Florival's offensive doubts were dissipated by the formal explanation which Delia took malicious pleasure in giving him. A touching scene ensued; the lovers, who had both gone astray for a moment, felt their former flame burn all the more ardently for its partial and temporary extinction. Pardon was mutually asked and granted, and ambitious dreams fled before a burst of affection.
"You shall see whether I love you or not," said Florival to Delia. "Yonder comes Baron Pippinstir; I will take him into the summer-house; a closet is there, where you can hide yourself to hear what passes, and then you shall decide my fate."
Delia went into the summer-house, and hid herself in the closet. There she overheard the following conversation:--
"What have you to say to me, Colonel?" asked the Baron.
"I wish to speak to your Excellency of an affair that deeply concerns you."
"I am all attention; but I beg you to be brief; I am expected elsewhere."
"I must go to the prime minister, to return him this draught of a commercial treaty, which I cannot accept."
"And I must go to the rendezvous given me in this letter."
"Yes, Baron. Your wife has done me the honour to write to me. We set out together to-night; the Baroness is waiting for me in a post-chaise."
"And it is to me you dare acknowledge this abominable project?"
"I am less generous than you think. You cannot but be aware that, owing to an irregularity in your marriage-contract, nothing would be easier than to get it annulled. This we will have done; we then obtain a divorce, and I marry the Baroness. You will, of course, have to hand me over her dowry--a million of florins--composing, if I do not mistake, your entire fortune."
The Baron, more dead than alive, sank into an arm-chair. He was struck speechless.
"We might, perhaps, make some arrangement, Baron," continued Florival. "I am not particularly bent upon becoming your wife's second husband."
"Ah, sir!" cried the ambassador, "you restore me to life!"
"Yes, but I will not restore you the Baroness, except on certain conditions."
"First, that treaty of commerce, which you must sign just as Count Lipandorf has drawn it up."
"That is not all; you shall take my place at the rendezvous, get into the post-chaise, and run away with your wife; but first you must sit down at this table and write a letter, in due diplomatic form, to Prince Maximilian, informing him that, finding it impossible to accept his stipulations, you are compelled to decline, in your sovereign's name, the honour of his august alliance."