“Not quite,” said Trant. “You seem to take a lot for granted, Mr. Montgomery, and I cannot see the sense of your subjecting me to a questioning on an affair that is usually left to one's own mind.
“I am in love with Grace and have proposed marriage to her. Our affairs are our own and outside interference, I think, is, entirely uncalled for.
“You, as a gentleman, should realize this and I cannot understand your motive in coming here and talking in this manner.”
“As you well know, Lord Roxboro, is in a position to help or harm you; it depends entirely upon yourself whether you adopt his friendship or forever incur his enmity.”
“Will you come to the point and say what you are here for?” asked Trant irritably.
“I will,” agreed Montgomery. “Lord Roxboro wishes to mark all of your notes 'Paid in full' and return them to you and to arrange for credit at the bank and to present you with a sum of money equal to that brought by your bride.
“Does that interest you, Trant?”
Trant almost fell from his chair at this proposition, and had to have Montgomery repeat it several times before he realized to the full that he was not dreaming.
“And what am I-and what am I to do to deserve this generosity upon the part of your master?” he asked suspiciously.
“It all concerns your affianced Grace,” said Montgomery simply.
“His lordship has seen the charming lady and as you probably know, Trant, there is an ancient custom among the nobles whereby one of noble blood has the privilege of claiming for his own any one of the subjects of his domain during the first night-that is to say, of course, the bride of any of the male subjects.
“That is it in a nutshell and Lord Roxboro-provided you accept his generous offer-is willing to do as I have said: upon your submitting your blushing wife to him for the first few hours of your married life, you will be substantially set for many years to come.
“Refuse and the nobleman will be terribly avenged. I venture to say that should you not see the logic of this plan, you will be destitute and penniless in another fortnight.”
Trant listened spellbound to the valet and could hardly believe his ears as he rose to his feet and strode about the small room that served him as an office.
“To be frank with you, Montgomery, I do not regard the proposition of your master in the way that you might have thought.
“In fact if it were not for Grace and her aunt and the publicity that might result, I would here and now allow her to sleep with that old roue and pocket my change like any procurer in the lane.
“However, Grace is a good girl and knows nothing of the ways of the world, and neither she nor her aunt would consent to what I personally consider a very liberal offer.”
“Do not worry about publicity,” assured Montgomery, “and as for her aunt and herself it is best that you allow me to handle that. Should you immediately after your marriage stop at the mansion of his lordship, what is a young and foolish girl like Grace going to do or say that will prevent you from achieving this golden opportunity?
“I assure you that I will arrange everything, and once within confines of Roxboro Manor, everything will be merry as a marriage bell.”
“But what would I say to Grace after a thing like that happened?
“I could never face her should I assist in such a dastardly plan that would result in the loss of her dearest possession, her honor!”
“Does she love you?” asked the practical Montgomery.
“Madly,” answered Trant. “You may think me exaggerating, but I know that the girl is head-over-heels in love with me, and I have not taken advantage of her in order to become more familiar with her.
“She is as innocent as a babe and, in such matters as sex, like a child unborn.
“But what you ask is a great trial to me. For while I wish to take advantage of his lordship's liberal offer, at the same time I must protect the name of myself and the woman with whom I am to live through life. You must readily see my quandary.”
“No one will know,” reassured Montgomery, “and think of what you will be able to do with the sums at hand!
“It will mean relief from financial worries! A happy and contented wife and all that any man can ask for.”
“All right,” said Trant suddenly. “You arrange the details and you may bear my word back to your master that I am in full agreement with his plan.”
“Congratulations!” cried Montgomery, seizing the young man by the hand and pumping it vigorously. “I suppose that you intend to take your bride on a honeymoon?”
“Yes,” said Trant. “We intend to go away for a week or so.”
“Well, you will make no change in your plan,” said the valet. “But when you leave the church, you will proceed directly to his lordship's house and I will see that he has a suitable repast awaiting you.
“There the little details of our pact may be carried out and I assure you, you need fear no interference from her aunt or others.”
This important part of his task concluded, Montgomery returned to the mansion and informed Roxboro that all arrangements had been made and together they performed a dance of jubilation about the library.
“When is the marriage to take place?” asked his lordship.
“The morning after tomorrow,” answered the valet. “You had better have everything in order as the bride knows nothing of it, and it may be-I may say, necessary, my lord (at this they both laughed)-to use a little persuasion in regard to our conquest of the blushing bride.”
“Is she pretty?” inquired his lordship, lifting his eyes to his agent.
“Pretty?” echoed Montgomery. “As pretty as a tender rose and as plump and as finely formed as a goddess of love.
“Oh my God, what ecstasy there is in store for you in enjoyment of all her perfect charms.
“What an idiot that man Trant must be to allow a charm like that to be wrested away from him for the sale of a few paltry pounds, and have the horns of cuckoldry hoisted high on his stupid forehead.”
“Human nature is a peculiar thing, Montgomery,” said Lord Roxboro, sagely wagging his head. “You little know how gold influences most of the emotions that men and women are subjected to.
“But this is no time for philosophy. It is best that we prepare for the scene that I am sure is going to be a lively act in the sensual drama that we are carrying on.”
The following day was a busy one for the servants and his lordship, reserving his strength for the treat to come, retired early to bed. Upon the day of the nuptials he was up early, dressed in his best manner, and ordered his coach procured. Accompanied by Montgomery, he rode to the church in which the ceremony was to take place.
The church was filled to overflowing and Lord Roxboro, when he glimpsed the pouting and blushing bride walking down the aisle on the arm of her aunt, accompanied by the man who had sold his future wife's most treasured possession, felt a lump rise in the vicinity of his thighs and, jolting Montgomery with his elbow, whispered in low tones to his companion of the wonderful charms of the blushing bride.
The marriage was short and Lord Roxboro, waiting with his coach, ushered the two newlyweds into its confines and they were whirled up the road to Roxboro Manor.
A trunk and a case were fastened to the back, and all thought that the kindly peer was merely giving the couple a lift to the station. But once before the large house, the driver stopped and the three entered, followed at a distance by Montgomery, and still clad in their bridal clothes, they proceeded to the dining room where a sumptuous meal had been laid in their honor.
Lord Roxboro tendered the bride the seat of honor at the head of the table, and seating himself on one side of her with her husband on the other, he waited until Caroline and Freda had seated themselves and then the meal began. There were jokes and merry quips and after the lunch, the servants all departed. Caroline and Freda, surmising that their presence was not needed, repaired to some other portion of the house.