The Countess DenhoffThe Countess Denhoff
"If your Majesty will do me the honour to accept a modest supper at my house, to-morrow, perhaps I could succeed in presenting her to you."
The King looked at her, but it seemed as though she did not notice it, for, had she, she must have blushed, so ironical was his glance.
The same day Countess Bielinska was closeted with Countess Denhoff, and when they separated the latter was confused, but at the same time happy. Being accustomed to be regarded as a queen in her own little circle, and sure that everything she did must please, she was frightened at these preparations for a new fortune. She did not oppose her mother's will, but there was so much trouble, and the frivolous woman did not like too many ceremonies.
Flemming and Przebendowska knew that it was necessary that the King should be received with great splendour; the modest supper therefore was altered to a magnificent ball. When the King arrived, he found Countess Denhoff surrounded by many beautiful ladies. He went over to her and began a conversation, which did not succeed at all, and it was noticed that Augustus did not appear to be smitten by her beauty.
After supper the King danced with Countess Denhoff, who was still confused and awkward. The first impression was not such as Flemming's sister had expected.
After the reception the King said to Vitzthum,--
"Have you seen that they wish to seduce me here; but so long as women such as Denhoff wish to compete against Cosel, the latter is perfectly safe."
Vitzthum, who was in a good humour at the time, replied,--
"Your Majesty, it is not a question of Countess Cosel's happiness, for she can remain in Dresden, and Madam Denhoff at Warsaw. But it seems that the Poles complain that they are wronged by Countess Cosel, and wish you to select some one from among them. It would therefore be necessary to divide your Majesty's heart between Saxony and Poland."
The King laughed.
"It is all very well for you," said he, "but every day I receive letters full of reproaches, and then they try and tempt me here."
"The King should do that which pleases him."
Augustus did not need to be persuaded of that.
On Countess Bielinska's part, everything that might attract the King was attended to. The next day he was invited to supper, and Countess Denhoff and her sister amused him by singing to the harpsichord.
This evening Countess Denhoff was more daring, and while singing, she constantly looked across at the King, who liked to be provoked. Her mother and sister helped her, answering for her, and choosing merry subjects of conversation. The King soon grew to like the house and the people, and to visit them oftener; and it was not long before he became accustomed to the little Countess, and fell in love with her, as much as such a man as he was able.
The King was constantly receiving letters from Cosel, to whom her enemies purposely communicated everything: these letters were in consequence full of bitter reproaches. At first the King used to reply to them, but gradually he left them unanswered.
In a conversation with Vitzthum, the King had expressed a wish to get rid of Countess Cosel, whom he feared. Flemming determined to utilize the remark, and one evening when the King sighed, he laughed.
"I should like," said he, "to remind your Majesty of an old story which might perhaps be applied to present circumstances."
"For instance?" queried Augustus.
"In old times," said Flemming, "before he met the beautiful Aurore, the Kurfürst of Saxony was in love with Rechenberg. Soon he wished to get rid of her. Then the Kurfürst of Saxony asked Chancellor Beichling to help him. Beichling courted the lady, and the King was freed."
"I doubt if you would succeed in the same way with Cosel," said the King.
"One could always try."
"Whom do you wish to make happy with her?"
"I would leave the choice to your Majesty's penetration," said Flemming.
The King strode up and down the room, smiling ironically.
"It is difficult to choose, for Cosel has very few acquaintances who would even dare to approach her. Why not employ Baron Lowendhal, who, being her relation andprotégé, can approach her more easily than any one else. If I could prove to her that she was unfaithful, I should have a pretext for breaking with her."
"I will employ Lowendhal," said the General. "She has done a great deal for him, but the King has done more; besides, he would not like to fail with Cosel."
"He will do what he is ordered."
As a result of this conversation, a letter was despatched to Dresden, to Lowendhal, ordering him to compromise Cosel.
