Fiction > Book editions > London, 1885 - Prince Otto

A ROMANCE 279
friends,' he said, approaching her. ' You would
be a perfect friend, if you were not so lovely.
You have a great sense of humour, you cannot
be unconscious of your charm, and you amuse
yourself at times by playing on my weakness ;
and at times I can take pleasure in the comedy.
But not to-day : to-day you will be the true, the
serious, the manly friend, and you will suffer me
to forget that you are lovely and that I am
weak. Come, dear Countess, let me to-day
repose in you entirely.'
He held out his hand, smiling, and slie took
it frankly. ' I vow you have bewitched me,'
she said ; and then with a laugh, ' I break my
staff!' she added; 'and I must pay you my
best compliment. You made a difficult speech.
You are as adroit, dear Prince, as I am — charm-
ing.' And as she said the word with a great
courtesy, she justified it.
' You hardly keep the bargain, madam, when
you make yourself so beautiful,' said the Prince,
bowing.
' It was my last arrow,' she returned. ' I
am disarmed. Blank cartridge, mon Prince !
And now I tell you, if you choose to leave this
prison, you can, and I am ruined. Choose ! '
' Madam, von Eosen,' replied Otto, ' I choose,
and I will go. My duty points me, duty still
neglected by this Featherhead. But do not fear