'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 evenly on the green turf.
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