Fiction > Book editions > London, 1885 - Prince Otto

2 30 PRliYCE OTTO
career of life in siicli a palace. Scandal was at
the door, with what a fatal following she dreaded
to conceive ; and at the same time among the
voices that now began to summon her by name,
she recognised the Chancellor's. He or another,
somebody must be the first.
' Is Herr von Greisengesang without ? ' she
called.
' Your Highness — yes ! ' the old gentleman
answered. ' We have heard cries, a fall. Is
anything amiss ? '
' Nothing,' replied Seraphina. ' I desire to
speak with you. Send off the rest.' She panted
between each phrase ; but her mind was clear.
She let the looped curtain down upon both sides
before she drew the bolt ; and, thus secure from
any sudden eyeshot from without, admitted the
obsequious Chancellor and again made fast the
door.
Greisengesang clumsily revolved among the
winss of the curtain ; so that she was clear of
it as soon as he.
' My God ! ' he cried. ' The Baron ! '
' I have killed him,' she said. ' 0, killed
Him ! '
' Dear me,' said tlie old gentleman, ' this is
most unprecedented. Lovers' quarrels,' he added
ruefully, ' redintegratio ' and then paused.
' But, my dear madam,' he broke out again, ' in