Fiction > Book editions > London, 1886 - Prince Otto

3$ PRINCE OTTO
the peasant. ' We keep company, she and I.
I love her, and she is by way of loving me ; but
all shall be above-board, I would have her to
know. I have a good pride of my own.'
4 Why, I perceive I must explain to you
what love is,' said Otto. 4 Its measure is kind-
ness. It is very possible that you are proud ;
but she, too, may have some self-esteem ; I
do not speak for myself. And perhaps, if your
oavu doings were so curiously examined, you
might find it inconvenient to reply.'
' These are all set-offs,' said the young man.
4 You know very well that a man is a man, and
a woman only a woman. That holds good all
over, up and down. I ask you a question, I
ask it again, and here I stand.' He drew a
mark and toed it.
' When you have studied liberal doctrines
somewhat deeper,' said the Prince, ' you will
perhaps change your note. You are a man ol
false weights and measures, my young friend.
You have one scale for women, another for
men ; one for princes, and one for farmer-folk.
On the prince who neglects his wife you can be
most severe. But what of the lover who insults
his mistress? You use the name of love. I
should think this lady might very fairly ask to
be delivered from love of such a nature. For if
I, a stranger, had been one-tenth part so gross