count bunker-第10节

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〃Or　perhaps　his　heart　was　stirred　with　thoughts　of　the　past！〃　said　Miss　Gallosh；　her　eyes　brightening。

In　any　case；　all　were　agreed　that　the　development　of　his　hereditary　instincts　had　been　extraordinarily　rapid。

〃I　never　really　properly　talked　with　a　lord　before；〃　sighed　Mrs。　Rentoul；　〃I　hope　they're　all　like　this　one。〃

Mrs。　Gallosh；　on　the　other　hand；　who　boasted　of　having　had　one　tete…a…tete　and　joined　in　several　general　conversations　with　the　peerage；　appraised　Lord　Tulliwuddle　with　greater　discrimination。

〃Ah；　he's　got　a　soupcon！〃　she　declared。　　〃That's　what　I　admire！〃

〃Do　you　mean　his　German　accent？〃　asked　Mr。　Cromarty…Gow；　who　was　renowned　for　a　cynical　wit；　and　had　been　seeking　an　occasion　to　air　it　ever　since　Lord　Tulliwuddle　had　made　Miss　Gallosh　promise　to　dance　a　reel　with　him。

But　the　feeling　of　the　party　was　so　strongly　against　a　breath　of　irreverent　criticism；　and　their　protest　so　emphatic；　that　he　presently　strolled　off　to　the　smoking…　room；　wishing　that　Miss　Gallosh；　at　least；　would　exercise　more　critical　discrimination。

〃Do　you　think　would　they　like　breakfast　in　their　own　room；　Duncan？〃　asked　Mrs。　Gallosh。

〃Offer　it　themoffer　it　them；　they　can　but　refuse；　and　it's　a　kind　of　compliment　to　give　them　the　opportunity。〃

〃His　lordship　will　not　be　wanting　to　rise　early；〃　said　Mr。　Rentoul。　　〃Did　you　notice　what　an　amount　he　could　drink；　Duncan？　　Man；　and　he　carried　it　fine！　　But　he'll　be　the　better　of　a　sleep…in　in　the　morning；　him　coming　from　a　journey　too。〃

Mr。　Rentoul　was　a　recognized　authority　on　such　questions；　having；　before　the　days　of　his　affluence；　travelled　for　a　notable　firm　of　distillers。　　His　praise　of　Lord　Tulliwuddle's　capacity　was　loudly　echoed　by　Mr。　Gallosh；　and　even　the　ladies　could　not　but　indulgently　agree　that　he　had　exhibited　a　strength　of　head　worthy　of　his　race。

〃And　yet　he　was　a　wee　thing　touched　too；〃　said　Mr。　Rentoul　sagely。　　〃Maybe　you　were　too　far　gone　yourself；　Duncan；　to　notice　it；　and　the　ladies　would　just　think　it　was　gallantry；　but　I　saw　it　in　his　voice　and　his　legsoh；　just　a　wee　thingie；　nothing　to　speak　of。〃

〃Surely　you　are　mistaken！〃　cried　Miss　Gallosh。　　〃Wasn't　it　only　excitement　at　finding　himself　at　Hechnahoul？〃

〃There's　two　kinds　of　excitement；〃　answered　the　oracle。　　〃And　this　was　the　kind　I'm　best　acquaint　with。　　Oh；　but　it　was　just　a　wee　bittie。〃

〃And　who　thinks　the　worse　of　him　for　it？〃　cried　Mr。　Gallosh。

This　question　was　answered　by　general　acclamation　in　a　manner　and　with　a　spirit　that　proved　how　deeply　his　lordship's　gracious　behavior　had　laid　hold　of　all　hearts。



CHAPTER　XI

Breakfast　in　the　private　parlor　was　laid　for　two；　but　it　was　only　Count　Bunker；　arrayed　in　a　becoming　suit　of　knickerbockers；　and　looking　as　fresh　as　if　he　had　feasted　last　night　on　aerated　water；　who　sat　down　to　consume　it。

〃Who　would　be　his　ordinary　everyday　self　when　there　are　fifty　more　amusing　parts　to　play；〃　he　reflected　gaily；　as　he　sipped　his　coffee。　　〃Blitzenberg　and　Essington　were　two　conventional　members　of　society；　ageing　ingloriously；　tamely　approaching　five…　and…thirty　in　bath…chairs。　　Tulliwuddle　and　Bunker　are　paladins　of　romance！　　We　thought　we　had　grown　upthank　Heaven；　we　were　deceived！〃