Augustus wished to get rid of Cosel, but he wished to do it quietly. Sometimes he regretted her, but he was weak; he could not resist the intrigues. Fresh faces did with him what they pleased; novelty amused him, and he gladly entered on fresh amours, ended by laughter and gaping on his part, and tears on the part of others.
The example of Königsmark, Teschen, Spiegel, Esterle, and many more, who had been consoled, and provided with comforters, quieted his mind with regard to Cosel, although he well knew that there was a great difference between her and the others. But then she had threatened to kill him, and her threats were not vain. One might expect she would fulfil it. Orders were therefore given in Dresden that Cosel's movements should be watched; they feared she would come to Warsaw, and, knowing the King's character, Flemming was sure that did Cosel once make her appearance, she would regain her former influence over the King by her beauty and superiority.
It was important that Lowendhal should act speedily. Cosel was still young and beautiful.
One day Cosel's friend, Baron Haxthausen, found her weeping; she rushed towards him, wringing her hands with indignation.
"Could you believe it!" she cried, "that villain Lowendhal, who owes me everything, dared to tell me he loved me."
Haxthausen could scarcely soothe her.
"A few years back," she continued, "he would not have dared to insult me in that way. Have you heard about that Denhoff?"
"Yes! there are some rumours," replied Haxthausen.
"Through what mud will they drag the King!" said she sadly; then she was silent.
Flemming, who was managing the whole affair, came to Dresden. The King had ordered him to get rid of the Countess, but to treat her with great respect and delicacy.
At first his arrival alarmed Cosel, but after a few days, having persuaded herself that he seemed anxious to avoid fresh quarrels with her, she was reassured.
The King wished Cosel to give up the Palace of the Four Seasons, and Haxthausen was deputed to carry out this delicate mission. To his great surprise, Cosel replied,--
"The King gave it to me, and he can take it back. This house reminds me too powerfully of happy times. I could not live in it, and would move out willingly."
The news of her banishment from that paradise filled her enemies with joy. This must be a sure sign that everything was ended between her and Augustus. But Cosel kept on repeating to her intimate friends that she was the King's wife, and that he could not leave her thus.
In 1705, while he was still in love with Cosel, Augustus had made her a present of a lovely country house at Pillnitz, on the banks of the Elbe. The situation was very beautiful, but it was lonely, and quite a long journey from Dresden.
The King wished to show Denhoff the magnificence of his capital, but feared some outburst from Cosel. He therefore wrote to Flemming, telling him to induce Cosel to leave Dresden and take up her residence at Pillnitz.
Haxthausen was again chosen as ambassador, and the King's letter was shown to him.
"General," said Flemming, "the King wishes to visit Dresden, but he cannot come so long as Cosel is here. She has threatened to kill him so many times. And he never likes to meet those whom he has offended. I know that Cosel regards me as her enemy; she has made me momentarily angry, but I have forgotten all about it by now. I should very much dislike to push her to extremities. Be so kind as to go and induce her to leave Dresden. I should be sorry to be compelled to send her an order."
Having heard Flemming's sweet words, Haxthausen went. Cosel was in a very good humour; the General began by joking.
"I marvel at the King's bad taste," said he. "I do not know this Denhoff, but, from what I have heard, I am sure that you will return in triumph to your former position, provided always that you do not irritate the King."
Cosel guessed he had come charged with some errand.
"Do you bring me some command wrapped up in flattery?"
Haxthausen looked at her sadly, and nodded his head to signify that it was so.
"Then speak."
"Flemming has shown me an order from the King, saying that you are to leave Dresden and go to Pillnitz. I think it will be better for you; it will be more agreeable for you than to see--"
Tears dimmed her eyes.
"It is so hard! so very hard!" said she softly. "I know that you are my friend, and I can tell you that you have no idea what an effort it will cost me. Have you seen the King's order? Do they not lie?"
"Yes, I have seen it!"
She flushed, and then grew angry.
"They do not know me!" she exclaimed. "They will tease me until they arouse a fearful vengeance within me. They are mistaken in thinking that I shall respect the man who thinks that the crown gives him the right to scoff at sentiment."
