Fiction > Book editions > London, 1888 - Prince Otto

A ROMANCE 221
— to the as I believe,' she said, ' you are a
friend to Otto, I shall put the order for his
release into your hands this moment. Give me
the ink-dish. There ! ' And she wrote hastily,
steadying her arm upon the table, for she
trembled like a reed. ' Eemember, madam,' she
resumed, handing her the order, ' this must not
be used nor spoken of at present ; till I have
seen the Baron, any hurried step — ^I lose myself
in thinking. The suddenness has shaken me.'
'I promise you I will not use it,' said the
Countess, ' till you give me leave, although I
wish the Prince could be informed of it, to
comfort his poor heart. And oh, I had for-
gotten, he has left a letter. Suffer me, madam ;
I will bring it you. This is the door, I think? '
And she sought to open it.
' The bolt is pushed,' said Seraphina, flushing
' ! ! ' cried the Countess.
A silence fell between them.
' I will get it for myself,' said Seraphina ;
' and in the meanwhile I beg you to leave me.
I thank you, I am sure, but I shall be obHged
if you will leave me.
The Countess deeply courtesied, and with-
drew.