Having　breakfasted　and　lit　a　cigarette；　he　essayed　for　the　second　time　to　arouse　the　Baron；　but　getting　nothing　but　the　most　somnolent　responses；　he　set　out　for　a　stroll；　visiting　the　gardens；　stables；　kennels；　and　keeper's　house；　and　even　inspecting　a　likely　pool　or　two　upon　the　river；　and　making　in　the　course　of　it　several　useful　acquaintances　among　the　Tulliwuddle　retainers。

When　he　returned　he　found　the　Baron　stirring　a　cup　of　strong　tea　and　staring　at　an　ancestral　portrait　with　a　thoughtful　frown。

〃They　are　preparing　the　caber；　Baron；〃　he　remarked　genially。

〃Stoff　and　nonsense；　I　vill　not　fling　her！〃　was　the　wholly　unexpected　reply。　　〃I　do　not　love　to　play　ze　fool　alvays！〃

〃My　dear　Baron！〃

〃Zat　picture；〃　said　the　Baron；　nodding　his　head　solemnly　towards　the　portrait。　　〃It　is　like　ze　Lord　Tollyvoddle　in　ze　print　at　ze　hotel。　　I　do　believe　he　is　ze　same。〃

〃But　I　explained　that　he　wasn't　Tulliwuddle。〃

〃He　is　so　like；〃　repeated　the　Baron　moodily。　　〃He　most　be　ze　same。〃

Bunker　looked　at　it　and　shook　his　head。

〃A　different　man；　I　assure　you。〃

〃Oh；　ze　devil！〃　replied　the　Baron。

〃What's　the　matter？〃

〃I　haff　a　head　zat　tvists　and　turns　like　my　head　never　did　since　many　years。〃

The　Count　had　already　surmised　as　much。

〃Hang　it　out　of　the　window；〃　he　suggested。

The　Baron　made　no　reply　for　some　minutes。　　Then　with　an　earnest　air　he　began

〃Bonker；　I　have　somezing　to　say　to　you。〃

〃You　have　the　most　sympathetic　audience　outside　the　clan。〃

The　Count's　cheerful　tone　did　not　seem　to　please　his　friend。

〃Your　heart；　he　is　too　light；　Bonker；　ja；　too　light。　　Last　night　you　did　engourage　me　not　to　be　seemly。〃

〃I！〃

〃I　did　get　almost　dronk。　　If　my　head　vas　not　so　hard　I　should　be　dronk。　　Das　ist　not　right。　　If　I　am　to　be　ze　Tollyvoddle；　it　most　be　as　I　vould　be　Von　Blitzenberg。　　I　most　not　forget　zat　I　am　not　as　ozzer　men。　　I　am　noble；　and　most　be　so　accordingly。〃

〃What　steps　do　you　propose　to　take？〃　inquired　Bunker　with　perfect　gravity。

The　Baron　stared　at　the　picture。

〃Last　night　I　had　a　dream。　　It　vas　zat　manat　least；　probably　it　vas；　for　I　cannot　remember　eggsactly。　　He　did　pursue　me　mit　a　kilt。〃

〃With　what　did　you　defend　yourself？〃

〃I　know　not：　I　jost　remember　zat　it　should　be　a　warning。　　Ve　Blitzenbergs　have　ze　gift　to　dream。〃

The　Baron　rose　from　the　table　and　lit　a　cigar。　　After　three　puffs　he　threw　it　from　him。

〃I　cannot　smoke；〃　he　said　dismally。　　〃It　has　a　onpleasant　taste。〃

The　Count　assumed　a　seriously　thoughtful　air。

〃No　doubt　you　will　wish　to　see　Miss　Maddison　as　soon　as　possible　and　get　it　over；〃　he　began。　　〃I　have　just　learned　that　their　place　is　about　seven　miles　away。　　We　could　borrow　a　trap　this　afternoon〃

〃Nein；　nein！〃　interrupted　the　Baron。　　　〃Donnerwetter！　　Ach；　no；　it　most　not　be　so　soon。　　I　most　practise　a　leetle　first。　　Not　so　immediately；　Bonker。〃

