hted--only unluckily I have a man dining with
me. I tell you what! You come and join us! Will you?"

"If zat is ze only vay--yes, mit pleasure! Who is ze man?"

"Young Tulliwuddle. Do you remember going to a dance at Lord
Tulliwuddle's, some five and a half years ago?"

"Himmel! Ha, ha! Vell do I remember!"

"Well, our host of that evening died the other day, and this fellow is
his heir--a second or third cousin whose existence was so displeasing to
the old peer that he left him absolutely nothing that wasn't entailed,
and never said 'How-do-you-do?' to him in his life. In consequence, he
may not entertain you as much as I should like."

"If he is your friend, I shall moch enjoy his society!"

"I am flattered, but hardly convinced. Tulliwuddle's intellect is
scarcely of the sparkling kind. However, come and try."

The hour, the place, were arranged; a reminiscence or two exchanged;
fresh suggestions thrown out for the rejuvenation of a Bavarian magnate;
another baronial laugh shook the foundations of the club; and then, as
the afternoon was wearing on, the Baron hailed a cab and galloped for
Belgrave Square, and the late Mr. Bunker sauntered off along Pall Mall.

"Who can despair of human nature while the Baron von Blitzenberg adorns
the earth?" he reflected. "The discovery of champagne and the invention
of summer holidays were minor events compared with his descent from
Olympus!"

He bought a button-hole at the street corner and cocked his hat, more
airily than ever.

"A volcanic eruption may inspire one to succor humanity, a wedding to
condole with it, and a general election to warn it of its folly; but the
Baron inspires one to amuse!"

Meanwhile that Heaven-sent nobleman, with a manner enshrouded in
mystery, was comforting his wife.

"Ah, do not grieve, mine Alicia! No doubt ze Duke vill be disappointed
not to see us to-night, but I have telegraphed. Ja, I have said I had so
important an affair. Ach, do not veep! I did not know you wanted so moch
to dine mit ze old Duke. I sopposed you vould like a quiet evening at
home. But anyhow I have now telegraphed--and my leetle dinner mit my
friend--Ach, it is so important zat I most rosh and get dressed. Cheer
up, my loff! Good-by!"

He paused in answer to a tearful question.

"His name? Alas, I have promised not to say. You vould not have a
European war by my indiscretion?"

CHAPTER III

With mirrors reflecting a myriad lights, with the hum of voice