Haxthausen listened in silence.
"And all this," she continued, "I have to suffer for such a woman as that Denhoff, who has already had several lovers. They wished to abase the King that they gave him such a woman as that."
She began to weep.
"Could I have expected this?" said she, sobbing. "He swore that I had his heart, he did not hesitate to give up everything for me, and I believed him; I was sure of the future. Three children unite us, he loved them, he acknowledged them; he was not ashamed of his love for me. I was faithful to him. I tried to please him in everything. I served him like a slave. And to-day, after so many years, I have to remain alone, driven out without a word of good-bye, without a word of sympathy. Alas! that man has my heart."
In such passionate outbursts half an hour passed; at length she sank on the sofa exhausted.
"Madam," said Haxthausen, "your anger is justifiable, but at present you must be patient and cautious, so that you may not shut the door to a return. You know how changeable the King is; you must win him back, but you must be patient."
"Then give me your advice, my good friend," said Anna.
"Will you allow me to speak frankly?"
"Yes!"
"Flemming is better disposed to you than formerly. You must try and keep him in that frame of mind. Everything is changed at Court. You might be useful to him. If you act quietly now, the King will be grateful to you. They are continually frightening him by saying that you threatened to kill him. The King is afraid, and Denhoff will not venture to start for Dresden, being afraid for her life. As long as the King thinks that you are excited he will not venture near you. The best way, therefore, is to show that you are not vehement. Countess Königsmark has preserved her friendly relations with the King. Princess Teschen was not driven from Dresden, while Esterle, by her obstinacy, has closed the entrance to the palace to herself for ever."
"How dare you give me such examples!" exclaimed Cosel. "Esterle, Königsmark, Teschen, were the King's mistresses, while I am his wife! You must not compare me with them."
Haxthausen was silent.
"Still, you are right," she continued; "I must not make him angry. I will go to-morrow."
The envoy was about to depart with the good news, when Cosel broke forth again,--
"They would not dare force me! The King himself would not dare do that! It cannot be!"
Haxthausen tried to persuade her to be submissive, but no sooner had she agreed to follow his advice than she was again bent on resistance.
Three or four times she changed her mind. Finally she said,--
"I will not go! Let them use force if they dare!"
"Pray think it over! What shall I tell Flemming!"
"Tell him I do not wish to go!"
The Baron returned to the General, and told him of his conversation with Cosel.
Flemming was sorry he was obliged to use force: he went to her. She received him haughtily.
"You place me in a most awkward position," said he, "for I wished to save you unpleasantness. I have kept back the King's order for several days; now I bring it to you personally. Should you refuse to obey it, I shall be grieved, but I shall be compelled to force you to submit to it. The King does not wish to meet you in Dresden."
Looking from the window, Cosel saw a detachment of dragoons standing before her house. Her black eyes gleamed angrily, but she kept her anger under control.
She glanced at the letter.
"I am going at once," said she; "you can trust my word."
Flemming bowed and departed; the dragoons followed him.
An hour later, Cosel, hidden in a carriage, was journeying towards Pillnitz.
A few days later she had disappeared; she was on the road to Warsaw. Letters were immediately dispatched in great haste to Countess Przebendowska, notifying her of the danger.
Cosel's arrival would change their well-played comedy into a drama. The King was already in love, or rather entangled by those ladies, and they determined to act at once, in order to avoid danger. When the King came to see Countess Denhoff, he found her dressed in black, and weeping.
"What ails you, my beautiful lady?" he inquired solicitously, at the same time kissing her beautiful hands.
"Your Majesty," said Denhoff, "I am threatened by a great danger. I should not mind death, were I persuaded that your Majesty loves me; but, alas! they wish to take my life from me, together with your Majesty's heart. Cosel is coming to Warsaw; perhaps she is already here. Perhaps your Majesty has come to tell me that I must yield to my rival."
"From whence did you receive such news?" inquired the King in surprise. "Still, let Cosel come; your triumph over her will then be more complete."
