long," said she.
"I could not do otherwise," answered Zaklika. "The one who uses the last means must be careful. The question was not one of my life, but of not failing to deliver you."
"Yes, you are right," said Cosel. "I must preserve you for a last resource, for you are most faithful. ”

“ The guests disappeared by the side balconies, for they knew that the king would come by way of the back balcony. The alchemist, Fürstenburg, and Nehmitz alone remained to greet them.
The furniture was hastily placed in proper order, the floor was strewn with flowers, and Bottiger stood on the threshold with a bouquet.
Soon the room was brightened by the arrival of Cosel in the full splendour of her beauty. The prisoner knelt.
"We always receive a goddess kneeling," said he, "and the best sacrifice we can offer her is scented flowers." ”

“ Countess Vitzthum took her sister's arm, and taking advantage of the moment when her brother could not hear what she said, whispered,--
"Dear Anna! there is no reason for you to fear, or to excuse yourself; now at last your captivity is at an end. You shall see the court, the King, and all our splendour, which is unrivalled throughout the whole of Europe. I congratulate you. I am convinced that a most splendid future awaits you." ”

“ Zaklika pointed to his uniform.
"Now is my turn," said he. "I will try to be more intelligent, and perhaps I shall be more lucky."
Cosel smiled bitterly.
"Everything is written above, predestinated, unchangeable--no one can escape his fate."
"And why should it not be my fate to give you liberty?"
She shook her head.
"For this reason, that I shall be free in another way," said she. "Formerly I was blind, but now I see my destiny in this book. There is no favour in this world; there is only iron, unbreakable, unavoidable necessity. One must submit to it. In the Old Testament alone is wisdom." ”