lived on
shadows. But when this dream fell, and I had betrayed you, and thought I
had killed--' She paused. 'I thought I had killed Gondremark,' she said
with a deep flush, 'and I found myself alone, as you said.'

The mention of the name of Gondremark pricked the Princes generosity like
a spur. 'Well,' he cried, 'and whose fault was it but mine? It was my
duty to be beside you, loved or not. But I was a skulker in the grain,
and found it easier to desert than to oppose you. I could never learn
that better part of love, to fight love's battles. But yet the love was
there. And now when this toy kingdom of ours has fallen, first of all by
my demerits, and next by your inexperience, and we are here alone
together, as poor as Job and merely a man and a woman--let me conjure you
to forgive the weakness and to repose in the love. Do not mistake me!'
he cried, seeing her about to speak, and imposing silence with uplifted
hand. 'My love is changed; it is purged of any conjugal pretension; it
does not ask, does not hope, does not wish for a return in kind. You may
forget for ever that part in which you found me so distasteful, and
accept without embarrassment the affection of a brother.'

'You are too generous, Otto,' she said. 'I know that I have forfeited
your love. I cannot take this sacrifice. You had far better leave me.
O, go away, and leave me to my fate!'

'O no!' said Otto; 'we must first of all escape out of this hornet's
nest, to which I led you. My honour is engaged. I said but now we were
as poor as Job; and behold! not many miles from here I have a house of my
own to which I will conduct you. Otto the Prince being down, we must try
what luck remains to Otto the Hunter. Come, Seraphina; show that you
forgive me, and let us set about this business of escape in the best
spirits possible. You used to say, my dear, that, except as a husband
and a prince, I was a pleasant fellow. I am neither now, and you may
like my company without remorse. Come, then; it were idle to be
captured. Can you still walk? Forth, then,' said he, and he began to
lead the way.

A little below where they stood, a good-sized brook passed below the
road, which overleapt it in a single arch. On one bank of that
loquacious water a foot-path descended a green dell. Here it was rocky
and stony, and lay on the steep scarps of the ravine; here it was choked
with brambles; and there, in fairy haughs, it lay for a few paces ev