you myself!'

'Ah, madam, you are most compassionate,' the Prince retorted, smiling.
'But this is waste debate. I know my purpose. Perhaps, to equal you in
frankness, I know and embrace my advantage. I am not without the spirit
of adventure. I am in a false position--so recognised by public
acclamation: do you grudge me, then, my issue?'

'If your mind is made up, why should I dissuade you?' said the Countess.
'I own, with a bare face, I am the gainer. Go, you take my heart with
you, or more of it than I desire; I shall not sleep at night for thinking
of your misery. But do not be afraid; I would not spoil you, you are
such a fool and hero.'

'Alas! madam,' cried the Prince, 'and your unlucky money! I did amiss to
take it, but you are a wonderful persuader. And I thank God, I can still
offer you the fair equivalent.' He took some papers from the chimney.
'Here, madam, are the title-deeds,' he said; 'where I am going, they can
certainly be of no use to me, and I have now no other hope of making up
to you your kindness. You made the loan without formality, obeying your
kind heart. The parts are somewhat changed; the sun of this Prince of
Grunewald is upon the point of setting; and I know you better than to
doubt you will once more waive ceremony, and accept the best that he can
give you. If I may look for any pleasure in the coming time, it will be
to remember that the peasant is secure, and my most generous friend no
loser.'

'Do you not understand my odious position?' cried the Countess. 'Dear
Prince, it is upon your fall that I begin my fortune.'

'It was the more like you to tempt me to resistance,' returned Otto.
'But this cannot alter our relations; and I must, for the last time, lay
my commands upon you in the character of Prince.' And with his loftiest
dignity, he forced the deeds on her acceptance.

'I hate the very touch of them,' she cried.

There followed upon this a little silence. 'At what time,' resumed Otto,
'(if indeed you know) am I to be arrested?'

'Your Highness, when you please!' exclaimed the Countess. 'Or, if you
choose to tear that paper, never!'

'I would rather it were done quickly,' said the Prince. 'I shall take
but time to leave a letter for the Princess.'

'Well,' said the Countess, 'I have advised you to resist; at the same
time, if you intend to be dumb before your shearers, I must say that I
ought to set about arranging your arrest. I offered'--she hesitated-