Bunker　looked　at　him　with　a　glance　of　unfathomable　calm。

〃I　find　that　it　will　be　necessary　for　you　to　observe　one　or　two　ancient　ceremonies；　associated　from　time　immemorial　with　the　accession　of　a　Tulliwuddle。　　You　are　prepared　for　the　ordeal？〃

〃I　most　do　my　duty；　Bonker。〃

〃This　suggests　some　more　inspiring　vision　than　the　gentleman　in　the　gold　frame；〃　thought　the　Count　acutely。

Aloud　he　remarked

〃You　have　high　ideals；　Baron。〃

〃I　hope　so。〃

Again　the　Baron　was　the　unconscious　object　of　a　humorous；　perspicacious　scrutiny。

〃Last　night　I　did　hear　zat　moch　was　to　be　expected　from　me；〃　he　observed　at　length。

〃From　Mrs。　Gallosh？〃

〃I　do　not　zink　it　vas　from　Mrs。　Gallosh。〃

Count　Bunker　smiled。

〃You　inflamed　all　hearts　last　night；〃　said　he。

The　Baron　looked　grave。

〃I　did　drink　too　moch　last　night。　　But　I　did　not　say　vat　I　should　not；　eh？　　I　vas　not　rude　or　gross　to　Mistair　Gallosh？〃

〃Not　to　Mr。　Gallosh。〃

The　Baron　looked　a　trifle　perturbed　at　the　gravity　of　his　tone。

〃I　vas　not　too　free；　too　undignified　in　presence　of　zat　innocent　and　charming　ladyMiss　Gallosh？〃

The　air　of　scrutiny　passed　from　Count　Bunker's　face；　and　a　droll　smile　came　instead。

〃Baron；　I　understand　your　ideals　and　I　appreciate　your　motives。　　As　you　suggest；　you　had　better　rehearse　your　part　quietly　for　a　few　days。　　Miss　Maddison　will　find　you　the　more　perfect　suitor。〃

The　Baron　looked　as　though　he　knew　not　whether　to　feel　satisfied　or　not。

〃By　the　way；〃　said　the　Count　in　a　moment；　〃have　you　written　to　the　Baroness　yet？　　Pardon　me　for　reminding　you；　but　you　must　remember　that　your　letters　will　have　to　go　out　to　Russia　and　back。〃

The　Baron　started。

〃Teufel！〃　he　exclaimed。　　〃I　most　indeed　write。〃

〃The　post　goes　at　twelve。〃

The　Baron　reflected　gloomily；　and　then　slowly　moved　to　the　writing…table　and　toyed　with　his　pen。　　A　few　minutes　passed；　and　then　in　a　fretful　voice　he　asked

〃Vat　shall　I　say？〃

〃Tell　her　about　your　journey　across　Europehow　the　crops　look　in　Russiawhat　you　think　of　St。　Petersburg　that　sort　of　thing。〃

A　silent　quarter　of　an　hour　went　by；　and　then　the　Baron　burst　out

〃Ach；　I　cannot　write　to…day！　　I　cannot　invent　like　you。　　Ze　cropsI　have　got　zatand　zat　I　arrived　safe　and　zat　Petersburg　is　nice。　　Vat　else？〃

〃Anything　you　can　remember　from　text…books　on　Muscovy　or　illustrated　interviews　with　the　Czar。　　Just　a　word　or　two；　don't　you　know；　to　show　you've　been　there；　with　a　few　comments　of　your　own。〃

〃Vat　like　comments？〃

〃Such　as'Somewhat　annoyed　with　bombs　this　afternoon；'　or　'This　caused　me　to　reflect　upon　the　disadvantages　of　an　alcoholic　marine'any　little　bit　of　philosophy　that　occurs　to　you。〃

The　Baron　pondered。

〃It　is　a　pity　zat　I　have　not　been　in　Rossia；〃　he　observed。

〃On　the　other　hand；　it　is　a　blessing　your　wife　hasn't。　　Look　at　the　bright　side　of　things；　my　dear　fellow。〃

For　a　short　time；　from　the　way　in　which　the　Baron　took　hasty　notes　in　pencil　and　elaborated　them　in　ink　（according　to　the　system　of　Professor　Virchausen）；　it　appeared　that　he　was　following　his　friend's　directions。　　Later；　from　a　sentimental　look　in　his　eye；　th