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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Village Notary + +Author: József Eötvös + +Commentator: Francis Pulszky + +Translator: Otto Wenckstern + +Release Date: January 2, 2011 [EBook #34819] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VILLAGE NOTARY *** + + + + +Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1><span class="smalltext">THE</span><br /> +VILLAGE NOTARY;</h1> + +<p class="center">A<br /> +ROMANCE OF HUNGARIAN LIFE.</p> + +<p class="center">TRANSLATED FROM<br /> +THE HUNGARIAN OF BARON EÖTVÖS,</p> + +<p class="center">BY<br /> +OTTO WENCKSTERN.</p> + +<p class="center">WITH INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY FRANCIS PULSZKY.</p> + +<p class="center">IN THREE VOLUMES.</p> + +<p class="center">VOL. I.</p> + +<p class="center">LONDON:</p> + +<p class="center">PRINTED FOR<br /> +LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN, AND LONGMANS,<br /> +PATERNOSTER-ROW.<br /> +1850.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">London</span>:<br /> +<span class="smcap">Spottiswoodes</span> and <span class="smcap">Shaw</span><br /> +New-street-Square.</p> + +<hr class="wide" /> + +<h2>TABLE OF CONTENTS</h2> + +<table class="figcenter" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" summary="Table of Contents"> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="volnum">VOLUME I</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">PREFACE</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#PREFACE">iii</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER I.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_I_I">1</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER II.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_I_II">37</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER III.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_I_III">62</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER IV.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_I_IV">89</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER V.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_I_V">132</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER VI.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_I_VI">139</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER VII.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_I_VII">151</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER VIII.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_I_VIII">171</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER IX.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_I_IX">187</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER X.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_I_X">235</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER XI.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_I_XI">251</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER XII.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_I_XII">273</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">NOTES</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#NOTES_I">275</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="volnum">VOLUME II</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER I.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_II_I">1</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER II.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_II_II">11</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER III.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_II_III">29</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER IV.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_II_IV">61</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER V.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_II_V">72</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER VI.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_II_VI">97</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER VII.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_II_VII">118</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER VIII.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_II_VIII">147</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER IX.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_II_IX">171</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER X.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_II_X">196</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER XI.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_II_XI">217</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER XII.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_II_XII">235</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER XIII.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_II_XIII">267</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">NOTES</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#NOTES_II">279</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="volnum">VOLUME III</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER I.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_III_I">1</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER II.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_III_II">42</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER III.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_III_III">62</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER IV.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_III_IV">90</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER V.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_III_V">105</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER VI.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_III_VI">128</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER VII.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_III_VII">138</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER VIII.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_III_VIII">161</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER IX.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_III_IX">178</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CHAPTER X.</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_III_X">217</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">CONCLUSION</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CONCLUSION">236</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">NOTES</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#NOTES_III">242</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<hr class="wide" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> + +<h3><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE.</h3> + + +<p>When Joseph, Baron Eötvös, wrote his "Village Notary," and when he +dedicated that work to me, neither he nor I could anticipate the sudden +and unexpected downfall of the political and social institutions which +he attempted to portray. It is true that my friend did not, in the +present work, make an exclusive use of his poetical faculties. The dregs +of opposition were fermenting in his mind, and his ostensible object, to +give a sketch of life in a Hungarian province, was mixed up with the +desire to make his story act as a lever upon the <i>vis inertiæ</i> of our +political condition. In those days, the liberal party in Hungary was +divided into three factions. Our great reformer, the Count Széchenyi, +was worn out by his long and seemingly resultless struggles against the +policy of the Court of Vienna. He made a surrender of the leading ideas +of his political life. He had ever since 1829 been the champion of equal +taxation and of legal equality. He had advocated<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span> the abolition of +feudal burdens on the land. But he lived to consider these objects of +his former aspirations as matters of secondary import. He became a +practical man, and directed his energies to the steam-navigation on the +Danube, to the damming and dyking of the river Theiss, to railroads, +&c.; and for the furtherance of these plans the Count Széchenyi, though +still faithful to his principles, had drawn close to the conservative +party, and become reconciled to the government at Vienna. He did not, +indeed, deprive himself of the pleasure of recounting numberless +anecdotes and sketches from life, all of which tended to prove the +incapability and the malevolence of that government; but his voice was +silent in the debates of the Parliament, and the whole of his energies +were devoted to the execution of practical improvements. "<i>Make money, +and enrich the country!</i>" such was the advice he gave to us, his younger +friends; and he added,—"<i>An empty sack will topple over; but if you +fill it, it will stand by its own weight.</i>"</p> + +<p>Count Széchenyi's practical clique was flanked by a more numerous and +influential party. M. Kossuth's parliamentary opposition, taking a firm +stand on the letter of the law, waged an unceasing warfare against the +machinations of the Vienna bureaucracy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span> His party advocated the +institutions of the counties, the free election of civic magistrates, +and the independence of boroughs; and they stood ready to repel any +direct or indirect blow which might be aimed at these institutions. This +party was supreme, both in strength and in numbers. The middle classes +and the gentry belonged to it; while Széchenyi's followers were members +of the high aristocracy, who resided in the metropolis, and who scarcely +ever busied themselves about the county elections.</p> + +<p>Baron Eötvös was the leader of a third party. He was imbued with the +levelling tendencies of French liberalism. The men of Eötvös's school +admired the theoretical perfection of Centralisation, and vied with the +Vienna party in their aversion to the county institutions, with their +assemblies and elections. But the Austrian Camarilla wished to establish +the so-called "Paternal Absolutism" in the place of the county +institutions; while the Eötvös party dreamed of a free parliamentary +government. His party considered Hungary as a "<i>tabula rasa</i>," and they +endeavoured, in defiance of history, to raise a new political fabric; +not on the ground of written law, but on the treacherous soil of the law +of nature. It was chiefly composed of young men of letters, who, full of +spirit and ability, were but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span> too prone to discover the weak and faulty +parts of the county government, while they were unable to appreciate its +practical soundness and its salutary influence. This circumstance caused +them to withdraw from the elections, and to look down upon the struggles +and contests of parliamentary life. Their doctrines could not, +therefore, have any influence. To obtain a license for printing and +publishing a newspaper was extremely difficult. Nevertheless, the Eötvös +party had got possession of a newspaper. Their leaders, though spirited +and witty, failed in bringing their ideas of centralisation home to the +minds of their readers. The national instincts of the Hungarian people +were opposed to such notions. But so convinced was Baron Eötvös of their +truth and justness, that he resolved to publish them and make them +popular, at any hazard. He wrote a novel, in which he put together a +variety of small sketches and studies from nature, and formed them into +one grand picture, for the express purpose of caricaturing the political +doings in our counties. But, fortunately for the public, Baron Eötvös +was a better poet than a politician, and his political pamphlet ripened, +very much against his will, into one of the most interesting works of +fiction that the Hungarian literature can boast of. His book was eagerly +read and enthusiastically admired,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span> it was devoid of all political +action. Baron Eötvös missed the object at which he aimed; but he carried +off a higher prize. Instead of popularising his ideas, he popularised +himself, and the poet atoned for the sins of the politician. Nor was +this difficult. Baron Eötvös was a thoroughly romantic character. He was +more than the hero of a novel: his adventures and his fortunes made him +a real hero. His years, though few, had been full of strange +vicissitudes, and his life, from the cradle to his mature age, was one +uninterrupted chain of strange and untoward events.</p> + +<p>The grandfather of Joseph Eötvös was a Hungarian government officer of +high rank; his grandmother was a passionate woman, and a furious Magyar. +She was therefore greatly incensed at her son (the poet's father) +marrying a foreigner, viz., the Baroness Lilien, especially as the young +lady had been so utterly neglected as to be ignorant of the Hungarian +language. Often did the old lady vent her feelings on this point in the +presence of the Baron Lilien, and emphatic were her protests that the +German woman would remain childless—a prediction which it may be +supposed was not at all calculated to gratify the baron. But when it +became apparent that the family of Eötvös was not likely to become +extinct,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span> she changed her tactics by protesting, with the utmost +boldness, that a German woman could not, by any chance, give birth to a +boy, and that the family of Eötvös would become extinct in default of +male issue. Baron Lilien put in a demurrer, and at length laid her a +wager of one hundred ducats in favour of his daughter giving birth to a +boy. The wager was duly accepted by the baroness, who lost it, and paid +the amount, saying: "It's a boy after all, but he will turn out to be a +German and stupid. I'll never see him, for I'll never prize him at a +hundred ducats!" But the young Baron, Joseph Eötvös, lived to defeat all +his grandmother's prophecies. She did indeed remain true to her word, +for she never cared for him, and devoted all her tenderness to his +younger brother; in her will she cut him off with an old piece of +household furniture, which, after all, was taken from him, and given to +a distant relative, by virtue of a codicil; but the German grandfather +made up for the grandmother's harshness.</p> + +<p>Young Joseph's earlier years fell in that period of apathy which weighed +down upon Europe after the feverish excitement of the French wars. +Constitutionalism and nationality were sneered down as idle and +reprehensible things. Hungary, too, partook of the lethargy of Europe; +and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</a></span> government, which alone was on the alert, made sundry +successful attempts to wrest from us part of our old historical rights. +The borough elections and the meetings of the counties were interfered +with; pains were taken to extend the iron net of Austrian bureaucracy +over Hungary; and, in 1823, it was thought that all power of resistance +had left us. It was thought that the Hungarian Constitution was breaking +up, and ready to be buried in the same grave with the Constitutions of +Spain and Italy. The Cabinet of Vienna ventured to strike the last blow. +Without consulting the parliament, they raised the taxes, and decreed a +larger levy of recruits. These two points, if carried, abolished our +Constitution, and crowned the endeavours of the House of +Hapsburg-Lorraine. Great hopes of success were entertained at Vienna: +the love of our ancient constitution had seemingly become extinct in +Hungary; the German language had of late come to be the fashionable +idiom at Pesth; and several of the most powerful magnates were willing +to assist in completing the ruin of their country. The men at Vienna +knew, indeed, that all the counties would demur to the decrees of the +Hungarian Chancery, especially since the Chancellor, Prince Kohary, had +entered his protest against the intended violation of the Hun<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[Pg x]</a></span>garian +Constitution. But the Cabinet of Vienna were resolved to execute their +plan; and, if all other means failed, to <i>force</i> the Hungarians into +submission. Commissioners with unlimited powers were sent to the +refractory counties. These men were instructed to coerce the county +meetings by means of the military force. Baron Ignaz Eötvös (the poet's +grandfather) was appointed commissioner. He accepted the office. His +wife disapproved of the course he had taken, and left his house. The +Vienna Cabinet were at length forced to yield to the obstinate +resistance of the counties. They revoked their illegal decrees, and the +convocation of a parliament was declared to be at hand. But the public +voice spoke loud against the commissioners. The Count Illyeshazy became +the most popular of all the magnates, because he had declined to accept +the post of a commissioner, while those who had consented to act as the +tools of oppression were scorned and insulted by the multitude.</p> + +<p>Young Joseph Eötvös, was, of course, profoundly ignorant of these +events. Pampered by his grandfather, and idolised by his mother, he +passed that period of bitter reality amidst all the bright dreams of +happy childhood. He was, indeed, informed of the honours and dignities +which the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[Pg xi]</a></span> emperor had been most graciously pleased to confer upon his +father and grandfather; but he knew nothing of the curses of the people; +he knew nothing of the contempt with which his family name was +pronounced by the Hungarians. But the time was at hand for him to learn +it all, and feel it too. Young Eötvös was sent to a public school.</p> + +<p>His father, an able diplomatist, had hitherto placed the boy under the +care of a tutor, Mr. Pruzsinsky. This gentleman was a staunch +republican. In his earlier years he was a party to the conspiracy of +Bishop Martinovich, the friend of Hajnotzy.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> Pruzsinsky, with no less +than thirty of his associates, had been sentenced to capital punishment. +They were compelled to witness the execution of five of their friends. +At the same time, they were informed that their punishment had been +commuted into imprisonment for life. Hajnotzy, on his way to the +scaffold, entreated Pruzsinsky to protect his only sister, whom his +death would deprive of her last friend. Pruzsinsky promised to fulfil +the last request of the dying man; but it was long before he could +redeem his pledge. During eight years he was confined in several +Austrian prisons. When the French armies invaded the country, the state +prisoners were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[Pg xii]</a></span> taken from the Kuffstein to the Spielberg, from the +Spielberg to Olmütz, and from Olmütz to Munkatsh; and everywhere they +met with that barbarous treatment which, at a later period, has been so +faithfully recorded by Silvio Pellico. After eight years of +imprisonment, Pruzsinsky was at length released; and, after ascertaining +the residence of Hajnotzy's sister, he informed her of the promise he +had given to her brother; adding, that his poverty allowed him no other +means of protecting her than by offering her his hand. The poor girl, +who at that time was reduced to severe distress, joyfully accepted the +proposal. They were married. Pruzsinsky lived in the greatest happiness +with his wife, whose love and devotion made ample amends for his past +sufferings. But this blissful period was of short duration; at the end +of two years Mrs. Pruzsinsky died.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> He was executed in 1795.</p></div> + +<p>The events which we have detailed had their due share of influence in +forming Pruzsinsky's character. Naturally severe and independent, it was +by misfortune rendered harsh and all but repulsive. Baron Eötvös chose +this man to be a tutor to his son, because he expected (and not without +some show of reason) that the tutor's severity and his unamiable +character would disgust his pupil with the political<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xiii" id="Page_xiii">[Pg xiii]</a></span> ideas of which he +was the advocate and the martyr. But the boy took a liking to his +master, in spite of the harshness and coldness of the latter; and an +event which at that time took place gave Pruzsinsky an opportunity of +gaining a still stronger hold on his pupil's mind. Joseph Eötvös was +sent to a public school just at the period when every liberal speaker in +parliament denounced his family name, and when the country cursed it. +The boys shunned young Joseph; the form on which he sat was deserted, +and though he would fain have considered this circumstance as a mark of +respect, paid to him as the only member of the aristocracy that his +school could boast of, he was soon given to understand that there is +some difference between honouring a peer and sending him to Coventry. +His grandfather, too, on visiting the school, was received by the boys +with unmistakeable signs of disrespect; and when young Eötvös demanded +an explanation, he was told that his grandfather was a traitor. "And +you, too, are a traitor," added they. "You are almost thirteen years of +age, and you cannot speak Hungarian. We are sure you will be a traitor!" +Young Joseph was not a little shocked at this prediction, and of course +consulted his tutor about the likelihood of its ever coming true. +Pruz<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xiv" id="Page_xiv">[Pg xiv]</a></span>sinsky said simply, that the boys were right, and continued +grinding his pupil in Cornelius Nepos and the Latin grammar. But +Joseph's mind was not what it had been. He studied the Hungarian +language, and devoted his attention to the political conversations in +his father's <i>salon</i>, asking his tutor for an explanation of those +things which he did not understand. Thus, for instance, he asked why the +decease of the Count N. was so greatly lamented? "Who was the Count N.?" +"The Count N.," said Pruzsinsky, "was, by his talents and learning, one +of the most eminent men in Hungary: his character was odious. He filled +a high post in the state. As for you, boy, you will never equal him in +spirit and knowledge." A fortnight afterwards the tutor asked whether +Count N.'s death was still the subject of conversation; and when Joseph +replied that nobody thought of it, Pruzsinsky said: "This is well. That +man has been dead a fortnight, and nobody remembers his death, in spite +of his talents. The society to which he sacrificed his name and his +honour wants but two weeks to forget his existence. Mark this, boy, and +see what thanks you will get from the noble and great!" At another time +Pruzsinsky took his pupil to the green behind the Castle at Buda, on +which his five friends had been executed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xv" id="Page_xv">[Pg xv]</a></span> "Here," said he, "they shed +the blood of five true friends of the country. No monument marks the +spot where they bled and lie buried, but the feet of the passing crowd +have worn the green into the form of a cross, and thus marked the place. +The time will come when these men will have their monument. That +monument will be a triumphal arch for the liberated people—it will be a +gallows for those who opposed our liberties!"</p> + +<p>Words like these were calculated to make a deep impression on the mind +of young Eötvös, who manifested his political conversion by addressing +his schoolfellows in an Hungarian oration, by which he informed them +that, though his ancestors had served the house of Austria, and betrayed +the interests of Hungary, he (the Baron Joseph Eötvös) was resolved to +atone at once for the crime of his fathers, and that he (the said Baron +Eötvös) meant to be "liberty's servant, and his country's slave." The +boys received this speech with the greatest enthusiasm. They rushed up +to the master's desk, which the young orator had converted into a +tribune, and, seizing the object of their admiration, lifted him on +their shoulders, and carried him to the next coffee-house!</p> + +<p>But, alas! how short is the step from the capitol<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xvi" id="Page_xvi">[Pg xvi]</a></span> to the Tarpeian rock! +The procession had no sooner reached its destination than the +school-master's servant appeared to arrest the speaker. His <i>début</i> +began on the master's desk; it ended in the black hole.</p> + +<p>Amidst these, and similar impressions, passed the boyhood of Baron +Eötvös. In the year 1826 the Emperor Francis was compelled to conciliate +the good will of the Hungarian parliament. He reiterated his promise to +respect the constitutional rights of the country. The season of popular +excitement was over, and the hatred to the name of Eötvös grew gradually +less. In 1829, the Count Széchenyi published his plans of reform; the +old aristocratic opposition of Hungary became a liberal opposition, and +the party of national progress grew in strength and numbers. The youth +of Hungary joined this latter party. Tours to foreign countries became +the order of the day with all young men of education. Baron Eötvös, too, +made the grand tour of Europe. He was amiable, and a great favourite +with women; some of his occasional pieces had introduced him to the +public as a poet; he was rich,—in short, he had all that is requisite +to act a brilliant part in the capitals of the Continent.</p> + +<p>In the course of the carnival of 1837, Baron<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xvii" id="Page_xvii">[Pg xvii]</a></span> Eötvös, who was then at +Paris, was invited by a young Frenchman to accompany him to Mademoiselle +le Normand, the notorious Parisian soothsayer. The poet consented; and +leaving a brilliant and merry party in the Faubourg du Roule, the two +young men repaired to the house of the mysterious lady. Mademoiselle le +Normand, after gazing long and earnestly at the handsome face of our +hero, said at length, "You are rich. The day will come when you will be +poor. You will marry a rich woman. You will be a minister of state in +your own country. You will die on the scaffold." Nothing was so unlikely +as this prophecy: Baron Eötvös was greatly amused with it, and after his +return to Hungary, he used to tell the anecdote for the amusement of his +friends.</p> + +<p>The financial crisis of 1841, and the money speculations of the old +Baron Eötvös, led the family to the brink of ruin. Joseph Eötvös was +compelled to live by his pen; anywhere but in England and France, the +bread of literature is poverty indeed. In 1842, he married an amiable +and accomplished woman; but still he smiled at Mademoiselle le Normand's +prophecy. As a peer and as a public writer, he belonged to the extreme +opposition; and although his party had the greatest influence in the +country, there was no reason to suppose that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xviii" id="Page_xviii">[Pg xviii]</a></span> it would ever be called +upon to grasp the reins of government. The movements of the year 1848 +changed the aspect of affairs and the position of parties. A cabinet was +formed under the auspices of the Count Batthyany; and Joseph Baron +Eötvös was one of the members of that cabinet. In the month of August +the political horizon of Hungary became clouded: Jellachich, the Ban of +Croatia, prepared to invade our country. The duplicity of the Vienna +Cabinet became daily more manifest. The landsturm assembled in Pesth. +The Count Lamberg fell a victim to the unbridled passions of the people. +The Croatians advanced almost to the very gates of Buda. Le Normand's +prophecy came home to Baron Eötvös's mind, and scared him to Vienna. But +he had scarcely reached the Austrian capital, when the revolution of +October broke out. Eötvös fled. He hastened to Munich, and remained in +voluntary exile, without taking any active interest in the fate of his +country and the wayward fortunes of his friends. His career as a +statesman is ended for many years to come. It is to be hoped that his +faculties as a writer will survive the blow which crushed his country; +and that his countrymen will have many a song and a few more novels from +so clever and spirited a pen. It is the pleasing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xix" id="Page_xix">[Pg xix]</a></span> office of fiction to +reconcile us to the anxieties and misfortunes of real matter-of-fact +life. May my friend succeed in pouring balm into the fresh wounds of the +country; and may his works alleviate, though it be but for a moment, the +anguish which in this season of sorrows eats into the heart of every +Hungarian!</p> + +<p class="signature">Francis Pulszky.</p> + +<hr class="wide" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="VOL_I" id="VOL_I"></a>THE VILLAGE NOTARY.</h2> + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_I_I" id="CHAPTER_I_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h3> + + +<p>The traveller in the districts on the lower Theiss, however narrow the +circle of his peregrinations, may be said to be familiar with the whole +of that part of Hungary. Some families boast of the resemblance, not to +say the identity, of their members. To distinguish one from another, we +must see them long and often. The case of these districts is very much +the case of those families; and the traveller, after a few hours' sleep +on our sandy roads, has no means of knowing that he has made any +progress, unless, indeed, it be by looking at the setting sun, or his +jaded horses. Neither the general character nor the details of the +country will remind him of his having been subjected to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> locomotion. As +well might the seaman on the Atlantic endeavour to mark his course on +the watery plain which surrounds him. A boundless extent of pasturage, +now and then diversified by a broken frame over a well, or a few storks +that promenade round a half dried up swamp; bad fields, whose crops of +kukuruz and wheat are protected by God only, and by that degree of +bodily fatigue to which even a thief is exposed;—perhaps a lonely hut, +with a couple of long-haired wolf-dogs, reminding you of the sacredness +of property; and the ricks of stale hay and straw, left from the harvest +of last year, impressing you with the idea that their owners must either +have an excess of hay, or a want of cattle:—such were the sights upon +which you closed your eyes, and such, indeed, are the sights which you +behold on awaking. The very steeples, which, before you fell asleep, +were visible on the far plain, seem to have gone along with you; for +there is as little difference between them, as between the village which +you were approaching in the early part of the afternoon and the one to +which you are now drawing near. The low banks of the Theiss, too, are +the same; our own yellow Theiss is not only the best citizen of our +country,—for it spends its substance at home,—but it is also the +luckiest river<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> in the world, since nobody ever interferes with it. The +Theiss is, in fact, the only river in Europe of which it may be said +that it is exactly such as God has made it.</p> + +<p>Somewhere on the banks of the lower Theiss, in any of its +districts,—say in the county of Takshony,—close to where the river +flows in the shape of a capital S, and at no great distance from three +poplars on a hill (there is not a hill for many miles in whichever +direction you may go, and, least of all, a hill with trees upon it), +lies the village of Tissaret, under the lordship of the Rety family, who +have owned the place ever since the Magyars first came into the +country,—a fact which Mr. Adam Catspaw, the solicitor of the family, is +prepared to prove at all times, and in all places, to any one that might +be inclined to doubt it.</p> + +<p>Than the family of the Retys none can be more ancient; and it cannot +therefore be a cause for wonder that the village of Tissaret came in for +a few spare rays of that dazzling brilliancy which surrounded its +masters. There is a large park, in which the trees, which were planted +as early as thirty years ago, have grown to a fabulous height. There is +a pond, the waters of which are sometimes rather low, but which, no +matter whether high or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> low, are always beautifully green, like the +meadow around. In rainy weather that meadow is rather more sandy than +the paths, which, though frequently covered with fresh earth, are still +sometimes in a condition which induces strangers to call them dirty, +thereby astonishing the gardener, who thinks that they are exactly what +paths ought to be. And, besides, there is a large castle, with a high +roof with gilt knobs on the same; and with a Doric hall, in which the +sheriff used to smoke his pipe; and with a gothic gate, in front of +which a crowd of supplicants might at all times be seen loitering and +losing their time. There is a yard, with stables to the left, and a +glass-house and a hen-roost to the right, without mentioning the grand +dunghill which covers more than one half of the stables. Every thing, in +short, is grand and comfortable, and shows—especially the high-road +from the door of the house to the county-town, and which has been made +expressly for the Retys—that the place is the residence of a sheriff.</p> + +<p>All the buildings of the Retys are of a monumental character; and the +more so, since one distinguishing feature in monuments, viz. their being +built at the public expense, belonged to every fabric, road or bridge, +made by the Retys. Every one in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> county knew of this fact; and, +though a few persons pretended to blame them for it, the great majority +of the people were quite satisfied, as, indeed, it was their bounden +duty to be.</p> + +<p>But there will be plenty of occasions in the sequel to make my readers +acquainted with the beauties and comforts of the seat of the Retys, and +of the village of Tissaret. For the present, I will take them by the +hand and lead them about two miles from the said village, to the hill +which is commonly called the Turk's Hill, and which is remarkable, not +only for its three trees, but also for the distant view you enjoy on it +of the mountains of Tokay, which, on a clear day, like the one that +opens this tale, may be seen looming in the distance like dark-blue +haystacks.</p> + +<p>The warm rays of an October sun fell upon the plains of Tissaret; there +was not a cloud in the sky, not a speck of dust on the heath. The solemn +silence of the scene was interrupted only by those vague sounds which +herald the approach of evening,—the carol of the birds, the faint +tinkling of distant sheep-bells, and the song of a lonely workman +wending his way homeward, with his scythe on his shoulder. The view from +the hill commands the country to the wood of St. Vilmosh, the acacias of +Tissaret, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> far windings of the Theiss. On that hill there are +two men, whom I take the liberty of introducing to my readers as Mr. +Jonas Tengelyi, the notary, and Mr. Balthasar Vandory, the curate of the +village of Tissaret.</p> + +<p>Every aristocracy has its marks of distinction. Long nails, a tattooed +face, a green or black dress, a button on the hat, a ribbon in the +button-hole, a sword or a stick with an apple,—these are a few of the +marks which in various times and places have served, and still serve, to +separate them from the common herd; which, wherever that strange +animal—man—has left the savage state and become domesticated, part +them asunder from their birth to their dying hour; and which, in the +most civilised countries, show you by the very gallows that the culprit +is not only a thief, but also a plebeian. Nature, too, has her nobility; +she, too, puts marks of distinction on her aristocrat, by which you may +know her elect, in spite of all the preachers of a general equality. +Nature does not, indeed, compete with civilisation in ennobling a man's +fathers that lived before him, or the babe unborn that is to call him +father,—but there are cases in which Nature's nobility is unmistakeably +expressed in individuals. Any man that has once seen the notary<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> Jonas +Tengelyi, will confess that my statement is correct; and to make this +fact still more comprehensible, I will add that Tengelyi's nobility +dates more than a hundred years back, and that, in the present instance, +Nature had all the advantages which the "usus" could give her.</p> + +<p>Tengelyi is about fifty years of age, though his thin locks sprinkled +with flakes of grey, and the deep wrinkles with which Time has marked +his forehead, would cause you to think him older; but then he is like a +sturdy oak, with gnarled roots and branches bearing witness to its age, +while its leaves are still fresh and green, and show that there is a +strong and hearty life in it. Tengelyi's manly form and erect bearing +under his silvery locks, and his shining eyes beneath his wrinkled +forehead, bespeak him at once as a man whom Time has not broken, but +steeled,—and who, like colours that have seen many a battle-field, in +the course of years, had lost nothing but his ornaments.</p> + +<p>The man who, sitting at Tengelyi's side, counts the petals of a flower, +while his eyes are directed to the blue mountain-tops of Tokay looming +in the distance, appears still more advanced in age, and his mild and +regular features form a striking contrast to the severity which is the +leading characteristic of Tengelyi's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> face. That face exhibits the +traces of fiery passions and fierce contentions, which, though soothed +into oblivion, might still under circumstances break forth afresh; while +Vandory's features might be likened to a clear sky, on which the passing +storm has left no trace. Vandory's appearance needs no aid from his +clerical dress to inform you that you accost one of those men whom God +has sent to represent his mercy upon earth. The notary's bearing shows +an honest man, who had but little happiness in the world,—while Vandory +is a living demonstration of the old adage, that virtue is its own +reward, even in this world of ours.</p> + +<p>Vandory at length interrupted the silence which the two friends had +observed for the last half-hour, by saying, "Where are your thoughts, my +friend?"</p> + +<p>"I scarcely know," was Tengelyi's reply. "I thought of my youth,—of +Heidelberg,—of my career as a 'jurat.' Do you sometimes think of +Heidelberg? <i>I</i> do; and whenever my thoughts return to the green +mountains and the bright rivers of that country, I feel inclined to +quarrel with fate for casting my lot in this desolate champaign."</p> + +<p>"Do not, I pray, abuse our country," said Vandory, smiling. "What can be +greener than this meadow? Is not that river beautiful, flowing as it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> +does among the reeds? And what can be more striking than the far +steeples and the mountains of Tokay? As for the blue sky and the rays of +the setting sun, they are beautiful anywhere. You are very unjust, sir, +and that is the long and the short of it."</p> + +<p>"And you are the greatest optimist I ever met with," rejoined Tengelyi; +"there is not a man on earth but you can talk of his good qualities, and +by the hour too. But your taking this country under your protection +makes me verily believe that God, for all that he is omnipotent, cannot +create anything so bad but that you would hit upon some redeeming point +in it."</p> + +<p>"Why should I quarrel with His works?" said Vandory. "We ought to be at +peace with all men,—and with all countries, too," added he, smiling.</p> + +<p>"We ought—but all cannot!"</p> + +<p>"We can. Believe me, we are all optimists, every man of us. God made his +creatures for happiness; and as Scripture says that heaven and hell are +both peopled by the denizens of paradise, so is each joy and each sorrow +the result, not of our nature, but of our will."</p> + +<p>"But experience!" interposed Tengelyi.</p> + +<p>"Experience proves but what we wish it to prove.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> If you are pleased +with the present, you will find pleasant reminiscences in the past, and +<i>vice versâ</i>. Go merrily to the glass, and you will see a smiling face +in it; and even Echo, lovelorn woman though she be, will speak in joyful +notes, if you but address her with accents of joy."</p> + +<p>Tengelyi laughed. "There is no disputing with you. I trust when Mr. +Catspaw's 'canonisation' comes on, that they will retain you as Heaven's +advocate. You will then have a fair chance of showing how many occasions +for the exercise of signal virtues that worthy Catspaw gave in his life; +for every body who ever refrained from thrashing him, exercised the +virtue of self-denial to a remarkable extent. The very hare which the +young gentlemen are hunting down yonder ought to be counselled not to +appeal to you. You would tell her that to be hunted to death is a hare's +happiness and pride. Indeed," added Tengelyi, with great bitterness, +"you have undertaken quite as difficult a task in endeavouring to +convince your parishioners of what you are pleased to call their +happiness, and in pointing out to them for what they ought to be +thankful to Providence."</p> + +<p>But this taunt was lost upon Vandory, whose whole attention was with the +hunt, which then took the direction of the Turk's Hill. "This is savage<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> +sport," cried the clergyman at length, "one unworthy of Christian men. I +cannot understand how men of education and parts can delight in it!"</p> + +<p>"Still it engages your interest," said Tengelyi; and, casting a look at +the hunting-party, who were just assembled round the body of the +wretched hare, he added, with a sigh, "Alas! <i>these</i> men are happy!"</p> + +<p>"As for me," repeated Vandory, "I cannot understand how men of education +can delight in that sort of thing."</p> + +<p>"I dare say you cannot," rejoined Tengelyi, smiling. "Rarely as we +understand the sorrows of others, their joys are a sealed book indeed. +But this sport is much the same with other enjoyments which pride or +strength procures us. To spy an object out, to hunt it, to gain upon it, +and at length to seize it, is indeed a happy feeling—no matter whether +the object is a hare or whether it is the conquest of a country. It is +always the same sensation; and the difference, if any, is for the +spectator, but not for the actor."</p> + +<p>"But this is cruel. Consider the sufferings of the poor animal! What an +unequal contest! A score of dogs and horsemen after <i>one</i> hare. It is +really shocking."</p> + +<p>"You are quite right about the inequality," re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span>torted Tengelyi, "but +where in this world do you see a fair fight? The cotton-lord and the +factory-workman—the planter and the negro—they are all unequally +matched. Believe me, friend, hare-hunting is not a very cruel sport, if +compared to some which I could name."</p> + +<p>Vandory sighed, and though, as an optimist, fully convinced of +Tengelyi's being in the wrong, he resolved to reserve his reply; for +Akosh Rety and his party, seeing the two friends on the hill, advanced +from the plain and put a stop to the conversation.</p> + +<p>Of the company which now assembled round the notary and the old +clergyman, there can be no doubt that my lady-readers would be most +struck with Akosh Rety and Kalman Kishlaki. They were very handsome; +indeed it was a common saying in the county of Takshony, that handsomer +young men could not be found in any six counties of Hungary. They showed +to great advantage after the hunt, with their flushed faces, and their +curly hair escaping disorderly from beneath their small round hats. +Their short blue shooting-coats, too, gave them an appearance of great +smartness, and——but I am conscious of my duty as a Magyar author, and +I know that the Justice ought to have the precedence in his own +district. I therefore beg leave to introduce to my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> honoured readers the +justice and his clerk, Mr. Akosh Rety's companions in the hunt.</p> + +<p>Learned men maintain that our country is inhabited by a race of classic, +viz., of Scythian, origin. At times we may forget this fact; for, even +among the men whose names most unmistakeably proclaim our Eastern +source, there are many whom any one but a philologist would class with +quite a different race of people. It is notorious that the current of +the Rhine loses itself in mud and sand. Even so are the descendants of +families who were glorious in their generation, intent upon magnifying +their fathers by eschewing to eclipse the brilliancy of ancestral fame. +There are men of whose high descent we are only reminded by the +impossibility to conceive what they could live on, unless it were on the +inheritance of their fathers.</p> + +<p>Far different is Paul Skinner, the justice of the district. Every doubt +about the authenticity of our national origin must vanish on seeing him +on his dun horse and lighting his pipe; for Paul Skinner is a striking +evidence of the fact that the Scythian blood of our ancestors still +flourishes in the land.</p> + +<p>For the benefit of those unacquainted with the administration of +Hungary, I ought to remark that the office of a district justice is +unquestionably the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> most troublesome and laborious in the world. A +district justice is a firm pillar of the state; he upholds public +order,—he protects both rich and poor,—he is the judge and the father +of his neighbourhood; without him there is no justice—or, at the least, +no judicature. All complaints of the people pass through his hands; all +decrees of the powers that be are promulgated and administered by him. +The district justice regulates the rivers, makes roads, and constructs +bridges. He is the representative of the poor, the inspector of the +schools; he is lord chief forester whenever a wolf happens to make its +appearance; he is "protomedicus" in the case of an epidemic; he is +justice of the peace, the king's advocate in criminal cases, +commissioner of the police, of war, of hospitals; in short, he is all in +all,—the man in whom we live, move, and have our being.</p> + +<p>If, among the six hundred men holding that office in our country, there +is but one who neglects his duty, the consequence is that thousands are +made to suffer: a want of impartiality in one of them kills justice for +many miles round; if one of them is ignorant, Parliament legislates in +vain for the poor. And whoever will condescend to compare the reward +with the labour, and consider that, besides a salary of from 100 to 150 +florins per annum, a district justice<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> must expect, after three years' +impartial administration of his office, to lose it by the +instrumentality of some powerful enemy,—whoever, I say, considers all +this, must confess that there are in this country either six hundred +living saints, or as many hundred thousand suffering citizens.</p> + +<p>From what I have stated it is easy to see that there are two drawbacks +to the office of a district justice, viz. too much work and too little +pay. There are indeed some justices who endeavour to doctor their +dignity, by neglecting part of it, viz. the work,—and who of the other +part,—that is to say, of the pay,—take more than the law obliges them +to take. But the more enlightened, scorning such petty improvements, +advocate the principle of out-and-out reform in all that regards the +faulty composition of their office. Most wisely do they accept of what +the office yields with such profusion, (viz. work,) only when it +promises to yield what they lack, viz. pay. Most wisely, I say; for how +else could Spectabilis Paul Skinner rear his four sons to be pillars of +the state? and how else could he possibly make the respectable figure +which suited his office, and on the strength of which, whenever he, as +chief dignitary, perambulates the happy meads of the district of +Tissaret, he imparts a salutary quaking to the said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> happy meads?—of +course I mean to their humblest part,—to the abandoned population which +presumes to solicit a share of the most precious treasure of civil +liberty, viz. justice, and for nothing too.</p> + +<p>But even those who know nothing of all this cannot fail to feel, in Paul +Skinner's presence, that sacred awe which is so necessary for the +maintenance of order. His external appearance is calculated to frighten +both the innocent and the guilty. Fancy a bony man, bilious, and +wrinkled like a baked apple; add to these graces a black beard, a pair +of large mustaches, green piercing eyes, which, it appears, are made to +wound rather than to see, and the short pipe which sticks to him like +any other member of his body,—fancy a tone of voice so shrill, so +cutting, that it alone can frighten the whole population of a village, +and you will confess that every body in the district (with the sole +exception of the rogues) must tremble on beholding Paul Skinner. But +never did Justice assume a more terrible shape than when she appeared in +the guise of the said Paul Skinner travelling his circuit. Then might be +seen the four horses with their postilion, furnishing a living +demonstration of the rapid progress of Hungarian justice; behind the +postilion, the county hussar<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> with his feathered calpac; and—"post +equitem sedet atra cura,"—behind the hussar a bundle of sticks, +reminding the lovers of antiquity of the old Roman lictors (thus named +from their <i>licking</i> propensities); and behind the sticks the judge, +always smoking and sometimes cursing, his feet stuck in a huge but empty +sack, which, "quia natura horret vacuum," travels with its master that +it may be filled. Even the boldest were frightened out of their wits by +this gradation of terrors.</p> + +<p>It is impossible to conceive the idea of a district justice without a +clerk. Nature produces all creatures in pairs; and the Hungarian +Constitution, proceeding from natural principles, and acting up to them, +produces Justice only by the joint agency of two beings, viz. judge and +clerk. After introducing my readers to Mr. Skinner, it is but just that +I should recommend Mr. Kenihazy to their notice. That gentleman is at +this moment engaged in an interesting conversation with one of the dogs, +and in the joy of his heart—for that lucky dog caught the hare!—he has +just uttered certain quaint imprecations, which a shepherd was fined at +the last sessions for using. Andreas Kenihazy, or Bandi Batshi, as his +most intimate friends are in the habit of calling him, is his master's +right hand. He is not such<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> a right hand as may sometimes be found among +other assistants, who, according to the words of Scripture, unconscious +of the doings of the left hand, that is to say, of the justice, do the +very reverse of what he did. No! Bandi Batshi is a loyal right hand, +co-operating to the welfare of the whole of which it is part. As a good +Christian, Kenihazy practised the lesson about the smiting of cheeks. +Whenever his superior was insulted (that is, when he was bribed, which +is the greatest insult you can offer a judge), Kenihazy would hold out +his hand also, nor would he be pacified unless he was exposed to a like +indignity. Nevertheless, Kenihazy was not easy to be bribed. To insult +him was a difficult and dangerous business; and those who had once +witnessed the outpourings of disgust with which the honest man resented +so gross an outrage, trembled when they offered their gift to that +righteous judge, who, for all that, remained mindful of his oath, and +who, to make matters even, showed himself most favourable to those who +had tried his temper, unless, indeed, the other party gave still greater +offence.</p> + +<p>We are sure to meet Kenihazy again, and we will not therefore expatiate +on his blue jacket, which once upon a time boasted of a dozen +buttons,—or his waistcoat, which owes its present colour to the +sun,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span>—or the time-honoured neckcloth, which gave the wearer a hanging +look—and much less on his grey pantaloons. We mention his round hat and +his boots and spurs merely in order to say that Kenihazy is the very +picture of seedy gentility; and, having said thus much, we turn to a +certain prejudice, which, though luckily obsolete in life, is generally +accepted in theory. The prevailing opinion of the venality of judges is, +I protest, utterly groundless. It has no foundation but those feelings +of envy, which low people are wont to indulge in with respect to their +betters.</p> + +<p>Not to mention the fact, that according to our laws—and according to +laws of which the boldest innovator dare not say that they are obsolete, +inasmuch as their antiquity makes them venerable—our judges are allowed +to accept presents: we need only point out the high estimation in which +gratitude was held by all nations, both ancient and modern. To be good, +a man ought to be grateful; and is it not therefore very wrong to insist +upon a judge showing himself insensible to kindness? We are told we +ought to do by others as we wish them to act by ourselves. Supposing now +A., the judge, to be in the place of him from whom he accepts a present; +that is to say, suppose A., the judge, were to plead a cause,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> about the +justice of which he entertained some modest doubts, would not A. be very +happy if the learned gentleman who sits on his case were to take a +present and pronounce judgment accordingly?—and this being the case, +ought not A. to deal with his fellows as he wishes to be dealt with by +them?</p> + +<p>It is a legal maxim that the judge ought to consider and weigh the +proofs which are preferred in the suit. Supposing now the proofs of the +claimant and those of the defendant are of equal merit, or nearly so, +and supposing the claimant adds a few bank-notes to the legal documents, +without the adverse party making a rejoinder to a plea of such universal +power; what, in the name of fair dealing, can the judge do, but give +judgment for the best pleader?</p> + +<p>Returning to the party on the hill, we find Kalman eagerly disputing +with Vandory. Their conversation was, of course, of the merits of +hare-hunting. Tengelyi and Akosh took no part in it;—the former because +he protested that the subject was one about which on consideration there +could be but <i>one</i> opinion, while every body would at times act in +opposition to that opinion; and Akosh declined to second his friend's +argument, because his mind and heart were hunting on another track. He +inquired of old Tengelyi how his daughter Vilma was, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> his blushing +face showed that he thought more of Vilma than of all the hares in the +world. Tengelyi gave him but short answers, and even those reluctantly. +Paul Skinner and his clerk conversed about the election, and of the +means of gaining the public confidence. The names of certain villages +occurred frequently in their interesting dialogue; and when Mr. Skinner, +brightening up, murmured, "Ten butts, one dollar," Kenihazy was heard to +respond with, "That will do to keep us in!" and, giving vent to his +satisfaction, the worthy clerk, knocking his spurs together, blew an +immense column of smoke from his pipe. In fact, he smoked with such +violence, that one might have likened him to a steam-engine, but for the +indecency of comparing a vulgar working machine with an Hungarian +gentleman.</p> + +<p>The party were about to leave, when their attention was suddenly +directed to something which was going on in the plain below. Two men on +horseback, and one on foot, were seen approaching over the heath; and it +was remarked that the individual, whose means of locomotion were so +unequally matched with those of his companions, walked in front of the +horses, and sometimes even between them. The servants of the party, nay, +the very justice, were in doubt as to who or what they were; whether<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +Pandurs or robbers, for at that distance it was quite impossible to make +out the difference, which doubtlessly does exist, between brigands and +the familiars of the Hungarian Hermandad. On a nearer approach, however, +all doubts were removed by the considerate manner in which the cavaliers +sought to divert the attention of the pedestrian from the length of the +way, by beating him; and it was at once clear that these were servants +of the county escorting a prisoner, whom they were subjecting to the +customary introductory proceedings.</p> + +<p>"Let somebody ride down to the Pandurs and tell them to bring the +culprit to this place," said Mr. Skinner to his clerk. "I'm sure he is +one of Viola's gang; his case ought to be tried by a court-martial.<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> +What did I tell you?" he continued, turning to Akosh, "I was sure we +should catch the birds; and though I may not be re-elected, I mean at +least to deserve the confidence of the county by hanging a parcel of the +beggars on this hill."</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_I_I" id="SEE_NOTE_I_I"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_I_I">Note I</a>.</p></div> + +<p>"Not before you've caught them, and I doubt whether you ever will. +Tengelyi says it is next to impossible to find an honest man. Now your +example proves that nothing is more easy, because<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> hitherto you've +caught none but honest men; and I would almost swear," added Akosh, +"that Viola's comrade, the mighty outlaw whom your people are bringing +us, and to whose hanging you mean to treat the county,—that other +Jaromir and Angyalbandi<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a>,—is no less a personage than our old gipsy."</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_I_II" id="SEE_NOTE_I_II"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_I_II">Note II</a>.</p></div> + +<p>Upon this everybody recognised old Peti, and there was a general burst +of laughter.</p> + +<p>"Poor Peti!" cried Akosh with a great show of sentiment. "The country +cannot boast of a man more gifted, more useful. When a house is built, +it is he who makes the bricks; when a lock is out of order, he puts it +to rights. He is a born blessing to property. He shoes your horse and +fastens your spurs; there is not a wedding but he plays the first fiddle +at it; nay, he is useful to the last moment of your life, for he digs +your grave. It is said of him that, in his youth, he served the state as +a hangman. Truly, truly, the world is ungrateful to great men, but still +more so to useful men!"</p> + +<p>"I don't see anything to laugh at," said Mr. Skinner, looking still more +solemn and black than was his wont. "Possibly there is a case for a +'statarium.' As for me, I don't think it is your old gipsy, but if——"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span>"<i>If</i> it is not Peti," cried Akosh, laughing; "if that fellow dares to +sport a white skin, there is not, of course, any obstacle to his being +hanged."</p> + +<p>"Enough of this! who says the fellow yonder is not a gipsy? but I say, +who knows whether that old rascal, whom you mistake for an innocent +musician——?"</p> + +<p>"Has not masqueraded as a gipsy all along! But you will bring the truth +to light. You, Skinner, will skin the culprit. You'll strip him of his +brown hide; you'll show the world that Viola the great robber is +identical with Peti the gipsy."</p> + +<p>"Don't make a fool of <i>me</i>, sir! I won't suffer it!" cried the justice, +whose pipe had gone out with the excess of his rage. "Paul Skinner is +not the man whom you can fool, I can tell you! But never mind; who knows +what that fellow Peti has done all his life besides brick-making? and I +apprehend that if he set out with being a hangman, he'll end with being +a hanged man."</p> + +<p>This said, the justice lighted his pipe, muttering his imprecations +against untimely jokes and bad tinder.</p> + +<p>Poor Peti had meanwhile proceeded to a distance of five hundred yards +from the Turk's Hill; and so great was the good man's natural +politeness, that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> even at that distance he bowed to the party on the +hill. Little did he know the intensity of Paul Skinner's rage; but the +first words of the worthy magistrate showed him that it was an evil +hour, indeed, in which he had come before his judge.</p> + +<p>"Hast at last gone into the snare, thou precious bird?" thundered +Skinner. "Never mind, you old rascal! never mind! I'll pay you, and with +a vengeance, too!"</p> + +<p>"Most sublime——" sighed the wretched musician; but the justice, +unmindful of this appeal to his better feelings, continued:—</p> + +<p>"Hold your tongue! I know all! all, I tell you. And if you will not +confess, I'll freshen your memory!"</p> + +<p>"Most sublime Lord!" sighed Peti; "I am an innocent, poor, old man. +I——"</p> + +<p>"Dog!" retorted Mr. Skinner. "If you dare to bark, I'll pull your ears, +that you shall not forget it to the day of judgment. Is it not horrible? +the profligate fellow would give me the lie!"</p> + +<p>"No, sweet, gracious Lord!" cried Peti, weeping; "I do not deny any +thing, but——"</p> + +<p>"It's better for you; at all events, we need not ask you any questions. +The judge knows every thing." Turning to the Pandurs, Mr. Skinner<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> +added: "Now Janosh, tell me, what did you bring that culprit for?"</p> + +<p>"Only because we have been told to arrest all suspicious characters."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" cried Akosh, "and the old musician is a suspicious character! You +are fine fellows, and ought to be promoted!"</p> + +<p>"We'll see that by and by!" snarled Mr. Skinner. "Now tell us, Janosh, +what is the old rascal's crime?"</p> + +<p>"Why," said the Pandur, "the long and the short of it is, that it was +about three o'clock,—was it not, Pishta?—after having had our dinner +and rest at the Murder-Tsharda, we rode up to St. Vilmosh forest. We had +been on our legs from an early hour this morning, and were apprehensive +that we should not be able to obey his worship's orders about arresting +at least one suspicious character, when Pishta spied a horseman near St. +Vilmosh forest, and a man to whom he was talking. 'Suppose this is +Viola,' said Pishta, who was just lighting his pipe. 'Ah, indeed! +suppose this is Viola!' said I; and when I looked at the horseman, I +thought it was——"</p> + +<p>"Viola?" said Mr. Skinner, with a voice which left no doubt about the +answer which he expected.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure it was he, your worship," replied Janosh; "I'll bet any thing +it was he."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>"Now this fellow is short-sighted," interrupted Akosh; "I wonder how +many robbers Pishta saw."</p> + +<p>"We'll see that by and by!" said Mr. Skinner, angrily. "The devil may be +a judge when robbers and vagabonds find such protection. Go on. What +happened next? Did you see any thing more of the criminal?"</p> + +<p>"How was it possible? We spurred our horses on, but the poor beasts were +so tired they would not run; and when we came to the place, we found no +one but the old gipsy, walking to St. Vilmosh."</p> + +<p>"Well?" said the judge impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Of course they handcuffed him, for who knows what outrage he might have +committed if he had come to St. Vilmosh," cried Akosh. "They are the +very fellows to be sent after robbers. They will soon starve all +robbers, by preventing honest men from leaving their houses."</p> + +<p>Old Peti saw that he had found a protector. Growing bolder, he asked to +be freed from his handcuffs, and though the justice opposed, he yielded +at length to the entreaties of Kalman, Akosh, and Vandory, though not +without muttering something about "patibulandus" and "fautores +criminum."</p> + +<p>"And what happened when you came up with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> the gipsy?" said Mr. Skinner, +again addressing the Pandurs. "Was there any thing very suspicious about +the old hang-dog scoundrel?"</p> + +<p>"There was indeed!" said Janosh, twirling his moustache. "When we came +up with the gipsy,—which was rather late, for the old Moor ran very +fast,—Pishta called out to him, at which he appeared frightened."</p> + +<p>"Frightened?" said Mr. Skinner. "Frightened, indeed; I'd be glad to know +the reason;" and the Clerk, shaking his head, added, "This is indeed +suspicious!"</p> + +<p>"Begging your lordship's pardon," cried the gipsy, "the gentlemen swore +at me, and cocked their pistols, which made me believe that they were +robbers."</p> + +<p>"Hold your tongue, you cursed black dog! If you say another word, you +shall have beating enough to last you a twelvemonth." Having thus mildly +admonished the prisoner, Mr. Skinner proceeded with the "benevolum." "Go +on, Janosh," said he.</p> + +<p>And Janosh went on: "Upon this Pishta asked him, 'Where is Viola?' and +he answered, 'I never saw him.'"</p> + +<p>"But we saw him in conversation with Viola!" cried the second Pandur. "I +said, 'Peti, you are a liar; we have seen you talking to Viola! and +unless<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> you confess it, we'll make you dance to a queer kind of music."</p> + +<p>"What did the gipsy say to that?" asked the Clerk.</p> + +<p>"He said he did not know who the horseman was, which made me angry; for +your worship is aware that Peti knows every body. When he saw me angry, +he wanted to run away."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Goodness gracious!" cried the gipsy; "why should I not run away, +when they fell to beating me, and offered to handcuff me?"</p> + +<p>"An honest man," said Kenihazy sententiously, "cares not for handcuffs."</p> + +<p>"I thought so too," quoth Janosh; "therefore, when we saw that he was +indeed a criminal, we hunted him down, bound his hands, and took him to +his worship."</p> + +<p>"You did your duty," said Mr. Skinner. "Now take the old fox to my +house. To-morrow we'll commit him to gaol."</p> + +<p>"But," cried Peti, "I assure your worship I am as innocent as the babe +unborn!"</p> + +<p>"I dare say you are!" said the justice with a bitter sneer. "You don't +know Viola,—of course you don't. Who shod Viola's horse? eh?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do know him," sighed the gipsy; "but is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> it my fault that I +lived in the same village with him Heaven knows how long! for Viola was +the best man in the world before he fell into the hands of the County +Court. I confess that I did shoe his horse; but what is an old man to do +against robbers armed with sticks and pistols?"</p> + +<p>"But why do the robbers come to you? Why don't they employ honest +smiths?"</p> + +<p>"I think," said Peti, quietly, "the robbers prefer coming to my house +because I do not live in the village."</p> + +<p>"And why do you not live in the village? you scarecrow!"</p> + +<p>"Because, my lord, the sheriff will not allow the gipsies to live in the +village since Barna Jantzi's house was burned. This is hard enough for +an old man like myself."</p> + +<p>Every one of these answers was, in Mr. Skinner's eyes, a violation of +the judicial dignity. The best of us dislike being mistaken in our +opinion as to the merit of our fellow men. We would rather pardon their +weaknesses, than be brought to shame by their good qualities. No wonder +then that Paul Skinner, whose knowledge of self had given him a very bad +idea of his species, would never believe a man to be innocent, whom he +once suspected of any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> crime. It is but natural that, in the present +instance, he did all in his power to make the gipsy's guilt manifest.</p> + +<p>"Never mind," said he, "I wonder whether you'll give yourself such airs +when you are in <i>my</i> house; Viola too will be caught by to-morrow +morning. Take him to my house, and don't let him escape,—else—"</p> + +<p>Upon this the Pandurs prepared the handcuffs, when Akosh interfered, +offering to be bail for the gipsy's appearance. Mr. Skinner, however, +was but too happy to have his revenge for the jokes which the young man +had made at his expense in the course of the interrogatory.</p> + +<p>"You know I am always happy to oblige you," said he, "but in the present +instance it is impossible. By to-morrow Viola will be caught, and it +will be then found that this gipsy is one of his accomplices."</p> + +<p>"If you keep Peti until Viola is caught," said Kalman Kishlaky, "you'll +keep the poor fellow to the end of time."</p> + +<p>"We'll see that!" sneered the justice. "All I say is, I am informed that +he is to be at the Tsharda of Tissaret this very night. He'll find us +prepared. We take the landlord and his family, bind them, and lock them +up in the cellar, while the Pandurs, dis<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>guised as peasants, wait for +him at the door. It is all arranged, I tell you."</p> + +<p>"Of course always supposing Viola will come," said Akosh.</p> + +<p>"This time he will come," replied Mr. Skinner with great dignity. "I +have trusty spies."</p> + +<p>Old Peti seemed greatly, and even painfully, struck with this +intelligence. His brown face exhibited the lively interest he felt in +Viola's danger; and his features were all but convulsed when he heard of +the preparations for the capture of the robber. It was fortunate for him +that his excitement was not remarked by any but Tengelyi; and when Mr. +Skinner at length turned his searching eye upon his captive, he saw no +trace of old Peti's emotions in his imploring attitude. The Pandurs were +in the act of removing their prisoner, when the latter, turning to +Akosh, said:—</p> + +<p>"I most humbly intreat you, since I <i>must</i> go to prison, to tell my +Lord, your father, that old Peti is in gaol, and that it is not my fault +if the letters do not come to hand."</p> + +<p>"What letters?" said Akosh.</p> + +<p>"My Lord's letters, which he gave me," answered the gipsy, producing a +packet from beneath the lining of his waistcoat, and handing it to +Akosh.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> "I am my Lord's messenger; and I should not have been too late, +for my lady promised me a present for taking these letters to St. +Vilmosh before sunset, but for these——gentlemen, who caught me when I +entered the forest."</p> + +<p>Akosh took the letters, opened them, and, having perused their contents, +he handed them to Mr. Skinner, who appeared not a little distressed +after reading them.</p> + +<p>"You've spoiled it," said Akosh in a low voice. "If you lose your +election you have at least one comfort, namely, that you have defeated +your own plans. With the three hundred votes from St. Vilmosh against +you, you have not even a chance."</p> + +<p>"I trust not," murmured Mr. Skinner; "I trust not. The men of St. +Vilmosh——"</p> + +<p>"Are by no means fond of you; and if they elect you, they do it to +please their notary, who is, indeed, on my father's side; but Heaven +knows how long! This morning we learned that Bantornyi's party were +negotiating with him, but that they could not agree. My father writes +these letters, promises to comply with all the notary's demands, and +invites the St. Vilmosh gentry to come to him and pledge their votes. So +far all is right. But you interfere with your Pandurs, you stop our +mes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span>senger, and assist our enemies, who will by this time have repented +of their stinginess."</p> + +<p>"But who could have foreseen that your father would send an important +message by a man like Peti?"</p> + +<p>"Did not I tell you," said Akosh, evidently amused by the judge's +perplexity, "that old Peti is our servant and messenger. Who would ever +have thought of the sheriff's quick-footed gipsy being taken up and +handcuffed?"</p> + +<p>"It is true," said Mr. Skinner, despondingly. "But why didn't he +speak?—why not mention the letters? Come here, you d—— old rascal!" +thundered the judge, who was one of those amiable men whose rage reaches +the boiling point at a minute's notice, and whose words are most +offensive when they ought to be most conciliating. "You dog! why did you +not say that you were sent by the sheriff? I have a mind to give you two +dozen—I have!"</p> + +<p>The gipsy was aware of the favourable change in his prospects, and he +replied, with considerable coolness, that the cruel treatment of the +Pandurs had caused him to forget all about it; "besides," added he, "my +lady told me not to show the letters to any one; and, moreover, I was +sure my innocence would come to light."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>"Your innocence! it is shocking," cried the justice, holding up his +hands; "the fellow has a letter from the sheriff in his pocket, and the +blockhead relies on his innocence! Here are your +letters;—go!—run!—and woe to you if the letters come too late to St. +Vilmosh!"</p> + +<p>The gipsy nodded his head, and hastened in the direction of St. Vilmosh! +He was scarcely gone, when Mr. Skinner vented his passion upon the +Pandurs. He expressed his astonishment, intermixed with curses, at the +impertinence of these worthy men for having caught the sheriff's gipsy; +and when they appealed to Mr. Kenihazy, all the comfort they received +was a gentle hint of certain misgivings that gentleman entertained +respecting their being suffered to go at large. Akosh and the rest of +the company were amused with Mr. Skinner's violence and the agility of +the gipsy, who every now and then looked back, and ran the quicker +afterwards. The notary and the clergyman remained serious: and when the +party had left, and neither the merry laugh of Akosh nor Skinner's +ever-ready curses fell upon their ear, Tengelyi turned to his friend, +saying, "Do you still think that hare-hunting is the <i>cruellest</i> pastime +of these gentlemen?