count bunker-第6章

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ce　Count　Bunker　started

〃That　must　be　Hechnahoul！〃　said　he。

The　Baron　looked　and　beheld；　upon　an　eminence　across　the　loch；　the　towers　and　turrets　of　an　imposing　mansion　overtopping　a　green　grove。

〃And　here　is　the　station；〃　added　the　Count。

The　Baron's　face　assumed　a　piteous　expression。

〃Bonker；〃　he　stammered；　〃II　am　afraid！　　You　be　ze　TollyvoddleI　cannot　do　him！〃

〃My　dear　Baron！〃

〃Oh；　I　cannot！〃

〃Be　bravefor　the　honor　of　the　fatherland。　　Play　the　bold　Blitzenberg！〃

〃Ach；　ja；　but　not　bold　Tollyvoddle。　　Zat　picture　you　vere　rightit　vas　omen！〃

Never　did　the　genius　of　Bunker　rise　more　audaciously　to　an　occasion。

〃My　dear　Baron；〃　said　he；　assuming　on　the　instant　a　confidence…inspiring　smile；　〃that　print　was　a　hoax；　it　wasn't　old　Tulliwuddle　at　all。　　I　faked　it　myself。〃

〃So？〃　gasped　the　Baron。　　〃You　assure　me　truly？〃

Muttering　（the　historian　sincerely　hopes）　a　petition　for　forgiveness；　Bunker　firmly　answered

〃I　do　assure　you！〃

The　train　had　stopped；　and　as　they　were　the　only　first…class　passengers　on　board；　a　peculiarly　magnificent　footman　already　had　his　hand　upon　the　door。　　Before　turning　the　handle；　he　touched　his　hat。

〃Lord　Tulliwuddle？〃　he　respectfully　inquired。

〃Jazat　is；　yes；　I　am；〃　replied　the　Baron。



CHAPTER　VIII

From　the　platform　down　to　the　pier　was　only　some　fifty　yards；　and　before　them　the　travellers　perceived　an　exceedingly　smart　steam…　launch；　and　a　stout　middle…aged　gentleman；　in　a　blue　serge　suit　and　yachting　cap；　advancing　from　it　to　greet　them。　　They　had　only　time　to　observe　that　he　had　a　sanguine　complexion；　iron…gray　whiskers；　and　a　wide…open　eye；　before　he　raised　the　cap　and；　in　a　decidedly　North　British　accent；　thus　addressed　them

〃My　lordahem！your　lordship；　I　should　say　I　presume　I've　the　pleasure　of　seeing　Lord　Tulliwuddle？〃

The　Count　gently　pushed　his　more　distinguished　friend　in　front。　　With　an　embarrassment　equal　to　their　host's；　his　lordship　bowed　and　gave　his　hand。

〃I　am　ze　Tollyvoddlevary　pleasedMistair　Gosh；　I　soppose？〃

〃Gallosh；　my　lord。　　Very　honored　to　welcome　you。〃

In　the　round　eyes　of　Mr。　Gallosh；　Count　Bunker　perceived　an　unmistakable　stare　of　astonishment　at　the　sound　of　his　lordship's　accented　voice。　　The　Baron；　on　his　part；　was　evidently　still　suffering　from　his　attack　of　stage　fright；　but　again　the　Count's　gifts　smoothed　the　creases　from　the　situation。

〃You　have　not　introduced　me　to　our　host；　Tulliwuddle；〃　he　said；　with　a　gay；　infectious　confidence。

〃Ah；　so！　　Zis　is　my　friend　Count　Bunkergom　all　ze　vay　from　Austria；〃　responded　the　Baron；　with　no　glimmer　of　his　customary　aplomb。

Making　a　mental　resolution　to　warn　his　ally　never　to　say　one　word　more　about　his　fictitious　past　than　was　wrung　by　cross…examination；　the　distinguished…　looking　Austrian　shook　his　host's　hand　warmly。

〃From　Austria　via　London；〃　he　explained　in　his　pleasantest　manner。　　〃I　object　altogether　to　be　considered　a　foreigner；　Mr。　Gallosh；　and；　in　fact；　I　often　tell　Tulliwuddle　that　people　will　think　me　more　English　than　himself。　　The　German　fashions　so　much　in　vogue　at　Court　are　transforming　the　very　speech　of　your　nobility。　　Don't　you　sometimes　notice　it？〃

Thus　directly　appealed　to；　Mr。　Gallosh　became　manifestly　perplexed。

〃Yesyes；　you're　right　in　a　way；〃　he　pronounced　cautiously。　　〃I　suppose　they　do　that。　　But　will　ye　not　take　a　seat？　　This　is　my　launch。　　Hi！　　Robert；　give　his　lordship　a　hand　on　board！〃

Two　mariners　and　a　second　tall　footman　assisted　the　guests　to　embark；　and　presently　they　were　cutting　the　waters　of　the　loch　at　a　merry　pace。

