Fiction > Book editions > London, 1885 - Prince Otto

1 84 PRINCE OTTO
Fifth and Long-fingered Tom, you come to me
to fortify your vanity ! But I will clear my
mind upon this matter : until I know the right
and wrong of the transaction, I put my hand
behind my back. A man may be the pitifullest
prince, he must be a spotless gentleman.'
The Prince had gotten to his feet, as pale as
paper. ' Gotthold,' he said, 'you drive me
beyond bounds. Bew^are, sir, beware ! '
' Do you threaten me, friend Otto ? ' asked
the Doctor, grimly. ' That w^ould be a strange
conclusion.'
' When have you ever known me use my
power in any private animosity ? ' cried Otto.
' To any private man, your words w^ere an un-
pardonable insult, but at me you shoot in full
security, and I must turn aside to compliment
you on 3^our plainness. I must do more than
pardon, I must admire, because you have faced
this — this formidable monarch, like a Nathan
before David. You have uprooted an old kind-
ness, sir, with an unsparing hand. You leave
me very bare. My last bond is broken ; and
though I take Heaven to witness that I sought
to do the right, I have this reward : to find
myself alone. You say I am no gentleman;
yet the sneers have been upon your side ; and
though I can very well perceive where you have
lodged your sympathies, I will forbear the taunt.'