Fiction > Book editions > London, 1888 - Prince Otto

A ROMANCE 277
enviable situation, and the Countess instantly
recovered from her outburst.
' Poor child,' she said, ' poor child ! Sit down
beside me here, and tell me all about it. My
heart really bleeds to see you. How does time
go?'
'Madam,' replied the Prince, sitting down
beside her, his gallantry recovered, ' the time
will now go all too quickly till you leave. But
I must ask you for the news. I have most
bitterly condemned myself for my inertia of last
night. You wisely counselled me ; it was my
duty to resist. You wisely and nobly counselled
me; I have since thought of it with wonder.
You have a noble heart.'
' Otto,' she said, ' soare me. Was it even
right, I wonder ? I have duties, too, you poor
child; and when I see you they all melt — all
my good resolutions fly away.'
' And mine still come too late,' he rephed,
sighing. ' Oh, what would I not give to have
resisted ? What would I not give for freedom ? '
' Well, what would you give ? ' she asked ;
and the red fan was spread ; only her eyes, as if
from over battlements, brightly surveyed him.
*I? What do you mean? Madam, you
have some news for me,' he cried.
' 0, ! ' said madam, dubiously.
He was at her feet. ' Do not trifle with my