"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.