"If you write a single word to that impertinent woman, I shall take the post, and go straight to Warsaw. I will kill both mother and child. I swear I will!"
To pacify her, the King promised everything. He would have nothing further to do with her; would forget her existence; would leave the unfortunate woman to the caprice of fortune.
CHAPTER X.
No one would ever have known of that scene, for it was Bose's policy always to keep his tongue behind his teeth, had not the weary King gathered a few of his companions together, that he might find distraction in their conversation. After drinking a second and a third bumper, the King began to laugh and look towards Fürstenberg.
"What a pity," said he, "that you did not bring those papers this morning, instead of Bose; perhaps you would have made it up with Cosel had you seen her as that old man had the good fortune to do."
"But the Countess has not yet left her bed," returned the Prince.
"She sprang from her bed, though, to tear the letter poor Henriette had sent me, from my hand. She is so jealous, that I should not be surprised if one day she were to shoot me."
Fürstenberg looked round cautiously, that he might be sure that only those who hated Cosel were present, then he said,--
"Your Majesty, if the Countess Cosel is so jealous, she should be careful to give you no cause for jealousy."
The King slowly raised his head, frowned, thrust out his lips, and replied coldly,--