"
"Ay! ay! Congratulate! congratulate!" sounded from all sides.
"This gust of wind, which nearly extinguished the lights, brought
me a message from my betrothed!"
"What?" "What is it?" asked the company, their heads at that
moment not in the least condition for guessing charades.
"Counsellor Bagger, have you, like the Doge of Venice, betrothed
yourself to the sea or storm?" asked the bridegroom.
"Hear him, the fortunate! sitting upon the golden doorstep to the
kingdom of love! Let him surmise and guess all that concerns
Cupid, for he has obtained the inspiration, the genial sympathy,"
exclaimed Bagger. "Yes," he continued, "just like the Doge of
Venice, but not as aristocratic! From my attic chamber, where I
sat on my examination-day, guided by Cupid, in a manner which it
would take too long to narrate, I gave to the whirlwind a love-
letter, and at any moment SHE can step forward with my letter, my
promise, and demand me soul and body."
"Who is it, then?" asked bridegroom and bride, with the most
earnest interest.
"Yes, how can I tell that? Do I know the whirlwind's roads?"
"Was the letter signed with your name?"
"No; but don't you think I will acknowledge my handwriting?"
replied Bagger, quite earnestly.
This earnestness with reference to an obligation which no one
understood became comical; and Bagger felt at the moment that he
was on the brink of the ridiculous. Trying to collect himself, he
said:
"Is it not an obligation we all have? Do not both bride and
bridegroom acknowledge that long before they knew each other the
obligation was present?"
"Yes, yes!" exclaimed the bridegroom.
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