" But
Galgenstein's threat did not appear to make any impression on Mr.
Brock, as indeed there was no reason that it should; for the
Corporal, at a combat of fisticuffs, could have pounded his
commander into a jelly in ten minutes; so he contented himself by
saying, "Well, noble Captain, there's no harm done; it IS an honour
for poor old Peter Brock to be at table with you, and I AM sorry,
sure enough."
"In truth, Peter, I believe thou art; thou hast good reason, eh,
Peter? But never fear, man; had I struck thee, I never would have
hurt thee."
"I KNOW you would not," replied Brock, laying his hand on his heart
with much gravity; and so peace was made, and healths were drunk.
Miss Catherine condescended to put her lips to the Captain's glass;
who swore that the wine was thus converted into nectar; and although
the girl had not previously heard of that liquor, she received the
compliment as a compliment, and smiled and simpered in return.
The poor thing had never before seen anybody so handsome, or so
finely dressed as the Count; and, in the simplicity of her coquetry,
allowed her satisfaction to be quite visible. Nothing could be more
clumsy than the gentleman's mode of complimenting her; but for this,
perhaps, his speeches were more effective than others more delicate
would have been; and though she said to each, "Oh, now, my Lord,"
and "La, Captain, how can you flatter one so?" and "Your honour's
laughing at me," and made such polite speeches as are used on these
occasions, it was manifest from the flutter and blush, and the grin
of satisfaction which lighted up the buxom features of the little
country beauty, that the Count's first operations had been highly
successful.
Pages:
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37