her," interrupted Edwin
smiling, "who as you say must manage to do without complicated
apparatus; _omnia sua secum portans_. If the beautiful princess will be
satisfied--"

"Of course, my dear fellow. The point in question is only whether it may
not be a little embarrassing for _you_. To be sure, everybody wears the
uniform of his profession, and besides in traveling--for the rest, my
whole wardrobe and valet are at your disposal, in case you prefer--"

"Thank you, my dear count. You really remind me just at the right time,
of the duty which, on occasions of ceremony we owe the house whose
hospitality we enjoy. A queer fellow and cynic is in his proper place
in his tun, but the contrast between a vagrant's dress and these
magnificent apartments would make even Father Diogenes, if he possessed
any sense of harmony--"

"Why, my honored friend, you entirely misunderstand me. I'd not the
most distant intention--no, you must--you can in no case--"

"Yet allow me, my dear count, to pursue what I think the most sensible
course, especially as I've not the slightest appetite, for I took my
dinner at a farm house. Besides, if these noble guests intend to remain
so short a time, the presence of a total stranger--"

"You'll expose me to the anger of my adored cousin!" cried Gaston with
comical pathos. "Do me the favor not to be proud or obstinate. You must
know our party has already dwindled considerably. The twin murderers,
Thaddaeus and Matthaeus, have locked themselves up and are atoning for
their attempt on our fat neighbor's life, with Rhine wine and truffle
pates. Oginsky, on hearing that Prince Bataroff was to make one of our
party, was suddenly seized with such a violent headache that he went to
bed at once. Between ourselves, he probably fears that this Russian
knows his antecedents better than my dear cousin, whose eyes I hope may
be opened by this sudden headache. Therefore no one is left to pay
court to the charming princess, except the chevalier, who is usually as
silent in the society of ladies belonging to the great world as he's
talkative in the presence of the _demi monde_, and I, who with the best
intentions, whenever the object of my hopeless love is present, have no
other goddess beside her. Take into consideration the singular mood of
the master of the house, and that the young prince is no brilliant
talker, and you'll see the party will be a very dull one, and all the
blame will fall on my unfortunate sel