"No! no!" exclaimed Denhoff. "If she comes, I leave Warsaw."
The mother was listening at the door, waiting for an agreed signal to enter. Marie coughed, the door opened, and the Countess entered. She appeared much surprised at seeing the King.
"I am glad you are come," said Augustus. "You must help me to quiet your daughter."
"Why, what is the matter?" rejoined the mother, still pretending to be surprised.
The King repeated what Countess Denhoff had just told him. The mother listened, looking in wonder, now at her daughter, now at Augustus.
"I do not wonder that Marie is afraid," said she. "Every one knows of Cosel's threats, and how impetuous she is."
"Well," interrupted Augustus, "it is very easy to settle matters. If you wish, I will order Cosel to be sent back to Dresden."
The old lady replied to this with exclamations of gratitude.
"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.
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 noble 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."
"What?" exclaimed Cosel. "You would dare employ force against me?"
"I have a formal order to compel you to return to Dresden," said Montargon, "and I shall obey it."
Then the Countess's anger burst forth.
"Leave the room!" she cried, seizing a pistol. "If you do not go, I will shoot you through the head."
Zaklika stood ready on the threshold.
Montargon, who knew well that the Countess would keep her word, slipped out quickly. 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.
"Yes; I received my orders from his own lips. I beseech you to give heed to it!"
This soft tone completely disarmed Cosel, she sank trembling into an arm-chair.
"Be calm," continued La Haye. "It seems to me that there is nothing serious for you in all this."
"And that Denhoff?"
"That is only a passing fancy," said La Haye; "something like the amour with Duval, which he has already forgotten. Moreover, Denhoff is married, her husband is in the country, and knows nothing of all this; should he learn the truth, there would be no chance of his allowing her to come to Dresden. But the King must return thither, then you will see him, and regain your former influence over him."
Cosel began to ask questions about everything, and La Haye laid the whole story before her in such a light, that he considerably modified the appearance of danger to herself. After a quarter of an hour's conversation, the Countess was persuaded that it would be better for her to return to Pillnitz.
Montargon did not show himself again, but sent a messenger immediately to the King with the good news. Being afraid, however, that Cosel might change her mind, he followed her with La Haye and the soldiers from afar, till they were sure she would not return.
In the meantime the Countess Denhoff began to attract attention by receiving the too frequent visits of the King. The respectable people were scandalized at the behaviour--at her dishonouring the good name of a married woman, during her husband's absence. They were much more shocked at the fact that her own mother was an intermediary agent, that her own sister was a witness, that they boasted of such conduct. Count Denhoff's whole family began to press him to call his wife to his country estate; and Denhoff sent her imperative letters, urging her to leave Warsaw immediately.
But the young woman sent her mother instead. When she came to her son-in-law's château, she said to him pointedly,--
"You must not plague us with these demands to return, for it cannot be done. We are not going to give up the happiness of our whole family for your fancies; the King is in love with Marie, and we intend to keep him. Do you wish me to bring her here for the sake of stupid prudery, and neglect our interests?"
Denhoff was a man of the old school, and he had already heard of his wife's flightiness.
"Madam," said he, "I am not inclined to share my wife's heart with the King; and, frankly speaking, there would remain very little of it for me, for, as it seems, many people court your daughter."
"Then," said the Countess, "you must either be silent, and thus assure for yourself the King's favour, or else consent to a divorce. The papal nuncio, Monsignor Grimani, is quite friendly towards us; he will secure the divorce in Rome."
"Deliver me from the King's favours; but if you would free me from my wife, I shall be only too thankful to you for it," said the Count.
The Countess was greatly astonished that her son-in-law should so readily give up all chances of the King's favour; but having received his written consent to the divorce, she returned with it to Warsaw. The nuncio wrote to Rome, and Clement XI. ordered the divorce to be granted.
There was thus no longer any objection to Countess Denhoff accompanying the King to Dresden; except, to be sure, that Cosel would be in her way.