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed!" sighed Vandory; "and to think<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> that these men are public +functionaries, and that the weal and woe of thousands is in their +hands!"</p> + +<p>"Ha!" cried Tengelyi, turning round, and directing the attention of his +friend to a dark point which moved over the vast expanse of the heath, +"is not that our gipsy?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; but he runs rather in a line with us, instead of to St. Vilmosh."</p> + +<p>"So it seems," said Tengelyi, "and for once the sheriff's orders will +not be obeyed. Perhaps he is bribed by the other party; but who knows? +Skinner may be right, and Peti is leagued with Viola. In that case he is +now on his way to inform the outlaw of what the judge most wisely +communicated to him, for I am sure that gipsy does not run so fast +without good cause. But what does it matter to us?"</p> + +<p>And the two friends returned to the village.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_I_II" id="CHAPTER_I_II"></a>CHAP. II.</h3> + + +<p>On a ridge of the Carpathian mountains, where, gradually lessening, they +descend to the green Hungarian plain, lies the village of Bard, amidst +meadow land, forests, and vineyards. Its situation is most pleasant, +though lonely; and, removed as it is from the busy high road and the +means of traffic and communication, the village is both unknown and +poor. About fifty years ago, there lived in this village Esaias +Tengelyi, the curate of Bard, and father to Jonas Tengelyi, whom we +mentioned as notary of Tissaret. The life of Esaias Tengelyi passed +peaceably and unnoticed, like the place in which he exercised his sacred +calling, or the valley and the mountain side which sheltered his humble +cottage. The condition of the Reformed Church in Hungary does not by any +means deserve the epithet of "brilliant," even in our own days; but the +present village pastors are most enviably situated in comparison to +their brethren of fifty years ago. Still the life of the Reverend Esaias +Tengelyi, though full of privations, was rich in enjoyment. He loved<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> +his cottage, its straw-covered roof, and the brown rafters of its +ceiling. Sometimes, indeed, he wished to have the windows of his room a +little larger,—and he went even so far as to take the resolution of +administering, at his own expense, to this drawback to the comforts of +his home. The huge stove, too, which served also the purpose of an oven, +made his room preposterously small, and on baking days it threw out a +greater quantity of heat than was consistent with comfort. The +neighbouring curates, whenever they came to pay their respects to the +Reverend Esaias, were violent in their strictures upon the parish of +Bard, for neglecting to provide their pastor's study with a decent +flooring: nay, more, the good man was seriously reproved, and earnestly +adjured to follow the example of his brethren in office, who had +successfully petitioned the Synod respecting the gross indecency of +pastoral clay floors. But Tengelyi could not be moved to stir in behalf +of his house: perhaps he liked it better as it was. Its windows were +indeed small; but then he had often sat by them reading the Scriptures; +and they had seen the roses on his wife's cheek. The stove was +large,—of course it was,—but in winter it offered a convenient and +warm seat; and the clay floor of his study was the same on which his +father's feet had trod, when he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> was meditating his sermons, while the +son made his first attempt to stand on a pair of trembling little legs. +After all, there was nothing like the window, the stove, and the floor, +for a countless number of sweet and tender emotions were connected with +them. Esaias Tengelyi was happy; he felt that the largest window, that +the smallest stove, and the most splendid floor of old oak, could not +add to his happiness.</p> + +<p>But that happiness could be lessened. The pastor's wife died, and the +heart which had harboured so much bliss was henceforth the home of +bitter sorrow. Tengelyi gave no words to his anguish, nor did he strive +to add to or lessen his grief; but his friends felt that time was as +nothing to the sorrow of his heart, and that his hopes and wishes were +not on this side of the grave. His little son, Jonas, was the only tie +which bound the old pastor to the world. The boy was but four years of +age when his mother died; what would become of him, if he were also +bereft of his father? People have scarcely a heart for their own +children; how then is an orphan to fare for love? And the boy was most +beautiful, when he cast his deep blue eyes upwards to the father's sad +face! His voice had the tones of that dear voice which taught him his +first words; his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> yellow locks were smooth and orderly, as if fresh from +his mother's hands;—what was to become of the child on this wide earth, +and with no kindred, but his parents in the grave? Tengelyi would not be +comforted, but a sense of his duty kept him alive.</p> + +<p>Little Jonas throve under his father's care. He knew not what it was to +be motherless in this world, where the heart finds that trusty, faithful +love it yearns for, only at a mother's breast. A child's heart is a +little treasury of joy, and there is no room in it for great griefs. In +the first days after the event, little Jonas called for his mother, and +receiving no answer from that mild, loving voice, he sat down and wept +his fill; in the night he dreamed of her, and lisped her name. But as +time wore on, his mother's name was rarely mentioned, and when spring +came, with its flowers, her memory passed away like the distant notes of +a song. All this was natural. Children are most enviable, because they +are most forgetful. A thousand flowers are blooming round a child: why +should it ponder on the sorrows of the past? A thousand melodies flit +around it, and the young heart leaps to them: it has no ear for the sad +accents of distant love.</p> + +<p>Thus did the first years pass away. When Jonas had completed his eighth +year, his father commenced<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> his education. The old pastor's plan was +extremely simple. He made the child ask questions, and answered them in +a manner which was at once explicit and adapted to the boy's capacities. +He had no idea of making his son a phenomenon; on the contrary, he did +all in his power to limit his mental activity to a narrow circle, to +prevent his being confused by a variety of subjects. The classical +languages, as far as Jonas could understand them, and the rudiments of +natural and political history, were all that old Esaias taught his son; +they were all he thought necessary for that son's future vocation.</p> + +<p>For old Tengelyi, like the majority of fathers, had already chosen a +profession for his son, and though, on consideration, he would have +shrunk from the idea of forcing anybody, and much less his own boy, into +a career which might be repugnant to his tastes, still, when he thought +of his child's future life, he could not possibly fancy that his son +should wish for any thing besides the curacy of Bard. Old Tengelyi had +himself followed his father in that sacred office. It was so natural to +think that he in his turn would be followed by his son. But while the +father was thus tracing out his future career, and planting in the +garden, besides improving the house, as he thought, for the child of his +heart, the boy Jonas<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> Tengelyi anticipated other scenes and a different +sphere of action. The poor curate's library contained but few books, but +among them was a great treasure; namely, a copy of Plutarch—a relic of +college life, with a portrait of the hero to each biography. This +illustrated copy of Plutarch was the only book of its kind in the +vicarage, and indeed in the village of Bard. Jonas passed many hours in +looking at the solemn faces of the classic heroes, nor was it long +before he knew all their names and actions; and though the old pastor +regretted that the book was not an illustrated Bible, by which means he +might impress upon his boy's mind the history and the deeds of the +heroes of our faith, still his heart grew big with joy when the child +expatiated on the virtues of Aristides, or (his little cheeks glowing +all the while) told of the death of Leonidas and Socrates. And old +Esaias blessed the pagan author who wrote the book, and the college-chum +who made him a present of it, and even the very printer who had produced +it. The whole future life of Jonas was influenced by these early +lessons; and though the milder doctrines of Christianity made a deep +impression on his heart, yet his mind would always return to the models +of classic excellence. His sympathies were all with the heroes of +Plutarch.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>At times, when old Tengelyi was from home, Jonas would follow his +fancies through the dark shades of the woods. He would sit on the ruins +of Bard Castle, looking at the forest-clad mountains and the wide +distant plain, and there he sat and pondered until the sun went down and +the evening breeze woke him from his dreams. There he was happy; for +there is no greater happiness than the delight which a pure heart feels +when thinking of great deeds and generous men. The childhood of nations +and individuals idolises all heroes, and thus did Jonas.</p> + +<p>A child's perceptions of distance are very weak: it is the same in the +moral world. Children try to grasp any shining bauble which strikes +their eyes, no matter whether far or near. Life has not yet taught them +to wait, to plod, and perhaps to be disappointed. The boy is equally +ignorant of the bitter truth, that there is usually but <i>one</i> road which +leads to the high places of this world, and that the ascent, though easy +to some, is impossible to others, for from where they stand there is no +path which leads to the top. And yet how closely is our boyish +admiration of a great man allied to the idea that he is our example and +our hope! Children, when isolated,—that is to say, when they are +deprived of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> the society of other children,—are apt to become dreamers: +and this was young Tengelyi's case. His dreams were of a dangerous kind, +and his conversation was such that his hearers became convinced of fate +having destined that boy to be either very great or very wretched.</p> + +<p>Old Esaias did not indeed suffer from these apprehensions. His son's +enthusiasm, his hatred of tyranny, his love of his kind, proved nothing +to old Tengelyi but that Jonas would turn out a first-rate village +pastor. He never dreamt of this enthusiasm being applied to other +purposes than those of the pulpit; and he did all in his power to +develop the talents of so hopeful a preacher. He enlarged on the +sufferings of the poor and the cruelty of the rich; on the equality of +mankind before God, and the duties we owe to our fellow men.</p> + +<p>In the course of time Jonas was sent to school at Debrezin. Though he +was only thirteen, his character was already formed. His was a boundless +enthusiasm for all things noble and generous; his was an equally +boundless hate against all that is mean; his was the daring which is +ever ready to oppose injustice with words and with deeds; and his was +that austerity of principle which is apt to make a man unjust. In short, +poor Jonas would have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> proved a model man in Utopia. In our own +civilised society, the excess of his good qualities was likely to cause +him to be shunned, if not hated. Nevertheless he was popular with the +masters and the boys; and the happiest years of his life were spent in +the dull routine of a public school. The masters admired his ambition, +and the rapid progress it caused him to make; and though he seldom +condescended to join in the plays and athletic exercises of his +comrades, they paid a free tribute of admiration to his love of justice +and his courage. His studies delighted him, for his soul yearned for +knowledge. Jonas was indeed happy!</p> + +<p>Old Esaias Tengelyi continued meanwhile in his life of tranquillity and +contentment. His humble dwelling grew still more quiet when his son left +it; and the grey-headed pastor walked lonely among the fruit-trees of +his garden, where he formerly used to watch the gambols of his child; +but the serenity of his mind was still the same. His life passed away +like the course of a gentle stream which mixes with the ocean. Esaias +was aware that his days were numbered; but there was nothing appalling +in the thought. He was at peace with God and the world; and though he +grieved to leave his son, his soul yearned for her that had left him. +His last<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> remaining wish was to expire in the arms of his son. His wish +was granted. Jonas returned to Bard, and a fortnight after his return +his father was laid in the grave. The poor of Bard wept with Jonas, for +they too were the old man's children; a simple stone with an inscription +of rude workmanship (for the hands of poor peasants wrought it) marks +the last resting-place of Esaias Tengelyi.</p> + +<p>His father's death threw Jonas into a different career. Hitherto he had +sacrificed his ambition to his sense of duty, but now his choice was +free; and, at his time of life, there are few who will tread an humble +and tranquil path. Jonas preferred to embark in a political career; and +since the study of law is the first condition to eminence, he devoted +the whole of his energies to the rudiments of that dry and uninteresting +science. Having turned his paternal heritage into money, and realised +the modest sum of six hundred florins, he passed three years at the +German universities, but especially at Heidelberg, where the strongest +bonds of friendship united him with that very Rety, in whose village our +readers have seen him established as notary. His studies ended, we find +Jonas Tengelyi at Pesth, in the act of entering into public life. He had +great hopes, great ambition, and very little money. But Jonas<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> was not a +man to be daunted by privations. He took his oath, was admitted as +"juratus," rattled his sword for eighteen months on the steps of the +Curia, and, being thus duly prepared, he was at length admitted to the +bar.</p> + +<p>This period of our hero's life contains nothing whatever for his +biographer or the public to take an interest in, excepting always the +negative wonder of Tengelyi having been a "juratus" for eighteen months +without having once fought, got drunk, or played at billiards. Need we +add that he was very unpopular among his comrades?</p> + +<p>But we will add that Jonas Tengelyi, though deeply read in law, could +not prevail upon his examiners to insert into his diploma a better +qualification than the simple word "laudabilis," while two young +gentlemen, whom he himself had ground for the examination, passed +triumphantly each with a "præclarus." Poor Jonas, though thus roughly +handled at the very threshold of public life, forgot all his grief that +very evening, when he took his seat in the humble conveyance which was +to take him to the county of Takshony. The jolting of the coach which +bore him to the scene of his future struggles, opened the brilliant +realms of a fanciful future to his mind. The past was forgotten.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>The reasons why the young barrister proposed to practise in the county +of Takshony are very obvious. He was not, indeed, a large landholder in +that blessed county, nor could he expect the patronage and the support +of powerful friends. He chose Takshony because, of the fifty-two +Hungarian counties, there was not one which offered more, nor, indeed, +less chances for him, poor and friendless as he was. Hungary was all +before him where to go, and he went to Takshony. If he was to trust the +evidence of the natives of the county, it was the most enlightened +district in the kingdom; and, if credit could be given to the assertions +of its neighbours, there never was a county so destitute of common +sense: a man of Jonas's stamp was therefore certain to prosper in any +case. In an enlightened county his merits were sure to be appreciated, +and in a dull county they were as certain to be wanted. Besides, he +trusted the promises, and looked for the support of his friend Rety, who +was son to the sheriff of Takshony. Tengelyi was, consequently, not a +little elated and excited when, after a tedious journey, the coach +deposited him safe and sound in the high street of the county town, +whose appropriate name in English would be Dustbury. This town, unless a +traveller happens to see it on a market-day, has little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> to distinguish +it from the common run of Hungarian villages; indeed, there would be +considerable danger of its being thus lowly estimated but for the +imposing bulk of the county house, before whose massive gates a batch of +culprits may at all times be heard roaring under the beadle's rod, and +thus proclaiming the force of the laws of Hungary.</p> + +<p>Dustbury, the capital of the county of Takshony, was to be the scene of +Tengelyi's future labours and triumphs. He sent his letters of +recommendation to their various addresses, read his diploma in the +market-place, hired a small study, and waited for clients. Nor did he +wait long. Young physicians and young advocates have in general plenty +to do, but their practice is rather laborious than profitable. As a tax +upon entering public life, they are called upon to exert themselves in +behalf of the poorer members of the community. Tengelyi's turn of mind +made him eminently fit to be the advocate of the poor. He embraced the +cause of his humble clients with uncommon enthusiasm, and pleaded it +with equal warmth. He was the friend and protector of the oppressed, and +his love of justice made him soon something like a marked man in the +town of Dustbury.</p> + +<p>At first his position was rather tolerable, for he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> confined his +practice to criminal cases. A prisoner whom he defended was indeed +condemned to death, and some other clients of his received a severer +sentence than they had a right to expect; but this was, after all, the +gentlest means for the court to show their sense of the impertinence +which prompted "such a vagabond counsel to lecture his betters;" and +certainly the court showed an admirable tact by this indirect +manifestation of the contempt in which they held Tengelyi's pleadings. +But there was no feeling of personal animosity against him, until he +dared to take up a civil process against one of the assessors, whom he +all but forced to refund a certain sum of money which that gentleman had +condescended to accept as a loan from a poor peasant. This affair +settled Tengelyi. The young counsel's impertinence was the nine-days' +wonder of Dustbury. His colleagues shunned him,—his landlord gave him +warning to leave his house,—and there is no doubt that the +self-constituted advocate of the poor would have been ignominiously +suspended from his functions but for the intercession of the sheriff +Rety, who pleaded Tengelyi's extreme youth in extenuation of his +offence. "He is sure to profit by our example," said old Rety; "and when +he has once sown his wild oats he will be a credit to the county."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>An event occurred meanwhile which promised to establish Tengelyi in his +career. The counsel of the Baron Kalihazy died, with sundry cases still +pending on his hands; and the head of the family of Kalihazy, who had +made Tengelyi's acquaintance at Dustbury, thought of appointing the +young barrister to the vacant post of fiscal; that is to say, he +proposed to make him the legal friend and adviser of the Kalihazy +family. So determined was the whimsical Baron to turn the young man's +talents to account, that not all the persuasions of his friends could +induce him to relinquish his insane project, which he was on the point +of executing, when Paul Hajto, the leading counsel of the Dustbury bar, +interfered. Mr. Paul Hajto was the most intimate friend of our hero. +Instead of censuring him for his violence, as others were apt to do, +that worthy man seized every opportunity (when alone with Tengelyi) to +urge him to still more violent attacks upon the court. In the present +instance, too, Mr. Hajto did all in his power to remove Tengelyi from +the temptations which beset the life and threaten the integrity of an +advocate.</p> + +<p>"You are not fit for the bar," he was wont to say: "you are made to +shine in a more elevated sphere. If I were in your place, I would devote +myself<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> wholly to politics. As it is, you lose your cases; your labours +are not only unprofitable, but useless. Hungary wants a thorough reform; +you are the man to regenerate the country. Besides, you can be an +advocate and a politician too, if you <i>will</i> stick to the bar." Tengelyi +resisted; but flattery is too persuasive, especially for youthful minds; +and he set about seriously to prepare a speech for the next Sessions.</p> + +<p>The day came. Tengelyi made his speech, which astonished the whole +assembly, not solely by its classic Latin and its most modern +sentiments. No! The astonishment of the meeting was chiefly caused by +the unheard-of fact that a young advocate, scarcely twenty-four years of +age,—and a man who was not even an assessor, and much less a +landowner,—dared to speak at all. Such effrontery was so marvellous, so +unaccountable, so unheard-of, that the noble members of the meeting were +utterly at a loss to express their disgust. But they did express it +somehow; and the sheriff, and the notary, and the recorder of the county +overwhelmed the young intruder with a torrent of words, of which we will +only say that they were rather sincere than elegant. Tengelyi, nothing +daunted, replied to each of them, and carried the matter so far that +every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> man in the room cried "Actio!"<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> whereupon the discomfited +reformer was obliged to pay the usual fine of five-and-twenty florins +into the recorder's hands.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_I_III" id="SEE_NOTE_I_III"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_I_III">Note III</a>.</p></div> + +<p>The loss of this sum was a severe blow to Tengelyi, who had not another +florin left. Besides this, he lost the fiscalship and the briefs of +Kalihazy's family; for that gentleman was among his opponents, and +Tengelyi had not spared his future patron's arguments or feelings. The +Kalihazy briefs were that very evening made over to his friend, Mr. Paul +Hajto.</p> + +<p>To make a man a martyr is the surest means of making him popular, at +least with <i>one</i> party. Every sheriff, recorder, or notary has at least +<i>one</i> enemy, namely, the man who wishes to oust him in the next +election. The truth of these great political axioms was tested in +Tengelyi's case. His attack upon the magistrates of the county, and his +subsequent martyrdom, gained him some friends. Konkolyi, in particular, +who thought of opposing Rety at the next election, was loud in his +praises of the young man's courage and common sense. The smaller nobles +were not fond of Konkolyi, for they thought him proud; but they idolised +Rety, who had an ami<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span>able way of calling them his cousins, and of taking +a vast interest in the health of their wives and children. Konkolyi had +not, therefore, any chance of prevailing against Rety, though he, too, +exerted himself to the utmost, by means of bounties, drinking-bouts, and +dinners, to convince his fellow nobles of his merits. Hajto was +Konkolyi's fiscal. He was aware that his patron possessed large domains, +a fine castle, and on income of twenty thousand florins a year, and that +a man of such transcendent merits wanted but one thing for the +shrievalty, namely, a trifling majority of votes. But so great was +Rety's popularity, that Hajto had lost all hopes of carrying his +patron's election, when Tengelyi's quarrel with Rety opened a fresh +field for intrigue.</p> + +<p>Hajto came that very evening to see the poor young man; he praised his +speech, censured Rety's tyranny, protested that the county magistrates +<i>must</i> go out at the next election, and finally persuaded him to come to +Konkolyi's house.</p> + +<p>Konkolyi was a courtier, and chamberlain to his Majesty the Emperor. The +great man received Tengelyi with unwonted condescension; and, +corroborating every one of Hajto's words, he protested that poor Jonas +must allow his friends to elect him to the justiceship of the district, +as the only means of giving<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> his opinions the weight which they +deserved. Jonas pleaded his youth, his poverty, his being a stranger to +the county; but his objections were overruled.</p> + +<p>"We know you, my dear Sir, we know you," said the chamberlain, with his +kindest smile. "You have made a speech; that's enough. 'Ex ungue +leonem.' We have put our hearts upon making you a justice. You are +noble; and a nobleman, however poor and unknown he may be, is entitled +to the highest place in the kingdom."</p> + +<p>What could Tengelyi do? He consented, and became a distinguished member +of Konkolyi's party. It was Hajto's task to make him friends among the +lesser nobility. Nothing could be better adapted for this purpose than +the speech which had caused Jonas to be fined at the Sessions. Hajto +took possession of that speech, and translated it,—of course with a few +unimportant alterations. Wherever Tengelyi mentioned the poor, his +translator inserted the words "poor noblemen;" and the blame which +Tengelyi bestowed upon the undue length of criminal prosecutions and the +ill-treatment of the prisoners, was artfully changed into denunciations +of the unseemly despatch which was used in criminal proceedings against +noblemen, and the unjustifiable tyranny of the county magistrates who +refused to bail cer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>tain incarcerated noblemen for the election. If the +author had seen his production in its altered state, the chances are +that he would have disapproved of it; but certain it is that Hajto's +edition of the speech insured its popularity. The noble constituents of +the parishes at Ratsh and Palfalva were in raptures with their new +advocate; and though Rety's party endeavoured to disenchant them by +publishing the original text of the speech, they found it impossible to +undermine Tengelyi's popularity, confirmed as it was by the martyrdom of +an "actio." Whenever the noblemen came to Dustbury, they made a point of +paying their respects to their tribune; whenever he accompanied Konkolyi +to some neighbouring seat, he was received with deafening cheers. His +popularity brought him some more substantial benefits, in the shape of +briefs and fees, for his professional advice; in short, he had every +reason to be satisfied with the progress he had made. His future +promotion was all but certain. But suddenly a compromise was talked of. +Rety was willing to withdraw from the contest under the condition that +his son was accepted as justice. Konkolyi's party opposed, because that +very place was promised to Tengelyi; but Hajto interfered, and, as +usual, succeeded in arranging matters to the satisfaction of all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> +parties concerned. Tengelyi was at that generous time of life when men +are prone to make sacrifices. He, therefore, was prevailed upon to +withdraw his claims to the justiceship, and to solicit the votes of the +county for the inferior post of deputy-justice. The election commenced +in due course, and Konkolyi and the younger Rety were returned. Tengelyi +was pleased with the triumph of his friend, and not the less because +that triumph was obtained at his own expense; but who can picture his +dismay when the election of the deputy came on, and another man, a +friend of Konkolyi's, was chosen to fill that place? His heart was +crushed within him, for he, the proud man, saw too late that he had been +the tool of a party which cast him off the very moment that his services +could be dispensed with. His popularity passed away like a dream. The +part which young Rety had acted in the election was, to say the least, +suspicious; and that brotherly attachment, which distingushed the two +young men at college, received a serious shock. But this was not all. +Jonas loved for the first time in his life; he loved as only those can +love who are alone in the world, for whom there is no other being on the +face of the earth whom they place their trust in, whom they hope for, +and to whom they cling. Erzsi, the object<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> of Tengelyi's attachment, was +fully deserving of his love; but she was poor: nevertheless our hero +married her. He was consequently still more imperatively called upon to +resign his early dreams of glory, and to devote his energies to gain a +livelihood.</p> + +<p>Tengelyi and his wife left Dustbury; but they returned two years later +poorer than ever, and the more disappointed from the very humbleness of +their wishes and plans. In the course of those two years he had tried to +keep a village school, to be tutor in a rich man's family, and to act as +steward on another rich man's lands; but he signally failed in each. His +return to Dustbury marked the saddest period of his life. Up to that +time he had undergone privations; now he suffered from want; his +struggles with the world had been full of disappointments, but now he +was borne down by utter hopelessness. Thus he passed three years of +misery; and although Rety had by this time succeeded to his father's +estate, and to the almost hereditary dignity of sheriff of the county, +he never assisted his old friend. He respected Tengelyi too much to +relieve the poor man's necessities by a gift of money: his principles +were too rigorous to allow him to use his influence and his patronage in +behalf of his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> friend. Nevertheless, after three years of unutterable +wretchedness, Tengelyi was surprised to see Rety enter his little house. +The sheriff came to tell his old friend that the notary of Tissaret was +just dead; and offering that place to Tengelyi, he assured him, with a +generosity which did honour to his heart, that the new notary should +have the same immunity from local and parish burdens which had been from +time immemorial enjoyed by all his predecessors in office.</p> + +<p>Jonas thanked Rety for this unexpected favour. That very week he went to +Tissaret, where we found him at the commencement of our tale, as a +village notary of twenty years' standing, and with grey hair, but still +sound in mind and body. The twenty years he lived at Tissaret had passed +as such a number of years in the life of a poor village notary is likely +to pass; nor did they contain any notable events beyond Tengelyi's +acquiring a small freehold in the parish of Tissaret, and the birth of +two children, a daughter and a son, the former of whom grew up to be the +prettiest girl in the county. Perhaps we might add, that Mrs. Ershebet +had lately lost part of that sweetness of temper which formerly +warranted the name of "<i>good</i> Erzsi," which Tengelyi was pleased to give +her, and that his friendship<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> with Rety had ever since the last election +fallen into the seer and yellow leaf. But this is all. Years had passed +over his head without changing his character; his sufferings had, in a +manner, soured his temper, but his love of justice was the same, and his +courage in behalf of the oppressed remained undaunted. Mrs. Ershebet had +a right to say, as indeed she did, that her husband would never come to +be prudent and make his way in the world.</p> + +<p>Tengelyi had but one friend, viz. Balthasar Vandory, the whole tenour of +whose mind was in the strangest contrast with his own. Where Tengelyi +condemned, Vandory was sure to excuse; and whenever the perpetration of +some great wrong turned all Tengelyi's blood to gall, his strictures +upon the cruelty and injustice of mankind failed to move Vandory to any +more determined sentiment than deep grief. The notary was at war with +the world; the curate was reconciled to it.</p> + +<p>Little was known of Vandory's previous history. He never made any +allusion to his family, but his accent gave unmistakeable proof of his +Magyar origin. His parishioners adored him, and even the Retys made no +exception to the general rule.</p> + +<p>My readers are now informed of all that can be said of the character and +the history of the notary<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> and his friend. I will therefore leave them +alone to improve their acquaintance with Tengelyi, who, after parting +with the curate, proceeded to the gate of his house, which he was +prevented from entering by his daughter Vilma.</p> + +<p>"I cannot let you go in," said she; "I want to ask something, and you +must grant it."</p> + +<p>"Well, what is it?" said Tengelyi, smiling at her earnestness.</p> + +<p>"I want you not to be angry."</p> + +<p>"Why should I be angry?"</p> + +<p>"Because we have done something without your knowledge."</p> + +<p>"Very well then," said Tengelyi, laughing, "I pledge my word I will not +be angry."</p> + +<p>"But you must also approve of it."</p> + +<p>"That is a different thing altogether; but if <i>you</i> did it, I think I +can promise as much." With these words the notary followed his daughter +into the house.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_I_III" id="CHAPTER_I_III"></a>CHAP. III</h3> + + +<p>The village of Tissaret was peaceful and quiet when the notary returned +to his house. A few workmen wending their way homewards from the +meadows, with their scythes on their shoulders, walked slowly along, +stopping every now and then to say good night to the people in the +houses. The evening-bell swang slowly to and fro, sending its drowsy +tones over the country. The very tavern was all but deserted; and Itzig, +the Jew, who usually sold his liquors at high prices because he was in +the habit of giving credit on the security of next year's harvest, +lounged in the hall, listless and sullen. The manor-house, and the +surrounding fields and gardens, were not less quiet, which is saying a +great deal, for a Hungarian manor-house is usually the noisiest place in +the village. But we know that the son of the house, accompanied by all +the dogs, was out hare-hunting; and as for the sheriff, he was closeted +with the chief bailiff and the recorder. The conversation of the three +dignitaries would doubtless have touched upon very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> weighty matters, had +it not been for the sultriness of the day, which set them "All +a-nodding," as the old song has it. And the sheriff's lady's voice, +which usually filled the house as the song of the nightingale does the +woods, with the sole difference that Lady Rety's voice waxed louder in +tone, and more frequent in use, as she advanced in the summer of her +years; Lady Rety's voice, too, was silent in the hall, for that lady +walked in the garden. That garden was a splendid place! It contained a +hermitage, an oven to dry plums in, a pigeon-house built like a temple, +a fishpond, with a fisherman's hut, a grotto, a cottage, and a variety +of other things, bearing witness to the inventive genius of the Retys, +and astonishing the travellers who were favoured with a view of its +marvels, its stout Bacchuses, thin Pomonas, artificial ruins, and +Chinese arbours. Its furthest end merged in a poplar wood—a real wood +of real poplars, and which, but for the unaccountable fancy which the +lord lieutenant had taken to it, would long ago have been compelled to +make room for a batch of new wonders which the sheriff Rety longed to +establish in his garden. For truly that poplar wood was quite a savage +place; there was no trace of modern civilisation and refinement in its +luxuriant foliage and the sturdy generation of brushwood<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> which +surrounded the massive trees. A single path wound through it, or, +rather, round about in it. In this path we see Lady Rety engaged in an +important and interesting discussion with her most humble and obedient +servant and solicitor, Mr. Catspaw.</p> + +<p>Lady Rety is of a <i>certain</i> age—I cannot possibly say more on so +delicate a point—she is tall and full-grown. Her hair—though we have +none of us a right to judge of her hair until we see her without a cap, +an event which is very unlikely to happen—is most probably dark, +unless, indeed, we are deceived by the colour of her thick eyebrows, and +of that slight but treacherous shade on her upper lip. Lady Rety's face +is full of majesty, but at certain times (and these times are very +<i>certain</i>, for they embrace a regular period of six months out of +thirty) that face is beyond all measure condescending and kind, though +its usual expression is one of scornful pride, which, by the agency of +two warts on her upper lip and chin, becomes so strongly marked that it +merges into something like an habitual sneer. The lucky possessor of +that sneer is as high-bred a lady as any in the country; her household +is on a grand scale; none of her dinners was ever shorter than two +hours, and her courts and outhouses are full of poultry and guests, of +which the latter, if of high rank, are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> waited upon with the kindest +consideration. Lady Rety's voice is of an easy flow, like a generous +fountain, and sweeping, for it would shake even stronger walls than +those of Jericho, besides causing the servants to quake. Her discourse +is admirable, for it is a verbal repetition of the sayings of her liege +lord. This rare instance of conjugal harmony alone would entitle Lady +Rety to our respect; but we are free to confess that we venerate her for +that sound knowledge of common and statute law, which her conversation +betrays, and which marks her as a practical woman, besides giving to her +words, as such knowledge never fails to do, a peculiar grace and +amiability. There was not a lawyer in the kingdom fonder of arguing a +point of law; and so great was her discernment and readiness of mind, +that Mr. Catspaw would often confess that he purloined the substance of +his best pleadings from the conversations of the most noble, the Lady +Rety.</p> + +<p>Mr. Catspaw himself is a small spare man of more than fifty years of +age, with a pale face, a pointed nose, and a pair of small restless +eyes, whose look, though piercing, it is difficult to catch. His back is +bent, more from habit than from age. Add to this his high bald forehead, +and his scanty hair of bristling grey, and you will have a tolerable +idea of Mr. Cats<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>paw's outward man. He was most devoted to the Rety +family, in whose service he had passed the last thirty years, and with +whom he had at length come to identify himself. This last assertion of +his was of course contradicted by his enemies, who protested that his +attachment to the Retys sprang from motives of the most sordid +selfishness. But however this may be, certain it is that on the evening +in question the worthy solicitor was by no means identified, either with +the Rety family in general, or with Lady Rety in particular; for while +that majestic lady stalked through the poplar wood, with Mr. Catspaw +following at her heels, she favoured him with a very violent oration; +nor would she condescend to listen to the humble remonstrance, by means +of which the lawyer sought to assuage her anger. For, shaking her head +with great impatience, she gave that learned gentleman to understand +that it was easy to talk,—that every body was aware that Mr. Catspaw +would not allow any one to speak,—and that real devotion showed itself +by deeds. "I will candidly tell you," said Lady Rety, stopping short, +and thumping her parasol on the ground, "what you told me drives me to +despair!"</p> + +<p>"But, my lady, allow me to observe, that there is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> no reason why you +should despair, for I am sure——"</p> + +<p>"Oh! I dare say! You don't despair—not you! What do <i>you</i> care for our +troubles? You do not mind what becomes of us!—you have your profession, +and who knows but——"</p> + +<p>Here she was in her turn interrupted by Mr. Catspaw. "Is this my +thanks," cried the solicitor, in a generous passion; "is this my thanks +for my service of thirty years? I, Adam Catspaw, have more than once +risked my life in promoting the interests of your family, and, in lieu +of gratitude, you suspect me!"</p> + +<p>"I really beg your pardon," said Lady Rety, very humbly, for she saw at +once that her zeal had led her too far, and that she was not now +addressing her husband,—"I am a woman, and my unfortunate +circumstances—and——"</p> + +<p>"All this is very fine, my lady," retorted Mr. Catspaw, emboldened by +his success; "but your ladyship talks always advisedly. All I can do is +to look out for another place. A solicitor whom his employers +suspect——"</p> + +<p>"But who tells you that we suspect you?" entreated Lady Rety. "It is you +on whom we rely.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> What could we do without you? Besides, you know our +promise about the grant."</p> + +<p>"As for the grant," muttered Mr. Catspaw in a milder tone, "the Lord +knows I toil not for the sake of gain; but if, for my faithful +service—<i>ob fidelia servitia</i>—you will remember me, I am sure my +gratitude will outlast my life."</p> + +<p>"I know that your generous mind scorns to be selfish; but for all that +it is a fine grant, and though its value is as nothing to your services, +still it is a splendid property."</p> + +<p>"And I will obtain it, in spite of a thousand obstacles!" exclaimed the +solicitor.</p> + +<p>The lady sighed. "Are you still confident? As for me, I have no hope!"</p> + +<p>"But why? because our first attempt had no success? This is mere +childishness. Consider: the man who broke into Vandory's house was as +expert a thief as any. To avert suspicion, I instructed him to take not +only the papers which your ladyship wants, but also some money and +trinkets—it made the affair look like a <i>bonâ fide</i> robbery. But the +fellow did not find any money, and while he was rummaging the drawers, +the curate came home and alarmed the neighbours. Tzifra had not time to +look for the papers; all he could do was to escape through<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> the window. +Those papers are at present in Tengelyi's house, who, I am informed, +keeps them in the iron safe near the door, with his own papers and the +parish records. I pledge my word that we find them, and perhaps +something else, for I have an account to settle with that notary."</p> + +<p>"But the notary's house is much frequented. I tremble lest Tzifra should +be caught."</p> + +<p>"In that case we will hang him fast enough," said Mr. Catspaw, with +great composure; "God be praised! the county has the Statarium."</p> + +<p>"But supposing he were to confess?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! he won't confess. Leave me to manage that; and if he were to +attempt it, I promise you he shall be hanged before he can do it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, if you could but know,"—cried Lady Rety—"if you could but know +what it costs me to take this step; and when I consider—that—but who +can help it? The honour of my name, the welfare of my children—all that +which makes life worth having, compels me——"</p> + +<p>"A mother shrinks from no sacrifice for her children's sake!" said Mr. +Catspaw, wiping his eyes, for the darkness allowed him to dispense with +tears. "Nobody," continued he, "knows the goodness of your heart as I +do; but, Lady Rety, if the world<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> could know it, it would go down on its +knees before you!"</p> + +<p>"God forbid!" cried Lady Rety, alarmed but still pleased; for she was +happy to see the ease with which so ugly a thing as theft undoubtedly is +could be brought to assume the more grateful names of motherly devotion +and generosity of feeling. "God forbid that any body besides you and I +should know of this matter. The world is severe in its judgments, and +perhaps it might be said——"</p> + +<p>The lady did not finish her sentence. She was astonished, for she felt +herself blush.</p> + +<p>Mr. Catspaw understood the feelings of his patroness. "Why should you +thus torment yourself?" said he. "It is an every-day affair, to say the +worst of it. Such things are so common in Hungary, that nobody ever +thinks twice of them, excepting perhaps the party who fancies he is +aggrieved. Title deeds, mortgage deeds, and promissory notes are lost +somehow or other; but who cares? The present case is not half so +bad—for what are the papers your ladyship wishes to possess? Why, they +are simply some confidential letters, most of them in the sheriff's own +handwriting, which you have an objection to leave in the hands of +strangers. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> matter is most innocent, though the manner is perhaps in +a way open to objection."</p> + +<p>"Yes! yes! the manner!" sighed Lady Rety. "It is +house-breaking—robbery—Heaven knows how they might call it!"</p> + +<p>"It is indeed burglary," observed the man of the law; "but who is the +burglar? The man who actually breaks into the house, I should hope. +Suppose A. talks to B., who, though not a very respectable character, is +not at the time under any criminal prosecution, and whom the law +consequently supposes to be an honest man; and suppose A. tells B., in +the course of conversation, of a certain packet of papers in a certain +closet in Mr. Vandory's house, which packet of papers A. wishes to +possess, either from curiosity, or caprice, or for some scientific +purpose; and suppose A. were to remark, quite incidentally of course, +that he would gladly give one hundred florins to any man who should +bring him the said packet: suppose all this, and tell me whether such a +conversation could be called criminal? Of course not. Very well then; +now suppose A. adds that the curate is to be from home on Saturday +night, he being asked to take supper at the manor-house, and that it has +been observed that the door which leads to the garden is never locked, +and that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> there was indeed danger of some dishonest person scaling the +garden wall and committing the abominable crime of stealing the said +papers,—than which indeed nothing could be more easy; suppose A., who +is something of a gossip, says all this in the course of conversation, +is there anything criminal in mentioning a neighbour's imprudence? By no +means. Well then, and if B. is wicked enough to abuse A.'s confidence, +if B. scales the garden wall, enters the house and steals the +packet—can you accuse poor A. of having committed a robbery? And if B. +takes the packet to A.—thereby reminding A. of his promise to pay a +certain sum of money to any man who should bring the packet—is not A. +bound to abide by his word? That is my case. As an honest man, I pay the +money; the rest does not concern me."</p> + +<p>"You are quite right," said Lady Rety; "but the world judges +differently."</p> + +<p>"Of course the world does; but then it is always wrong. However, the +world will never know of this business."</p> + +<p>"I, too, should think so, if those papers were still at Vandory's," +returned Lady Rety; "but they are at Tengelyi's. His house is much +frequented; besides, there is a watchman at night."</p> + +<p>"True, but the papers are in an iron safe; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> though there are but two +keys to the said safe, there are plenty of locksmiths in the world."</p> + +<p>Here the conversation was interrupted by young Rety's retriever breaking +through the brushwood and running up to Lady Rety.</p> + +<p>"My son is come home," said she; "let us go to the house." She was in +the act of going when the manner and the barking of the dog directed her +attention to the thicket, and to a slight rustling among the branches. +The dog advanced, but returned, after a few minutes, yelping and +limping. Akosh Rety and his sister, Etelka, came up at that moment and +joined the pale and trembling pair.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter?" said Akosh.</p> + +<p>"Did you not hear any thing?" replied his mother.</p> + +<p>"Of course! My retriever barked. There must be a dog or a fox +somewhere."</p> + +<p>"No, young gentleman," cried Mr. Catspaw, with his eyes still directed +to the spot whence the noise had proceeded, "I'll stake my life on it, +it was a man."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps some poor fellow from the village," said Akosh, caressing the +dog.</p> + +<p>"The fellow has heard our conversation. I am positive he came to +listen!" said Lady Rety, greatly excited, and to the signal annoyance of +Mr. Catspaw.</p> + +<p>"I cannot think he did," said Etelka. "Mr. Cats<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>paw is indeed known to +be the worthiest person alive, but I cannot believe that anybody will +creep up in the darkness to listen to him, and in October too."</p> + +<p>The attorney frowned. "My dear Miss," returned he, "you do not +understand these things. We were discussing matters of great +moment—there are several suits now pending——"</p> + +<p>"Ah! I understand!" cried Akosh, laughing. "You mean to say that the +counsel for the other side has lurked among the trees to find out the +plans of our crafty attorney. But why not arrest the culprit? Gallant +Mr. Catspaw, I understand, does not shrink from any odds."</p> + +<p>"I!" said the little man, trembling, "I should——"</p> + +<p>"Of course. Why should you not? Come along with me. If there's any one +hidden in these bushes, we will have him out in no time!"</p> + +<p>"I really beg your pardon, <i>domine spectabilis</i>!" cried Mr. Catspaw, in +great distress, while Akosh pulled him along; "but, <i>domine +spectabilis</i>, we are quite defenceless, and the night is very +dark—and—and—shall I call for help?"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! The fellow will be gone long before anybody can come to +assist us. Come along, dear sir! Let my mother and Etelka go home, while +you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> and I, heroes both, brave all dangers. Let us conquer or die, or +run away. Is it not so, most intrepid of fee-taking counsel?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Catspaw was by far too much engrossed with fear for his personal +safety to care for the jokes of his companion; nevertheless he protested +that it might be advisable to send for the servant. But Lady Rety +entreated him to accompany Akosh; and, after some further delay (for he +wisely thought his best plan would be to give the listener a good +start), the little attorney at length buttoned his coat with great +deliberation, and loudly protesting that he had no fear, as far as his +own safety was concerned, he followed Akosh into the thicket, while Lady +Rety and Etelka directed their steps to the house: the dog, thinking +perhaps that one beating was enough for one evening, accompanied them.</p> + +<p>Young Rety and his reluctant companion were meanwhile beating the bushes +in search of the mysterious stranger. Mr. Catspaw was vastly comforted +by the darkness, which his instinct taught him would defeat the plans of +any assassin who might fire at them; and, besides, if by ill-luck they +should fall in with a stranger, he was firmly resolved to run away and +call for assistance. But there was little chance of any unpleasant +<i>rencontre</i>, for, what with the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> darkness and the brushwood, and the +time which had been lost by Mr. Catspaw's prudent delay, Akosh could not +expect to do any thing, except to annoy his mother's man of business. +And annoy him he did, by madly rushing into the thickest part of the +wood, and causing the branches of the trees to strike Mr. Catspaw's +face, until at length they arrived at the furthest border of the +plantation. Here Akosh stopped, and, turning to Catspaw, who stood +breathless by his side, he said, "I'll take my oath there is no one in +the wood; will you now confess that you were mistaken, or frightened by +a hare or partridge, or some such formidable animal?"</p> + +<p>"It was a sound of human footsteps; Lady Rety is my witness, and I——"</p> + +<p>"Of course, if that is the case, let us go back and beat through another +part of the plantation, until the fellow is caught."</p> + +<p>"Don't, don't!" sighed Mr. Catspaw. "I am sure no one is there; goodness +knows our search was minute enough. I can scarcely stand on my feet," +added the little attorney, wiping his forehead.</p> + +<p>"Very well, sir, if you are satisfied that nobody is hid here, I am so +too. But let us cross the ditch; there is some chance of finding him on +the other<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> side." Saying which, Akosh leaped over the ditch, while Mr. +Catspaw descended into the depth of the cutting, from whence a few bold +gymnastic evolutions brought him to the other side. Having joined his +companion, the two men walked silently on, and disappeared at length +round the corner of the garden-wall.</p> + +<p>All around was hushed. The night was as dark and comfortless as October +nights usually are. The brilliant setting of the sun was followed by a +looming and cloudy sky. The wind sighed over the boundless heath, +shaking the yellow leaves from the trees. Here and there a solitary +star, or the watch-fire on the far pasture-land, threw a faint and +melancholy light on the scene. The footsteps of the two men were lost in +the distance, and the stillness of night was at intervals interrupted +only by the distant barking of a dog, or a shepherd's song floating on +the breeze, when a man rose from the ditch close to the place where +Akosh and Catspaw had crossed. His broad-brimmed hat, and the rough +sheep-skin which hung over his shoulders, were enough to hide his +features and stature, even if the night had been clearer. The man +listened to the song as it rung through the stilly night, and, after +looking cautiously round to satisfy himself that no one was near, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> +stepped out of the ditch and hastened towards the fire.</p> + +<p>But it is time we should return to Tengelyi, whom we left just when, +accompanied by his daughter, he crossed the threshold of his humble +dwelling.</p> + +<p>Reader, did you ever know domestic happiness? did you merely see it in +others, or are you among the blessed whose homes are heavens of peace +and love? If sacred family love is known to you; if you are convinced +that this, the most precious gift of heaven, can only fall to the share +of a pure heart; if you feel that all the distinctions, all the glory we +struggle for, all the wealth we covet, are an nothing to the joy and +love of the domestic hearth; then you will enter the notary's house with +a feeling of reverence, and you will pray that happiness and peace may +continue to dwell there.</p> + +<p>After Tengelyi sat down, he said to his daughter, "Now tell me the great +secret, for you must know," added he, addressing his wife, "that Vilma +would not allow me to enter the house until I consented to pass a bill +of indemnity in her behalf.'</p> + +<p>"I know," said Mrs. Ershebet; "and I consented only to please my +daughter. Speak, Vilma!"</p> + +<p>But Vilma did not speak. She looked vainly for a form of words in which +to prefer her suit.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span>"Am I to be informed of the matter or not?" said Tengelyi, impatiently. +"She cannot have committed a crime!"</p> + +<p>"Of course not, dear father. But you promised me not to be angry."</p> + +<p>"To be angry? do I look like a tyrant? Tell me girl, where have you +learned to fear your father?"</p> + +<p>"No, father, I am not afraid of you," said Vilma. "If I did wrong, I +know you will tell me that it was wrong, and I shall have your pardon +for it. But I do not think I did wrong. You know there was an execution +in the village, and you went away with Vandory, for you said you could +be of no use to the poor people, and their sorrow grieved you too much. +Mother and I remained at home, and saw all the horror. They took our +neighbour's cows, and from John Farkash they took the pillows and +blankets of his bed, and Peter's widow (you know she used to sell eggs, +and do jobs in the town,) has lost her donkey. The son of the woman +Farkash would not allow them to take his mother's bed away, and they +beat him and bound him with cords, and took him to the justice's. They +say he is going to prison to-morrow. We saw and heard all this," +continued Vilma, wiping her eyes, "and we wept<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> bitterly. Mother said it +must be so, for the taxes are put on by law, and these poor people were +not able to pay their dues. But I prayed that you might come home soon, +for you read so often in your law-books, and I should say there <i>must</i> +be some little law in those books providing that something at least +ought to be left to the poor who cannot pay their taxes, hard though +they may work."</p> + +<p>"You are wrong, dearest child," said Tengelyi, "you would vainly look +for such a law in my books. The nation have been so busy for the last +800 years, that they have not found time to make such a law."</p> + +<p>"Have they not? Then I am afraid their laws will do little good, for +they want God's blessing!" said Vilma, with a deep sigh. "But though the +law may not, our Creed assuredly does command us to pity our neighbour's +sufferings, and therefore I went to Mrs. Farkash to see whether I could +not help them in some way. We are not rich, but we can do something for +an honest man, and the Farkashes were always good neighbours."</p> + +<p>"You did right, my daughter," said Tengelyi, whose eyes filled with +tears. "You did right; may God bless you! I, too, have eaten the bread +of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> poverty; and I will not shut my door against my neighbour."</p> + +<p>"I thought so, too," said Mrs. Tengelyi, pressing her husband's hand.</p> + +<p>"When I came to the house," continued Vilma, "I found them all in +despair. Old Farkash sat on the floor, leaning his head on his hands, +and looking at the empty stable; his wife was bewailing the loss of her +son. The lesser children sat by the stove: they could not understand +what had happened, but they wept with their mother. In the room were a +few broken chairs; and the straw from the bed was spread about the +floor, just as if the German soldiers had sacked the house. And the +neighbours were there, comforting the poor family, and cursing the +officers;—my heart bleeds to think of it! I did my best to console +Mother Farkash. I promised her that the curate should talk to the +sheriff, and that her son should not go to prison; for she was most +afraid of that, saying, that all men who were sent to prison, were sure +to come back robbers. She thanked me for my promise, but declined our +assistance; for she said, if her son were free, they could manage to go +on. 'We poor people,' said she, 'stand by each other; one of my +neighbours gives me some bedding, another gives me bread, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> a third, +a few pence; and so, mayhap, the Lord will help us on. If Mr. Kenihazy +had paid for the two horses which my husband sold him at Whitsuntide, we +would never have come to this. But there's the misfortune. We are +distrained for the taxes, and yet we are not allowed to claim our own. +But at the Restauration<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a>, I mean to go and speak to the +Lord-Lieutenant. At the last Restauration, he helped several of our +neighbours, who had claims on Mr. Skinner, the justice.'</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> General elections.</p></div> + +<p>"'Oh, you are well off, you are!' said old Mother Liptaka. 'You have got +a husband, and Missie tells us that John shall not go to prison, and he +will work for you. Besides, you are an honest woman; but what is to +become of Viola's wife? She is dying,—she, and her baby, and the little +lad, and she has got a sentinel in the room, for the justice has ordered +them to arrest every one that comes near the house—let alone entering +it; for he says they are Viola's pals, every man of them. And that same +Susi was a pretty girl and a good girl, when a child; it is not her +fault, is it, that her husband is a robber? Missie, if you could help +poor Susi, 'twere a good deed!'</p> + +<p>"I inquired after Susi," continued Vilma, "and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> understood that Viola, +formerly a wealthy peasant, had become very poor, for that he, as a +robber, could not attend to his husbandry. His cattle and his ploughs +were taken away, his fields are untilled, and his poor wife is left +alone with two children. She is ill, almost dying. I told them to show +me to the house, for I knew they would not suspect me of being an +accomplice of Viola."</p> + +<p>"You were right," said the notary; "pray go on." Thus encouraged, Vilma +continued,—"The misery of the Farkash family was indeed as nothing to +the wretchedness which I saw at Viola's. On approaching the house, I was +struck by a fearful noise. The justice has been informed that Viola +intends to see his family this very night; he has put three haiduks into +the house, ordering them to lie there and to catch Viola in case he +should enter. The haiduks were drunk, and would not allow anybody to +leave the house, lest Viola might be informed of the snare that was laid +for him,—although their drunken noise rendered this precaution +perfectly superfluous. The house was quite empty; nothing was left but a +heap of ashes on the hearth, and the seat by the stove, which is of +clay, and which could not be taken away; every other particle of +furniture that might have been there had fallen into the clutches of the +justice.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> When I entered the kitchen the corporal recognised me at once, +for he has often brought letters to our house. He came up to me, and +asked me what I wanted; and on my telling him that I had come to look +after the sick woman, he said it was scarcely worth while, and that the +woman might be dead, for all he knew to the contrary; but if she lived +till to-morrow, she would be a widow by the hangman's grace. His +comrades laughed at this rude joke, but when I insisted on seeing the +woman Viola, the corporal took me to the room where she lay. I asked +them to remain quiet, though only for a little while, and entered the +apartment, which was so dark that it was a good while before I could +discern any thing. The poor thing lay in a corner on a heap of musty +straw. The baby and the little boy lay by her side. They did not speak. +The noise of the revellers outside contrasted painfully with the silence +in the room. The woman was asleep, and so was the baby, but the little +boy knew me, and creeping up to me and nestling in my arms, he told me +the history of their misfortunes. Three days ago his mother had fallen +sick. She had a bed to lie on; but early this morning the justice came, +and ordered her to pay one hundred and fifty florins. She had no money, +and could not pay; the justice cursed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> her, and told the haiduks to take +everything away. His mother was driven from her bed, and old Liptaka was +kicked out of doors by the justice, who told the haiduks to sit and +drink in the kitchen. 'After this the justice went away; and mother has +been in a sad state ever since,' added the poor boy, weeping; 'and I +have made her a bed of the straw which they tore from our good bed. It +was all that mother could do to creep up and lie on the straw, and she +has been wandering in her mind ever since. The justice and the soldiers +said terrible things. They said father would come in the night, and they +would hang him. Mother has gone on about that. I was quite frightened. +After that, my little brother fell a-weeping, and it struck me that he +had not had anything to eat. As for me, I was very hungry,—so I stole +out to ask our neighbours to give me some bread; but they would not, for +the justice has said that no one should give us any thing, and that we +are to die like dogs! I brought nothing but some water, and a few +flowers which I broke from the hedge for my little brother to play with, +for I would not come back empty-handed.' That is the boy's story. He +wept bitterly while he told it."</p> + +<p>"Poor little fellow!" said Tengelyi, "his is indeed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> an early knowledge +of life's bitterness;" and, turning to Mrs. Ershebet, he added, "I trust +you sent some relief to those wretched people. I'll go at once and see +what can be done for them."</p> + +<p>"Do not trouble yourself, father, dear," interposed Vilma. "We did not +send them any thing; we have brought them to this house."</p> + +<p>"To my house!" exclaimed Tengelyi. "Did you consider the consequences?"</p> + +<p>"I did. I considered that they were sure to perish if they remained +where they were; and I entreated the corporal, and implored him, and +vowed that I would bear the blame, until he gave me his permission to +remove the woman to this house. Nay, more, he helped me to carry her."</p> + +<p>"You were right in taking them away," said Tengelyi, walking to and fro, +evidently distressed; "I only wish you had taken them to some other +place. I would willingly pay for any thing they want. But here! the +robber's family in the house of the notary of Tissaret! What will my +enemies say to that?"</p> + +<p>"But, father, you often told me that we need not care for the judgment +of mankind, if we know and feel that we do that which is good and +right."</p> + +<p>"Of course, if we are quite convinced of that.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> But they tell me Viola +is passionately fond of his wife. She is ill, and he will brave all +dangers to come and see her. What am I to do? My duty, as a public +functionary, forces me to arrest him, while my feelings revolt at the +idea."</p> + +<p>"I know you will not arrest him, dearest father," said Vilma, softly. +"You cannot do it."</p> + +<p>"And suppose I allow him to escape, what then? I shall lose my place. I +bear the stigma of being the accomplice of a robber, and nothing is left +to us but to beg our bread in the streets."</p> + +<p>"No, father, that will never be!" said Vilma, confidingly, though her +eyes filled with tears. "God cannot punish you for a good action."</p> + +<p>"God may not, but men will sometimes. But do not weep," added Tengelyi, +seeing his daughter's tears, "we cannot now undo what you have done, and +perhaps my fears are worse than the reality."</p> + +<p>"Oh do not be angry with me," sobbed Vilma. "I never thought of the +consequences. I never thought that I <i>could</i> be the cause of so great a +misfortune."</p> + +<p>"Angry?" cried the old man, pressing her to his heart—"I be angry with +<i>you</i>? Art thou not my own daughter, my joy, and my pride? my fairest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> +remembrance of the past, my brightest hope of the future?"</p> + +<p>"But if Viola were to come," said Vilma, still weeping, "and if things +were to happen as you said just now?"</p> + +<p>"I know he will not come," replied the anxious father, who would have +given anything to have concealed his apprehensions. "And if he were to +come, it is ten to one that nobody will know of it. You know I am always +full of fears. At all events it is not <i>your</i> fault, for if I had been +at home, and if I had known of this woman's distress, I too would have +taken her to my house—ay! so I would, though all the world were to turn +against me. Dry your tears," he continued, kissing Vilma's forehead, +"you did but your duty. Now go and look after the woman, while I go to +Vandory: he is half a doctor."</p> + +<p>Saying this, the notary hastened away to hide his tears, and as he went +he passed some severe strictures on his own weakness, which caused him +to indulge in tears, a thing which is only pardonable in a woman.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_I_IV" id="CHAPTER_I_IV"></a>CHAP. IV.</h3> + + +<p>The stranger of the ditch, whom we left in the act of approaching the +fire, had meanwhile accomplished that object, and proceeded to the place +where a man sat squatting by the flame, poking the burning straws with +his staff, and singing a low and mournful melody.</p> + +<p>"Are you at it again? again singing the Nagyidai Nota?"<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> said the +stranger, touching the singer's shoulder.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_I_IV" id="SEE_NOTE_I_IV"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_I_IV">Note IV</a>.</p></div> + +<p>Peti the gipsy (for it was he who kept his lonely watch by the fire) +started up, and, seizing hold of the stranger's hand, dragged him away +from the light, whispering, "For God's sake, take care! Some one might +see you!"</p> + +<p>"Are you mad?" retorted the stranger, disengaging his hands, and +returning to the fire. "I've lain in the ditch, and am all a-muck. I +must have a warm."</p> + +<p>"No, Viola, no!" urged Peti, "the village is filled with your enemies. +Who knows but some of them are by? and if you are seen you are done +for!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span>"Now be reasonable, old man," replied Viola, taking his seat by the +fire. "Not a human being is there on this heath that I wot of. What is +it you fear?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! you know this very afternoon you and I, we were near the wood of +St. Vilmosh, and the Pandurs were here close to the park palings, and +yet they knew you even at that distance."</p> + +<p>"Yes, very much as we knew them. They presumed it was I. But if they +have a mind to make my acquaintance, I'd better look after the priming +of my pistols. So! Now let them come. After sunset I fear no man."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Viola, Viola!" cried Peti. "I know your boldness will be your bane. +You laugh at danger, but danger will overtake you."</p> + +<p>"But, after all, were it not better to die than to live as I do?" said +the robber, feeling the edge of his axe. "I curse the day at dawn +because the light of the sun marks my track to the pursuer. The wild +bird in the brake causes me to tremble. The trunk of a fallen tree fills +me with dread; for who knows but it may hide the form of an enemy? I fly +from those I love. I pass my days among the beasts of the forests, and +my dreams are of the gallows and the hangman. Such is my life! Be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>lieve +me, Peti, I have little cause to be in love with life!"</p> + +<p>"But your wife and your children!"</p> + +<p>"Ah! you are right! my wife and my children!" sighed the robber, and +stared fixedly at the fire, whose faint glow sufficed to display to Peti +the cloud of deep melancholy which passed over the manly features of his +companion.</p> + +<p>Viola was a handsome man. His high forehead, partly covered by a forest +of the blackest locks, the bold look of his dark eyes, the frank and +manly expression of his sunburnt face, the ease and the beauty of each +movement of his lofty form, impressed you with the idea that in him you +beheld one of those men who, though Nature meant them to be great and +glorious, pass by humble and unheeded; happy if their innate power for +good and for ill remains a secret; yes, happy are they if they are +allowed to live and die as the many, with but few to love them and few +to hate.</p> + +<p>"Don't be sad, comrade," said Peti. "It's a long lane that has no +turning. But go you must, for here you are in danger of your life. The +election is at hand, and Mr. Skinner has every chance of losing his part +in it. He will move heaven and earth to catch you. After I met you this +afternoon, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> Pandurs arrested me, and took me to him. May the devil +burn his bones! but he treated me cruelly: he was so savage that my hair +stood on end. Had it not been for the younger Akosh (God bless him!), +I'd be now taking my turn at the whipping-post. He has his spies among +us; he did not mention their names, but certain it is that he knows of +every step you take; I protest nothing short of a miracle can have saved +you! But certainly if we had not agreed to meet by this fire, you could +scarcely have escaped him. The landlord and his servants are bound and +locked up in the cellar, and Pandurs, dressed up as peasants, watch in +the inn. There are also Pandurs in your house; and the peasants have +been ordered to arm themselves with pitchforks, and to sally out when +the church-bells give the signal. When I was Mr. Skinner's prisoner he +cursed me, and mentioned his preparations; I have found out that he said +rather too little than too much."