'But one thing, madam, you must still
continue to bear - my father's name, which is now yours. I leave it
in your hands. Let me see you, since you will have no advice of
mine, apply the more attention of your own to bear it worthily.'
'Herr von Gondremark is long in coming,' she remarked.
'O Seraphina, Seraphina!' he cried. And that was the end of their
interview.
She tripped to a window and looked out; and a little after, the
chamberlain announced the Freiherr von Gondremark, who entered with
something of a wild eye and changed complexion, confounded, as he
was, at this unusual summons. The Princess faced round from the
window with a pearly smile; nothing but her heightened colour spoke
of discomposure.
Otto was pale, but he was otherwise master of himself.
'Herr von Gondremark,' said he, 'oblige me so far: reconduct the
Princess to her own apartment.'
The Baron, still all at sea, offered his hand, which was smilingly
accepted, and the pair sailed forth through the picture-gallery.
As soon as they were gone, and Otto knew the length and breadth of
his miscarriage, and how he had done the contrary of all that he
intended, he stood stupefied. A fiasco so complete and sweeping was
laughable, even to himself; and he laughed aloud in his wrath. Upon
this mood there followed the sharpest violence of remorse; and to
that again, as he recalled his provocation, anger succeeded afresh.
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