count bunker-第21章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


e　most　natural　question　next；　to　follow　that　with　a　happy　stroke　of　wit；　and　within　three　minutes　to　make　it　seem　the　most　obvious　thing　in　the　world　that　he　should　be　saying

〃I　am　sure　that　Lord　Tulliwuddle　will　never　forgive　me　if　I　fail　to　learn　the　names　of　any　visitors　who　have　honored　him　to…day。〃

〃Mine；〃　said　the　girl；　her　color　rising　slightly；　but　her　glance　as　kind　as　ever；　〃is　Julia　Wallingford。　　This　is　my　friend　Miss　Minchell。〃

The　Count　bowed。

〃And　may　I　introduce　myself　as　a　friend　of　Tulliwuddle's；　answering　to　the　name　of　Count　Bunker。〃

Again　Miss　Wallingford's　color　rose。　　In　a　low　and　ardent　voice　she　began

〃I　am　so　glad　to　meet　you！　　Your　name　is　already〃

But　at　that　instant；　when　the　Count　was　bending　forward　to　catch　the　words　and　the　lady　bending　down　to　utter　them；　a　hand　grasped　him　by　the　sleeve；　and　the　Baron's　voice　exclaimed

〃Come；　Bonker；　quickly　here　to　help　me！〃

He　would　fain　have　presented　his　lordship　to　the　ladies；　but　the　Baron　was　too　hurried　to　pause；　and　with　a　parting　bow　he　was　reluctantly　borne　off　to　assist　his　friend　out　of　his　latest　dilemma。

〃Pooh；　my　dear　Baron！〃　he　cried；　when　the　situation　was　explained　to　him；　〃you　couldn't　have　done　more　damage　to　their　hearts　if　you　had　hurled　your　hammer　at　them！　　A　touch　of　jealousy　was　all　that　was　needed　to　complete　your　conquests。　　But　for　me　you　have　spoiled　the　most　promising　affair　imaginable。　　There　goes　their　carriage　trotting　down　the　drive！　　And　I　shall　probably　never　know　whether　my　name　was　already　in　her　heart　or　in　her　prayers。　　Those　are　the　two　chief　receptacles　for　gentlemen's　names；　I　believearen't　they；　Baron？〃

On　his　advice　the　rival　families　were　left　to　the　soothing　influences　of　a　good　dinner　and　a　night's　sleep；　and　he　found　himself　free　to　ponder　over　his　interrupted　adventure。

〃Undoubtedly　one　feels　all　the　better　for　a　little　appreciation；〃　he　reflected　complacently。　　〃I　wonder　if　it　was　my　trews　that　bowled　her　over？〃



CHAPTER　XXV

The　Count　next　morning　consumed　a　solitary　breakfast；　his　noble　friend　having　risen　some　hours　previously　and　gone　for　an　early　walk　upon　the　hill。　　But　he　was　far　from　feeling　any　trace　of　boredom；　since　an　open　letter　beside　his　plate　appeared　to　provide　him　with　an　ample　fund　of　pleasant　and　entertaining　reflections。

〃I　have　not　withered　yet；〃　he　said　to　himself。　　〃Here　is　proof　positive　that　some　blossom；　some　aroma　remains！〃

The　precise　terms　of　this　encouraging　epistle　were　these：

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　〃THE　LASH；　near　NETHERBRIG。　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　〃Tuesday　night。


〃DEAR　COUNT　BUNKER；Forgive　what　must　seem　to　you　INCREDIBLE　boldness　（！）；　and　do　not　think　worse　of　me　than　I　deserve。　　It　seems　such　a　pity　that　you　should　be　so　near　and　yet　that　I　should　lose　this　chance　of　gratifying　my　great　desire。　　If　you　knew　how　I　prized　the　name　of　Bunker　you　would　understand；　but　no　doubt　I　am　only　one　among　many；　and　you　do　understand　better　than　I　can　explain。

〃My　father　is　away　from　home；　and　the　WORLD　dictates　prudence；　but　I　know　your　views　on　conventionality　are　those　I　too　have　learned　to　share；　so　will　you　come　and　see　me　before　you　leave　Scotland？

〃With　kindest　regards　and　in　great　haste　because　I　want　you　to　get　this　to…morrow　morning。　　Believe　me；　yours　very　sincerely；　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　〃JULIA　WALLINGFORD。〃


〃P。S。If　it　would　upset　your　arrangements　to　come　only　for　the　day；　Miss　Minchell　agrees　with　me　that　we　could　easily　put　you　up。J。　W。〃


〃By　Jingo！〃　mused　the　Count；　〃that's　what　I　call　a　sporting　offer。　　Her　father　away　from　home；　and　Count　Bunker　understanding　better　than　she　can　explain！　　Gad；　it's　my　duty　to　go！〃

But　besides　the　engaging　cordiality　of　Miss　Wallingford's　invitation；　there　was　something　about　the　letter　that　puzzled　almost　as　much　as　it　cheered　him。