</p> + +<p>Viola rose. "There are Pandurs in my house, and you tell me that my wife +is ill?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! do not mind <i>her</i>. Susi has left the house; she is as comfortable +as a creature can be with the fever. They have taken her to the notary's +house."</p> + +<p>"To Tengelyi's? Is she a prisoner?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>"Oh, by no means; it's all Christian love and charity. Oh! friend, that +same Christian love is a rare thing in these times. May God bless them +for what they do for her!"</p> + +<p>"Christian love and charity! Fine words! fine words!" muttered Viola. +"But who tells you that this is not a snare? My wife is in the notary's +hands, and with her my life."</p> + +<p>"For once you are mistaken!" cried the gipsy. "I, too, had my suspicions +at first; why should I not? since I am no peer, but merely a gipsy. It's +not my fault, surely, that I mistrust those officials; and when they +told me that Susi was at the notary's, I did not half like it. But I +understood that old Tengelyi knew nothing at all about it, and that his +daughter, Vilma, did it all. Now Vilma is a born angel, take my word for +it. But do not stop here. I ought to be at St. Vilmosh before the sun +rises, and every minute you stay is as much as your life is worth."</p> + +<p>"I'll not stir a single step unless you tell me all about Susi. I cannot +understand it."</p> + +<p>Peti knew Viola too well not to yield to this peremptory demand; and he +tried, therefore, to inform his friend, in as few words as possible, of +all the particulars of Susi's illness. Viola, leaning on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> his fokosh, +listened with eagerness. He stood so still, so motionless, that, but for +the deep sighs which at times broke forth, he might have been mistaken +for a statue.</p> + +<p>"Poor, poor woman!" cried the robber at length, "has it indeed come to +this? A beggar, eating the bread of charity! a vagabond, abiding under +the roof of the stranger! God, God! what has <i>she</i> done that thy hand +should strike <i>her</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Let us be off!" urged Peti. "Your wife is all snug and comfortable, and +we ought not to stand here like fools, railing at the injustice of the +world. Besides, the day of settling our accounts is perhaps nearer than +you think. I owe Mr. Skinner more than one turn. Cheer up, comrade! many +a man has been in a worse scrape than you are, who got out of it after +all."</p> + +<p>"What do I care for myself? I am used to it. There is blood on my hands, +and, perhaps, it is but just that Heaven's curse pursues me. But she, +whom I love,—she, who never since her birth did harm to any one,—she, +who stands by my side like an angel of light, withholding my arm from +deeds of blood and vengeance! Oh! she kneels at church, and prays by the +hour. That she loves me is her only crime,—why, then, should <i>she</i> be +punished? Let them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> hunt me down—torment me; ay! let them hang me! what +care I, if she is but safe and free from harm?"</p> + +<p>"So she is!" cried Peti, impatiently. "She was never better off in her +life, man! Come along, or else we are done for, and by your fault too!"</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to tell me that none of the villagers helped her?—that +none of them would shelter her?"</p> + +<p>"No! I told you, no! the judge forbade it; and none of them dared to +look at her."</p> + +<p>"Very well; I mean to be quits with them. I never harmed any of them. +None of them ever lost a single head of cattle; and now that my family +are in distress, there is not one of them but thinks that this is as it +ought to be. But Viola is the man to make bonfires of their houses!"</p> + +<p>"You are right!" cried Peti, seizing the robber's hand. "A little +revenge now and then serves your turn. It puts them on their guard! It +reminds them that there is still some justice in this world. But come to +St. Vilmosh. You are safe there, at least for a few days, for the +kanaz<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> there is one of our people. We will go down to him, and see +what can be done."</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_I_V" id="SEE_NOTE_I_V"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_I_V">Note V</a>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p></div> + +<p>"You had better go first; I have some business here."</p> + +<p>"Where?" cried Peti, stopping his friend as the latter turned to leave +the place.</p> + +<p>"I tell you to go first to St. Vilmosh, and to wait for me at the +kanaz's. I want to speak to the notary. By the time the sun rises I mean +to be with you. Get something to eat, for I am hungry."</p> + +<p>"Maybe the ravens are hungry, and have told you to go and be hanged, to +make a dinner for them!"</p> + +<p>"What a coward you are! I tell thee, man, it is not so easy to catch +Viola as you may think. Go and tell them to cook me some gulyash<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a>; and +if you think it will ease your mind, I will bring you the chief haiduk +gagged and bound."</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_I_VI" id="SEE_NOTE_I_VI"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_I_VI">Note VI</a>.</p></div> + +<p>"All this were well and good if the people of Tissaret were still on +your side, for in that case you might do as you please. But since the +parson's house has been broken into, they are all against you, they will +have it that you committed that robbery."</p> + +<p>"I did no such thing; and it is just on that account I want to speak to +Tengelyi. I have never been obliged to any man, who had the dress and +appearance of a gentleman. The notary is the first<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> of the kind to whom +I owe any thing, and, by G—d, he shall not call me ungrateful."</p> + +<p>"But of what use can your capture be to the notary?" said Peti, who now +yielded to Viola's obstinacy, and accompanied him to the village.</p> + +<p>"Some villany is abroad, and Tengelyi is to suffer. It's the same affair +as it was with the parson. I'll inform him of it."</p> + +<p>"Not to-night?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, this very night! Who knows but to-morrow it might be too late? The +birds are greedy for their prey. It will scarcely take me an hour. You +ought to go to St. Vilmosh."</p> + +<p>"Not I!" said the gipsy. "If you are mad, and won't be advised, you +cannot, at least, force me to leave you alone in this scrape. If they +hang you, they must hang me too."</p> + +<p>Viola said nothing; but he pressed the hand of his faithful comrade. The +two adventurers approached the village, where every thing was prepared +for the capture of the robber. Not only was Viola's house occupied by +the Pandurs, not only was the inn garrisoned, and its inmates gagged and +bound, but the streets of Tissaret, and the cottages of those peasants +who were suspected to be in communication with the robber, were occupied +by soldiers, or, at least, closely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> watched. Rety's servants, armed with +pitchforks and cudgels, were assembled in a barn, and every peasant was +prepared, at the first signal from the steeple, to rush out and attack +the outlaw. Some generous men, devoted to the public safety, and fearing +for their cattle, and some not less generous women, had contributed a +few hundred florins as a reward for that lucky peasant, or Pandur, who +should succeed either in capturing or killing the robber. There could be +but one opinion about Viola's fate, in case he should happen to come to +Tissaret; but whether he would come or not was an open question, to say +the least of it; for while the justice and his clerk were out +hare-hunting, the inspector Kanya had thought proper to publish Mr. +Skinner's instructions by means of the public crier, who, on this +important occasion, was preceded by a couple of drums, and whose +commands to the peasantry were backed by the threat of five-and-twenty +lashes, as a punishment of the refractory or negligent; and though the +justice on his return had poured out a most energetic volley of +imprecations on Mr. Kanya and his zeal, and though he had immediately +given orders that no one should be permitted to leave the village, yet +there was good reason to fear that Viola would smell more than one rat. +Indeed, so much<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> probability was there for this supposition, that by the +time Viola and Peti drew near to the village the inhabitants of Tissaret +to a man had thought proper to retire for the night, leaving the +soldiers and Pandurs to follow their example, which, to do them justice, +they did.</p> + +<p>"Wait a few moments," said Peti to his companion, when they came to the +threshing-floors, "I'll look out for you. It is just here where they +have placed a guard of those rascals in frogged jackets. I'll try to +find out what they are after." Saying which, the old man crept through +the ditch and disappeared. He returned almost immediately. "They are +fast asleep. If the others are equally vigilant, we are safe enough." +Viola advanced with Peti. They entered the village, and walked quickly, +but noiselessly, along the hedges and under the shadow of the houses.</p> + +<p>Tengelyi's house, the neatest building in the village, was on one side +bordered by a narrow court-yard, and on the other by a garden of +somewhat larger dimensions. The buildings in his immediate neighbourhood +were on the one side the Town-hall, and on the other the workshop of the +village smith; while over the way there was the only shop in Tissaret, +the property of Itzig, the Jew, and remarkable, not only for its amazing +stores of European and Indian<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> produce, but also for its bright yellow +paint, and its pillars of glaring sky-blue which ornamented the hall +outside.</p> + +<p>There were but two roads to Tengelyi's house—one leading by the +Town-hall, and the other touching the smithie; and though the sound of a +hammer ringing on the iron of the anvil was still to be heard from the +last named place, still Peti thought it advisable to take the latter +road, and this the more, since he perceived that there was no light in +Itzig's house,—a circumstance which led him to suppose that that "toad +of a Jew" had retired into the interior of his den, there to sleep on +his dollars. Quitting, therefore, the dark corner between the smith's +shop and the main road, the two men hastened up to the house of +Tengelyi. The fire from the smithie threw a ruddy glare on the road and +on the Jew's shop, the closed shutters of which seemed to denote that +all the inmates had retired to rest. But while they were in the act of +crossing the road, Peti suddenly seized Viola's hand, and pointing to +the Jew's house, he whispered, "They have seen us!" A human form was +indeed visible behind the pillars. It moved quickly to the door, and +disappeared.</p> + +<p>"Go to the notary's! Just by the wall there's a hole in the hedge. Creep +through it, and hide<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> yourself as best you may; but for God's sake don't +enter the house! I'll come to fetch you as soon as the alarm is over."</p> + +<p>So saying, Peti crossed the road and disappeared among the buildings. +Viola hastening onward, found the opening in the hedge. He had scarcely +crept through it and hidden himself among the shrubs, when he saw that +the gipsy was fully justified in his apprehensions. Voices were heard in +the streets, lanthorns were carried by, and the quick tramp of steps, +and the sound of the village bell, proved to him that the alarm was +indeed given, and that the people of Tissaret were up and in arms to +arrest him. Mr. Skinner's and Mr. Kenihazy's answering imprecations +might have proved, to any one who doubted the fact, that the public +justice of this country is not always asleep, but that its eyes are +sometimes open as late as 10h. 30m. <span class="smcap">P.M.</span></p> + +<p>Viola was in a dangerous position. The notary's garden was but an +indifferent hiding-place. It was small, and but thinly planted with +trees. A strong light from the windows of the house illumined part of +it, and nothing could save Viola, if the hole in the hedge was +discovered, and a lanthorn passed through it. But the robber was +accustomed to danger. He kept his weapons in readiness and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> waited. +After some time the noise of the robber hunters grew gradually less. The +crowd rushed to another part of the village. The sound of distant voices +and the continued ringing of the bell showed that the danger was at +least in part over.</p> + +<p>On these occasions it is only the first quarter of an hour which is +dangerous in our country; after that '<i>mauvais quart d'heure</i>' has once +passed, there is none but seeks for an excuse for discontinuing the +search. For we are an Eastern people, nor did we come to the West to +toil and slave. Indeed, that man was a profound historian who protested +that our ancestors left their homes in search of a country where the sun +rose late, and allowed them to sleep longer than they could in their +former abodes. Viola, who had often been hunted, and who was perfectly +familiar with the leading features of our national character, rose from +the ground and walked boldly up to the house.</p> + +<p>That house harboured his wife, the only being on the face of the earth +who loved him; the only being he could call his own, and whose mild +words made him feel that, though exiled, pursued, and condemned, there +was still something which he could call his own, which the world could +not take from him, and which bound him to life and to his Creator. And<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> +Viola's heart, however unmoved by danger, beat loud and fast when, +creeping by the windows of the house, he stopped at length in front of +the one window for which he sought. Everything was tranquil in that +room. His wife lay sleeping, and Vilma sat by her side, watching her, +while the old Liptaka was seated at some distance, reading her Bible, +and rocking a cradle. His little boy lay in an arm-chair. He was fast +asleep. The robber looked long and earnestly at the group before him. He +wept.</p> + +<p>The child in the cradle awoke. Old Mother Liptaka took it up and carried +it to and fro. Little Pishta too awoke; he rubbed his eyes and stared +around, as if uncertain where he was, or how he came to be there. But +looking up to the window he beheld Viola, and jumping from the chair he +clasped his hands and shouted—"Father! father!"</p> + +<p>"God forbid that he should be here!" said Mother Liptaka, walking up to +the window. "You are half asleep, child, and talk in a dream: you see +there is no one here."</p> + +<p>"He is not there now,—but he was there. He is gone now, but I am sure +he is in the garden. I will go and call him in."</p> + +<p>"Don't think of it!" said the Liptaka, seizing the boy's hand. "You know +your father is——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> Here the good woman stopped, for she was at a loss +to find gentle words for a harsh fact.</p> + +<p>"I know!" said the boy, "my father must hide himself; but I am sure it +is not true, what they say about his being a robber."</p> + +<p>"Of course not, child: be quiet, and don't say a word about it, not even +to Miss Vilma. I will go, and if your father is in the garden, I'll +speak to him." And the old woman left the room.</p> + +<p>Viola's situation had meanwhile become more dangerous. When he retired +from the window where his boy recognised him, he found that his +movements were watched by a man, who stood in the opening through which +he had entered the garden, and who withdrew when the robber's face +turned in the direction of the hedge. Viola was at a loss what to do. He +could not stay in the garden, for it was too small; the streets were +filled with peasants and Pandurs, and the inmates of the house were +strangers to him. He could not trust his life to their keeping. The +tocsin was again sounded, and the approach of lights and steps showed +him that his pursuers were aware of his hiding-place, and that they came +to take him.</p> + +<p>At this critical moment the Liptaka entered the garden, and called the +robber by his name. Seeing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> no other means of escape, he walked up to +her and informed her of the danger of his situation.</p> + +<p>"Ay, brother, why <i>did</i> you come this blessed night?" said the old +woman. "Two days later you might have been safe."</p> + +<p>"But what is to be done? Can you hide me in the house?"</p> + +<p>"I can, for the notary is not in, and Vilma will not betray you. Stand +here until I call you." She returned into the house, and Viola stood up +against the wall to hide himself. The noise increased meanwhile, and the +sonorous voice of the justice was heard, denouncing the eyes, souls, and +limbs of his trusty Pandurs, when the door opened, and the Liptaka +appeared, motioning Viola to advance cautiously, lest the light from the +windows might mark his figure: the robber crept along the wall and +entered the house.</p> + +<p>"Where is he? where?" screamed Mr. Skinner, from the other side of the +hedge.</p> + +<p>"Steady, boys!" shouted his clerk, from the furthest rear. "At him! Why +should you fear the scoundrel? The man that catches and binds him shall +have a hundred florins."</p> + +<p>"Are any of you at the other side of the garden?" bawled the +commissioner, with a stentorian voice.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span>Nobody answered.</p> + +<p>"Smash your souls, you cursed hellhounds!" roared Mr. Skinner. "Why are +you all here? Why are you not at the other side of the garden?"</p> + +<p>"Your lordship's lordship told us to come to this place," said a Pandur; +but a blow from Paul Skinner's stalwart arm sent him sprawling to the +ground. "Be off!" shouted the intrepid justice; "be off a few of +you—but not too many. Seize him and bind him!"</p> + +<p>"Shoot him on the spot, if he shows fight," urged the clerk.</p> + +<p>"Shoot him—indeed!" roared the justice. "I'll brain the man that dares +to shoot him, for I must have the satisfaction of hanging the fellow."</p> + +<p>Amidst these preparations for the capture of the robber, the person +"wanted" had quietly entered the house, where old Liptaka stowed him +away behind some casks, which lay in the room. Vilma trembled.</p> + +<p>"Fear not, Missie," said the Liptaka; "they dare not enter this house. +Of course, if it were a poor man's case, they'd ransack every corner, +and turn the whole house out of the window. But it's a different thing +with a nobleman's curia."</p> + +<p>The Liptaka was mistaken, and she had soon ample<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> opportunity of +convincing herself of the fact that the keeping of the law is one thing, +and the law itself another. For Mr. Paul Skinner, after surrounding the +garden on all sides, and after summoning Viola to come forward and be +hanged, found it necessary to proceed to a close investigation of the +premises. He opened the garden door and entered with his <i>posse</i> of +Pandurs and peasants. Vilma's flowers and Mrs. Ershebet's broccolis were +alike trodden down by the intruders, and great exertions were made to +start the game. But their search was fruitless. So were their curses. +Mr. Skinner protested that the robber must be hid in the house, and +Kenihazy instantly suggested the propriety of searching the suspected +habitation. The justice consented, and walked up to the door which +communicated between the house and the garden, when the door was opened +from the inside, and Mrs. Ershebet appeared on the threshold.</p> + +<p>"What is the meaning of this?" cried the notary's wife, with a voice +which, on the present occasion, was more remarkable for its energy than +for its sweetness. "Who is it that dares, at this hour of the night, to +break into an honest man's house? Are you robbers, thieves, or +murderers? Be off, instantly, every one of you! This is a nobleman's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> +curia, and no one has a right to be here, unless it be with my consent!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Skinner, not a little abashed, tried to stammer some excuses; but +Mrs. Ershebet, knowing that she had the law on her side, refused to +listen to his explanations. Her abuse of the justice kept pace with the +hate she bore him, and she eagerly seized the opportunity to give him +what we poetically call "a bit of her mind." She did this so effectually +that the justice was at length compelled to muster all his courage to +make a reply.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Tengelyi," said the worthy functionary, his voice trembling with +suppressed rage, "Mrs. Tengelyi, moderate yourself; consider that you +stand in the presence of a superior officer."</p> + +<p>"Superior officer, indeed!" screamed Mrs. Ershebet. "You are the master +of robbers and thieves, but not mine. What care I for the county! What +care I for the justice? I am a nobleman's wife, and I'd like to see the +man who dares to enter my house without my permission!"</p> + +<p>"You shall have that pleasure!" roared the justice. "Forward, my men! +enter the house! search it, and capture the robber. Knock them down and +bind them, if they offer you resistance! I'll teach you to know who is +master here!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>"A stick! a stick! give me a stick!" cried Mrs. Ershebet. Her maid +handed her Tengelyi's cane. She raised it, and exclaimed triumphantly, +"I protest!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Skinner stepped back; but, after a few moments, he rallied his +forces, resolved, in open contempt of the Hungarian law and its formal +protest<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a>, to force an entry into the notary's house. There can be no +doubt that he would have accomplished his purpose, but for the opportune +arrival of Akosh and Mr. Catspaw, who restrained his violence; for the +attorney, to whom the justice stated the case, and who had his reasons +for supposing that Viola was not in the house, did his utmost to prevent +the premises from being searched. He did this not from any love he bore +Tengelyi, but because he knew that the affair might at a later time +serve to cast a suspicion on the notary's character. His dispute with +Mr. Skinner was suddenly interrupted by a new and unforeseen event.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_I_VII" id="SEE_NOTE_I_VII"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_I_VII">Note VII</a>.</p></div> + +<p>"Fire!" cried a voice in the street; and the crowd in the garden roared +"Fire! fire, at the Castle!" The tocsin sounded, and the peasants +hastened in the direction of the fire. The Pandurs alone were kept back +by Mr. Skinner's express commands, for he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> still hoped to find Viola. +But when one of the servants from the House came down to tell them that +the conflagration was in the sheriff's barns, and that his whole store +of hay was in flames, it was thought necessary to dispatch the power of +the law to the threshing-floors to save the sheriff's hay. Not one of +the intruders remained on the spot.</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, save him!" whispered Vilma, addressing the Liptaka. "Be +quick, and save him before they come back."</p> + +<p>"Never fear, Missie. Give him but a fair start, and he is not the man to +be caught. But keep your counsel; your father would never pardon you!"</p> + +<p>The Liptaka turned to Viola's hiding-place behind the casks. "Now get +thee gone," said she. "There is a fire at the sheriff's. Get out at the +other side of the village, where nobody will stop your way. I can't help +thinking the fire is on your account."</p> + +<p>"Listen to me!" said Viola. "You know I owe the notary a debt of +gratitude. His family have taken my wife to his house: may God bless +them for it! They have saved my life, too; and I mean to show my sense +of it. Tell them I know that the notary keeps some papers in an iron +safe. Those papers are of great value to him and to the parson. Tell him +to find another place for them, and to keep a good<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> look out. He has +powerful enemies; I know of some people who would do any thing to get +those papers. Tell this the notary, and may God be with you!"</p> + +<p>The robber was in the act of leaving the garden, when a hand held him by +his bunda. "Who is it?" said he, raising his axe.</p> + +<p>"It is I, Peti! What do you think of my illumination?"</p> + +<p>"That it saved me for once. I knew it was your doing. Thanks! may God +bless you!"</p> + +<p>"Now let us be off to St. Vilmosh," said Peti, crawling through the +opening of the hedge. "Look there," he added, pointing to the next +house; "I'll lose my head if that fellow Catspaw does not stand there!"</p> + +<p>"And if he were an incarnate devil I <i>will</i> go on!" muttered Viola, as +they turned the corner of the street. Mr. Catspaw, for it was he, had +recognised the robber. He shook his head and walked leisurely up to the +Manor-house.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_I_V" id="CHAPTER_I_V"></a>CHAP. V.</h3> + + +<p>The day which followed this eventful night was a Sunday. Already had the +church-bells of Tissaret called the parishioners to prayers; and the +lower classes, obedient to the summons, crowded the little church, there +to forget the disturbance of the night and the whole of their worldly +cares. At the House, or Castle, as the family seat of the Retys was +sometimes styled, preparations on a large scale were on foot for the +reception of the guests who were expected to arrive that day. Akosh and +his sister Etelka walked in the garden. Neither of them spoke, as they +trod the paths which were already covered with the leaves of autumn; +while Tünder, their favorite greyhound, bounded to and fro, now starting +a bird, now hunting a falling leaf. The dog had its own way of enjoying +the beauty of that bright day.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter with you, Etelka?" said Akosh, at length. "You are +out of spirits to-day."</p> + +<p>"Am I?" replied Etelka, smiling, and with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> slight stare. "I dare say +you are like Mr. Catspaw, who in his annual fits of jaundice flatters +himself that the whole world is yellow."</p> + +<p>"Very true," rejoined Akosh; "I am a dreadful bore to-day."</p> + +<p>"Of course you are. To be a bore is one of the privileges of a Hungarian +nobleman. But do not put yourself under any restraint on <i>my</i> +account!"—saying which the young lady turned away, and busied herself +in smoothing the shrivelled leaves of a half-faded flower. Thus pursuing +their walk, they reached a hill in the plantation, from the summit of +which they looked down on the village, the river, and the boundless +plain.</p> + +<p>"They are coming!" said Etelka, turning her eyes in the direction of St. +Vilmosh.</p> + +<p>"I wish to God I were a hundred miles off!" sighed Akosh.</p> + +<p>"Would not a lesser distance do? Shall we say the village, or the +notary's house?"</p> + +<p>"Don't mention it. It makes me weep to think of it. You know what has +happened?"</p> + +<p>"I should think so."</p> + +<p>"Well, I have no hope."</p> + +<p>"Do not say so! Vilma loves you. You are not likely to change your mind, +and our father——"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span>"Our father,—oh, if there were no obstacle but his denial!" exclaimed +Akosh. "I venerate our father; but there are limits to my +veneration,—and if he compels me to choose between Vilma's love and +his, I am prepared to sacrifice the man who prefers his prejudices to +his son's happiness. But is Vilma prepared to follow my example? And, +believe me, old Tengelyi is far more inexorable than my father!"</p> + +<p>"But he idolises his daughter——"</p> + +<p>"You do not know him as I know him. Yes, he idolises his daughter! He +would sacrifice any thing to her, except his honour. On that point he is +inexorable. After that cursed conversation with my step-mother, in which +she hinted that she would be well pleased to see his daughter less +frequently at our house, Tengelyi came to me. He told me all that had +happened, and asked me to discontinue my visits to his family, for—such +was his bitter expression—it was not well for young gentlemen of rank +to hold intercourse with poor girls. Ever since that day, when I meet +him in the street and accompany him to his house, he bows me off at the +door, and sends me about my business. I have spoken to his wife, but she +tells me that she cannot do any thing to soften him. I have spoken to +Vandory, but he, too,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> has no comfort for me. Now consider that Tengelyi +is sure to lay the blame of that disgraceful scene of last night at our +door, and that our party at the next election will do all to oppose his. +No! I tell you there is no hope left for me!"</p> + +<p>"And yet I hope!" said Etelka, taking her brother's hand: "I know but +too well on which side the victory is likely to be, in a contest between +a woman's head and her heart."</p> + +<p>"Do you really think so?" exclaimed Akosh, kissing her hand. "Oh if I +could but know,—if I could but feel sure that my enemies will not +succeed in estranging her heart from me!"</p> + +<p>"You are mad, my respected brother," interposed Etelka; "pray who are +your enemies? Old Tengelyi loves you as a son, though he does not say +so; but suppose he <i>did</i> hate you, believe me, though father, and +mother, and the whole country were to sit down for a twelvemonth abusing +you, Vilma's feelings would remain as they are."</p> + +<p>"Oh if I could but see her! if I could but see her, though it were only +for a moment!"</p> + +<p>"Be patient. Who knows what may happen when Tengelyi goes to the +election? But we must turn back now; the Cortes<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> are about to make +their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> appearance. I would not for the world lose the spectacle of their +arrival."</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> Constituents.</p></div> + +<p>They turned and walked to the house, whence arose the sound of many +voices, like the roll of a distant thunder-storm. The Hungarians are +wont to commence their affairs, no matter whether they be great or +small, not with light—but with noise. I leave my readers to imagine the +fearful din with which the halls of the Retys resounded. Servants and +haiduks ran in all directions, fetching and carrying all sorts of +things. The cook and his boys,—the bailiff and the butler, the +housekeeper and the maids, were shouting at, ordering about, and abusing +one another; and Lady Rety, who every moment expected the arrival of her +guests, had just sent her third maid with most peremptory instructions +to cause the people to be silent,—without, however, obtaining any other +result from the mission than a still greater confusion of tongues and +voices. Great was her rage, and violently did she struggle to preserve +that gracious smile which the Cortes were wont to admire in her at fixed +periods every three years, viz., at the time of the general election.</p> + +<p>The Sheriff Rety, Valentin Kishlaki, Mr. Paul Skinner, the justice, and +sundry "<i>spectabiles</i>" of his party, were smoking their pipes in the +hall, and a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> couple of poor relations, who were always invited on such +occasions, filled and lighted their pipes for them, and made themselves +generally useful, to show their deep sense of the honour which was done +to them. Mr. Catspaw stood leaning against the wall. He looked the very +picture of watchful humility.</p> + +<p>This company, the like of which may be found in Hungary every where, +especially at the time of the election, but which it were next to +impossible to discover anywhere else, consisted but of a limited number +of individuals. They were the grandees of the county of Takshony.</p> + +<p>The man who first attracts our attention is Valentin Kishlaki, the +father of Kalman Kishlaki, whom my readers had already the pleasure of +meeting on the Turk's Hill. The good old man offers much to love, but +little to describe. He is a short man, and withal a stout one; his hair +is white, his cheeks red. He has a good-natured smile, and a pair of +honest blue eyes. He is fond of telling a story without an end, but this +weakness is his greatest crime.</p> + +<p>Among the other persons in the sheriff's hall, the most remarkable are, +doubtless, Augustin Karvay, the bold keeper of the county house, and +Thomas<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> Shaskay, the receiver of the taxes. The former was a Hungarian +nobleman of the true stamp: bred on the heath, fagged at school, and +plucked at college. The insurrection of 1809 afforded the noble youth a +brilliant opportunity of displaying his talents for homicide, which were +supposed to be astounding. But the speedy termination of the war nipped +Mr. Karvay's martial honours in the bud; nor does history record any of +his deeds of bravery and devotion, except the fact that he left his +regiment at the commencement of the first and only battle in which that +gallant body took part, and in which it was routed; and that, regardless +of the fatigue and toils of the way, he hastened home to defend his +household gods and the female members of his family. But so modest was +Mr. Karvay, that the slightest allusion to this act of unparalleled +devotion was observed to cause him pain, and even to spoil his temper. +This modesty we take to be a proof of true merit.</p> + +<p>Mr. Karvay's gallantry, or, perhaps, his touching modesty, did +afterwards so much execution upon the heart of Lady Katshflatty, a young +widow of fifty, that she consented to bless the youthful hero with all +the charms and gifts of fortune which her years and her late husband's +prodigality had left her. The bless<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span>ing, in either respect, was by no +means very great, and Mr. Karvay was reduced to the extremity of living +upon his wits, which in his case would have been tantamount to the +lowest degree of destitution, but for the good fortune he had of making +some enemies by his marriage with Lady Katshflatty. His enemies belonged +to the opposition in the county; that is to say, they were members of +the minority;—reason enough for the party in power to take him up; and +under the sheriff's protection Mr. Karvay was successively appointed to +the posts of Keeper of the County House, Captain of the Haiduks, and +Honorary Juror, and promoted to all the honours, bustle, and emoluments +of these respective dignities.</p> + +<p>Such was the person to whom Mr. Thomas Shaskay was bound by the ties of +a cordial and mutual dislike. The two men seemed to be created for the +express purpose of hating one another. Shaskay was a small and spare +man; his face reminded one of an old crumpled-up letter, his hair was +scant, his nose sharp and long, and his narrow forehead covered with a +thousand wrinkles. Karvay's huge bulk, mottled face, and curly black +hair, were in bodily opposition to this frail piece of humanity. Candour +was Mr. Karvay's characteristic feature; indeed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> there were people in +the county of Takshony who protested that the gallant captain would be +more amiable if he were less candid. Now Shaskay was the closest man +breathing. He answered reluctantly even to the simplest questions. Some +of his friends protested that his closeness and secrecy were quite out +of place, for that Nature, when she framed him, had treated him as +druggists do their goods, and that "Poison" was as distinctly written on +his face as it ever was on an arsenic bottle.</p> + +<p>Shaskay had met with many misfortunes in the course of his life; but so +great was his strength of mind that he was never known to allude to +them, and least of all to his greatest misfortune, which, however, was +mentioned in the records of the county. While he held the office of +receiver-general of the district, sundry monies which were entrusted to +his care disappeared; and though Mr. Shaskay protested that the money +was stolen, and though the whole county believed him; nay, though no one +had the least doubt that Shaskay (who said it) had <i>seen</i> the thief as +he left the room, still the government, grossly violating the laws both +of nature and of the country, dismissed the unfortunate receiver-general +from his office. The county of Takshony made no less than thirteen +petitions in his favour, but the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> worthy man could never succeed in +regaining the office, of which he had discharged the duties to the +unqualified satisfaction of the nobility, and from which he had not only +derived no gains, but also sacrificed his own private property at cards. +But so great is the virtue of a truly good man, that Mr. Shaskay, +instead of joining (as might have been supposed) the opposition, +remained faithful to his politics and his party, exerting the whole of +his influence in behalf of the government, which had treated him so +unjustly.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rety, the sheriff, stands in the centre of his own hall. He is +dressed in a blue attila with silver buttons, his boots are armed with +silver spurs, and his Meerschaum pipe is embossed with silver. His +thoughts were of the approaching election, and of the speech which he +intended to address to the Cortes; but the brilliant phrase upon which +he had just stumbled, was interrupted by a distant howling and +bellowing, which became gradually more distinct.</p> + +<p>"Eljen Rety! Eljen Skinner! Eljen the liberty of Hungary! Hujh rá!" and +similar exclamations, with now and then a curse, and the report of a +pistol, resounded through the village. And besides there was the +wonderful burden of the song:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0q">"May the tulip flowers bloom for aye,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And Rety be our sheriff this day!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>which will do for any election, and which is remarkable for the ease +with which it may be adapted to the case or the name of any candidate. +And there was a van with a gipsy band performing the Rakotzi, and all +the dogs of the village stood by and barked their welcome.</p> + +<p>"This is indeed enthusiasm! this is indeed popularity!" said Karvay, +stroking his moustache, and looking pleased; "by my soul it is a fine +thing to be so much beloved! I am not rich, but I would give fifty +florins any day to hear myself extolled in this manner."</p> + +<p>"Ah! but I trust to goodness they won't burn any thing!" said one of the +poor relations, whose reminiscences of the last election were not of an +agreeable kind.</p> + +<p>"Burn any thing! Terrem tette! of whom dost dare to speak?" roared +Karvay. "Dost not know that thou speakest of noblemen? that St. Vilmosh +has three hundred votes? The sheriff's house is insured, and if the +worst were to come to the worst, and if all the village were burnt down, +we ought to bless our stars that they have come to us instead of siding +with the other party!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span>"Karvay is right," said Rety to his trembling cousin; "How dare you +speak disrespectfully of my guests? I know the gentlemen of St. +Vilmosh."</p> + +<p>"So do I!" roared Karvay, "every tenth man of my prisoners is from St. +Vilmosh. Capital fellows they are! Your thief and murderer is a capital +fellow in war, <i>or</i> at an election."</p> + +<p>"There are some exceptions to that rule," interposed Shaskay. "In the +insurrection of 1809, I understand the men of St. Vilmosh——"</p> + +<p>It was lucky for Shaskay that the Cortes had by this time come to the +gate, for Mr. Karvay was preparing to pay the ex-receiver-general in +kind, by an allusion to sundry monies. His biting jokes on that tender +topic were, however, cut short by the arrival of the whole noble mob in +not less than thirty large vans. The vans in front and in the rear were +ornamented with large yellow flags with suitable mottoes, such as</p> + +<p class="center">"Rety for ever!"<br /> +"No nobleman will condescend to build streets and dykes!"</p> + +<p>and mongrel rhymes in the following fashion:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0q">"To pay no taxes, to pay no toll;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To be exempt from the muster-roll;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To make the laws, and to live at we can,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Abusing the salt-prices:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">This befits a nobleman."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span>Every nobleman had a green and yellow feather stuck in his hat or +kalpac; these colours being emblematical of the hopes of their own +party, and the envy of their adversaries, while they served the +practical purpose of a badge of recognition.</p> + +<p>The sheriff advanced, amidst violent cheering, to the front steps of the +hall; the mob of noblemen shouting Halljuk<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a>! formed a circle, and the +notary of St. Vilmosh, stepping forward, addressed the patron in a +speech of extraordinary pathos; in the course of which the words—Most +revered,—Greece,—Rome,—Cicero,—patriotism,—singleness of +purpose,—load star,—fragrant flowers,—forked tongues, pyramids, and +steeple—were neither few nor far between, and which concluded with an +assurance of the unbounded attachment of the constituency to the +illustrious patriot he (the orator) had the supreme honour of +addressing, and the quotation of "Si fractus illabetur orbis, impavidum +ferient ruinæ," or to adopt the translation of the whipper-in of the +Cortes:—</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> Hear! hear!</p></div> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0q">"May the tulip-flowers bloom for aye,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And Rety be our sheriff this day!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>This speech, but especially its conclusion, called forth a torrent of +applause; and the enthusiasm reached its culminating point, when Mr. +Rety, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> usual, assured them that he was overwhelmed with +confusion—that he was unprepared—that this was the happiest day of his +life—that he had no ambition, but that it appeared his friends of St. +Vilmosh commanded his services, and that he was always the man who——</p> + +<p>The assurance that Mr. Rety was "always the man who" excited cheers of +the most deafening magnitude from his audience; and after the whipper-in +had informed the sheriff that but one thing was wanting to the happiness +of the noble mob, and that this one thing was the permission to kiss +Lady Rety's hand, the crowd uttered another frantic shout of Eljen! and +rushed into the house.</p> + +<p>A sumptuous repast awaited them in the sheriff's dining-room and in the +barn. The former apartment was occupied by the <i>élite</i> of the company, +while the lower precincts of the barn sheltered a less select, though by +no means a less noble party. The <i>élite</i> feasted on four-and-twenty +different kinds of sweetmeats, with Hungarian Champagne, Tokay, and +ices; and the great mass of the Cortes filled their noble stomachs with +Gulyash and Pörkölt, Tarhonya, cream-cakes, dumplings, roast meats, wine +and brandy.</p> + +<p>Etelka left the company immediately after dinner,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> while the Lady Rety +conversed with some of the rising assessors and clergymen of the +district. The gentlemen smoked their pipes in the hall, and in front of +the house; and if the notary of St. Vilmosh was not among their number, +his absence may perhaps be accounted for by the fact that Etelka's maid, +Rosi, lived in another part of the house.</p> + +<p>Akosh and Kalman were walking in the garden. They were equals in age and +station, and of course they were sworn friends. Nevertheless, the two +young men were utterly different in their characters and tempers. Kalman +was, by his education and constitution, a Betyar, that is to say, a +root-and-branch Magyar of the old school; but it was his great ambition +to be mistaken for a man of high European breeding and refinement. +Akosh, on the other hand, who had the advantage of the best education +which Paris and London can afford, had taken it into his head to act the +Magyar, <i>par excellence</i>. Neither of them succeeded in maintaining his +artificial character; and especially on that day they had both signally +failed in their endeavours to falsify the old proverb: "Naturam expellas +furcâ; tamen usque recurret."</p> + +<p>Akosh was indeed a Betyar when the dinner commenced; but he grew less +talkative and noisy as the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> talking and the noise around him increased, +until at length he found himself fairly silenced. Kalman, who sat by +Etelka, and who was greatly cheered by the kind manner in which she +treated him (for poor Kalman was desperately in love with Miss Rety), +took but little wine, and for a time his conduct and conversation were +all that he or Etelka could wish. But by degrees he fell back into his +Betyarism, until the displeased looks and curt replies of the lady made +him aware of his error. At the end of the dinner he was as silent as his +friend. He scarcely ventured to look at Miss Rety; and when dinner was +over he hurried Akosh to the garden, there to bewail his sad and cruel +fate.</p> + +<p>"I am the most wretched of mortals!" cried he. "Did you observe the +manner in which your sister treated me? She does not love me—nay, she +detests and despises me!"</p> + +<p>"Are you mad?" replied Akosh.</p> + +<p>"No! I am not mad. Etelka does not love me; nor will she ever love me, +and she is right. She is too good for the like of me."</p> + +<p>"You ought never to take any wine, Kalman; it makes you sad."</p> + +<p>"So you <i>did</i> see it? And she, too, is disgusted with me! I will leave +the country! I will go to a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> place where nobody knows me! where your +sister will not be annoyed by my presence!"</p> + +<p>Kalman's lamentations were here cut short by Akosh, who, on being +informed of the reason of this extraordinary distress, pledged his word +that he would reconcile his sister to his friend; and Kalman's grief +having given way to the hope of fresh favour, the two young men turned +back to the house to find Etelka, and to solicit and obtain her pardon +for any offence which her lover might have committed. But fate had +willed it otherwise.</p> + +<p>Old Kishlaki, misled by the excitement of the day, had taken rather more +wine than he ought to have done; his ideas were consequently less steady +than they might have been. A match between Miss Rety and his son had +always been among his pet projects. Urged on by the conviviality of the +day, he had undertaken to address the Retys, and to solicit their +daughter's hand for Mr. Kalman Kishlaki, his son and heir. Rety's answer +to this unexpected offer was that he could not presume to judge of his +daughter's inclinations; and the Lady Rety, in her turn, gave Mr. +Kishlaki to understand that it would be more wise to reserve matters of +such moment for the period after the election. The good man was too much +excited to understand the real<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> meaning of these answers. He fancied +that everything was arranged; and, walking from group to group, he told +the great secret to every one whom he met.</p> + +<p>The Cortes were meanwhile actively employed in rehearsing their votes +for the election. They had already disposed of some of the lower places, +and they now proceeded to elect Kalman Kishlaki a justice of the +district. They strained every nerve of their lungs in shouting "Eljen +Kalman Kishlaki!" Old Kishlaki was transported with joy, but he was +grieved that his son's glorification should be lost within the walls of +the barn. He called his servant, and informing him of the great secret, +he hinted at the pleasure Miss Rety was sure to feel if the Cortes were +to seize Kalman and to carry him in triumph to her room. The servant +was, of course, quite of his master's opinion. He made his way to the +barn, shouted "Halljuk!" and spoke so much to the purpose that the whole +crowd of electors consented to accompany him to the garden. We ought to +observe that Kishlaki's messenger gained his point chiefly by informing +the Cortes of the proposed alliance between Etelka and Kalman.</p> + +<p>The three hundred noblemen of St. Vilmosh set up a deafening shout of +"Eljen!" and directed their steps to the garden, while old Kishlaki wept +with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> joy, and muttered: "Hej! it is a fine thing to be so popular!"</p> + +<p>Akosh and Kalman were close to the house when they met Kishlaki with all +the Cortes at his heels. The old man had just time to embrace his son, +and to cry out, "Do you hear it, Kalman? This is meant for you, my boy!" +The very next moment they were surrounded by the men of St. Vilmosh. +Their shout of "Eljen Kalman Kishlaki! Etelka Rety!" put a stop to all +further conversation. The two young men were astonished. They did not +know what to do or to say. But when old Kishlaki's servant proposed that +the young man should be taken to "Miss Etelka, his betrothed bride;" and +when a score of arms were stretched out to seize the fortunate lover, +then it was that Kalman began to see how matters stood. He resisted, he +prayed, he imprecated; and his father, too, who had no idea of +proclaiming the affair in <i>this</i> way, did his utmost to prevail upon +them to leave Miss Rety's name unmentioned. His endeavours were in vain. +Kalman's resistance was of no avail. There was a sudden rush—a +scuffle—and he found himself hoisted on the shoulders of a couple of +stout fellows. His hair was dishevelled and his coat torn. He had lost +his cravat and his hat. But the crowd, unmindful of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> these drawbacks to +the personal graces of their favourite, bore him onward to the +apartments of his mistress. Great was the uproar, and violent were their +cheers of "Eljen Kalman and Etelka!"</p> + +<p>The guests in the house rushed to the door, and, hearing the names of +Kalman and Etelka, they turned to the sheriff and wished him joy. Mr. +Rety received their congratulations with a sickly smile. Lady Rety, +though mindful of Kishlaki's influence, protested with some warmth that +there must be some mistake. But Karvay raised his powerful voice in +honour of the young couple, whose St. Vilmosh friends had by this time +arrived at the threshold of Etelka's room.</p> + +<p>Kalman was more dead than alive. He was about to appear before the lady +of his love with his coat torn and his hair out of curl, and borne on +the arms of three hundred Cortes! Entreaties, tears, imprecations—all +were in vain; and they certainly would have introduced him to Miss Rety +in the most disgraceful plight that ever lover faced his mistress in, if +that lady had been in the room. But, when the door opened, they +discovered in her stead Rosi, Miss Rety's maid, and at her side no less +a personage than the hopeful notary of St. Vilmosh. This event brought +matters to a favourable crisis. Akosh inter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span>fered, and pointing out to +the assembly that a justice must needs have a juror, and that nobody was +better qualified to fill that office than his friend, the notary of St. +Vilmosh, he caused that gifted individual to be raised on the arms of +the Cortes, who carried him after the justice that was to be, and at +length presented both justice and juror to the sheriff.</p> + +<p>It need scarcely be said that Rosi was greatly shocked, but she became +comforted on beholding her beloved notary on the shoulders of the +Cortes, and when she understood that the public voice designated her +chosen husband to fill the office of juror. She busied herself with +arranging the things in the room, which had been put in disorder by the +tumultuous entry of the Cortes. While she was thus occupied she heard +Mr. Catspaw's voice in the next room (which was his own). He was, it +appears, in the act of dismissing some individual, for he said:—</p> + +<p>"Well, then, at seven o'clock precisely, near the notary's garden."</p> + +<p>"Yes, your lordship! I mean to be punctual, your lordship," said another +voice, which, though Oriental, did not seem to belong to a Hungarian.</p> + +<p>"You know your reward," rejoined Mr. Catspaw, as his interlocutor left +the room.</p> + +<p>"Confusion!" exclaimed the frightened maid.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> "Mr. Catspaw was in his +room! He knows all now, for he is wondrous sharp of hearing. What if he +were to peach to my lady?" And uttering maledictions on the head of the +attorney and his Jew, Rosi locked the door of her mistress's room and +made the best of her way to the kitchen.</p> + +<p>The sheriff had meanwhile informed the most influential of his guests +that he wished them to meet him for the purpose of a consultation. The +Dons of the county assembled in the dining-room, which had been arranged +for the sittings of a committee. In a corner of this room, which was +ornamented with Rety's family portraits, and which still retained a +faint smell of the dinner, there were three men of note standing +together. They were Mr. Slatzanek, the agent and plenipotentiary of the +Count Kovary; Baron Shoskuty; and Mr. Kriver, the recorder. Their +conversation ran in the most natural course, that is to say, it turned +on the chances of the election.</p> + +<p>"Are you sure," said Mr. Slatzanek, addressing the recorder, "of that +wretched Vetshösy having joined Bantornyi's party?"</p> + +<p>"I grieve to say that there can be no doubt about it."</p> + +<p>"Did I not always tell you," cried the Baron<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span>—"did I not tell you a +thousand times that I suspected Vetshösy? Three years ago, just a +fortnight before the election, on a Friday afternoon, unless I am +mistaken, I met you, Mr. Kriver, at the coffee-house. There were some of +us, and some officers likewise, and I lighted my pipe and sat by you, +and I said: 'That fellow Vetshösy——'"</p> + +<p>"You were quite right, sir; but——"</p> + +<p>"That fellow Vetshösy, said I, is a liberal, and, what is worse, he +talks of his principles; he has some property, and——"</p> + +<p>"Just so!" interposed Slatzanek. "Vetshösy is an influential man; the +more fools we for making him justice of a district in which there are so +many votes; but——"</p> + +<p>"I know what you are about to say!" cried the Baron. "He might be gained +over. Now, I'll tell you, I live in his district. Very well then, what +do you say to a hunt—a legal hunt—a wolf hunt? We will have the +peasants to drive the game. You will all come, and he, as justice of the +district, must be one of us. Of course our wolf hunt is but a legal +fiction, but he, as district judge, must be one of us, and we'll snare +him, that we will."</p> + +<p>"Alas!" sighed the recorder, "this is well and good; but the great +obstacle is your son, the young<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> Baron. He has more influence in the +county than you have, and he is against us."</p> + +<p>"Devil of a boy! devil of a boy!" cried the Baron, "and yet how often +did I not say: My son Valentine——"</p> + +<p>"Suppose you were to exert your paternal authority?"</p> + +<p>"Just so! You are right. My paternal authority authorises me to force my +boy to any thing I like. And we are always of the same opinion, that boy +and I; and he obeys me in all things, that boy does; and I think he had +better, so he had! but on that one subject he is most unreasonable, I +tell you."</p> + +<p>"But it is on that very subject that he ought to yield to your superior +wisdom."</p> + +<p>"You are right! indeed you are. I'll disinherit that boy, confound me if +I do not!"</p> + +<p>Slatzanek, who was aware that the old Baron had very little to leave, +and whose sagacity taught him to expect little or no effect from so +vague a threat of a remote contingency, inquired whether there was no +other means of compelling the young man; to which the Baron replied that +there was no lack of means, especially if the lad could but be induced +to marry.</p> + +<p>"You have no idea, sir, how strongly marriage<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> tells upon a man," said +he, "especially in our family. When I was a bachelor, I was the most +liberal man you could meet with in three counties any summer's day; and +at present——. But the boy won't marry!"</p> + +<p>"How do we stand in this district?" said Slatzanek, addressing Mr. +Kriver.</p> + +<p>"As bad as can be. Tengelyi is against us."</p> + +<p>"Tengelyi!" cried the Baron. "Tengelyi indeed! A mere village notary! +Bless my soul! Tengelyi! How many Tengelyis does it take, do you think, +to face <i>me</i> at the election?"</p> + +<p>"Alas!" said Slatzanek, "votes are counted in this country, and not +weighed; I know few men that are more powerful than this notary."</p> + +<p>"And Akosh Rety," suggested Mr. Kriver, "does not indeed oppose us, but +that is all."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" cried the Baron; "just like my own son! I said just now——"</p> + +<p>"However, if the Kishlakis stand but by us, we are pretty certain of +this district."</p> + +<p>"But we cannot rely on the Kishlakis," said Kriver. "Kalman is out of +temper; he is jealous of the Count Harashy."</p> + +<p>"You don't say so! Miss Rety was proclaimed as his future wife."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span>"Ay, but the Cortes did it," whispered the recorder, "and it struck me +that Lady Rety was not at all pleased."</p> + +<p>"You are right," said the Baron. "It struck me too. I sat by Lady Rety, +talking of the weather, when the Cortes bore Kalman about, and when I +heard them shouting,—'Dear lady,' said I——"</p> + +<p>"We must be careful," said Slatzanek; "I fear ours is a bad position."</p> + +<p>"As for me," said Mr. Kriver, "you are aware of my zeal; and I assure +you that I will keep our party <i>au courant</i> of all the enemy's +manœuvres."</p> + +<p>"And to know your adversary's plans is half the battle!" cried the +Baron, clapping his hands.</p> + +<p>"Oh! if the noblemen in the county were all like my own tenants!" cried +Slatzanek. "They vote with me; if they do not, they lose their farms. +They are the men for an election!"</p> + +<p>Here the conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the sheriff, and +the labours of the committee commenced in due form with a provisional +election of functionaries: Rety came in for the shrievalty; Mr. Kriver, +the recorder, was appointed his Vice; and almost every one of the +persons present obtained the promise of a place, either for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> himself or +a friend. This done, the committee directed their attention to the means +of fighting the battle of the real election; and, after a lengthened +conversation on the usual electioneering tactics,—the favouring of a +class, the kidnapping of electors, and the devising of plans for the +especial annoyance of the hostile party, it was finally resolved to +arrange the reception of the Lord-Lieutenant, who was to conduct the +election, in such a manner as to impress that great functionary with a +favourable opinion of the Rety party. But the most arduous duty of the +committee was the "finding the ways and means" for the confirmation of +their political friends, and the conciliation of such among the enemy's +troops as had some scruples about the justice of the cause which they +had espoused. But Slatzanek's talents of persuasion, and the Lady Rety's +sarcastic remarks, prevailed against the prudential considerations of +certain timid assessors and justices; and the subscription having +terminated to the general satisfaction of Rety and his friends, the +meeting dispersed.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_I_VI" id="CHAPTER_I_VI"></a>CHAP. VI.</h3> + + +<p>While the committee were carrying on their deliberations in the castle +of Tissaret, the house of the notary stood in peaceful tranquillity, and +only the lights, which shone through the windows, gave evidence of the +presence of its inhabitants. The house had two rooms fronting the +street; one of these apartments, which had a back door communicating +with the court-yard, was devoted to the use of Tengelyi, who kept his +papers in it. The other room, which opened into the former apartment and +the kitchen, was occupied by Mrs. Ershebet and her daughter. The kitchen +had two doors, one leading to the garden, and the other to the yard. +Next the kitchen was the store-room in which Viola had been hidden. At +the further end of the house was the servants' room, and a small chamber +in which lay Viola's wife. Tengelyi had spent the day at Tsherepesh, at +Mr. Bantornyi's house; for the Bantornyi party, too, had their meetings +and committees. Mrs. Ershebet, and Vandory who had dined<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> at the +notary's, were in the sick chamber, and Etelka and Vilma sat chatting in +the second front room.</p> + +<p>"Then you did not see him after all!" said Etelka. "'Tis a pity. I would +give any thing to meet Viola, for I take a great interest in him."</p> + +<p>"How <i>can</i> you talk in that way! God knows I pity the poor man; but I +certainly do not wish to make his acquaintance. You are bold and +courageous! but as for me, I am sure it would kill me to see him. They +say he is a murderer."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! a man who is so fond of his wife as Viola cannot be so wicked +as they say he is. I do not know of any man—except your father—who +would brave so great a danger to see his wife under such circumstances: +I can admire that love, even in a robber; and thus I too wish to be +beloved, no matter by whom!"</p> + +<p>"If that can satisfy you," said Vilma, "I am sure there is nothing but +what Kalman will do for you."</p> + +<p>"Always excepting the being sober, and eschewing swearing, and all the +clumsy affectation of a cavalier. Kalman would do any thing for me, but +the one thing I ask him to do."</p> + +<p>"Now you are unjust. I am sure he would leap into the fire for your +sake."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span>"Of course he would, especially if some of his friends were present to +extol his bravery. Kalman is very brave; it is his nature to be so; he +cannot help it. He has many good qualities, I grant, but pray do not +tell me that he loves me."</p> + +<p>"I see you are again at odds with him. What is his crime?"</p> + +<p>"He—but never mind! I will not talk about it. I cannot respect him, nor +can I believe that he loves me."</p> + +<p>"Akosh has a far different opinion of him."</p> + +<p>"So he has!" rejoined Etelka; "but may I not question the justness of +his views? Men are wont to prize their friends for those qualities which +are of the greatest use to them. A good sportsman, a man that sticks to +his word, and who will fight a duel for his friend at a moment's +warning—such a man is their idol; they are half astonished, and more +than half disgusted that we should ask for more. But I do!"</p> + +<p>Vilma was silent. She saw that Etelka was hurt, and Etelka too wished to +change the topic of their conversation. Addressing Vilma again, she +said:—</p> + +<p>"I can fancy your father's disgust last night, when he came home and +learned what had happened."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span>"I never saw him in such a state. But Vandory came with him; he +succeeded in quieting my father. I tremble when I think of it. He says +he will have his right in this business."</p> + +<p>"Never fear," said Etelka.</p> + +<p>"But do you know whom he suspects of being the cause? He lays it all at +the door of your father and mother?"</p> + +<p>"Of my <i>step</i>mother; and I am afraid he is right in his suspicions."</p> + +<p>"Yes; but my father is again angry with all your family, except +yourself. He is most violent against Akosh, who saved us from ruin. Only +think if they had searched the house and found Viola! My father——"</p> + +<p>"He will never know it."</p> + +<p>"But if my father were to bring an action against Mr. Skinner? He +protests he will do it."</p> + +<p>"He will never do it. He was angry at the time, and I am sure he will +reconsider the subject. But do not speak to him about it. If he knew it, +he would not keep quiet, and there are many people who would be glad of +any opportunity of showing their enmity against him."</p> + +<p>"That's what old Mother Liptaka said. But you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> cannot think how +distressing my situation is. I, who never kept any thing secret from my +father, must now face him with an untruth. Every noise alarms me; for +with my secret I lose my father's love. Oh! I cannot bear it!"</p> + +<p>"And yet you must bear it," replied Etelka, embracing the weeping girl. +"The peace of mind and the welfare of your father demand this +sacrifice."</p> + +<p>"I think so too," said Vilma; "but then you have no idea how kind my +father is, and how I long to kneel down and confess my fault to him!"</p> + +<p>"My poor Vilma," sighed Miss Rety, "I am at a loss whether I am to pity +you, or to envy you. I am not in a position to confide in my parent. But +be comforted: trust me, things will be altered. I understand my father +is to resign after the election, and Mr. Tengelyi's anger will subside. +Vandory will perhaps provide for Viola's wife. In a few weeks you will +be able to tell your father all your sorrows."</p> + +<p>"But what am I to do in the meantime? Viola came, though he knew that +the whole village was in arms against him. The Liptaka tells me that he +loves his wife more than I can think or understand. May he not come +to-morrow, or to-night, or any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> time?—Jesus Maria!" shrieked Vilma, +turning her pale face to the garden—"there he is!"</p> + +<p>"Who?" asked Etelka, looking in the same direction.</p> + +<p>"He! he is gone now,—but trust me, there he stood! I saw his face quite +plainly!"</p> + +<p>"Do you speak of Viola? Believe me you will not see him here, so long as +Mr. Skinner, with half the county at his back, keeps infesting the +place. How foolish and how pale you are! Come. I will fetch you a glass +of water; it will do you good."</p> + +<p>Just as Etelka got up to leave the room, some one outside knocked softly +at the door.</p> + +<p>"Oh, pray do not go!" cried Vilma. "Who can it be that knocks. It is so +late! I fear——"</p> + +<p>"Some one for your father; but we'll see. Come in!" said Etelka.</p> + +<p>The door opened, and a Jew entered with many low bows and entreaties to +excuse the liberty he was taking in saying good evening to the high and +gracious ladies.</p> + +<p>Vilma's fear, and the Jew's humility, formed so strange a contrast, that +Etelka could not repress a smile, especially when she saw that Vilma +remained still in bodily fear of the stranger, who stood quietly by the +door, turning his brimless hat in his hands.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> His appearance was not +that of a robber; on the contrary, he was a sickly and unarmed man; +still his aspect was of a kind to make even a bold man feel +uncomfortable in his presence. Jantshi, or John, the glazier (such at +least was his name in <i>this</i> county) was the ugliest man in the whole +kingdom of Hungary. His diminutive body seemed as if bowed down by the +weight of his gigantic head; his face was marked with the small-pox, and +more than one-half of it was covered with a forest of red hair, and a +wiry, dirty beard of the same colour. He had lost one of his eyes—its +place was covered with a black patch; the searching and roving look of +his other eye, his shuffling gait, and his cringing politeness, made him +an object of suspicion and dislike to every one that chanced to meet +him. Even Etelka felt disagreeably touched by the man's looks, and she +became positively alarmed when Vilma whispered to her, that that was the +face which she had seen at the window.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Tengelyi is out, I tell you," said Etelka. "You may come to-morrow +morning."</p> + +<p>"Most gracious lady," said the Jew, still turning his hat and looking +round, "this is indeed a misfortune! I have some pressing business with +the high-born Mr. Tengelyi."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span>"Well then, come back in half-an-hour; perhaps he'll be home to supper."</p> + +<p>"If so, may I wait outside?" asked the Jew, without, however, moving +from the place where he stood. "Has his worship any dogs?"</p> + +<p>"Dogs?" said Vilma.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if there are no dogs in the yard I can wait; but if there are any +I cannot wait. I am afraid of them."</p> + +<p>"You may wait!" said Etelka, angrily; "there are no dogs in the house."</p> + +<p>"Yes: but there may be some in the next house. I am a stranger, and it +was but last year, in the third village from here, that the dogs nearly +tore me to pieces. Since that time I fear them." And the stranger told +them a long story, how he was walking through the village, how the dogs +attacked him, and how he was saved by a shepherd who happened to hear +his cries. "Bless me!" added the Jew, "if that man had not come they +would have torn my cloak, and it was a very good cloak; it was not new, +but it was a good cloak, for I bought it at Pesth for five florins and +thirty kreutzers."</p> + +<p>The Jew was so cunning, and withal so awkward, that Etelka could not +help laughing at him; but Vilma felt uncomfortable, and asked him to go +and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> come back in half an hour. Whereupon the Jew said that he would +wait in the servants' room.</p> + +<p>"No!" said Vilma; "there is a sick woman lying close by the servants' +room; besides, we have told you over and over again that you must come +back in half an hour, and that you shall not stay."</p> + +<p>The Jew bowed very humbly, and walking to the door which led into the +kitchen, he opened it.</p> + +<p>"Stop!" said Vilma; "where are you going to?"</p> + +<p>"I throw myself at your feet! I ask a thousand pardons! I am so +confused. May I go through that door into the yard?"</p> + +<p>"That door is locked. Get out by the door through which you came in."</p> + +<p>The Jew made another low bow, and walked across Tengelyi's room to the +door by which he had entered; not, however, without looking to the +adjoining room, dropping his hat on the floor, and turning the handle of +the door in every direction but the right one, while his eye seemed to +peer into and examine every corner of the apartment.</p> + +<p>"What do you say to that?" asked Vilma, when he was gone; "I will bet +you any thing that fellow is a spy."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span>"Nothing is more likely; for he seems to be capable of any thing, and in +war he would certainly act as a spy. But why should he exercise that +noble trade in your house?"</p> + +<p>"He was looking after Viola and his wife. You know how eager Mr. Skinner +is to arrest the robber."</p> + +<p>"I know that yesterday he was in pursuit of the poor man; but to-day he +has other matters to think of. No, I am sure the Jew has some request or +some complaint to make to your father."</p> + +<p>"But he asked so many questions; he looked into every corner of the +room."</p> + +<p>"He was afraid of the dogs, and perhaps he hoped to discover a broken +pane of glass. It would have been a job for him, you know."</p> + +<p>But Vilma was by no means easy in her mind. She was about to give vent +to a great many more fears, when Tengelyi's arrival put a stop to the +conversation.</p> + +<p>While his daughter took charge of his hat and cane, the notary turned to +Etelka.</p> + +<p>"I was hardly prepared to find Miss Rety here," said he, "there are so +many guests at the Castle."</p> + +<p>"Are you not aware that their presence at the Castle adds to my reasons +for coming here?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span>"Indeed! I fancied that these gentlemen could not be sufficiently +honoured just before the election."</p> + +<p>Etelka's feelings were hurt, and she was at a loss what to say; but +Vilma, who wished to turn the conversation into another channel, asked +her father whether he had not met a Jew, who had just left the house.</p> + +<p>"I did meet him," said the notary. "I found him near my door, talking to +Mr. Catspaw. By the by, now I think of it, Mr. Catspaw asked me to give +his compliments to Miss Rety, and to inform her that he is going to send +a servant with a lanthorn. They are going to supper; the sheriff has +several times asked for Miss Rety."</p> + +<p>"But what did the Jew want with you? He was very pressing; he wanted to +see you on business of great importance."</p> + +<p>"Business? ay, yes, it's a sorry business to him, though good sport to +others. The poor fellow did a job at the Castle, and the very +praiseworthy Cortes of the county took his glass chest and broke it for +him; and because he was not at all amused, or because he is a Jew, or +one-eyed, or Heaven knows why they thrashed him. It's a trifling matter, +you see," said the notary, addressing Miss Rety, "for some people must +be beaten at an election, especially Jews, merely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> to give the new +officers something to do, and to convince the sufferers that, as far as +they are concerned, things have remained much the same as they were +before."