Fiction > Book editions > London, 1888 - Prince Otto

A ROMANCE 2ig
the power I now put unreservedly into your
hands, to ruin my dear self. 0, what a French
comedy ! You betray, I betray, they betray.
It is now my cue. The letter, yes. Behold
the letter, madam, its seal unbroken as I found
it by my bed this morning ; for I was out of
humour, and I get many, too many, of these
favours. For your own sake, for the sake of
my Prince Charming, for the sake of this great
principality that sits so heavy on your con-
science, open it and read ! '
' Am I to understand,' inquired the Princess,
' that this letter in any way regards me ? '
' You see I have not opened it,' replied von
Eosen ; ' but 'tis mine, and I beg you to experi-
ment.'
' I cannot look at it till you have,' returned
Seraphina, very seriously. ' There may be matter
there not meant for me to see ; it is a private letter.'
The Countess tore it open, glanced it through,
and tossed it back ; and the Princess, taking up
the sheet, recognised the hand of Gondremark,
and read with a sickening shock the following
lines : — -
' Dearest Anna, come at once. Eatafia has
done the deed, her husband to be packed to
prison. This puts the minx entirely in my
power ; le tour est joue ; she will now go steady
in harness, or I will know the reason why.
Come. ' Heineich.'