daughter, but you mustn't make remarks about the prospective Mrs. Pike.
I don't know anything about her local reputation for looks, but I think
she's the most beautiful thing that ever drew breath, and I'd make it
stronger than that if I knew how. You thought I meant the fat one.
Well, I didn't, but I hope the agreement goes just the same. And I'll
stick to what I said. I'll get the other one married off. It may take a
little time, but I think I can find some one."
"_Find_ some one?" cried Jeneka indignantly.
"_Find_ some one?" repeated her father. "She has been sought by every
young man of quality in the whole kingdom. How dare you suggest
that----"
Then he paused, for he was beginning to comprehend that young Mr. Pike
had stepped in and saved him, and that, instead of rebuking Mr. Pike, he
should be weeping on his breast and calling him "son."
Jeneka came to her senses at the same moment, for she saw her dream of
five years coming true. She knew that soon she would be the Countess
Muldova.
Mr. Pike suddenly felt himself caressed by three happy mortals.
"I shall make you a Knight of the Gleaming Scimitar," said the
Governor-General. "I have the authority."
"Thanks," replied Mr. Pike.
"And we can have a double wedding," exclaimed Jeneka, whose ecstasy was
almost apoplectic.
"We shall be married in Washington," said Kalora decisively. "I am not
going to be carted over to my husband's house and delivered at the back
door, even if it is the custom of my native land. I shall be married
publicly and have twelve bridesmaids."
"You may start for Washington immediately," said her father with genuine
enthusiasm.
"I shall need a chaperon. Send for Popova."
"Good! His punishment shall be--permanent exile."
"Nothing would please him better," said Kalora. "Over here he is
nothing--in Washington he will be a distinguished foreigner. Washington!
_Washington_! To think that all of us are going back there! To think
that once more I shall have pickles--all the pickles I want to eat!"
"We have over fifty varieties waiting for you," observed young Mr. Pike
tenderly.
"I have been thinking," spoke up the Governor-General. "I shall apply to
the Sultan. He shall make you a Most Noble Prince of the Order of
Bosporus. The decoration is a great star, studded with diamonds."
"Thanks," replied Mr. Pike.
That night the great palace at Morovenia was completely illuminated for
the first time in many months.
THE END