Fiction > Book editions > London, 1888 - Prince Otto

l86 PRINCE OTTO
a cupboard a bottle of Ehine wine and a goblet
of tlie deep Bohemian ruby. The first glass a
little warmed and comforted his bosom ; with
the second he began to look down upon these
troubles from a sunny mountain ; yet a while, and
filled with this false comfort and contemplating
life throughout a golden medium, he owned to
himself, with a flush, a smile, and a half-pleasur-
able sigh, that he had been somewhat over plain
in dealing with his cousin. ' He said the truth,
too,' added the penitent librarian, ' for in my
monkish fashion I adore the Princess.' And
then, with a still deepening flush and a certain
stealth, although he sat all alone in that great
gallery, he toasted Seraphina to the dregs.