In　the　prow；　like　youth；　the　Baron　insisted　upon　sitting　with　folded　arms　and　a　gloomy　aspect；　and　as　his　nerve　was　so　patently　disturbed；　the　Count　decidedly　approved　of　an　arrangement　which　left　his　host　and　himself　alone　together　in　the　stern。　　In　his　present　state　of　mind　the　Baron　was　capable　of　any　indiscretion　were　he　compelled　to　talk；　while；　silent　and　brooding　in　isolated　majesty；　he　looked　to　perfection　the　part　of　returning　exile。　　So；　evidently；　thought　Mr。　Gallosh。

〃His　lordship　is　looking　verra　well；〃　he　confided　to　the　Count　in　a　respectfully　lowered　voice。

〃The　improvement　has　been　remarkable　ever　since　his　foot　touched　his　native　heath。〃

〃You　don't　say　so；〃　said　Mr。　Gallosh；　with　even　greater　interest。　　〃Was　he　delicate　before？〃

〃A　London　life；　Mr。　Gallosh。〃

〃Truetrue；　he'll　have　been　busy　seeing　his　friends；　it'll　have　been　verra　wearing。〃

〃The　anxiety；　the　business　of　being　invested；　and　so　on；　has　upset　him　a　trifle。　　You　must　put　down　any　littlewell；　peculiarity　to　that；　Mr。　Gallosh。〃

〃I　understandaye；　umh'm；　quite　so。　　He'll　like　to　be　left　to　himself；　perhaps？〃

〃That　depends　on　his　condition；〃　said　the　Count　diplomatically。

〃It's　a　great　responsibility　for　a　young　man；　yon's　a　big　property　to　look　after；〃　observed　Mr。　Gallosh　in　a　moment。

〃You　have　touched　the　spot！〃　said　the　Count　warmly。　　〃That　is；　in　fact；　the　chief　cause　of　Tulliwuddle's　curious　moodiness　ever　since　he　succeeded　to　the　title。　　He　feels　his　responsibilities　a　little　too　acutely。〃

Again　Mr。　Gallosh　ruminated；　while　his　guest　from　the　corner　of　his　eye　surveyed　him　shrewdly。

〃My　forecast　was　wonderfully　accurate；〃　he　said　to　himself。

The　silence　was　first　broken　by　Mr。　Gallosh。　　As　if　thinking　aloud；　he　remarked

〃I　was　awful　surprised　to　hear　him　speak！　　It's　the　Court　fashion；　you　say？〃

〃Partly　that；　partly　a　prolonged　residence　on　the　Continent　in　his　youth。　　He　acquired　his　accent　then；　he　has　retained　it　for　fashion's　sake；〃　explained　the　Count；　who　thought　it　as　well　to　bolster　up　the　weakest　part　of　his　case　a　little　more　securely。

With　this　prudent　purpose；　he　added；　with　a　flattering　air　of　taking　his　host　into　his　aristocratic　confidence

〃You　will　perhaps　be　good　enough　to　explain　this　to　the　friends　and　dependants　Lord　Tulliwuddle　is　about　to　meet？　　A　breath　of　unsympathetic　criticism　would　grieve　him　greatly　if　it　came　to　his　ears。〃

〃Quite；　quite；〃　said　Mr。　Gallosh　eagerly。　　〃I'll　make　it　all　right。　　I　understand　the　sentiment　pairfectly。　　It's　verra　naturalverra　natural　indeed。〃

At　that　moment　the　Baron　started　from　his　reverie　with　an　affrighted　air。

〃Vat　is　zat　strange　sound！〃　he　exclaimed。

The　others　listened。

〃That's　just　the　pipes；　my　lord；〃　said　Mr。　Gallosh。　　〃They're　tuning　up　to　welcome　you。〃

His　lordship　stared　at　the　shore　ahead　of　them。

〃Zere　are　many　peoples　on　ze　coast！〃　he　cried。　　〃Vat　makes　it　for？〃

〃They've　come　to　receive　you；〃　his　host　explained。　　〃It's　just　a　little　spontaneous　demonstration；　my　lord。〃

His　lordship's　composure　in　no　way　increased。

〃It　was　Mrs。　Gallosh　organized　a　wee　bit　entertainment　on　his　lordship's　landing；〃　their　host　explained　confidentially　to　the　Count。　　〃It's　just　informal；　ye　understand。　　She's　been　instructing　some　of　the　tenants　and　ma　own　girls　will　be　therebut；　oh；　it's　nothing　to　speak　of。　　If　he　says　a　few　words　in　reply；　that'll　be　all　they'll　be　expecting。〃

The　strains　of　〃Tulliwuddle　wha　hae〃　grew　ever　louder　and；　to　an　untrained　ear；　more　terrific。　　In　a　moment　they　were　mingled　with　a　clapping　of　hands　and　a　Highland　cheer；　the　launch　glided　alongside　the　pier；　and；　supported　on　his　faithful　friend's　arm；　the　panic…stricken　Tulliwuddle　staggered　ashore。　　Before　his　dazed　eyes　there　seemed　to　be　arrayed　the　vastest　and　most　barbaric　concourse　his　worst　nightmare　had　ever　imagined。　　Six　pipers　played　within　ten　paces　of　him；　each　of　them　arrayed　in　the　full　panoply　of　the　clan；　at　least　a　dozen　dogs　yelped　their　exultation；　and　from　the　surrounding　throng　two　ancient　men　in　tartan　and　four　visions　in　snowy　white　stepped　forth　to　greet　the　distinguished　visitors。

