Part 26 (2/2)

”At my bidding,” explained Fakrash, suavely; ”for such an alliance would be totally unworthy of his merits and condition.”

This frankness was rather too much for the Professor, whose temper had not been improved by his recent trials.

”n.o.body asked for your opinion, sir!” he snapped. ”A person who has only recently been released from a term of long and, from all I have been able to ascertain, well-deserved imprisonment, is scarcely ent.i.tled to pose as an authority on social rank. Have the decency not to interfere again with my domestic affairs.”

”Excellent is the saying,” remarked the imperturbable Jinnee, ”'Let the rat that is between the paws of the leopard observe rigidly all the rules of politeness and refrain from words of provocation.' For to return thee to the form of a mule once more would be no difficult undertaking.”

”I think I failed to make myself clear,” the Professor hastened to observe--”failed to make myself clear. I--I merely meant to congratulate you on your fortunate escape from the consequences of what I--I don't doubt was an error of justice. I--I am sure that, in the future, you will employ your--your very remarkable abilities to better purpose, and I would suggest that the greatest service you can do this unfortunate young man here is to abstain from any further attempts to promote his interests.”

”Hear, hear!” Horace could not help throwing in, though in so discreet an undertone that it was inaudible.

”Far be this from me,” replied Fakrash. ”For he has become unto me even as a favourite son, whom I design to place upon the golden pinnacle of felicity. Therefore, I have chosen for him a wife, who is unto this damsel of thine as the full moon to the glow-worm, and as the bird of Paradise to an unfledged sparrow. And the nuptials shall be celebrated before many hours.”

”Horace!” cried Sylvia, justly incensed, ”why--_why_ didn't you tell me this before?”

”Because,” said the unhappy Horace, ”this is the very first I've heard of it. He's always springing some fresh surprise on me,” he added, in a whisper--”but they never come to anything much. And he can't marry me against my will, you know.”

”No,” said Sylvia, biting her lip. ”I never supposed he could do that, Horace.”

”I'll settle this at once,” he replied. ”Now, look here, Mr. Jinnee,” he added, ”I don't know what new scheme you have got in your head--but if you are proposing to marry me to anybody in particular----”

”Have I not informed thee that I have it in contemplation to obtain for thee the hand of a King's daughter of marvellous beauty and accomplishments?”

”You know perfectly well you never mentioned it before,” said Horace, while Sylvia gave a little low cry.

”Repine not, O damsel,” counselled the Jinnee, ”since it is for his welfare. For, though as yet he believeth it not, when he beholds the resplendent beauty of her countenance he will swoon away with delight and forget thy very existence.”

”I shall do nothing of the sort,” said Horace, savagely. ”Just understand that I don't intend to marry any Princess. You may prevent me--in fact, you _have_--from marrying this lady, but you can't force me to marry anybody else. I defy you!”

”When thou hast seen thy bride's perfections thou wilt need no compulsion,” said Fakrash. ”And if thou shouldst refuse, know this: that thou wilt be exposing those who are dear to thee in this household to calamities of the most unfortunate description.”

The awful vagueness of this threat completely crushed Horace; he could not think, he did not even dare to imagine, what consequences he might bring upon his beloved Sylvia and her helpless parents by persisting in his refusal.

”Give me time,” he said heavily; ”I want to talk this over with you.”

”Pardon me, Ventimore,” said the Professor, with acidulous politeness; ”but, interesting as the discussion of your matrimonial arrangements is to you and your--a--protector, I should greatly prefer that you choose some more fitting place for arriving at a decision which is in the circ.u.mstances a foregone conclusion. I am rather tired and upset, and I should be obliged if you and this gentleman could bring this most trying interview to a close as soon as you conveniently can.”

”You hear, Mr. Fakrash?” said Horace, between his teeth, ”it is quite time we left. If you go at once, I will follow you very shortly.”

”Thou wilt find me awaiting thee,” answered the Jinnee, and, to Mrs.

Futvoye's and Sylvia's alarm, disappeared through one of the bookcases.

”Well,” said Horace, gloomily, ”you see how I'm situated? That obstinate old devil has cornered me. I'm done for!”

”Don't say that,” said the Professor; ”you appear to be on the eve of a most brilliant alliance, in which I am sure you have our best wishes--the best wishes of us all,” he added pointedly.

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