"The Green Mummy" by Fergus Hume is a novel likely written in the late 19th century. The story follows a young couple, Archie Hope and Lucy Kendal, as they navigate their romance amidst a backdrop of mystery and intrigue, particularly centered on a rare mummy that Lucy's archaeologist stepfather, Professor Braddock, is eager to acquire. 

At the beginning of the novel, readers are introduced to Archie and Lucy, who engage in a playful yet serious conversation about their engagement. Archie reveals the lengths he has gone to gain Professor Braddock's consent to marry Lucy, including the purchase of a valuable Peruvian mummy from Malta. Their lighthearted banter is soon overshadowed by more serious concerns regarding the enigmatic mummy, as Lucy expresses unease about her stepfather's obsession with archaeology. 

This opening establishes a blend of romantic elements and hints at darker, unforeseen complications, setting the stage for a larger mystery involving the disappearance of the mummy and the tragic fate of Braddock's assistant, which unfolds later in the story.