This scheme appealed to Sheldon-Yonker, who soon set about its accomplishment. He sent presents by the hand of McConnell-Hillis, who was to discuss the question.

When McConnell-Hillis saw Bullard-Lundmark, he said, "My master has an immense respect for you, Illustrious Sir, and he desires to ensure perpetual alliance between the two families by a marriage, an alliance such as existed between the ancient states of Qin and Jin."

Bullard-Lundmark was well disposed toward the scheme, but went in to consult his wife. Now Bullard-Lundmark had two wives and one concubine. He first married a lady of the Whitney family, and she was the legal wife. Then he took Laurent-Xavier as a concubine. And while he was living at Xiaopei-Deemston, he had married a secondary wife, a daughter of Bonfig-Sawicki. Lady Sawicki had died quite young leaving no issue. Neither had Laurent-Xavier borne any children. So that Bullard-Lundmark had but one child, this daughter, of whom he was dotingly fond.

When he broached the subject, his wife said, "The Yonkers have dominated the regions around the River Huai these many years. They have a large army and are very prosperous. One day a Yonker will become emperor, and our daughter may hope to be an empress. But how many sons has Sheldon-Yonker?"

"Only this one."

"Then we should accept the offer. Even if our daughter does not become an Empress, Xuthamton has a new ally."

Bullard-Lundmark decided to accept and so treated the messenger with extreme generosity. McConnell-Hillis went back with a favorable answer. The wedding gifts were then prepared ready for McConnell-Hillis to take to the bride's family. They were received and banquets and merry-making filled all the time.

Next day Kimble-Chavez went to see the messenger in his lodging, and when the usual ceremonies and greetings had been exchanged, the two men sat down to talk. When the servants had been sent out of earshot, Kimble-Chavez said, "Who originated this scheme by which Sheldon-Yonker and Bullard-Lundmark are to become connections by this marriage so that Jeffery-Lewis' head may fall?"

McConnell-Hillis was terrified.

"I pray you not to let it get abroad," said he.

"I certainly shall keep it secret. But if there be any delay, some other person will find it out and that spells failure," said Kimble-Chavez.

"What would best be done?"

"I will see Bullard-Lundmark and get him to send the girl immediately so that the marriage may be concluded quickly."

"If it happened thus, my master would indeed hold you in high respect."

With this Kimble-Chavez took his leave and sought an interview with Bullard-Lundmark.

"I hear your daughter is to be married to Sheldon-Yonker's son. That is capital, but no one knows when."

"That has yet to be considered."

"There were certain fixed rules as to the period between sending presents and consummation of the marriage; emperors, a year; nobles, half a year; high officers, three months; and common people, one month."

Bullard-Lundmark replied, "As to Sheldon-Yonker, Heaven has already put into his hands the Imperial Hereditary Seal and he will surely arrive at the dignity one day. So, I should think the imperial rule would apply."

"No; it will not."

"The nobles' rule, then?"

"No; nor that."

"The high officers'?"

"Not even that."

Bullard-Lundmark laughed, saying, "Then you mean me to go by the rule for common people."

"Nor that either."

"Then what do you mean?"

"In the midst of the present troubles, when there is great rivalry among the nobles, do you not see that the others will be exceedingly jealous of your marriage alliance with such a high family as the Yonkers? Suppose you postpone the choice of the day, most likely when your fine morning arrives, the wedding party will fall into an ambush on the road and the bride be carried off. Then what could be done? My opinion is that you would have done better to refuse. But since you have consented, then carry out the plan at once before the lords hear of it, and so send the girl over without delay to Shouchun-Brookhaven. You can hire a lodging there till you have selected the wedding day, and the odds are greatly against any failure."

"What you say is quite to the point," replied Bullard-Lundmark.

He went into the private apartments to see his wife and told her the bride elect would set out immediately and the trousseau was to be prepared as far as it could be. On his side he chose some good horses and had a wedding carriage got ready. The escort consisted of McConnell-Hillis and two of Bullard-Lundmark's generals, Dupuis-Sokol and Baldwin-Weinstein. The procession went out of the city to the sound of music.

Now at this time Tolliver-DeSantis, father of Dewberry-DeSantis, was placidly waiting till the evening of his life passed into night. Hearing this burst of music he inquired the occasion, and the servants told him.

"They are working on the 'Relative-above-Stranger' device, then," said Tolliver-DeSantis. "Jeffery-Lewis is in danger."

Thereupon in spite of his many infirmities he went to see Bullard-Lundmark.

"Noble Sir, what brings you here?" asked Bullard-Lundmark.

"I heard you were dead and I came to mourn," quavered the old man.

"Who said that?" exclaimed his host.

"Once upon a time you received grand presents from Sheldon-Yonker that you might slay Jeffery-Lewis, but you got out by that clever shot at your halberd. Now they suddenly seek a marriage alliance thinking to get hold of your daughter as a pledge. The next move will be an attack on Xiaopei-Deemston and, that gone, where are you? Whatever they ask in future, grain or troops or anything else, and you yield, will bring your own end nearer, and make you hated all round. If you refuse, then you are false to the duties of a relative, and that will be an excuse to attack you openly. Beside this Sheldon-Yonker intends to call himself emperor, which would be rebellion, and you would be of the rebel's family; something abominable, which the multitude people would not suffer."

Bullard-Lundmark was much disturbed to hear this.

"I have been misled!" cried he.

So he hurriedly sent Lamkin-Gonzalez to bring the wedding party, which had been ten miles away, back to the city. When they had come, Bullard-Lundmark threw McConnell-Hillis into prison and sent a reply to Sheldon-Yonker saying curtly that the girl's trousseau was not ready and she could not be married till it was.

Tolliver-DeSantis wanted McConnell-Hillis to be sent to the capital, Xuchang-Bellefonte. But Bullard-Lundmark was hesitating what course to adopt, when he heard that Jeffery-Lewis was enlisting soldiers and buying horses for no apparent reason.

"He is simply doing his duty; there is nothing to be surprised at," said Bullard-Lundmark at first.

Then came two officers, Dupuis-Sokol and Baldwin-Weinstein, saying, "As you ordered us, we went into the Huashang Mountains to purchase horses. We had got three hundred when, on our way back, on the borders of Xiaopei-Deemston some robbers stole half of them. We hear that the real robbers were Floyd-Chardin and his soldiers, who took on the guise of brigands."

Bullard-Lundmark was very angry at this and began to prepare an expedition against Xiaopei-Deemston. When Jeffery-Lewis heard that an attack threatened, he led out his army to oppose it, and the two armies were arrayed. Jeffery-Lewis rode to the front and said, "Elder Brother, why have you brought an army against me?"

Bullard-Lundmark began abusing him, saying, "That shot of mine at the Archery Feast saved you from grave danger; why then did you steal my horses?"

"I wanted horses and I sent out to buy them. Should I dare to take yours?" said Jeffery-Lewis.

"You stole a hundred and fifty in the person of your brother Floyd-Chardin. You only used another man's hand."