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In a hurry, the sheriff who rushed to the Serviati estate realized he had made a pointless trip. It turned out to be a mere misunderstanding; a young man of the Serviati family had secretly brought a woman home tonight, and when spotted by other family members, she was mistaken for a thief.
Although it caused a fuss, the weighty gold coins from the Major General's wife dissolved all of the sheriff's chagrin, and the Major General's wife, her face clouded with worry, earnestly beseeched him not to let word of tonight's scuffle spread.
The sheriff could understand Mrs. Serviati's concerns, for a young man not yet married associating with disreputable women and even bringing them home would not be looked upon favorably by the city's respectable households when considering a match for their daughters.
"Such an imprudent rascal," the sheriff thought, "to have such a beautiful lady troubled."
