llionaire; "but it will be
all the more creditable if you can manage it."

The Baron cleared his throat to begin, and as he happened (as the Count
was well aware) to have the greatest enthusiasm for this policy, and to
have recently read the thirteen volumes of Professor Bungstrumpher
on the subject, he delivered a peroration so remarkable alike for its
fervor, its facts, and its phenomenal length, that when, upon a gentle
hint from the Count, he at last paused, all traces of objection had
vanished from the minds of Darius P. Maddison, senior and junior.

"I need no longer detain you, Lord Tulliwuddle," said the millionaire
respectfully. "Ri, fetch your sister into her room. Your lordship, I
have received an intellectual treat. I am very deeply gratified, sir.
Allow me to conduct you to my daughter's boudoir."

Flushed with his exertions and his triumph though the Baron was, he yet
remembered so vividly the ordeal preceding the oration that as they went
he whispered in his friend's ear:

"Ah, Bonker, stay mit me, I pray you! If she should ask more questions!

"Mr. Maddison, ze Count will stay mit me."

Though a little surprised at this arrangement, which scarcely accorded
with his lordship's virile appearance and dashing air, Mr. Maddison
was by this time too favorably disposed to question the wisdom of
any suggestion he might make, and accordingly the two friends found
themselves closeted together in Miss Maddison's sanctum awaiting the
appearance of the heiress.

"Shall I remain through the entire interview?" asked the Count.

"Oh yes, mine Bonker, you most! Or--vell, soppose it gets unnecessary
zen vill I cry 'By ze Gad!' and you vill know to go."

"'By the Gad'? I see."

"Or--vell, not ze first time, but if I say it tree times, zen vill you
make an excuse."

"Three times? I understand, Baron."

CHAPTER XXII

In the eye of the heiress, as in her father's, might be noted a shade of
surprise at finding two gentlemen instead of one. But though the Count
instantly perceived his superfluity, and though it had been his greatest
ambition throughout his life to add no shade to the dullness with which
he frequently complained that life was overburdened, yet his sense of
obligation to his friend was so strong that he preferred to bore rather
than desert. As the only compensation he could offer, he assumed the
most retiring look of which his mobile features were capable, and
pretended to examine one of the t