“A girl might get carried away by you,” said the original peer a trifle doubtfully.
“The Baron is the most scrupulous of men. He will be by my side almost continually. Baron, you will act as my judge, my censor, and my chaperon?”
“Tollyvoddle, I swear to you zat I shall use an eye like ze eagle. He shall be so careful—ach, I shall see to it! Myself, I am a Bayard mit ze ladies, and Bonker he shall not be less so!”
“Thanks, Baron, thanks awfully,” said his lordship. “Now my mind is quite at rest!”
In the vestibule of the restaurant they bade good-night to the confiding nobleman, and then turned to one another with an adventurer's smile.
“You are sure you can leave your diplomatic duties?” asked Essington.
“Zey vill be my diplomatic duties zat I go to do! Oh, I shall prepare a leetle story—do not fear me.”
The Baron chuckled, and then burst forth
“Never was zere a man like you. Oh, cunning Mistair Bonker! And you vill give me zomezing to do in ze adventure, eh?”
“I promise you that, Baron.”