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

GALLOPS OFF
* And mine still come too late,' he replied, sighing.
' O, what would I not give to have resisted ?
What would I not give for freedom ? '
* Well, what would you give ? ' she asked ; and
the red fan was spread; only her eyes, as if from
over battlements, brightly surveyed him.
' I ? What do you mean ? Madam, you have
some news for me,' he cried.
■ O, O ! ' said madam dubiously.
He was at her feet. ' Do not trifle ..with my
hopes,' he pleaded. ' Tell me, dearest Madame von
Rosen, tell me ! You cannot be cruel : it is not in
your nature. Give ? I can give nothing ; I have
nothing ; I can only plead in mercy.'
' Do not,' she said ; ' it is not fair. Otto, you know
my weakness. Spare me. Be generous.
* O, madam,' he said, ' it is for you to be generous,
to have pity.' He took her hand and pressed it ; he
plied her with caresses and appeals. The Countess
had a most enjoyable sham siege, and then relented.
She sprang to her feet, she tore her dress open, and,
all warm from her bosom, threw the order on the
floor.
' There ! ' she cried. ' I forced it from her. Use
it, and I am ruined ! ' And she turned away as if
to veil the force of her emotions.
Otto sprang upon the paper, read it, and cried out
aloud. ' O, God bless her ! ' he said, * God bless
her.' And he kissed the writing.
Von Rosen was a singularly good-natured woman,
but her part was now beyond her. * Ingrate ! ' she
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