Fiction > Book editions > London, 1885 - Prince Otto

12 PRIXCE OTTO
and I am Killian Gotteslieim, at your disposal.
We are here, sir, at about an equal distance
from Mittwalden in Grllnewald and Brandenan
in Gerolstein : six leagues to either, and the
road excellent ; but there is not a wine bush,
not a carter's alehouse, anywhere between. You
will have to accept my hospitality for the night ;
rougli hospitalit}^, to which I make you freely
welcome ; for, sir,' he added with a bow, ' it is
God who sends the guest.'
' Amen. And I most heartily thank you,'
rephed Otto, bowing in his turn.
' Fritz,' said the old man, turning toAvards
the interior, ' lead round this gentleman's horse ;
and you, sir, condescend to enter.'
Otto entered a chamber occupying the greater
part of the ground-floor of the building. It had
probably once been divided ; for the farther
end was raised by a long step above the nearer,
and the blazing hre and the white supper-table
seemed to stand upon a dais. All around were
dark, brass-mounted cabinets and cupboards ;
dark shelves carrying ancient country crockery ;
guns and antlers and broadside ballads on the
wall ; a tall old clock with roses on the dial ;
and down in one corner the comfortable promise
of a wine barrel. It was homely, elegant, and
quaint.
A powerful youth hurried out to attend on