'Madam, if I chose, I might command,' said Otto.
'You might, sir, as the law stands, make me prisoner,' returned
Seraphina. 'Short of that you will gain nothing.'
'You will continue as before?' he asked.
'Precisely as before,' said she. 'As soon as this comedy is over, I
shall request the Freiherr von Gondremark to visit me. Do you
understand?' she added, rising. 'For my part, I have done.'
'I will then ask the favour of your hand, madam,' said Otto,
palpitating in every pulse with anger. 'I have to request that you
will visit in my society another part of my poor house. And
reassure yourself - it will not take long - and it is the last
obligation that you shall have the chance to lay me under.'
'The last?' she cried. 'Most joyfully?'
She offered her hand, and he took it; on each side with an elaborate
affectation, each inwardly incandescent. He led her out by the
private door, following where Gondremark had passed; they threaded a
corridor or two, little frequented, looking on a court, until they
came at last into the Prince's suite. The first room was an
armoury, hung all about with the weapons of various countries, and
looking forth on the front terrace.
'Have you brought me here to slay me?' she inquired.
'I have brought you, madam, only to pass on,' replied Otto.
Next they came to a library, where an old chamberlain sat half
asleep.
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