ed by his great
goodness and bounty, I sobbed aloud--cried like a child" (the Count's
eyes filled and winked at the very recollection), "and when I went back
into the card-room, stepping up to Krahwinkel, 'Count,' says I, 'who
looks foolish now?'--Hey there, La Rose, give me the diamond--Yes, that
was the very pun I made, and very good it was thought. 'Krahwinkel,'
says I, 'WHO LOOKS FOOLISH NOW?' and from that day to this I was never
at a Court-day asked to eat Sauerkraut--NEVER!"

"Hey there, La Rose! Bring me that diamond snuff-box in the drawer of my
secretaire;" and the snuff-box was brought. "Look at it, my dear," said
the Count, "for I saw you seemed to doubt. There is the button--the very
one that came off his Grace's coat."

Mr. Billings received it, and twisted it about with a stupid air. The
story had quite mystified him; for he did not dare yet to think his
father was a fool--his respect for the aristocracy prevented him.

When the Count's communications had ceased, which they did as soon as
the story of the Sauerkraut was finished, a silence of some minutes
ensued. Mr. Billings was trying to comprehend the circumstances above
narrated; his Lordship was exhausted; the chaplain had quitted the room
directly the word Sauerkraut was mentioned--he knew what was coming. His
Lordship looked for some time at his son; who returned the gaze with
his mouth wide open. "Well," said the Count--"well, sir? What are you
sitting there for? If you have nothing to say, sir, you had better go. I
had you here to amuse me--split me--and not to sit there staring!"

Mr. Billings rose in a fury.

"Hark ye, my lad," said the Count, "tell La Rose to give thee five
guineas, and, ah--come again some morning. A nice well-grown young lad,"
mused the Count, as Master Tommy walked wondering out of the apartment;
"a pretty fellow enough, and intelligent too."

"Well, he IS an odd fellow, my father," thought Mr. Billings, as he
walked out, having received the sum offered to him. And he immediately
went to call upon his friend Polly Briggs, from whom he had separated in
the morning.

What was the result of their interview is not at all necessary to the
progress of this history. Having made her, however, acquainted with the
particulars of his visit to his father, he went to his mother's, and
related to her all that had occurred.

Poor thing, she was very differently interested in the issue of it!

CHAPTER X. SHOWING HOW GALGENSTE