The　first　hitch　in　the　proceedings　occurred　at　this　point。　　According　to　the　unofficial　but　carefully　considered　programme；　the　pipers　ought　to　have　ceased　their　melody；　but；　whether　inspired　by　ecstatic　loyalty　or　because　the　Tulliwuddle　pibroch　took　longer　to　perform　than　had　been　anticipated；　they　continued　to　skirl　with　such　vigor　that　expostulations　passed　entirely　unheard。　　Under　the　circumstances　there　was　nothing　for　it　but　shouting；　and　in　a　stentorian　yell　Mr。　Gallosh　introduced　his　wife　and　three　fair　daughters。

Thereupon　Mrs。　Gallosh；　a　broad…beamed　matron　whose　complexion　contrasted　pleasantly　with　her　costume；　delivered　the　following　oration

〃Lord　Tulliwuddle；　in　the　name　of　the　women　of　HechnahoulI　may　say　in　the　name　of　the　women　of　all　the　Highlandsoor　ain　Heelands；　my　lord〃　（this　with　the　most　insinuating　smile）〃I　bid　you　welcome　to　your　ancestral　estates。　　Remembering　the　conquests　your　ancestors　used　to　make　both　in　war　and　in　a　gentler　sphere〃　（Mrs。　Gallosh　looked　archness　itself）；　〃we　ladies；　I　suppose；　should　regard　your　home…　coming　with　some　misgivings；　but；　my　lord；　every　bonny　Prince　Charlie　has　his　bonny　Flora　Macdonald；　and　in　this　land　of　mountain；　mist；　and　flood；　where　'Dark　Ben　More　frowns　o'er　the　wave；'　and　where　'Ilka　lassie　has　her　laddie；'　you　will　find　a　thousand　romantic　maidens　ready　to　welcome　you　as　Ellen　welcomed　Fitz…James！　　For　centuries　your　heroic　race　has　adorned　the　halls　and　trod　the　heather　of　Hechnahoul；　and　for　centuries　more　we　hope　to　see　the　offspring　of　your　lordship　and　some　winsome　Celtic　maid　rule　these　cataracts　and　glens！〃

At　this　point　the　exertion　of　shouting　down　six　bagpipes　in　active　eruption　caused　a　temporary　cessation　of　the　lady's　eloquence；　and　the　pause　was　filled　by　the　cheers　of　the　crowd　led　by　the　〃Hip…hip…hip！〃　of　Count　Bunker；　and　by　the　broken　and　fortunately　inaudible　protests　of　the　embarrassed　father　of　future　Tulliwuddles。　　In　a　moment　Mrs。　Gallosh　had　resumed

〃Lord　Tulliwuddle；　though　I　myself　am　only　a　stranger　to　your　clan；　your　Highland　heart　will　feel　reassured　when　I　mention　that　I　belong　through　my　grandmother　to　the　kindred　clan　of　the　Mackays！〃　　（〃Hear；　hear！〃　from　two　or　three　ladies　and　gentlemen；　evidently　guests　of　the　Gallosh。）　　〃We　are　but　visitors　at　Hechnahoul；　yet　we　assure　you　that　no　more　devoted　hearts　beat　in　all　Caledonia！　　Lord　Tulliwuddle；　we　welcome　you！〃

〃Put　your　hand　on　your　heart　and　bow；〃　whispered　Bunker。　　〃Keep　on　bowing　and　say　nothing！〃

Mechanically　the　bewildered　Baron　obeyed；　and　for　a　few　moments　presented　a　spectacle　not　unlike　royalty　in　procession。

But　as　some　reply　from　him　had　evidently　been　expected　at　this　point；　and　the　pipers　had　even　ceased　playing　lest　any　word　of　their　chief's　should　be　lost；　a　pause　ensued　which　might　have　grown　embarrassing　had　not　the　Count　promptly　stepped　forward。

〃I　think；〃　he　said；　indicating　two　other　snow…white　figures　who　held　gigantic　bouquets；　〃that　a　pleasant　part　of　the　ceremony　still　remains　before　us。〃

With　a　grateful　glance　at　this　discerning　guest；　Mrs。　Gallosh　thereupon　led　forward　her　two　youngest　daughters　（aged　fifteen　and　thirteen）；　who；　with　an　air　so　delightfully　coy　that　it　fell　like　a　ray　of　sunshine　on　the　poor　Baron's　heart；　presented　him　with　their　flowery　symbols　of　Hechnahoul's　obeisance　to　its　lord。

His　consternation　returned　with　the　advance　of　the　two　ancient　clansmen　who；　after　a　guttural　panegyric　in　Gaelic；　offered　him　further　symbolsa　claymore　and　target；　very　formidable　to　behold。　　All　these