ought it would amuse
you,' said the Prince.

'I have no practical experience,' she replied, 'but O! the good-will! I
have broken a work-box in my time, and several hearts, my own included.
Never a house! But it cannot be difficult; sins are so unromantically
easy! What are we to break?'

'Madam, we are to break the treasury,' said Otto and he sketched to her
briefly, wittily, with here and there a touch of pathos, the story of his
visit to the farm, of his promise to buy it, and of the refusal with
which his demand for money had been met that morning at the council;
concluding with a few practical words as to the treasury windows, and the
helps and hindrances of the proposed exploit.

'They refused you the money,' she said when he had done. 'And you
accepted the refusal? Well!'

'They gave their reasons,' replied Otto, colouring. 'They were not such
as I could combat; and I am driven to dilapidate the funds of my own
country by a theft. It is not dignified; but it is fun.'

'Fun,' she said; 'yes.' And then she remained silently plunged in
thought for an appreciable time. 'How much do you require?' she asked at
length.

'Three thousand crowns will do,' he answered, 'for I have still some
money of my own.'

'Excellent,' she said, regaining her levity. 'I am your true accomplice.
And where are we to meet?'

'You know the Flying Mercury,' he answered, 'in the Park? Three pathways
intersect; there they have made a seat and raised the statue. The spot
is handy and the deity congenial.'

'Child,' she said, and tapped him with her fan. 'But do you know, my
Prince, you are an egoist--your handy trysting-place is miles from me.
You must give me ample time; I cannot, I think, possibly be there before
two. But as the bell beats two, your helper shall arrive: welcome, I
trust. Stay--do you bring any one?' she added. 'O, it is not for a
chaperon--I am not a prude!'

'I shall bring a groom of mine,' said Otto. 'I caught him stealing
corn.'

'His name?' she asked.

'I profess I know not. I am not yet intimate with my corn-stealer,'
returned the Prince. 'It was in a professional capacity--'

'Like me! Flatterer!' she cried. 'But oblige me in one thing. Let me
find you waiting at the seat--yes, you shall await me; for on this
expedition it shall be no longer Prince and Countess, it shall be the
lady and the squire--and your friend the thief shall be no nearer than
the fountain. Do you promise?'