The Breaking of the Storm Volume I Part 30

"For what purpose were reflectors invented?" answered the Councillor, smiling.

"I will go with you!" exclaimed the Count, springing up.

The Councillor coughed behind his hat, and thus happily hid the smile that played about his broad, beardless lip.

"After all it will not do," said the Count. "I promised Herr von Werben----"

"The Lieutenant?"

"Of course, to be at home; he wished to fetch me at ten o'clock, to take me I do not know where."

"Herr von Werben would not think much of such an obstacle," said the Councillor, with well-acted repressed impatience; "write on a card that you are at So-and-so's, and beg him to come and fetch you."

"But he does not know this man!"

"Yes, he does; I happen to know it from Herr Schmidt himself."

The Count had rung for his servant to give him his hat and gloves. The two gentlemen went towards the door.

"If only his name were not Schmidt," said the Count, standing still.

"What a strange mania! all great men are afflicted with something of the sort!--After you, Count Golm."

"Not at all! I am at home here!"

And the gentlemen left the room.

CHAPTER XV.

Philip walked impatiently up and down his study, then seated himself at his writing-table, touched the spring of a secret drawer, and took out the Councillor's note, really only to a.s.sure himself that he had not mistaken the hour, but then as he had the letter in his hand, besides having nothing to do, he read it through as carefully as if it were for the first time:

"My Dear Friend,

"The Count is of the greatest importance to us, though you seem always to have under-rated him. The fact of his being over head and ears in debt is in my eyes only one more chance for us--we shall get him all the cheaper; and have him we must. The loss caused by Prince Prora's positive refusal to be one of the promoters, and taking part only as an ordinary shareholder, can only be met by the Count's siding with us. We must positively have a n.o.ble name to support us. You do not understand the insular feelings. The bell-wether must first jump over, and then, of course, the whole flock follow. You must provide a bait for the bell-wether; that is to say, in figures: you or Lubbener must advance fifty thousand thalers, which I know he is in great need of; then a promise of a tolerably big lump in case the Eastern Railway comes to anything--a case which is almost impossible; thirdly, to balance the fifty thousand and the big lump--a promise on his side to become a director of a Northern Railway. I will fire all these mines this evening, and bring him, with some excuse which I will notify on entering. Lubbener must be there too; or, still better, come later--quite by accident, of course! Should I still find the Count, contrary to my expectations, obstinate and quite disinclined to take the first step, I will break up the interview at nine o'clock, and come alone.

"P.S.--Get hold of young Werben. It is an expensive friends.h.i.+p, I know; but we must not shrink from cost now, and must encourage the relations between the Count and the Werbens in every way. It would be capital if you could serve him up this evening to us as dessert. But you must not openly invite him; and I beg you, above all things, to keep in mind that the whole thing throughout must have an appearance of accident and impromptu--you will understand that!"

Philip laughed to himself as he shut up the letter.

"I think I do understand it," said he; "but"--and he cast a glance at the clock--"if they do not come soon, all my beautiful arrangements may go to the devil."

He was about to rise impatiently, when the door-bell rang. He immediately seized some papers which he had laid ready on purpose, took up his pen, and was deeply engrossed in writing when the servant announced Count Golm and Councillor Schieler.

"Beg the gentlemen to come in," said Philip over his shoulder, bending again over the paper and scribbling away.

The servant had already opened the door for the two gentlemen. Philip threw down his pen, rose hastily, and pa.s.sing his hand over his forehead, said:

"I beg you a thousand pardons! I had hoped to finish the thing--the report, you know, Herr Schieler. Count Golm, I consider myself happy."

"We disturb you, my dear fellow," said the Councillor; "but I have been saying so much about your beautiful gallery to Count Golm, and he is here for such a short time----"

"But quite long enough to be able to return at a more convenient hour,"

said the Count.

"I would not let you go on any account," exclaimed Philip; "there is no such hurry about this business."

"But we are keeping you from something else."

"From nothing more interesting or agreeable, Count Golm. I give you my word, I happened to have nothing for to-night--positively nothing. I think, any way, I should have stayed at home."

The Councillor shook his finger at him.

"Upon my honour, Herr Schieler." Philip rang the bell. "Light the lamps in the drawing-room and in the dining-room. And Count Golm, Councillor Schieler, will you do me the honour to join me in my bachelor supper?

Now, that is most kind of you; so put three places, Johann."

"No ceremony, I beg!" said the Count.

"None, I a.s.sure you. May I show you the way?"

The servants had opened the folding-doors into the drawing-room.

"You seem to have some beautiful things here," said the Count, standing and looking round the exquisite little study.

"A few trifles, Count Golm, such as a man likes to have round him."

"But that is a Vautier," said the Count, stopping before a picture. "Do you call that a trifle?"

"Only from its size. I have a larger picture of his in the next room.

And this little Scheurenberg ought to please you; at least, it is very much praised by connoisseurs."

"Charming--quite charming!" said the Count. "And this exquisite water-colour--Pa.s.sini, of course?

"The office of showman is easy with Count Golm," said Philip to the Councillor.

"It runs a little in my family," said the Count. "My great-grandfather was a celebrated collector, also my father. You must some day come and see my small gallery at Golm."

"I only wish that you would give me an opportunity!"

"Is an invitation opportunity enough?"

Philip bowed. "I shall not fail, Count Golm."

"This autumn, I hope? Do you shoot?"