Fiction > Book editions > London, 1885 - Prince Otto

A ROMAXCE
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ligliter still,' continued the Prince. ' But one
thing, madam, you must still continue to bear
— my lather's name , which is now yours. I
leave it in your hands. Let me see you, since
you will have no advice of mine, apply the more
attention of your own to bear it worthily.'
' Herr von Gondremark is lonc^ i]i comino-,'
she remarked.
' Seraphina, Seraphina ! ' he cried. And
that was the end of their interview.
She tripped to a window and looked out ;
and a little after, the chamberlain announced
the Freiherr von Gondremark, who entered with
something of a wild eye and changed complexion,
confounded, as he was, at this unusual summons.
The Princess faced round from the window with
a pearly smile ; nothing but her heightened
colour spoke of discomposure. Otto was pale,
but he was otherwise master of himself.
' Herr von Gondremark,' said he, ' oblige
me so far : reconduct the Princess to her own
apartment.'
The Baron, still all at sea, offered his hand,
which was smihngly accepted, and the pair
sailed forth through the picture-gallery.
As soon as they were gone, and Otto knew
the length and breadth of his miscarriage, and
how he had done the contrary of all that he
intended, he stood stupefied. A fiasco so com-