Fiction > Book editions > London, 1888 - Prince Otto

A ROMANCE 193
must possess tlie paper. Where shall I find
Gordon? In his rooms?' She spoke with a
rather feverish self-possession.
^Anna,' he said sternly, the black, bihous
countenance of his palace role taking the place
of the more open favour of his hours at home,
' I ask you for that paper. Once, twice, and
thrice.'
' Heinrich,' she returned, looking him in the
face, ' take care. I will put up with no dicta-
tion.'
Both looked dangerous ; and the silence
lasted for a measurable interval of time. Then
she made haste to have the first word ; and with
a laugh that rang clear and honest, ' Do not be
a child,' she said. ' I wonder at you. If your
assurances are true, you can have no reason
to mistrust me, nor I to play you false. The
difiiculty is to get the Prince out of the palace
without scandal. His valets are devoted ; his
chamberlain a slave ; and yet one cry might
ruin all.'
'They must be overpowered,' he said, fol-
lowing her to the new ground, 'and disappear
along with him.'
' And your whole scheme along with them ! '
she cried. ' He does not take his servants when
he goes a-hunting : a child could read the truth
No, no ; the plan is idiotic ; it must be Eatafia*s.
o