</p> + +<p>"But, father dear, this is indeed horrible," said Vilma.</p> + +<p>"Nothing more simple, dearest child. What were an Hungarian's liberties +worth, if he were not allowed to thrash a Jew? But the affair has been +settled. Mr. Catspaw has promised to pay for the glass, and I am very +much mistaken if the Jew does not make the attorney pay for the beating +too."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ershebet and the clergyman entered the room. Etelka kissed her +friend and returned to the Castle.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_I_VII" id="CHAPTER_I_VII"></a>CHAP. VII.</h3> + + +<p>It was but natural that while the Conservative party at Tissaret made so +many preparations for the election, Mr. Bantornyi's cooks and butlers +should be equally busy. Tserepesh was the seat of Bantornyi's party, +whose numbers surpassed those of Rety's adherents. Almost all the great +landowners of the county, with the exception of Kishlaki, Shoskuty, and +Slatzanek, resorted to Tserepesh. Their enthusiasm (to judge from the +noise they made) was unbounded, and their chief strength consisted in +the support of the younger and consequently more liberal members of the +community. But Mr. Kriver, who sided with either party, had his reasons +for doubting the ultimate success of the Bantornyis. He was aware that +excepting himself, the prothonotary, and a few vice-justices, all the +placemen of the county belonged to the Conservative party, which did the +more credit to their disinterestedness and foresight, as it was well +known that Bantornyi was leagued with men, who, like himself, aspired +for the first time to the honours and cares<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> of office, a policy whose +edge will sometimes turn against him who uses it. Besides, (and this is +indeed Mr. Kriver's chief ground of doubt,) Bantornyi's party had +resolved to act upon the mind of the Cortes by persuasion, and to eschew +bribery. This sublime, but rather impractical idea emanated from +Tengelyi, whose motion to that effect was so zealously supported by +Bantornyi's friends (excepting always the candidates for office), that +the recorder's eloquence and Bantornyi's entreaties were of no avail +against this virtuous resolution of theirs. In justice to Bantornyi we +ought to say, that he and his family strove to make up for this fault, +and his noble friends were never in want of either wine or brandy; but +this rash resolution which the Retys published with their own +commentaries was nevertheless a serious drawback to the success of the +party. Well might the Bantornyis agitate for the emancipation of the +Jews (so the Rety party said) since they were stingier than a thousand +Jews; they despised the nobility because they refused to treat its +members. Bantornyi's secret donations were fairly smothered by these +public calumnies. Kriver was perfectly justified in protesting that what +the party wanted was the <i>power of publicity</i>. Rety's men, on the other +hand, perambulated the villages; they bore<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> gaudy flags; they had their +houses of resort; they distributed feathers among the men and ribbons +among the women; the very children in the streets were gained over to +them. Every noble fellow knew that it would be three zwanzigers in his +pocket if Rety was returned. And the Bantornyis walked about +empty-handed, appealing to moral force! They had not even the ghost of a +chance; the candidates for office became dissatisfied and talked of +effecting a compromise with the enemy, and there is no saying what they +might have done but for a most unexpected event, which caused them to +rally round their leader.</p> + +<p>The lord-lieutenant wrote to inform Mr. Bantornyi of his intention to +visit the county, and of staying a night at Tserepesh. The letter which +contained this welcome intelligence was in his Excellency's own +handwriting, and the sensation produced in the county was of course +immense. The lord-lieutenant had always taken up his quarters in Rety's +house. Now Rety was a renegade. An old liberal, he had joined the +Conservative party. And the lord-lieutenant, scorning Rety's proffered +hospitality, turns to the house of his antagonist. His Excellency was a +liberal at heart, and that was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> the secret—at least in the opinion of +the Tserepesh people. The Rety party were a little shocked. They said, +of course, that his Excellency consulted but his own convenience; that +Bantornyi's house was the most convenient place on <i>that</i> road, and that +the inns in that part of the county were villanous; but in their inmost +souls they denounced this step as the greatest political fault which his +Excellency could have committed, and which, they were sure, <i>must</i> lead +to his downfall. The anti-bribery party were positive that the high +functionary was aware of the despicable means which the Retys employed +to get their chief returned, and that he claimed Bantornyi's hospitality +only to express his disgust at the unlawful practices of bribery and +corruption. It need scarcely be said that Tengelyi was a zealous +supporter of the latter opinion. But whatever reasons the Count +Maroshvölgyi had for going to Tserepesh, certain it is that the news of +his coming gave the Bantornyis hopes, and more than hopes of success. It +steadied the wavering ranks of their partizans and recruited their +number by a crowd of would-be candidates. The day appointed for the +Count's arrival saw the house of the Bantornyis thronged with +anti-bribery men; and though his Excellency was not expected before +nightfall, it was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> all but impossible to cross the hall at nine o'clock +in the morning.</p> + +<p>Bantornyi's house was one of those buildings with which every traveller +in Hungary must be acquainted. It was a castellated mansion with nine +windows; a large gate in the middle, and a tower at each of its four +corners. The interior of these buildings is always the same. An ascent +of three stone steps leads you to the gate, and walking through a large +stone-paved hall you enter the dining-room, to the right of which are +the apartments of the lady of the house, and to the left the rooms +destined for the use of the landlord and his guests. Bantornyi's castle +was built on this plan; but, ever since the return from England of Mr. +Jacob—or <i>James</i> Bantornyi—(for he delighted most in the English +reading of his name) Mr. Lajosh Bantornyi had come to be a stranger in +his own house.</p> + +<p>There is in England a very peculiar thing which is commonly known by the +name of <i>comfort</i>. Mr. James had made deep investigations into the +nature and qualities of this peculiar British "thing" (as he called it). +Indeed he had come to understand and master it. The "thing," viz. +comfort, is chiefly composed of three things: first, that a man's home +be built as irregularly as possible; secondly, that there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> be an +abundance of small galleries and narrow passages, and no lack of steps +near the doors of the rooms; and, thirdly, that the street-door be +fastened with a Bramah lock and key. Curtains and low arm-chairs are +capital things in their way; but most indispensable are some truly +English fire-places fit for burning coal, for it is the smoke of coal +which gives a zest to English comfort. When Mr. James Bantornyi returned +from England, he rebuilt the family mansion on a plan which was +suggested by "Loudon's Encyclopedia of Cottage Architecture." The new +building which did so much honour to his taste, was not above one story +high; but one of the old towers, which communicated with the new house, +was built higher, and (in spite of Mr. Lajosh's protests) provided with +a wooden staircase. A verandah was constructed on that side of the house +which fronted the garden, and an antechamber and a billiard-room were +built in the yard. The giant oaks of an English park were indeed but +indifferently imitated by a few Mashanza apple trees; but the garden +walls, which Mr. James caused to be painted red and yellow, gave a +tolerable idea of the unpainted walls of an English landscape. The +stables were, of course, condemned to similar improvements; and the +grooms were threatened with instant dismissal if they pre<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span>sumed to do +their work without that peculiar hissing noise which English grooms are +wont to make in the exercise of their professional avocations. Stairs, +steps, passages, verandahs, curtains, fireplaces, and arm-chairs—in +short, every thing was there; and the Bramah lock was famous throughout +the county; for once upon a time, when Mr. James had gone to Pesth, the +street-door was found to be locked, and the key (by some inexplicable +mischance) lost; nor could the family enter the house or leave it in any +other way than by climbing through the windows of the verandah, until +Mr. James, who had the other key fastened to his watch chain, returned +from his journey and opened the door. The old castle, which was +inhabited by Mr. Lajosh, had escaped most of these improvements; but Mr. +James caused his elder brother to consent to some alterations being made +in the dining-room. It was moreover pronounced to be a high crime and +misdemeanour to smoke in any part of the house.</p> + +<p>While Mr. Lajosh Bantornyi was busy in receiving and complimenting his +guests, his brother James and Mr. Kriver were walking in the garden. +James was evidently out of spirits. He shook his head, stood still, +walked and shook his head again, beat his boots with a hunting-whip, and +replied to the recorder's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> remarks with "<i>most true</i>," "<i>yes</i>," +"<i>indeed</i>," and other expressions of English parliamentary language.</p> + +<p>"I am sure," said Mr. Kriver, in a whisper, "I am sure we are losing our +labour, unless we have a committee-room and some flags. Your spending +money is of no use. Your brother's popularity will not do him any good. +They take your money, but they don't come to the election, and <i>if</i> they +come, they are kidnapped by Rety's party."</p> + +<p>"<i>You are right, my friend</i>, which means, I agree with you; but what the +devil shall we do?"</p> + +<p>"Induce your brother to get up some English affair, some <i>moting</i>, or +<i>meeting</i>, or some such thing."</p> + +<p>"<i>Meeting</i>, from <i>to meet</i>, which means that people meet. I hope you +understand the derivation of the word!"</p> + +<p>"That's it! We ought to get up something like a meeting where people +meet and drink."</p> + +<p>"You are mistaken. That drinking business is altogether a different +affair: they call it a '<i>political dinner</i>.' But you <i>meet</i> to discuss a +question; and people sign their names to petitions by hundreds of +thousands and more, and such a petition tells upon the government. I +attended such a meeting at Glasgow, but——"</p> + +<p>Nothing can equal the horror which Mr. Kriver<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> felt when he saw Mr. +James prepared to favour him with a sketch of his travels. "Ah! I know," +said the recorder quickly, "you, too, signed the petition; it was when +you made that agitation about the Poor Law. But to return to what I was +saying, we ought to give a political dinner, and you ought to make a +speech, and state the principles of the party."</p> + +<p>"No; they drink the king's health first, and the health of the members +of the royal family, for the dynasty ought to be honoured. A man is at +liberty to say of the government whatever he pleases; but the king, you +know, the king must be honoured. That's the liberty of an Englishman. +Next——"</p> + +<p>"The lord-lieutenant."</p> + +<p>"Shocking! You are quite in the dark about it. After the royal family we +must have some class toasts; for example, the Church, army, and navy."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid those toasts would do little good. There is a strong feeling +against the Papists; that toast of the Church is enough to send all our +Protestants to—Rety."</p> + +<p>"You are quite right. Our Dissenters hate our High Church as much as the +English Dissenters hate theirs. But I don't see why we should not toast +'the Church.' Every man drinks to his own Church; but if they were to +accuse us of sympathy for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> Roman Catholics, where's the harm? Only +think how closely the Whigs were leagued with O'Connell!"</p> + +<p>"My friend," said Mr. Kriver, "you know England; but I know this county. +Our countrymen cannot understand and appreciate your ideas."</p> + +<p>"Yes!" said Mr. James, highly flattered, "I am sure they cannot. But the +army we must have."</p> + +<p>"Of course, if you wish it. But the great thing is to make it a regular, +downright, out-and-out, drinking bout."</p> + +<p>"But what in the world are we to do? My brother and I have gone all +lengths. We have spent a year's income on this confounded election."</p> + +<p>"Nor is money the thing we want, if we can but make some grand +demonstration. But unless our people get their feathers and colours, we +are winged. Do but induce your brother to act like a man; we are sure to +gain the day."</p> + +<p>"We have promised to employ none but honourable means——"</p> + +<p>"To get the majority. But the means which I propose are, in <i>my</i> +opinion, most honourable. Is there any thing dishonourable in +hospitality?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly not; and I grant you the resolution admits of various +interpretations. But some people there are who do not think so."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span>"Nonsense! When we passed that silly resolution, there were indeed lots +of fools that voted with Tengelyi; but why did they do it? Because they +were not booked for a place, and because they were afraid for their +money. But with your own money you are quite at liberty to buy as many +Cortes as you please."</p> + +<p>"But Tengelyi!"</p> + +<p>"Tengelyi! What of him? And suppose he were to leave us, what then? He +is an honest man, I grant you; but after all, he is only a village +notary."</p> + +<p>"His influence is great, especially with the clergy; and if <i>he</i> were to +oppose us——"</p> + +<p>"Oppose us? Impossible! Tengelyi is more impracticable than any man ever +was. No matter whether you insult him or flatter him, you lose your +pains. The good man fancies that a village notary's conviction goes +beyond every thing. Besides, he will never vote for Rety's party; and if +he votes for them, I know of something that will play the devil with his +influence."</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"Tengelyi," whispered Kriver, "is not a nobleman."</p> + +<p>"Not a——! can it be possible?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>"I am sure of it. You know that fellow Catspaw is a crony of mine. Old +Rety was Tengelyi's friend, though they hate one another now; and old +Rety knows all Tengelyi's secrets. Catspaw told me that the notary has +not a rag of paper to prove his noble descent by. The prothonotary, too, +is aware of it, though he keeps his counsel; and so do we, if he votes +for us. But if he turns against us, we have him close enough in a +corner."</p> + +<p>The prothonotary, who at this moment came up, confirmed Mr. Kriver's +statement; and Mr. James pledged his word as a gentleman to hoist the +colours of the party, and to invite the whole county to a political +dinner.</p> + +<p>The day passed amidst Mr. James's varied, and indeed interesting, +accounts of the Doncaster races, and the debates of the English +parliament—accounts which were given seriatim to small knots of guests +in every corner of every room in the house; while Mrs. James Bantornyi +was busy superintending the arrangement of the apartments destined for +the lord-lieutenant's use. In the evening Mr. Lajosh Bantornyi was in a +state of great excitement. He walked restlessly to and fro, pulled out +his watch, and looked at it. He walked out into the park and came back +again, addressing every one he met with: "Really<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> his Excellency ought +to be here by this time!" Whereupon some of the guests said: "Yes, so he +ought!" and others protested that his Excellency must have been detained +on the road. The words of "<i>contra</i>" and "<i>pagat ultimo</i>" rung from the +card table; and the noise of a political discussion, in which no less +than thirty persons joined, intent on reconciling twelve opinions on +four different subjects, drowned the complaints of Mr. Lajosh Bantornyi. +But Mr. James, who saw and pitied his brother's distress, mounted his +horse, and, accompanied by two torch-bearers, set out to meet the +lord-lieutenant on the road. He was scarcely gone when the din of an +angry discussion broke through the dense cloud of smoke which enveloped +the card-tables.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Sheriff, this is unsupportable; this is!" cried a man with a sallow +and somewhat dirty face. It was Mr. Janoshy, an assessor, and a man of +influence. "Mr. Sheriff, I won't stand it. Penzeshy has saved his +pagat!"</p> + +<p>"Has he indeed? Well then, there is no help for it, if he has saved it."</p> + +<p>"But I covered it."</p> + +<p>"But why did you cover it?"</p> + +<p>"Because I have eight taroks."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>"Eight taroks! Why then, in the name of h—ll, did you not take it?"</p> + +<p>"Why, what did <i>you</i> lead spades for?"</p> + +<p>"What the deuce do you mean, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Clubs, sir! It was your bounden duty, sir, to lead clubs, sir," said +Janoshy, very fiercely.</p> + +<p>"Clubs be ——! Do you mean to tell me, sir, that I ought to have played +my king? I'd see you——"</p> + +<p>"I appeal to you!" cried Janoshy, addressing Penzeshy, who was shuffling +the cards, while the company thronged round the table.</p> + +<p>"Go on!" said Mr. Kriver.</p> + +<p>"This is not fair play!" cried Janoshy.</p> + +<p>"I play to please myself and not you," retorted the sheriff.</p> + +<p>"Then you ought to play by yourself, but not for <i>my</i> money!"</p> + +<p>"Here's your stake! take it and welcome!"</p> + +<p>"I won't stand it. By G—d I won't!" cried Mr. Janoshy, jumping up. +"You, sir! you take the money back, or give it to your servant, (poor +fellow! it's little enough he gets); but don't talk to me in that way, +sir! I won't stand it, sir!"</p> + +<p>Here the altercation was interrupted by the general<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> interference of +every man in the room, and in the confusion of tongues which ensued, +nothing was heard but the words, "pagat,—sheriff—good manners—<i>tous +les trois</i>"—until Shoskuty, in a blue dress embroidered with gold (for +every body was in full dress), entered the room. He silenced the most +noisy by being noisier still. "<i>Domini spectabiles!</i>" cried Shoskuty, +"for God's sake be quiet, Mr. Janoshy is quite hoarse, and I am sure his +Excellency is coming. That confounded pagat!—only think of his +Excellency!—though it was saved—for after all we are but mortal +men!—I am sure he is hoarse;" and thus he went on, when of a sudden the +doors of the apartment were flung open and a servant rushed in shouting, +"His Excellency is at the door!"</p> + +<p>"Is he? Goodness be—where's my sabre?" cried Shoskuty, running to the +antechamber which served as a temporary arsenal, while the rest of the +company ran into the next room, where they fought for their pelisses.</p> + +<p>"I do pray, <i>domine spectabilis</i>! but this is mine. It's green with +ermine!" cried the recorder, stopping one of the assessors who had just +donned his pelisse, and who turned to look for his sword. The assessor +protested with great indignation, and the recorder was at length +compelled to admit his mistake.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> Disgusted as he was, he dropped his +kalpac, which was immediately trodden down by the crowd.</p> + +<p>"'Sblood! where is my sword? Terrem tette!" shouted Janoshy, making vain +endeavours to push forward into the sword room, while Shoskuty, who had +secured his weapon, was equally unsuccessful in his struggles to obtain +his pelisse.</p> + +<p>"But I pray! I <i>do</i> pray! I am the speaker of the deputation—blue and +gold—I must have it—do but consider!" groaned the worthy baron. His +endeavours were at length crowned with success, and he possessed himself +of a pelisse which certainly bore some similarity to his own. Throwing +it over his shoulders Baron Shoskuty did his best to add to the general +confusion by entreating the gentlemen to be quick, "for," added he, "his +Excellency has just arrived!"</p> + +<p>The lord-lieutenant's carriage had by this time advanced to the park +palings, where the schoolboys and the peasantry greeted its arrival with +maddening "Eljens!" The coachman was in the act of turning the corner of +the gate, when the quick flash and the awful roar of artillery burst +forth from the ditch at the road-side. His Excellency was surprised; so +were the horses. They shied and overturned the carriage. The +torch-bearing horsemen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> galloped about, frightening the village out of +its propriety, as the foxes did, when Samson made them torch-bearers to +the Philistines. Mr. James, following the impulse of the moment, came +down over his horse's head; the deputation, who were waiting in +Bantornyi's hall, wrung their hands with horror. At length the horses +ceased rearing and plunging; and as the danger of being kicked by them +was now fairly over, the company to a man rushed to welcome their +beloved lord-lieutenant.</p> + +<p>The deputation was splendid, at least in the Hungarian acceptation of +the word, for all the dresses of all its members were richly +embroidered. Shoskuty in a short blue jacket frogged and corded and +fringed with gold, and with his red face glowing under the weight of a +white and metal-covered kalpac, felt that the dignity of a whole county +was represented by his resplendent person. Thrice did he bow to his +Excellency, and thrice did the deputation rattle their spurs and imitate +the movement of their leader, who, taking his speech from the pocket of +his cloak, addressed the high functionary with a voice tremulous with +emotion.</p> + +<p>"At length, glorious man, hast thou entered the circle of thy admirers, +and the hearts which hitherto sighed for thee, beat joyfully in thy +presence!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span>His Excellency unfolded a handkerchief ready for use; the members of the +deputation cried "Helyesh!" and the curate of a neighbouring village, +who had joined the deputation, became excited and nervous. The speaker +went on.</p> + +<p>"Respect and gratitude follow thy shadow; and within the borders of thy +county there is no man but glories in the consciousness that <i>thou</i> art +his superior."</p> + +<p>"He talks in print! he does indeed," whispered an assessor.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon," said the curate, very nervously, "it was <i>I</i> who +made that speech."</p> + +<p>"<i>Tantæne animis cœlestibus iræ!</i> These parsons are dreadfully jealous," +said the assessor. Shoskuty, turning a leaf of his manuscript, +proceeded:</p> + +<p>"The flock which now stands before thee"—(here the members of the +deputation looked surprised, and shook their heads)—"is but a small +part of that numerous herd which feeds on thy pastures; and he who +introduces them to thy notice"—(Shoskuty himself was vastly +astonished)—"is not better than the rest: though he wears thy coat, he +were lost but for thy guidance and correction."</p> + +<p>The audience whispered among themselves, and the lord-lieutenant could +not help smiling.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span>"For God's sake, what <i>are</i> you about?" whispered Mr. Kriver. "Turn a +leaf!" Baron Shoskuty, turning a leaf, and looking the picture of blank +despair, continued:</p> + +<p>"Here thou seekest vainly for science—vainly for patriotic +merits—vainly dost thou seek for all that mankind have a right to be +proud of——"</p> + +<p>The members of the deputation became unruly.</p> + +<p>"They are peasants, thou beholdest,——"</p> + +<p>Here a storm of indignation burst forth.</p> + +<p>"In their Sunday dresses——"</p> + +<p>"Are you mad, Baron Shoskuty?"</p> + +<p>"But good Christians, all of them," sighed the wretched baron, with +angelic meekness: "there is not a single heretic among my flock."</p> + +<p>"He is mad! let us cheer!—Eljen! Eljen!"</p> + +<p>"Somebody has given me the wrong pelisse!" said Shoskuty, making his +retreat; while the lord-lieutenant replied to the address to the best of +his abilities, that is to say, very badly, for he was half choked with +suppressed laughter.</p> + +<p>But the curate, who had displayed so unusual a degree of nervousness at +the commencement of the address, followed Shoskuty to the next room, +whither that worthy man fled to bemoan his defeat.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span>"Sir, how dare you steal my speech?" cried the curate.</p> + +<p>"Leave me alone! I am a ruined man, and all through you!"</p> + +<p>"Well, sir; this is well. You steal my speech, and read it. Now what am +I to do? I made that speech, and a deal of trouble it gave me. Now what +am I to tell the bishop at his visitation on Monday next?"</p> + +<p>"But, in the name of Heaven, why did you take my cloak?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Your</i> cloak?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; <i>my</i> cloak. I am sure my speech is in your pocket."</p> + +<p>The curate searched the pockets of the pelisse, and produced a +manuscript. "Dear me!" said he, wringing his hands; "it <i>is</i> your +cloak." And the discomfited orators were very sad, and would not be +comforted.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_I_VIII" id="CHAPTER_I_VIII"></a>CHAP. VIII.</h3> + + +<p>Dustbury is the chief market town of the county of Takshony. While the +Greeks of old built their cities in the clefts and hollows of rocks, as +the learned tell us, we are informed that the vagrant nation from which +we are descended were wont to settle on fertile soil; wherever our +ancestors found luxurious crops of grass and a fountain of sweet water, +there did they stop and feed their flocks. In this spirit they made +their earliest camp at Dustbury. But when the tents gave way to houses, +the luxuriant green of the pasturage disappeared, and the fountains of +sweet waters, which invited our fathers to stay and rest on their banks, +stagnated, and became a vast substantial bog. Still, if you look at the +streets of Dustbury in autumn, and if you take notice (for who can help +it?) of the deep cart-ruts in the street, you must confess that Dustbury +does indeed lie in Canaan; and throughout many weeks in every year even +the least patriotic of the natives of Dustbury find it difficult, and +even<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> impossible, to leave the city. The houses of Dustbury are +intersected and divided by a variety of narrow lanes and alleys, which, +by their intricacy, are apt to perplex the stranger within her gates. +They have a striking family likeness. Except only the council-house and +a few mansions, they are all, to a house, covered with wood or straw; +and so great is their uniformity, that the very natives of Dustbury have +been known to make awkward mistakes. A great deal might be said of the +modern improvements of the town,—such as the public promenade, the +expense of which was defrayed by a subscription; and the plantations, +containing trees (the only ones in the neighbourhood), which are +protected by the police, and which left off growing ever since they were +planted. There was a plantation of mulberry-trees, too; but it dated +from the days of the Emperor Joseph; and no more than three +mulberry-trees were left in it to tell the tale of departed glory. Next, +there is the pavement, which a French tourist most unwarrantably mistook +for a barricade; though, for the comfort of all timid minds, be it said, +that the pavement has since been covered with a thick layer of mud, so +as to be perceptible to those only who enter the town in a carriage. I +could adduce a variety of other matters<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> to the praise and glory of +Dustbury, but I abstain; and, leaving them to the next compiler of one +of Mr. Murray's Handbooks, I introduce my readers into the council-house +of Dustbury, and the lord-lieutenant's apartments.</p> + +<p>The great man's antechamber was thronged with men of all parties, who, +"armed as befits a man," waited for the moment—that bright spot in +their existence!—which allowed them to pay their humble respects to his +Excellency. Rety, Bantornyi, Baron Shoskuty, Slatzanek, and all the +county magistrates and assessors, were there, either to report +themselves for to-morrow's election, or to offer their humble advice to +the royal commissioner. And truly their advice was valuable. One man +said that X., the juror, was a man of subversive principles, and that +the crown was in danger unless X. was to lose his place and Z. to have +it. Another man protested that Mr. D. must be sworn as a notary: in +short, every one had the most cogent reasons for wishing a certain place +out of the hands of the very man who held it. The crowd dispersed at the +approach of the evening. Some went to their club-rooms to harangue the +Cortes, while others were busy preparing a serenade for the +lord-lieutenant. That great man, meanwhile, tired out with his own +kindness and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> condescension, promenaded the room, and talked to his +secretary.</p> + +<p>"So you think," said his Excellency, "that things will go on smoothly +to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"Smoothly enough, except for those who may happen to get a drubbing. +Rety is sure to be returned. Bantornyi does not care. He put himself in +nomination merely to please his brother. His party will be satisfied +with a few of the smaller places. Rety, who is a good, honest man, +resigns the office, and Kriver, who is agreeable to either party, takes +his place."</p> + +<p>"I trust there will be no outrages."</p> + +<p>"Nothing of the kind. We have two companies of foot on the spot, and the +cuirassiers are coming to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"But you know very well that I detest the interference of the military. +People <i>will</i> misconstrue that kind of thing. They talk of the freedom +of election."</p> + +<p>"No!" said the secretary, smiling; "your Excellency can have no idea how +fond the people here are of bayonets. Bantornyi and Rety asked me at +least ten times whether due preparation had been made for the +maintenance of order and tranquillity, and when I told them of the +horse, they were ready to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> hug me from sheer delight. Your Excellency's +predecessor was fond of soldiers, and there are people who cannot fancy +a free election without bayonets. If they were called upon to paint the +picture of Liberty, they'd put her between a grenadier and a +cuirassier."</p> + +<p>"Pray be serious!"</p> + +<p>"So I am. Still it makes me laugh to think that the very men who now +divide the county trace their origin as political parties to an idle +controversy on the uniforms of the county-hussars. Hence the yellows and +the blacks. I am sure your Excellency would laugh if you had seen their +committee-rooms. Rety's head-quarters ring with high praises of his +patriotism, for his having at the last election fixed the price of meat +at threepence a pound; while in the next house you find all the butchers +of the county for Bantornyi, the intrepid champion of protection and +threepence-halfpenny. Just now, at the café, I overheard an argument on +Vetshöshy's abilities, which were rated very low, because he is known to +be a bad hand at cards. In short, your Excellency can have no idea of +the farce which is acting around us. Slatzanek called half an hour ago, +lamenting the lose of two of his best Cortes. They were stolen."</p> + +<p>"They were—what?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span>"Stolen, your Excellency. One of the men is forest-keeper to the bishop. +He is a powerful fellow, with a stentorian voice, strongly attached to +his party, and very influential in his way. He is a black. The yellow +party surrounded him with false friends; they made him dead drunk, and +in that state, in which they keep him, they take him from village to +village, with the yellow flag waving over his head, thus showing him +off, and making believe that he had joined their party. The thing +happened a week ago, and the fellow, fancying that he is with the +blacks, shouts 'Eljen!' with all the fury of drunken enthusiasm. The +blacks have made several unsuccessful attempts to rescue their leader, +and three noble communities, who were wont to vote with the bishop's +keeper, have joined Bantornyi's party. The other man is a notary at +Palinkash. They have put him down to a card-table, and whenever the +wretched man thinks of the election, they cause him to win or to lose, +just an it serves their turn to keep him there."</p> + +<p>The lord-lieutenant laughed.</p> + +<p>"Have you spoken to Tengelyi, the notary of Tissaret?"</p> + +<p>"He is coming. To see that poor man lose his time and labour is really +distressing. I never saw<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> more sincerity of enthusiasm and more +manliness of feeling. The good man is almost sixty, and still he has not +learnt that a village notary cannot possibly be a reformer."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid he's tedious," said his Excellency; "but we must bear with +him, since you tell me he is a man of influence."</p> + +<p>"So he is, and more so than any notary in any county I know of. Vandory, +by whom the clergy of this district are wont to swear, votes with the +notary."</p> + +<p>"He is a demagogue, I am told."</p> + +<p>"No; I do not think that name applies to him. The principles, which +demagogues make tools of, are the grand aim and end of his life. In +short, he is half a century in advance of his age."</p> + +<p>"The worse for him, he'll scarcely live to see the day of general +enlightenment. Men of his stamp are most dangerous."</p> + +<p>"Hardly so. Men of strong convictions are for the most part isolated. +They want the power to do harm, for they have no party. Who will side +with them?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Nous verrons!</i>" said the Count Maroshvölgyi. "The notary is a family +man; besides, he is poor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> Kriver told me all about him, and I dare say +there are means of settling him."</p> + +<p>"If your Excellency is right, I am mistaken."</p> + +<p>"Nor will this mistake be the last of your life," said his Excellency, +rising. "The glaring red on a woman's cheek ought to tell you that that +woman is painted, and the <i>belle des belles</i> of the ball is palest in +the morning. But I hear somebody in the next room. Pray see who it is; +and if it be Tengelyi, leave me alone to talk to him."</p> + +<p>The secretary left the room, which Tengelyi entered soon afterwards. His +Excellency received him with great cordiality.</p> + +<p>"Have I your pardon," said the great man, "for asking you to come to me? +I wanted to see you, and I was disappointed in my hopes of finding you +among my other visitors."</p> + +<p>Tengelyi replied, that he was always ready to obey his Excellency's +orders, but that he knew his position too well to trouble the Count with +his presence on such a busy day as this.</p> + +<p>"My dear sir, you are wrong to believe that I know not to distinguish +between a man and his position, and that I mistake you for one of the +common notaries."</p> + +<p>"And your Excellency is wrong to believe that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> this would hurt my +feelings. The extent of our usefulness determines the value which we +have for others. People do not value our will, but our power; and though +a village notary such as I, may possibly in his own thoughts rate +himself higher than he does his colleagues, it would be wrong in him to +ask others to do the same. But may I inquire what are your Excellency's +commands?"</p> + +<p>"Some years ago, when you were intimate with the Retys, I used to see +more of you."</p> + +<p>Tengelyi looked displeased.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me," added the count, "if I have pained you by reminding you of +that time."</p> + +<p>"On the contrary, I feel truly honoured that your Excellency should have +remembered my humble self, painfully though I feel that my influence +does not stretch to the length of my gratitude."</p> + +<p>There was a hidden sting of bitterness in Tengelyi's words, and +especially in the tone in which they were delivered. The count +continued:—</p> + +<p>"What I ask—or rather what I crave of you—has nothing to do with +influence. It rests solely with you to grant my suit, and to oblige me +for all time to come."</p> + +<p>Tengelyi cast a glance of suspicion at the great<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> man. "Your +Excellency," said he, drily, "may rely on me, if your command can be +reconciled to my principles."</p> + +<p>"I know you too well, and respect you too much to express any other +wish. What I ask of you will convince you how deeply sensible I am of +your merits."</p> + +<p>Tengelyi bowed.</p> + +<p>"I know," continued the count, "that you are <i>au fait</i> of the condition +of the county. Your office brings you in contact with the lower classes. +You see and hear many things which a lord-lieutenant can never know. +Speak freely to me, I pray, and be assured that to advise me is an act +of charity."</p> + +<p>The notary was silent.</p> + +<p>"Do not impute my demand to an idle and vain curiosity. The election +comes off to-morrow. It decides the fate of the county for the next +three years. You <i>must</i> be sensible of the importance of this moment, +and you know that my influence can be of use to the public, if I exert +it with my eyes open."</p> + +<p>Tengelyi was in the act of opening his lips and heart to the +lord-lieutenant; but he remembered that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> a man may take any line that +suits his plans, and that his Excellency was known to be not over nice +in such matters. He replied, therefore, that he was not mixed up with +any party, and that he could not, to his great sorrow, enlighten his +Excellency on that head.</p> + +<p>Maroshvölgyi, who was a master in the noble art of flattery, had never +yet encountered such an antagonist in the county of Takshony. He waived +the attack.</p> + +<p>"You mistake me. Do you indeed fancy me to be ignorant of the position +of parties? I know more of them, I assure you, than is either good or +wholesome for me. But is there nothing in the county beyond these +wretched parties? Ought I not to know the condition of the people? Ought +I not to know how the functionaries behave in their offices, and what +the poorer classes have to expect from the candidates?"</p> + +<p>"Is it then the condition of the people which your Excellency wishes to +know?" said Tengelyi, with a deep sigh. "But who <i>can</i> give you an idea +of their condition? Did you not, when you rode through the county, look +out from your carriage at the villages on the roadside? And what was it +you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> saw? Roofless huts, the fields neglected, and their population +walking dejectedly, without industry, without prosperity, without that +joyful merry air so characteristic of the lower classes of other +countries. Believe me, sir, the people in this country are not happy!"</p> + +<p>"But, my dear Tengelyi, I think there is some exaggeration in your +words. The Hungarian people do not stand so low as you would place them: +I know none more proud and manly. The Hungarian peasant is happier than +any I ever saw."</p> + +<p>"Do not be imposed upon by appearances. The peasant of Hungary is a +stiff-necked fellow; and I must say, I take a pride in this race, when I +see that the oppression of so many years has not bent its neck. A nation +which after so much oppression can still hold up its head, seems to be +made for liberty,—but for all that, the people are not happy. We do not +see them in rags,—but why? because they never had any clothes, except +linen shirts and trowsers! but do they therefore feel the cold of winter +less? They do not complain. No; for they know, from the experience of +centuries, that their complaints are unheeded. But do they not feel the +oppression which weighs down upon them? Do they not feel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> the separation +from their sons, when the latter are enrolled in the regiments, while +the children of their noble neighbours show their courage in hunting at +the expense of the subject's crops?"</p> + +<p>"You live among the people," said the lord-lieutenant, quietly; "but +believe me, in this respect, you are mistaken. I know Hungarian peasants +who in wealth can vie with the agriculturists of any country."</p> + +<p>"Of course; but are they the only peasants in Hungary? Are not there +others in our counties,—men who are equally our brethren,—and who +equally claim our attention? Consider the Russniak population of the +county. We see them in rags, starved and wretched. Has any thing been +done to bind these people to our nation? has any attempt been made to +raise them to the rank of Magyars? of citizens of the country?"</p> + +<p>"You are right, and it is to be hoped that the nation will soon +understand its own interests. But what can the county magistrates do in +this respect? What can I do?"</p> + +<p>"Very much indeed!" replied the notary, enthusiastically; "if your +Excellency would only extend your protection to the poor people!—if +you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> would use your influence for the election of officers who are alive +to the sacred duties of their office!"</p> + +<p>"Alas!" said Maroshvölgyi, "I wish to God it were so, and that I <i>could</i> +be to the people what I wish to be."</p> + +<p>"Your Excellency <i>can</i>!" cried Tengelyi. "There are honest men, even +among the present county magistrates: I need not tell you their names. +You know them as well as the Retys, Krivers, Skinners. Take the part of +the former, and oppose the latter. Believe me, your Excellency, the +county has no lack of noble and generous men, and it lies in your hands +to make the people of Takshony a happy people."</p> + +<p>"But you forget my political position. Rety, Kriver, and the other men, +are men of my party whom I cannot possibly throw overboard: but, I +assure you, I respect the feelings which you have expressed to me. If +you were in my place, you would see that there are some great and fine +ideas which a man cannot call into life, whatever his seeming power and +influence may be. Whatever influence I may have in the county, I owe to +the popularity which I have obtained through my conduct; and if I were +to follow your advice, I should lose my popularity."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span>"Popularity! of course, all coteries have their popularity; whenever a +body of men are united for a certain purpose, they show their gratitude +for him who promotes that purpose, and applause, garlands, and triumphs +fall to the share of him who speaks loudest, and agitates most zealously +for the realisation of the common object. But do not others live in our +country besides the nobility which fills our council-halls? Are there +not nobler things to strive for than these paltry Eljens? And the +people, those millions who silently surround us, those vast multitudes, +who have at present no reward for their benefactors but sighs and tears, +but who, on the day of their glory, will raise the names of their +champions in a louder shout than all the Cortes in all Hungary;—are +they nothing to you?"</p> + +<p>Here the speaker was interrupted by a distant cry of "Eljen."</p> + +<p>"I go, your Excellency," continued the notary, "to make room for others. +You will be surrounded with adorers. You will have music and speeches; +but, believe me, the gratitude of the people is not the less strong for +being silent, and if our country has a future, it will certainly not +pick out its great men from among the cheered of this wretched time!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span>Tengelyi bowed. The Count Maroshvölgyi shook his hand, and followed him +with a deep sigh as he left the room.</p> + +<p>"What do you say now, your Excellency?" said the secretary. "Was I not +right in saying that this man's proper place is not in this county?"</p> + +<p>"Let me tell you that his proper place is nowhere in this country," said +Maroshvölgyi, as he stepped to the window to receive the serenaders.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_I_IX" id="CHAPTER_I_IX"></a>CHAP. IX.</h3> + + +<p>As the evening wore on, the streets of Dustbury were restored to their +usual darkness. The lord-lieutenant had retired after supper, and +everything was quiet. From the committee-rooms, where the Cortes were +locked up to keep them safe from foreign influence, there proceeded a +low, dreamy, murmuring sound, mixed up at intervals with a hoarse voice, +shouting the name of Bantornyi, or Rety, as the case might be; but no +other signs of turbulence were there to warn the stranger of that +gigantic uproar which, in less than thirty hours, was to welcome the +birth of the new magistracy. One of the principal causes of this strange +tranquillity might have been found in the fact that the town was +occupied by Bantornyi's men only, and that consequently, any general +engagement of the hostile parties was quite out of the question. For the +Rety party had recurred to the well-known stratagem of marching their +troops, in small detachments, close up to the scene of the contest, +without entering the city. They were thus secured from having their men<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> +kidnapped, and could expect that their appearance in one compact body +would produce a general and striking effect in their favour.</p> + +<p>One of their extra-mural camps was at the distance of five miles from +Dustbury, at one of Rety's farms; and it is there we meet again with our +old friends the three hundred noblemen of St. Vilmosh. The village inn +is small. It is one of those agreeable hostelries in which the stranger, +though he may not find accommodation for himself, is at times lucky +enough to find a stable for his horse; nor is there any impediment to +his eating a good supper if he happens to be provided with victuals, +salt, plates, knives and forks. The stable and the large shed, which, +save on rainy days, offered a good shelter at all times, were on this +occasion filled with clean straw, and devoted to the exclusive use of +the nobility. Mr. Pennahazy, the notary and leader of the St. Vilmosh +volunteers, had carefully locked the gate of the yard, to prevent his +men from deserting; and, having taken this necessary precaution, he +retired to the bed of the Jewish landlord, while the Jew and his family +lay on the floor of the same room. The inn was as noiseless and tranquil +as if no stranger were tarrying within its gates. In the bar-room alone +there was a light shining from a deal table, at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> which two men were +engaged in discussing a small flask of brandy. One of these men is the +Jewish glazier to whom my readers were introduced in Tengelyi's house. +His comrade, who is just in the act of lighting his pipe, has not yet +figured in the pages of this story; but anybody that has visited the +gaols of the county of Takshony will at once be convinced that the +gentleman before him is Mr. Janosh of St. Vilmosh, alias Tzifra Jantshy; +for it is not probable that he should have seen the gaol at a time when +Tzifra was not in it; nor is it likely that any one who had once seen +the man should ever forget him. Tzifra's character was very legibly +marked on his face. His low and wrinkled forehead, his bushy eyebrows, +his grey restless eyes, protruding jaws and livid face, with the frouzy +grey hair and bluish, scorbutic lips, were calculated to make a strong, +and by no means agreeable, impression upon any one who saw him. His +sinewy limbs and powerful figure were, in the present instance, the more +conspicuous from their contrast to the spare and starved form of the +Jew.</p> + +<p>"Well, well!" said the latter, shaking his head; "who could ever have +supposed that you would come to the council-house without being dragged +to it?"</p> + +<p>"If a man's a nobleman, and is called to come<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span>—you see that is a fine +thing! I know the lower stories of the county-house extremely well, but +I must say I like the upper stories better."</p> + +<p>"If I were in your place, I would not go, that's all. There are so many +people who know you,—the turnkeys, the haiduks——"</p> + +<p>"What the devil do I care for them? Who dares to touch a nobleman of St. +Vilmosh?" cried Tzifra, striking the table with his fist. "They <i>shall</i> +know me! I want them to know me; and when they see me walking in the +hall, and when that confounded turnkey sees that I am a nobleman, while +he's but a scurvy cur of a peasant, he'll burst with envy. No, I want to +go there to make them savage; and if any of the fellows dares to look at +me, by G—d I'll kick his pipe out of his mouth."</p> + +<p>"Well!" sighed the Jew; "it's a fine thing to be a nobleman."</p> + +<p>"So it is; d—n me, so it is! If a man's once suspected, they nab him +and put him into quod, where he may wait until the gentlemen upstairs +have time to think of him. Now a nobleman is bailable; he goes about for +two or three years; and when sentence <i>is</i> passed and they nab him, at +least they dare not beat him. Oh! I tell you the franchise is a fine +thing, especially as you get it dirt cheap."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span>"You're a devil, Tzifra!" said the Jew; "but don't let Viola know of +your call at the parson's. If he were to know of it, I wouldn't change +my skin with you for all your nobility, nor for your devilship either."</p> + +<p>The robber seized his knife. "Don't laugh at me, thou dog!" cried he, +"for I will be——"</p> + +<p>The Jew jumped from his seat. A few moments afterwards he sat down +again.</p> + +<p>"Don't joke in this manner," said he; "I know you won't kill me, because +I tell you of your danger. I myself heard Viola say that he will do for +the man who did that job at the parson's."</p> + +<p>"He'll never know it; or do you think that Viola suspects me?"</p> + +<p>"No indeed, but——"</p> + +<p>"Or do you mean to betray me?" cried the robber, again seizing his +knife. "You are the only man who knows that I was at the parsonage."</p> + +<p>"Tzifra, you are a fool!" cried the Jew. "What have I to do with Viola +or with the parson; didn't I sell the roan horse for you, which you +<i>made</i> beyond the Theiss? And didn't you get ten florins and a half for +that same hack?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but you did me then; but never mind, you're born to do it—it's +your nature. But don't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> you talk of that business—you know what I mean. +Don't even tell it to your God; for otherwise Viola cannot possibly know +it, and he'll be hanged before he is a month older."</p> + +<p>"Will he, indeed!" said the Jew. "How will they do it?"</p> + +<p>"Why, didn't they catch him the other day?" replied the robber. "He'd be +done for by this time, had it not been for one of his comrades who fired +the sheriff's haystacks."</p> + +<p>"Does he owe that good turn to <i>you</i>?"</p> + +<p>"To <i>me</i>! Can there be any one who hates him as I do? Viola was a child +playing in the streets; when I came to the village with my men he used +to hide behind the stove; and now, curse me! you ought to see him, how +he lords it over me. If right and justice were done in this villanous +world of ours, who do you think ought to lead the outlaws but I, Tzifra +Jantshy, who have been their leader for many years?—I, who know every +hole and corner on either side of the Theiss, and who am a greater man +with the Tshikosh and Gulyash<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> than even their masters! But the +rascals wanted another man, d—n them! I found Viola amongst +them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span>!—that fellow who trembles like a woman when he sees a drop of +blood! that coward who pities a weeping child! they liked him better +than me, and if I had said a word they would have hanged me. He commands +and I obey—but, blast me! he'll have the worst of it!"</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_I_VIII" id="SEE_NOTE_I_VIII"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_I_VIII">Note VIII</a>.</p></div> + +<p>"Bravo!" said the Jew, pushing the bottle over to his comrade; "it is +quite ridiculous to think that Viola should presume to give his orders +to a man like <i>you</i>."</p> + +<p>"Of course, so it is!" cried the robber; "and what stupid orders his +are! The other day he finds me driving a peasant's oxen from the field, +and kicks up a row, and swears that I must take them back, for he +wouldn't allow any of the poor people to be hurt. Last year I shot a +Jew, whereupon the fool told me he'd shoot <i>me</i> if that kind of thing +were to happen again. But never mind! D—n him, we'll see which of us is +to be food for the ravens first! He'll feel my revenge by and by!"</p> + +<p>"Ah, I see!" cried the Jew. "It is you, then, who told his worship the +justice that Viola was coming to Tissaret."</p> + +<p>"Confound you! hold your tongue! And suppose I <i>did</i> tell him; what +next?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing that I know of; but I know an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> opportunity of giving Viola a +kick, and making good sum of money too."</p> + +<p>"Halljuk!" shouted the robber.</p> + +<p>"Silence!" cried the Jew, "you'll wake every man in the house. What did +you get for that little job at the parsonage?"</p> + +<p>"Are you at it again, you hound of a Jew?"</p> + +<p>"Never mind. What do you say to five-and-twenty florins? I'll put you in +a way to get them."</p> + +<p>"Five-and-twenty florins? But how?"</p> + +<p>"If you've but pluck——"</p> + +<p>"Pluck!" repeated Tzifra, staring at his comrade.</p> + +<p>"Well, never mind! Mark me now. The papers which you could not get the +other day are at Mr. Tengelyi's."</p> + +<p>"I am glad to hear it."</p> + +<p>"Be quiet, will you? They are in the large iron safe, where you won't +put your fingers on them, if I do not open it for you. Now, look here!"</p> + +<p>And the Jew produced an old rag from which he took two keys. "Here they +are," said he; "here are the keys, my man. I've got the key of the room +too, and——"</p> + +<p>"D—n the fellow!" cried Tzifra, grinning; "how in the devil's name did +you get those keys?"</p> + +<p>"I reconnoitred the place, saw the box, and knew<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> it at once. Tengelyi +bought it from one of our people in the market at Dustbury. He gave me +the keys. The notary is at present at the election. We can do the job, +and there is little danger."</p> + +<p>"Aye!" said the robber; "let me see?"</p> + +<p>"I won't!"</p> + +<p>But Tzifra took the keys and put them into his pocket.</p> + +<p>"So, now I don't want you. I can do it alone."</p> + +<p>"Don't be a fool!" said the Jew; "what can you do with the keys?"</p> + +<p>"Do?" cried Tzifra. "Go in and win! I'll have a hundred florins instead +of five-and-twenty. I know that's the price which they offered."</p> + +<p>"You're vastly clever, my friend. But do you happen to know the secret +of the lock?"</p> + +<p>"What is the secret?"</p> + +<p>"Not so fast! You may wait a long while before <i>I</i> tell you."</p> + +<p>"If you don't I——"</p> + +<p>"Don't kick up a row. Give me the keys, and come along with me, and the +five-and-twenty florins are yours. All you have to do is, to watch the +house, and, in case of danger, to come to my assistance."</p> + +<p>"But twenty-five florins! Rascal, you know<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> you'll have a hundred, and +you offer me but twenty-five!"</p> + +<p>"But who is it that enters the house? Who got the keys? Twenty-five +florins is a deal of money—it is the price of two young oxen."</p> + +<p>"Will you give me fifty florins?"</p> + +<p>"Impossible!" said the Jew. "The keys alone cost me no less than ten."</p> + +<p>"Impossible? Very well. Oh! I am quite satisfied. I'll go to the +election, and you may go to——"</p> + +<p>"Give me the keys!" cried the Jew. "I'll find another man."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! I'll keep them. If you want another comrade, I'll leave you +to find other keys."</p> + +<p>"I'll give you forty."</p> + +<p>"I'll be d—d if I take less than fifty."</p> + +<p>After quarrelling for a time they struck the bargain; and the Jew, +putting his hand in his pocket, paid the robber ten florins in advance.</p> + +<p>"Now let us be off," said the Jew, "for when the leaders get up they +won't let you go."</p> + +<p>"You are right," rejoined Tzifra. "They take us to the election as they +do cattle to the market."</p> + +<p>They had scarcely left the room when the dusky face of Peti was seen to +emerge from a heap of coats and cloaks. The gipsy had listened to their +con<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span>versation. He left his hiding-place, stole from the room, and +hastened away to St. Vilmosh.</p> + +<p>It is now our pleasant duty to turn to a far different scene from that +which we were compelled to place before our readers, any of whom, if +they have ever loved, can easily guess the sensation with which Akosh +mounted his horse on the eve of the election, and, leaving the streets +of Dustbury, hastened to Tissaret. Night had set in, and his absence +escaped observation. A dense fog covered the plain between Dustbury and +Tissaret, and the horseman found it difficult to keep on the path which +led through the meadow-lands. But he did not feel the searching coldness +of the night air, nor was he inclined to stop by the watch-fires of the +shepherds, and to dry his clothes. He hurried on, for Etelka had +promised her brother that he should meet Vilma, to whose house he now +directed his course.</p> + +<p>Strange though it may appear to the less initiated into the mysteries of +the human heart, Tengelyi's influence with his family, though paramount +in every other respect, was eclipsed by the superior power of their +feelings; Vilma and her mother knew of young Rety's visit, and expected +him with great eagerness and anxiety. Mrs. Ershebet's time and attention +were indeed taken up with the cares and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> anxieties which fill the heart +of a Hungarian housewife who is expecting and preparing for the +reception of a favoured guest; but when the evening wore on, when the +turkey<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> was on the point of over-roasting, and the pastry drying +up,—and when the good woman looked at the clock and saw its hands +approaching to eight, she shook her head, and, looking out at the +kitchen-door into the drear and misty night, she was fairly overpowered +with fear.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_I_IX" id="SEE_NOTE_I_IX"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_I_IX">Note IX</a>.</p></div> + +<p>She went to Vilma's room, and, in order to lighten the load of anxiety +which pressed upon her own heart, she commenced consoling her daughter. +"I am sure he will soon be here," said she; "but the worst is, my supper +will be spoilt. But do not be afraid, child. There is indeed a dense +fog—you cannot see over the way—but then Akosh knows his road in the +dark as well as by daylight. There are no wolves about the country now; +no, indeed! and he does not care whether he rides by day or by night." +And Mrs. Ershebet laughed, and appeared rather amused than otherwise by +Akosh's staying away. But her words had a far different effect from what +she intended. Vilma had never once thought that any misfortune <i>could</i> +befall him she loved; and when her mother's words directed her attention +to the possibility of an accident which might happen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> to Akosh, she +became painfully alive to all sorts of dangers by which she fancied him +surrounded.</p> + +<p>"Good God!" cried she, "if any thing happens to him, it is I who am the +cause!"</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Mrs. Ershebet, anxiously, "he is on good terms with the +robbers, his horses are safe, he knows his way, and it is quite +ridiculous to think that he should have strayed into the morasses of St. +Vilmosh."</p> + +<p>Vilma opened the window; and when she saw the thick fog, she shuddered +to think that Akosh was alone on the heath. Half an hour passed amidst +the greatest uneasiness; at length the sound of a horse's hoofs was +heard in the distance. Mother and daughter listened anxiously, and their +surprise was any thing but agreeable, when the door opened, and, instead +of Akosh, the Liptaka entered the kitchen. Vilma, scarcely able to +repress her tears, cried out:—</p> + +<p>"Oh, mother! now I am sure he is lost!"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he has not been able to get away," said Mrs. Ershebet; "at +least, not early enough. He'll come to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"To-morrow!" cried the Liptaka: "do not tell the girl such a thing. Mr. +Akosh would not stay away—nay, that he would not!—even if there were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> +as many thunderbolts as there are drops of rain. Akosh too late! Is +there a finer fellow in the county? I do not speak of the gentlemen, for +it's easy to be a better man than any of them; but he beats us vulgar +people, and in our own line, too. He is as strong as any that ever wore +a <i>gatya</i><a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a>, and he is as bold as any <i>szegeny legeny</i><a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> in the +world; and should he be afraid of darkness and rain? No, no, missie +dear! any man will brave death for such a sweetheart as you are!"</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_I_X" id="SEE_NOTE_I_X"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_I_X">Note X</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_I_XI" id="SEE_NOTE_I_XI"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_I_XI">Note XI</a>.</p></div> + +<p>"Don't be foolish!" said Mrs. Ershebet, highly flattered; "Vilma is no +man's sweetheart."</p> + +<p>"No matter," said the Liptaka, shaking her head; "it's what we poor +people call a sweetheart. But never mind; come he must and he will, +though the darkness of Egypt were on the heath."</p> + +<p>"I am sure he will come," said Vilma, trembling. "Akosh is so bold! he +knows not what danger is; but it is that which frightens me. The night +is dark; and how easily can he have met with an accident!"</p> + +<p>"The night is indeed dark," replied the Liptaka, with great earnestness; +"but are not God's eyes open in the darkness? Not a sparrow falls from +the roof without His will, and He protects the righteous on their paths. +Fear nothing, missie<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> sweet!" added the old woman: "young Mr. Rety is in +no danger. Perhaps he will suffer from the cold; but the fire of your +eyes will warm him soon enough. A sorry thing it would be, indeed, if +such a fellow could not manage to ride from Dustbury to Tissaret. Ay, +indeed, if he were a fine gentleman, as the others are: but no! Akosh is +a jewel of a lad. <i>I eat his soul.</i><a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> I suckled him when a child, and +I ought to know what stuff he is made of."</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_I_XII" id="SEE_NOTE_I_XII"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_I_XII">Note XII</a>.</p></div> + +<p>"Oh, Liptaka, I wish he were here!" whispered Vilma, while her mother +walked to the other room. "I am so afraid." And the Liptaka replied in +the same tone: "I, too, should be sorry to see your mother go to the +kitchen. There are others who have come from a longer journey, and who +dare not enter until Mr. Rety is here."</p> + +<p>"For God's sake!" said Vilma, "is Viola here?"</p> + +<p>The Liptaka's reply was prevented by the appearance of Akosh. To attempt +a description of Vilma's joy would be a vain endeavour. No word in any +language can convey to those who never felt the like, any idea of the +deep, heartfelt happiness which was expressed in her gestures and face, +and in the tone with which, calling out her mother's name and that of +her lover, she hurried the new comer into the next room.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span>The old nurse left the room by the opposite door. "Now for Viola," +muttered she; "for he, too, loves his wife. Why, old fool that I am! my +eyes have got full of tears in looking at the children! I can't help it; +but I must think of my own Jantshy, and how I loved him, and how happy +we were; and now the poor fellow is buried in France. It is written, Man +shall not sever what God has brought together; but, for all that, the +magistrates took Jantshy from me, and made him a soldier."</p> + +<p>She was roused from these cogitations by a low voice, calling her name.</p> + +<p>"Who's there?" said the old woman.</p> + +<p>"It is I! Don't you know me?"</p> + +<p>"Peti!" cried the Liptaka. "I thought you were at Dustbury. Where do you +come from?"</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, be quiet! Is <i>he</i> here?"</p> + +<p>"Who?—Viola?"</p> + +<p>"Yes! Whom else could I mean?"</p> + +<p>The Liptaka was silent, for she knew that there were false brethren in +Viola's gang.</p> + +<p>"Do you suspect <i>me</i>?" said the gipsy, impatiently. "I have been on my +legs ever since yesterday; but, if <i>you</i> do not know where he is, I must +run until I find him, tired though I am."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span>"Are you coming to see him on business?"</p> + +<p>"I <i>must</i> talk to Viola! I <i>must</i>, I tell you!"</p> + +<p>"Very well; come with me," said the Liptaka, moved by the plaintive +voice of the gipsy: and, more than half ashamed of having suspected him, +she added: "One <i>does</i> get cautious in this sad time, since there are so +many rascals even among the poor people."</p> + +<p>The notary's house was indeed the home of happiness. They say, love +spoils a man's appetite; but a ride of twenty miles goes a great way to +counteract at least this symptom of the complaint. Mrs. Ershebet had +cause to be pleased with her guest, who, fatigued with his ride and +starved with the cold, was in that lucky temper in which a man enjoys a +warm room and a hot supper.</p> + +<p>"Take another piece of this tart," said Mrs. Ershebet, when young Rety's +attention to the dishes began to flag; "it is not so good as the pastry +your worship is accustomed to, but it is of the best our poor house can +afford. It is, perhaps, a little too brown,—for your worship came later +than we expected; but it is very soft. Take some, I pray."</p> + +<p>Akosh—who would have done any thing to escape the <i>peine forte et dure</i> +of the tart, protested against<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> Mrs. Ershebet's ceremonious address. "Am +I a stranger to you, that you should call me 'your worship?' Have you +not a kinder name for me?"</p> + +<p>Ershebet was confused; but the look which she cast at Akosh expressed so +much affection and joy, that the latter, kissing her hand, continued: +"Call me your Akosh! call me your son! for that is the title I covet +most."</p> + +<p>"My dear Akosh!—my son!—if you will have it so," said Mrs. Ershebet, +with tears in her eyes. "You are good, you are generous, Akosh. No man +in this world is so deserving of Vilma's love: and yet you can have no +idea what a treasure the girl really is!"</p> + +<p>Vilma embraced her mother, while Akosh kissed her hand; and his soul was +moved as he thought of his own mother.</p> + +<p>"Is it not too childish?" said Mrs. Ershebet, at length. "I weep with +joy when I see you both, and feel the happiness which you might find in +your love; but I forget how many obstacles there are between the present +moment and that in which I may call you really and truly my son. Dearest +child," continued Mrs. Ershebet, "you had better tell them to take the +things away:" and, when Vilma had left the room, she pressed Rety's +hand, and said,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> with a trembling voice: "Akosh! I implore you, make my +child happy!"</p> + +<p>Akosh was silent; but he pressed her hand, and his eyes filled with +tears.</p> + +<p>"You cannot know—you cannot think—how devotedly the girl loves you! +and if she were deceived; if she——"</p> + +<p>"Do you think me so mean, so utterly abandoned, as to make myself +unworthy of Vilma's love?"</p> + +<p>"No, my dear Akosh! not by any means!" said Mrs. Ershebet, with great +composure. "If I did not respect you so much, surely there would be no +need of this conversation; nor would I, for the first time in my life, +disobey my husband's commands. I would not receive you in my house if I +were not convinced of your noble and generous nature. But, Akosh, you +are rich—you have a grand future before you; and it is this which makes +me anxious. Look at all the great families whom you know, and tell me +how many there are with whom real love and real happiness dwell? Your +life offers a thousand enjoyments—a thousand temptations: it is full of +purpose and splendour; glory and popularity surround you. Have you the +strength to keep your heart undivided amidst so many objects? For to be +happy, Vilma wants your whole heart. The fragments of a hus<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span>band's love +cannot satisfy her. And besides," continued Mrs. Ershebet, when Akosh +had done his best to convince her of the immutability of his love, "have +you thought of all the objections which others may raise?"</p> + +<p>"I shall be twenty-four in a few weeks, and consequently independent. My +mother's property, of which I am already possessed, is enough to keep my +wife and me; and if my father <i>were</i> to quarrel with me, I do not care. +I prefer Vilma's love to all!"</p> + +<p>"I believe you, dear Akosh," said Mrs. Ershebet; "but what will Tengelyi +say? He is good and loving; but when he takes it into his head that +something is opposed to his principles, no power on earth can make him +yield."</p> + +<p>"Except the power of love," said Akosh.</p> + +<p>"No, not even that: Jonas never loved any thing or anybody as he does +me; may God bless him for it! and still I cannot obtain any thing from +him that is opposed to his convictions."</p> + +<p>"Yes; but can it be against his principles to see his daughter happy? +may we not hope for his blessing? As for <i>my</i> father, why should we +despair of <i>his</i> consent? Nobody knows him better than Vandory does, and +he told me over and over again that my father is sure to yield."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span>Mrs. Ershebet's fears were dispelled. Akosh told her that he intended to +take Vilma to his new residence, in a neighbouring county, where she +need not come into contact with his mother-in-law. Mrs. Ershebet, to +whom he explained the whole arrangement of the house, rose up as her +daughter entered, and pressed her to her heart.</p> + +<p>"So, my children," said Mrs. Ershebet, taking Akosh and Vilma by the +hand, "be true and constant in your love, and God will not allow you to +be separated. You see Jonas and me; we had many difficulties to contend +with; but we overcame them. Come, my dears," continued the good woman, +kissing Vilma's forehead, "speak to each other now, and say all you have +to say, for God knows when you will meet again."</p> + +<p>"Vilma," said Akosh, taking the blushing girl by the hand, "your eyes +were filled with tears when I came. Why did you weep?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! you will laugh at me! I am a weak, frightened girl; we were all +anxious about you; and when I saw you safe——"</p> + +<p>"My angel, how happy you make me with your love! When I look into your +eyes, and see their loving gaze fixed upon me; and when I hear your +sweet voice; when I press your hand to my lips, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> think that this +hand is to be mine—that within a short time perhaps you are to be +truly, wholly mine, I feel as in a dream, or as if some misfortune +<i>must</i> happen to us, for I cannot conceive it possible for human beings +to be so thoroughly happy!"</p> + +<p>"For God's sake take care!" cried Vilma. "You are bold and careless of +danger. You shun nobody; but you ought to think of <i>us</i>. My mother, too, +was greatly frightened to-night."</p> + +<p>"On account of my staying away?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly! and on account of the fog. We thought you had met with some +accident in the swamps of St. Vilmosh."