CHAPTER XVIII.
As the plenipotentiary approached the Castle he was somewhat surprised to pass a dog-cart containing not only his fellow-guest, Mr.
Cromarty-Gow, but Mr.Gow's luggage also, and although he had hitherto taken no particular interest in that gentleman, yet being gifted with the true adventurer's instinct for promptly investigating any unusual circumstance, he sought his host as soon as he reached the house, with a view to putting a careless question or two.

For no one, he felt sure, had been expected to leave for a few days to come.
"Yes," said Mr.Gallosh, "the young spark's off verra suddenly.

We didn't expect him to be leaving before Tuesday.

But--well, the fact is--umh'm--oh, it's nothing to speak off." This reticence, however, was easily cajoled away by the insidious Count, and at last Mr.Gallosh frankly confided to him-- "Well, Count, between you and me he seems to have had a kind of fancy for my daughter Eva, and then his lordship coming--well, you'll see for yourself how it was." "He considered his chances lessened ?" "He told Rentoul they were clean gone." Count Bunker looked decidedly serious.
"The devil!" he reflected.

"The Baron is exceeding his commission.
Tulliwuddle is a brisk young fellow, but to commit him to two marriages is neither Christian nor kind.