"You are mistaken," answered Von Sinen. "It is both; I preferred to come myself rather than let any one else be sent here."
"Speak, then," said Cosel, "I am ready for anything."
"Were you only ready to have more resignation," said he, "everything could be repaired."
"What do they require from me?"
Von Sinen sighed.
"The King has sent me to ask you for the paper which he signed for you," said the Chamberlain.
"And he thinks that I shall surrender it, so that from a wife I shall become a mistress, whom he can dismiss whenever he likes." And she added, "If you have come only on that errand, then return and tell the King that Cosel will never sell her honour."
"Madam, for heaven's sake," said the Chamberlain, "do not be stubborn. If you return that paper, you can yet recover your freedom--everything."
"Augustus' heart is what I want," whispered Cosel. "But he has none in that breast glittering with diamonds; he is as cold as are the stones. I shall never get back that which is dearest to me--faith in mankind."
Von Sinen remained a couple of hours; but not being able to prevail upon her, he stayed in Halle several days, giving her plenty of time to think it over.