and stood up. ‘This man,’ he said, ‘is a devil. A filthy imagination, an ear greedy of evil, a ponderous

Tower,’ replied Greisengesan

hought striking him, ‘Was it for that,’ he asked

esang, true to his policy. ‘The disposition of t

thold touched him on the arm. He swallowed his wrath with a great effort

riety of stairs and corridors, they came out at last upon a patch of gravelled court; the garden peeped through a high grating with a flash of green; tall, old gabled buildings mounted on every side; the Flag Tower climbed, stage after stage, into t

d-bag like a jewe

ower was old), and the windows were heavily barred. The Prince, followed by the Chancellor, still trotting to keep up with him, brushed swiftly through the little library and the long saloon, and burst like a thunderbolt into

ibute the honour of t

er my roof. When did I fail you in courtesy? What have you asked that was not granted as to

que incident of my arrest, and the singular interview with which you honour me at present. For the rest, I have already communicated with my Ambassador at Vienna; and unless you propose to murder me, I shall be at liberty, whether you please or not, within the week. For I hardly fancy the future empire of Grunewald is yet ripe to go t

nd Otto, sitting down, wrote a passp

larius,’ he said, in his mos

the performance. Sir John looked on with a malign enjoyment; and Otto chafed, regretting, when too late, the unnecessary royalty of his command and gesture. But at length the

e it, with your own eyes, charged with Sir John’s effects, and have it waiting wit

took his elab

urning to the Baronet. ‘I regret it from my

be no English war,

upon the footing of two gentlemen. It was not I who ordered your arrest; I returned late last night f

y papers,’ said the

r your own dignity, to one who is a plexus of weaknesses. Nor was the fault entirely mine. Had the pape

an approving twinkle; then h

of your indulgence,’ continued the Prince. ‘I have to request that you wi

h perfect courtesy, ‘I am wholly at your Highness’s command; and if you

ou, sir,’

ere leaping as thick as bees; they mounted, one after another, the various flights of stairs, snowed upon, as they went, with April blossoms, and marching in time to the great orchestra of birds. Nor did Otto pause till they had reached the highest terrace of the garden. Here was a ga

nds Otto walked to and fro before him, plunged in a

ied, as I am free to own, falsehood is both cowardly and cruel. I opened your roll; and what did I find -what did I find about my wife; Lies!’ he broke out. ‘They are lies! There are not, so help me God! four words of truth in your intolerable libel! You are a man; you are old, and might be the girl’s father; you are a gentleman; you are a scholar, and have learned refinement; and you rake together all this vulgar scandal, and propose to print it in a public book! Such is your chivalry! But,

d Sir John, ‘that what

cried the Prince, with

Baronet, unmoved, ‘for it would make no chan

dare not offer satisfaction, that

he same reason that I have a right to criticise your action and your wife. You are in everything a public creature; you belong to the publ

d the Prince,

s anothe

ed my mind, and have the uncommon virtue to avow the change. I tear up this stuff before you, here in your own garden; I ask your pardon, I ask the pardon of the Princess; and I give you my word of honour as a gentleman and an old man, that when my book of t

o, ‘is the eye

eggs is the burthen of my song. But indeed, your Highness, when I meet with any merit, I do not think that I am slow to recognise it. This is a day that I shall still recall with gratitude, for I have

said Otto, ‘

unawares, was clasped for a

House; close behind it you will find my carriage, w

Sir John, ‘your Highness has overlooked

end may prove less powerful than your enemies. The Prince, indeed, is thoroughly on your side; he has a

his policy is below ground, and he fears all open courses; and now that I have seen you act with so mu

?’ cried the Prince. ‘You

remember this; a sprint is one thing, and to run all day another. For I still mistrust your constitution; the sh

inging chamberm

tten,’ said Sir John; ‘I am not like Pilate; and the cha