“Very well; that is fair, at all events, and I am content. But I see the queen beckoning us to come to our seats to listen to Ingomar’s story.”
As soon as the maskers were seated the queen ordered Ingomar to resume.
“The next morning after Lottie had promised to be my wife, I mentioned the subject to Doctor Dodson, as I considered it my duty to do so.
“‘I am going to be married, sir,’ said I, ‘as soon as I get my diploma.’
“‘Ah, ha, indeed! and pray who’s to be the unlucky woman that you have resolved to render miserable for life?’
“‘I don’t intend to make any woman miserable, neither do I expect to marry any woman.’ I said this rather sharply, as I felt a little ruffled.
“‘Ah, ha! and you don’t mean to marry a woman, yet you say you are going to be married. I suppose you expect to marry a wood-nymph or a fairy. I guess you do not aspire to an angel.’
“‘That’s exactly the state of my case; it’s an angel sure enough.’
“‘When did she light on this part of the globe?’
“‘Seven years ago.’