In order to get rid of her rival, Countess Denhoff feigned that she lived in continual fear of her, and she incited the King to send her from Pillnitz, so that she would not be able to return to Dresden. Then Flemming helped her, reminding the King that he should take from her his promise of marriage, so that she would not be able to compromise the King. Augustus found he was right, and ordered Count Watzdorf to be written to, to try and obtain that document from Cosel and persuade her to leave Pillnitz.
Cosel was obliged to receive him, knowing that he came on an errand from the King.
"The best proof," said he, "that I wish you well is my coming here. I would like to help you to come to some understanding with the King; but you must show some goodwill, and finish peacefully like Aurore and Teschen."
Cosel blushed.
"Aurore and Teschen," exclaimed she, "were his favourites, while I am his wife. I have his written promise."
Watzdorf laughed.
"Ah! dear Countess," said he, with offensive familiarity, "it is an old story. You know well how tyrannical passion is; a man is not master of himself under its influence. Our King also signed the peace at Altranstadt, but does not consider himself bound by it; it is the same with his promise to marry you."
Cosel could hardly contain her indignation.
"No! I still believe he is an honest man who knows what he does, and deceives neither himself nor any one else."
She began to pace to and fro.
"Tell me, then, frankly," said Watzdorf, "what are your conditions? The King is willing to grant them to you, only you must not ask anything impossible or attach too much weight to trifles. You will give me back that paper."
Cosel turned towards him excitedly.
"Did you come for that?" she asked.
"Well, yes."
"Then return," said Cosel angrily; "for as long as I have life I shall not surrender that paper; it is a defence of my honour, and that is more precious to me even than life. Do you think I had consented, for all the King's riches, to stretch out my hand to him if he had not given me the promise of marriage?"
"But you well understand," said Watzdorf, "that it is of no value, for the Queen is living."
"Then why do you want it back?" asked Cosel. "You must be ashamed that the King has deceived me."
"I cannot hear any reproaches against the King," said Watzdorf.
"Then return from whence you came," said Cosel, leaving the room.
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. I shall not return that document for anything! I wish to let the world know how I have been deceived."
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"No!" she exclaimed suddenly, "you lie; it cannot be the King's will; you blacken the King, wishing to defend him. I have not yet doubted his noble heart, although I believe he is occasionally thoughtless. The King cannot ask for it."
The messenger silently took from his pocket the King's letter and handed it to the Countess.
She glanced at it contemptuously.
"If that which he signed for me has no value now," she said, "what weight can I give this letter? Tomorrow the King may ask you to return that to him."
Watzdorf, in confusion, replaced the letter in his pocket and said,--
"Countess, I pity you--you may believe me or not, but I am sincere. For God's sake, think of what you expose yourself to! remember the lot of many people. It is dangerous to oppose the King."
"I know him better than you," she answered.
"I beseech you!"
"Spare yourself the time and trouble," said Cosel quietly. "It is in vain; you can do less with me by threatening than by persuasion."
She threw a contemptuous glance at him and left the room.
Hardly had the carriage in which Count Watzdorf had come disappeared than Cosel called Zaklika to her. Being afraid of spies in her own house, Cosel told him to follow her into the courtyard, and there she tried to speak to him as if she were giving him some instructions concerning the house.
Zaklika had guessed her thoughts.
"We are watched here, are we not?" said Cosel.
"Yes," answered the faithful servant.
"Can we deceive them?"
"The principal spy is Gottlieb, but he is stupid."
"Gottlieb!" exclaimed the Countess.
"Yes; the man that talks so much of his fidelity to you."
"In the city everybody knows you, I suppose?"
"Many of them have forgotten me," answered Zaklika.
"Could you bring some news?"
"If I must, I will."
"It is dangerous for me to remain here," continued Cosel. "I must escape. I have confidence in you alone; you must advise me how it can be done."
Zaklika was silent and thoughtful.
"It is difficult, but if we must--"
"Then," said Cosel, "I must take my jewels and money with me."
