Scarce a week had elapsed since that somewhat lugubrious interview
between Count Roseveldt and Captain Maynard in the room of the latter,
when the two men once more met in the same apartment.
This time under changed circumstances, as indicated in the countenances
of both.
Both seemed as jolly and joyous as if all Europe had become republican!
And not only seemed it, but were so; for both of them had reason.
The Count had come in. The Captain was just going out.
"What luck!" cried the latter. "I was starting in search of you!"
"And I've come in search of you! Captain, I might have missed you! I
wouldn't for fifty pounds."
"I wouldn't have missed you for a hundred, Count! I want you in a most
important matter."
"I want you in one more important."
"You've been quarrelling, Count? I'm sorry for it I'm afraid I shall
not be able to serve you."
"Reserve your regrets for yourself. It's more like you to be getting
into a scrape of that kind. _Pardieu_! I suppose you're in one?"
"Quite the reverse! At all events, if I'm in a scrape, as you call it,
it's one of a more genial nature. I'm going to be married."
"_Mein Gott_! so am I!"
"She's consented, then?"
"She has. And yours? I needn't ask who it is. It's the yellow-haired
child, I suppose?"
"I once told you, Count, _that child would yet be my wife_. I have now
the felicity to tell you _she will_."
"_Mere de Dieu_! it is wonderful. I shall henceforth believe in
presentiments. I had the same when I first saw _her_!"
"_Her_? You mean the future Countess de Roseveldt? You have not told
me who is destined for your honour?"
"I tell you now, _cher capitaine_, that she is the prettiest, dearest,
sweetest little pet you ever set eyes on. She'll give you a surprise
when you do. But you shan't have it till you're introduced to her right
in front of the altar; where you must go with me. I've come to bespeak
you for that purpose."
"How very odd! It was for that I was going to you."
"To engage me for best man?"
"Of course; you once consented to be my second. I know you won't refuse
me now?"
"It would be ungrateful if I did--requiring from you a similar service.
I suppose you consent to reciprocate?"
"By all means. You may count upon me."
"And you upon me. But when are you to be `turned off' as these
Britishers term it?"
"Next Thursday, at eleven o'clock."
"Thursday at eleven o'clock?" repeated the Count in surprise. "Why,
that's the very day and hour I am myself to be made a benedict of!
_Sacre Dieu_! We'll both be engaged in the same business then at the
same time! We won't be able to assist one another!"
"A strange coincidence!" remarked Maynard; "very awkward too!"
"_Peste_! isn't it? What a pity we couldn't pull together?"
Of the hundreds of churches contained in the great city of London, it
never occurred to either, that they might be married in the same.
"What's to be done, _cher capitaine_?" asked the Austrian. "I'm a
stranger here, and don't know a soul--that is, enough for this! And
you--although speaking the language--appear to be not much better
befriended! What's to be done for both of us?"
Maynard was amused at the Count's perplexity. Stranger as he was, he
had no fears for himself. In the great world of London he knew of more
than one who would be willing to act as his groomsman--especially with a
baronet's daughter for the bride!
"Stay!" cried Roseveldt, after reflecting. "I have it! There's Count
Ladislaus Teleky. He'll do for me. And there's--there's his cousin,
Count Francis! Why shouldn't he stand up for you? I know you are
friends. I've seen you together."
"Quite true," said Maynard, remembering; "Though I didn't think of him,
Count Francis is the very man. I know he'll consent to see me bestowed.
It's not ten days since I assisted in making him a citizen of this
proud British Empire, in order that he might do as I intend doing--marry
a lady who ranks among the proudest of its aristocracy. Thank you, my
dear Count, for suggesting him. He is in every way suitable; and I
shall avail myself of his services."
The two parted; one to seek Count Ladislaus Teleky, the other Francis,
to stand sponsors for them in that ceremony of pleasant anticipation--
the most important either had ever gone through in his life.