"I do not understand your Majesty," she said. "Will your Majesty please to speak clearly, so that I may have a chance of justifying myself?"
"To justify," interrupted the King passionately, "there are some deeds that cannot be justified. You wish to deceive me, but I have proofs."
"Proofs against me!" exclaimed the Countess, wringing her hands. "Augustus! You torture me! Speak! I am innocent."
She threw her arms round his neck; he tried to push her away, but she grasped his hand and began to weep.
"Have mercy upon me! Speak! Let me at least know why I suffer. Who has dared to slander me?"
It took quite a long time to pacify the King, but her tears softened him, and he made her seat herself beside him.
"Very well, then," said he, "I will tell you everything. Fürstenberg told me that the whole city was scandalized at your conduct towards Lecherenne, whom you received every day, during my absence; he used to spend whole evenings with you."
Cosel put on the air of an offended woman.
"Yes," she replied, "it is all true, Lecherenne is in love with me, but I laugh at him. He amused me with his love, but I do not think I sinned in listening to him. Your Majesty is mistaken in thinking that it is enough for any one to be in love with me, to have my love in return. But it is dreadful," continued she, wringing her hands again, "to think that such a person as Fürstenberg can shake your Majesty's faith in my love."
She sank back on the sofa, weeping bitterly. The King was completely disarmed; kneeling before her, he began to kiss her.