Rideghváry pressed the young man's hand. "I was sure you would," said he; "and, to show you my confidence in you, I have your certificate of appointment all made out." He took an official document from his table-drawer and handed it to Jenő. "To-morrow you will take the oath of office, and then you will be free to wind up your affairs here in Vienna." * * * * * Luckily the Baroness Plankenhorst was up and dressed betimes that morning, else Jenő would certainly have sought her out in her boudoir. Hastening into the proud lady's presence, he began, without a moment's loss of time, the speech which he had been rehearsing on the way. "Madam," said he, "you will perhaps recall your parting words to me yesterday,--'whether to-morrow or next month or next year.' That 'to-morrow' has come, and I am here,--no longer a nobody." To prove his assertion, he produced his certificate of appointment to the secretaryship of the embassy to Russia, and handed it to the baroness. With a look of the utmost surprise, and a smile of hearty congratulation, she received the document and read it. "I am indeed delighted," she exclaimed, giving the young appointee her hand. "Do you wish Alfonsine to be informed of this?" "If you please." The baroness had to go no farther than the next room to find her daughter. Leading her in by the hand, she presented "the secretary of the Austrian legation at the court of St. Petersburg." "Oh!" exclaimed Alfonsine, when she had somewhat recovered from her apparent astonishment; and she extended her hand with a gracious smile to the young incumbent of a twelve-thousand-florin position. He eagerly clasped the offered hand in both his own. "It is yours now to keep," she whispered with another smile, and then turned and hid her face in her mother's bosom, overcome, it is to be supposed, by a feeling of maidenly modesty and girlish fear. Jenő next kissed his prospective mother-in-law's hand, whereupon she impressed a kiss on his forehead. Alfonsine could hardly be induced to raise her modestly downcast eyes again in the presence of the man who was there to claim her as his bride. "When shall we announce the engagement?" asked the mother, turning to Jenő. "To-morrow, shall we say--at twelve? Very well. And now are you satisfied with me?"