“It came from Poole’s,” answered the major carelessly.

“As for me,” said Von Baumser, “I have never used mine in England at all.  Truly, as you know, I hate all dances and dinners.  I come with you, however, very willingly, for I would not for nothing in the world give offence to the liebchen of my comrade.  Since I go, I shall go as a gentleman should.”  He looked down as he spoke with much satisfaction at his withered suit of black.

“But, me good fellow,” cried the major, who had now completed his toilet, “you’ve got your tie under your lift ear.  It looks very quaint and ornamintal there, but still it’s not quite the place for it.  You look as if you were ticketed for sale.”

“They von’t see it unless I puts it out sidevays from under my beard,” the German said apologetically.  “However, if you think it should be hidden, it shall be so.  How are my stud-buttons?  You have them of gold, I see, but mine are of mother-of-oysters.”

“Mother-of-pearl,” said the major, laughing.  “They will do very well.  There’s the divil of a lot of cabs at their door,” he continued, peering round the corner of the blind.  “The rooms are all lighted up, and I can hear them tuning the instruments.  Maybe we’d better go across.”

“Vorvarts, then!” said Von Baumser resolutely; and the two set off, the major with a fixed determination that he should know his fate before the evening was over.

CHAPTER XXIX.

THE GREAT DANCE AT MORRISON’S.

Never in the whole history of Morrison’s boarding establishment had such festive preparations been known.  The landlady herself had entered heart and soul into the business, and as all the boarders had received invitations for themselves and their friends, they co-operated in every possible manner to make the evening a success.  The large drawing-room had been cleared and the floor waxed.  This process left it in a very glassy and orthodox condition, as the cook discovered when, on bustling in, the back of her cranium came in violent contact with the boards, while her body described a half-circle with a velocity which completely eclipsed any subsequent feats of agility shown by the dancers in the evening.  The saloon had been very tastefully laid out as a supper-room, and numerous other little chambers were thrown open and brightened up to serve as lounging places for those who were fatigued.  In the parlour there were two card-tables, and every other convenience for any who preferred sedentary amusements.  Altogether both Mrs. Morrison and the boarders, in solemn conclave assembled, agreed that the thing looked very promising, and that it would be a credit to the establishment.