The Countess Cosel Part 33

"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."

She opened a mahogany box ornamented with gold, and took from it a small leather bag with a silk cord.

"You will not betray me!" said she, looking into his eyes.

Tears rolled down Zaklika's cheeks, as he knelt down before her and kissed her hands; then, suspending the bag round his neck, he said, in a voice full of emotion,--

"This shall only be taken from me with my life."

"We are going on a journey," said Cosel. "Things may turn out worse for us than we expect. You must have money."

She handed him a bag of gold.

A few hours later Cosel set forth, taking with her the loaded pistols which she always kept at hand.

Everything went well until they reached Widawa, a small town on the borders of Silesia. Here they were obliged to rest. Cosel put up at the best hostelry, at which there was a detachment of cavalry. Zaklika was at the door of the Countess's room, when Montargon and La Haye came to him with the request that he would announce them to the Countess, to whom, having met her on the road, they were anxious to pay their respects.

Cosel was much surprised at receiving such a message, as now every one seemed anxious to avoid her, still she suspected no danger, and ordered Zaklika to bring them in.

The Countess received the officers courteously, and as it was the hour for dinner, she invited them to share her modest repast.

Conversation flowed easily during the meal; Montargon told the Countess all the latest news from Warsaw; at length he said,--

"It seems to me that your journey is futile. So far as we know, it may make the King angry. You may meet with unpleasantness."

Cosel frowned.

"What!" she exclaimed, "you dare to give me your advice? You pretend to know the King better than I do, and to be a better judge than myself of what is fitting for me to do?"

Montargon looked confused.

"Pray excuse me!" he muttered.

"I will not excuse you!" exclaimed the Countess, "for it was impertinent, as well as in bad taste. Keep your advice for those that need it."

Montargon made a grimace.

"It is true," said he, "that you do not need advice from me, but suppose I have the King's order?"

"An order from the King?" cried Cosel.

"Yes."

"Even in that case I am not bound to obey," replied the Countess. "The King is overpowered by my enemies, he is doing that which he has no right to do, and he will regret it afterwards. I am sure he will be glad that I have not obeyed him."

Montargon was a polite man, but the Countess's tone offended him, so he replied in a soft tone that made his words all the more offensive,--

"I should be greatly obliged to you, Countess, if you would spare me the unpleasantness of employing that most simple of all arguments--force."