Page:Stevenson - Prince Otto. A Romance.djvu/175

 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.