第64章 CHAPTER IV BABES IN THE WOOD(2)

The path, bearing it close company, threaded a wilderness of briar and wild-rose. And presently, a little in front, the brown top of a mill and the tall mill-wheel, spraying diamonds, arose in the narrows of the glen; at the same time the snoring music of the saws broke the silence.

The miller, hearing steps, came forth to his door, and both he and Otto started.

`Good-morning, miller,' said the Prince. `You were right, it seems, and I was wrong. I give you the news, and bid you to Mittwalden. My throne has fallen -- great was the fall of it! -- and your good friends of the Phoenix bear the rule.'

The red-faced miller looked supreme astonishment. `And your Highness?' he gasped.

`My Highness is running away,' replied Otto, `straight for the frontier.'

`Leaving Grünewald?' cried the man. `Your father's son? It's not to be permitted!'

`Do you arrest us, friend?' asked Otto, smiling.

`Arrest you? I?' exclaimed the man. `For what does your Highness take me? Why, sir, I make sure there is not a man in Grünewald would lay hands upon you.'

`O, many, many,' said the Prince; `but from you, who were bold with me in my greatness, I should even look for aid in my distress.'

The miller became the colour of beetroot. `You may say so indeed,' said he. `And meanwhile, will you and your lady step into my house.'

`We have not time for that,' replied the Prince; `but if you would oblige us with a cup of wine without here, you will give a pleasure and a service, both in one.'

The miller once more coloured to the nape. He hastened to bring forth wine in a pitcher and three bright crystal tumblers. `Your Highness must not suppose,' he said, as he filled them, `that I am an habitual drinker.

The time when I had the misfortune to encounter you, I was a trifle overtaken, I allow; but a more sober man than I am in my ordinary, I do not know where you are to look for; and even this glass that I drink to you (and to the lady) is quite an unusual recreation.'

The wine was drunk with due rustic courtesies; and then, refusing further hospitality, Otto and Seraphina once more proceeded to descend the glen, which now began to open and to be invaded by the taller trees.

`I owed that man a reparation,' said the Prince; `for when we met I was in the wrong and put a sore affront upon him. I judge by myself, perhaps; but I begin to think that no one is the better for a humiliation.'

`But some have to be taught so,' she replied.

`Well, well,' he said, with a painful embarrassment. `Well, well.

But let us think of safety. My miller is all very good, but I do not pin my faith to him. To follow down this stream will bring us, but after innumerable windings, to my house. Here, up this glade, there lies a cross-cut -- the world's end for solitude -- the very deer scarce visit it. Are you too tired, or could you pass that way?'

`Choose the path, Otto. I will follow you,' she said.

`No,' he replied, with a singular imbecility of manner and appearance, `but I meant the path was rough. It lies, all the way, by glade and dingle, and the dingles are both deep and thorny.'

`Lead on,' she said. `Are you not Otto the Hunter?'