Zaklika did not say a word; he pulled his moustache and lowered his eyes.
"Could you assure me that we shall be able to cross the frontier before our escape is noticed?"
"I will do my best."
His face was covered with perspiration; it was evident that he doubted the success of the enterprise, but he did not wish to show it.
"We should have done it a long time ago," said he.
He snapped his fingers and frowned. Cosel looked at him with fear and curiosity. This silent, energetic man was so different from the others, on whom she could not count; he astonished, but at the same time rejoiced her. She felt that he was a man.
"I have a boat," said he, "hidden in the bushes. During the night I will go into the town and learn everything I can; then I will think how we could escape. You must not call me--they will think I am shut up in my room, as has happened often before."
At that moment Cosel perceived Gottlieb stealing towards them, and not wishing that he should guess anything, she nodded to him. The German swiftly approached.
"Gottlieb," said she, "I would like some flowers planted, for I think I shall stay here a long while. If you go into town you must try and get me a gardener, for the Pole says he does not know anybody."
Gottlieb looked at them both as if trying to guess whether she was speaking the truth, and began to assure the Countess that he would do anything to please his beloved mistress.
Cosel entered the house, and Gottlieb tried to learn something from Zaklika, but it was in vain.
Towards the evening the Pole, as they called him, disappeared. This aroused the suspicions of the spies; they tried to open the door of his room, but found it locked. The room was on the ground floor, so they looked into it through the window, opposite to which was the bed. A man was lying there. This quieted the spies, and they let him sleep.
In the meantime Zaklika unmoored his boat, and, jumping into it, allowed it to be carried down by the stream, which bore it swiftly towards Dresden. In a couple of hours he perceived the lights of the capital. He already knew where to go for news.
In the Dresden Court, where every one squandered money, the bankers were very important people, and among them was Lehman. He came from Poland, he was a laborious and honest man, shrewd in money transactions, but scrupulously honest. Cosel had sent Zaklika several times for him, and they had had some important transactions.
The Jew, who had the best of opportunities for learning people's characters, had recognized in Cosel a noble soul; he had entire confidence in her, and respected her very much.
Zaklika knew that even after Cosel's downfall Lehman had given her proofs that he remained faithful to her, and he thought he could trust him and ask him for advice.
Having left his boat near the hostelry of a Wend, as in those days there were still many of them in Dresden, he drew his hat over his eyes and went into the town.
When he had passed the gates, although it was late, he recognized by the movement in the streets that there was an entertainment in the castle. Zwinger and the garden of Hesperides were illuminated. The King was giving a torchlight masquerade to the Countess Denhoff.
Zaklika did not go near the castle, but went directly to Judenhause, situated in Pirna Street, in which Lehman had a modest house. Zaklika was sure that he would find the banker alone at this hour, and he was anxious for nobody to see him. An old servant opened the door to him, and showed him into a room at the rear of the house.
Lehman, a quiet man, with steady black eyes, shook hands with him, and, in reply to Zaklika's inquiring look round, said,--
"You are safe here; no one can spy on you in my house. What is your news?"
"Bad news," answered Zaklika; "it couldn't be worse. They hunted us from the Palace, from the house in Dresden, and now they wish to drive us from Pillnitz--or perhaps something worse. We must help that unfortunate woman--persecuted as she is by these cowardly villains."
"Yes," said Lehman; "but we must be careful, and not hurt ourselves in the attempt."
"Cosel must escape," added Zaklika.
"To where?" asked the Jew. "She would be safe only beyond the seas."
"I hope the King will not ask his neighbours for our extradition."
Lehman moved his head.
"The Countess," went on the faithful servant, "must take what she can with her, for anything she leaves, the rapacious people will seize, as they did that which she left in the Palace."
The banker nodded.
"But it would not be safe to carry the money with us in our flight, for we might be caught and deprived of everything. You must help the Countess to save the rest of her fortune."
"Believe me," said the banker, "I am willing to help the Countess. I knew her well; she was the only pearl amid all that mud; but you must understand that it would not be right for me to endanger myself and my family for her sake."
