count bunker-第15章

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echoed　his　thoughts。

〃Oh；　Ri！〃　cried　Eleanor；　running　back　into　the　room；　〃he　was　so　sweet　as　he　said　good…by　in　the　hall　that　I　nearly　kissed　him！　　I　would　have；　only　it　might　have　made　him　foolish　again。　　But　did　you　see　his　shoulders；　Count！　　And　oh；　to　think　of　marrying　a　gentle　thing　like　that！　　Is　Lord　Tulliwuddle　a　firm　man；　Count　Bunker？〃

〃Adamantwhen　in　the　right；〃　the　Count　assured　her。

A　renewed　air　of　happy　musing　in　her　eyes　warned　him　that　he　had　probably　said　exactly　enough；　and　with　the　happiest　mean　betwixt　deference　and　dignity　he　bade　them　farewell。

〃Then；　Count；　we　shall　see　you　all　to…morrow；〃　said　Eleanor　as　they　parted。　　〃Please　tell　your　hosts　that　I　am　very　greatly　looking　forward　to　the　pleasure　of　knowing　them。　　There　is　a　Miss　Gallosh；　isn't　there？〃

The　Count　informed　her　that　there　was　in　fact　such　a　lady。

〃That　is　very　good　news　for　me！　　I　need　a　girl　friend　very　badly；　Count；　these　proposals　lose　half　their　fun　with　only　Ri　to　tell　them　to。　　I　intend　to　make　a　confidante　of　Miss　Gallosh　on　the　spot！〃

〃H'm；〃　thought　the　Count；　as　he　drove　away；　〃I　wonder　whether　she　will。〃



CHAPTER　XVIII

As　the　plenipotentiary　approached　the　Castle　he　was　somewhat　surprised　to　pass　a　dog…cart　containing　not　only　his　fellow…guest；　Mr。　Cromarty…Gow；　but　Mr。　Gow's　luggage　also；　and　although　he　had　hitherto　taken　no　particular　interest　in　that　gentleman；　yet　being　gifted　with　the　true　adventurer's　instinct　for　promptly　investigating　any　unusual　circumstance；　he　sought　his　host　as　soon　as　he　reached　the　house；　with　a　view　to　putting　a　careless　question　or　two。　　For　no　one；　he　felt　sure；　had　been　expected　to　leave　for　a　few　days　to　come。

〃Yes；〃　said　Mr。　Gallosh；　〃the　young　spark's　off　verra　suddenly。　　We　didn't　expect　him　to　be　leaving　before　Tuesday。　　Butwell；　the　fact　isumh'moh；　it's　nothing　to　speak　off。〃

This　reticence；　however；　was　easily　cajoled　away　by　the　insidious　Count；　and　at　last　Mr。　Gallosh　frankly　confided　to　him

〃Well；　Count；　between　you　and　me　he　seems　to　have　had　a　kind　of　fancy　for　my　daughter　Eva；　and　then　his　lordship　comingwell；　you'll　see　for　yourself　how　it　was。〃

〃He　considered　his　chances　lessened？〃

〃He　told　Rentoul　they　were　clean　gone。〃

Count　Bunker　looked　decidedly　serious。

〃The　devil！〃　he　reflected。　　〃The　Baron　is　exceeding　his　commission。　　Tulliwuddle　is　a　brisk　young　fellow；　but　to　commit　him　to　two　marriages　is　neither　Christian　nor　kind。　　And；　without　possessing　the　Baron's　remarkable　enthusiasm　for　the　sex；　I　feel　sorry　for　whichever　lady　is　not　chosen　to　cut　the　cake。〃

He　inquired　for　his　friend；　and　was　somewhat　relieved　to　learn　that　though　he　had　gone　out　on　the　loch　with　Miss　Gallosh；　they　had　been　accompanied　by　her　brothers　and　sisters。

〃We　still　have　half　an　hour　before　dressing；〃　he　said。　　〃I　shall　stroll　down　and　meet　them。〃

His　creditable　anxiety　returned　when；　upon　the　path　to　the　loch　shore；　he　met　the　two　Masters　and　the　two　younger　Misses　Gallosh　returning　without　their　sister。

〃Been　in　different　boats；　have　you？〃　said　he；　after　they　had　explained　this　curious　circumstance；　〃well；　I　hope　you　all　had　a　good　sail。〃

To　himself　he　uttered　a　less　philosophical　comment；　and　quickened　his　stride　perceptibly。　　He　reached　the　shore；　but　far　or　near　was　never　a　sign　of　boat　upon　the　waters。

〃Have　they　gone　down！〃　he　thought。

Just　then　he　became　aware　of　a　sound　arising　from　beneath　the　wooded　bank　a　short　distance　away。　　It　was　evidently　intended　to　be　muffled；　but　the　Baron's　lungs　were　powerful；　and　there　was　no　mistaking　his　deep　voice　as　he　sang

　　　　　　　　　　〃　'My　loff　she's　like　a　red；　red　rose　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Zat's　newly　sprong　in　June！　　　　　　　　　　　My　loff　she's　like　a　melody　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Zat's　sveetly　blayed　in　tune！