〃She　prizes　the　name　of　Bunker；　does　she？　　Never　struck　me　it　was　very　ornamental；　and　in　any　case　the　compliment　seems　a　trifle　stretched。　　But；　hang　it！　this　is　looking　a　gift…horse　in　the　mouth。　　Such　ardor　deserves　to　be　embraced；　not　dissected。〃

He　swiftly　debated　how　best　to　gratify　the　lady。　　Last　night　it　had　been　his　own　counsel；　and　likewise　the　Baron's　desire；　to　leave　by　the　night　mail　that　very　evening；　with　their　laurels　still　unfaded　and　blessings　heaped　upon　their　heads。　　Why　not　make　his　next　stage　The　Lash？

〃Hang　it；　the　Baron　has　had　such　a　good　innings　that　he　can　scarcely　grudge　me　a　short　knock；〃　he　said　to　himself。　　〃He　can　wait　for　me　at　Perth　or　somewhere。〃

And；　ringing　the　bell；　he　wrote　and　promptly　despatched　this　brief　telegram：

〃Delighted。　　Shall　spend　to…night　in　passing。　　Bunker。〃

Hardly　was　this　point　settled　when　the　footman　re…　entered　to　inform　him　that　Mr。　Maddison's　motor　car　was　at　the　door　waiting　to　convey　him　without　delay　to　Lincoln　Lodge。　　Accompanying　this　announcement　came　the　Silver　King's　card　bearing　the　words；　〃Please　come　and　see　me　at　once。〃

The　Count　stroked　his　chin；　and　lit　a　cigarette。

〃There　is　something　fresh　in　the　wind；〃　thought　he。

In　the　course　of　his　forty…miles…an…hour　rush　through　the　odors　of　pine　woods；　he　had　time　to　come　to　a　pretty　correct　conclusion　regarding　the　business　before　him；　and　was　thus　enabled　to　adopt　the　mien　most　suitable　to　the　contingency　when　he　found　himself　ushered　into　the　presence　of　the　millionaire　and　his　son。　　The　set　look　upon　their　faces；　the　ceremonious　manner　of　their　greeting；　and　the　low　buzzing　of　the　phonograph；　audible　above　the　tinkle　of　a　musical　box　ingeniously　intended　to　drown　it；　confirmed　his　guess　even　before　a　word　had　passed。

〃Be　seated；　Count；〃　said　the　Silver　King；　and　the　Count　sat。

〃Now；　sir；〃　he　continued；　〃I　have　sent　for　you；　owing；　sir；　to　the　high　opinion　I　have　formed　of　your　intelligence　and　business　capabilities。〃

The　Count　bowed　profoundly。

〃Yes；　sir；　I　believe；　and　my　son　believes；　you　to　be　a　white　man；　even　though　you　are　a　Count。〃

〃That　is　so；〃　said　Ri。

〃Now；　sir；　you　must　be　awarein　fact；　you　ARE　awareof　the　matrimonial　project　once　entertained　between　my　daughter　and　Lord　Tulliwuddle。〃

〃Once！〃　exclaimed　the　Count　in　protest。

〃ONCE！〃　echoed　Ri　in　his　deepest　voice。

〃Hish；　Ri！　　Let　your　poppa　do　the　talking　this　time；〃　said　the　millionaire　sternly；　though　with　an　indulgent　eye。

〃ButerONCE？〃　repeated　the　Count；　as　if　bewildered　by　the　past　tense　implied；　though　to　himself　he　murmured〃I　knew　it！〃

〃When　I　gave　my　sanction　to　Lord　Tulliwuddle's　proposition；　I　did　so　under　the　impression　that　I　was　doing　a　deal　with　a　man；　sir；　of　integrity　and　honor。　　But　what　do　I　find？〃

〃Yes；　what？〃　thundered　Ri。

〃I　find；　sir；　that　his　darned　my…lordshipand　be　damned　to　his　titles〃

〃Mr。　Maddison！〃　expostulated　the　Count　gently。

〃I　find；　Count；　I　find　that　Lord　Tulliwuddle；　under　pretext　of　paying　my　Eleanor　a　compliment；　has　provided　an　entertainmenta　musical　and　athletic　entertainment　for　another　woman！〃

The　Count　sprang　to　his　feet。

〃Impossible！〃　he　cried。

〃It　is　true！〃

〃Name　her！〃

〃She　answers；　sir；　to　the　plebeian　cognomen　of　Gallosh。〃

〃A　nobody！〃　sneered　Ri。

〃In　trade！〃　added　his　father　scornfully。

Had　the　occasion　been　more　propitious；　the　Count　could　scarcely　have　refrained　from　commenting　upon　this　remarkably　republican　criticism；　but；　as　it　was；　he　deemed　it　more　advisable　to　hunt　with　the　hounds。

〃That　canaille！〃　he　shouted。　　〃Ha；　ha！　　Lord　Tulliwuddle　would　never　so　far　demean　himself！〃