</p> + +<p>"If there are no greater dangers than those of the Dustbury road, you +may be easy," replied Akosh, smiling. "There is not at present water +enough in the swamps of St. Vilmosh to drown a child; and my only danger +to-night was one which certainly does no credit to me—I lost my way. +The fog was so dense that I was hopelessly lost; and perhaps I should +still be erring in the wilderness but for the sound of hoofs, which I +heard at a distance. I turned my horse in the direction of the sound; +but when I approached the horseman, he went off in a gallop. I followed, +and we made a race of it, in which he beat me. At last I saw a light, +and found<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> myself at the entrance of the village. I presume the man, who +belonged to the village, mistook me for a robber. Thank goodness I met +him, for without him I had no chance of finding my way."</p> + +<p>"But how will you return?" said Vilma, anxiously. "My mother tells me +that you intend going back this very night."</p> + +<p>"Of course I must, unless I wish my expedition to be known at Dustbury. +I have tied my horse to the garden gate. At midnight I must take to the +saddle, and the dawn of morning finds me in the council-house. But I +promise you I will not lose my way this time; and——but really things +cannot remain as they are! This state of uncertainty is unbearable. I +will speak to your father."</p> + +<p>"Beware!" cried Vilma. "We cannot hope for my father's consent until +your father gives his."</p> + +<p>"But I know my father will approve of my choice. I will open my heart to +him. I will tell him how dearly I love you, and that I cannot be happy +without you. I will tell him that to live with you is bliss; but that to +live away from you is worse than hell. And if I tell him all this, +asking for his blessing and nothing else, trust me he will not refuse +it. Oh, Vilma! we are sure to be happy!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span>Vilma did not withdraw her hand, which Akosh seized; nor did she speak +to confirm her lover in his hopes; but there was a heaven of joy in the +look which she cast upon him.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Vilma, we are sure to be happy. I have spoken to your mother, and +explained everything. I have a home not far from here—it was my +mother's property; and my father gave it into my hands. I have had the +garden put to rights. The rooms of the little house are comfortably +furnished—it is there we will live. Of course your father and mother go +with us."</p> + +<p>"And Mother Liptaka," said the girl, smiling with gladness, "she is so +fond of us."</p> + +<p>"Yes, she shall go; and Vandory is sure to come often to see us."</p> + +<p>"Oh, he is sure to come. We will get him a large arm-chair to sit in +when he comes, and we will send for a glass of fresh water from the +well. Oh, it will be so beautiful. And did you not say there was a +garden?"</p> + +<p>"There is a large garden, full of roses!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, roses!" cried Vilma, clapping her hands, "and when you come back +from the hunt, or from Dustbury or Tissaret, and when I hear your +horse's hoofs I will come to meet you, with roses in my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> hair and in my +hands. I will fill your room with them. Oh, happiness!"</p> + +<p>"Vilma!" cried Akosh, seizing her hands, and covering them with kisses, +"can you think—can you believe—can you dream how happy we shall be?"</p> + +<p>Vilma withdrew her hands, and sighed. "Who knows whether all this is to +be?" muttered she.</p> + +<p>"To be?" cried Akosh, again pressing her hands to his lips, "God +vouchsafes us the sight of such bliss; He gives us a deep conviction +that without this bliss our life is a curse; how, then, can you doubt?"</p> + +<p>Vilma trembled. "Akosh!" said she, "your hands are feverish. I am sure +you are ill. Pray be calm."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Vilma, do not withdraw your hand! do not treat me as you would a +stranger! Call me your love—say you are mine!"</p> + +<p>Vilma blushed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, tell me that you love me! tell me that you will never leave me, +whatsoever may happen! tell me that you are mine own!"</p> + +<p>"Your <i>own</i>!" whispered Vilma; and Akosh caught the trembling girl in +his arms, and his first kiss burned on her lips.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span>At that moment the sound of a heavy fall, followed by a stifled groan, +came from the next room. There was a tramp of feet, and all was quiet +again. Vilma screamed, and sprang from her lover's embrace. Mrs. +Ershebet, who had been asleep in her arm-chair, rose; and Akosh, seizing +a candle, hastened to the door of the apartment.</p> + +<p>Tzifra and the Jew, who had planned to rob the notary's house in the +course of the night, and whose conversation had been overheard by Peti, +had no idea of young Rety's presence. When all was quiet in the village +they made their way to the house. They found the door of the kitchen +locked, and the windows dark, for the shutters of that one room in which +there was a light were closed. The Jew placed Tzifra as a sentinel at +the gate, and commenced his operations by opening the outer door of +Tengelyi's room. Having effected an entry, he produced a small lamp, +lighted it, and prepared to unlock the iron safe. He did indeed hear the +conversation in the next room, but he continued his work with great +equanimity, because he fancied that the speakers were Mrs. Ershebet and +Vandory, and because he was resolved to use his knife if they should +happen to surprise him. The safe was opened. The papers and a bag of +money were in his hands, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> he was on his way to the door, when he +felt himself seized by the throat.</p> + +<p>"Hands off from the papers, you thief!" whispered the man who held him. +The Jew thought of Tzifra; but the dying glare of the lamp, which had +fallen to the floor, displayed to him the features of Viola.</p> + +<p>When Peti informed him of the intended robbery, the outlaw hastened to +the notary's house to watch it. He had no means of preventing the +execution of the theft. His own life was forfeited to the law, and if he +had attacked the thief before the crime was committed, the latter might +have called for help, his own life would have been endangered, and the +Jew might at any other time have carried out his project. Viola waited +therefore until the Jew had entered the house, and sending Peti to the +gate to watch Tzifra, he crept into the room, where he seized him in the +act.</p> + +<p>"Hands off the papers!" said Viola, "you're a dead man if you keep +them."</p> + +<p>Vainly did the Jew strive to shake off the iron grasp of his assailant. +He tried to stab, but a blow from Viola's fist knocked him down. His +fall alarmed the family. Viola took the papers and fled. Peti followed +him. The Jew, still stunned from the effects of the blow which he had +received, crawled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> through the door; and when Akosh entered he saw +nothing but the open safe, a bag of money, and Viola's bunda lying on +the floor.</p> + +<p>Akosh hastened to the door. In the yard he found the Jew lying on his +back and calling for help. He stooped to raise him. At that moment a +shot was fired, and Akosh fell bleeding to the ground.</p> + +<p>Ershebet and Vilma, who had followed him, screamed out. The villagers +hastened to the spot, and the smith next door saw, as he left his house, +a man hastening by. He raised the shout of "Murder!" and pursued the +fugitive.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_I_X" id="CHAPTER_I_X"></a>CHAP. X.</h3> + + +<p>The late events at Tissaret had not yet transpired at Dustbury; and +though Mr. Rety was any thing but pleased with his son's absence (which +he ascribed to political reasons), still he looked with deep-felt +satisfaction on the large crowd of his champions, who bore him to the +scene of the grand national fête. Those who believe that great men are +unmindful of those to whom they owe their elevation, would change their +opinion if they could have seen the kind and even humble bearing of the +sheriff. Nay, the wish of that enthusiastic Cortes of St. Miklosh, who +held the sheriff's foot, and who repeatedly exclaimed, "What a pity that +we cannot carry that dear sheriff from one year's end to another!" was +not only very flattering for Mr. Rety, but, considering the position of +the Cortes, it might be called a <i>wise</i> wish. Owing to the great number +of noblemen, the scene of the election was laid in the court of the +council-house. When the members of the holy crown remove their court +from the hall to the yard, the arrangements<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> of what one might call the +hustings are very much the same any where, no matter whether the piece +is acted on the banks of the Danube or of the Theiss. A long table of +rude workmanship is usually placed before the lord-lieutenant's chair; +this table is as usually covered with any odd pieces of green baize that +happen to be found in the council-house. The other parts of the yard are +filled with the hostile factions, and from the windows of the +council-house and other high places we find the fair and tender sex +looking down on the scene of the great contest, where (without the +assistance of either steel or flint) the finest sparks of enthusiasm are +struck from the eyes of noblemen; where the magistrates of the county +are created, as the world was, out of Chaos; where the faces of so many +assessors not only burn, but actually sweat for their principles; and +where the patriot, in beholding the enthusiasm which causes such numbers +to offer their services to the country, obtains the proud conviction +that Hungary will never perish, at least not for want of functionaries.</p> + +<p>The Dustbury election was as complete in its arrangements as the zealous +care of the rival parties could make it, and there was, moreover, a +company of soldiers for the express purpose of assisting the +magistrates. This circumstance caused a few<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> of the older assessors to +shake their heads with an air of great wisdom. But the young men, who +were children of their time, were by no means astonished to see the +bayonets, because they knew that soldiers were present at all the +elections in the adjacent counties; and why should not Takshony have its +soldiers as well as its betters? To cry out against the army was +perfectly absurd!</p> + +<p>The ceremonies of the election came off in due course. The +lord-lieutenant addressed the assembly less (he said) for the purpose of +enlightening them, than because he wished to give vent to his feelings +and to those of his audience, who drowned his voice in deafening cheers. +Rety too made a considerable display of oratorical talent in his +farewell speech for himself and his brother magistrates; and, lastly, a +provisional court was appointed for the suppression and punishment of +any excesses that might be committed. This done, two deputations were +sent off under the guidance of Baron Shoskuty and another magistrate in +red and blue, for the purpose of collecting the votes, while the parties +raised Bantornyi and Rety, and carried them—not without some mutual +violence—out of the gate; the yard was left to his Excellency's private +enjoyment, a benefit which he shared with three curates and an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> old +assessor. Even the ladies, eager to attend the birth of the new +magistrates, and panting for the glory of the fight, turned to the +opposite side of the council-house, whence they looked down upon the +battle of the vote-collecting deputations.</p> + +<p>The council-house, which was built in the form of a square, had, besides +the front gate, two more gates at the sides of the building. They were +each occupied by a deputation. The front entrance was closed, and the +Cortes were invited to pass through either Bantornyi's or Rety's gate, +as the case might be.</p> + +<p>The county of Takshony had lately become a convert to the ballot, +principally at Tengelyi's suggestion. The sight of the preparations for +carrying out one of his favorite principles would have gladdened that +good man's heart. A small table was placed close to the gate and round +it sat Shoskuty, Slatzanek, Kishlaki, and—for the other party too was +represented—the brother of the rival candidate. At some distance two +screens were placed, and between them the table with the urn. Augustin +Karvay and Mr. Skinner watched the gates, to prevent the approach of any +unqualified persons. Mr. Catspaw joined the last-named party as a +volunteer.</p> + +<p>The assessors lighted their pipes; the gates were flung open, and the +electors entered for the purpose<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> of secret voting. They, to a man, on +seeing the deputation, shouted "Eljen Rety! Eljen Bantornyi!" a shout to +which the Cortes outside replied with equal fervor; and the person +entering having then done his duty as a nobleman, retired behind the +screens to give his vote.</p> + +<p>"Nothing in the world so beautiful as this plan of secret voting," said +Mr. James, taking his cigar and pushing off the ashes, while he shook +the hand of an elector who had come up to the table with a thundering +shout of "Eljen Bantornyi!" "If that contrivance could be introduced in +England, they would have the most perfect constitution. The ballot, the +ballot for ever! that's our cry; it makes a man feel so independent!"</p> + +<p>"All this is very well," sighed Kishlaki; "but I wish to goodness they +would not go on bawling in that heathenish way. My friend," said he, +interrupting one of the Cortes in his shout of "Eljen Rety!" "don't roar +so loud. It's secret voting, you know!"</p> + +<p>"Of course, so it is! Vivat the Sheriff Rety!" And he disappeared behind +the screens.</p> + +<p>"I really <i>do</i> beg your pardon," said Kishlaki, rising; "but this must +be stopped. It's a mere farce, you know."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span>"But who <i>can</i> dictate to the feelings of our dear noble friends?" cried +Shaskay; "it's natural that they should vent them at such a moment, and +they do vent them, and——"</p> + +<p>"Very well, let them give vent to their feelings; but what the deuce are +the screens for? Besides, they are continually being kicked over."</p> + +<p>Shaskay remarked that the screens were placed there by the express order +of the magistrates.</p> + +<p>"Then let the worshipful magistrates know that they have decreed the +thing which cannot be done!" cried Kishlaki. "These fellows roar all the +louder for being allowed to roar singly; they vie in showing the +strength of their lungs. We shan't come to the end of this kind of +thing; and here's a precious cold draught, let me tell you."</p> + +<p>"But, begging your pardon," interposed Mr. James, "is there any harm in +these people shouting a name? They may still give their secret vote +behind the screen. <i>Quite independent, you know.</i>"</p> + +<p>"Ay, indeed; but——"</p> + +<p>"I say," continued Mr. James, "how the deuce can they see for whom we +vote, no matter what name they may cry?"</p> + +<p>"But the names of the two candidates are written on the urns: now if a +man can't read, how is <i>he</i> to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> vote? I have seen ten of them at least +who I know never knew a letter. Hollo, Pishta!" cried Kishlaki, stopping +the man who was just walking to the screens; "do you know your letters?" +And Pishta replied, with great pride, "I do not read before the Lord our +God."</p> + +<p>"But then you <i>can</i> read!" suggested Shoskuty. "You do not read because +you don't choose; but you could if you would?"</p> + +<p>"No, I never learnt it. I am none of your Slowak students; neither did +my grandfather learn it in his time."</p> + +<p>"I told you so!" cried Kishlaki, triumphantly; and addressing the +Cortes, "What urn did you throw your ball in?"</p> + +<p>"The right-hand one!" replied the Cortes, adjusting his bunda. "Any +thing to please my judge. Eljen Bantornyi!"</p> + +<p>"This man came to vote for Bantornyi, and you see, gentlemen, he has +voted for Rety," said Kishlaki, with great satisfaction. "Now I ask +whether this sort of thing is to continue?"</p> + +<p>"It is very extraordinary!" sighed Mr. James; while Slatzanek, stroking +his moustache, protested that accidents would happen.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span>"Accidents, indeed! let us have another look at these accidents. Can you +read?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"And you?"</p> + +<p>"God forbid!"</p> + +<p>"And you?"</p> + +<p>"I learnt it when a child, but——"</p> + +<p>"And you?"</p> + +<p>"A little!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Shaskay, who seemed greatly amused by these questions, and the +answers which they elicited, said he hoped Mr. Kishlaki was now +satisfied that the illiterate were in the majority; and James hastened +to the gate, where he implored every new comer to vote for his brother. +But Shoskuty, desirous to carry out the resolution of the county +magistrates, placed two assessors behind the screens for the purpose of +explaining the names on the urns to the voters.</p> + +<p>The ballot was being proceeded with on this improved and practical +principle, when Tengelyi, accompanied by Kalman Kishlaki and others, +approached the gate. A single look showed him the absurdity of the +proceedings. "How, in the name of Heaven," said he, addressing Shoskuty, +"can you, dare you, allow this gross violation of the county law?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span>"Violation!" cried Shoskuty. "What violation? What do you mean, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Did not the county magistrates give an order that the voting should be +secret?"</p> + +<p>"And because they gave that order, sir, we obey that order, sir! Or do +you think, sir, that we sit here for the mere joke of the thing? What +are the screens for, I should like to know? Secret voting, indeed! What +do you call this, sir? Hasn't the draught given me a cold already? and +how dare you say, sir, that I violate my instructions?"</p> + +<p>"You cannot go on in this manner!" said Tengelyi, with great warmth; +"I'll speak to the lord-lieutenant. This election is null and void."</p> + +<p>"Hold you tongue, sir notary!" cried Slatzanek, angrily; "don't you +mistake this place for one of your alehouse clubs. You may give your +vote if you please, and for whom you please, but we won't be lectured, +and, least of all, by the like of <i>you</i>."</p> + +<p>"Stop, sir!" cried Kalman. "Tengelyi is right. There can be no secret +voting in the presence of two people."</p> + +<p>"I thought so too," said old Kishlaki, "but the majority——"</p> + +<p>"Sir, I <i>do</i> pray——"</p> + +<p>"<i>Rogo humillime</i>——"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span>"I say——"</p> + +<p>"<i>I</i> am going to explain it!" cried Slatzanek, Shoskuty, and another +assessor; but Shoskuty's shrill voice overcrowed them, and the baron +said:—</p> + +<p>"My dear young sir, I <i>do</i> pray you will consider what your honoured +father was pleased to observe just now, namely, that the majority of +this deputation are agreed on all the arrangements of this ballot, and +that it is quite ridiculous to talk of errors or faults. And besides, +are you not aware that no act is valid in Hungary without the +<i>testimonium legale</i> of two magistrates? Very well, then, the gentlemen +behind the screen will—if need be—prove that the Cortes gave secret +votes—<i>absque irâ et studio</i>—quite independent."</p> + +<p>Kalman laughed. Tengelyi spoke, though no one listened, of the sanctity +of the laws, and the proceedings came to a stand-still. Mr. Skinner, to +whom Catspaw had whispered, advanced, and, seizing Tengelyi by the +collar, said, "Be off, sir; you have no business here, not being a +nobleman!"</p> + +<p>The astonishment which these few words created was prodigious. Shoskuty +wrung his hands; Shaskay sighed and looked up to heaven; Slatzanek +looked fierce and scornful; and old Kishlaki, who felt most for +Tengelyi, exclaimed, "Did I ever<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span>!—no, I never!" Saying which he fell +back into his chair.</p> + +<p>Tengelyi's face was purple with rage; but the justice, addressing the +deputation, said, "Strange though it may seem to you, gentlemen, this +man is not noble; I move that he shall not be allowed to vote."</p> + +<p>Tengelyi had meanwhile regained his self-possession. "And who," said he, +"is there to prove that I am not noble?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Onus probandi semper privato incumbit!</i>" said the recorder.</p> + +<p>"Of course it does!" cried Shoskuty. "<i>Incumbit privato</i>, which means +you must give us proof of your noble descent, or you may go and be —— +for all I care. Noble descent is proved——"</p> + +<p>The worthy baron's memory failed him, and the recorder resumed the +argument.</p> + +<p>"Have you a royal donation, sir, the 'Armales,' or have you an authentic +Transsumtum, or the Statuaries with the clause 'Cum nos,' or, at least, +according to Verbötzi I. 6., the receipts for the quartalitium?"</p> + +<p>"Why," said Tengelyi, pettishly, "there is not a man in all Hungary who +can give such satisfactory proofs of his noble descent as I can, +but——"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span>"Very good sir; give them!" cried the recorder. "Perhaps you claim a +prescriptive right; but that too must be proved with documents. You +prove it with extracts from baptismal registers, royal grants of +land—come sir, give us something of the kind!"</p> + +<p>"My papers are in my house."</p> + +<p>"Then bring them here. As soon as you bring those documents we will +admit you to the vote," said the recorder, with a sneer.</p> + +<p>"Of course," cried Shoskuty. "Show us your papers!"</p> + +<p>"But I always enjoyed the privileges of a nobleman; I always paid my +contributions to their rates."</p> + +<p>"<i>Fraus et dolus nemini opitulatur!</i>" cried Shaskay. "Why did you not +register your patent in the county?"</p> + +<p>"Because no one ever doubted of my nobility," said the notary, trembling +with passion. "Because I stood for a justice seat, and was actually +appointed to a notariat."</p> + +<p>"It's a good thing for a man to have his patent properly registered," +said the recorder: "if you had been more cautious, you would have +avoided this awkward inquiry. But your having pretended or been +appointed to a post of honor cannot decide any thing. It's not legal +evidence. Are there not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> plenty of instances of the recorders having +neglected their duties, by allowing the number of noblemen to increase +in the said illegal manner, to the no slight detriment and prejudice of +the tax-paying population?"</p> + +<p>The notary found it impossible to repress the feelings of scorn which +the recorder's last words called forth. "Ay, ay, sir," said he, "you are +indeed a generous man. What a blessing to the tax-payers if they could +always have you for an advocate!"</p> + +<p>"Don't stand losing your time!" cried Shoskuty; "tell them to go on with +the ballot, and let Mr. Tengelyi send for his documents."</p> + +<p>"I insist on giving my vote," said Tengelyi. "A nobleman cannot lose his +rights on the ground of an information; and pending the proceedings I +have a right to my present position."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Tengelyi is right," said a young solicitor; "the act of——"</p> + +<p>"De 21 Julii 1785?" added the recorder, shaking his head. "The said bill +enacts that while the inquiry on the nobility cujuscunque is pending, +the defendant is to remain in his former position."</p> + +<p>"Which means in the fourth estate, which is the notary's case until he +procures his documents," suggested Slatzanek.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span>"I have always passed for a nobleman—have I not?" said Tengelyi, +turning round upon Mr. Catspaw. "You ought to know, for you have known +me these thirty years."</p> + +<p>"All I can say," said the little attorney, rubbing his hands, "is that +my worshipful master, the sheriff, has always treated Mr. Tengelyi as he +would a nobleman; but then all the world knows that my master is a most +<i>charitable</i> gentleman, though indeed he gets no thanks for his +goodness. I never saw Mr. Tengelyi's documents. His patent is not +registered. To tell you the truth, he came from some distant place; and +there are cases in which——"</p> + +<p>"Knock him down! kick him out!" roared the crowd; and Karvay, whose +voice was most conspicuous in the general confusion, advanced and seized +Tengelyi.</p> + +<p>"Come on, any man who is tired of his life!" cried Kalman, taking his +stand in front of the old man. "Tengelyi is my friend; and whoever +touches him is a dead man, even if he had as many lives as a cat!"</p> + +<p>The gallant Captain Karvay retreated almost as quickly as he had +advanced. Kishlaky hastened to his son's side, and reminded him of his +alliance with the Rety party. Baron Shoskuty spoke with great<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> energy +about the sanctity of the place; and the recorder was heard to pronounce +the ominous word "Actio."</p> + +<p>But Kalman was not the man to be either cajoled or intimidated; and old +Kishlaky himself would have been at a loss to say whether he wept tears +of joy or of sorrow when his generous son exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"What alliances? what do I care for engagements? they are nothing to the +duty which I owe to every honest man and to myself! I cannot, and I will +not, allow anybody to be treated with injustice, if I can help it!"</p> + +<p>"But, <i>domine spectabilis</i>, I must humbly implore you to consider that +this is the council-house!" groaned Shaskay.</p> + +<p>"Thank you for reminding me of it I!" roared Kalman. "This house—yes! +it was built for the maintenance of public order and safety, and it is +here that honest men are in danger of being knocked down. Men come here +to seek justice, but, confound you all! they don't find it. We look for +judges and find cudgels. God knows, to look at you all, one would fancy +that this place is a robbers' den!"</p> + +<p>"D—n him, he abuses us!" cried a leader of the Cortes. "He attacks the +nobility. Actio! Actio!" And the crowd roared, "Actio! Actio!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span>"Actio? Very well, you worshipful gentlemen!" sneered Kalman; "make it +an action if you please, and put it on record that it is enough in the +county of Takshony for such a fellow"—here he pointed at Mr. +Skinner—"to calumniate an honest man, to rob the latter of all his +rights." And flinging his ring on the table, he took Tengelyi's arm.</p> + +<p>"Come along, dear sir. I myself will drive you to Tissaret. I promise +you I will bring you back before the day is over."</p> + +<p>The noble mob groaned, and Slatzanek said to Kishlaki, "If Mr. Kalman is +not elected, you will not accuse us, I am sure." Old Kishlaki sighed.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_I_XI" id="CHAPTER_I_XI"></a>CHAP. XI.</h3> + + +<p>The notary's house was now indeed the abode of care and sorrow. Young +Rety's wound was not dangerous, for only his arm was hurt; and at his +own entreaty, and with Vandory's consent, he had that very night been +removed to the Castle: but the theft, Vilma's state of excitement and +despondency, and the consciousness of having disobeyed her husband's +orders in receiving Akosh in her house,—all this plunged Mrs. Ershebet +into the lowest depth of misery and remorse. The whole place was in +confusion. Vilma had gone to bed; and the servants ran to and fro, +scared and gossiping. Mother Liptaka was scarcely able to reply to and +send away the crowd of curious inquirers who entered the house, thus +adding to its confused and cheerless aspect. Vandory was the only friend +the family had; and it was owing to his gentle persuasion that Vilma +became gradually calmer, and that even Mrs. Ershebet mustered up some +courage against her husband's return. Vandory had been sent for +immediately after the accident, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> he had not left the house since. He +examined the safe, and ascertained the loss of his own papers and of +most of Tengelyi's. He knew, therefore, the extent of his loss; but his +pious confidence, and his firm conviction that God will not abandon the +righteous, imparted itself to those who surrounded him, and shielded +poor Ershebet from despair.</p> + +<p>"She is asleep," said she, entering the room in which Vandory sat; "the +poor girl is asleep. Oh, God! what will Jonas say when he sees her +looking so pale! When he left us she was fresh and blooming; and +now——"</p> + +<p>"Vilma will be all right before Tengelyi comes home. Akosh has given +orders that none of the people of the house are to go to Dustbury; you +need not expect your husband until the election is over."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am miserable! I am ruined!"</p> + +<p>"Now pray be calm, my dear Mrs. Ershebet," said Vandory, taking her +hands. "Rety's wound is not dangerous; and the loss of the papers is not +so serious a matter as you seem to think. They will be restored."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps; but my husband's confidence—will that, too, be restored? I +have lost his love, his respect—in short, I am ruined! How often did +he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> not intreat me, 'Pray do not allow Akosh to come to our house! Do +not allow him to speak to Vilma,—the girl's peace of mind and her +honour are at stake!' And I promised to—but I did not obey!"</p> + +<p>"It is a sad case; but I know Tengelyi is kind; he will pardon you: I +know he will. And do not be concerned about your daughter's reputation. +Vilma and Akosh are betrothed. Who knows but that his wound will be of +use to him? for neither the Retys nor Jonas can oppose the marriage +after this."</p> + +<p>"Oh, these Retys!" sobbed Mrs. Ershebet.</p> + +<p>"These Retys! dearest Mrs. Ershebet. I am afraid you take them to be +worse than they really are. Rety is weak, but good and kind; and his +wife——can there be any <i>woman</i> who would not, after such an event, +urge her son to act the part of an honest man?"</p> + +<p>"And to consider," said Mrs. Ershebet, "that it is Viola who did all +this to us, and that we took pity on his wife and children when no one +else would pity them!"</p> + +<p>"I have my doubts whether it was Viola."</p> + +<p>"There can be no doubt. When the Jew recovered, he told us that, passing +our house on his way to his home, he saw our gate open; and, knowing +that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> my husband was at Dustbury, he thought that something must be +wrong; he entered for the purpose of inquiring whether my husband had +come back. At that very moment Viola left the room with his booty; and, +meeting the Jew, he knocked him down. The smith, who went in pursuit of +the robber, tells me the man whom he saw was Tzifra, one of Viola's men: +and the Liptaka, too, has confessed that Viola was in the village, and +even in her house.—There can be no doubt.—Besides, you may ask the +Jew, who is still suffering from Viola's violence."</p> + +<p>"The Jew is a liar!" said a female voice in the room. Mrs. Ershebet and +Vandory turned round, and saw Viola's wife, Susi, who had entered during +the latter part of their conversation. "Ay," continued Susi, "it is I +who say it. Viola did not steal in this house; he'd never do it, though +he were to live for a hundred years!"</p> + +<p>"Thank God that it is so!" said Vandory, who was loth to lose his faith +in his fellow-creatures. He was happy to see the effect which Susi's +words produced on Mrs. Ershebet.</p> + +<p>"Trust me, so it is!" cried Susi. "Viola is a poor, ruined man, driven +from house and home, hunted from place to place like a wild beast; but +I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> know that he has not done this. Cut him to pieces!—tear his heart +out!—you will never find him ungrateful!"</p> + +<p>"You are right, Susi," said Mrs. Ershebet; "you are right in taking your +husband's part, for you have vowed to be his own for better and for +worse; and I, too, wish I could believe you; but it is in vain. +Everything is against him; and—I do not mean to hurt you, my good +woman; but you know your husband is a robber."</p> + +<p>The words were repented almost as soon as spoken. Vandory said something +to calm the poor woman's mind; but Susi advanced, and, leaning her arms +on the table, stood with a flushed and frowning face. "Yes," said she, +"Viola <i>is</i> a robber; you are right: I <i>am</i> a robber's wife. They know +it in the village; they know it in the county. A reward has been offered +for his capture. The very children in the streets know it. But when the +Day of Judgment comes, and when God appears visibly to our eyes, with +His Son at His right hand, and all the angels round him, and when He +judges our crimes, do you think He will call Viola to account for being +a robber? No, He will not. He will enter into judgment with those who +<i>forced</i> him to be a robber—with those who punished him before he was +guilty.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> God is just. He cares not who is rich and who is poor. He looks +into our heart; and I know that Viola is pure before his God!"</p> + +<p>The Liptaka, who entered in that moment, overheard Susi's last words. +"You are right, my child," said she: "trust in God, who will not abandon +you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you bid me trust in God!" said Susi, gloomily. "You've told me that +at least a hundred times, and, indeed, what would poor people come to, +if they did <i>not</i> trust in God? But when I think of our misfortunes, and +when I see that we are suspected by everybody, and that the honestest +people—such as the curate and Mrs. Tengelyi—believe that my husband +would injure his greatest benefactors, why then, you see, my good angel +leaves me, and there is a voice that whispers in my ear that there is no +God for the poor!"</p> + +<p>"Fye, Susi!" said the Liptaka. "It is written that 'it is easier for a +camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter +into the kingdom of heaven.' The poor, of all men, ought not to doubt +God's goodness, for His Son chose His disciples from among our number. +And suppose Mrs. Tengelyi said bitter things, you ought to consider that +she did all she could for you. The best of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> us are unjust when we +suffer; even my own husband—may God give him eternal rest!—suspected +Peti, the gipsy, when they stole our cow. Bear your cross humbly with +your Saviour."</p> + +<p>"Aye, but He was the Son of God! and I am but a sinful child; and +besides, can you, can anybody know what I have suffered? I was a poor +orphan. My father and mother died when I was a child, and if you had not +taken me to your house, I'd have perished, as many children do who have +no mother to take care of them. But you, God bless you! brought me up, +and there wasn't a merrier girl in the village than I was. O, though my +sweet mother died when I was born, yet you loved me as much as she would +have done, I'm sure!"</p> + +<p>Vandory and Ershebet were silent; the eyes of the Liptaka filled with +tears.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I was a merry girl!" said Susi. "I didn't think I could be +happier, and I thanked God for my happiness. But this was not all. It is +since I knew Viola that I know what it is to have a heaven on earth. At +first I did not think that a man such as he could love me. Viola was +wealthy. He had inherited a fine farm from his father. Next to the +notary's, his house was the finest in the village; he had splendid +cattle,—how then could I, poor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> orphan, expect him to love me? When I +was reaping the harvest in the field, and he stopped by my side, with +his four beasts, and helped me to tie up the corn,—or at the Theiss, +when he filled my pails,—or at weddings, when he brought me bunches of +rosemary, I said to myself, 'Viola is good, ay, very good and kind;' but +I never thought that he would marry me, and I prayed that such proud +thoughts might be kept out of my mind. But when he called at Christmas, +and asked me whether I loved him, and when I did not reply to that, but +looked down, and he took me in his arms and said that he would marry me +in the spring, oh! it was then I felt giddy with happiness, and I +fancied the angels of heaven must envy my joy!"</p> + +<p>"Poor, poor woman!" said Mrs. Ershebet, drying her tears.</p> + +<p>"A proud woman I was then!" cried Susi, "ay! a proud woman indeed, and a +happy one! The whole world seemed to me one large marriage feast; my +happiness took away my breath, and I could have wept at any moment. But +that was nothing to my happiness in my husband's house, and when our +first child was born, and we had to take care of our little Pishta. Oh! +and God blessed our house and our fields; and our cattle were healthy, +and our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> wheat was the finest in the county. There's many a bride enters +her husband's house with a happy heart; but I, proud woman, thought each +day more blessed than the last, nor did I ever think of my wedding-day, +I was so happy!"</p> + +<p>Her heart was oppressed with the reminiscences of the past. For some +moments she did not speak; and when she continued, it was with a hoarse +and low voice, as though that breast of hers had not breath enough to +tell the tale of her woe.</p> + +<p>"And then, you see," said she, "it breaks my heart to think that all is +lost now. We were not overbearing in our happiness. We never offended +anybody. My husband paid his taxes and rates, and served his fifty-two +robot-days; he was kind to the poor—ay, very good and kind, for God had +blessed us. He was wealthy; but then he was but a peasant, and among the +gentry there were those that hated him. The attorney—may the Lord find +him!" said Susi, shaking her fist, "<i>he</i> hated my husband, for he was +the speaker of the other peasants when they had a complaint to make. And +the justice too swore he'd have his revenge, for he wanted to go after +me; but I, as an honest woman, told him to leave my house, as it was my +duty to do. I was always anxious lest something might come of it, though +my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> husband told me we had no reason to fear either the attorney or the +justice, so long as he did his duty. But the gentry plot together, and a +poor man's innocence cannot protect him from their revenge. It's now two +years since I was brought to bed with a little daughter. Early that +morning I was in a bad way:—my husband was with me, and so were you, +Liptaka, when the attorney sent to us—I think the midwife had told him +about the way I was in—to order Viola to take four horses to the +Castle, and drive my lady to Dustbury. My husband spoke to the haiduk; +he said he could not go that day, and that his horses had done more +service that year than those of any of the other peasants; but that he +would be glad to go any other day. And we thought all was well; but the +haiduk came back, saying that my husband must do his duty, and that he +<i>must</i> come, for that he had the best horses in the village. Viola was +angry, but I entreated him to send the servant with the horses, which he +did, though reluctantly, because he did not like to trust them with a +stranger. But my travail had just begun, when the haiduk came back with +the servant, saying that Viola must come, for my lady was afraid of +anybody else driving. And<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> Viola saw my sufferings, and knew that I +wanted him to be near me; he said they might do as they pleased, it was +enough that he had sent the horses, and he wouldn't stir from the +spot—no! not for the king's own son. But the haiduk said, he'd do the +same if it was his own case; yet, for all that, he would advise my +husband to go, considering that the justice was at the Castle, who had +sworn an oath that he'd have him brought up per force; so he'd better +look to the end of it. Now my husband <i>is</i> violent, and at times +obstinate; he sent word to the justice that he had done his robot for +that year, and he wouldn't go to save his soul from perdition. The +haiduk went away, and after that I know not what happened, for I got so +faint I could neither hear nor see; but the neighbours and the Liptaka +tell me that the justice came with his men, cursing and abusing Viola, +whom they bound, while I lay bereft of my senses, and dragged him to the +Castle!"</p> + +<p>"It's quite true!" cried the Liptaka; "yes! it's quite true. I followed +them as they led Viola away. It was a fearful sight, I tell you; he +refused to walk, and cast himself on the ground; he was so angry! and +Mr. Skinner dragged him away as you would a pig. Every body was +horrified, and all the people<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> from the village wept and followed them, +though none dared to help him. But we wept in our minds, and murmured +when they beat him, poor innocent fellow! because he would not walk—for +beat him they did with sticks and fokosh, while the judge walked along +with many fearful oaths and threats. And when we came to the house, the +justice examined the haiduk before us, asking him whether he had been at +Viola's, and told him that he was summoned to service, and what Viola +had said, and Lord knows what besides! and at last he said, 'I'll tie +you up for it, my fine fellow!' and sent for the deresh<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a>; for he +said, 'I'll serve you out for contempt of the county.' And he said, +'Lash him to the deresh.' Now Viola stood among the Pandurs; and though +I were to live a hundred years, I'd never forget what a sight it was +when he stood in the yard, with his head and face covered with blood, +and his lips blue with biting them! They had untied his hands to lash +him down; and when he was in the yard, he tore away from the haiduks and +made a leap like a lion, shouting, 'Stand back, every man of you!' And +they stood back; but that incarnate devil, Skinner, cursed them, and +swore he'd kill them if they did not tie him down. They made a rush to +seize him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> But Viola caught up an axe which had been used for +woodcutting, and which the devil put in his way. He seized the axe and +spun it round, and two of the fellows fell weltering in their blood. Oh! +and he raised the bloody axe, and rushing through them, he ran home, got +a horse, and rode off to the St. Vilmosh forest. One of the men he had +struck died of his wounds, and Viola has been an outlaw ever since."</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_I_XIII" id="SEE_NOTE_I_XIII"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_I_XIII">Note XIII</a>.</p></div> + +<p>"And a robber ever since that day!" cried Susi, wringing her hands. "May +God bless you, Mrs. Tengelyi, for what you did for me and my poor +children! I'll go now and try to find my husband. If he knows aught of +the stolen things, or if he can trace them, you need not fear: Mr. +Tengelyi shall not lose his property."</p> + +<p>"What are you about?" said Mrs. Ershebet; "do you think I will let you +go in this way?"</p> + +<p>"Don't be afraid!" cried Susi, with a bitter smile. "I'm sure to come +back! I leave you my children; and though I <i>am</i> a robber's wife, trust +me, I'll never leave my children."</p> + +<p>"I did not mean <i>that</i>, Susi," replied Mrs. Ershebet, holding out her +hand; "but you are still in bad health, and to walk about in this cold +weather cannot be good for you."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, but I'm pretty well now. The air<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> of the heath will do me +good. But stay here I cannot. You suspect Viola; I know you do. The Jew +accuses him, and so do others. He was in the village—there's no denying +that! His bunda has been found in this room. Everything is against him, +and people cannot know that it was quite impossible for him to do that +of which they accuse him. It's a dark matter, but I will have it cleared +up. I'd die if I were to remain here and listen to all the horrid things +they are sure to speak of my husband." And Susi turned to leave the +room.</p> + +<p>"Poor woman!" sighed Mrs. Ershebet. "She, at least, deserves a better +fate!"</p> + +<p>Susi had reached the door, but when she heard these words she turned +round and cried. "A better fate? Trust me, if I were to be born again, +and if I were to know all that has happened to Viola, still I would not +have another husband. If they hang him, I'll sit down under the gallows, +thanking God that I was his wife. There is not such another heart on the +earth as his. But, adieu! and may God bless you!"</p> + +<p>"I am sure," said Vandory, looking after her, "that Viola had no hand in +this matter. A man who goes on for eight years loving his wife in this +manner cannot act meanly and disgracefully!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span>He had scarcely said these words when Tengelyi entered the room, +exclaiming, "Is it true that there has been a robbery committed here?"</p> + +<p>"Only the safe was forced open," replied Mrs. Ershebet, trembling; "the +other parts of——"</p> + +<p>"The safe? Give me the keys! Where are the keys?"</p> + +<p>"I dare say they are in your desk. But the safe is open."</p> + +<p>Tengelyi hastened up to the place, and throwing open the lid, he bent +down and turned the papers about, while his wife and Vandory stood by +silent and anxious. The fearful contraction of his features showed them +the extent of his loss. At length he rose, and throwing himself back in +his chair, he covered his face with his hands. "I am lost!" muttered he. +"My papers are gone—I am a ruined man!"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ershebet and Vandory did all in their power to take off the first +sharp edge of his sorrow; but what they said was unheeded by him.</p> + +<p>"Right? It's all right," said Tengelyi; "the papers only are lost, are +they? Oh! I know it. You found the money all safe—it lay here close to +the door—did it not? But do you know, woman,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> that we are no longer +noble! We and our children are not noble! We are peasants!—things to be +despised, to be kicked, to be trodden under foot, things that have no +property, and that can have no merits, things like those which inhabit +the hovels around us. They are not aliens, because they were born here; +but still they have no rights, no property, and no country!" And, +turning to Vandory, the notary told him all that had happened at +Dustbury; adding, "Now you know it all. They ask for proofs of my noble +descent. I came from another county; my father, in his position as a +curate, had little cause to care for his nobility; nobody ever doubted +my rights, and I thought it was quite superfluous to have my title +proclaimed in this county; and now my papers and patents are lost! Alas! +my poor son!"</p> + +<p>"Jonas," said Vandory, "you know that I too have had a loss. You know +the extent of that loss, and how likely it is to affect those things +which I care most about in this world. You understand me! But let us +place our trust in God."</p> + +<p>"You have no children! Is there any son of yours the worse off for what +you have lost?"</p> + +<p>"I understand you, and believe me I feel for you. My sympathy would +certainly be greater, if you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> were indeed deprived of your rights as a +nobleman. But is there no hope? Those papers are of no use to him who +stole them. He will send and ask a certain price for them. But suppose +he did not, cannot you prove that your papers were stolen, and that you +and your father enjoyed all the privileges of nobility? Besides, you can +make an appeal to the king's grace."</p> + +<p>"The king's grace for <i>me</i>, a poor village notary?"</p> + +<p>"Why not? If we do not find your papers, I myself will go to Vienna. I +will kneel before the king's majesty, and state the case to him. The +county is sure to send a petition, and I'll tell the king that you have +a family, and that you are wretched for their sake. God has made the +king so rich and so powerful—he has surely given him a feeling heart, +and a sense of pity and compassion for those that suffer."</p> + +<p>"Friend," said Tengelyi, impatiently, "you are as mad as any optimist I +ever met with. The county, you say, is sure to petition in my favour? +Don't you see that there is a purpose in this robbery?—that it is part +of a plot to ruin me? and of a plot, too, which those very gentlemen +have made who, you fondly believe, are sure to petition in my favour?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> +Or do you think it's chance that my noble descent, which no one ever +doubted, is publicly denied at the very time that my papers are stolen? +Or was the composition of the commission accidental? Or was it an +accident that no one told me I should be called upon to prove my +nobility? Is all this mere chance and accident? Oh! you would not say +so, if you had seen that fellow Catspaw as he stood by the table +sneering at me! I am a victim to their diabolical plots! Viola is but +their tool. I'm down, never to rise again!"</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, Jonas!" cried Mrs. Ershebet, seizing her husband's +hand; "my heart is ready to break when I see you thus desponding. Think +of the past!—think of all our sorrows and troubles!—did we not often +all but despair, when——"</p> + +<p>Tengelyi's face bore the impress of the deepest agony. He pressed his +wife's hand, and asked with a low and tremulous voice,—"What is it that +has happened to Vilma?"</p> + +<p>Her cheek grew pale, and her voice failed her.</p> + +<p>"Ershebet!" gasped the notary; "what has become of my daughter?"</p> + +<p>But Ershebet, scared by the expression of his face, was silent. Vandory +searched vainly for words to inform his friend of what had happened.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span>"I see!" said Tengelyi, pushing back her hand, which trembled in his. +"They told me the truth—nothing but the truth! My daughter's honour is +lost!"</p> + +<p>Ershebet wept. Vandory said all he could say. He talked of young Rety's +honourable intentions,—of the love of young people,—and that it was +quite ridiculous to think of any violation of honour. Tengelyi stood +pale and stern. His lips moved, but they had not a word of comfort for +Mrs. Ershebet.</p> + +<p>"Of course," murmured he, with a bitter smile,—"of course it's all +arranged—it's all for the best;—no doubt of it;—I am to have back my +nobility, and my daughter her honour. You, Vandory, you go to Vienna, +and his majesty gives us all we demand. The king indeed is a fountain of +honour, but do you think he can patch up a woman's reputation?"</p> + +<p>Again Vandory attempted to demonstrate that there was no reason why +Akosh should not have met Vilma in her mother's presence, and that he +had sought the house with truly honourable intentions.</p> + +<p>"But did he come to the house as an honourable man would?" asked +Tengelyi; "did he not leave Dustbury in secret and in the dead of the +night? Did he not tie his horse to the garden gate and creep<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> to my +house just for all the world as if he were a thief? After this, who will +be fool enough to believe in his honourable intentions?"</p> + +<p>"The future will prove them," said Vandory, quietly. "Who will dare to +speak against Vilma when she changes her name to Rety?"</p> + +<p>"When she changes her name to Rety—that's it! isn't it, wife?" said +Tengelyi, turning fiercely upon Ershebet; "and it is you who wish it, +and it is you who I dare say are happy that things have happened as they +did, and that Akosh is bound. But are you aware that you have worked +your daughter's ruin? Are you aware that she will curse you for having +sacrificed her happiness to your vanity? Is my daughter to be Lady Rety +because she is dishonoured? because you have got Akosh in a corner. +They'll scorn her in her husband's house! She will have no position, +having lost the one which became her! She will be a slave! a wife by her +husband's charity! To see her will remind him of his having been <i>bound</i> +to marry her, but not of the love which made her his. I tell you, you +have ruined your own child!"</p> + +<p>Ershebet wept.</p> + +<p>"Weep, wretched woman, weep!" continued Tengelyi, "though your tears +cannot atone for your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> offence. Was there ever a better child, or one +more loving? and see what you have made of her! She was my pride; my +heart became young when I saw her. I forgot the past. I might almost +have loved mankind, because <i>she</i> was of their kind, and because they +praised her. But now I must blush when her name is mentioned. I dare not +raise my eyes, and am a criminal for no crime of my own!"</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, pity me!" cried Mrs. Ershebet; "if you love me,—if you +ever <i>did</i> love me, pity me!"</p> + +<p>"If I ever <i>did</i> love you? God knows that I did! Did I ever speak an +unkind word to you? did I not listen to your wishes? did I not tell you +all my thoughts? and how did you requite me for all this love? I +entreated you not to receive young Rety in my house, and you promised +it, and, at that very moment, you thought of deceiving me. Akosh knew +the day on which my command was to be infringed! You taught your +daughter to deceive me. You waited for your guest in my absence. You +trembled at the thought of my approach! This is what you did for all my +love!"</p> + +<p>"God sees my heart, Jonas. He knows that I do not deserve this!"</p> + +<p>"Silence! don't speak to me unless you wish me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> to curse the day on +which I led you to the altar and brought you to this house!"</p> + +<p>His violent speech was interrupted by Vilma, who, rushing into the room, +threw herself at his feet.</p> + +<p>"Father!" cried she.</p> + +<p>He stood still. He looked at his daughter, and felt that his heart was +indeed broken. All his passion was softened into grief. The hand which +he had raised for a curse dropped, and rested on the head of his child.</p> + +<p>"Can you pardon your own Vilma?" said the girl.</p> + +<p>"Come to my heart!" cried Tengelyi, clasping her in his arms. He wept.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_I_XII" id="CHAPTER_I_XII"></a>CHAP. XII.</h3> + + +<p>Young Rety's wound, as we have already stated, was by no means +dangerous, the bullet having passed through his left arm without +touching the bone. Indeed the young man was more than half ashamed of +having fainted, though but for a moment, in consequence of so slight a +wound. But the surgeon, who had been sent for from St. Vilmosh, and +Vandory, insisted on his going to bed, on account of the fever which +they expected to follow. We find Akosh Rety laid up and out of temper. +Kalman was smoking his cigar by the bed; and Janosh, the old servant, +was busy with sundry wet towels, which were being placed on the injured +limb. Young Rety's rooms were large and comfortable. Papers and books +lay on the tables, and the walls were hung with portraits of famous +Englishmen, and of still more famous English horses; guns, swords, +foils, and whips were heaped up in a corner, and a few foxes' brushes +and ears showed that the former objects were not only ornamental, but +also useful. Of course there was no lack of pipes, tobacco, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> cigars; +in short, the room was a perfect bachelor's snuggery, even without the +sofas and lounging chairs, which form so necessary, and, let us say, +comfortable a feature in the <i>entourage</i> of a young Hungarian. But in +spite of all these comforts, which were materially heightened by the +bright fire in the grate, the two young men were sadly out of spirits. +So much had happened since Akosh left Dustbury! Misfortune had sought +him in the midst of his happiness; and Kalman, though far from +regretting his defence of Tengelyi, felt that he had given fresh cause +of offence to the Retys, and thus created another barrier between +himself and Etelka. Janosh alone seemed to be in good spirits. He made +his spurs jingle as he walked about the room in the discharge of his +domestic duties; nor did his young master's moodiness affect him.</p> + +<p>"I say, sir," said he at length, as he removed the bandages from Rety's +arm.</p> + +<p>"Take care! mind my arm!" cried Akosh.</p> + +<p>"I am an old donkey!" said Janosh. "I always hurt you!"</p> + +<p>"Never mind. I am sure it does not hurt me now. Don't fret, Janosh; and +tell me what you were going to say."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I was going to tell you, sir, that the weather is very bad."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span>"Indeed!" said Akosh.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; and the potatoes which they are lifting to-day are done for. +They won't be good enough for the pigs to eat."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!"</p> + +<p>"Ay! and I hope none of the gentlemen will hunt on our fields. It will +spoil the crops. But," said Janosh, brightening up as if a sudden +thought had struck him, "I do beg and entreat you, sir, don't grieve at +it."</p> + +<p>"At what?" said Akosh, astonished.</p> + +<p>"Don't be sulky at the wound. It's a mere trifle. I can't say it does +one good; no, indeed, I myself had a taste of it in the battle of +Leipzig, and afterwards in France. But it doesn't do harm noways. You +see there are no bones broken."</p> + +<p>"Why, you old fool! you don't think, surely, I fret about my wound?"</p> + +<p>"What else have you to grieve for?" said the hussar. "I know that you +gentlemen feel every thing worse than we do. When we were on the march, +our young gentlemen were as delicate as ladies. They lamented and cried +out at the least hurt, and some of them were always a-going to the +hospital. But they got used to it; ay, indeed they did, sir. We are all +equal in war; and bullets<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> and sabres have no respect for gentle flesh +and blood. Officers and men must do with little food or none, as the +case may be; and when they get something to eat, they share it like +brethren. You'd never believe it, sir, what doings there are in war."</p> + +<p>Akosh smiled; but his face regained the whole of its former gloom as he +said, "Believe me, Janosh, were it but for this trifling wound, I should +not be sad. There are other sorrows to——"</p> + +<p>"Other sorrows—ay, so there are! How could I possibly forget it?" +replied the old hussar, with a broad grin, for the purpose of making his +master understand that his sorrows were known and appreciated—"isn't it +about the notary's little Vilma? Oh! I know all about it. It's the same +with love as with new tobacco, which makes your eyes run with tears from +the mere looking at it. But do you know, sir, what I'd do if I were in +your place?"</p> + +<p>"What is that?"</p> + +<p>"Why, to tell you the truth, I'd marry her."</p> + +<p>"You big fool! So I would if <i>I</i> had the last word to say in the +matter."</p> + +<p>"But who else has?" said the old man, shaking his head. "You won't be a +cripple, sir, from this here little wound; and I am sure Vilma wouldn't +take a man with three hands to your one. I'll be a cat,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> if Vilma will +ever be any other man's wife than yours!" Saying which, he left the +room, shaking his head and muttering.</p> + +<p>"The old fellow has hit the mark," said Kalman. "You are in no danger of +losing Vilma's love. You have no cause for sorrow."</p> + +<p>"Nor do I grieve on that account," replied Akosh, energetically; +"Vilma's love is not so lightly lost as all that. But I am anxious in my +mind because I'm uncertain about her future and mine."</p> + +<p>"You're not accustomed to lie in bed. It makes you fanciful," said +Kalman.</p> + +<p>"No, I tell you, no! Never was man more inclined to look at the bright +side of things than I am. I beat Vandory hollow; and in his own line +too. But ever since that accident happened to me, I am altogether +altered. My mind is filled with dark thoughts and bodings. I feel as if +the hand of fate were upon me, and I would fain flee if I knew but +whither."</p> + +<p>"You've lost a precious deal of blood."</p> + +<p>"No, it's not that!" said Akosh, shaking his head. "When I pressed Vilma +to me, when I felt the beating of her heart, and when I was more happy +than I ever thought it possible in my nature to be, it was then, Kalman, +the thought struck me,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> whether this was not my last joy, as it was my +greatest. Hitherto my thoughts of Vilma were all of hope; but since I +was thus rudely waked from my dream of bliss, I have examined my +position more narrowly. I cannot say that it gives me much comfort. A +man cannot make his wife happy unless he places her in a proper +position, in which she can respect herself and claim the respect of +others. If he fails in that, the utmost he can do is to share her grief, +and become a partner of her sorrows; but he will never come to make her +happy. Now that's <i>my</i> case. Vilma's father is at daggers-drawn with my +parents."</p> + +<p>Kalman sighed.</p> + +<p>"Can I hope for my parents' consent? I don't mean a mere formal consent, +which people give because they cannot help it, but a real, ready, hearty +blessing, for it is that which I want for Vilma's happiness. Love scorns +sufferance; it asks for sympathy; and if that is denied it, and from +one's nearest relations too, my heart is lonely in spite of all love; +though it may cling to the beloved object, it is in sorrow, not in joy. +Mutual love is enough for bliss; but for that quiet happiness which we +look for in marriage, a great deal more is wanted than two mere loving +hearts."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span>"I don't deny it," said Kalman; "but time works wonders, let me tell +you. At present the old people have indeed a cordial, ay, a <i>fraternal</i> +hate against each other. Only think; when the Jew told Tengelyi that his +papers were gone, the notary was at once struck with the curious +coincidence (for <i>curious</i> it was) of his noble descent being put in +question at the very moment of the theft. He spoke of a deep laid plan, +of a plot, the prime mover of which was——"</p> + +<p>"Not my Father!" cried Akosh, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"No, not exactly; besides, he is aware of my position in your family. +But he talked of our friend Mr. Catspaw, whom, as I take it, he thinks +but a tool in the hands of a third person."</p> + +<p>"My father is incapable of such a thing!"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the notary does not suspect him so much as he does your +step-mother. He had much to say about the other robbery which they +attempted at the curate's, when the thieves, it appears, were likewise +after papers, for they touched none of the things in the room, but +opened the drawer in which Vandory kept his papers. Those papers have +since been removed to Tengelyi's house; and the notary told me over and +over again he was sure the two robberies were done by one and the same +hand, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> planned by the same head. By the bye," said Kalman after a +pause, "do you happen to know any thing of Vandory's papers?"</p> + +<p>"Who, I? Of course not. I've often wondered what important papers +Vandory must have, since it seems there <i>are</i> people who wish to steal +them."</p> + +<p>"I understand," whispered young Kishlaki, "that his papers have +something to do with your family."</p> + +<p>"With <i>my</i> family?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, you know your father had an elder brother by your grandfather's +first wife. His second wife, your own grandmother, made the poor boy's +life miserable."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and he ran away!" said Akosh. "They told me all about it. It +strikes me second wives don't do in the Rety family. But what connection +is there between all this and Vandory's papers?"</p> + +<p>"I understand that that poor fellow, your uncle, went to Germany, +probably to some university; for he was seventeen when he ran away, and +a good scholar, they say. Now I am told that Vandory knew your uncle, +and that he still knows of his whereabouts; and, in short, that the +papers refer to your lost uncle Rety."</p> + +<p>"This is indeed strange!" said Akosh.</p> + +<p>"You know how people <i>will</i> talk. Your father's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> friendship for Vandory, +and the curate's power over him, which is even greater than his wife's +influence, and a thousand other things, have made people believe that he +must have some means of acting upon your father; yes, that he knows of +something which it would not be convenient to tell to everybody; and +since the attempted robbery, there is not a blockhead in the county but +swears that there is something wrong somewhere."</p> + +<p>"All I can say is, that this is a strange thing. Here we have two +robberies in less than two months, evidently for the purpose of +obtaining the papers; but then——"</p> + +<p>Here the conversation was interrupted by Janosh, who entered with the +surgeon of St. Vilmosh.</p> + +<p>"There, sir! there's some ice to put on your arm, and here's the +<i>sawbones</i>. Hell put things to right in no time."</p> + +<p>The little man who was thus unceremoniously introduced as a "sawbones," +cast an angry look at the hussar, walked up to his patient, examined the +wound, and expressed his satisfaction with its appearance and condition; +while Janosh, who always lost his temper when he saw anybody but himself +administering to his master's comforts, gnashed his teeth, grumbling and +discontented. He was wrong;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> for Mr. Sherer, a Magyar of German +extraction, who had successively exercised and failed in the various +callings of shoemaker and barber, and who had become a surgeon by dint +of great boldness, and by the grace of a rich widow, who had lent him +money to pay for his diploma, was deserving of any thing but +indignation. On the contrary, he was a very amiable man, who, during the +sixteen years he had lived at St. Vilmosh, had never given occasion for +the slightest complaint to those who, like Janosh, had never been ill.</p> + +<p>"A nice wound! very nice! Yes, on my honour, pretty indeed!" said +Sherer. "On my word of honour, I never saw a prettier wound in my life."</p> + +<p>"I wish you'd been in the wars," murmured Janosh, "you'd have seen +something like wounds, I tell you!"</p> + +<p>"What do you know about it?" replied Sherer, "you'd value a wound by its +size. Now, on my word and honour, a large wound is not at all nice."</p> + +<p>"No, indeed not. But a small wound is; one that heals without troubling +the sawbones."</p> + +<p>Doctor Sherer (for by that title he loved to be called) turned away and +asked:</p> + +<p>"How has it pleased you to sleep, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Very well."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span>"And how do you feel?"</p> + +<p>"Quite well."</p> + +<p>"You don't feel excited?"</p> + +<p>"Oh no! not by any means."</p> + +<p>"Ay, perfect apirexy, which means want of fever?"</p> + +<p>"I should say so."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you have some appetite?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have."</p> + +<p>"Did I not tell you so? Almond milk works wonders in such cases!"</p> + +<p>Akosh smiled.</p> + +<p>"Nobody can think what healing powers there are in almond milk. You are +quite well, eh? quite comfortable?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am."</p> + +<p>"On my word and honour, I am sorry they did not call me sooner! I would +have bled you."</p> + +<p>"Why should you, since my master is well?"</p> + +<p>"Hold your tongue! On my word and—— I tell you that phlebotomy works +wonders in such cases."</p> + +<p>"The homœopathists never bleed people," said Akosh, with a degree of +gravity which Kalman vainly attempted to imitate, when he saw the effect +these words had upon the doctor.</p> + +<p>"Homœopathists!" cried that learned person, with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> a grin of rage. "Well, +and what do <i>they</i> do? do they give you emetics, tonics, and hot +medicines? Did any of them ever give you jalappa, bark, antispasmodic, +antiphlogistic, antirheumatic, and aromatic medicines? Cardus +benedictus, Rhabarbara, Tartarus, Sal mirabile Glauberi?"</p> + +<p>"Stop!" cried Kalman. "I am as sick as a dog!"</p> + +<p>"Who ever heard of a homœopathist blistering or putting any other +plaster on you? I'll not talk of poultices, issues, cupping, and hot +baths. On my word and honour, what's a doctor good for if he can't even +give you a paltry black draught, Elixirum Viennense?"</p> + +<p>"True, doctor," said Akosh; "a patient, if treated homœopathically, must +do without a multitude of enjoyments. The healing art ought, above +all,——"</p> + +<p>"To heal!" interrupted Sherer; "and it's the doctor's duty to try every +drug at the chemist's, and to call other medical men to a consultation, +until his patient's recovery——"</p> + +<p>"Or death!" said Kalman.</p> + +<p>"Bravo!" cried Janosh.</p> + +<p>"Or death?" shrieked Doctor Sherer, highly disgusted. "On my word and +honour, I tell you, gentlemen, a really good doctor saves nine patients<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> +out of ten; and if the tenth dies, why so much the worse, for I am sure +<i>he</i> suffered from an old complaint, or he applied for advice when no +doctor could do him good. But suppose the patient were to die, sir; can +that circumstance, trifling I may call it, relieve the doctor from his +duty to give him everything which the professors teach at the +university? On my word and honour, sir! answer me that, sir, if you +can!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I can't. But the homœopathists too have their medicines, and cure +their patients."</p> + +<p>"Of course they do," sneered the doctor; "but then Nature does it for +them. Nature works wonders in many cases."</p> + +<p>"But what does that signify if the patient recovers?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, it does matter. If you don't help Nature, it will over-exert +itself, and do more harm than good."</p> + +<p>"But when your patients get well, who knows whether Nature or you did +it?"</p> + +<p>"We, sir; we do; we who have been at the university for not less than +five years, where our professors have told us that a patient will not +recover unless we give him certain medicines. Those ignoramuses who know +nothing of science, those homœopathists who know neither chemistry nor +mineralogy,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> nor anthropophagy—anthropology I meant to say, they are +always at their old tricks. Whenever we make a brilliant cure, they say +that Nature has done it. But we know better! Why, on my word and honour, +of what use would our studies at Pesth have been, if we did not know so +much as that?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly!" said Akosh. "What's the use of learning so many things if +you know no more than anybody else?"</p> + +<p>"True, sir; and catch a homœopathist with a bad case!" cried Sherer. +"What does he do? He calls in an allopathist, as happened in the case of +the old advocate at Dustbury."</p> + +<p>"He died three days after he had fallen into the hands of the county +physician," said Kalman. "I talked to the doctor who treated him first, +and he told me that, seeing that the case was hopeless, and that the +poor man's sufferings were great, he called in the county physician to +finish him. The doctors of your class despatch people so quickly, you +know."</p> + +<p>This attack proved too strong for the surgeon's temper. He was convinced +of the usefulness of his science, for that science gave him, as district +surgeon, an annual income of three hundred florins, with the use of a +house, not to mention fees, which were consider<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span>able. What Kalman said +was to him worse than blasphemy; and unbounded were the disgust and +scorn expressed in all his features, when he saw Janosh, radiant with +joy, notifying his unqualified assent to, and approbation of, the jokes +of young Kishlaki.</p> + +<p>"Now is there a single grain of sense in all the doings of the +homœopathists?" said he at length. "Suppose a man is ill. Suppose he has +eaten a large quantity of Tarhonya, and he can't digest it. Now what +does a homœopathist give him? On my honour and conscience, what else but +the millionth part of a drop of camomile oil? Now all I want to know is, +how you make it out? A large dish of Tarhonya and——"</p> + +<p>"Of course," cried Kalman; "but I can't understand why bark should cure +me when I have the fever from stuffing myself with cake or cabbage?"</p> + +<p>"I don't see how you should understand it," said the surgeon, with a +smile of conscious superiority. "You are ignorant of the science of +medicine. But, on my word and honour, it's the simplest thing in nature! +Bark has got a certain secret power against the fever; nothing more +natural than this. God has made bark for us to cure the fever with."</p> + +<p>"But why did not God, when he created sausages<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> and cabbages in this +country, which you know give us the fever, create bark likewise, since +it's rather a long way from here to China?"