Fiction > Book editions > London, 1886 - Prince Otto

122 PRINCE OTTO
enjoyed myself too much,' he said, 'since enjoy-
ment is the word. And yet there were much to
say upon the other side. You must suppose me
desperately fond of hunting. But indeed there
were days when I found a great deal of interest
in what it was courtesy to call my govern-
ment And I have always had some claim
to taste ; I could tell live happiness from dull
routine ; and between hunting, and the throne
of Austria, and your society, my choice had
never wavered, had the choice been mine.
You were a girl, a bud, when you were given
me '
' Heavens ! ' she cried, ' is this to be a love
scene ? '
' 1 am never ridiculous,' he said ; 'it is my
only merit ; and you may be certain this shall
be a scene of marriage a la mode. But when I
remember the beginning, it is bare courtesy to
speak in sorrow. Be just, madam : you would
think me strangely uncivil to recall these days
without the decency of a regret. Be yet a little
juster, and own, if only in complaisance, that
you yourself regret that past.'
' I have nothing to regret,' said the Princess.
' You surprise me. I thought you were so
happy.'
'Happy and happy, there are so many
hundred ways,' said Otto. 'A man may be