"She will ruin Saxony, and Poland too, and then she will not be satisfied. Your Majesty may be satisfied with her caprices, but with us who surround the throne, our duty is to free your Majesty from such fetters."
Augustus hastened to speak of other matters. On reaching the castle he went at once to Cosel, who was awaiting him with anger and reproaches, things that Augustus disliked exceedingly.
"My King! my lord!" she cried. "Help me! Flemming treats me as if I were the least among women. He insults me publicly; he tears my letters in pieces and tramples on them. He has threatened to drive me from this palace. Your Majesty must choose between him and me."
Augustus embraced her, smiling.
"Calm yourself, my dear Countess, you are excited. I need Flemming just now, therefore I must be kind to him."
"And I?" asked Cosel.
"You know very well that I cannot live without you. But if you love me, you will do something for my sake. You will be reconciled to Flemming."
"Never!" exclaimed Cosel.
"He will ask your pardon."
"I do not care about it. I wish never to see the man again."