"Then we will call it settled."
"Do you think it wise, Victor?" asked my mother.
"It may not be the essence of wisdom, yet it will give me a little feeling of romance."
Zeula laughed.
"Will you carry a lute with you to serenade the Princesses, and a shield with a flaming heart as device?"
"Make the musical instrument a lyre, it would most probably serve a fuller purpose," said I, "but I daresay you all realise and understand what I mean, and if you don't I am ashamed of you."
"Of course we do; but never forget to go out without your revolver, there is more than one Goltz in the world."
"That was a lesson I have not forgotten, nor do I wish it repeated; and, to get away from unpleasant topics, would you all like a game of bridge?"
We played two rubbers; my partner and I did not score a game.
"Remembering the old saying, you ought to be very lucky in love," said Mr. Neville.