Ach；　how　does　he　end？〃

Before　his　charmer　had　time　to　prompt　him；　the　Count　raised　his　own　tolerably　musical　voice　and　replied

　　　　　　　　　　〃　'And　fare　thee　weel；　my　second　string！　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　And　fare　thee　weel　awhile！　　　　　　　　　　　I　won　t　come　back　again；　my　love；　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　For　tis　ower　mony　mile！


For　an　instant　there　followed　a　profound　silence；　and　then　the　voice　of　the　Baron　replied；　with　somewhat　forced　mirth

〃Vary　goot；　Bonker！　　Ha；　ha！　　Vary　goot！〃

Meanwhile　Bunker；　without　further　delay；　was　pushing　his　way　through　a　tangle　of　shrubbery　till　in　a　moment　he　spied　the　boat　moored　beneath　the　leafy　bank；　and　although　it　was　a　capacious　craft　he　observed　that　its　two　occupants　were　both　crowded　into　one　end。

〃I　am　sent　to　escort　you　back　to　dinner；〃　he　said　blandly。

〃Tell　zem　ve　shall　be　back　in　three　minutes；〃　replied　the　Baron；　making　a　prodigious　show　of　preparation　for　coming　ashore。

〃I　am　sorry　to　say　that　my　orders　were　strictly　to　escort；　not　to　herald　you；〃　said　the　Count　apologetically。

Fortifying　himself　against　unpopularity　by　the　consciousness　that　he　was　doing　his　duty；　this　well…　principled；　even　if　spurious；　nobleman　paced　back　towards　the　house　with　the　lady　between　him　and　the　indignant　Baron。

〃Well；　Tulliwuddle；〃　he　discoursed；　in　as　friendly　a　tone　as　ever；　〃I　left　your　cards　with　our　American　neighbors。〃

〃So？〃　muttered　the　Baron　stolidly。

〃They　received　me　with　open　arms；　and　I　have　taken　the　liberty　of　accepting　on　behalf　of　Mr。；　Mrs。；　and　Miss　Gallosh；　and　of　our　two　selves；　a　very　cordial　invitation　to　lunch　with　them　to…morrow。〃

〃Impossible！〃　cried　the　Baron　gruffly。

Eva　turned　a　reproachful　eye　upon　him。

〃Oh；　Lord　Tulliwuddle！　　I　should　so　like　to　go。〃

The　Baron　looked　at　her　blankly。

〃You　vould！〃

〃I　have　heard　they　are　such　nice　people；　and　have　such　a　beautiful　place！〃

〃I　can　confirm　both　statements；〃　said　the　Count　heartily。

〃Besides；　papa　and　mamma　would　be　very　disappointed　if　we　didn't　go。〃

〃Make　it　as　you　please；〃　said　the　Baron　gloomily。

His　unsuspicious　hosts　heard　of　the　invitation　with　such　outspoken　pleasure　that　their　honored　guest　could　not　well　renew　his　protest。　　He　had　to　suffer　the　arrangement　to　be　made；　but　that　night　when　he　and　Bunker　withdrew　to　their　own　room；　the　Count　perceived　the　makings　of　an　argumentative　evening。

〃Sometimes　you　interfere　too　moch；〃　the　Baron　began　without　preamble。

〃Do　you　mind　being　a　little　more　specific？〃　replied　the　Count　with　smiling　composure。

〃Zere　vas　no　hurry　to　lonch　mit　Maddison。〃

〃I　didn't　name　the　date。〃

〃You　might　have　said　next　veek。〃

〃By　next　week　Miss　Maddison　may　be　snapped　up　by　some　one　else。〃

〃Zen　vould　Tollyvoddle　be　more　lucky！　　I　have　nearly　got　for　him　ze　most　charming　girl；　mit　as　moch　money　as　he　vants。　　Ach；　you　do　interfere！　　You　should　gonsider　ze　happiness　of　Tollyvoddle。〃

〃That　is　the　only　consideration　that　affects　yourself；　Baron？〃

〃Of　course！　　I　cannot　marry　more　zan　vonce。〃　（Bunker　thought　he　perceived　a　symptom　of　a　sigh。）　　〃And　I　most　be　faithful　to　Alicia。　　I　most！　　Ach；　yes；　Bonker；　do　not　fear　for　me！　　I　am　so　constant　asach；　I　most　keep　faithful！〃

As　he　supplied　this　remarkable　testimony　to　his　own　fidelity；　the　Baron　paced　the　floor　with　an　agitation　that　clearly　showed　how　firmly　his　constancy　was　based。

Nevertheless　the　Count　was　smiling　oddly　at　something　he　espied　upon　the　mantelpiece；　and　stepping　up　to　it　he　observed

〃Here　is　a　singular　phenomenona　bunch　of　white　heather　that　has　got　itself　tied　together　with　ribbon！〃

The　Baron　started；　and　took　the　tiny　bouquet　from　his　hand；　his　eyes　sparkling　with　delight。

