Count Hans did not, perhaps, hear this remark; at all events he did not heed it.
"All the huge new fortunes in England marry into the aristocracy," he said.
Outside, the same strange alluring murmur breathed above the thirsty flowers; the breeze of the coming storm streamed into the room.
"To marry a woman for the sake of her money is detestable," Count Hans began afresh, and his voice was almost as soft and wooing as that of the summer night outside; "but, good heavens! why should one refuse to marry a girl whom he loves just because she is rich?"
He paused. Lato had closed his eyes.
"Are you asleep?" his father murmured.
Lato shook his head, without speaking. The old Count arose, extinguished the candle on the table, and softly withdrew.
[CHAPTER XVII.]
MISMATED.
About four months afterwards Lato stood with Selina Harfink before the altar, in a large splendidly-decorated church filled with a crowd of people, among whom Lato, as he walked towards the altar, mechanically sought some familiar face,--at first in vain. At last he found some one,--his old English teacher; then a horse-dealer with whom he had had transactions; and then there in the background--how could they have escaped him?--about a dozen ladies of his own circle. Some of them held their eye-glasses to their eyes, then crowded together and whispered among themselves. He turned away his head.