'By the way,' said Eugen suddenly, 'I must reward these Racksoles,
I suppose. I am indeed grateful to them. If I gave the girl a
bracelet, and the father a thousand guineas - how would that meet
the case?'
'My dear Eugen!' exclaimed Aribert aghast. 'A thousand guineas!
Do you know that Theodore Racksole could buy up all Posen from
end to end without making himself a pauper. A thousand guineas!
You might as well offer him sixpence.'
'Then what must I offer?'
'Nothing, except your thanks. Anything else would be an insult.
These are no ordinary hotel people.'
'Can't I give the little girl a bracelet?' Prince Eugen gave a sinister
laugh.
Aribert looked at him steadily. 'No,' he said.
'Why did you kiss her - that night?' asked Prince Eugen carelessly.
'Kiss whom?' said Aribert, blushing and angry, despite his most
determined efforts to keep calm and unconcerned.
'The Racksole girl.'
'When do you mean?'
'I mean,' said Prince Eugen, 'that night in Ostend when I was ill.
You thought I was in a delirium. Perhaps I was. But somehow I
remember that with extraordinary distinctness. I remember raising
my head for a fraction of an instant, and just in that fraction of an
instant you kissed her. Oh, Uncle Aribert!'
'Listen, Eugen, for God's sake. I love Nella Racksole. I shall marry
her.'
'You!' There was a long pause, and then Eugen laughed. 'Ah!' he
said.
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