'Heavens!' she cried, 'is this to be a love-scene?'

'I am never ridiculous,' he said; 'it is my only merit; and you may
be certain this shall be a scene of marriage A LA MODE. But when I
remember the beginning, it is bare courtesy to speak in sorrow. Be
just, madam: you would think me strangely uncivil to recall these
days without the decency of a regret. Be yet a little juster, and
own, if only in complaisance, that you yourself regret that past.'

'I have nothing to regret,' said the Princess. 'You surprise me. I
thought you were so happy.'

'Happy and happy, there are so many hundred ways,' said Otto. 'A
man may be happy in revolt; he may be happy in sleep; wine, change,
and travel make him happy; virtue, they say, will do the like - I
have not tried; and they say also that in old, quiet, and habitual
marriages there is yet another happiness. Happy, yes; I am happy if
you like; but I will tell you frankly, I was happier when I brought
you home.'

'Well,' said the Princess, not without constraint, 'it seems you
changed your mind.'

'Not I,' returned Otto, 'I never changed. Do you remember,
Seraphina, on our way home, when you saw the roses in the lane, and
I got out and plucked them? It was a narrow lane between great
trees; the sunset at the end was all gold, and the rooks were flying
overhead. There were nine, nine red roses; you gave me a kiss for
each, and I told myself that every rose and every kiss should stand