Collected works > Edinburgh edition, 1894-98 - Works of Robert Louis Stevenson > Volume 9, 1895 - Romances Volume II

PLAYS HAROUN-AL-RASCHID
welcome ; for, sir,' he added, with a bow, ' it is God
who sends the guest.'
' Amen. And I most heartily thank you,' replied
Otto, bowing in his turn.
'Fritz,' said the old man, turning towards the
interior, 'lead round this gentleman's horse; and
you, sir, condescend to enter.'
Otto entered a chamber occupying the greater
part of the ground-floor of the building. It had
probably once been divided ; for the farther end was
raised by a long step above the nearer, and the
blazing fire and the white supper-table seemed to
stand upon a dais. All around were dark, brass-
mounted cabinets and cupboards ; dark shelves
carrying ancient country crockery ; guns and antlers
and broadside ballads on the wall ; a tall old clock
with roses on the dial ; and down in one corner
the comfortable promise of a wine-barrel. It was
homely, elegant, and quaint.
A powerful youth hurried out to attend on the
grey mare ; and when Mr. Killian Gottesheim had
presented him to his daughter Ottilia, Otto followed
to the stable as became, not perhaps the Prince, but
the good horseman. When he returned, a smoking
omelette and some slices of home-cured ham were
waiting him ; these were followed by a ragout and a
cheese ; and it was not until his guest had entirely
satisfied his hunger, and the whole party drew about
the fire over the wine-jug, that Killian Gottesheim's
elaborate courtesy permitted him to address a ques-
tion to the Prince.
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