"You will try something American, I hope, Count Bunker?" he asked, touching the bell.
Count Bunker, rightly conceiving this to indicate a cock-tail, replied that he would, and in as nearly seven and a half seconds as he could calculate, a tray appeared with two of these remarkable compounds.
Following his host's example, the Count threw his down at a gulp.
"The same," said Mr. Maddison simply. And in an almost equally brief space the same arrived.
"Now," said he, when they were alone again, "I hope you will pardon me, Count, if I am discourteous enough to tell you that my time is uncomfortably cramped. When I first came here I found that I was expected to stand upon the shore of the river for two hours on the chance of catching one salmon. But I have changed all that. As soon as I step outside my door, my ghillie brings me my rod, and if there ain't a salmon at the end for me to land, another ghillie will receive his salary. Since lunch I have caught a fish, despatched fifteen cablegrams, and dictated nine letters. I am only on holiday here, and if I don't get through double that amount in the next two hours I scarcely see my way to do much more fishing to-day.
That being so, let us come right to the point. You bring some kind of proposition from Lord Tulliwuddle, I guess?"
During his drive the Count had cogitated over a number of judicious methods of opening the delicate business; but his adaptability was equal to the occasion.
In as business-like a tone as his host, he replied--"You are quite right, Mr. Maddison. Lord Tulliwuddle has deputed me to open negotiations for a certain matrimonial project."
Mr. Maddison's expression showed his appreciation of this candor and delicacy.
"Well," said he, "to be quite frank, Count, I should have thought all the better of his lordship if he had been a little more prompt about the business."
"It is not through want of admiration for Miss Maddison, I assure you----"
"No," interrupted Mr. Maddison, "it is because he does not realize the value of time--which is considerably more valuable than admiration, I can assure you.
Since I discussed the matter with Lord Tulliwuddle's aunt we have had several more buyers--I should say, suitors--in the market--er--in the field, Count Bunker.
But so far, fortunately for his lordship, my Eleanor has not approved of the samples sent, and if he still cares to come forward we shall be pleased to consider his proposition."
The millionaire looked at him out of an impenetrable eye; and the Count in an equally guarded tone replied "I greatly approve of putting things on so sound a footing, and with equal frankness I may tell you--in confidence, of course--that Lord Tulliwuddle also is not without alternatives. He would, however, prefer to offer his title and estates to Miss Maddison, provided that there is no personal objection to be found on either side."
Mr. Maddison's eye brightened and his tone warmed.
"Sir," said he, "I guess there won't be much objection to Eleanor Maddison when your friend has seen her. Without exaggeration, I may say that she is the most beautiful girl in America, and that is to say, the most beautiful girl anywhere. The precise amount of her fortune we can discuss, supposing the necessity arrives: but I can assure you it will be sufficient to set three of your mortgaged British aristocrats upon their legs again. No, sir, the objection will not come from THAT side!"
With a gentle smile and a deprecatory gesture the Count answered, "I am convinced that Miss Maddison is all--indeed, more than all--your eloquence has painted. On the other hand, I trust that you will not be disappointed in my friend Tulliwuddle."
Mr. Maddison crossed his legs and interlocked his fingers like a man about to air his views. This, in fact, was what he proceeded to do.
"My opinion of aristocracies and the pampered individuals who compose them is the opinion of an intelligent and enlightened democrat. I see them from the vantage-ground of a man who has made his own way in the world unhampered by ancestry, who has dwelt in a country fortunately unencumbered by such hindrances to progress, and who has no personal knowledge of their defects. You will admit that I speak with unusual opportunities of forming a judgment?"
"You should have the impartiality of a missionary," said Bunker gravely.
"That is so, sir. Now, in proposing to marry my daughter to a member of this class, I am actuated solely by a desire to take advantage of the opportunities such an alliance would confer. I am still perfectly clear?"
"Perfectly," replied Bunker, with the same profound gravity.
"In consequence," resumed the millionaire, with the impressiveness of a logician drawing a conclusion from two irrefutable premises--"in consequence, Count Bunker, I demand--and my daughter demands--and my son demands, sir, that the nobleman should possess an unusual number of high-class, fire-proof, expert-guaranteed qualities. That is only fair, you must admit?"
"I agree with you entirely."
Mr. Maddison glanced at the clock and sprang to his feet.
"I have not the pleasure of knowing my neighbor, Mr. Gallosh," he said, resuming his brisk business tone; "but I beg you to convey to him and to his wife and daughter my compliments--and my daughter's compliments--and tell them that we hope they will excuse ceremony and bring Lord Tulliwuddle to luncheon to-morrow."
Count Bunker expressed his readiness to carry this message, and the millionaire even more briskly resumed--"I shall now give myself the pleasure of presenting you to my son and daughter."
With his swiftest strides he escorted his distinguished guest to another room, flung the door open, announced, "My dears, Count Bunker!" and pressed the Count's hand even as he was effecting this introduction.
"Very pleased to have met you, Count. Good day," he ejaculated, and vanished on the instant.
