"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."