Page:Knight's Quarterly Magazine series 1 volume 3 (August–November 1824).djvu/163

 from his recent alliance with the state personage to ask after the state-affairs.

“No, no,—none of any importance,” said the Count, with great suavity: “a little rebellion, nothing more,” smiling at the same time with the most imperturbable complacency.

“Rebellion!” said Mr. Pig, loud: “nothing more!” said Mr. Pig to himself. “Why, what upon earth”

“Yes, my dear Sir, rebellion: a little rebellion. Very unpleasant, as I believe you were going to observe: truly unpleasant; and distressing to every well-regulated mind!”

“Distressing! ay, no doubt; and very awful. Are the rebels in strength? Have they possessed themselves of”

“Oh, my dear Sir,” interrupted Fitz-Hum, smiling with the utmost gaiety,—“make yourself easy: nothing like nipping these things in the bud. Vigour and well-timed lenity will do wonders. What most disturbs me however is the necessity of returning instantly to my capital: to-morrow I must be at the head of my troops, who have already taken the field: so that I shall be obliged to quit my beloved bride without a moment’s delay; for I would not have her exposed to the dangers of war, however transient.”

At this moment the carriage, which had been summoned by Von Hoax, rolled up to the door: the Count whispered a few tender words in the ear of his bride; uttered some nothings to her father, of which all that transpired were the words—“truly distressing,” and “every well-constituted mind;” smiled most graciously on the whole company, pressed the Commissioner’s hand as fervently as he had done on his arrival, stept into the carriage, and in a few moments “the blue landau,” and the gentleman with “the superb whiskers” had vanished through the city gates.

Early the next morning, under solemn pledges of secrecy, the “rebellion” and the marriage were circulated in every quarter of the town; and the more so, as strict orders had been left to the contrary. With respect to the marriage, all parties (especially fathers, mothers, and daughters) agreed privately that his serene highness was a great fool: but, as to the rebellion, the guilds and companies declared unanimously that they would fight for him to the last man. Meantime the Commissioner presented his accounts to the council: they were of startling amount; and, although prompt payment seemed the most prudent measure towards the father-in-law of a reigning prince, yet, on the other hand, the “rebellion” suggested arguments for demurring a little. And accordingly the Commissioner was informed that his accounts