</p> + +<p>"All you can do is to talk!" said Mr. Sherer, shaking his head; "we +cannot possibly converse with you on scientific subjects. But, now I'm +sure, nobody will deny, that if a small dose can have any effect, the +effect of a large dose must be still greater. If, therefore, the +millionth part of a drop of camomile can do any good, <i>I</i> must do my +patients more good still, because I give them three large cups of +camomile tea; and this, after all, is the truth, for camomile tea, if +you administer it in large quantities, works wonders."</p> + +<p>"Why," said Kalman, "much depends on the quantity, I grant; but much +depends likewise on the manner in which you administer the dose. Now +Doctor, for instance, you may sit on a bundle of sticks, say for two +hours and longer, without feeling greatly incommoded by the operation. +But suppose a <i>single</i> stick be taken from the bundle, placed in the +hand of—say of Janosh—and applied in a certain manner of his own, to a +certain part of your own; I think, though the whole bundle did not cause +any disagreeable sensations, yet the single stick—How do <i>you</i> think it +would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> act, Janosh?" continued Kalman, turning to the hussar, who +laughed immoderately.</p> + +<p>"My opinion is, that it is all the same with the homœopathy and the—I +forget how you call it; but faith, it matters very little! Our lives are +in God's hands, and when a man's last day is not come, he won't die +though you were to call in a hundred doctors."</p> + +<p>There is no saying what Doctor Sherer would have said or done, (for he +looked <i>bistouris</i> at the impertinent hussar,) had not Lady Rety entered +the room and interrupted the conversation. No sooner did the man of +science see her, than he hastened to kiss her hands, pouring forth a +long speech about cold water and ice, almond milk, camomile tea, and the +wonderful effects of each and all of these invaluable medicines.</p> + +<p>Lady Rety was rather ill-tempered, and she showed it to the surgeon as +well as to Kalman, who received her with a low bow. But Akosh had always +great influence with his step-mother, and even now she treated him, if +not kindly, at least with politeness. Sitting down by his bed-side, she +asked him, with a great show of interest, how he felt.</p> + +<p>Doctor Sherer and Janosh left the room. Kalman saw that his society was +not wanted; he went<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> to the other end of the room, opened the window, +and looked down upon the garden. Lady Rety looked at Akosh. "Now you +see," said she, with a low voice, "what comes of your running after +women, instead of doing your duty at the election."</p> + +<p>Akosh blushed, and said nothing.</p> + +<p>"You need not blush. Vilma is pretty and——"</p> + +<p>"My lady!"</p> + +<p>But Lady Rety continued in the same tone.</p> + +<p>"Vilma, I say, is a pretty woman; and as for you, young man, it would be +too hard upon you if we would quarrel with you for taking what is freely +offered. If the young woman does not care for her honour, why should +you?"</p> + +<p>"My lady!" said Akosh; "I entreat you, do not speak in this tone! +Vilma——"</p> + +<p>"Is a pretty woman," said the lady, with a sneer; "she is less correct +than I thought she was, but that's her mother's affair, not mine. They +over-educate these girls, and put strange fancies into their heads. +Tengelyi ought to have known that such an education is not fit for a +notary's daughter."</p> + +<p>"Vilma is my betrothed," replied Akosh, who struggled manfully to keep +his temper.</p> + +<p>"Indeed?" said his step-mother, with a forced<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> smile. "Pray how many +<i>fiancées</i> has your sultanship got?"</p> + +<p>"She is the first," said Akosh, calmly, "and, I swear it, she shall be +my last."</p> + +<p>Lady Rety cast her eyes down, and was silent.</p> + +<p>"You talk wildly," said she at length, with her former gracious smile. +"Only think, Vilma to be a Lady Rety, and after such a scene!"</p> + +<p>"Vilma being, as I told you, my betrothed, there is nothing +extraordinary in the whole occurrence."</p> + +<p>"My father used to say to my brother, 'Whenever you marry, pray don't +take a woman who prefers you to her honour; for such a woman is likely +to prefer another man to her husband.'"</p> + +<p>Akosh frowned. "I entreat you, don't rail at your own sex, by speaking +in this manner of a virtuous girl."</p> + +<p>"Of course she is a virtuous girl. Master Akosh says it, and he ought to +know!"</p> + +<p>"Do as you please! Why should you not be allowed to talk of your +daughter-in-law in any terms you like best?"</p> + +<p>"<i>My</i> daughter-in-law! Are you aware that Tengelyi's noble descent is a +matter of doubt?"</p> + +<p>"I know it; but when Vilma is my wife she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> does not want any proofs of +nobility. To tell you the truth, that is another reason for me to marry +her."</p> + +<p>"Tengelyi protests that he has papers by which he can prove his +descent——"</p> + +<p>"He <i>had</i> the papers, but they are gone. The Tengelyis have no one to +rely on but me!"</p> + +<p>"But I understand," said Lady Rety, anxiously, "that the robbery did not +take place,—that the robber did not get the papers."</p> + +<p>"On the contrary," replied Akosh, watching her emotion; "they left the +money, and took the papers."</p> + +<p>Strive as she would, Lady Rety's face was radiant with joy.</p> + +<p>"Who do you think is the thief?" said she.</p> + +<p>Akosh, who had never once taken his eyes from her, said that everybody +suspected Viola of the robbery. Lady Rety rose at once, saying she was +called away by business of very great importance.</p> + +<p>Kalman, who had listened to the last part of the conversation, looked +greatly amazed. Akosh sat up and pondered for a few moments. At length +he said:—</p> + +<p>"Did you not tell me that Tengelyi suspects my mother of having hired +the thief?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span>"He said as much."</p> + +<p>"And do you think that it was Viola who committed the robbery?"</p> + +<p>"It was either Viola or the Jew. But no papers have been found upon the +latter."</p> + +<p>"Heaven knows I cannot bring myself to believe it," said Akosh, shaking +his head. "But if Viola has the papers, I am sure he will return them."</p> + +<p>"So he will, unless he has used them for wadding."</p> + +<p>"Was it not you that told me of Viola's being seen with a certain +Gulyash? Go to him at once, and promise any thing you like, to get the +papers. This cursed wound of mine prevents my going to him, and yet it +must be done. Make haste!"</p> + +<p>Kalman had already seized his hat. "What a big fool I was, not to think +of it!" cried he. "The Gulyash is sure to get us the papers."</p> + +<p>Akosh remained in a gloomy and nervous state, which was at length +interrupted by the appearance of Janosh, who told him that Lady Rety was +closeted with Mr. Catspaw. Shortly afterwards the tramp of Kalman's +horse was heard, as he left the Castle in a gallop, doing which he +passed a carriage which the attorney was just about to enter.</p> + +<hr class="wide" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span></p> + +<h3><a name="NOTES_I" id="NOTES_I"></a>NOTES TO VOL. I.</h3> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_I_I" id="NOTE_I_I"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_I_I">Note I.</a></span><br /> +COURTS-MARTIAL.</p> + +<p>The <i>Statarium</i> of the old Hungarian law is not exactly what is known in +other European countries under the name of court-martial, though it has +some affinity with that institution. Whenever housebreaking, highway +robberies, and arson were rife in any of the Hungarian counties, the +Palatine was empowered to give them the right of statarium for any term +of months not exceeding one year, for the more efficient prevention of +crime, and for the apprehension and punishment of the malefactors.</p> + +<p>The Statarium, as an exceptional court, was composed of seven judges, +who were appointed for the year, and empowered to take cognizance of and +give judgment in any cases of robbery and arson that were committed in +the county, provided always that the culprit was taken "<i>in flagranti +delicto</i>," or "<i>in continuâ persecutione</i>," either in the act or +immediately after, he being incessantly pursued all the while. In these +cases the court gave summary judgment without appeal, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> only +verdict they were empowered to pronounce was a capital sentence. The +culprit, if convicted, was hanged on the spot.</p> + +<p>To make out a conviction, it was necessary that all the judges should +agree. A single dissentient voice was enough to overthrow the verdict +and to bring the culprit within the jurisdiction of the ordinary courts.</p> + +<p>The minutes of the proceedings of the courts-martial, and the +depositions of the witnesses, were sent to the Palatine, and examined by +a commissioner; and the judges of the Statarium were responsible for +each case.</p> + +<p>It was moreover an old popular prejudice, that a prisoner ought not to +be "roofed," that is to say, that he ought not to be confined in a gaol +or house, if he was to be judged by a Statarium. In compliance with this +prejudice, which, however, had no foundation in the laws of Hungary, the +culprits were usually chained to a post in the open air.</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_I_II" id="NOTE_I_II"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_I_II">Note II.</a></span><br /> +JAROMIR AND ANGYALBANDI.</p> + +<p>The name of Jaromir, the Bohemian brigand, is probably known to the +readers of German romances of the last thirty years. The story of his +noble descent, guilty love, and wretched end, no matter whether a mere +fiction or founded on facts, has been handed down through successive +generations. The adventures of Jaromir obtained their <i>acmé</i> of +popularity by Grillparzer's drama, "Die Ahnfrau," and by the lines,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0q">"Ja, ich bin's den du genannt!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bin's den jene Häscher suchen,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bin's dem alle Lippen fluchen!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Der in des Bauers Nachtgebet,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hart, nahe an dem Teufel steht.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">* * * * *<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ich bin der Räuber, Jaromir!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Angyalbandi is a much more real personage than Jaromir. The facts of his +case are of less dramatic interest, though certainly of greater truth, +than the adventures of the Bohemian robber and his bride.</p> + +<p>The name of Angyalbandi, for many years the terror of all the landed +proprietors in Upper Hungary, was a <i>nomme de guerre</i>, which covered the +aristocratic and truly respectable name of the Onodys. A member of that +family, the Baron Onody, was so strongly gifted with those roving and +robbing propensities which distinguished his Scythian ancestors, that he +would leave his country seat near Mishkolz for days and weeks together, +for the purpose of cattle-stealing. His talents in that line, his +strength, activity, and boldness, filled the whole country with fear; +and no nobleman or peasant thought his flocks safe from Angyalbandi's +depredations, for the robber foiled all watchfulness and outran all +pursuit. It so happened, in one of his expeditions, that he fell in with +some fine horses near Debrezin; but his attempt to carry them off was +discovered, the tocsin was sounded, and the chase commenced. Angyalbandi +fled, and with the same horse he swam through the Theiss and the +Danube—a feat which his pursuers did not care to imitate. After a long +and successful career, Baron Onody was at length<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> suspected, and his +identity with Angyalbandi was established on the occasion of some +business which he transacted at Kashau. His privilege of nobility saved +him from incarceration, for as he had not been discovered "<i>in +flagranti</i>," he was admitted to bail. While his process was under the +consideration of the High Court, Mr. Atzel, the judge advocate, had an +accident on the road near Mishkolz. His carriage was overturned, and the +axletree broken.</p> + +<p>Mr. Atzel and his servants called for help, and, seeing a gentleman +approaching in the distance, they walked up to him, and asked him to +assist them in finding a wheelwright. He informed them that no +wheelwright was to be found in that part of the country; "but," added +he, "never mind; I will give my orders, and see your carriage taken to +Mishkolz, where they will put it to rights. Come to my house, and stay +with me."</p> + +<p>"Indeed," said Mr. Atzel, "I'm very much obliged to you. I would not +pass a night in one of your wretched village inns on any consideration; +but to stay at a gentleman's seat is a different thing altogether. Are +your servants well armed?"</p> + +<p>"We have got some rifles, though there is little chance of using them. I +am afraid you are a nervous subject, sir. Perhaps you are not accustomed +to this part of the country?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed I am not! I know it only from its bad reputation. And, of all +men, <i>I</i> am in the greatest danger in this county, for I understand it +is somewhere hereabout that Baron Onody lives. His case is in my hands,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> +and I hope to get a verdict against him, and see him hanged."</p> + +<p>"Indeed? Do you know Baron Onody?"</p> + +<p>"By no means," replied Mr. Atzel; "nor do I wish for his acquaintance."</p> + +<p>"'Tis a pity, for you might make it with the greatest ease. He lives +close by. Do you see that house on the hill? It's one of his farms."</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, sir!" cried the lawyer, "let us make haste to your +house and to your rifles. If Onody knew I was so near him, he would +spare me as little as I intend to spare him!"</p> + +<p>Thus urged, the stranger led Mr. Atzel to his house; supper was served, +and the two men talked of Onody, his robberies, and the politics of the +county, till a late hour, when the stranger rose, and, addressing his +guest, "Mr. Atzel," said he, "from all you have told me, I see that you +have a worse opinion of that poor fellow Onody than I have. He——"</p> + +<p>"He's a vagabond, sir! a disgrace to his station——"</p> + +<p>"Pray don't be personal, sir! <i>I</i> am the Baron Onody!"</p> + +<p>Nothing can equal the dismay of the poor judge advocate. His host +continued:</p> + +<p>"I am not half so bad as you believe me to be. You've told me I can +expect no mercy at your hands. You've sworn to my face that you will not +rest until you see me hanged. Now I would not hurt you, though I could. +You've had your supper. You will have a good bed to sleep in, and a +breakfast in the morning. I will send you to Mishkolz with my own +horses. That's what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> <i>I</i>, Onody or Angyalbandi the robber, do to you. +Now consider what are your intentions towards me, and tell me which is +the worse man?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Atzel was silent. We need not say that he passed a sleepless night, +and that he congratulated himself on his good fortune when he was safe +in Kashau. But so great was the impression which Onody's generosity had +made upon him, that he exerted himself to the utmost to influence the +Court in the culprit's favour; and the result was, that Baron Onody, +instead of receiving a capital sentence, was condemned to twelve months' +confinement in the county gaol of Kashau. His term of imprisonment over, +he returned to his seat near Mishkolz, where he lived quietly and +honestly, without ever stirring from his own estates; "lest," as he used +to say, "the sight of some fine oxen or horses might again tempt him to +a robber's life."</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_I_III" id="NOTE_I_III"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_I_III">Note III.</a></span><br /> +ACTIO.</p> + +<p>The Hungarian law has certain provisions for the purpose of limiting and +regulating the liberty of speech of political and judicial assemblies. A +speaker who oversteps the limits of decency, or who indulges in personal +abuse, is punished by the infliction of a fine of twenty-five florins. +If he is not able to pay the amount of the fine on the spot, he is at +liberty to leave his ring or his sword as a pledge, and to redeem them +by the payment of eighty florins. The person who decides on a breach of +order is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> the Recorder of the county; but when a speaker is very +offensive, the person or persons aggrieved signify their wish for the +Recorder's interference by loud cries of "Actio! Actio!"</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_I_IV" id="NOTE_I_IV"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_I_IV">Note IV.</a></span><br /> +NAGYIDAI NOTA.</p> + +<p>The song of Nagyida. Nagyida is a small fortress in Hungary which, +during the insurrection of Rakotzi, was garrisoned by a troop of +gipsies, who defended it against an Austrian corps, and whose patriotic +devotion was proof against the bribes and the attacks of the Austrian +besieging army. Reduced at length to great distress, and without +victuals and ammunition, the gipsies made so violent and bold a <i>sortie</i> +from their fortress, that they broke through and routed the ranks of the +Imperialists.</p> + +<p>The Austrians fled in great confusion; and it was in the heat of the +pursuit that a gipsy called after an Austrian officer, whose quickness +of foot he was unable to compete with, "Run, you rascal! You are safe +enough; but trust me, we would not let you off so easily, if we had +half-a-pound of gunpowder left!"</p> + +<p>Upon this, the Austrians rallied. They returned, stormed the fortress of +Nagyida, and put the garrison to the sword. The song of the Nagyida, +like the romance of the fall of Alhama, relates the history of that +defeat, and bewails the sufferings of the gipsies. They keep the melody +to themselves, and nothing can<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> induce them to play or sing it to any +one who is not of their tribe.</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_I_V" id="NOTE_I_V"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_I_V">Note V.</a></span><br /> +KANAZ.</p> + +<p>A Kanaz is a swineherd. In the summer and autumn, the swine are turned +out into the forest to fatten on acorns. Their keepers, who live almost +always in the woods, and apart from the rest of the rural population, +have repeatedly, and perhaps not unjustly, been accused of aiding and +abetting the various bands of robbers, which, in consequence of Austrian +misgovernment, have from time to time infested the counties of Upper +Hungary.</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_I_VI" id="NOTE_I_VI"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_I_VI">Note VI.</a></span><br /> +GULYASHUS; PÖRKÖLT; TARHONYA.</p> + +<p>A great deal might be said on the subject of Hungarian cookery; but we +confine ourselves to three dishes, which stand in that country in lieu +of the beef, puddings, and dumplings of Old England.</p> + +<p>Gulyashus is made of beef, mutton, and bacon, cut in squares, and stewed +with Hungarian pepper (Paprica), spices, and onions. It is very much +like an Irish stew, without the potatoes.</p> + +<p>Pörkölt is beef cut in slices, and roasted with paprica, and without any +gravy.</p> + +<p>Tarhonya has some resemblance with the Kuskusu of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> the Arabs. It is a +kind of cake or pudding of stale and dried dough, which they fry with +bacon or boil in milk.</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_I_VII" id="NOTE_I_VII"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_I_VII">Note VII.</a></span><br /> +PROTEST.</p> + +<p>A forcible entry into a house, or the seizure of goods and chattels on +the premises of a nobleman, could be prevented by the owner of the +house, or his representative, protesting against the proceedings. His +protest was justified only in the case of a violation of forms. If the +defendant was of opinion that such a violation had taken place, he +seized a stick or a sword, and holding it up, he exclaimed: "I protest." +Upon this the officers of justice were bound to stay the proceedings, +and to leave the premises; while the defendant was equally obliged, +within a reasonable time, to make his appearance in court, and to plead +in justification of his protest. If his plea was disallowed, he was +usually fined for vexatious opposition. If, on the contrary, the court +admitted the validity of the plea, the cause was argued <i>ab initio</i>; and +in this second suit, no opposition to stay proceedings was admissible.</p> + +<hr class="thin" /> + +<p>We will take this opportunity to say a few words about the terms +"nobleman" and "peasant," which frequently occur in "<span class="smcap">The Village +Notary</span>," and indeed in most Hungarian works. The term nobleman, in the +general Hungarian acceptation, means neither more nor less than a +freeman; and the peasant, as the unprivileged<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> class of the population, +may be said to be in a state of villanage. The privileges of the +Hungarian constitution, namely, liberty of speech, freedom from +unwarranted arrest, the privilege of not being subjected to corporal +punishment, the right to elect their own magistrates, and a variety of +similar immunities, are, in all the charters, described in terms which +for a long time caused them to be confined to the descendants of the +ancient conquerors of the country, or to those persons who obtained the +freedom of Hungary by a grant of royal letters patent.</p> + +<p>The rest of the community, the Jews, Razen, gipsies, Russniaks, and +other tribes, are mentioned as "hospites," guests or strangers, who have +no political rights. Whether bound to the soil, like the peasants, or +migratory, like the Jews and gipsies, the "hospites" were alike +unprotected by law and at the mercy of all the whims, neglects, and +cruelties of a legislature, which bears traces at once of the fierceness +of their Turkish neighbours and the pedantic vindictiveness of the +Hapsburgs. It was to break the yoke which for many centuries weighed +down upon the unfortunate "<i>villains</i>" and "aliens" of Hungary, that the +Reform party exerted itself against the Hungarian Conservatives and the +Court of Vienna.</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_I_VIII" id="NOTE_I_VIII"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_I_VIII">Note VIII.</a></span><br /> +TSHIKOSH AND GULYASH.</p> + +<p>The former are persons who have the care of horses in the pasturage; +while the latter are the herdsmen of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> horned cattle. The Tshikosh and +Gulyash, like the Kanaz or swineherds, are a fierce and indomitable +race, inured to fatigue and the severity of the weather, active and +enduring. In the late attempted war of liberation, the Tshikosh were +formidable enemies to the Austrian cavalry, whom they pulled down with a +peculiar whip, consisting of a short handle with a long leather thong +and a leaden bullet at the end of it, and which they used very much as +the Texans and Mexicans do the lasso.</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_I_IX" id="NOTE_I_IX"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_I_IX">Note IX.</a></span><br /> +TURKEY.</p> + +<p>The Hungarians still indulge in symbolic cookery. A welcome and honoured +guest is sure to be regaled with a turkey; while the serving up of a +sucking-pig, no matter how well roasted, is a hint to the stranger that +his presence is not agreeable to the family which he visits.</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_I_X" id="NOTE_I_X"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_I_X">Note X.</a></span><br /> +GATYA.</p> + +<p>The linen trowsers which the Hungarian peasants wear have the name of +Gatya. They are a distinguishing feature in the dress of the peasant +population.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_I_XI" id="NOTE_I_XI"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_I_XI">Note XI.</a></span><br /> +SZEGENY LEGENY.</p> + +<p>The verbal translation of szegeny legeny is "poor fellows"—that is to +say, <i>robbers</i>. The tender regard of the Hungarian peasantry for +robbers, and the almost endearing name which the people gave them, is in +itself a proof of misgovernment and the perversion of justice.</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_I_XII" id="NOTE_I_XII"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_I_XII">Note XII.</a></span><br /> +"I EAT HIS SOUL!" AND "I EAT HIS HEART!"</p> + +<p>These are phrases of great tenderness, which the lower classes in +Hungary are in the habit of using, especially when speaking of their +children, or of those whom they treat as such. Of course the diet would +not agree with an English stomach.</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_I_XIII" id="NOTE_I_XIII"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_I_XIII">Note XIII.</a></span><br /> +DERESH.</p> + +<p>The "Deresh" is a bench on which culprits are whipped. A Hungarian +freeman is exempt from corporal punishment; but the persons who are in a +state of villanage are but too frequently exposed to the most brutal +treatment. Every traveller in the Austrian countries is struck with the +frequent use of the words "whipping" and "hanging," which seem to be +standard expressions of an Austrian discourse. These two great nostrums +for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> the cure of all the vices that society is heir to, have been +liberally introduced into all the Crownlands; and it was against the +spirit and the practice of such abuses that the Magyar party in Hungary +directed their opposition.</p> + + +<p class="theend">END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.</p> + +<hr class="wide" /> + +<h2>THE VILLAGE NOTARY.<br /> +VOL. II.</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_1" id="Page_II_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_II_I" id="CHAPTER_II_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h3> + + +<p>"The Hungarian's joy is in tears," says the old proverb. And why not? +Since the features of the parent tribe are handed down from one +generation to another, there is nothing more natural than that we should +retain the <i>historical</i> features of our ancestors, viz., the stamp of +gravity which the events of their time impressed upon their faces. The +Hungarians of old had good cause for weeping. Other nations have +recovered from the wounds of the past; and, however sad their popular +melodies may be (for they sprang from a time of sorrow and sadness), the +lamentations of the old text have given way to merry words. But the +lower classes in our country have very little to laugh at, even<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_2" id="Page_II_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> in +these days of universal prosperity. Their songs are sad, as they were in +the days when the crescent shone from the battlements of Buda. For there +are people who are ignorant of all history but that of their own +village, and who, consequently, have no idea that there has been any +change in our country ever since the expulsion of the Turks. The +peculiar gravity which characterises the Magyars is partly a historical +reminiscence and partly the result of that gloomy tract of our country +which is chiefly inhabited by the Magyar population. What traveller can +traverse our vast plains, and keep his temper? The virgin forest, which +at one time covered that plain, is gone; the powerful life of Nature is +fled; the impenetrable foliage which overshadowed this fertile soil has +fallen under the axe. The many-voiced carol of birds, and the merry +sports of the greenwood, where are they? The forest land has become a +heath, but we have little cause for rejoicing at our victory over +Nature. The inhabitants of other countries see many things to gladden +their hearts. Houses, trees, hedges, and corn-fields, reminding them of +the thrift of their ancestors, spur them on to increased activity, and +inspire them with a desire to fashion the land into a monument of their +existence. Our Pusztas have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_3" id="Page_II_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> nothing of the kind. All is silent and +desolate, filling the mind with sad thoughts. Many generations passed +over them without leaving a trace of their existence; and the traveller, +as he pursues his solitary way across the heath, feels the mournful +conviction that he too steps onward to the grave, that the plain will +cover him as a boundless ocean.</p> + +<p>It was past noon when Susi, accompanied by the Liptaka, quitted the +village. They halted near the outer Tsharda, from whence the Liptaka +returned to Tissaret, while Susi, with a small bundle of provisions +under her arm, proceeded on the road to Kishlak, where she expected to +find the Gulyash who was to give her news of Viola. The Tanya of the +Gulyash was full seven miles distant from Tissaret, and, as the poor +woman trudged on, she became painfully sensible of the effects of her +late illness. More than once was she compelled to rest by the road-side, +where the cold wind stiffened her limbs; and when she looked around on +the vast heath, she felt overpowered by her own loneliness and the +stillness around her. She remembered having heard some talk of wolves; +she thought of her children and of her husband, who at that moment was +perhaps struggling with fresh dangers; and she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_4" id="Page_II_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> hurried on, not because +she had rested, but because she was restless. Her anxiety increased as +she felt that her weakness would not allow her to reach her journey's +end before nightfall. The train of her thoughts was at one time +interrupted by the quick trotting of a horse: her heart beat quick as +she looked back, expecting to see Viola riding after her. The horseman +was Kalman Kishlaki on his journey homewards. Thus disappointed, she +crept on to the stone cross, which stands on the borders of the Kishlaki +property. She sat down on the steps, and thought of the weary hearts +that had shaken off their load of sorrow in looking up to the image of +Him who came to this world to share our sorrows; and her heavy heart +became lighter as she remembered that Christ died, not for the rich and +the powerful, but for the poor, abandoned, and persecuted.</p> + +<p>She was about to rise and pursue her journey, when somebody called her +by her name. She turned round and shuddered, for the person who called +her was Tzifra. She had never been able to look at Tzifra without a +shudder. She knew the man. She knew that he was the cause of any cruelty +which Viola's comrades had ever committed; and, however much she loved +her husband, she felt uncomfortable, and disgusted, whenever she saw him +in Tzifra's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_5" id="Page_II_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> company. Viola had of late suspected Tzifra, and Susi +remembered that her husband had often called him his Judas. These +circumstances will serve to explain the fear with which the poor woman +beheld the robber, who, leaning on his staff, looked down at her with a +strange smile, which gave a still more repulsive expression to his +features. "Where are you bound to?" said he.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to see the Gulyash at Kishlak."</p> + +<p>"Running after your husband, I dare say? Possibly the Gulyash knows +where he is. What news is there in your village?"</p> + +<p>"You ought to know it," replied Susi. "They tell me you were there with +my husband?"</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say with Viola? Why, was <i>he</i> in the village?"</p> + +<p>"Are you indeed ignorant of that robbery—you know, at the notary's?"</p> + +<p>"Ah! I understand they've sacked his house. Well, didn't I say as much? +When they told me that Viola came to the house, I knew the affair would +end in a robbery. There isn't the like of Viola in three counties; +there's no joking with him!"</p> + +<p>"Don't talk in this way! I'll never believe that Viola had a hand in +it."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_6" id="Page_II_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>"All I know is, that I don't know any thing about it—but who can have +done it?"</p> + +<p>"They say you did it."</p> + +<p>"They say? Who says so? Is it Peti, the gipsy?"</p> + +<p>"I have not seen Peti since he went to Dustbury; but the smith who +pursued you told me so."</p> + +<p>"Whoever says so is mad, and the smith more than any. He'd not live to +boast of his boldness if he'd dared to run after me. I'd like to know +what he pretends to have known me by? not my bunda, I hope. Curse me if +it's dirtier than any body else's! Good bye; it's time for me to be +off!" And the robber turned into the road which led to Garatsh. As Susi +looked after him, a carriage passed her with Mr. Catspaw, who was on his +way to the same place. He overtook Tzifra; the carriage stopped, and +after a short conversation, the robber jumped on the back seat, and the +carriage drove off.</p> + +<p>Susi was greatly astonished. She walked as fast as she could; but still +darkness began to set in when she reached the Tanya, where she found the +Gulyash and Peti.</p> + +<p>"Have you seen any thing of Tzifra?" asked the gipsy.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_7" id="Page_II_7">[Pg 7]</a></span>"Where was he?"</p> + +<p>Susi told them of her meeting with the robber. Peti listened with deep +anxiety, and his features expressed the greatest despair when she told +him that Mr. Catspaw had taken the robber with him to Garatsh.</p> + +<p>"He's dished!" cried he at length. "He's done for! If I don't come in +time, they'll nab him!"</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, what is the matter?" said Susi, trembling.</p> + +<p>"I can't, I must be off! Ishtvan will tell you all about it. I'll take +the shortest road to the St. Vilmosh forest; get your horses, and come +after me as fast as you can. You know the place. Perhaps we can manage +to reach it before the justice's men. The Theiss has not run over this +season; so, for God's sake, Ishtvan, don't spare your horses!" And the +gipsy started off at the top of his speed.</p> + +<p>Susi was at a loss to understand the behaviour of the two men: but +seeing clearly that some danger threatened her husband, she asked with a +trembling voice what had happened.</p> + +<p>"Nothing for the present. Be of good cheer, Susi," said the Gulyash; "if +any thing should befall Viola, confound it, I'll hang myself; but I'll +kill that rascal Tzifra first!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_8" id="Page_II_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>"But what is it? Oh do, for God's sake! for mercy's sake! tell me!" +sighed Susi, as they entered the cottage. She sat down by the fire, and +the Gulyash informed her, with many imprecations at his want of +foresight, that Viola was in an awkward scrape, if not worse. +Immediately after the robbery, the details of which came now first to +the ears of Susi, her husband had come to the Tanya and instructed +Ishtvan, who was in daily communication with the gang, to direct Peti, +or any other of his comrades who might seek him, to their usual haunt in +the forest of St. Vilmosh, where he intended to conceal himself until +the affair was blown over, and until he could manage to restore the +papers to Tengelyi. He had also asked the Gulyash to send him provisions +for the next few days. The Gulyash knew nothing of Tzifra's treachery, +for Viola had forgotten to inform him of it. Peti, too, had not seen the +man ever since he had listened to Tzifra's conversation with the Jew; +and it was therefore but natural that when Tzifra called that afternoon +and asked for Viola, the Gulyash should have given him a culatsh of wine +and some meat, and that he should have told him where Viola was to be +found.</p> + +<p>Peti arrived an hour later, and from him he learnt that the secret had +been entrusted to a traitor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_9" id="Page_II_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> After what Susi had seen, there could be +no doubt as to Tzifra's intentions, and the poor woman was in despair +when she thought of her husband's danger. It was now about two hours +since she met Tzifra. Garatsh was full three miles nearer to the St. +Vilmosh forest, and there were hussars, horses, and policemen in the +justice's house. She had no means of reaching Viola's haunt. There was +no hope for him.</p> + +<p>"I wish to God my cart would come! It ought to be here by this time, for +'tis two hours since I sent it to the village. I'll spoil that fellow's +tricks if I get my horses in time. Don't grieve, Susi, my soul! these +judges are not half so quick as you fancy, especially after the +election. Besides, who knows whether he's at home? Peti told me that the +lord-lieutenant had sent him to inquire into this business. D—n the +lord-lieutenant! and d—n me too! Why didn't the devil crush me with his +thirty-three thousand thunderbolts when I opened my lips to the traitor! +Now don't be frightened, Susi, my soul! we are sure to be in time. My +horses are the best in the county; but who the devil would have thought +that Tzifra is such a scurvy beggar? He's been a robber these thirty +years and more, and for all that he'll blow upon a pal, d—n me! The +fellow had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_10" id="Page_II_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> scarcely gone, when young Mr. Kalman came and told me of the +notary having lost his papers, asking me to get them, and to tell him +where Viola was to be found. He entreated me for mercy's sake, and then +he cursed me; but I would not tell him; and the other fellow, the dog, +got it all out of me!"</p> + +<p>At this moment they heard the rattling of the cart. Taking his axe and +bunda, he shouted with joy.</p> + +<p>"Holloa! here are my horses!"</p> + +<p>The cart, drawn by two stout yellow horses, stopped at the door.</p> + +<p>"Come, Susi, take the back seat, and wrap yourself up," said he, helping +her to mount. "And you may go to the devil!" he added, addressing the +driver, as he took the reins; "I'll teach you to stop at the pot-house, +you young cur!"</p> + +<p>The horses started off across the plain. The sound of the wheels was +lost in the distance, and the dogs that had followed it, barking and +yelping, had come back from what they considered a fruitless chase. But +Bandi, the driver, stood blocklike in the same place, still staring in +the direction in which the cart had disappeared. He scratched his head, +which Ishtvan had touched with rather a rough hand. At length he +exclaimed, "I hope Ishtvan won't steal Viola's wife!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_11" id="Page_II_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_II_II" id="CHAPTER_II_II"></a>CHAP. II.</h3> + + +<p>Traveller in search of justice! doff your shoes when you come to the +village of Garatsh, not only because Mr. Paul Skinner, the justice, +hallows the spot by his presence, nor solely in obedience to the old saw +which bids you do at Rome as the Romans do; but more especially for the +purpose of donning stout water-boots in their stead, for without them +you will find considerable difficulty in your progress through the +place.</p> + +<p>The villages of the county of Takshony were miserable, but Garatsh was +the most wretched of them all. Its ragged roofs and crumbling walls were +in keeping with the pale and emaciated faces of its inhabitants, each of +whom seemed to be devoted to suffering from the day of his birth to that +dark day on which they bore him to the churchyard at the end of the +village, there to take his first and last rest in this world, under the +high cross which marks the burial places of the Russniak population. The +very church was out of repair; for its half-rotten<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_12" id="Page_II_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> roof gave no +protection to the walls, which were stayed by poles to prevent their +falling. The vicarage looked equally poor and neglected, surrounded as +it was by a pond overgrown with reeds and water plants: in short, the +place was altogether desolate and wretched.</p> + +<p>I am free to confess that this is the gloomiest side of the picture, for +there were other houses in Garatsh besides the miserable hovels of the +peasantry. The distinguished families of the Garatsh, Bamèr, Andorfy, +Skinner, and Heaven knows how many more! had successively possessed the +village and built noble curias, which vied in splendour with one +another. The most magnificent of them was doubtless the house which +belonged to our friend Mr. Skinner. It was a noble edifice, with its +bright green walls and sky-blue columns. Only one third part of the roof +was covered with shingles; but as Mr. Skinner had carried the election +and secured his place for the next three years, it was but reasonable to +expect that the straw on the other part of the house would soon give way +to a splendid shingle roof. But, straw or shingles—no matter! the dense +column of smoke which issues from the chimney of the house gives it an +air of substantial comfort.</p> + +<p>It was an hour since Mr. Skinner returned<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_13" id="Page_II_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> from Dustbury. He left the +place almost at the same time when Tengelyi left it. The election was +all but over. When the Cortes understood that there were unqualified +persons among Bantornyi's voters, they opposed him to a man, and at noon +Mr. Rety was elected to the shrievalty. Mr. Kriver was the second +sheriff, for Mr. Edeshy, who held that post, retired from the contest; +and as the conquered party declined to take the field, the remainder of +the elections was despatched in less than two hours. The Rety party had +it all their own way. But the lord-lieutenant, hearing the news of the +Tissaret robbery, ordered the justice and his clerk to proceed to the +spot, and to take measures for the capture of the criminal.</p> + +<p>His Excellency the lord-lieutenant of the county of Takshony, flattered +himself with a vain belief that the justice and his clerk, accompanied +by Pandurs and policemen, had by this time reached Tissaret. The great +man would have found out his mistake if he had entered Mr. Skinner's +room; for there he might have seen that pillar of justice seated in +front of a large oak table, at the other end of which Mr. Kenihazy was +busily engaged in investigating, not the Tissaret robbery, but the +interior of an enormous pork pie. The two gentlemen had thought proper +to yield implicit obedience to his Excellency's orders.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_14" id="Page_II_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> They left +Dustbury without stopping for dinner, but finding it utterly impossible +to proceed to Tissaret with an empty stomach, they turned off the road +and made for Garatsh. Besides, they had no men. The Pandurs were at +Garatsh; the inspector was most probably at St. Vilmosh; and Mr. +Kenihazy remarked, with equal justice and truth, that it could not in +fairness be expected of them that they should capture the thief with +their own hands. Night was approaching, and any reasonable man, +especially if he be the "<i>bête noire</i>" of a whole gang, as was Mr. +Skinner's case, will, at such a time, rather avoid a robber than seek +him; and, besides all this, considering that what's done cannot be +undone, there was no harm in allowing the thief to be at large for a few +hours longer—nay, more, there was a chance of the said disreputable +person making away with the stolen property, which was exactly what Mr. +Skinner wanted, for he had no mind to soil his pure hands by touching +ill-gotten gains. In short, honest Mr. Skinner had a thousand reasons +for not going to Tissaret on that day; and if the lord-lieutenant could +have seen him as he sat in his easy-chair, pipe in mouth, with half a +dozen empty bottles on the table before him, it would have done the +great man's heart good to see Justice thus<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_15" id="Page_II_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> thriving in the person of +her most distinguished servant.</p> + +<p>The house was "replete" with every Hungarian comfort. It was enough to +make a Magyar's heart leap with joy, for the first condition of comfort +is unquestionably the not being hampered in your movements. Mr. +Skinner's room realised this condition to an all but unreasonable +extent. No bed on earth could be narrower than the one which occupied +one corner of the apartment, and the chest of drawers, which was equally +small, was an asylum for any odd things that wanted a place. It was +heaped with clothes, baskets, hats, and sticks; while a very small +table, and a still smaller chair and sofa, presented no obstacles to the +movements of the inmates. The oak table in the middle of the room was +indeed an exception. It was very large; but then it served for a variety +of purposes. A man might do as he liked in such a room. There was +nothing to impede the free use of one's limbs. And the walls were most +comfortably browned by the smoke, and covered with the pictures of +Magyar heroes, in bright-coloured attilas. Fine men they were, with +fabulous moustaches, with their legs, which were bent in with an excess +of strength, stuck into yellow Tshismen, with calpacs on their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_16" id="Page_II_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> heads, +and the Buzogany<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a>, or a standard, in their hands: fine men, indeed, +and most cheerful companions in a winter night. And the flooring of the +room, which was covered with clay, and the very cobwebs which hung from +the ceiling, seemed to say, "Don't stand upon ceremony! Make yourself at +home! Do as you please! We are none the worse for any thing you may do!"</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_II_I" id="SEE_NOTE_II_I"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_II_I">Note I</a>.</p></div> + +<p>Mr. Skinner was fully alive to the comforts of his home. He leant back +in his chair, and his soul was lost in happy dreams, such dreams as +belong only to people who have been re-elected. "We're in!" said he at +times, with a gentle sneer. "We're in!" he repeated, striking the table +with his fist. "They'd better mind what they are about!" And he ground +his teeth. He was brimful of happiness; his joy was so great he would +fain have thrashed every man, woman, and child in the county to vent it. +At other moments he was sad; for such is the nature of man, "that +pendulum between a smile and tear:" his house spoke to him of bygone +days. This was the table on which, forty-five years ago, immediately +after his birth, he had been washed for the first—and, as many people +in the county said, for the last—time in his life. His saddest and his +brightest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_17" id="Page_II_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> moments had been passed at that table, for it was here he had +learned to read, and it was here he had been initiated into the +mysteries of card-playing. His dearly beloved wife, too, sat by that +table when he brought her to his house, and when he got so drunk with +joy that he could never recollect how and when he got into bed that +night. That table was the scene of many drinking bouts and heavy +sentences, of which it still bore the marks in wine and ink. And he +thought of the seventy florins and forty-five kreutzers which he had +spent on the election, and of his sweet father, who was a justice before +him; nor did he forget to think of his dolman, which had been torn by +the Cortes, and of his wife having, two years ago, lost two of her front +teeth, but, amidst all these conflicting thoughts, his lips smiled. "We +are in," said he; "so begone dull care! There are lots of Jews in this +district," thought he; "and if my sweet father were not dead, he'd be +justice in my place; and, after all, I got that dolman without paying +for it, and I'll have another on the same terms; and though my wife has +lost two teeth, they are after all but front teeth, and there's not a +woman in Hungary can cook such a mess of Tokany<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> as she does; and, +taking one thing with another, I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_18" id="Page_II_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> am the luckiest dog in three +counties." Kenihazy, too, was most happy, especially if it be true that +he is most blessed who is least conscious of his own existence. Mr. +Kenihazy sat with his elbows on the table, singing his favourite song +of—</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_II_II" id="SEE_NOTE_II_II"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_II_II">Note II</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0q">"The man that does not love Skinner, sirs,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Haj! Haj! Haj!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Devil take him for a sinner, sirs,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Haj! Haj! Haj!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>It is to be presumed that Kenihazy was equally in love with the melody +and text of this sublime rhapsody; for he had sung it unceasingly for +the last half-hour.</p> + +<p>"I say, Bandi!" cried the justice, at length.</p> + +<p>But Bandi went on with his song, screaming rather louder than before.</p> + +<p>"Bandi, I say! don't roar in that way!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Kenihazy stared; but his voice grew still more loud.</p> + +<p>"He's drunk!" said Mr. Skinner, rising with some difficulty, and walking +up to and shaking his clerk, who at length raised his head with a +"Holloa! what's the matter?"</p> + +<p>"We're in!" said the judge; for no other thought found a place in his +head. Upon this, Mr. Kenihazy burst into a laugh so long, so loud, and +so uproarious,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_19" id="Page_II_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> that it outdid the very chiefs whose portraits +ornamented the walls. They never laughed so loud, even after their +famous bargain with Swatopluk, who sold them the country of Hungary for +a white steed.<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_II_III" id="SEE_NOTE_II_III"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_II_III">Note III</a>.</p></div> + +<p>"What are you laughing at?" said Mr. Skinner, with an awful display of +judicial gravity.</p> + +<p>"At them!" responded Mr. Kenihazy, still chuckling. "They wanted to do +us, and we've done them. Done them brown, eh? We are in!"</p> + +<p>"Bravo! we <i>are</i> in!" cried the justice. "The world is to the wise!"</p> + +<p>"And to the cunning!" said Kenihazy, tossing off his glass.</p> + +<p>"Ay—but—yes, we are in! Look to yourselves, you rascals! You wanted to +have another judge, eh? Very well; oh, <i>very</i> well: we'll see who has +the best of it."</p> + +<p>"And who was it they wanted to put in my place?" shouted his friend, in +a generous burst of indignation; "was it not Vincenz Görögy? a mere boy, +who has just left the university?" This was the more criminal in Mr. +Kenihazy's eyes, as <i>he</i> had never been at any university.</p> + +<p>"As for that fellow, Tengelyi, let him take care!" snarled Mr. Skinner. +"I've long had a mind——"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_20" id="Page_II_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>"Capital thing, isn't it, that he isn't a nobleman now? He's now easier +<i>come-at-able</i>."</p> + +<p>"So he is," murmured the justice; "but they've sent us to get his papers +for him."</p> + +<p>"Yes; and when did they send us?—Late at night, in bad weather, when +honest men are wont to stay at home. Think of those devils of robbers +that let fly at you from their hiding-places! Did ever a Christian hear +of such a thing?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Skinner replied, with an expression of profound wisdom: "You see, +Bandi, these gentlemen are ignoramuses on county business: and, to tell +you a secret, his Excellency, our lord-lieutenant, is not better than +any of the rest. But no matter; he gives his orders, and I do as I +please; for every office has its peculiar sphere of action, you know, +Bandi."</p> + +<p>"So it has; but no Christian ought to go out in such a night," said +Kenihazy, who would have uttered some severe strictures on the +unbecoming behaviour of the lord-lieutenant, but for the rattling of a +carriage over the stone pavement of the yard, which attracted their +attention.</p> + +<p>"Who the deuce is this?" said the justice. "I thought nobody knew of my +being here!"</p> + +<p>"Petitioners!" cried Kenihazy. "Petitioners!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_21" id="Page_II_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> said he, filling his +glass: "they'll come by dozens; for, you see, we are in!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Catspaw, who entered the room wrapped up in his bunda, put a stop to +their conjectures.</p> + +<p>"It is you, my friend!" cried Mr. Skinner, making up to and hugging the +little attorney: "I'm happy you've come. We'll have a game at cards."</p> + +<p>"<i>Servus humillimus!</i>" cried Kenihazy, who felt that to get up was, for +him, a thing of greater difficulty than necessity.</p> + +<p>"No gambling to-night!" said Mr. Catspaw, as he struggled in Skinner's +embrace. "We must be off."</p> + +<p>"Off! and where are <i>you</i> bound to?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes! where are <i>you</i> bound to?" hiccoughed Kenihazy. "I won't stir +a single step. We'll have a game, won't we, Paul?"</p> + +<p>"D—n us, so we will!" cried the justice, striving to seize the +attorney. "If you don't stay, as you ought to do, we'll have the wheels +of your carriage taken off,—won't we, Bandi?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; let us have the wheels, and let him walk home if he likes."</p> + +<p>Mr. Catspaw shrugged his shoulders. "I wish you'd waited before getting +drunk, in honour of the day!" said he.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_22" id="Page_II_22">[Pg 22]</a></span>"You rascal of an attorney! Do you mean to say I'm drunk? Do you mean to +insinuate that I am not master of myself? Who is first sheriff? Rety. +Who is second? Kriver and——"</p> + +<p>"I am aware of it; but for God's sake be reasonable!"</p> + +<p>"And who is clerk?" roared Bandi.</p> + +<p>"Kenihazy Andrash<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a>, Eljen!"</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_II_IV" id="SEE_NOTE_II_IV"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_II_IV">Note IV</a>.</p></div> + +<p>"Confound your noise!" shouted the attorney.</p> + +<p>"Very well, sir. I don't mean to offend you, but—let us be reasonable. +Where do you wish us to go?"</p> + +<p>"To St. Vilmosh!"</p> + +<p>"I'm not drunk; and the proof is, that I won't stir from the spot!" +interposed Mr. Kenihazy.</p> + +<p>"What do you wish us to do at St. Vilmosh?"</p> + +<p>"Viola is there. We must arrest him to-night, or never; by to-morrow +morning he will have passed the stolen documents to some one else."</p> + +<p>"Very well," said Mr Skinner, with great dignity; "we'll arrest him +to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"But I tell you by that time the papers will be gone!"</p> + +<p>"So much the better. Am I to leave my house by night? am I to risk my +neck to help Mr. Ten<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_23" id="Page_II_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>gelyi to get his papers? Let him go himself, if he +likes!"</p> + +<p>"Yes; let him go, if he likes!" repeated Mr. Kenihazy. The attorney cast +a despairing look at the meritorious functionaries, and seizing the +justice by the sleeve, he led him to the window, where they conversed +long and eagerly together; while Kenihazy recommenced his old song:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0q">"The man that does not love Skinner, sirs,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Haj! Haj! Haj!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Devil take him for a sinner, sirs,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Haj! Haj! Haj!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"That alters the case entirely," said the justice at length. "I say, +Bandi, tell the Pandurs to saddle their horses immediately."</p> + +<p>"Yes; that alters the case entirely," groaned Kenihazy. "The Pandurs may +go! D—n them, why shouldn't they?"</p> + +<p>"But why did not you say all this at once?" said the justice, who +appeared much more sober than Mr. Catspaw had hoped he would be.</p> + +<p>"Why, you would not have me tell it in the presence of your clerk? Now +send your Pandurs to St. Vilmosh, and send the inspector word to raise a +<i>posse</i>, to arm them with pitchforks, and to wait for us at the Tsharda, +close to the forest. As for Kenihazy,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_24" id="Page_II_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> he'd better stay where he is. +He'd be too much in our way."</p> + +<p>"You are right. But suppose Tzifra were to cheat us? Suppose he had come +to get us into a trap? Viola says he will be revenged on me, and Tzifra +is one of his gang."</p> + +<p>"Never fear. There is no necessity for us to go further than we think +safe; you know I am not fond of bullets. But we can rely upon Tzifra. He +is in our hands."</p> + +<p>Kenihazy returned after a while, and told them that the Pandurs had gone +off to St. Vilmosh. Mr. Catspaw took his bunda, and said,—"Let us go, +then!"</p> + +<p>"And you too? Are <i>you</i> going?" said the clerk, astonished, when he +beheld the justice furred and cloaked, and prepared for the journey.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but you are to stay."</p> + +<p>"But what <i>can</i> you do without me?"</p> + +<p>"We are going to make an experiment," said Mr. Skinner, laughing. +"Farewell! and take care of the house!"</p> + +<p>They took their seats in the carriage. Tzifra, who had waited in the +hall, jumped up behind, and they drove off.</p> + +<p>"This is indeed strange!" said Kenihazy.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_25" id="Page_II_25">[Pg 25]</a></span>"What <i>can</i> a judge do without his clerk?" He returned to the room, +where he continued his potations and his song:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0q">"The man that doesn't love Skinner, sirs,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Haj! Haj! Haj!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Devil take him for a sinner, sirs,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Haj! Haj! Haj!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>At length his voice was lost in sleep, and nothing but the barking of +the dogs broke through the deep stillness in and around Mr. Skinner's +curia.</p> + +<p>That worthy was meanwhile in the act of cursing the coachman's zeal, +who, obedient to Mr. Catspaw's instructions, had urged his horses to a +mad career; and though Mr. Skinner was very desirous to see Viola +hanged, still it struck him that to break his own neck first was not +exactly the way to accomplish that purpose. The jolting of the carriage, +which brought his head in violent contact with the iron bands of the +roof, went a great way to confirm him in his opinion.</p> + +<p>"D—n the fellow!" cried he. "Why don't you mind the ruts in the road? +Do you think you've got a cartload of sacks? Gently! confound you! +gently, I say! I'll knock you on the head next time!"</p> + +<p>"Don't be frightened!" said Mr. Catspaw, who suffered as much as his +companion. "There is not a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_26" id="Page_II_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> better coachman in the county. He's my +lady's coachman."</p> + +<p>"Better coachman? I protest he's drunk—dead drunk, I say!"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! He has not had a drop ever since we left Dustbury."</p> + +<p>"Confound it!" screamed Mr. Skinner, taking his pipe from his mouth, +which the last jolt had chucked so far down his throat that he was in +some danger of swallowing it; "Od's wounds! but this is worse than the +last judgment. Stop! Stop, I say! I'll get out—"</p> + +<p>"Don't!" cried the attorney. "You cannot get out here, we are in the +very deepest of the mud. Let us go on to the heath, it's dry ground +there!"</p> + +<p>"It's because the pigs have broken the ground," sighed the justice; +"it's more dangerous still. Here there's at least a chance of falling on +a soft place. No! I <i>will</i> get out."</p> + +<p>"If you do, there is no knowing when we shall come to St. Vilmosh."</p> + +<p>"Dear me! no! Stop! we're spilt! Terrem tette, stop! Jantshi, you +beast!" screamed the justice still louder, while he clung to the +cushions of the seat, and looked out for a chance of leaping to the +ground.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_27" id="Page_II_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>"Go on!" cried the attorney, with suppressed laughter. "We've gained the +heath now! On with you, or the cold of the night will kill us."</p> + +<p>"Never mind the cold, if we can but get off with our bones unbroken."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but think of my rheumatism! You know how much I suffer from it. It +makes me shudder to breathe this damp air."</p> + +<p>"You're bilious, that's the long and the short of it!" said Mr. Skinner, +as the horses proceeded at a slow trot. "But mind what I tell you, that +fellow will break all the bones in my body before we come to St. +Vilmosh."</p> + +<p>"Don't be a coward! You see I am not at all afraid, and yet I am as fond +of my life as you can be."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's all very well for you to say so. You're not married; but I +have a wife and four small children——"</p> + +<p>"That's the very reason why I ought to love my life five times better +than you do yours. But, mercy on us! how damp the air is, and how cold +the wind! And I have forgotten to provide myself with elder flowers! Now +if I don't have tea and a warm bed at St. Vilmosh, I'm a dead man; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_28" id="Page_II_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> +you're my murderer, because you won't allow the driver to go on as fast +as he can."</p> + +<p>"Don't be a fool!" said the justice, very composedly, for his curses and +threats had at length caused Jantshi to proceed at a slow pace. Thus +they sat for a considerable time, each grunting at the cowardice of his +companion. In due time they left the heath and turned again into the +road. The driver cursed the horses, and Mr. Skinner cursed the driver, +while the attorney bewailed his anticipated illness: in short, we may +leave the party with the firm conviction that unless they make greater +haste than they have hitherto done, the Gulyash is sure to reach St. +Vilmosh long before they can hope to arrive there.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_29" id="Page_II_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_II_III" id="CHAPTER_II_III"></a>CHAP. III.</h3> + + +<p>The concluding sentence of the last chapter expresses the very hope +which animated the Gulyash Ishtvan and his companion. It was indeed +three hours ago since Susi met Tzifra near Garatsh, and Garatsh was at +least three miles nearer to the forest of St. Vilmosh than Ishtvan's +Tanya. But it was probable that the judge had not set out immediately; +and besides, those gentry travel in a carriage, and on a heavy road too, +while Ishtvan's cart seems to fly over the smooth heath; and, after all, +the horses of the Gulyash are the best runners in the world.</p> + +<p>It was dark when they started. The weak rays of the new moon were +absorbed by a dense fog, and it required all the instinct of locality +which characterises the Hungarian herdsmen to guide them over the vast +plain, which offered scarcely any marks by which a traveller might shape +his course. A heap of earth, the gigantic beam of a well looming through +the darkness, the remains of a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_30" id="Page_II_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> stack of straw, a ditch, or a few +distant willows,—such were the only objects which might be discerned, +and even these were few and far between. But the Gulyash drove his +horses on, without once stopping to examine the country round him, for +all the world as if he had been galloping along on a broad smooth road; +and the very horses seemed resolved to do their best. They tore away as +though they were running a race with the dragon of the wizard +student<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a>, while Ishtvan, flourishing his whip, more in sport than +because it was wanted, called out to them, "Vertshe ne! Sharga ne! Don't +they run, the tatoshes!<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> They are the best horses in Hungary!"</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_II_V" id="SEE_NOTE_II_V"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_II_V">Note V</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_II_VI" id="SEE_NOTE_II_VI"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_II_VI">Note VI</a>.</p></div> + +<p>Willows and hills, well-beams and straw stacks, passed by them; the +manes of the horses streamed in the breeze; the Gulyash, with his bunda +thrown back, and his shirt inflated with the air, sat on the box as if +he were driving a race with the Spirit of the Storm. The horses galloped +away as if the soil were burning under their hoofs.</p> + +<p>"Fear nothing, Susi!" cried the Gulyash; "we are there before that +cursed thief of a judge has left his house. Vertshe ne!" And Susi +sighed, "God grant it!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_31" id="Page_II_31">[Pg 31]</a></span>"Confound him, if we are too late. But now tell me, Susi, on your soul, +did you ever ride in this way?"</p> + +<p>"Never!" said she.</p> + +<p>"I believe you. Sharga ne! Don't be sad, Susi; we've saved the better +part of the road. At St. Vilmosh we'll call upon the Tshikosh. He'll +give us a dish of Gulyashush; and if he has not got it, he'll find a +filly, and kill it for our supper."</p> + +<p>Suddenly the horses jumped aside, and stood snorting and pawing.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" cried the Gulyash, seizing his whip. "What is it? +Sharga! Vertshe! I see!" added he, as, straining his eyes in the +darkness, he saw a wolf, which had crossed the road, and which stood a +few yards off. "Poor things! the <i>vermin</i> have frightened them. Never +mind. Go your way to Kishlak, you confounded beast! where the dogs will +tear the skin off your cursed bones. I trust Peti has kept out of its +way; though, after all, there's not much danger. The very wolves won't +eat an old gipsy. They are a tough race."</p> + +<p>Susi's anxiety for Peti's safety was far from yielding to the learned +remarks of the Gulyash, but she was soon relieved by hearing the gipsy's +voice.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_32" id="Page_II_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> He called out as they overtook him on the road. They stopped, +and he took his seat on the cart. "We are sure to be in time," said he; +"the Garatsh road, on which the justice travels, is as heavy as can be."</p> + +<p>"I have no hope since I saw the vermin," said Susi, sadly; "they tell me +it bodes one no good."</p> + +<p>"Don't be a fool, Susi!" said the Gulyash. "Have I not seen lots of +vermin in my life, and I am still here and in luck. What are you afraid +of? My horses are not even warm."</p> + +<p>"Yes; but the cart may break. I am full of fears."</p> + +<p>"It won't break, Susi, you see it's not a gentleman's carriage. There is +a vast difference between a gentleman's carriage and a peasant's cart, +just as there is between gentlemen and peasants. Your carriage is vast, +and roomy, and high-wheeled, and cushioned, and painted; in short, it's +a splendid thing to look at; but take it out on a heavy road, and down +it breaks with a vengeance! it's full of screws and such tomfoolery, and +only fit for a smooth road. Now a peasant's cart goes through any thing; +and mine is a perfect jewel. The wheels are of my own make, and Peti has +hooped them."</p> + +<p>Peti was not quite so confident. "I hope there's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_33" id="Page_II_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> no water," said he, +scratching his head; "we've had some heavy rains, and if the low country +is full of water——"</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Peti, I'm sure it's all in good order; and you Susi, dear, +don't be afraid! My brother Pishta, who lived on the other side of the +river, died last week, when he was just about to leave the place. He got +a passport and a landlord's discharge for the purpose. Those papers are +of no use to his widow, but they are just the thing for you and Viola, +for they will help you to get away. I know of a good place about a +hundred miles from here, where you may earn an honest livelihood. You're +not fit for the kind of life you are leading. I'll take you to the place +with my own horses; you have not got much luggage. The great thing is to +get out of the county; for it's a rum affair such a county, and the best +of it is, that it is not too large. Don't you think so, Peti?"</p> + +<p>But Peti made no reply, not even when Susi, catching at the faint ray of +hope which fell into the gloom of her life, inquired whether the +Gulyash's promise was not too good to be realised? The gipsy sat +motionless, with his eyes staring into the darkness which surrounded +them. They hurried on in silence, whilst the fog grew dense, and the +sky<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_34" id="Page_II_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> blacker than before. No trace was left of either willows, mounds, +stacks, or well-beams; still they pressed forward until the splashing in +water of the horses' hoofs stopped their progress.</p> + +<p>Peti's fears were but too well founded. The place where they halted was +under water. The gipsy descended to reconnoitre the extent. As he +advanced he beheld the plain like a wide lake, of which he could not see +the end. He retraced his steps and walked to the right, but he found +that the water stretched in every direction. At length he made his way +to a dry place, to which he directed the Gulyash.</p> + +<p>"Let us go on in this direction," said he, as he took his place in the +cart; "there is some chance of reaching the forest. Be careful, Ishtvan, +and keep close to the water, or else you'll lose your way. This here's +the Yellow Spring."</p> + +<p>"Christ save us!" cried Susi. "We are surely too late, and my poor +husband——"</p> + +<p>"No!" said the gipsy, with ill-dissembled concern; "unless the water has +flooded the Frog's Dyke, we shall find the Black Lake dry, and if so +we're safe. On with you, Ishtvan!"</p> + +<p>"Confound the Theiss!" said the Gulyash, as he whipped his horses on.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_35" id="Page_II_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>"Nonsense; it's not the Theiss. 'Twas but yesterday I saw the river at +Ret, it's as quiet as a lamb; but this water comes from the new ditch +which the gentry have made. They make the water mad with their ditches +and dykes."</p> + +<p>"A thousand thunders! there's water <i>here</i>!" and he pulled the horses +back, one of which had slipped and fallen. Susi wrung her hands. Peti +jumped down and walked through the water. He came back and led the +horses onwards. "It's not worth stopping for, my beauties," said he, +addressing the horses; "you'll see some rougher work by and bye if you +stay with the Gulyash Pishta." They reached the opposite bank, and +hastened on until they were again stopped by the water. The gipsy wrung +his hands.</p> + +<p>"The Black Lake is brimful. There's not a horse in the world can ford +it!"</p> + +<p>"Stop here!" said Susi. "I'll walk through it!"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, Susi! The lake is full of holes. You are weak. If your foot +slips you'll never have the strength to get up, and then you are done +for."</p> + +<p>"Hands off! let go my bunda; God will help me! but I cannot leave my +husband in this last extremity!" and she struggled to get down.</p> + +<p>"Now, Susi, be reasonable! What's to become<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_36" id="Page_II_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> of your children if they +hang your husband, and you are drowned?"</p> + +<p>Susi sat down by the side of the cart. She covered her face with both +her hands, and wept bitterly.</p> + +<p>"Don't be afraid, child!" said the Gulyash; "either I go over or Peti +does. You see the forest is just before us, and if there's not a road, +confound it! we'll make one."