Fiction > Book editions > London, 1888 - Prince Otto

A ROMANCE 223
The thought recalled to Seraphina the re-
membrance of the other letter — Otto's. She
rose and went speedily, her brain still wheeling,
and burst into the Prince's armoury. The old
chamberlain was there in waiting ; and the sight
of another face, prying (or so she felt) on her
distress, struck Seraphina into childish anger.
* Go ! ' she cried ; and then, when the old
man was already half way to the door, ' Stay ! '
she added. 'As soon as Baron Gondremark
arrives, let him attend me here.'
' It shall be so directed,' said the chamberlain.
' There was a letter . . . .' she began, and
paused.
' Her Highness,' said the chamberlain, ' will
find a letter on the table. I had received no
orders, or her Highness had been spared this
trouble.'
' No, no, no,' she cried. ' I thank you. I
desire to be alone.'
And then, when he was gone, she leaped
upon the letter. Her mind was still obscured ;
like the moon upon a night of clouds and wind,
her reason shone and was darkened ; and she
read the words by flashes.
' Seraphina,' the Prince wrote, ' I will write
no syllable of reproach. I have seen your order,
and I go. What else is left me ? I have wasted
my love, and have no more. To say that 1