"God alone will know of your good deed, and you know that neither I nor the Countess would betray you."
"Well, I consent," said the Jew; "but you must be careful that nobody sees you going out, for I, too, am watched by spies."
"I will be careful," said Zaklika.
"Everything you give me I will send you whenever it best suits you," added the Israelite.
Lehman took from a sideboard a bottle of wine and two glasses.
"No, thank you," said Zaklika. "I must hasten, for I want to learn some news to take to my mistress."
"It is always the same old story," said Lehman, gloomily; "those who drink with the King they are in favour; they enjoy themselves from morning till evening, and they send to Königstein those who are in the way of their amusement. You must not ask for pity or heart, for the least sensitive people are those who are lascivious. The King uses all of them, bestows favours upon them when he needs them, and he despises them."
"What about the Countess Denhoff?"
"She gathers money, that's all; and it seems the King already thinks of marrying her to somebody."
Lehman shrugged his shoulders.
"You wish to learn something," continued he. "Here the people are changed, but not the things."
They talked a little while longer; then Lehman led Zaklika to the gate at the rear of the garden, and gave him a key for it. Zaklika, wrapped in his mantle, went on further. He did not think it would be dangerous to mix with the crowd, to approach Zwinger, and see what was going on there.
He was already in the street leading to the castle thronged withnobles vénitiens, when somebody slapped him on the shoulder.
He turned, surprised--the fool Fröhlich smiled at him.
"How did you recognize me?" asked Zaklika.
"Besides the King, nobody here has such broad shoulders as you have," whispered Fröhlich. "What are you doing here? I heard that you were with Cosel."
"I left her," answered Zaklika, "There was nothing to do after her downfall."
"You are right," said the fool; "one must always take care of one's neck. Then you returned to the King's service--or perhaps you are with Denhoff?"
"Not yet," answered Zaklika. "But tell me, what do you think of her?"
"She is like those little black animals that jump and bite, but which it is difficult to catch," said the fool, laughing.
They were still talking when a passing Spaniard, with a mask on his face, stopped, and began to look attentively at them. Zaklika wanted to go, when the masked man approached him, raised his hat, and seized him by the hand.
Fröhlich disappeared immediately.
The unknown asked Zaklika imperatively,--
"What are you doing here?"
"I am looking for a position," answered he.
"Do you no longer like the service in which you were formerly?"
"They do not need my services there now."
"What kind of position are you seeking?"
"I am a nobleman," answered Zaklika.
The Spaniard muttered something, then he said,--
"Where is Cosel?"
"Probably in Pillnitz--I am not sure."
"Come with me."
"Where?"
"Don't ask; you are not afraid, I hope."
Zaklika went, and he soon noticed that the stranger led him to Flemming, who was at home, drinking with some friends. Masked men went to and fro; those who preferred the wine remained. Flemming expected the King. There was a great noise in the house.
The Spaniard entered, and whispered something to Flemming, who then came to Zaklika, and conducted him to a separate room. The Spaniard followed them.
"When did you leave Cosel?" asked he.
"A few days ago."
"What was she doing then?"
"She was settling in Pillnitz."
"Does she intend to stay there?"
"I think so."
"Why did you part from her?"
Zaklika understood that he must win their confidence, and he answered,--
"She dismissed me, for now she does not need many servants."
"Do you know Pillnitz well--the people and the roads?"
"Very well indeed!"
"Would you accept another service?"
"Why not?"
"Even were you obliged to act against your former mistress?"
"The King is my only master," said Zaklika, "for I am a nobleman."
Flemming laughed.
"Come to me in two days," said he.
"Very well."
Flemming wanted to give him some money; but Zaklika refused to accept it, and withdrew.
Thus he was sure he had two days in which to save his beloved lady.
He wrapped himself in his mantle, and visited some friends in the suburbs; then he took his boat and went towards Pillnitz, sculling hard against the current of the river.