‘Don’t be unjust,’ said I.
‘I wish I could think I was!’ she rejoined.
’Frau von Dittmarsch was at Sarkeld, and received
terrible news of you. She called on me, at my
father’s residence over the water yonder, yesterday
afternoon, desiring greatly to know—she
is as cautious as one with a jewel in her custody—how
it fared with you, whether you were actually in a dying
state. I came here to learn; I have friends here:
you were not alone, or I should have called on you.
The rumour was that you were very ill; so I hired
a furnished place for Frau von Dittmarsch at once.
But when I saw you and him together, and the parting
between you, I began to have fears; I should have
countermanded the despatch I sent by the boat, had
it been possible.’
‘It has gone! And tell me the name of the
other.’
‘Frau von Dittmarsch has a husband.’
‘Not with her now. Oh! cruel! speak:
her name?’
‘Her name, Harry?’ Her title is Countess
von Delzenburg.’
‘Not princess?’
‘Not in England.’
Then Ottilia was here!
My father was indeed a magician!
THE PRINCESS ENTRAPPED
‘Not princess in England,’ could betoken
but one thing—an incredible act of devotion,
so great that it stunned my senses, and I thought of
it, and of all it involved, before the vision of Ottilia
crossing seas took possession of me.
‘The Princess Ottilia, Miss Goodwin?’
‘The Countess of Delzenburg, Harry.’
‘To see me? She has come!’
’Harry, you talk like the boy you were when
we met before you knew her. Yes and yes to everything
you have to say, but I think you should spare her
name.’
‘She comes thinking me ill?’
‘Dying.’
‘I’m as strong as ever I was.’
‘I should imagine you are, only rather pale.’
‘Have you, tell me, Clara, seen her yourself?
Is she well?’
‘Pale: not unwell: anxious.’
‘About me?’
’It may be about the political affairs of the
Continent; they are disturbed.’
‘She spoke of me?’
‘Yes.’
‘She is coming by the next boat?’
‘It’s my fear that she is.’
‘Why do you fear?’
’Shall I answer you, Harry? It is useless
now. Well, because she has been deceived.
That is why. You will soon find it out.’
‘Prince Ernest is at Sarkeld?’
‘In Paris, I hear.’
’How will your despatch reach these ladies in
time for them to come over by the next boat?’
’I have sent my father’s servant.
The General—he is promoted at last, Harry—attends
the ladies in person, and is now waiting for the boat’s
arrival over there, to follow my directions.’
‘You won’t leave me?’
