"Give him this ring from me," she whispered, turning her eyes away from the faithful servant.
Zaklika turned pale.
"Countess," he ventured to say, in a muffled voice, "kindly excuse me, but this ring is from the King."
Cosel, who could not brook the slightest contradiction, turned towards him with a threatening glance and frowning brow.
"I do not ask you for advice, I give you an order and you have to execute it," said she.
Zaklika left the room, confused; he waited for a few moments behind the door. A few years back, a Bohemian noble had given him a costly ring, similar to the one he now held, as a reward for his great strength. Some presentiment caused him to change the rings; he gave his own to Count Lecherenne, and hid the ring the Countess had given him, close to his heart.
A few days later, the King entered Cosel's room while she was dressing. As it was always her custom to wear that ring, the jealous lover immediately noticed its absence.
"Where is my ring?" he asked.
Cosel began to search for it, while the King's face grew crimson.
"Where is it?" he repeated.