Fiction > Book editions > London, 1888 - Prince Otto

A ROMANCE 217
spoke, with outstretched arms ; and Seraphma
shrank. ' Do not be alarmed ! * the Countess
cried ; ' I am not offering that hermitage to
you ; in all the world there is but one who
wants to, and him you have dismissed ! "If
it will give her pleasure I should wear the
martyr's crown," he' cried, " I will embrace the
thorns." I tell you — I am quite frank — I put
the order in his power and begged him to resist. ^
You, who have betrayed your husband, may
betray me to Gondremark ; my Prince would
betray no one.*. Understand it plainly,' she
cried, ' 'tis of his pure forbearance you sit there ;
he had the power — I gave it him^to change
the parts ; and he refused, and went to prison
in your place.'
The Princess spoke with some distress.
'Your violence shocks me and pains me,' she
began, ' but I cannot be angry with what at
least does honour to the mistaken kindness of
your heart : it was right for me to know this.
I will condescend to tell you. It was with deep
regret that I was driven to this step. I admit
in many ways the Prince — I admit his amiability.
It was our great misfortune, it was perhaps
somewhat of my fault, that we were so un suited
to each other ; but I have a regard, a sincere
regard, for all his qualities. As a private person
I should think as you do. It is difficult, I know,