Fiction > Book editions > London, 1888 - Prince Otto

220 PRINCE OTTO
' Command yourself, madam,' said the
Countess, watching with some alarm the white
face of Seraphina. ' It is in vain for you to
fight with Gondremark : he has more strings
than mere court favour, and could bring you
down to-morrow with a word. I would not
have betrayed him otherwise ; but Heinrich is
a man, and plays with all of you like marion-
ettes. And now at least you see for what you
sacrificed my Prince. Madam, will you take
some wine ? I have been cruel.'
'Not cruel, madam — salutary,' said Sera-
phina, with a phantom smile. 'No, I thank
you, I require no attentions. The first surprise
affected me : will you give me time a httle .^
I must think.' /
She took her head between her hands, and
contemplated for a while the hurricane con-
fusion of her thoughts.
'This information reaches me,' she said,
' when I have need of it. I would not do as
you have done, but yet I thank you. I have
been much deceived in Baron Gondremark.'
'0, madam, leave Gondremark, and think
upon the Prince ! ' cried von Eosen.
' You speak once more as a private person,'
said the princess ; ' nor do I blame you. But
my own thoughts are more distracted. How-
ever, as I believe you are truly a friend to my