Fiction > Book editions > London, 1885 - Prince Otto

28 PRINCE OTTO
in the wrong ; for I had no busmess to conceal
my name and lead on these gentlemen to speak
of me. And it is I who have to beg of 3^ou, that
you will keep my secret and not betray the dis-
courtesy of which I was guilty. As for any fear
of me, your friends are safe in Gerolstein ; and
even in my own territory, you must be Y.^ell
aware I have no power.'
' 0, sir,' she said, curtsying, ' I would not say
that : the huntsmen would all die for you.'
' Happy Prince ! ' said Otto. ' But although,
you are too courteous to avow the knowledge,
you have had many opportunities of learning that
I am a vain show. Only last night we heard it
very clearly stated. You see the shadow flitting
on this hard rock. Prince Otto, I am afraid, is
but the moving shadow, and the name of the rock
is Gondremark. All ! if your friends had fallen
foul of Gondremark I But happily the younger
of the two admires him. And as for the old
gentleman your father, he is a wise man and an
excellent talker, and I would take a long wager
he is honest.'
' 0, for honest, your Higlmess, that he is ! '
exclaimed the girl. ' And Pritz is as honest as
he. And as for all they said, it Avas just talk
and nonsense. When countryfolk get gossiping,
they go on, I do assure you, for the fun ; they
•don't as much as think of what they say. If you