Part 1 (1/2)

The Prisoner of Zenda

by Anthony Hope

CHAPTER 1

The Rassendylls--With a Word on the Elphbergs

”I wonder when in the world you're going to do anything, Rudolf?” saiddown ? My position is a comfortable one I have an income nearly sufficient for my wants (no one's income is ever quite sufficient, you know), I enjoy an enviable social position: I am brother to Lord Burlesdon, and brother-in-law to that charh!”

”You are nine-and-twenty,” she observed, ”and you've done nothing but--”

”Knock about? It is true Our fas”

This remark of mine rather annoyed Rose, for everybody knows (and therefore there can be no har to the fact) that, pretty and accomplished as she herself is, her fa as the Rassendylls Besides her attractions, she possessed a large fortune, and h not to mind about her ancestry Ancestry is, in fact, awhich the next observation of Rose's has soenerally worse than any others,” she said

Upon this I stroked lad Robert's is black!” she cried

At this moment Robert (who rises at seven and works before breakfast) cahtly flushed; he patted it caressingly

”What's thenothing and having red hair,” said I, in an injured tone

”Oh! of course he can't help his hair,” adeneration,” said ot them both”

”I wish they didn't crop out,” said Rose, still flushed

”I rather like the, I bowed to the portrait of Countess Amelia

My brother's wife uttered an exclamation of impatience

”I wish you'd take that picture away, Robert,” said she

”My dear!” he cried

”Good heavens!” I added

”Then it otten,” she continued

”Hardly--with Rudolf about,” said Robert, shaking his head

”Why should it be forgotten?” I asked