"I have kept your appointment, sir," she said, "although I fear I am very wrong."
"My appointment," muttered the cavalier in English, "Come, I like that."
However, he added in the softest tones he could a.s.sume--
"Fear nothing, princess, I am not a dangerous man."
She thought he was, though, for as he said this he chuckled.
The lady dropped her eyes before his bold glance and looked as timid as you could wish.
Now this appeared only to encourage the gentleman, for he seized her round the waist and pressed a kiss upon the only part of her cheek which was left uncovered by her veil.
She struggled feebly, oh, very feebly to release herself; but that libertine masker held her firmly; that is, as firmly as possible, for he was not very strong upon his pins.
"Sir, you must not take advantage of my unprotected situation," she faltered.
"I should be very sorry to, my coy princess," said the gallant.
These words set her heart beating like clockwork.
"He means well," she thought, growing quite easy in her mind.
Meanwhile the ardent young lover, growing bolder by encouragement, wanted to remove her veil.
"Grant me one favour, my princess," he said. "Let me bask in the sunshine of your eyes; let me feast my vision upon your rare beauty."
The lady was enraptured at such poetical imagery.
"It sounds like a lovely book," she murmured in ecstasy.
But she would not accede to his request.
She was so filled with joy, so supremely happy, that she feared to break the enchanting spell by any accident.
"Desist, prince," she said, struggling gently in his embrace,
"I must gaze on that angelic face," said the pa.s.sionate Adonis.
"Why," exclaimed the lady, "since you know it so well?"
"Know it!" exclaimed the gallant in surprise.
"Yes."
"I have never seen it."
"Yet your letter praises each feature to the skies."
"My letter!"
He was staggered evidently.
"Undoubtedly."
"I sent no letter."
The lady was amazed "If you sent no letter, why are you here?" she demanded.
"In obedience to yours," responded the gallant.
"My what?"
"Your note--your ever-to-be-treasured missive," gushed the swain.
Now what would have followed in the way of explanations it is impossible to say, for at the momentous crisis, a voice close by was heard repeating softly a couplet heard before--
"Dear Marietta, Never had been A sweeter or neater Face or form seen."
The lady started and screamed, and would have fallen had not the protecting arm of the gentleman been there to catch her.
But her veil fell aside.
When the lover saw her face, he was staggered, and he nearly let her fall,
"Marietta!" he exclaimed, "Marietta! Mrs. Harkaway"s maid, by all that"s wonderful."
"Oho," screamed the lady, "you"re standing on my toe!" saying which she jerked herself back, and dragging his foot away too, down he went.
"It"s Mr. Mole," shrieked the lady; and catching up her pink skirt and black lace flounces, she fled precipitately along the path, leaving her admirer scrambling in the most undignified manner upon the gravel walk.
Poor Mr. Mole.
But oh, poor Marietta; how sadly was she disappointed with her prince.
CHAPTER III.
MR. MOLE--THE THREE DEVILS AND THEIR DEVILMENT--THE CONTESSA"S JEWELS--AN ALARM.
"Mr. Mole--Mr. Mole!"
It was Harvey"s voice.
Now Mr. Mole was convinced at once that d.i.c.k was at the bottom of this comical conspiracy in which he had been made to look so ridiculous. So he resolved at first not to make any reply.