</p> + +<p>"So we will!" cried Peti. "I'll cross the water, though the very devil +were in it. Let me feel my way a little. Is not that the large tree we +saw the other day?"</p> + +<p>"May be it is, but I can't make it out on account of that confounded +fog. There are lots of high trees in the forest."</p> + +<p>"To the left of the tree, about two hundred yards from it, there is a +clearing in the wood. On the day I spoke of, we drove through it with +the cart. Don't you remember?"</p> + +<p>"How the deuce shouldn't I remember! There ought to be some reeds to the +right of the tree."</p> + +<p>"So there ought to be! Now you go to the right and I to the left. If I +can find the clearing, and if that's the tree I spoke of, I'll walk +through the water; for it's a rising ground from that tree to the other +bank of the Theiss."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_37" id="Page_II_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>"I'll go with you," said Susi; "my heart beats so fast—there's a murmur +in my ears—let me go! I'd die with fears if you tell me to remain +here."</p> + +<p>"Susi, my soul, if I can cross the waters, I'll come back and carry you +on my back. But stay where you are—stay for Viola's sake, if not for +your own!"</p> + +<p>They walked away and were lost in the darkness. Susi stood by the water, +looking at the forest. "Alas!" sighed she, "I am so near him, and yet I +cannot go to him!"</p> + +<p>The poor woman was right. On the other side of the water, scarcely more +than a thousand yards from the place where Susi trembled and prayed, we +find Viola with his comrades, encamped in one of the few oak forests of +which Hungary can boast. The soil on which this forest stood was +continually exposed to the overflowing of the Theiss, to the banks of +which it extended, and by which it was rather divided than confined; for +another forest of oaks covered an area of several miles on the other +side of the river. The forest was a noisy place in summer, when there +was a plentiful harvest of acorns; the grunting of a thousand pigs, and +the whistling and singing of a hundred Kondashes<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a>, was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_38" id="Page_II_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> loud, beneath +the thickly woven branches and the deep green foliage; and large fires, +surrounded by fierce-looking bunda-clad figures, burned amidst the huge +trunks of the trees. But in winter the forest is deserted; the huts +which the Kondashes had built were overthrown by the first storms which +ushered in the severe season. Only one of these huts was still +inhabited. It was the one which lay farthest from St. Vilmosh, and close +to the end of the forest. This hut was the favorite retreat of Viola and +his gang. There was not a road or path for miles around them; and the +shrubs and trees which surrounded the hut hid it so effectually, that +even at twenty yards distance it was impossible to discover any trace of +it. On the other side, towards St. Vilmosh, the forest extended many +miles, and even the boldest among the county hussars avoided the spot, +ever since an inspector and two Pandurs had been shot there. Viola was +justified in fancying himself as safe as a king in his palace; for who +would betray him? He was sure of Peti, and the Gulyash Ishtvan; and as +for the other sharers of the secret, he was still more certain of their +discretion, for they were all equally guilty, and the same punishment +awaited them.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_II_VII" id="SEE_NOTE_II_VII"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_II_VII">Note VII</a>.</p></div> + +<p>The hut, in a corner of which was the robber<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_39" id="Page_II_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> seated on a log of wood, +was large, roomy, and well conditioned. A heap of straw, covered with +bundas, which stood the robbers in place of a bed; a clumsy table, and +an iron kettle, and various weapons—such were the objects on which the +fire threw a broad and glaring light. Viola sat lost in deep thought, +while two of his comrades, the only ones who were present that night, +stretched their weary limbs on their bundas, as they stared at the +burning wood and the red flames.</p> + +<p>"I say, butcher!" said one of them, "don't you think a bit of meat would +be just the thing for us?"</p> + +<p>The speaker, whom the country had for the last twenty-five years known +as a freebooter of the worst kind, was a sturdy gray-haired man, while +the fellow he addressed was young and—as Ratz Andor, for such was the +elder robber's name, would have it—inexperienced.</p> + +<p>"Go to the devil!" replied the young man. "Why do you talk to me of +meat?"</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't you like it? Now, I say, you would not mind having some +tobacco, would you?"</p> + +<p>"Curse you, and begone! Why should you talk of it, since there's neither +meat nor tobacco!"</p> + +<p>"I thought you'd like a bite or a whiff; don't you?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_40" id="Page_II_40">[Pg 40]</a></span>"You're always joking," said the butcher. "We have not had any grub ever +so long. I can't stand it. I'd rather be hanged than starved to death."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you go for something?" sneered Andor.</p> + +<p>"How can I? you know the bees are swarming. Hand me the culatsh, old +fellow!"</p> + +<p>"Take it."</p> + +<p>"No, not this! It's full of water. Give me the other creature, hang +you!"</p> + +<p>"I'll see <i>you</i> hanged, my boy, before I give it you. You've already +more brandy in your head than good sense; and besides, it won't do to +drink while you're fasting."</p> + +<p>"Give me the bottle. I won't be fooled by you. I am my own master."</p> + +<p>"You'd better be quiet," said the old robber, seizing the butcher's arm +with an iron grip.</p> + +<p>"I'll pay you out for it, you dog!" cried the butcher, as he sprang to +his feet and seized his fokosh. "I'll teach you to bid me be quiet!"</p> + +<p>Andor, who had watched his movements, rose with equal quickness, and +seizing the young man's throat, thrust him into a corner.</p> + +<p>"You must learn manners, my fine fellow! and if you don't, why you'll be +stuck like a pig!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_41" id="Page_II_41">[Pg 41]</a></span>Viola was all this while brooding over his own miseries, and the +wretched lot of his wife. He knew nothing of the quarrel of his +comrades, but their fight roused him.</p> + +<p>"What is the row?" said he, rising.</p> + +<p>"The boy wants brandy, and I want to give him a drubbing."</p> + +<p>"Give him brandy, if there is any."</p> + +<p>"No!" said Ratz Andor. "He shan't have it. He is more than half drunk as +it is. He'll bring us into trouble!"</p> + +<p>"But I am hungry!" cried the boy, appealing to Viola.</p> + +<p>"Why did you come to be a robber? No one told you to come."</p> + +<p>"And who told you?"</p> + +<p>"My case is different!" said Andor, gloomily. "I am a deserter. I served +the Emperor for ten years. I tell you, boy, I did my duty in the +greatest war that ever was; and when we came home from our campaigns and +they refused to let me go my ways, the devil put it into my head that +I'd been a soldier overlong. So I flung my musket away, and here I am. +But, confound me! if I were a butcher's son, as you are, you would not +find me in the forest; nor would you Viola, take my word for it!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_42" id="Page_II_42">[Pg 42]</a></span>"I don't care!" said the butcher, unmoved by the old man's words; "a +robber's life's a merry life. I want lush!"</p> + +<p>"Give it him," repeated Viola. "Let him take his fill."</p> + +<p>"Why, the fellow <i>is</i> drunk," said Ratz Andor, doggedly. "There never +was a gang of robbers but it was ruined by drink."</p> + +<p>"We are safe for this night; though I trust Peti will come, and bring us +meat from the Gulyash. The justice is at Dustbury; and as for the +haiduks, they'd rather go out of our way than cross it."</p> + +<p>"That's what you ought never to think," said Andor, shaking his head, +"Ruin comes upon us when we least expect it. But if you must, you must," +continued he, addressing the butcher; "so drink, and go to h—ll!"</p> + +<p>The fellow seized the proffered bottle, and the three men were silent.</p> + +<p>The two-fold darkness of the night and the fog was still more increased +by the deep shades of the forest. The wind of autumn whistled among the +dry leaves, and moaned in the upper air like a deep sigh of unspeakable +woe. The hoarse croak of the raven broke the stillness at intervals, and +the birds that lived in the forest awoke and flapped their heavy wings. +Viola stood in the doorway of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_43" id="Page_II_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> hut. His soul was sorrowful, even +unto death. The night, the silence, the loneliness of the place, the +companions of his exile, all contributed to add to his grief. He thought +of the days of his happiness. When the work in the field was over, when +the long winter nights came on, he used to sit by his own fireside, +fondling his boy on his knee, and gazing on Susi, who moved her spindle +with untiring zeal. What though mists covered the land, hiding the +manor-house, the huts, the church, and the banks of the Theiss,—he +cared not. The powers of Nature cannot affect the happiness in man's +heart: it is man alone who can destroy it. And his happiness was +destroyed. "I was humble and inoffensive," said he; "and yet they did +not spare me. I did my duty; indeed, I did more than my duty. I obeyed +when they commanded; I took my hat off when I met them; I fawned upon +them like a dog; I would have kissed their feet, to induce them to leave +Susi and my child alone, to leave my house alone, and yet——" Viola +remembered again all the insults he had suffered. He recollected how +they would have forced him to leave his wife in her hour of sorrow; how +they dragged him through the village; how Skinner gave orders to tie him +to the whipping-post; how he seized the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_44" id="Page_II_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> axe, and turned its edge +against the head of a fellow-creature; and how the blood filled him with +horror. He raised his hands to heaven.</p> + +<p>"No!" cried he; "may God have mercy on me! but, whatever I may have +done, I cannot repent it. If I were to live it over again, if I were to +see them standing round me, and laughing and sneering, and if I were to +see the axe,—I'd seize it again, and woe to the man that should come +near me! But you, whom I never did any harm to!—you, who were the cause +of my ruin!—you, who have caused my wife and children to beg their +bread!—you, who made me a robber, who hunted me, who compelled me to +herd with the beasts of the forest!—you, whose doings damn me in this +world and in the next,—you, attorney! and you, judge! take care of +yourselves: as surely as there is a God in heaven I'll have my revenge, +and a bloody revenge too!—--"</p> + +<p>At that moment there was a rustling in the wood. Viola leaned forward, +and listened. The noise was as of the approach of men. There was a +rustling of the dry leaves, a cracking of the branches; the ravens flew +up from the trees. "Who can it be?" thought Viola. "Peti, perhaps, and +the Gulyash; but how should they come from the St. Vilmosh side?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_45" id="Page_II_45">[Pg 45]</a></span>A similar noise of approaching steps was now heard from the other side +of the forest. "These are the steps of many men," said Viola; "they are +in search of me." The very next moment he was fully convinced of it, for +the low murmur of many voices was heard in the stillness of the night. +Viola, rushing back into the hut, locked the door, and waked the butcher +by giving him a kick.</p> + +<p>"Did I not tell you so?" said the old robber, getting up, and seizing a +double-barrelled gun; "and there the fellow lies! he's as drunk as +David's sow."</p> + +<p>Ratz Andor was wrong. The poor fellow, who bore his kick with the +forbearance of an angel, grew quite sober when they told him of the +approach of the enemy. "Is there no means of escape?" whispered he.</p> + +<p>"We are surrounded!" said Viola. "If there are not too many of them, we +are safe. Are the guns and pistols loaded?"</p> + +<p>"They are; four double-barrelled guns, and six pistols. Let them come +on! we'll give them their supper." We need scarcely remark that it was +Ratz Andor who said these words.</p> + +<p>"Light the lamp. Put it into a corner, that it may not be seen from +without. Throw ashes on the fire!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_46" id="Page_II_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>The butcher obeyed tremblingly.</p> + +<p>"Now, Ratz, you and I, we'll stand by the two cuttings in the door. You, +butcher, look to the sides; and if anybody comes up to the house, you'd +better shoot him. You can have a shot at either side. But don't allow +any of the rascals to put their guns through the cuttings. Cheer up, +boy, you are safe enough!"</p> + +<p>Viola and Andor, gun in hand, stood by the door, keeping a look out +through the small cuttings, or loop-holes, by which the walls of the +building were pierced. The butcher walked to and fro in the background. +He trembled violently, and vowed reformation if he could only manage to +escape with his life.</p> + +<p>"The birds are roosting!" cried a loud shrill voice, which evidently +proceeded from Mr. Skinner. "They are there! I see a light in the hut. +Is it surrounded on all sides?"</p> + +<p>Forty or fifty voices, which answered to this call, informed the robbers +that there was no chance of escape. The butcher knelt down, and made the +sign of the cross.</p> + +<p>"You dog! I'll shoot you!" said Ratz Andor. "Stand up, and be a man. +Stand by your cutting, and let fly at them!" The butcher obeyed.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_47" id="Page_II_47">[Pg 47]</a></span>"Robbers, I call on you to surrender!" cried Mr. Skinner. "If you refuse +to surrender on this summons of the county, you are liable to be tried +by court-martial."</p> + +<p>All was silent in the hut, and the justice gave the word of command.</p> + +<p>"At them, you rascals! Break the door. At them!"</p> + +<p>A rush was made against the door; but before the axes of the assailants +could touch it, the report of two muskets was heard. Two Pandurs fell; +the rest retreated; and Ratz Andor shouted from the hut: "Come on!"</p> + +<p>At that moment the butcher likewise fired his piece. He too brought down +one of the judge's men. This frightened the besiegers, who turned and +fled. They paused for a time. The robbers reloaded their muskets, while +the besiegers assembled round Mr. Skinner and the inspector. Mr. +Catspaw, with a modesty which did him infinite credit, kept at a +distance.</p> + +<p>"I don't see how we <i>can</i> catch them," said the inspector, leaning on +his broad sabre, which had done good service in the insurrection of +1809, and of which the blade, which bore the mark of "Fringia," could +not have been in better hands.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_48" id="Page_II_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>"Make another onset, and another and another!" cried the justice, +stamping his foot. "Don't leave off until you've got them, the rascals, +and bound them and hanged them!"</p> + +<p>"I'll do it, if it can be done!"</p> + +<p>"<i>Can</i> be done? There is nothing but <i>can</i> be done when I command!"</p> + +<p>"Very well!" said the inspector, angrily. "It won't be <i>my</i> fault if it +is not done. I'll stick to the mark any day if your men don't turn +tail."</p> + +<p>"If the fellows don't go, they are dogs and cowards! Knock them down, +and be——"</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, all I can say is, you'd better lead them to the charge, and +knock them down at your liking, I'm not made for that sort of thing."</p> + +<p>"No, sir!" said Mr. Skinner, doggedly. "That's not my post. It is my +duty to superintend and conduct the affair."</p> + +<p>"You're a—never mind! Go at them, my men!" shouted the inspector. The +justice repeated the words of command with a still louder tone; and Mr. +Catspaw's shrill voice was heard echoing the words from behind a distant +oak. The inspector, flourishing his sword, and followed by the Pandurs +and peasants, advanced towards the hut, but they were again fired at +from within. The report of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_49" id="Page_II_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> muskets was followed by deep groans, +which showed that the robbers had taken a good aim.</p> + +<p>The Pandurs retreated. "On with you! Go on! before they've had time to +charge! There's no danger now!" and the inspector, followed by a few of +his boldest men, made another rush at the door. Another discharge! The +inspector had his left arm broken, and one of the Pandurs was shot +through the body.</p> + +<p>"On! at them!" shouted the leader, nothing daunted; "they've got no +powder now! On! on!" and, seizing an axe, he advanced again, while his +men, partly because they believed that the robbers were short of +ammunition, and partly yielding to the excitement of the combat, loaded +their pieces and followed him. But musket after musket was fired by the +robbers inside, and almost each shot took effect. The wailings of the +wounded, the oaths of the besieged and the besiegers, the reports of the +muskets, and the glaring flash which accompanied each discharge, were +made still more fearful and startling by the darkness of the night; +while the inspector's voice, as he urged his men on, was distinctly +heard in the midst of the general confusion.</p> + +<p>"Give me that piece!" shouted he, flinging his axe, and snatching a +musket from the hand of a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_50" id="Page_II_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> Pandur. "Now that's for you, Viola!" and he +fired it into the hut.</p> + +<p>A scream and a heavy fall was heard. But before the inspector could vent +his joy in words, the fire was returned from within, and the peasant who +stood at his side had his skull shivered. "Give me another musket!" +roared the inspector, but in vain; the Pandurs hastened back to the +judge, who stood at a safe distance, cursing and urging the combatants +on. Their leader, finding that he was left to fight the battle alone, +returned likewise, with his shoulder pierced by a bullet.</p> + +<p>"Why, you cursed rascals! how dare you come back? Where's the robber?" +cried the intrepid judge, flinging down his pipe in a paroxysm of rage. +"Where is Viola? how dare you come back without him?"</p> + +<p>Nobody answered. One of the Pandurs stooped for the pipe, which, strange +to say, was not broken.</p> + +<p>"Knock the ashes out and give it a good cleaning, you rogue! It won't +draw!" said the justice; and, turning to the others, he proceeded: "Did +I not order you to bring the robber? to seize him and bind him?"</p> + +<p>"Your worship," said one of the men, "we did all that men can do. There +are four of us killed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_51" id="Page_II_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> and half the rest wounded. They've broken the +inspector's arm."</p> + +<p>"There are at least ten robbers in the hut. The cuttings are black with +the muzzles of their guns. It's quite impossible to go up."</p> + +<p>"Impossible? who dares to say any thing is impossible? I'd like to see +the man who dares to say it! Impossible? when <i>I</i> say it <i>is</i> possible! +why you scurvy——"</p> + +<p>"He's right!" said the inspector. "If you would take Viola, you must +have better men than the like of these."</p> + +<p>"But I say they shall take him! I'd like to know who is the master, you +or I?"</p> + +<p>"Your worship had better try. I've done my duty, and I'm done for, at +least for this night. Both my hands are disabled; I am not a match for a +child in arms."</p> + +<p>Mr. Skinner shook his head.</p> + +<p>"I was not aware, sir,—it's a pity you are wounded. The wounded must of +course fall back. As for the rest, let them stand in a line. Well done! +March! March! Ma——"</p> + +<p>The word of command was broken off by another discharge from the hut, +and the line, which had begun to move, fell back in disorder. As for +Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_52" id="Page_II_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> Skinner, he took refuge behind a tree. He knew that his safety was +essential to the success of the expedition.</p> + +<p>"Forward, you cowards! March! March!" shouted he; but none obeyed.</p> + +<p>"March! I say. Will you, or not?" screamed the justice, collaring the +man who stood next to him.</p> + +<p>"No, I will not!" said the man, as he slipped aside.</p> + +<p>"You won't. Very well, sir, I'll pay you out for this! What's your +name?"</p> + +<p>"Kovatsh Miksha, a nobleman of St. Vilmosh. I will not go, even to +please your God!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I beg your pardon! I did not know you! But who's this fellow?"</p> + +<p>"That's my cousin, Andrash. He's a nobleman, and he won't go!"</p> + +<p>"Why, where the deuce are the peasants?"</p> + +<p>"Shot, or run away!"</p> + +<p>"The rascals!" cried the judge; "the cowards! Never mind, I'll make them +pay for it!"</p> + +<p>"I beg your worship's pardon," interposed the inspector; "but my opinion +is that we had better go home. We have done our duty, and there are only +fifteen men here. The rest are either dead or run away. We have no +chance of success. When Viola<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_53" id="Page_II_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> finds out how few there are of us, and +that we cannot watch the hut on all sides, he will make his way out into +the forest."</p> + +<p>The justice was on the point of yielding, when Mr. Catspaw approached +the group. He suggested another scheme. "Put fire to the hut," said he. +"They will find it too hot to hold them; they will come out; and when +they do, you shoot them down." His advice was eagerly adopted. The +inspector was frantic with joy, and a Pandur was at once sent off to +carry the scheme into effect. The men of St. Vilmosh and the Pandurs +took their places in the thicket, ready to fire at the robbers; and Mr. +Skinner was so violent in expressing the pleasure he felt, that he swore +twice as much as before.</p> + +<p>The situation of the robbers was far worse than their assailants +suspected. The shot, which the inspector had fired through the cutting, +had pierced the broad chest of Ratz Andor. He lay on his back, groaning, +and moving his limbs in a pool of blood. The butcher walked to and fro +with alternate oaths and prayers, and cursing the day of his birth.</p> + +<p>Viola was quiet and silent. He felt convinced that his hour had come, +and he awaited death fearlessly. The thought of his family alone was a +weight upon his heart. For a moment he thought of flight.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_54" id="Page_II_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> There was a +possibility of escape by breaking through the roof, and escaping from +the back of the hut. But he looked at his old companion, who lay +bleeding at his feet, and who had once saved his life. His resolution +was taken. He could not leave that man in the hour of his agony. +Immediately afterwards he heard them prepare for another attack, and he +awaited his fate with firmness and resignation.</p> + +<p>"Fire at them!" said Ratz Andor, when he heard the noise outside, "fire +at them, to the last man!"</p> + +<p>"We are short of bullets. There's plenty of powder, but no lead." Ratz +Andor drew a deep breath.</p> + +<p>"A thousand devils! is there no shot?"</p> + +<p>"No. There's a gun and two pistols loaded—that's all."</p> + +<p>"Give me a pistol!" whispered the robber, holding out his hand to Viola; +and when his comrade, who understood the purport of the request, handed +him the weapon, he clutched it with an eager hand, muttering—</p> + +<p>"Let them come now! They won't take me alive, I warrant you!"</p> + +<p>"I say!" whispered the butcher, pointing to Ratz Andor, "is he dead?"</p> + +<p>"No; don't you see him breathing?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_55" id="Page_II_55">[Pg 55]</a></span>"But he'll die!—don't you think he'll die! I say, Viola, don't you +think we'd better surrender? Perhaps they'll grant us a pardon."</p> + +<p>"A pardon? If they don't shoot us, I'll give you my word of honour they +will hang us before to-morrow night."</p> + +<p>"I don't mean a full pardon," whispered the wretch, as if choking with +fear; "not to pardon us so that we may go about; but perhaps they'll +lock us up—say five years, ten years, I would not mind twenty years, +and whip us every month, and make us starve and work—I would not mind +it in the least, if they don't hang us. Don't you think, Viola, they +would pardon me, if I were to beseech them—if I were to go down upon my +knees, intreating them to spare my life. You see, Viola, I am so young. +I never killed anybody! I never hit any one to-night!"</p> + +<p>"Poor fellow!" said Viola, as he gently disengaged his hand from the +trembling grasp of his comrade, "don't tell these things to me—tell +your judges.—But what is this!" cried he, pointing to a corner of the +hut—"what is that smoke?"</p> + +<p>"The hut is on fire!"</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!"</p> + +<p>"Let fly at them! Exterminate them! Kick<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_56" id="Page_II_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> them back into the fire!" +shouted Mr. Skinner, outside.</p> + +<p>"They have put fire to the hut!" cried Viola, shuddering.</p> + +<p>Ratz Andor opened his eyes, and, half leaning on his hands, he looked +around. "Don't be caught alive;" gasped he, "and, if you can, shoot the +judge, and die as a man!"</p> + +<p>These were the robber's last words; for, raising his pistol, he pressed +the muzzle to his head. His hot blood fell on Viola's hands.</p> + +<p>"Our father!" groaned the butcher, kneeling down—"they'll burn us to +cinders—which art in heaven—give me the bottle, I'll put it +out—Heaven help us, it is brandy—it burns like hell—hallowed be thy +name—Viola, you're the death of us—and forgive us—why did you steal +the notary's papers?"</p> + +<p>At this juncture the miserable man raised the bottle to his lips and +drank, until, overcome with the combined effects of the liquor and the +smoke, he fell down by the side of Ratz Andor.</p> + +<p>His last words reminded Viola of the papers, which he had forgotten in +the excitement of the conflict. He was resolved to bury himself amidst +the burning ruins of the hut. Susi need not then take her children to +the gallows to show them their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_57" id="Page_II_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> father's grave. But, as it was, he felt +he was compelled to live. His family had received protection at +Tengelyi's hands. The papers were of the greatest importance for the +notary. He could not allow them to be burned, nor could he leave the +world under a suspicion of having ruined his benefactor. It was utterly +impossible.</p> + +<p>The fire and the heat increased in violence and intensity. Viola's hair +was singed, he could not breathe the hot air, he could not see. In +another moment his escape from the hut was impossible. He seized the +papers, opened the door, and rushed out.</p> + +<p>Mr. Skinner's party had not for the last few minutes heard any sounds +proceeding from the interior of the hut. They saw it in flames, and they +saw that no attempt to leave it was made by the people inside. They felt +convinced that the robbers had somehow or other effected their escape. +The report of the pistol, by which Ratz Andor put a term to his +sufferings, confirmed them in their opinion, for it caused them to +believe that the explosion was owing to the fire having reached some +weapon which had been left behind. Even Messrs. Skinner and Catspaw, +though sorely disappointed, ventured to approach the hut; and so it +happened<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_58" id="Page_II_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> that when Viola, gasping, half blind, and all but choked, left +the hut, holding the papers, wrapped up in a cloak, in his hand, he ran +into the clutches of these two men.</p> + +<p>Mr. Catspaw snatched the papers from him and ran back, while the Pandurs +hastened to the spot and surrounded Viola. The robber was unarmed; but +his appearance, his notorious strength, and the terror of his name, +which every one of his pursuers shouted, as if for the express purpose +of frightening his fellows, made even the boldest cautious of coming too +near him; if his hand had held a weapon, if there had been strength in +his arm, he might have broken through their ranks. But Viola did not +think of resistance. His agonies, both of body and mind, had overcome +the iron strength of his frame. He opened his eyes, but he could not +see. His chest heaved violently; his arms trembled as he raised them to +find a means of support. In another moment he lay senseless on the +ground, and his enemies struggled for the honour of binding him. Mr. +Skinner was obliged to exert the whole of his authority to put a stop to +the frantic cheers of his followers, and arrangements were made to take +the prisoner to St. Vilmosh, when low groans and cries for help were +heard from the burning hut. They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_59" id="Page_II_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> shuddered and were silent. Nothing was +heard but the crackling of the fire and the loud wailing of the wretched +man inside. At length one of the Pandurs stepped forward.</p> + +<p>"I'll try to get him out!" said he.</p> + +<p>He advanced.</p> + +<p>A fearful explosion put a stop to his progress. The gunpowder, which the +robbers kept in the hut, caught fire and finished the work of +destruction. The wailing ceased with the flash of powder, which hurled +the roof of the hut into the air and strewed the turf with its burning +fragments. Mr. Skinner's party were horror-struck.</p> + +<p>"Bad job that!" said the inspector, who was the first to recover from +his surprise. "D—n the fellows!"</p> + +<p>"Is it all over?" cried the justice, from his place of refuge behind a +tree.</p> + +<p>"Yes, your worship."</p> + +<p>"But is there no more powder in the place?"</p> + +<p>"It's in the nature of powder," said the inspector, "that it blows up in +a lump. But your worship need not come here, for our business is done. +I'll have the robber carried by some of the men."</p> + +<p>Viola, who was still in a fainting state, was lifted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_60" id="Page_II_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> on the shoulders +of two strong fellows, and the whole troop proceeded towards St. +Vilmosh.</p> + +<p>"Did you get the papers?" whispered Mr. Skinner to Mr. Catspaw.</p> + +<p>"Yes," whispered the attorney; "I've thrown them into the fire."</p> + +<p>They turned into the thicket, and the scene of their violence was left +lonely and desolate.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_61" id="Page_II_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_II_IV" id="CHAPTER_II_IV"></a>CHAP IV.</h3> + + +<p>We will not attempt to describe Susi's feelings while this scene was +enacting in her immediate neighbourhood. A short time after we left her +on the banks of the Black Lake, the Gulyash and Peti returned from their +reconnoitering expedition. They had identified the cutting by the reeds +and the tree. When they returned, they secured the horses, and prepared +to cross the water again. Peti led the way. He was followed by the +Gulyash, who carried Susi on his back. But they had scarcely advanced to +the middle of the ford, when they were startled by the reports of +fire-arms and the shouts of the combatants.</p> + +<p>"We are too late!" cried Susi; "take me to him, and let me die at his +feet!"</p> + +<p>A second discharge of musketry was heard. Some of the fugitive peasants +fled in the direction of the lake. The Gulyash and his companions were +sufficiently near the shore to hear their steps as they ran. The Gulyash +was strong in hopes.</p> + +<p>"Never fear, Susi!" said he; "don't you hear<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_62" id="Page_II_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> the rascals running away. +There's not a man of them likes to come to close quarters with Viola."</p> + +<p>Peti advanced. They reached the shore. But the affray recommenced in the +forest. There was firing, shouting, curses, and the howling of the +wounded.</p> + +<p>Susi made a frantic rush from the side of the Gulyash; but the two men +held her back. She knelt down. Her soul was full of Viola's danger. Did +she not hear his enemies? Did they not seek his destruction? She would +have prayed, but she could not pray. She tore her hair in the fulness of +her despair,—she cursed; a light shone from the wood—a broad glaring +light! The triumphant shouts of the besiegers left no doubt as to its +nature and origin. Susi rose, and wrung her hands.</p> + +<p>"They have put fire to the hut! they will burn my husband!" screamed +she. She fell back, and fainted in the gipsy's arms. When she recovered, +and proceeded to the scene of the contest, all was quiet and still. No +sound was heard, either of the victors or their prey. The spot was +covered with splinters and fragments of wood, many of which were still +burning. Their faint and uncertain light added to the desolate character +and the gloom of the scene.</p> + +<p>Susi was calm. Her boding heart had known the worst long before she came +to the spot, and when she had reached it she stood in silence, covering +her eyes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_63" id="Page_II_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> with her hands. Peti and the Gulyash stood by her side; but +neither spoke a word of comfort. They felt that such would have been a +mockery in that hour and at that place.</p> + +<p>"Peti!" said Susi at last, "get a light. There's plenty of wood on the +ground. I want to look for my husband." Peti sighed, and prepared to +obey. The Gulyash was far more shocked by the poor woman's calmness than +by her former violence. Dashing the tears from his eyes, he said,—</p> + +<p>"Susi, my soul, go to that knot of trees yonder. Sit down and take your +rest, while we look for him; that is to say, not for your husband, for +depend upon it he wasn't here at all, but it's the others we'll look +for, in case an accident has happened to one of them. Be quiet, Susi," +continued he, taking her hand; "I know your husband was not there; I'll +take my oath on it he was not!"</p> + +<p>The poor fellow knew that what he said was an untruth. He knew that the +fire which Peti was lighting would probably show them Viola's mangled +corpse amidst the ruins of the building, or else that Viola must be a +captive in the hands of his bitterest enemies; but gladly would he have +bartered his hopes of future salvation for one ray of hope to cheer the +heart of that wretched woman.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_64" id="Page_II_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>"No, Ishtvan," said Susi; "I know all,—I am prepared for the worst. You +won't find me troublesome when I see him half burned. Alas! I know it is +better for him to lie dead in my arms, than to be alive and in the power +of his enemies. Here, at least, his sufferings are ended."</p> + +<p>"But why won't you believe me, if I tell you that Viola was not here? +I'll be cursed if he was! Why the devil will you walk about in the +smoke, looking for what you are sure not to find? This isn't a place for +a woman; and if you were suddenly to set your eyes on something nasty +you'd be the worse for it. Go back, Susi, I'll promise you we'll turn +every stone in the place."</p> + +<p>"I thank you, Ishtvan,—I thank you a thousand times for all you do for +me," said Susi; "fear nothing: you see I am strong; and whatever may +meet my eyes, it will but give me certainty, which is the best that can +happen to me. If my husband be dead, we will bury him here in the +forest. I shall know the place of his rest, and I can show it to my +children, and weep with them."</p> + +<p>"But I tell you Viola is not here," said the Gulyash. "Just suppose you +were to see a fellow all scorched and burnt? I'll tell you it's not a +sight for women. Why, if you were in good health I wouldn't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_65" id="Page_II_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> mind it. +Two years ago, when there was a fire in my Tanya, no less than two of my +children were burnt to death; and my Lady Kishlaki, when she saw the +poor things all black and——"</p> + +<p>"I am not a My-lady. The like of her have a right to be shocked and to +faint. I am a robber's wife, you know. I say, old man, if you could know +what thoughts there have been in this poor head of mine ever since Viola +became a robber, what dreams mine were when waiting for my husband the +livelong day, or the long weary night, at home or on the heath; and when +he did not come what horrible things I have thought of, and felt and +wailed over,—oh, if you could but know it, as I am sure you can never +know it, you'd not fear to see me shocked at any thing. The very worst +that can happen to me is but <i>one</i> kind of misfortune; but I have +suffered all torments of hell, and for long, long years too!"</p> + +<p>The gipsy had meanwhile lighted a fire; and Susi walked over the ground. +By the door lay the corpse of the St. Vilmosh peasant, who was shot at +the inspector's side. Several other bodies were found at some distance, +near the forest. Susi looked at them with intense anxiety; and then +seizing a torch, she hastened forward, and held it over the ruins of the +hut.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_66" id="Page_II_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>The sight was such, that even the old Gulyash himself shuddered. The +fragments of the table still smouldering, muskets and pistols strewed +about, and the two blackened corpses, presented so repulsive a +spectacle, that none could have resisted its influence, but those who +are accustomed to the horrors of war. Susi examined the corpses, and +said at length:</p> + +<p>"He is not here. Neither of them has a silver ring on any of their +fingers. Viola would never have lost his silver ring. My husband is a +prisoner!"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! I dare say he——"</p> + +<p>"What is this?" said Susi, stooping down and taking a double-barrelled +gun from the ground; "that's my husband's gun! take it, and keep it for +his sake."</p> + +<p>"I will. Whenever I find him, he'll have his gun."</p> + +<p>"May God bless you for your good will!" continued Susi, "to accompany me +further would put you in danger. Peti will come with me to St. Vilmosh, +for it is there, I am sure, my husband is."</p> + +<p>They separated. The Gulyash returned to his horses, while Susi and Peti +hastened to St. Vilmosh, where the first burst of excitement at the +capture<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_67" id="Page_II_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> of the robbers had by this time subsided. The justice and the +attorney had gone to bed. The villagers who had taken part in the +expedition had, some of them, retired to rest; while the others drowned +their cares and the recollection of their dangers in the bad wine of the +public-houses. Viola, whom they had put under the shed of the +council-house, where he was guarded by a chosen body of haiduks and +peasants, had fallen asleep.</p> + +<p>The wretched man awoke to consciousness as they dragged him through the +forest to St. Vilmosh; and looking round, by the fitful glare of the +torches which the Pandurs carried, he became sensible of his desperate +condition. His thoughts returned at once to Tengelyi's papers. When he +left the burning hut, he was so confused, so blinded, so maddened, that +he had no idea of what had become of them, or who had taken them from +him. He questioned his escort; but those whom he asked refused to reply +to his questions. One man only told him, when he left the hut, the +persons next to him had been the justice and the attorney; and that one +of them had indeed snatched a parcel from his hand.</p> + +<p>From the moment Viola found himself in the power of his enemies, he made +no resistance to any thing they did to him. The violence and +ill-treat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_68" id="Page_II_68">[Pg 68]</a></span>ment to which they subjected him elicited no complaint from +his lips. When they came to St. Vilmosh, where they placed him under the +shed, the justice stepped up and told them to bind him so as to wound +his hands, to prevent his escape. Viola asked him what had become of the +papers? But the justice replied, with many oaths, that he had no +business to ask any questions; and what the devil he meant? Viola saw +clearly that Mr. Skinner was prepared to deny any knowledge of the +papers; or else that they must have fallen into the hands of Mr. +Catspaw, who, from his previous exertions to obtain them, was not likely +to restore them to the rightful owner.</p> + +<p>"For this then did I surrender! for this I am going to be hanged!" +sighed he, when they left him alone with his sentinels,—"why did I not +stay in the hut? Why did I not shoot myself, as Ratz Andor did? All is +over for them; but I must die an infamous death—and for no purpose too! +I could not save the notary's papers. God cursed me in the hour of my +birth! Did I not often attempt to return to the paths of honesty? and +when every means of doing so was taken away from me, did I not do all I +could to prove my gratitude for the only kindness that was ever shown +me? Did I not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_69" id="Page_II_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> do my best to help the notary? And what has come of it? +No, God will not allow me to be good and honest; and I must die on the +gallows! Very well, what must be, must be! a man cannot oppose his +fate!"</p> + +<p>Thoughts like these, joined to that feeling of lassitude which follows +extreme fatigue, restored Viola to his usual calmness; and a deep sleep +buried the misfortunes of the day, for a time, in forgetfulness. Peti, +who, leaving Susi at a distance from the village, proceeded alone to the +council-house, found him in this condition. He was not allowed to enter +the yard; for, by the express order of the justice, even the sentinels +were forbidden to speak to Viola, or to reply to any of his questions. +But Peti conversed with a sentinel at the gate, whom he told that he was +just come back from Dustbury. The man, in his turn, told him of the +capture of Viola, and that the robber was to be brought to Kishlak, +where the court-martial was to assemble; and likewise, that a horseman +had been sent to Dustbury to summon old Kishlaki, who was the president +of the court-martial in this district. The gipsy cast a rueful look at +the shed where Viola lay on the floor, and turning away, he hastened to +the place where he had left Susi.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_70" id="Page_II_70">[Pg 70]</a></span>"Have you seen him?" said she, hastening to meet him when he approached.</p> + +<p>"I have. He is in the council-house."</p> + +<p>"Is he <i>in</i> the house?"</p> + +<p>"No!—that is to say, not wholly. No—not in the house. Under the shed, +you know."</p> + +<p>"In the open air!" cried Susi, wringing her hands. "Oh, God! and the +night is so cold; and he in the open air!"</p> + +<p>"No! not in the open air—at least not quite. There's a roof to the +shed."</p> + +<p>"Has he a bunda?" continued Susi. And as she spoke she stripped herself +of her own wrapper. "Tell me if he has not, for I wish to send him +this."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but he has! He has a large bunda. He is asleep." Susi grasped the +gipsy's hand.</p> + +<p>"Asleep? Did you say asleep? And do they see him sleeping? And you're +sure they think it is sound, genuine sleep? They do not suspect him of +pretending to sleep—do they?"</p> + +<p>"But why should they suspect him of that?"</p> + +<p>"What do they think of it? Can they not see that my husband is innocent? +Who ever heard of a criminal's sleeping? Speak, Peti—tell me—what do +they say to it?"</p> + +<p>Peti answered that he had not spoken to anybody,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_71" id="Page_II_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> but that there were +some hopes of Viola's escape. He added:</p> + +<p>"Early in the morning they mean to take him to Kishlak. If you want to +speak to him, you must do it there. You can't do it at St. Vilmosh. They +won't allow anybody to speak to him."</p> + +<p>"I know it all," sighed Susi. "At Kishlak they will hold a +court-martial, and hang him. They do not care for his innocence, nor for +his quiet conscience, nor for his sleeping more soundly on the hard cold +ground than they do in their beds! They want his life, and they will +have it; but come, come! come along to Kishlak. I must see him!"</p> + +<p>"You poor woman! You are not able to walk to Kishlak."</p> + +<p>"Whom do you mean? Not me? Why should I spare my feet? I shall not want +them much longer!"</p> + +<p>But Peti was obstinate: he would not hear of Susi's walking. He knew the +smith of the place, who, as a gipsy, was compelled to live at some +distance from the village. This man willingly offered the loan of his +horse and cart, and, on Peti's suggestion, he volunteered to drive Susi +to Kishlak; while Peti himself set off to Tissaret, to inform the notary +of what had happened, and to bring Viola's children to their father.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_72" id="Page_II_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_II_V" id="CHAPTER_II_V"></a>CHAP. V.</h3> + + +<p>Mr. Skinner had meanwhile sent an official despatch to Kishlak, in which +he informed his friend, Kishlaki's steward, of what had happened; +desiring him, at the same time, to make due preparations for the sitting +of the court-martial, and the incarceration and execution of the +prisoner. This letter, which reached Kishlak before break of day, put +the whole place in commotion. The stout steward, whose fear of all +exercise, no matter whether mental or bodily, was so great that it was +said of him, that the only reason why they kept him at Kishlak was +because he was a living example of the results of high feeding,—even he +rose with the sun, and put on his best coat with silver buttons. He +walked about the yard with the carpenter and the butler, who had jointly +undertaken to build the gallows.</p> + +<p>"We must make it comfortable, you know," said he, alluding to the +reception of the guests; and turning to the carpenter, he added, "Do +your best to make it high and strong. I trust they'll take care of the +servants. It's hardly my province, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_73" id="Page_II_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> I'll warrant you the gentlemen +will not complain of the accommodation. You'd better make a good strong +wedge in this place, it's there we'll tie him up; and don't let the men +go out to-day, I'll have them all to witness the execution. It'll do +them good to see something of the kind. The engine, too, ought to be +looked after, in case there should be a fire." In this way he went on, +every now and then wiping his forehead and exclaiming, "Dear me, how hot +it is! I'm done up with all this trouble, done up, I tell you!" To which +his companions sighed their assent.</p> + +<p>The news of the assembling of the first court-martial under Mr. +Kishlaki's superintendence, caused a still greater excitement in the +house. There is no denying that the steward came out strong; indeed such +was his activity, that whoever saw him was induced to regret that there +was not a permanent court-martial sitting at Kishlak, in which case that +corpulent and meritorious person would have figured as an active member +of society; but after all he was repaid for all his troubles by the +sense of his personal dignity. That day formed an epoch in his life. It +was a day to think of, and to talk of, and to count the years by.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_74" id="Page_II_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>Not so Lady Kishlaki. She was anxious, and all but desponding; and when +the steward told her that the court were to assemble in her house, and +that the criminal was to be hanged on her own land, she wrung her hands +as if the greatest misfortune had happened to her.</p> + +<p>"Why do they come to us, of all the people in the world? My goodness! is +not the county large enough? Must they needs hang that robber here, +under my very nose?"</p> + +<p>The steward was far more alive to and sensible of the distinction which +the event gave to the village.</p> + +<p>"Your ladyship forgets," said he, "that my lord, in his quality as the +late and illustrious sheriff, has been appointed to the post of a +president of the courts-martial in the district of Tissaret, which, if +your ladyship will condescend to remember, will satisfy your ladyship +that the high respect and signal honour——"</p> + +<p>"Signal fiddlesticks!" cried Lady Kishlaki. "I'll never dare to walk in +and out of my own house, if they hang the fellow in my yard."</p> + +<p>"Your ladyship is graciously pleased to be mistaken," said the corpulent +steward. "An impressive example of this kind has an excellent effect<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_75" id="Page_II_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> +upon the safety of person and property. I know of a similar case, which +happened in another county. For a period of not less than two years, I +assure your ladyship, the county was a scene of incessant depredations, +robberies, and worse. At length two men were arrested and hanged; and +from that day there was an end of all murders and robberies. One of the +parties was quite a stranger to the gang, and as innocent as the unborn +babe. But they hanged him, and I assure your ladyship the effect was +marvellous. I am happy we are going to hang a man: it's a blessing to +the county, a genuine blessing, your ladyship!"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! The robbers never did us any harm."</p> + +<p>"No, not exactly; but if your ladyship will condescend to look at the +bill of the Gulyash, your ladyship will be pleased to find that what +they have eaten on your ladyship's land amounts to the value of a good +substantial theft."</p> + +<p>"I'd rather lose twenty times the value, than see a man hanged, and on +my own land too," said Lady Kishlaki, turning away to make due +arrangements for the reception of her guests; while the steward +marvelled at his lady's peculiar frame of mind, and her greater fear of +a dead robber than of a living one.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_76" id="Page_II_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> Having pondered on the matter until +he arrived at that comfortable state of hopeless confusion which is so +familiar to stout people's minds, he repeated his orders to the lower +officials, and marched to and fro in the hall, smoking his pipe, and +awaiting the arrival of the prisoner and the judges. The villagers, too, +were crowded in front of the gate, where they stood eager, curious, and +alarmed.</p> + +<p>Kishlak is at the distance of a German mile from St. Vilmosh; when the +waters are high, it takes a man at least three hours to walk from one +place to the other; but in spite of the distance, Mr. Skinner, his +clerk, and his prisoners, reached Kishlak first. They were followed by +Mr. Catspaw, who had gone round by Tissaret. After him came the master +of the house, and the judges whom he brought from Dustbury. The latter +party made their appearance in two carriages, of which one was honoured +by the weight of Kishlaki and Baron Shoskuty, while the second held the +assessor Zatonyi, and the recorder's substitute, Mr. Völgyeshy. The +recorder sent him principally because he knew that the court was in want +of the services of a notary, the functions of which office were far too +much beneath the recorder's dignity to allow of his executing them. He +therefore sent Völgyeshy, a young man who had just been appointed to +his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_77" id="Page_II_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> office, who was eager to be employed, and whose knowledge of law +enabled him to assist the court with his advice. Völgyeshy's appearance +was by no means agreeable. He was small, sickly, and ill-made, and his +face was strongly marked with small-pox; but he was a man of great +learning, and as modest as he was clever. He was a general favourite at +Dustbury; old Kishlaki, who felt even more shocked than his wife when he +heard of Viola's capture, and of his being called to preside over the +court-martial, shared the joy of Baron Shoskuty and the assessor, when +they were informed of the recorder's intention to send his substitute to +act as notary. Baron Shoskuty was happy, because he knew that Völgyeshy +was a good hand at law; Kishlaki because he was a good hand at cards; +and the assessor, because the young man would listen to any stories, no +matter of what length and dullness. When the party arrived, they found +Messrs. Skinner and Catspaw—"<i>arcades ambo</i>; <i>id est</i>, blackguards +both,"—awaiting them. Mr. Catspaw rubbed his hands for joy when he saw +that none of the members of the court were likely to cross his plans by +an excess of philanthropy.</p> + +<p>The lady of the house, too, hastened to the door to receive her guests, +and to offer them breakfast, which Mr. Catspaw volunteered to decline +for himself and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_78" id="Page_II_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> partners, saying that it was eleven o'clock, and that +they must make haste to commence business.</p> + +<p>"We cannot possibly get through the case to-day," observed Mr. Kishlaki.</p> + +<p>"And why not, <i>domine spectabilis</i>? Why not?" asked the assessor. +"Please to consider that the court-martial must sit till the execution +is over; and to-morrow I must be at home, for there's the ploughing and +the potato harvest."</p> + +<p>"Of course!" cried Shoskuty. "We are commissioners of courts-martial, +and a court-martial we are bound to make of it. The culprit is in +attendance, we are five commissioners; my young friend Völgyeshy has +come to assist us. It will take him just ten minutes to write the +verdict. God forbid," continued he, with a low bow to the lady of the +house, "God forbid that we should trouble your ladyship longer than we +can help!"</p> + +<p>"No trouble, indeed; no trouble whatever!" cried Lady Kishlaki, with a +burst of genuine good-natured hospitality; "but I trust you do not mean +to hang the poor fellow?"</p> + +<p>"Of course we do!" laughed the assessor. "I've sat in fifteen +courts-martial in the course of my life, and we never rose without +hanging the culprit. Courts-martial are for that sort of thing, you +know."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_79" id="Page_II_79">[Pg 79]</a></span>Lady Kishlaki had been solicited by Viola's wife to interfere in her +husband's behalf. The good old lady did all she could for the poor +woman. She assigned a room to her and the children, and, moved by Susi's +entreaties, she promised to save Viola's life, if a woman's tongue could +save it. But the determined tone in which the assessor delivered his +last sentence, showed her how little hope there was. She replied, +nevertheless, that Viola was perhaps less guilty than people fancied.</p> + +<p>"I most humbly beg your ladyship's pardon," replied Baron Shoskuty, with +his proverbial politeness; "whether his guilt be greater or lesser, it's +all the same to us. The only question to ask is, 'Is the prisoner a +robber or not?' We do not care whether he killed a hundred people, or +whether he never took human life, whether he stole a million or a +fourpenny piece; all we ask is; is he a robber? and how was he taken? If +taken in arms, and in the fact of actual resistance, we hang him, so +please your ladyship."</p> + +<p>"But it does not please my ladyship. You cannot possibly hang the poor +fellow for a few pence!"</p> + +<p>"Nothing more simple," said the assessor, with great unction, "if the +case come within the juris<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_80" id="Page_II_80">[Pg 80]</a></span>diction of a court-martial. I have seen cases +in which the man whom we hanged would have been let off with a +fortnight's confinement by the ordinary courts; but as he fell into our +hands, we tied him up."</p> + +<p>"I am a weak and ignorant woman," retorted Lady Kishlaki, with +increasing vehemence; "but if I'd been there, I'll warrant you, you +would not have done it!"</p> + +<p>"Of course not! Nothing more natural!" replied Baron Shoskuty, who never +let an opportunity go by of paying a compliment to a lady; "your +ladyship is the milk, nay, the cream of human kindness! We are rude and +uncharitable men. The county has sent us to make an example, and we are +bound to make one."</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon," said Mr. Catspaw, who had given unmistakeable signs +of impatience; "time presses,—hadn't we better begin?"</p> + +<p>"If you like," said Kishlaki, greatly confused, "we have to examine the +witnesses and——"</p> + +<p>"We'll soon get the better of the witnesses," said Mr. Skinner. "There +is no difficulty in the case. We'd get twice through it before dinner +time."</p> + +<p>"Viola is as guilty as anybody ever was!" cried Mr. Catspaw, as he +walked to the door.</p> + +<p>"If he is, it will be shown by the evidence," said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_81" id="Page_II_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> a loud sonorous +voice; "one ought never to pre-judge a case."</p> + +<p>Everybody looked at Völgyeshy, who had spoken the last sentence. The +attorney walked up to Mr. Skinner and whispered: "I don't like the +fellow!" But Lady Kishlaki, who had hitherto paid no attention to the +ill-favoured young man, looked kindly at him.</p> + +<p>"You are right," said she; "it's hard that a man should be judged before +his case has been inquired into. I know you will pity him."</p> + +<p>"I am not an assessor, and have no vote," replied Mr. Völgyeshy, as he +left the room with the rest of the party. Mr. Kishlaki remained alone +with his wife.</p> + +<p>"Consider, Valentine," said she, taking him by the hand—"consider that +a sentence of death cannot be pronounced unless the judges are +unanimous. Every one of you is highly responsible for the death of this +man."</p> + +<p>"I know, my love; and if it depends on me—that is to say, if it is +possible—I am not bloodthirsty, you know, but——"</p> + +<p>"I know you must do your duty; but pray consider that the life of a man, +if once taken, cannot be restored!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_82" id="Page_II_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>"I will do all I can!" sighed the old man, cursing the day on which he +accepted his office; and leaving the room, he followed his colleagues to +the steward's office, where everything was prepared for the +accommodation of the court. Servants, and peasants armed with +pitchforks, were posted at the gate to keep the crowd at a distance. +Under the shed stood Viola, tied to a post and surrounded by haiduks and +Pandurs. In the hall were Tzifra, and Jantshy, the glazier, who had been +summoned as witnesses for the prosecution; and at a distance stood the +Liptaka and the smith of Tissaret, who volunteered to give evidence for +the defence.</p> + +<p>"God have mercy upon his soul!" said the Liptaka. "I have little hope."</p> + +<p>"So have I," said the smith; "and the thing which grieves me most is +that the two rascals there are going to escape," he added, pointing at +Tzifra and the Jew.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to know who'll hang him!" said an old woman to her neighbour. +"I trust they'll have a clever hangman! They say people suffer +dreadfully if the hangman does not know his trade."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, I heard them say that there's a gipsy that'll hang him. Mayhap +it's the sheriff's gipsy. Look there!—there he is. Look how he casts +his eyes around! Dear me! I'm afraid of him!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_83" id="Page_II_83">[Pg 83]</a></span>"Don't talk such nonsense, Verush," said an old man; "Peti is Viola's +friend. It's he that brought the children from Tissaret. Did you not see +him talking to Viola's wife? Susi would not talk to him in that way, if +he were the man that is to hang her husband. Not even yourself would +have done that when your husband was alive. But I say, Verush, you'd not +occasion for a hangman, eh? You are the woman can worry a man to death +and be never the worse for it, eh?"</p> + +<p>"How dare you say so!" screamed the widow. "Didn't I have a doctor in +his last illness?"</p> + +<p>"Never mind!" said another woman. "Tell me who is going to hang him."</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said the man.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they won't hang him. They'll give him a pardon."</p> + +<p>"A pardon, indeed!" said the man. "Don't you see it's a court-martial. +You may whistle for a pardon, if you please."</p> + +<p>"What <i>is</i> a court-martial?"</p> + +<p>"Why! don't you know? A court-martial is—why it's that the gentlemen +sit down together and consult, and hang some one. That's as it ought to +be."</p> + +<p>"But suppose no one hangs him?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_84" id="Page_II_84">[Pg 84]</a></span>"How can you ask such stupid questions? To hang a man you must have him +first; but who ever heard of a man being sentenced to hanging and let +off for the want of a hangman?"</p> + +<p>"Just so; but suppose it <i>were</i> to happen after all? What then?"</p> + +<p>"Hang me if I know! perhaps the gentlemen themselves will hang him, or +they'll hang themselves with disappointment and vexation."<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_II_VIII" id="SEE_NOTE_II_VIII"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_II_VIII">Note VIII</a>.</p></div> + +<p>The proceedings of the court commenced meanwhile by the swearing in of +the judges, the reading of the articles of court-martial, and by Mr. +Skinner's laying on the table a written form of indictment, or, in +Hungarian judicial language, the "<i>species facti</i>." Mr. Völgyeshy's +conduct, while these preliminary forms were being got through, was such +as to fill the judges with astonishment and disgust. Not only did he +read the articles with a loud, clear voice, slowly enunciating and +pronouncing every word, instead of giving merely the heads of the +various paragraphs; but he also interrupted Mr. Skinner, who wished to +relieve the dulness of the lecture by a friendly chat with his neighbour +on the bench, by reminding him that the articles were read for the +purpose of being listened to. But the disgust of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_85" id="Page_II_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> court was +infinitely increased when, after the reading of the "<i>species facti</i>," +and when they were just in the act of sending for the prisoner, +Völgyeshy stopped the proceedings by protesting that the "<i>species +facti</i>" was by no means such as to warrant the jurisdiction of a +court-martial in the present case.</p> + +<p>"Not warrant the jurisdiction of a court-martial!" said Mr. Skinner; +"and how dare you, Mr. Völgyeshy, dare to say so to <i>me</i>—the oldest +judge of the county? On my word and honour, sir, you come it strong, +sir!"</p> + +<p>"You are mistaken if you misconstrue my words into an intention of +offering you an insult."</p> + +<p>"Intention? Insult? Why, sir, it is an insult! it's a downright, +root-and-branch, roaring insult, that's what it is!" shouted Mr. +Skinner; and, turning to the court, he continued:—</p> + +<p>"I intreat this praiseworthy court to consider chapter vi. paragraph 8., +where it is provided that '<i>A recital of the facts is to be submitted to +the court, stating the crime of which the prisoner stands accused, his +Christian and surname, and his age, the latter to be written with words +and letters instead of with the signs of numbers, &c. &c.</i>'</p> + +<p>"Now look at my report! Does it not state the facts, the crimes, the +names of the prisoner? does it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_86" id="Page_II_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> not state his age, and, you will +observe, his age according to the instructions? Does this gentleman mean +to insinuate that I am not able to write a '<i>species facti</i>?' that I am +too stupid to take a man's age down according to instructions? This is +the worst thing I ever heard of! It's downright pettifogging, that it +is; and I won't be treated in this way, that I won't, no, not by any +man, and least of all by you, sir!"</p> + +<p>The president and the assessors did their best to calm the fury of the +worthy magistrate; but if that fury was intended to prevent Völgyeshy +from urging his protest, it proved a signal failure, for the young man +persisted in declaring that he was fully convinced of Mr. Skinner's +ability to make out a correct statement of the facts, but that this very +correct and authentic statement of the facts did not show that the +robber had been overtaken and captured in the course of an +<i>uninterrupted pursuit</i>; "for this," added Mr. Völgyeshy, "is one of the +first conditions of a case for a court-martial."</p> + +<p>"Not an uninterrupted pursuit!" roared Mr. Skinner; "why, a price has +been offered for his head; for months he has been hunted through the +county, and here's this lad wants to deny the uninterrupted pursuit!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_87" id="Page_II_87">[Pg 87]</a></span>"Just so, <i>domine spectabilis</i>!" said the assessor, smiling; "it's the +worst plea I ever heard of,—<i>denique</i>, our friend is young. But let us +see the culprit."</p> + +<p>"And I tell you again," said Völgyeshy, "that this report does not prove +an uninterrupted pursuit. Viola's last crime was his theft in the house +of the notary of Tissaret, and the pursuit was neither instantaneous nor +uninterrupted."</p> + +<p>"If it's not a case for a court-martial," said Kishlaki, eager to escape +from the discharge of his painful duties, "we had better send it to the +sessions. For inasmuch——"</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, do not say so! What a shame if Viola were to go to the +sessions! I am sure they'd rob us of the right of court-martial; and it +would serve us right, if we were to allow such a case to escape us."</p> + +<p>"It seems Mr. Völgyeshy is not aware that courts-martial are held to try +and execute thieves and robbers," said Mr. Catspaw; "and that in the +case of any such person being pursued, and making an armed resistance, +there can be no question as to the jurisdiction of the court."</p> + +<p>"I am fully aware of it, sir; but in what manner does this report show +that Viola is a robber?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_88" id="Page_II_88">[Pg 88]</a></span>Here the assessor Zatonyi held up his hands.</p> + +<p>"How is it shown?" said he; "does not the report set forth that Viola is +a robber? Don't you see <i>r-o-b-b-e-r</i>? If that does not mean robber, +I'll try myself by court-martial, and hang myself too."</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon," cried Baron Shoskuty, "I will explain the matter to +Mr. Völgyeshy. He is young, and wants experience; for such things are +not to be learnt from books. You see, sir, the articles of +courts-martial give us long explanations about the cases and individuals +to which the term of robber applies. These explanations are very good in +their way; excellent, sir! but, sir, they are not practical. <i>He</i> is a +robber in Hungary whom public opinion designates as such. <i>Vox populi, +vox dei!</i> and if such a person resists an arrest, he is <i>de jure</i> tried +by court-martial, and hanged."</p> + +<p>"Merely for resisting the arrest?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Baron Shoskuty, majestically, "merely for that reason. +Resistance to the law is criminal, except in the case of noblemen."</p> + +<p>"But surely we are not here to discuss law matters," said the assessor. +"Besides, Mr. Völgyeshy has no vote. If any of the other gentlemen stick +to the question, we'll divide, and there's an end of it."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_89" id="Page_II_89">[Pg 89]</a></span>"All this is very well," said Kishlaki, "but I'd like——"</p> + +<p>"I say <i>luce meridiana clarius</i>! brighter than the light of day. The +case is within our jurisdiction. But no matter—let us divide."</p> + +<p>The result of the division was that the witnesses were called in. The +examination showed the most astonishing correctness of Tzifra's former +evidence; every point of which was confirmed by the statements of +Jantshi, the Jewish glazier. When the witnesses were sent out of court, +Zatonyi offered his snuff-box to the court, saying:—</p> + +<p>"<i>Duo testes omni exceptione majores.</i> Two honest witnesses——; why, +gentlemen, there can be no doubt——"</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" sighed Kishlaki, "and they swore to their depositions. When +that Jew cursed himself as he did, I could not help shuddering. They +cannot possibly tell us an untruth!"</p> + +<p>The justice spat on the floor with joy, protesting that he had never met +with better witnesses.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, sir," said Völgyeshy; "I, for my part, cannot +believe a word of the evidence. These witnesses tell us much the same +story, but then it is too much the same story; in short, my opinion is, +that it is a got-up story."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_90" id="Page_II_90">[Pg 90]</a></span>"This is too bad! indeed it is!" said Zatonyi, "to doubt the truth of +the evidence because the witnesses agree in their statement of the +facts. I never heard of such a thing!"</p> + +<p>"Nor I!" cried Shoskuty. "To think that the depositions of the two +witnesses should be exactly alike, even in the smallest particular, and +to hear this gentleman speak of got-up stories and the like,—really it +<i>is</i> too bad. <i>Denique</i>, he is an advocate."</p> + +<p>"And proud of his profession!" interposed Völgyeshy. "But still, it is +my duty to inform the court that the extraordinary harmony in the +depositions of the two witnesses has convinced me of——"</p> + +<p>"If you think so," said Kishlaki, "I think we had better——"</p> + +<p>"He does not think so," said Mr. Catspaw, with a forced smile. "It's our +nature, sir; we cannot help it. We are fond of desperate cases, we dote +on them. The more desperate a case is, the greater the pleasure it gives +an advocate to stop or delay the proceedings."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Catspaw is mistaken," said Völgyeshy; "the question is far too +serious to admit of any joking. But I appeal to you; tell me, is not +Tzifra notorious for being a thief and a robber?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_91" id="Page_II_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>"Certainly not!" cried Mr. Skinner. "Janosh St. Vilmoshy—for the court +ought not to deal in slang and in nicknames—Janosh St. Vilmoshy, I say, +is an honest man. Ever since he was dismissed from gaol, he has led a +better life. He has cut Viola and his gang; and, in short, done his best +to blow upon the prisoner."</p> + +<p>"Very well!" said Völgyeshy; "for the sake of argument we will grant +that this fellow, Tzifra, or Janosh St. Vilmoshy, or whatever his name +may be, is an honest man, after having been a robber all his life, and +after having passed the greater part of it in the county gaol. Now what +does he depose? Firstly, that Viola informed him of his intention to +commit the robbery. Now this is incredible, if we are to believe that +the witness spurned his former associates, and turned to an honest life. +But let us go on. Why, if this Janosh St. Vilmoshy knew of the intended +robbery, why did he not step in and prevent it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes! yes! this time you are wrong, Skinner," said Kishlaki; "he cannot +possibly be an honest man."</p> + +<p>Mr. Skinner looked confounded. Völgyeshy went on:—</p> + +<p>"In the second instance, the witness declares that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_92" id="Page_II_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> on the night of the +robbery he walked up to the village of Tissaret, when he was startled by +the report of a gun and by Viola's appearance, who ran past him carrying +the said gun in his hand. Now why did the witness go to Tissaret? Why +was he not at Dustbury, to vote at the election? How does it happen that +no one saw him at Tissaret? and why did he come all the way from +Dustbury, and at night too, unless he had some business of some kind +with somebody in the village?