t feel to be deserted?" she thought. "Poor dear
fool! The girl deserves that he should see this order."

Without more delay, she passed into the palace and asked for an audience
of Prince Otto. The Prince, she was told, was in his own apartment, and
desired to be private. She sent her name. A man presently returned with
word that the Prince tendered his apologies, but could see no one. "Then
I will write," she said, and scribbled a few lines alleging urgency of
life and death. "Help me, my Prince," she added; "none but you can help
me." This time the messenger returned more speedily, and begged the
Countess to follow him: the Prince was graciously pleased to receive the
Frau Graefin von Rosen.

Otto sat by the fire in his large armoury, weapons faintly glittering
all about him in the changeful light. His face was disfigured by the
marks of weeping; he looked sour and sad; nor did he rise to greet his
visitor, but bowed, and bade the man begone. That kind of general
tenderness which served the Countess for both heart and conscience,
sharply smote her at this spectacle of grief and weakness; she began
immediately to enter into the spirit of her part; and as soon as they
were alone, taking one step forward and with a magnificent
gesture--"Up!" she cried.

"Madame von Rosen," replied Otto dully, "you have used strong words. You
speak of life and death. Pray, madam, who is threatened? Who is there,"
he added bitterly, "so destitute that even Otto of Gruenewald can assist
him?"

"First learn," said she, "the names of the conspirators: the Princess
and the Baron Gondremark. Can you not guess the rest?" And then, as he
maintained his silence--"You!" she cried, pointing at him with her
finger. "'Tis you they threaten! Your rascal and mine have laid their
heads together and condemned you. But they reckoned without you and me.
We make a _partie carree_, Prince, in love and politics. They lead an
ace, but we shall trump it. Come, partner, shall I draw my card?"

"Madam," he said, "explain yourself. Indeed I fail to comprehend."

"See, then," said she: and handed him the order.

He took it, looked upon it with a start; and then, still without speech,
he put his hand before his face. She waited for a word in vain.

"What!" she cried, "do you take the thing down-heartedly? As well seek
wine in a milk-pail as love in that girl's heart! Be done with this, and
be a man. After the league of the lions, let us have a conspiracy of