〃It　must　be　a　gift　from〃　he　began；　and　then　laid　it　down　again；　though　his　gaze　continued　fixed　upon　it。　　〃How　did　it　gom　in？〃　he　mused。　　〃Ach！　she　most　have　brought　it　herself。　　How　vary　nice！〃

He　turned　suddenly　and　met　his　friend's　humorous　eyes。

〃I　shall　be　faithful；　Bonker！　　You　can　trust　me！〃　he　exclaimed；　〃I　shall　put　it　in　my　letter　to　Alicia；　and　send　it　mit　my　love！　　See；　Bonker！〃

He　took　a　letter　from　his　deskits　envelope　still　openhurriedly　slipped　in　the　white　heather；　and　licked　the　gum　while　his　resolution　was　hot。　　Then；　having　exhibited　this　somewhat　singular　evidence　of　his　constancy；　he　sighed　again。

〃It　vas　ze　only　safe　vay；〃　he　said　dolefully。　　〃Vas　I　not　right；　Bonker？〃

〃Quite；　my　dear　Baron；〃　replied　the　Count　sympathetically。　　〃Believe　me；　I　appreciate　your　self…sacrifice。　　In　fact；　it　was　to　relieve　the　strain　upon　your　too　generous　heart　that　I　immediately　accepted　Mr。　Maddison's　invitation　for　to…morrow。〃

〃How　so？〃　demanded　the　Baron　with　perhaps　excusable　surprise。

〃You　will　be　able　to　decide　at　once　which　is　the　most　suitable　bride　for　Tulliwuddle；　and　then；　if　you　like；　we　can　leave　in　a　day　or　two。〃

〃Bot　I　do　not　vish　to　leave　so　soon！〃

〃Well　then；　while　you　stay；　you　can　at　least　make　sure　that　you　are　engaging　the　affections　of　the　right　girl。〃

Though　Bunker　spoke　with　an　air　of　desiring　merely　to　assist　his　friend；　the　speech　seemed　to　arouse　some　furious　thinking　in　the　Baron's　mind。

For　some　moments　he　made　no　reply；　and　then　at　last；　in　a　troubled　voice；　he　said

〃I　have　already　a　leetle　gommitted　Tollyvoddle　to　Eva。　　Ach；　bot　not　moch！　　Still　it　vas　a　leetle。　　Miss　Maddisonvat　is　she　like？〃

To　the　best　of　his　ability　the　Count　sketched　the　charms　of　Eleanor　Maddisonher　enthusiasm　for　large　and　manly　noblemen；　and　the　probable　effects　of　the　Baron's　stalwart　form　set　off　by　the　tartan　which　（in　deference；　he　declared；　to　the　Wraith's　injunctions）　he　now　invariably　wore。　　Also；　he　touched　upon　her　father's　colossal　fortune；　and　the　genuine　Tulliwuddle's　necessities。

The　Baron　listened　with　growing　interest。

〃Vell；〃　he　said；　〃I　soppose　I　most　make　a　goot　impression　for　ze　sake　of　Tollyvoddle。　　For　instance；　ven　we　drive　up〃

〃Drive？　my　dear　Baron；　we　shall　march！　　Leave　it　to　me；　I　have　a　very　pretty　design　shaping　in　my　head。〃

〃Aha！〃　smiled　the　Baron；　〃my　showman　again；　eh？〃

His　expression　sobered；　and　he　added　as　a　final　contribution　to　the　debate

〃But　I　may　tell　you；　Bonker；　I　do　not　eggspect　to　like　Miss　Maddison。　　Ah；　my　instinct　he　is　vonderful！　　It　vas　my　instinct　vich　said。　　'Chose　Miss　Gallosh　for　Tollyvoddle！'　〃



CHAPTER　XIX

While　the　Baron　was　thus　loyally　doing　his　duty；　his　Baroness；　being　ignorant　of　the　excellence　of　his　purpose；　and　knowing　only　that　he　had　deceived　her　in　one　matter；　and　that　the　descent　to　Avernus　is　easy；　passed　a　number　of　very　miserable　days。　　That　heart…　breaking　〃us　both〃　kept　her　awake　at　nights　and　distraught　throughout　the　day；　and　when　for　a　little　she　managed　to　explain　the　phrase　away；　and　tried　to　anchor　her　trust　in　Rudolph　once　more；　the　vision　of　the　St。　Petersburg　window　overlooking　the　crops　would　come　to　shatter　her　confidence。　　She　wrote　a　number　of　passionate　replies；　but　as　the　Baron　in　making　his　arrangements　with　his　Russian　friend　had　forgotten　to　provide　him　with　his　Scotch　address；　these　letters　only　reached　him　after　the　events　of　this　chronicle　had　passed　into　history。　　Strange　to　say；　her　only　consolation　was　that　neither　her　mother　nor　Sir　Justin　was　able　to　supply　any　further　evidence　of　any　kind　whatsoever。　　One　would　naturally　suppose　that　the　assistance　they　had　gratuitously　given　would　have　made　her　feel　eternally　indebted　to　them；　but；　on　the　contrary；　she　was　actually　inconsistent　enough　to　resent　their