‘Not quite,’ said Baptiste, laughing, ‘she is my wife.’
“‘Your wife,’ said I, in great surprise, ‘she is rich and noble, while you are——’
“‘A robber, you would say.’
“‘Quite so,’ I replied.
“‘That is nothing when you know all,’ said Baptiste. ‘I was always noted for my “winning ways,” as the ladies say, and am not bad-looking when I dress myself and pass off as a noble.’
“‘And what name do you go by?’ I asked, laughing.
“‘Count Ferdinand,’ said Baptiste, quite calmly.
“‘And do you mean to tell me, seriously, that you are married to the lovely and bewitching Donna Evelina?’
“‘I was never more serious in my life.’
“‘And how did it happen?’