〃I　have　it　from　old　Gallosh　himself；〃　declared　Mr。　Maddison。

〃And　that　girl　Gallosh　told　Eleanor　the　same；〃　added　Ri。

〃Pooh！〃　cried　the　Count。　　〃A　mere　invention。〃

〃You　are　certain；　sir；　that　Lord　Tulliwuddle　gave　them　no　grounds　whatever　for　supposing　such　a　thing？〃

〃I　pledge　my　reputation　as　Count　of　the　Austrian　Empire；　that　if　my　friend　be　indeed　a　Tulliwuddle　he　is　faithful　to　your　charming　daughter！〃

Father　and　son　looked　at　him　shrewdly。

〃Being　a　Tulliwuddle；　or　any　other　sort　of　pampered　aristocrat；　doesn't　altogether　guarantee　faithfulness；〃　observed　the　Silver　King。

〃If　he　has　deceived　you；　he　shall　answer　to　ME！〃　declared　the　Count。　　〃And　between　ourselves；　as　nature's　gentleman　to　nature's　gentleman；　you　may　assure　Miss　Maddison　that　there　is　not　the　remotest　likelihood　of　this　scheming　Miss　Gallosh　ever　becoming　my　friend's　bride！〃

The　two　Dariuses　were　sensibly　affected　by　this　assurance。

〃As　nature's　gentleman　to　nature's　gentleman！〃　repeated　the　elder　with　unction；　wringing　his　hand。

His　son　displayed　an　equal　enthusiasm；　and　the　Count　departed　with　an　enhanced　reputation　and　the　lingering　fragrance　of　a　cocktail　upon　his　tongue。

〃Now　I　think　we　are　in　comparatively　smooth　water；〃　he　said　to　himself　as　he　whizzed　back　to　the　castle。

At　the　door　he　was　received　by　the　butler。

〃Mr。　Gallosh　is　waiting　for　you　in　the　library；　my　lord；〃　said　he；　adding　confidentially　（since　the　Count　had　endeared　himself　to　all）；　〃He's　terrible　impatient　for　to　see　your　lordship。〃



CHAPTER　XXVI

Evidently　Mr。　Gallosh；　while　waiting　for　the　Count's　return；　had　so　worked　up　his　wrath　that　it　was　ready　to　explode　on　a　hair…trigger　touch；　and；　as　evidently；　his　guest's　extreme　urbanity　made　it　exceedingly　difficult　to　carry　out　his　threatening　intentions。

〃I　want　a　word　with　you；　Count。　　I've　been　wanting　a　word　with　you　all　morning；〃　he　began。

〃Believe　me；　Mr。　Gallosh；　I　appreciate　the　compliment。〃

〃Where　were　you？　I　mean　it　was　verra　annoying　not　to　find　you　when　I　wanted　you。〃

The　merchant　was　so　evidently　divided　between　anxiety　to　blurt　out　his　mind　while　it　was　yet　hot　from　the　making　up；　and　desire　not　to　affront　a　guest　and　a　man　of　rank；　that　the　Count　could　scarcely　restrain　a　smile。

〃It　is　equally　annoying　to　myself。　　I　should　have　enjoyed　a　conversation　with　you　at　any　hour　since　breakfast。〃

〃Umph；〃　replied　his　host。

〃What　can　I　do　for　you　now？〃

Mr。　Gallosh　looked　at　him　steadfastly。

〃Count　Bunker；〃　said　he；　〃I　am　only　a　plain　man〃

〃The　ladies；　I　assure　you；　are　not　of　that　opinion；〃　interposed　the　Count　politely。

Mr。　Gallosh　seemed　to　him　to　receive　this　compliment　with　more　suspicion　than　pleasure。

〃I'm　saying；〃　he　repeated；　〃that　I'm　only　a　plain　man　of　business；　and　you　and　your　friend　are　what　you'd　call　swells。〃

〃God　forbid　that　I　should！〃　the　Count　interjected　fervently。　　〃　'Toffs；'　possiblybut　no　matter；　please　continue。〃

〃Well；　now；　so　long　as　his　lordship　likes　to　treat　me　and　my　family　as　kind　of　belonging　to　a　different　sphere；　I'm　well　enough　content。　　I　make　no　pretensions；　Count；　to　be　better　than　what　I　am。〃

〃I　also；　Mr。　Gallosh；　endeavor　to　affect　a　similar　modesty。　　It's　rather　becoming；　I　think；　to　a　fine…looking　man。〃

〃It's　becoming　to　any　kind　of　man　that　he　should　know　his　place。　　But　I　was　saying；　I'd　have　been　content　if　his　lordship　had　been　distant　and　polite　and　that　kind　of　thing。　　But　was　he？　　You　know　yourself；　Count；　how　he's　behaved！〃

〃Perfectly　politely；　I　trust。〃

〃But　he's　not　been　what　you'd　call　distant；　Count　Bunker。　　In　fac'；　the　long　and　the　short　of　it　is　just　thiswhat's　his　intentions　towards　my　Eva？〃

〃Is　it　Mrs。　Gallosh　who　desires　this　information？〃

〃It　is。　　And　myself　too；　oh；　I'm　not　be