Fiction > Book editions > London, 1888 - Prince Otto

A ROMANCE 29
went to the next farm, it's my belief you would
hear as much against my father.'
'Nay, nay,' said Otto, 'there you go too
fast. For all that was said against Prince
Otto '
' 0, it was shameful ! ' cried the girl.
'Not shameful — true,' returned Otto. 'Oh,
yes — true. I am all they said of me — all that
and worse.'
« I never ! ' cried Ottiha. ' Is that how you
do ? Well, you would never be a soldier. Now
if any one accuses me, I get up and give it them.
0, 1 defend myself. I wouldn't take a fault at
another person's hands, no, not if I had it on my
forehead. And that's what you must do, if you
mean to live it out. But, indeed, I never heard
such nonsense. I should think you was ashamed
of yourself ! You're bald then, I suppose ? '
' no,' said Otto, fairly laughing. ' There I
acquit myself : not bald ! '
' Well, and good ? ' pursued the girl. ' Come
now, you know you are good, and I'll make you
say so. . . . Your Highness, I beg your humble
pardon. But there's no disrespect intended. And
anyhow, you know you are.*
' Why, now, what am I to say ? ' replied Otto.
' You are a cook, and excellently v/ell you do it ;
I embrace the chance of thanking you for the
ragout. Well now, have you not seen good