Fiction > Book editions > London, 1885 - Prince Otto

214 PRINCE OTTO
word ? — I took the Prince your order. He
could not credit his senses. "Ah," he cried,
" dear Madame von Eosen, it is not possible — it
cannot be — I must hear it from your lips. My
wife is a poor girl misled, she is only silly, she is
not cruel." " Mon Prince^'' said I, " a girl —
and therefore cruel ; youth kills flies." — He had
such pain to understand it ! '
' Madame von Eosen,' said tlie Princess, in
most steadfast tones, but with a rose of anger in
her face, ' who sent you here, and for what
purpose ? Tell your errand.'
' 0, madam, I believe you understand me very
well,' returned von Eosen. 'I have not your
philosophy. I wear my heart upon my sleeve,
excuse the indecenc3/ ! It is a very little one,'
she laughed, ' and I so often change the sleeve ! '
' Am I to understand the Prince has been
arrested ? ' asked the Princess, rising.
' While you sat there dining ! ' cried the
Countess, still nonchalantly seated.
' You have discharged your errand,' was the
reply ; ' I will not detain you.'
' no, madam,' said the Countess, 'with your
permission, I have not yet done. I have borne
much this evening in your service. I have
suffered. I was made to suffer in your service.'
She unfolded her fan as she spoke. Quick as
Jier pulses beat, the fan waved languidly. She