at
once threw up my visits and started in pursuit. I felt confident that
Lady Mary was favorably inclined (in fact, I had certain proofs
which--but no matter), and that if I won her heart I could break down
the old lady's opposition. I should certainly have succeeded in my
enterprise, and been at this moment the husband of one of the most
beautiful girls in England, but for a very curious and unfortunate
circumstance, which placed me in an unfavorable light in Mary's eyes.
I was not to blame; it was just a bit of bad luck.

"I ranged over most of Switzerland in search of Lady Mary. Wherever I
went I asked about her, and at last I got upon the track. At
Interlaken I found her name in the visitors' book, together with that
of a Miss Dibbs, whom I took to be the dragon. I questioned the porter
and found that the two ladies had, the afternoon before, hired a
carriage and driven to a quiet little village some fifteen miles off,
where there was a small but good inn. Here they evidently meant to
stay, for letters were to be sent after them there for the next week.
The place was described to me as pretty and retired; it seemed,
therefore, an ideal spot for my purpose. I made up my mind at once. I
started the next day after luncheon, took the journey easily, and came
in sight of the little inn about seven o'clock in the evening. All
went well. The only question was as to the disposition of Miss Dibbs
toward me. I prayed that she might turn out to be a romantic dragon;
but, in case she should prove obstinate, I made my approaches with all
possible caution. When my carriage stopped at the door I jumped out.
The head waiter, a big fellow in a white waistcoat, was on the steps.
I drew him aside, and took a ten-franc piece from my pocket.

"'Is there a young lady staying here?' I asked. 'Tall, fair,
handsome?' and I slid the piece of gold into his palm.

"'Well, yes, sir,' he said, 'there is a young lady, and she is all that
you say, sir. Pardon me, Monsieur is English?'

"'Yes,' said I.

"'Ah,' said he, smiling mysteriously. 'And it is Wednesday.'

"'It is certainly Wednesday,' I admitted, though I did not see that the
day of the week mattered much.

"He came close to me and whispered:

"'The lady thought you might come, sir. I think she expects you, sir.
Oh, you can rely on my discretion, sir.'

"I was rather surprised, but not very much, for I had hinted to George
Fitzmoine that I meant to try my luck, and