He visited her each day, trying to persuade her by all possible arguments; but she was persistent in her refusal.
"I shall not give back the paper," she repeated. "It contains the defence of my honour and my children's. I shall die, but he shall not have it."
The second day after Von Sinen's arrival, Cosel called Zaklika to her. He looked awful--pale, angry, and silent. When he looked at people, they shrank from that face full of hate, seeing in it a grief only looking for the opportunity to change into madness.
They could not talk long in the house, being surrounded by spies. Zaklika used to come and go as though he had business to do, carrying something out and then bringing it back. Only thus could they speak. Cosel said to him,--
"Do they watch you, too?"
"Not yet."
"You must leave me, and be entirely free."
Zaklika shivered and stared at her.
"I? Leave you? And what am I to do with myself? to what shall I devote my life? Then I can only die."
"No," said Cosel, "it is only the beginning of my imprisonment. You must be free in order to help me to get back my freedom."