Fiction > Book editions > London, 1886 - Prince Otto

io 4 PRINCE OTTO
for it was understood that Madame von Eosen
was in favour with the Prince. None the less,
however, did the Countess lower her voice at
times to within a semitone of whispering ; and
the pair leaned together over the narrative.
' Do you know,' said Otto, laughing, ' you
are the only entertaining woman on this earth ! '
' 0, you have found out so much,' she cried.'
' Yes, madam, I grow wiser with advancing
years,' he returned.
' Years ! ' she repeated. ' Do you name the
traitors ? I do not believe in years ; the calendar
is a delusion.'
' You must be right, madam,' replied the
Prince. 'For six years that we have been good
friends, I have observed you to grow younger.'
' Flatterer ! ' cried she, and then with a
change, ' But why should I say so,' she added,
' when I protest I think the same ? A week
ago I had a council with my Father Director,
the glass ; and the glass replied, " Not yet ! " I
confess my face in this way once a month. !
a very solemn moment. Do you know what I
shall do when the mirror answers, " Now " ? '
4 1 cannot guess,' said he.
' No more can I,' returned the Countess.
4 There is such a choice ! Suicide, gambling, a
nunnery, a volume of memoirs, or politics — the
last, I am afraid.'