Fiction > Book editions > London, 1886 - Prince Otto

A ROMANCE 103
who withheld the better portion of her beauty,
and then, in a caressing second, flashed it like
a weapon full on the beholder ; now merely a
tall figure and a sallow handsome face, with the
evidences of a reckless temper ; anon opening
like a flower to life and colour, mirth and tender-
ness : — Madame von Eosen had always a dagger
in reserve for the despatch of ill-assured admirers.
She met Otto with the dart of tender gaiety.
'You have come to me at last, Prince Cruel,'
she said. 'Butterfly! Well, and am. I not to
kiss your hand? ' she added.
' Madam, it is I who must kiss yours.' And
Otto bowed and kissed it.
' You deny me every indulgence,' she said,
smiling.
' And now what news in Court ? ' inquired
the Prince. ' I come to you for my gazette.'
' Ditch-water ! ' she replied. ' The world is
all asleep, grown grey in slumber ; I do not
remember any waking movement since quite an
eternity ; and the last thing in the nature of a
sensation was the last time my governess was
allowed to box my ears. But yet I do myself
and your unfortunate enchanted palace some in-
justice. Here is the last — positively ! ' And
she told him the story from behind her fan, with
many glances, many cunning strokes of the
narrator's art. The others had drawn away,