Let him come at
once, and he should so discover them for himself, and thus at
last be able to take action. The Countess was flushed with
triumph. Be that meeting never so innocent--and Madame von Platen
could not, being what she was, and having seen what she had seen,
conceive it innocent--it was in an Electoral Princess an
unforgivable indiscretion, to take the most charitable view,
which none would dream of taking. So the Elector, fiercely red in
the face, hurried off to the pavilion with Madame von Platen
following. He came too late, despite the diligence of his spy.
Sophia had been there, but her interview with the Count had been
a brief one. She had to tell him that at last she was resolved in
all particulars. She would seek a refuge at the court of her
cousin, the Duke of Wolfenbuttel, who, she was sure--for the sake
of what once had lain between them--would not now refuse to
shelter and protect her. Of Koenigsmark she desired that he should
act as her escort to her cousin's court.
Koenigsmark was ready, eager. In Hanover he would leave nothing
that he regretted. At Wolfenbuttelyy, having served Sophia
faithfully, his ever-growing, romantic passion for her might find
expression.
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