Fiction > Book editions > London, 1888 - Prince Otto

i64 PRINCE OTTO
But as the bell beats two, your helper shall
arrive : welcome, I trust. Stay — do you bring
any one ? ' she added. ' 0, it is not for a chape-
rone — I am not a prude ! '
'I shall bring a groom of mine,' said Otto.
' I caught him stealing corn.'
' His name ? ' she asked.
' I profess I know not. I am not yet intimate
with my corn-stealer,' returned the Prince. ' It
was in a professional capacity '
' Like me ! Flatterer ! ' she cried. ' But
oblige me in one thing. Let me find you wait-
ing at the seat — yes, you shall await me ; for on
this expedition it shall be no longer Prince and
Countess, it shall be the lady and the squire —
and your friend the thief shall be no nearer than
the fountain. Do you promise .^ '
' Madam, in everything you are to command ;
you shall be captain, I am but supercargo,'
answered Otto.
' Well, Heaven bring all safe to port ! ' she
said. ' It is not Friday ! '
Something in her manner had puzzled Otto,
had possibly touched him with suspicion.
' Is it not strange,' he remarked, ' that I
should choose my accomplice from the other
camp ? '
' Fool ! ' she said. ' But it is your only wisdom
that you know your friends.' And suddenly, in