He expostulated with the
Prince. "It was never in my contemplation," he said, "on taking service,
to undergo the operation of hair-cutting."
"Thou art free to go or stay, Sir Archer," said the Prince pettishly.
"I will have no churls imitating noblemen in my service: I will bandy no
conditions with archers of my guard."
"My resolve is taken," said Otto, irritated too in his turn.
"I will . . . . "
"What?" cried Helen, breathless with intense agitation.
"I will STAY," answered Otto. The poor girl almost fainted with joy. The
Rowski frowned with demoniac fury, and grinding his teeth and cursing in
the horrible German jargon, stalked away. "So be it," said the Prince of
Cleves, taking his daughter's arm--"and here comes Snipwitz, my barber,
who shall do the business for you." With this the Prince too moved on,
feeling in his heart not a little compassion for the lad; for Adolf
of Cleves had been handsome in his youth, and distinguished for the
ornament of which he was now depriving his archer.
Snipwitz led the poor lad into a side-room, and there--in a
word--operated upon him. The golden curls--fair curls that his mother
had so often played with!--fell under the shears and round the lad's
knees, until he looked as if he was sitting in a bath of sunbeams.
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