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Updated: June 7, 2025
All my numbers are there: 1, Ephrinell, taking his place as usual by the side of 2, Miss Horatia Bluett. The French couple, 4 and 5, are also side by side. Number 3, that is Major Noltitz, is seated in front of numbers 9 and 10, the two Chinese to whom I have just given numbers in my notebook. As to the fat German, number 6, he has already got his long nose into his soup plate.
A quarter to nine. No one has yet seen the happy couple. Miss Bluett is in one of the toilet cabinets in the first van, where she is probably preparing herself. Fulk Ephrinell is perhaps struggling with his cravat and giving a last polish to his portable jewelry. I am not anxious. We shall see them as soon as the bell rings.
The men all have teeth " "And the women all have hair," added Horatia Bluett. "Well, miss, buy their hair, and you will not lose your time." "That is exactly what Holmes-Holme of London will do as soon as we have exhausted the capillary stock of the Celestial Empire." And thereupon the pair left us.
Before replying, Miss Bluett turns to Ephrinell, and says: "It is understood that Holmes-Holme will have twenty-five per cent. of the profits of our partnership." "Fifteen," said Ephrinell, "only fifteen." "That is not fair, for I agree to thirty per cent, from Strong, Bulbul & Co." "Well, let us say twenty per cent., Miss Bluett." "Be it so, Mr. Ephrinell."
"Are you subject to seasickness?" I asked. "No more than a porpoise," said he. "Are you ever seasick?" he continued to his neighbor. "Never," said Miss Horatia Bluett. On the other side of the table there was an interchange of a few words in French. "You are not unwell, Madame Caterna?" "No, Adolphe, not yet; but if this continues, I am afraid " "Well, Caroline, we had better go on deck.
The fact is that Fulk Ephrinell, on the one part, and Horatia Bluett, on the other part, seemed to have forgotten that had it not been for the attack of Ki-Tsang and his band they would now have been united in the gentle bonds of matrimony. But we were all too tired.
However, as soon as the Mongols appeared, Popof hurried Madame Caterna, Miss Horatia Bluett, and the other women into the cars. We took every means for putting them in safety. My only weapon was a six-shot revolver, and I knew how to use it. Ah! I wanted incidents and accidents, and impressions of the journey!
About thirty of the passengers have left the table for the deck. I hope the fresh air will do them good. We are now only a dozen in the dining room, including the captain, with whom Major Noltitz is quietly conversing. Ephrinell and Miss Bluett seem to be thoroughly accustomed to these inevitable incidents of navigation.
"But that is a good deal for you!" whispered Caterna in my ear. The marriage for a moment was in check for five per cent.! But all is arranged. The interests of the two houses have been safeguarded. The Reverend Nathaniel Morse repeats the question. A dry "yes" from Horatia Bluett, a short "yes" from Fulk Ephrinell, and the two are declared to be united in the bonds of matrimony.
From Lob Nor to Kara Nor there are three hundred and fifty kilometres to run, and between the lakes we will resume the interrupted marriage of Fulk Ephrinell and Horatia Bluett, if nothing occurs to again delay their happiness. The dining car has been again arranged for the ceremony, the witnesses are ready to resume their parts, and the happy pair cannot well be otherwise than of the same mind.
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