"May I see it?"
"No!" said the King coolly, continuing his reading.
Anna's face flushed, and, forgetful of the Secretary's presence, she sprang out of bed, and seized the letter. The King grew confused, and looked at the old man, who was likewise greatly embarrassed. This violent scene so surprised him that he knew not what to do.
Cosel devoured the letter with her eyes, and then tore it into fragments. Her presentiments were correct; the letter was from Henriette Duval, for whom the King had betrayed Cosel at Warsaw. She had written to her royal lover, telling him that she had been delivered of a daughter, who afterwards became the famous Countess Orzelska. The mother ended the letter by asking what she was to do with the child.
"Drown her!" screamed Cosel.
The King laughed, Anna wept, Bose bowed and began a retreat towards the door.
"Cosel, for Heaven's sake, be quiet," said the King, coming over to her.
"What?" she screamed. "You dare to betray me; you to whom I consecrated everything!"
It was not the first scene of the kind, but this time it lasted longer than ever before. It was in vain that Augustus kissed her hands, promising everything.
"What is it you wish me to do?" he exclaimed.