The Count and the Wedding Guest (Henry)
Short Summary
New York City, presumably early 1900s. At a boarding-house on Second Avenue, Andy Donovan met Miss Conway, a new boarder.
Initially uninterested due to her plain appearance, Andy soon changed his mind when he saw Miss Conway dressed entirely in black, looking sad and mourning the tragic death of Count Fernando Mazzini, her Italian fiancé killed in a gondola accident.
Moved by her grieving state, Andy comforted Maggie, showing sincere sympathy. They began spending time together regularly and soon announced their engagement. Later, Andy confessed to Maggie his sadness at being unable to invite 'Big Mike' Sullivan, a highly influential political figure, to their wedding due to a delicate personal obstacle. Feeling uncertain, Andy asked Maggie if she truly loved him as much as her late count fiancé. Overwhelmed by guilt, she tearfully admitted the truth—that there never was a Count, and she made him up because other girls often attracted men by having tragic past loves. Maggie had never had a fiancé, buying a photograph of a stranger pretending he was the count.
"Well, not to any large extent," said Andy, reaching for his cigar case, "because it's Big Mike Sullivan's picture you've got in that locket of yours."
Thus Andy revealed he recognized the fake count’s image immediately, knowing it was actually Big Mike Sullivan. Relieved and reassured, Andy forgave Maggie, celebrating the clear path toward their future marriage.
Detailed Summary
Division into chapters is editorial.
Introduction of Andy Donovan and Miss Conway
At a Second Avenue boarding-house, Mrs. Scott introduced Andy Donovan to a new boarder, Miss Conway. During their first meeting, Miss Conway appeared unimpressive in her plain, snuffy-brown dress and showed little interest in Andy beyond a polite acknowledgment. Andy, with his characteristic grace and beaming smile, dismissed her from his thoughts.
Two weeks later, Andy was sitting on the front steps enjoying his cigar when Miss Conway emerged from the house. She had transformed her appearance dramatically, now dressed entirely in black with a filmy veil. Her golden hair was drawn into a smooth knot, and her gray eyes gazed sadly into the distance. Andy immediately took notice and struck up a conversation about the fine evening.
Miss Conway's Mourning and the Story of Count Mazzini
Miss Conway responded to Andy's greeting with a melancholy sigh, suggesting that only those with heart could enjoy such weather. When Andy expressed concern, she revealed she was in mourning, though not for a relative. She claimed to have no friends in the city but appreciated Andy's kindness. He suggested a walk in the park to lift her spirits, which she accepted despite her grief.
There is this difference between the grief of youth and that of old age: youth's burden is lightened by as much of it as another shares; old age may give and give, but the sorrow remains the same.
In the park, Miss Conway confided that she was mourning her fiancé, Count Fernando Mazzini, who had died in a gondola accident in Italy. She explained that they had planned to marry in the spring, but her father, who owned a livery business in Poughkeepsie, had initially objected. The Count had eventually won her father's approval by proving his title and wealth before returning to Italy to prepare his castle for their marriage.
Miss Conway showed Andy a locket containing the Count's picture. The photograph revealed a smooth, intelligent, bright face of a strong, cheerful man. She mentioned having a larger framed photograph in her room. Andy, sympathetic to her loss, invited her to Coney Island the following Sunday, which she accepted despite her continued mourning.
Now, girls, if you want to observe a young man hustle out after a pick and shovel, just tell him that your heart is in some other fellow's grave. Young men are grave-robbers by nature. Ask any widow.
Andy's Dilemma about Big Mike Sullivan
A month later, Andy and Miss Conway announced their engagement to Mrs. Scott and the other boarders. Miss Conway continued to wear black. One week after the announcement, they sat together in the downtown park, but Andy appeared unusually gloomy and distracted.
When pressed by Miss Conway, Andy reluctantly explained that he had met Big Mike Sullivan that day. He described Sullivan as the most influential man in New York, with tremendous power in Tammany Hall and politics generally. Andy was honored that Sullivan had recognized his political work, shaken his hand, and even promised to attend their wedding when Andy mentioned it.
Andy explained that having Sullivan at their wedding would be the proudest day of his life and would ensure his future success. However, he admitted there was a reason why Sullivan couldn't attend, though he refused to explain further. When Miss Conway asked if Andy still thought as much of her as he had of Count Mazzini, she received no immediate answer.
Confessions and the Surprising Revelation
After Andy's question about the Count, Miss Conway suddenly began to cry. Through her tears, she confessed that she had invented Count Mazzini entirely. There had never been a fiancé or a beau in her life. She explained that she had created the story because other girls talked about their beaus, which seemed to make them more attractive to men.
"Andy," sobbed Maggie. "I've lied to you, and you'll never marry me, or love me any more. But I feel that I've got to tell. Andy, there never was so much as the little finger of a count. I never had a beau in my life."
She admitted that she looked good in black and had purchased the photograph to support her fabricated story about the Count's death. To her surprise, instead of pushing her away, Andy drew her closer and smiled. He forgave her deception, saying he had hoped she would come clean before their wedding day.
When Maggie asked if Andy had believed her story about the Count, he revealed that he hadn't entirely, because the picture in her locket was actually of Big Mike Sullivan. The revelation explained Andy's earlier dilemma about Sullivan attending their wedding.