"What do you mean?"
"Have you no special power or authority in this section?"
"I have very great power if I choose to use it. Do I understand you to advise me to detain you by force?"
The Doctor grinned, gave a little Frenchy shrug of the shoulders, and said: "It would be treason to my country to advise you to do so, sir; but if you permit us to go, surely you cannot blame me for going. I very much prefer to stay, but only absolute force can prevent my going."
"I understand you perfectly, Doctor, and you need say no more," replied the Count, smiling grimly. "It had not occurred to me to treat my guests with such discourtesy; but you Americans have an adage, I have heard,—or is it English?—that a hint is as good as a kick. Well, you needn't kick me—unless I let you go. Now go up to my daughter and cheer her up with the news that you are forcibly detained, and will not sail till she is cured."
Here the two men clasped hands, threw open their mouths to their widest extent, and laughed long and—silently.
"But now run up to Feodora; she needs you badly, and I have some very important business to attend to."
So the Doctor again ascended to Feodora's room. He found there his wife and Mattie, all three in tears.
"Come, come, girls, wipe your eyes. Please leave me alone with Miss Feodora a few minutes. I will join you down stairs directly."
"And now," said he, "cheer right up. We are not going to leave you until your father consents. I have made the arrangement with him, but it must not be known to anyone else. You understand, do you not?"