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

PROVIDENCE VON ROSEN
her fine voice in ' Lascia ch'io pianga ' ; and when
she had reached the proper point, and lyrically
uttered forth her sighings after liberty, the door, at
a sign, was flung wide open, and she swam into the
Prince's sight, bright-eyed, and with her colour
somewhat freshened by the exercise of singing. It
was a great dramatic entrance, and to the somewhat
doleful prisoner within the sight was sunshine.
' Ah, madam,' he cried, running to her — ' you
here ! '
She looked meaningly at Gordon ; and as soon as
the door was closed she fell on Otto's neck. ' To
see you here ! ' she moaned and clung to him.
But the Prince stood somewhat stiffly in that en-
viable situation, and the Countess instantly recovered
from her outburst.
' Poor child,' she said, ' poor child ! Sit down
beside me here, and tell me all about it. My heart
really bleeds to see you. How does time go ? '
* Madam,' replied the Prince, sitting down beside
her, his gallantry recovered, ' the time will now go
all too quickly till you leave. But I must ask you
for the news. I have most bitterly condemned my-
self for my inertia of last night. You wisely coun-
selled me : it was my duty to resist. You wisely
and nobly counselled me ; I have since thought of it
with wonder. You have a noble heart.'
* Otto,' she said, * spare me. Was it even right,
I wonder ? I have duties, too, you poor child ; and
when I see you they all melt — all my good resolu-
tions fly away.'
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