"Your Majesty has a peculiar taste for the street women."
Fearing a further outburst of passion from her, the King left the box.
Cosel was thus exposed to the ironical glances of the whole Court; she remained for a short time longer, then making believe that she was unwell, ordered her litter, and returned home.
The Countess's enemies thought that by exciting her jealousy, they would succeed in making her quarrel with the King; and with this end in view they sent the Baroness Glasenapp to call on her. She found Cosel in tears and at once began to prattle.
"You cannot think how I pity you. I know everything, and I am indignant at it. You do not perhaps know that the King has taken supper with Duparc?"
Cosel listened quietly to her gossip, then she said,--
"Do not think that I am jealous; I only grieve for the King, who wrongs himself more than he does me."
Having said this, she rose, wiped away her tears, and, suspecting some intrigue, tried to appear indifferent.
Glasenapp did not succeed in making her angry. Cosel could control herself at times.
The King did not come to see her the next day, he was afraid of her impetuosity. Instead he sent Vitzthum to reconnoitre. Cosel and he had always been good friends. Apparently, he came of his own accord, to inquire after her health, and did not in anyway allude to the events of the preceding evening.