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed this looks very suspicious, very suspicious,—on my soul it +does!" said Kishlaki; and the assessor, taking a pinch of snuff, +declared that their best plan would be to arrest Tzifra too, and to put +him in irons.</p> + +<p>"Very well. Now all I ask is, where are your credible witnesses? You +ought to have two, you know," said Völgyeshy, with a great feeling of +superiority.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said the assessor. "A most judicious remark, on my soul! We cannot +at present proceed against Tzifra, because we want his evidence."</p> + +<p>"But we can never ground a capital sentence on the evidence of such a +person!"</p> + +<p>"You have no vote, sir!" replied Zatonyi; "and we, who have a vote, do +not ask your advice.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_93" id="Page_II_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> Had we not better send for the prisoner?" added +he, turning to Kishlaki.</p> + +<p>Völgyeshy sighed, and the court had just resolved to send for the +prisoner, when it was said that two witnesses wished to be examined, +and, the president having given his permission, the old Liptaka entered +the apartment. The old woman made no mention of the fact of her having +seen Viola in Tissaret on the night of the robbery. She protested that +the prisoner was under such great obligations to the notary, that he +could not possibly have been guilty of so atrocious a crime; and +further, that Viola, whose wife was her friend and relative, had many +weeks ago informed her of a plot to steal the notary's papers, bidding +her at the same time put the notary on his guard.</p> + +<p>"And who did Viola say were they that intended to steal the papers?" +said Mr. Skinner, with a sneer.</p> + +<p>"He did not mention any names, but he spoke of some great people."</p> + +<p>"Stuff and nonsense!" cried Mr. Catspaw.</p> + +<p>"I swear it; it's the truth!" said the old woman. "I've told it on my +oath, and I would not tell a lie,—no, not for all the treasures on +earth!"</p> + +<p>"Did you give Viola's message to the notary?"</p> + +<p>The woman was silent.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_94" id="Page_II_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>"Speak out, my good woman!" said Kishlaki; "you have no cause to fear."</p> + +<p>"I know it, sir, and I cannot tell a lie, though I would. I will confess +that I did not say any thing to the notary, because I was afraid old +Tengelyi would send Susi away, if he were to know that Viola had entered +his house."</p> + +<p>Messrs. Skinner and Catspaw looked at each other and smiled.</p> + +<p>"Is this all you have to say?" asked Mr. Catspaw.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"Very well; you may go."</p> + +<p>She was followed by the smith, who deposed that after the report of the +gun he hastened to the notary's house, and pursued the murderer, whom he +identified as Tzifra. He swore that the person he had pursued was +Tzifra, not Viola.</p> + +<p>The second witness having been dismissed, and his depositions taken down +in writing, the two witnesses were called back for the purpose of +signing the depositions. This done, the court sent for Viola. Mr. +Skinner meanwhile did his best to discredit the statements of the last +two witnesses, whose evidence, he protested, was not worth the paper it +was written on.</p> + +<p>"That old hag," said he, "is Viola's kinswoman.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_95" id="Page_II_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> Her evidence is quite +inadmissible; and as for the smith, he is always drunk, especially at +night, and nothing is more likely than his mistaking Viola for Tzifra."</p> + +<p>"Very true," said Kishlaki.</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless the evidence is deserving of some consideration," +interposed Völgyeshy, "especially respecting the credit to be placed in +Tzifra's, or, if Mr. Skinner likes it better, in Mr. St. Vilmoshy's +statements. The very man who commits the crime has often been found to +depose against another."</p> + +<p>"There is a deal of truth in that," said Kishlaki.</p> + +<p>"I say!" cried Zatonyi, "that's a bright idea! We'll hang them both."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, <i>amice</i>!" said Shoskuty; "the other man is not before the +court-martial."</p> + +<p>"If you arraign him, you may do so," said the assessor. "I know of a +precedent. I know of a thief who was just on the point of being turned +off, when he saw an accomplice among the crowd. He points him out; the +judge sends his men to arrest him. The fellow runs away, they overtake +him, and, by G—d! the rascal shows fight. Was it not glorious! They +take him back and hang him, on the spur of the moment, by the side of +the other fellow; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_96" id="Page_II_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> the judge put into his report that he had hanged +two thieves instead of one."</p> + +<p>"Devil of a mess he got himself into," said Shoskuty. "Queer notion +that!"</p> + +<p>"Mess? oh yes, he got into a mess; for now-a-days there's not a knave so +bad but he finds somebody who takes his cause up: and, in short, they +tell me the judge would have lost his place if he had not resigned, but +that was all."</p> + +<p>"It was a murder!" cried Völgyeshy—"neither more nor less than a +murder!"</p> + +<p>"My friend," said the assessor, with a pitying glance at Völgyeshy, +"<i>denique</i>, you don't know the world. However, I do not mean to urge my +view of the case: all I can say is, it's a pity if we do not hang the +two. But here's the prisoner!"</p> + +<p>The door opened, and Viola entered, chained, and surrounded by armed +men.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_97" id="Page_II_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_II_VI" id="CHAPTER_II_VI"></a>CHAP. VI.</h3> + + +<p>The appearance of the prisoner produced a profound sensation in the +court. Kishlaki felt deep pity for his misfortunes, though he could not +but admit that his fate was in part merited. Völgyeshy, who had heard +enough to convince him that there was no hope of the court pronouncing +in favor of Viola, shuddered to think that the man whom he saw was +doomed to die before sunset. Mr. Catspaw showed great uneasiness when he +heard the rattling of the chains; and Shoskuty, who had never seen the +robber, was quite as much excited by his curiosity as Mr. Skinner by the +feelings of ill-dissembled triumph with which he watched the prisoner's +features and carriage. Zatonyi alone preserved his habitual composure.</p> + +<p>"At last you've put your head in the snare, you precious villain!" cried +Mr. Skinner. "Well, what do you say? Whose turn is it to be hanged? +Yours or mine, eh?"</p> + +<p>The president of the court looked amazed; but Mr. Skinner laughed and +said:</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_98" id="Page_II_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>"Perhaps you are not aware of my former acquaintance with Viola? There's +a bet between us two, who is to hang first; for that fellow has sworn to +hang me, if ever I fall into his hands. Is it not so, Viola?"</p> + +<p>"No!" said the prisoner, "it's not so. If I swore I would be revenged, +it is well known that I had good cause for it; I have to thank this +gentleman for my wretched life and shameful death. But I never vowed to +hang you!"</p> + +<p>"Never mind!" shouted the justice. "You are humble enough now that you +are in the trap; but I am sure you would have kept your word, if you had +been able to put your hands upon me. I, too, have sworn an oath, to hang +you where I find you—now tell me who has the worst of it?"</p> + +<p>"I know that all is over with me," replied Viola, fixing his dark eyes +upon the justice; "there is no one to take my part—I know I must die; +but it is cruel to insult a dying man."</p> + +<p>Völgyeshy, who was scarcely able to repress his feelings, interfered, +and protested in Latin that there was a vendetta between the accused and +one of the judges, and that another judge must be found. But his protest +had no other effect than an admonition, which the president gave Mr. +Skinner in very bad<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_99" id="Page_II_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> Latin, to eschew such light and irrelevant +conversation; and the court commenced forthwith to examine the prisoner.</p> + +<p>Viola replied calmly and simply to the questions which were put to him; +and at last, as though wearied by the length of the examination, he +said:</p> + +<p>"What is the use of all this questioning? It is a pity the gentlemen +should lose their time with me. Mr. Skinner has told me that I am to be +hanged; why, then, should I waste my words in an attempt to save my +life? I'll confess any thing you like, I don't care what it is; for, +believe me, if it had not been for my family, I would never have waited +till this day. I would have hanged myself in the forest, to make an end +of it, I assure you."</p> + +<p>"But how can you possibly confess, when you are ignorant of what you are +accused of?" said Völgyeshy. "You stand before righteous judges. Speak +out, man, honestly and freely, as you would speak to God; for, believe +me, the judges are by no means agreed upon your sentence."</p> + +<p>"Thanks to you for your good will," said the culprit; "but I know there +is no help. I am a robber; I have been taken in arms; they will hang me. +They may do it; but let them make haste; and spare me your questions!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_100" id="Page_II_100">[Pg 100]</a></span>Mr. Catspaw, who showed some uneasiness, interposed, and said:</p> + +<p>"If he refuses to confess, we cannot force him: it is expressly set +forth in the articles, that no violence is to be used to obtain a +confession. Our best plan is to read the questions to him, and if he +refuses to answer to them, why it's his own business, not ours."</p> + +<p>"No!" said Völgyeshy; "this man ought to know that his fate does not +depend on the decision of the worshipful Mr. Paul Skinner; that the +court are prepared to listen to his defence, and that the verdict will +be dictated neither by hate nor revenge, but by pure and impartial +justice. If the prisoner knows all this, which it appears he does not, +he may possibly be induced to reply to the charges."</p> + +<p>He turned to Viola, and continued:</p> + +<p>"Speak out, my man. Your life is in the hands of these gentlemen, who +have to answer for it to God, your judge and theirs. Pray consider that +unless you speak, there is no hope for you. Think of your family; and, +tell us plainly, is there any thing you have to say for yourself?"</p> + +<p>Kishlaki was deeply moved; Mr. Catspaw cast an angry look at the +speaker; and Zatonyi yawned.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_101" id="Page_II_101">[Pg 101]</a></span>"I will not speak in my own defence!" said the prisoner.</p> + +<p>"Pray consider," urged the young lawyer; "the court will listen to any +thing you may say. These gentlemen have a painful duty to fulfil; but +they are far from wishing to take your life. If you can give us any +excuses, do so, by all means."</p> + +<p>"It is provided, in Chapter 6. of the Articles, that the prisoner shall +not be wheedled into a confession," said Zatonyi, with an expression of +profound wisdom.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," said Viola, at length, "may God bless you for your +kindness, and for your wishing to help me! but, you see, it's all in +vain. There are, indeed, many things I might say in defence; and when I +go to my God, who knows all and every thing, I am sure He'll judge me +leniently; but there is no salvation for me in this world. You see, your +worships, there is no use of my telling you that, once upon a time, I +was an honest man, as every man in the village of Tissaret can prove. +What is the use of my saying that I became a robber not from my own free +will, but because I was forced to it; that I never harmed any poor man; +that I never took more from the gentry, in the way of robbing, than what +was necessary to keep life in my body; and that I never killed any one, +unless it was in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_102" id="Page_II_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> self-defence? Am I the less punishable for saying all +this? No. Whatever my comrades may have done is scored down to <i>my</i> +account. I am a robber, and a dead man."</p> + +<p>"All this may serve to modify the sentence. But what do you mean by +saying that you were <i>forced</i> to be a robber?"</p> + +<p>"Ask his worship, the justice of the district," said the prisoner, +looking at Mr. Skinner: "he knows what made me a robber." And he +proceeded to tell the tale of his first crime.</p> + +<p>"It's true; it's as true as Gospel," sighed Kishlaki. "I came to +Tissaret on the day after the thing had happened, when the sheriff told +me all about it."</p> + +<p>"<i>Nihil ad rem!</i>" said Zatonyi.</p> + +<p>"But what does it avail me?" continued the prisoner, whose pale face +became flushed as he spoke: "what can it avail me to tell you all the +revolting cruelties which were practised against me, and which to think +of gives me pain? Am I the less a robber? Will these things cause you to +spare me? No; I ought to have suffered the stripes, and kissed the hands +of my tyrant; or I ought to have left my wife in her darkest hour, +because nothing would serve my lady but that <i>I</i> should drive her to +Dustbury. How, then, could I, a good-for-nothing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_103" id="Page_II_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> peasant<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a>, dare to +love my wife! How could I dare to resist when the justice told them to +tie me to the whipping-post! But I dared to do it. I was fool enough to +fancy that I, though a peasant, had a right to remain with my wife; I +could not understand that a poor man is a dog, which any body may beat +and kick. Here I am, and you may hang me."</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_II_IX" id="SEE_NOTE_II_IX"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_II_IX">Note IX</a>.</p></div> + +<p>"I'll tell you what, you'll swing fast enough, my fine fellow!" said +Zatonyi, whose cynicism was not proof against the prisoner's last words. +"What, man! hanging's too good for you; that's all I have to say!"</p> + +<p>"You see, sir," said Viola, appealing to Völgyeshy, "you see, I told you +there is nothing that can excuse me in the eyes of mankind. But there's +a request I have to address to the court."</p> + +<p>Mr. Catspaw trembled, as the prisoner went on.</p> + +<p>"When I left the burning hut in which Ratz Andor shot himself, I held +some papers in my hands, which were stolen from the house of the notary +of Tissaret."</p> + +<p>"So you confess to the robbery?" cried Zatonyi.</p> + +<p>"No, sir; I do not. God knows, I am guiltless of that robbery," cried +Viola, raising his hands to heaven: "but that's no matter. All I say is, +that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_104" id="Page_II_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> I had the papers, and that I took them away with me; and if you +mean to prove by that that I committed the robbery, you may. I do not +care: all I say is, that I took the papers with me."</p> + +<p>"It's a lie!" murmured Mr. Skinner.</p> + +<p>"No; it's not a lie: it's the truth, and nothing but the truth! When I +left the hut I was blind and unarmed: I held the papers in my hands, and +I felt some one snatch them away from me—I can take my oath on it!—and +my senses left me; when I recovered I was bound, and in the hands of the +Pandurs and peasants. They dragged me to St. Vilmosh. I asked for the +papers, for they belong to Mr. Tengelyi; and it was for their sake I +surrendered, because I did not wish them to be burnt; for they are the +notary's important papers. But I understand that, when I left the hut, +there was no one by except the justice and Mr. Catspaw; and the justice +says that I had no papers. I most humbly beseech the court to order the +justice to give those papers to the rightful owner."</p> + +<p>"May the devil take me by ounces if I've seen the least rag of paper!" +cried Mr. Skinner.</p> + +<p>"Sir," said Viola, "I am in your power: you may do with me as you +please; you may hang me if you like; but, for God's sake! do not deny<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_105" id="Page_II_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> +me the papers. I am under great obligations to Mr. Tengelyi. He relieved +my family in the time of their distress; and I wish to show my gratitude +by restoring those papers to him. I have come to suffer a disgraceful +death——"</p> + +<p>"You impertinent dog!" cried Mr. Skinner; "how dare you insinuate? how +dare you say? how dare you—— I am insulted; I insist on the court +giving me satisfaction."</p> + +<p>"I am in the hands of the court," said the prisoner. "Beat me, kick me, +torture me; but give me the papers!"</p> + +<p>"I am sure it's a plot," whispered Mr. Catspaw to the assessor. +"Tengelyi declares that his diplomas are gone. Who knows but he may be a +patron of this fellow?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing is more likely," replied the assessor.</p> + +<p>"What, fellow! what, dog! do you mean to say that I <i>stole</i> the papers?"</p> + +<p>"All I say is, that I <i>had</i> the papers in my hands, and that some person +took them away. I wish the court would please to examine the Pandurs, +who will tell you that nobody was near me but the justice and Mr. +Catspaw."</p> + +<p>"This is indeed strange," murmured Mr. Kish<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_106" id="Page_II_106">[Pg 106]</a></span>laki. Mr. Skinner pushed his +chair back, and cried,—</p> + +<p>"The court cannot possibly suffer one of its members to be accused of +theft!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, too much is too much," said Zatonyi, with a burst of generous +indignation: "if you do not revoke your words, and if you do not ask +their worships' pardon, we will send you to the yard and have you +whipped!"</p> + +<p>Viola answered quietly, that he was in their worships' power, but that +he would repeat what he had said to the last moment of his life; and +Zatonyi was just about to send the prisoner away to be whipped, when +Völgyeshy reminded him in Latin that the Sixth Chapter of the Articles +made not only prohibition of what the assessor had been pleased to term +"wheedling," but also of threats and ill-treatment.</p> + +<p>Baron Shoskuty remarked, that the young lawyer's explanation of the +articles was sheer nonsense, for the prisoner would not be under +restraint, if Mr. Völgyeshy's commentaries were accepted as law. He +might call the worshipful magistrates asses; nay, he might even go to +the length of beating them, without suffering any other punishment than +being hanged. This able rejoinder induced the judges to re-consider<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_107" id="Page_II_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> Mr. +Zatonyi's proposition to inflict corporal punishment on the prisoner, +and nobody can say what would have come of it, but for the firmness of +Völgyeshy, who protested that he would inform the lord-lieutenant and +the government of any act of violence to which they might subject the +culprit. This threat had its effect. Baron Shoskuty, indeed, was heard +to murmur against the impertinence of young men; while Mr. Zatonyi made +some edifying reflections about sneaking informers: but this was all. No +further mention was made of the whipping.</p> + +<p>While the above conversation was being carried on in a tongue of which +he could but catch the sounds, and not the meaning, Viola stood quietly +by, although a lively interest in the words and motions of the speakers +was expressed in his face. Messrs. Catspaw and Skinner conversed in a +whisper. At length the attorney turned round and addressed the court:—</p> + +<p>"As the prisoner has thought proper to accuse <i>me</i>," said he, "it is but +right that I should be allowed to ask him a few questions. You said I +was near you when you left the hut, did you not? Now tell me, did you +see me at the time?"</p> + +<p>"No, I did not; I was blind with the smoke and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_108" id="Page_II_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> fire in the hut: but the +peasants told me that the two gentlemen were near me, and I felt +somebody snatch the papers from my hand."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say that the smoke in the hut was very dense?"</p> + +<p>"I could not see through it; at times the flames were so fierce that +they nearly blinded me."</p> + +<p>"But how did you manage to save the papers?"</p> + +<p>"They lay by my side on my bunda. I seized them, and took them out. They +were wrapped in a blue handkerchief."</p> + +<p>"He speaks the truth," said Mr. Catspaw, smiling; "or, rather, he tells +us what he believes to be the truth. He held something in his hand, when +he rushed from the hut more like a beast than like a human creature, I +assure you, my honourable friends. I was not at all sure whether it was +not a weapon of defence; I snatched it away, and on examination I +identified it as a most harmless handkerchief, which certainly was +wrapped round some soft substance. But," continued he, addressing the +prisoner, "if you fancy you saved the papers, my poor fellow, you are +much mistaken, indeed you are! My dear Mr. Skinner, pray fetch the +parcel which we took from Viola at the time of his capture."</p> + +<p>Mr. Skinner rose and left the room.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_109" id="Page_II_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>"The papers were in the handkerchief, I'll swear!" said Viola; but his +astonishment and rage were unbounded when the judge returned with the +parcel, which, on examination, was found to contain a pair of cotton +drawers. He knew it was the handkerchief, the same in which he had +wrapped the papers, and yet they were not there! How could he prove that +they had been stolen?</p> + +<p>"I trust my honourable friends are convinced," said Mr. Catspaw, "that +the wretched man has no intention of imposing upon the court. I believe, +indeed nothing can be more probable than that he was possessed of +Tengelyi's documents; and it is likewise very probable that he intended +to save those papers; but, according to his own statement, he was half +blind with the fire and smoke, and instead of the papers he took another +parcel—some other booty perhaps. Nothing can be more natural——"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed!" interposed Baron Shoskuty. "<i>Nemo omnibus!</i>—you know! +Awkward mistakes will happen. Perhaps you will be pleased to remember +the fire in the house of the receiver of revenues in the —— county. +The poor man was so bewildered with fear, that all he managed to get out +of the house was a pair of old boots. The whole of the government money +was burnt. The visiting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_110" id="Page_II_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> justices found the money-box empty—empty, I +say! All the bank notes were burnt, and nothing was left but a small +heap of ashes."</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen!—--" said Viola at length; but Mr. Catspaw interrupted him.</p> + +<p>"I implore my honourable friends not to resent any thing this wretched +creature may say! I am sure he speaks from his conscience; nor is he +deserving of chastisement. He is a prey to what we lawyers term +'<i>Ignorantia invincibilis</i>!'"</p> + +<p>"Of course! of course!" said Baron Shoskuty. "It's a legal remedy, you +know."</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen!" said the prisoner, "I am a poor condemned criminal; but the +judge and Mr. Catspaw are mighty men. And I am doomed to appear this day +before God's judgment-seat! What motive should I have for not telling +you the truth? May I be damned now and for ever,—yes, and may God +punish my children to the tenth generation,—if the papers were not in +this very cloth!"</p> + +<p>"I told you so!" said Mr. Catspaw, still smiling. "I knew it. This man +is doting,—'<i>borné</i>,' to use a French term. He'd say the same if we +were to put him on the rack!"</p> + +<p>"It is all very natural," said he to the prisoner. "You've made a +mistake, that's all. Pray be reason<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_111" id="Page_II_111">[Pg 111]</a></span>able, and consider, if you had +brought Mr. Tengelyi's papers from the hut, what reason could I, or Mr. +Skinner, have for refusing to produce them?"</p> + +<p>"Of course!" said Baron Shoskuty. "What reason could these gentlemen +have? How is it possible to suppose such a thing?"</p> + +<p>Viola was silent. He stood lost in deep and gloomy thoughts. At last he +raised his head, and asked that the attendants might be sent away, +adding, "I am in chains, and there are no less than six of you. You are +safe, I assure you."</p> + +<p>The room was cleared. Viola looked at Mr. Catspaw, and said:—</p> + +<p>"What I have to tell you, will astonish you all, except Mr. Catspaw. I +never wished to mention it, and I would not now allow the servants to +hear it, for my wife and children live at Tissaret, and the Retys may +perhaps be induced to pity the poor orphans. But if it is asked what +reason the attorney can have for not producing the notary's papers, I +will simply say that Mr. Catspaw is most likely to know his own mind and +his own reasons, and good reasons they must be, to induce him to bribe +somebody to steal the papers,—for, to tell you the truth, it was he who +planned the robbery."</p> + +<p>The attorney trembled.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_112" id="Page_II_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>"Really, this man <i>is</i> malicious!" cried he. "I am curious to know what +can induce him to accuse an honest man of such a thing?"</p> + +<p>"Don't listen to his nonsense!" said Baron Shoskuty.</p> + +<p>But Mr. Völgyeshy insisted on the prisoner's being heard, and Viola told +them the history of the robbery, from the evening on which he listened +to the attorney's conversation with Lady Rety, to the night in which he +seized the Jew in Tengelyi's house, knocked him down, and fled with the +papers. The only circumstances which he did not mention were, the fact +of his having been hid in the notary's house when Messrs. Catspaw and +Skinner pursued him in Tissaret, and his conversations with the Liptaka +and Peti. Mr. Catspaw listened with a smile of mingled fear and +contempt; and when Viola ceased speaking, he asked for permission to put +a few questions to the prisoner.</p> + +<p>"Not, indeed," said he, "for the purpose of defending myself or Lady +Rety against so ridiculous an accusation, but merely to convince this +fellow of the holes, nay, of the large gaps, in his abominable tissue of +falsehoods." And turning to Viola, he asked:—</p> + +<p>"Did you inform anybody of the conversation<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_113" id="Page_II_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> which you pretend to have +overheard between me and Lady Rety?"</p> + +<p>"No, I did not."</p> + +<p>"Pray consider my question. Is there any one to whom you said that some +one wished to steal the notary's papers? We ought to know your +associates. Now, did you not speak to Peti the gipsy, or to that old +hag, the Liptaka?"</p> + +<p>Viola persisted in denying the fact. He was too well aware of the +disastrous consequences this avowal would have for his friends.</p> + +<p>Mr. Catspaw went on.</p> + +<p>"Where did you hide at the time we pursued you in Tissaret?"</p> + +<p>Viola replied that he was not in Tissaret.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say you were not in the village?"</p> + +<p>"No!"</p> + +<p>The attorney sent for the old Liptaka, to whom he read her depositions, +from which it appeared that the prisoner attempted to inform Tengelyi of +the intended robbery.</p> + +<p>"What do you say to this evidence?" added he.</p> + +<p>"That it is true, every word of it. I'll swear to the truth of my +words!" said she.</p> + +<p>"Viola has confessed," said Mr. Catspaw, "that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_114" id="Page_II_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> he told you of the +matter, when hiding in the notary's house, while we pursued him through +Tissaret. Is there any truth in this statement?"</p> + +<p>The Liptaka, feeling convinced that Viola must have confessed as much, +said it was quite true, but that Tengelyi was ignorant of the prisoner's +presence. The old woman was sent away, and Mr. Catspaw, turning to the +court, asked triumphantly:—</p> + +<p>"Did you ever hear of such impertinence? The prisoner protests that he +did not inform anybody of the alleged intended robbery; and the old +woman swears that Viola did inform her, for the purpose of cautioning +the notary. Then, again, the old woman did not say any thing to the +notary, without having any ostensible reason for not doing what she +alleges she promised to do. The prisoner will have it that he was not in +Tissaret at the time we pursued him; and the witness—why, gentlemen, +the witness deposes that the subject in question was mentioned to her at +that very time. I say, you great fool! if you had time for another batch +of lies, I would advise you to make out a better story. But let us go +on. Who told you that the Jew and Tzifra intended to rob the notary?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot answer that question," replied Viola.</p> + +<p>"Indeed? What a pity! I'd like to know the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_115" id="Page_II_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> gentleman who gives you such +correct information; unless, indeed, you keep a '<i>familiaris</i>,'—a +devil, I mean."</p> + +<p>"The only thing I told you was, that I knew of the robbery."</p> + +<p>"But how did you know of it?"</p> + +<p>"The Jew and Tzifra talked about it in the pot-house near Dustbury."</p> + +<p>"Were you present? Did you hear them?"</p> + +<p>"No! I had it from a friend."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure it was your '<i>familiaris</i>,'—your devil, you artful dodger!" +said Mr. Catspaw, smiling; "but since you knew that the robbery was to +take place, why did you not inform the justice of it?"</p> + +<p>"I was outlawed; a prize was offered for my head."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, so it was; but your friend, why did not he inform the proper +authorities? Was he also <i>wanted</i>? and if so, why did he not inform +Tengelyi, or Mr. Vandory, who I understand has likewise lost his +papers?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot tell you. Perhaps he did not find the notary. At all events, +he knew that I would prevent the robbery, so he told me of it."</p> + +<p>"A very extraordinary thing, this!" said Mr. Catspaw; "for a man to +apply to a robber with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_116" id="Page_II_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> view to prevent a robbery! And you wanted to +prevent the robbery, did you not? Now tell me, did you set about it by +yourself? And what became of your comrade,—I mean the man who told you +about it? Did he, too, go to Tissaret?"</p> + +<p>"There was no occasion for it."</p> + +<p>"Still it is very extraordinary that you should not have hunted in +couples, knowing as you did that there were two men to commit the +robbery. What a capital thing for you if you could summon your comrades +to explain it all! For if some went to Tissaret to prevent the robbery, +there can be no harm in our knowing who your comrade is. He ought to be +rewarded for his zeal."</p> + +<p>"I had no comrade. I was alone!" said Viola.</p> + +<p>"Very well, you were alone; let it be so. Whom did you see in the +notary's house?"</p> + +<p>"No one but the Jew; he who is now waiting in the hall."</p> + +<p>"Did you see Tzifra?"</p> + +<p>"No. The Jew alone was in the house."</p> + +<p>"But the Jew swears that it was you who committed the robbery!"</p> + +<p>"I don't care. I've said what I've said."</p> + +<p>"Is there any thing else you have to say?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_117" id="Page_II_117">[Pg 117]</a></span>"Very well. I've done with you," said the attorney, as he rang for the +servants.</p> + +<p>"Take him away," said he, as the haiduks made their appearance. Viola +turned round and left the room.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_118" id="Page_II_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_II_VII" id="CHAPTER_II_VII"></a>CHAP. VII.</h3> + + +<p>The contradictory statements of Viola and the Liptaka, and the character +of improbability which seemed to swim on the very surface of the charge +against Mr. Catspaw and Lady Rety, convinced the court that the whole of +Viola's confession was a stupid and malicious attempt to save his life +by means of another crime,—we quote Mr. Skinner's elegant address to +his friends. Völgyeshy himself could not pretend to give a moment's +belief to so utterly ridiculous a story.</p> + +<p>"The business is as clear as daylight," said the assessor, at the close +of Mr. Skinner's speech. "The culprit makes no denial. All we have to do +is to make him sign his depositions, to confront him with the witnesses, +and to pronounce the sentence. It's just two o'clock. The prisoner ought +to have three hours to say his prayers in, and the sun sets before five. +My opinion is that we ought to look sharp!"</p> + +<p>"I do not see why," said Kishlaki, whose anxiety increased as the +proceedings drew to a close.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_119" id="Page_II_119">[Pg 119]</a></span>"Why, indeed? Did I not tell you that I must go home to-night? There are +the potatoes, and the ploughmen, and what not!"</p> + +<p>"We ought, indeed, to make haste," cried Baron Shoskuty, who, it +appeared, cared more for his dinner than for the sentence. "We cannot +allow our beautiful hostess to wait dinner for us."</p> + +<p>"You cannot finish the proceedings to-day!" interposed Völgyeshy. "The +prisoner's depositions are of great length. I want at least two hours to +transcribe them from my notes."</p> + +<p>"Nothing of the kind!" cried Mr. Skinner. "After Viola's capture I +examined him in the presence of Mr. Kenihazy. He has not since thought +proper to alter or revoke any thing in his former depositions; and +though I am sure you would do the thing more elegantly and neatly, yet I +flatter myself that our work will do for the present."</p> + +<p>To this Völgyeshy replied, that though the prisoner had not indeed +altered or protested against his first depositions, still that he had +said many things which were not mentioned in the minutes of the first +examination, and that these additional details ought also to be +carefully added to the body of the evidence.</p> + +<p>"What the deuce do you mean?" said Shoskuty,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_120" id="Page_II_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> with a degree of +astonishment which did honour to his sense of justice—"can you think of +mentioning that Mr. Catspaw and the sheriff's lady intended to rob the +notary of his papers?"</p> + +<p>"Of course. Any thing the prisoner may have said in court."</p> + +<p>"This is truly monstrous!" cried Mr. Skinner.</p> + +<p>"You know your duty, but allow me to inform you that I know mine. It is +yours to judge: it is mine to record the proceedings."</p> + +<p>"<i>Sed rogo, domine spectabilis!</i>" cried Zatonyi, "is your head turned? +What on earth are you thinking of?"</p> + +<p>"Of my duty," replied Völgyeshy; "it is my duty, I take it, to make a +clear and perfect statement of the case."</p> + +<p>"But in every case there is a deal of irrelevant matter. Suppose the +prisoner were to preach us a sermon, or he were to give us the +prescription of a plaster for corns and bunions, would you state that +kind of thing?"</p> + +<p>"My opinion of the prisoner's statements is, that they are not +irrelevant."</p> + +<p>"But, my dear friend," said the Baron, with the greatest possible +politeness, "only please to consider that our friend Zatonyi must go +home to-night on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_121" id="Page_II_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> account of his potatoes, which he will be prevented +from doing if you persist in your intention of taking down all the +nonsense which the culprit told us. And pray consider, dear sir, that +Lady Kishlaki's dinner will be spoilt! It's but common politeness to +make an end of it, and have done."</p> + +<p>"The life of a fellow creature is at least quite as much worth as Mr. +Zatonyi's potatoes; and, as for common politeness, I, for one, care more +for common fairness."</p> + +<p>"I should think so!" muttered Zatonyi.</p> + +<p>"But, sir, you are uncommonly stiff-necked!" sighed the Baron.</p> + +<p>"Why," said Mr. Kishlaki, nervously, "it strikes me that we had better +adjourn till to-morrow morning. By that time, I trust, Mr. Völgyeshy +will have completed his labours, and Mr. Zatonyi——"</p> + +<p>"No! it's utterly impossible! Nobody can be more zealous than I am. I am +always at sessions, always! but to neglect my household duties for a +mere whim—an idle fancy——"</p> + +<p>"God forbid that you should!" said Kishlaki, kindly. "But since Mr. +Völgyeshy tells us that he feels in conscience bound to take down the +whole of the prisoner's depositions, and since he cannot possibly do it +in half an hour——"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_122" id="Page_II_122">[Pg 122]</a></span>"Ej Bliktri!" said Zatonyi, angrily; "I've attended a score of +courts-martial, and in cases too which it would take a common court many +months to come to the bottom of, and for all that we never wanted more +than a day for the trial and hanging; and am I to be stopped by this +case? I never heard of such pretensions as Mr. Völgyeshy's! It is said +in the articles that the prisoner is to sign his depositions; that his +name, age, crime, and the manner of his capture are to be mentioned in +the said depositions; but it is nowhere said that they must contain any +nonsense which the prisoner may be pleased to talk; and I ask you, Mr. +Völgyeshy, sir! why on earth do you persist in your extraordinary, and, +let me say, ridiculous conduct?"</p> + +<p>"Because I think it requisite for the credibility of the proceedings; +and besides, you are aware that a suit on the question of noble descent +is being preferred against the notary of Tissaret. This suit is +materially affected by Viola's confession, which proves that certain +papers were feloniously taken from the notary's house."</p> + +<p>"It strikes me," exclaimed Mr. Catspaw, "that there are persons who +insist on my own name, and especially that of my Lady Rety, being +mentioned in the minutes, and in a highly insulting and offensive<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_123" id="Page_II_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> +manner too. Well, be it so! Lady Rety will at least have one advantage, +that of knowing her friends; for everybody must see that to mention this +affair is perfectly gratuitous."</p> + +<p>"God forbid!" said Baron Shoskuty, "that any thing should be recorded in +the minutes which might give her ladyship only a moment's uneasiness; +indeed——"</p> + +<p>"<i>Tot capita, tot sensus</i>," proceeded the attorney; "but my honourable +friends must admit that my Lady Rety and your humble servant cannot feel +pleased with Viola's calumnious statements being sent to his Excellency +and the government, particularly since the robber's death deprives us of +all means of proving the falsehood of his statements. And I put it to +you whether it is becoming and decent in a man of Mr. Völgyeshy's +character and position to make the duties of his office serve him as a +means for his revenge? for we all know that he is among the most zealous +of Mr. Rety's opponents."</p> + +<p>"It's really infamous, that it is!" cried Mr. Skinner.</p> + +<p>"I won't suffer it!" growled the assessor.</p> + +<p>Shoskuty shook his head, and bewailed the factious spirit of the county, +which caused certain individuals<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_124" id="Page_II_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> to take advantage of judicial +proceedings, for the purpose of annoying their political adversaries.</p> + +<p>Mr. Kishlaki, who had his reasons for avoiding any thing in the shape of +a quarrel with the Rety family, endeavoured to mediate between the +hostile parties. "I am sure," said he, "Mr. Völgyeshy has no idea of +insulting our respected sheriff, though he forgot that his intention +must necessarily grieve the illustrious family of the Retys. If the +papers remained in the archives of the county, there could be no harm in +your recording the whole of the evidence; but as this is not the case, I +am sure, sir, you cannot wish to annoy one of the greatest families of +the county; for I take it you must be aware of the truth of Mr. +Catspaw's argument, that the death of the prisoner deprives the very +respectable persons whom he has slandered of the means of putting him to +shame."</p> + +<p>"What prevents Mr. Catspaw from preserving the means of defence?" said +Völgyeshy, with a flush of generous excitement in his pale cheeks.</p> + +<p>The worshipful gentlemen looked amazed, but the lawyer proceeded:</p> + +<p>"A single dissentient vote is enough to save the prisoner's life. If Mr. +Catspaw thinks that Viola's confession is likely to injure him or Lady +Rety, let<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_125" id="Page_II_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> him give that vote, and thus preserve the possibility of +disproving Viola's statements."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes!" cried Mr. Kishlaki, eager to obtain the two objects next to +his heart, namely, the liberation of the prisoner and the conciliation +of the Rety family. "Yes, sir; to show my high respect for the sheriff, +I am ready to give that vote!"</p> + +<p>"<i>Per amorem! Domine spectabilis!</i>" shrieked Zatonyi; "do you mean to +say that the fellow is not to be hanged?"</p> + +<p>"Shocking! shocking!" sighed Baron Shoskuty, with an appealing look to +heaven; "the robber is in our hands; our honourable friend Mr. Skinner +has covered himself with glory, and risked his life, in capturing him; +he indicts him before a court-martial, and <i>we</i>—<i>we</i> discharge the +fellow! Nobody ever heard of such a thing!"</p> + +<p>"I, for one," cried Mr. Skinner, "won't allow you to make a fool of me! +What the devil! is a man to risk his life for nothing? You won't catch +me again at this kind of thing, I assure you!"</p> + +<p>"Not hang the rascal?" roared Zatonyi. "I've attended scores of +courts-martial, but I never heard of any thing like it. It's +prostituting justice! it's protecting crime! it's——"</p> + +<p>"Of course; so it is," said Baron Shoskuty;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_126" id="Page_II_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> "it's putting a premium on +robbery! it's a deleterious example!"</p> + +<p>"Public safety will go to the dogs!" howled Mr. Skinner; and they all +spoke at once: "Scandalous!—infamous!—new doctrines!—<i>fautores +criminum!</i>—disgrace!" such were the words which predominated in this +Babel of angry voices, until Mr. Völgyeshy at length silenced them. He +protested what he wanted was not the liberation of the prisoner, but the +transmission of the prosecution to the ordinary court.</p> + +<p>"Of course!" sneered Mr. Zatonyi; "are we not aware of the practice of +the court? I know of three cases,—I was not present, for if I had been +I would not have allowed it; but I know of three cases in which the +prisoners were sent to the courts; and what was the consequence? Why, +one of them was sentenced to three months', and the second to a year's +imprisonment; as for the third, they let him off altogether, though I'd +bet you any thing the fellow was a robber. Don't you think, sir, we are +so green as all that! The county has the right of court-martial for the +purpose of using it; and use it we will!"</p> + +<p>"I do not think that the courts-martial were granted under the express +condition that a few<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_127" id="Page_II_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> people should be hanged every year," said +Völgyeshy.</p> + +<p>"It appears," said Mr. Catspaw, "that the liberation of the prisoner, +or, at least, his prosecution in a common court, has been proposed for +the purpose of favouring the Lady Rety and me. But I feel myself +authorised to protest, in Lady Rety's name, that neither she nor I can +consent to the court allowing themselves to be influenced by any private +feelings in our favour, however flattering those feelings may be to her +ladyship."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Catspaw, sir, you are a gentleman!" said Baron Shoskuty; and the +question was at once put, whether the prisoner's first depositions +should be authenticated, or whether it was advisable to make out a new +relation of the facts, and to adjourn the sentence to the following day. +Kishlaki advocated the second alternative; but he was overruled by the +court, and nothing was left to Völgyeshy but to declare that he would +not and could not obey the instructions of the court. Kishlaki was +greatly shocked by this declaration; Zatonyi swore; the Baron rose, and +shaking his most honourable friend's hand, he entreated him to pardon +them if their resolution was offensive to him.</p> + +<p>"Consider the <i>homo sum, amice</i>! consider the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_128" id="Page_II_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> <i>nihil humanum</i>!—we all +pay unbounded respect to your principles and talents, but to the +majority you ought to submit. Consider that every body does so, and I am +sure you will see——"</p> + +<p>But Völgyeshy protested that he could not, in the present case, <i>join</i> +the decision of the majority, though he acknowledged he had no legal +remedy against them. That was the reason why he wished to withdraw. His +firmness, or (as Shoskuty called it) obstinacy, threw the court into +hopeless confusion, and there is no saying what they would not have +done, if Mr. Catspaw had not volunteered to discharge the functions of a +notary.</p> + +<p>"Sir, your offer is accepted, gratefully accepted, I say," cried +Zatonyi. "Mr. Völgyeshy, who has just entered the service, will in time +find out that a man is none the worse for doing his duty according to +the decision of a majority. Leave him alone with his principles! he'll +soon get tired of them, I'll warrant you!"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Völgyeshy," said the attorney, with a sneer, "has brought the +matter to this point for the purpose of saving the prisoner's life,—a +noble and generous feeling, gentlemen, especially in this time of +general philanthropy,—quite a romantic feeling, I assure you, +gentlemen. But we, who are older,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_129" id="Page_II_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> and, let me say so, tougher, cannot +imitate his example, though I trust the noble young man gives me credit +for appreciating his motives. As I told you, I am ready to officiate in +his place; but I think Mr. Völgyeshy, seeing that his refusal to act has +no effect upon us, will not persist in his refusal. Am I right, my +generous young friend?"</p> + +<p>But the generous young friend rose, and pushing his batch of papers to +Mr. Catspaw, he declared that nothing could induce him to take a part in +the proceedings, which he went to the length of designating as an act of +judicial tyranny.</p> + +<p>This bold declaration called forth a fresh torrent of abuse.</p> + +<p>"Disgraceful!" cried Mr. Skinner.</p> + +<p>"It's infamous!" said Zatonyi.</p> + +<p>"You ought to be ashamed of yourself, sir!" snarled Mr. Catspaw.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," said Völgyeshy, when their frantic rage had in a manner +subsided, "I meant no offence to any of you. Allow me to explain what I +said."</p> + +<p>"Explain? What the devil do you mean to explain, sir?" cried Zatonyi. +"Do you mean to say, sir, that we are murderers? Are you aware that you +have no vote? To insult the judges is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_130" id="Page_II_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> an infamous act; d—n you, sir, +you're infamous, sir!"</p> + +<p>"Yes!" said the Baron; "let us pass a resolution to that effect."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to do it by court-martial?" asked Völgyeshy, with a +scornful smile.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir! In any way, sir! I'm sure <i>I</i> don't care. Whoever insults the +judges or the court is infamous! That's written law, sir! it's in the +<i>corpus juris</i>. And you'll find it law, sir, and to your cost, sir!"</p> + +<p>"It is <i>ad horribilationem</i>!" groaned Zatonyi.</p> + +<p>"You may, if you please, pass a resolution of infamy against me," said +Völgyeshy; "but permit me, not indeed for the sake of those who care for +nothing except the execution of the prisoner, but out of love and +respect for your president——"</p> + +<p>"<i>Captatio benevolentiæ!</i>" cried Zatonyi. "Our respected president wants +no flatteries from the like of you!"</p> + +<p>"——direct the attention of the court——"</p> + +<p>"The attention of the court wants no direction whatever," said the +Baron.</p> + +<p>"——to the heavy responsibility which rests with every one of you, if +the present proceedings are brought to a fatal end."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_131" id="Page_II_131">[Pg 131]</a></span>"What, the devil! are the judges to be made responsible? I never in all +my life——"</p> + +<p>"Halljuk! halljuk!" said Kishlaki, who listened with great eagerness.</p> + +<p>Völgyeshy took the articles, and pointed out to the court that their +safety consisted in the strict legality of their proceedings, and that +the present case did not come within their jurisdiction.</p> + +<p>"<i>Crassa ignorantia!</i>" said Zatonyi, contemptuously, "as is but too +common among the young gentlemen of the present day. Viola's case is a +court-martial case with a vengeance!"</p> + +<p>"But the details——"</p> + +<p>"<i>Crassa ignorantia!</i>" cried the assessor, raising his voice. "Did he +not resist the capture? Did he steal Tengelyi's papers because they were +eatables? which, I admit, would constitute an extenuating circumstance; +or is he under age, or a lunatic? Or is the gang to which he belongs +indicted before any court at law?"</p> + +<p>Völgyeshy remarked, that the case was so intricate that it would take +the court at least three days to sift it.</p> + +<p>"Three days, indeed! I'd do away with twenty of these rascals in much +less time than that!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_132" id="Page_II_132">[Pg 132]</a></span>"It seems you have forgotten what the prisoner said concerning certain +accusations——"</p> + +<p>"Which have nothing whatever to do with the question at issue," cried +Baron Shoskuty; "there's no mention of them in the minutes. I mean to +forget them."</p> + +<p>"Sir!"</p> + +<p>"Baron Shoskuty is right," said the assessor; "the prisoner's +nonsensical talk has nothing in common with the <i>species facti</i>—it's no +use mentioning it."</p> + +<p>"But what is to become of the completeness of the record?" cried +Völgyeshy, angrily.</p> + +<p>"It's a stupid formality. See chapter 6. paragraph 5. of the articles, +where it is provided that the court is at liberty to dispense with the +forms of the courts at law."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we can do as we please, and in the very teeth of all manners of +forms, too," said the Baron.</p> + +<p>"Of course you can hang the prisoner!" shouted Völgyeshy; "but I protest +that what you do is an act of violence, not of justice!"</p> + +<p>"Hold your tongue, sir!—--"</p> + +<p>"The members of this court have no right to sit in it!—I appeal to the +articles!"</p> + +<p>"Outrageous!" cried Zatonyi, rising from his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_133" id="Page_II_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> chair; "what! are we not +assessors?—have we not taken our oaths?—are we not——?"</p> + +<p>"Are we not lawyers of unblemished character?—men of firmness and +impartiality?" continued the Baron.</p> + +<p>"Turn him out!" roared Mr. Skinner.</p> + +<p>"Actio! Actio!" gasped Baron Shoskuty in his turn.</p> + +<p>"I protest you are not impartial!" said Völgyeshy.</p> + +<p>"Bliktri!" snarled Zatonyi; "what have the articles to do with +impartiality?"</p> + +<p>"Very true! but suppose impartiality <i>were</i> required," said Shoskuty, +violently, "suppose it <i>were</i> required, what then? Are we not strictly +impartial? Which of us has said a single word in favour of the prisoner, +unless it be you? but, goodness be thanked! you've no vote, sir!"</p> + +<p>"I am curious to know how you would manage to prove our want of +impartiality?" said Mr. Catspaw.</p> + +<p>"I'll satisfy your curiosity, sir," said the young lawyer. "As for you, +you are accused, and it is evidently your interest to do away with the +accusation and the accuser. Of Mr. Skinner's want of impartiality there +can be no question. What shall<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_134" id="Page_II_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> we say of a judge who degrades his +office to the level of the hangman?"</p> + +<p>"Meanness! Impertinence! Turn him out! Actio!" screamed the judges.</p> + +<p>"No! You are not impartial! You are thirsting for the prisoner's blood! +You want his life to shield your own misdeeds! There is vendetta between +you and the prisoner! But I will not suffer it! I will publish the +proceedings! I will complain to the lord-lieutenant! I will——"</p> + +<p>"Base informer! are you aware of the laws of 1805? Turn him out!" roared +the court; and Völgyeshy, finding that nothing could persuade them, +turned to leave the room, when Mr. Skinner rose and seized him by the +arm.</p> + +<p>"Be off, you miscreant!" roared the valorous judge.</p> + +<p>Völgyeshy pushed him back, and taking his hat, he bowed to the +president, and withdrew.</p> + +<p>The uproar in the justice-room attracted the attention of the people +outside in no slight degree. The conversation of the haiduks, Pandurs, +witnesses, and servants gradually ceased, and every one listened to the +noise of angry voices in the justice-room. The Liptaka sat close by the +door listening to the dispute, and from time to time she would turn to +the smith and inform him that Viola's case was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_135" id="Page_II_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> very bad; "for," said +she, "if the gentlemen get out of temper with each other, they always +manage to make a poor body suffer for it:" a remark to which the smith +did not fail to respond with deep sighs.</p> + +<p>Viola alone paid no attention to the quarrels of his judges. Surrounded +by a troop of armed men, he leaned against one of the wooden pillars of +the hall, looking towards the gate where his wife and children stood. +All the robber's thoughts were of them. When the door opened, and +Völgyeshy entered the hall, Viola turned round, for he thought they had +sent for him to read his sentence. He longed for it; for the Pandurs had +told him that, after hearing it, he would be allowed to speak to his +wife. Calling to Völgyeshy, as the latter approached, he said: "Is it +over?"</p> + +<p>"Not quite," answered the lawyer.</p> + +<p>"But why do you leave them?"</p> + +<p>"I have no vote. I cannot be of any use to you."</p> + +<p>"I thought so," said Viola, with a bitter smile. "God bless you for +having given yourself all this trouble for the sake of a poor man; but, +if you will show me pity, tell them to allow my wife to come to me. +There she stands, by the gate; there she stands, with her children! +They've pushed her back: they will not let her speak to me! All I want +is to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_136" id="Page_II_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> have her with me. You see I am chained and closely watched, and +in a few hours I shall be a dead man. What harm can there be in +lessening the anguish of my poor, wretched wife!"</p> + +<p>Völgyeshy said nothing; but he walked precipitately up to the place +where Susi stood, took her by the hand, and led her to Viola's arms. The +wretched people did not speak: they wept, and trembled; the little boy +took and kissed his father's hand, sore as it was with the weight of the +chain: and the large tear-drops rolled over the robber's pale face.</p> + +<p>The burst of generous indignation in which the members of the court had +for a time indulged was, meanwhile, subsiding. Mr. Catspaw, seated in +Völgyeshy's place, arranged that gentleman's papers and notes to his own +liking; and though Mr. Skinner still continued to vent his spleen in +frequent and indecent exclamations against the young lawyer's +impertinence, it was found that none of the other members of the court +sympathised with his protracted irascibility. Baron Shoskuty and the +assessor Zatonyi talked of their dinner and other important matters. Mr. +Kishlaki alone seemed distressed and nervous.</p> + +<p>Viola was at length summoned before the court<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_137" id="Page_II_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> to sign his depositions. +When they were read to him, he observed that they contained none of his +statements about Tengelyi's papers; but upon Mr. Catspaw informing him +that he was merely required to testify to the correctness of those +things which <i>were</i> stated, and that the other parts of his confession +would be taken down separately, he made no further objections, but +signed his name, to the immoderate satisfaction of the cunning attorney.</p> + +<p>Nothing was now wanting but the sentence. The assessor yawned fearfully, +offered his snuff-box to everybody, and protested that he had never had +so troublesome a sitting. Baron Shoskuty consulted his watch (for the +twentieth time, at least), and informed the court that it was past three +o'clock, and that the want of his dinner had given him a headache: +<i>denique</i>, (to use his own words,) "there was no time to be lost." +Acting up to this hint, Mr. Catspaw made a short <i>résumé</i> of the facts; +and concluded by protesting that there could be no doubt about the +sentence of capital punishment. Mr. Skinner said the same. Mr. Zatonyi +laughed, and swore that Miss Lydia Languish herself could not find +another verdict!—an opinion upon which the Baron commented at great +length, for the purpose of finally adopting it. Mr. Kishlaki alone sat +silent and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_138" id="Page_II_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> anxious, turning to each of the judges with a sigh as each +recorded his sentence; until, at length, he pretended to fall into a fit +of profound meditation.</p> + +<p>"Really," said Baron Shoskuty, at length, producing his watch to add to +the strength of his arguments, "I must ask my honourable friend's pardon +for disturbing him in his reflections on the enormity of the crime; but +really we ought not to abuse Lady Kishlaki's patience."</p> + +<p>"You are right," said the president, greatly relieved; "quite right, my +dear sir: let us adjourn till to-morrow morning. This confounded +execution cannot possibly take place to-day."</p> + +<p>"Oh! why should it not?" asked Zatonyi, indignantly. "Did I not tell you +that I must go home? My potatoes——"</p> + +<p>"We are bound to grant the prisoner at least three hours," said the +president; "and it's quite dark at five o'clock. You would not hang him +by candlelight, would you?"</p> + +<p>"My honourable friend is quite right," cried Shoskuty. "We ought to have +a game at tarok after all this trouble. Besides, I owe the gentlemen +their revenge for the pagat. But why should we not pass the sentence +to-night, and have it executed at an early hour to-morrow morning?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_139" id="Page_II_139">[Pg 139]</a></span>"Because," said Mr. Kishlaki, nervously,—"because the decision rests +with me; and—because—I must own—that I have not yet made up my mind."</p> + +<p>"<i>Domine spectabilis!</i>" cried Zatonyi, clasping his hands. "You, at your +time of life! You, who have served the county so many years, you have +not made up your mind? I've attended a score of courts-martial, and <i>I</i> +always made up my mind in less than a second. What would your enemies +say, if they knew it?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Skinner, too, expressed his scorn of such weakness of mind in the +strongest terms; still Kishlaki would not be persuaded either to absolve +or to condemn the prisoner. He entreated his friends to wait till the +morrow. But his request was obstinately opposed by Mr. Catspaw, who knew +the man he had to deal with, and who was aware that Kishlaki would not +be able to resist the entreaties of his wife and son, and the reasonings +of Völgyeshy, if he was allowed to appear in their presence before he +had recorded his decision.</p> + +<p>"I am sure," pleaded the attorney, "it cannot matter to us whether you +deliver your judgment to-day or to-morrow; but my wish is, that there +should be an end to the business. I wish it for the prisoner's sake. +After the sentence he will be at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_140" id="Page_II_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> liberty to talk to his wife, to +prepare for death, and to make any arrangements he has to make. But if +it is really inconvenient, of course we cannot pretend that the +prisoner's wishes should be consulted in preference to yours."</p> + +<p>Zatonyi, seeing the effect which these words had upon Kishlaki, remarked +that Viola was indeed a great criminal, whose agony ought in strict +justice to be prolonged <i>ad infinitum</i>; but that some consideration was +due to humanity, for he could not, he said, believe that any man in his +senses could for a moment doubt of the nature of the sentence, which his +honourable friend wished to delay. To this Mr. Catspaw replied, that +their worthy president could not have any such intention, and that he +(Mr. Catspaw) would never have dared to insinuate any such thing; but +that no one could be more fully aware than he (Mr. Catspaw) was, of the +solemn duty by which every judge was bound to disregard his own feelings +and passions; and that he (Mr. Catspaw) was convinced that his worthy +friend, Mr. Kishlaki, would eventually prove himself deserving of the +confidence of the county. And Baron Shoskuty gave them a homily on the +beauty of humane feelings, which, he said, imperatively demanded that +Viola should be sentenced off hand.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_141" id="Page_II_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> And it was said, that it was +necessary to make an example, and that kindness to the wicked is cruelty +to the good. And Mr. Skinner told fearful tales of the enormities of +which Viola and his comrades had been guilty, and would be guilty, +unless a wholesome fear of courts-martial were propagated among the +people; till the poor old man, attacked on all sides, and unable to make +head against a torrent of arguments, which he had always been taught to +consider as irrefutable, was at length reduced to submission to the will +of his more crafty colleagues. With a deep sigh, he confirmed their +verdict.</p> + +<p>"God sees my heart," said he, raising his eyes to heaven. "I know not +what I would give to spare the life of this man! but I cannot violate my +duty."</p> + +<p>Mr. Catspaw commenced at once to draw up the sentence, while his friends +strove hard to dispel the gloom which settled on Kishlaki's face; when +the door was suddenly thrown open, and Susi, with a child in her arms, +rushed into the room, followed by two haiduks, who vainly strove to +detain her.</p> + +<p>"Pity!" cried the wretched woman, throwing herself at Kishlaki's feet. +"Pity, sir! oh sir, don't kill my husband!"</p> + +<p>Kishlaki would have raised her, but she resisted.</p> + +<p>"No! no!" sobbed she; "let us kneel! let my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_142" id="Page_II_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> child kneel! Come Pishta, +come, kiss this gentleman's hands! it is he who has to judge of your +father's life! Entreat him! pray to him, Pishta!"</p> + +<p>"I pray, sir, do not kill my father!" sobbed the little boy.</p> + +<p>"Did I ever—what impertinence!" cried Mr. Skinner. "This worshipful +court does not kill anybody!"</p> + +<p>"No, God forbid!" said the poor woman; "do not mind the child's asking +you not to kill his father. He does not know what he says. He is the son +of a poor peasant; he has no education. I know I too talk wildly, +but——"</p> + +<p>"My good woman," said Kishlaki, "my duties as a judge are painful, but +imperative and——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I do not ask the court to absolve him from all punishment. No! I do +not mean to say that. Punish him severely, cruelly, no matter how, only +don't kill him!—Oh! pardon me for saying the word. Oh, pardon me! Send +Viola to gaol for many years, for ever, if it must be so; but do spare +his life! Perhaps he has told you that he cares not for death—he is +fond of talking in this way—but don't believe what he said! When he +said it, he had not seen his children; but now he has kissed little +Pishta, I am sure he will not say so; and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_143" id="Page_II_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> baby too smiled at him as +he stood in his chains. Oh! if you could but see the baby, and if you +could hear it calling its father with its small sweet voice, you'd never +believe Viola when he says he wishes to die!"</p> + +<p>"D—n your squeaking!" growled Mr. Skinner, "and d—n the blockhead that +let her come in! Be off, I say! Your husband's a dead man; if he's +afraid of death, why so much the better!"</p> + +<p>"Did I say he was afraid of death?" sighed poor Susi. "I told you a lie! +Viola longs for death! Death is no punishment for him! If you want to +punish him, you must lock him up! He's often told me he would rather die +than live in a prison!"</p> + +<p>Kishlaki looked at her with streaming eyes. Shoskuty produced his watch.</p> + +<p>"Oh! sir, I know you will send him to prison! What is death to him? It's +but the pain of a moment; but we are the sufferers. I have two +children—this boy and the other child, which the Liptaka has in her +arms—the Liptaka, I mean the old woman at the door; and what am I to do +if their father is hanged?"</p> + +<p>Zatonyi remarked, very judiciously, that it made no difference to the +children whether their father was hanged or sent to prison for life.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_144" id="Page_II_144">[Pg 144]</a></span>"Oh! but it does, sir. It may make no difference to your worships, but +it does to us. I know he will be of good behaviour. I will walk to +Vienna, I will crawl on my hands and knees after the king until he +pardons my husband; and if he will not pardon him, I shall at least be +allowed to see him in prison; I can show him the children, and how they +have grown! I can bring him something to eat and to put on—oh! for +pity's sake, send him to prison! It's a heaven for me; but death is +fearful!"</p> + +<p>"Fearful, indeed! It's half-past three!" sighed Shoskuty.</p> + +<p>"Now do be quiet," said Zatonyi, taking a pinch of snuff. "Besides, it's +too late. We've passed the sentence."</p> + +<p>"The sentence! The sentence of death!" shrieked Susi.</p> + +<p>"It's at your service," sneered Mr. Skinner, pointing to a paper which +was just being folded up by Mr. Catspaw.</p> + +<p>"But suppose it is bad—it is faulty," muttered the woman. "Suppose I +say it's wrong—for death is not a punishment to Viola—it's <i>I</i> that am +punished!"</p> + +<p>"It's done, and can't be undone," said Zatonyi; "don't bore us with your +useless lamentations."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_145" id="Page_II_145">[Pg 145]</a></span>"It wants but a quarter to four," said the Baron. "I wonder whether this +scene is to last any longer?"</p> + +<p>"But I pray," said Susi, shuddering; "it's but a sheet of paper. If you +take another, and write some other words upon it, you can allow Viola to +live."</p> + +<p>"Oh indeed! Why should we not? Be off, we've had trouble enough on your +account! Mr. Catspaw won't write another sentence to please you."</p> + +<p>"Not to please me; but because it's a question of life and death."</p> + +<p>"My good woman," sighed Kishlaki, wiping his eyes, "we have no power to +alter the sentence!"</p> + +<p>"No power? No——"</p> + +<p>"It is impossible!" said Zatonyi.</p> + +<p>The poor woman shrieked and fell on the floor. She was taken away; and +the sentence was read to Viola.</p> + +<p>As the judges left the room, Shoskuty said to Zatonyi:—</p> + +<p>"God be thanked that it is over!"</p> + +<p>"God be thanked, indeed! I've never heard of such a court-martial——"</p> + +<p>"<i>Denique</i>, if the president is a donkey," remarked Shoskuty.</p> + +<p>"Yes; a man who weeps at the mere squeaking of a woman!" said Mr. +Skinner, as he joined the two<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_146" id="Page_II_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> worthies; "unless we all dun him he won't +allow the execution to take place."</p> + +<p>"It's four o'clock now, and I'll bet you any thing the dinner is spoilt; +and the roast meats used to be excellent!" said the Baron, with a deep +sigh.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_147" id="Page_II_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_II_VIII" id="CHAPTER_II_VIII"></a>CHAP. VIII.</h3> + + +<p>On his way from the justice-room to the house, Völgyeshy met Kalman and +young Rety's servant, Janosh; the former of whom held an open letter in +his hand: and his stamping, his unequal paces, and the sudden manner in +which he would turn upon his companion, showed that he was labouring +under a strong excitement. At some distance a groom was walking two +horses, whose appearance showed that their riders had paid more +attention to time than to the health of their beasts.</p> + +<p>Völgyeshy was not in a temper to seek the society of others; and +observing that young Kishlaki did not see him, he turned and walked to +the house. But Kalman, whose attention was directed to him by a few +words from the hussar, rushed after him, and cried—</p> + +<p>"Is it over?"</p> + +<p>The violence with which these words were pronounced, startled Völgyeshy. +He stood still and said:</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is over! They had settled the matter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_148" id="Page_II_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> before they commenced the +sitting. But that farce—or sitting, if you like—continues still."</p> + +<p>"But what are you doing here? Are you not a member of the court?"</p> + +<p>"I have a seat, but no vote; and I left them because——" Völgyeshy +paused, and added: "We had better not talk of these things here. Let us +go to your room, where I'll tell you all; besides, I have a request to +make of you."</p> + +<p>"I say, Janosh!" cried Kalman. "Go to my servant and get something to +drink. My groom will take care of your horse."</p> + +<p>"No, no, young gentleman!" said the old man, shaking his head; "my horse +is number one, and I'm number two. Meat after corn, sir, that's the way +we did it in our time; and, besides, you see I've brought my master's +own horse. He's a jewel, and I wouldn't trust him with that lad for any +thing."</p> + +<p>"Do as you please, Janosh; but when the horse is provided for, I must +see you."</p> + +<p>When the two young men had entered the house, Kalman turned to +Völgyeshy, and said,—"Now tell me why, in the name of all that is +reasonable, did you leave the court?"</p> + +<p>"Because I would not be a party to a murder! because I scorned to be a +tool in their hands<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_149" id="Page_II_149">[Pg 149]</a></span>—because I would not lend my hand to their knavish +and diabolical designs!"</p> + +<p>"My dear friend, you're out of temper! How can you talk of such things +when my father is one of the parties concerned? I am sure <i>he</i> would +never be guilty of any knavery."</p> + +<p>"That was <i>my</i> opinion. Believe me no one <i>can</i> respect your father more +than I do. He's a good and blessed man! I have always said so, and I say +so now; but your father is weak, and his weakness neutralises the best +feelings of his heart. The wickedness and folly of this world are not at +the doors of the wicked and foolish alone, but also at the doors of +those honest and good men, whose weakness and laziness,—let me say +whose <i>gentility</i>,—cause them to suffer what they have the power to +prevent. The wicked are powerful, not because of their numbers and +strength, but because they are reckless, energetic, and daring; while +the good and honest are weak, and though they would scorn to act, they +are not ashamed at conniving at any meanness which they may set +a-going."</p> + +<p>"I agree with you," said Kalman, "and I fear the remark applies in a +manner to my father; but, abuse them as you like, only tell me what has +happened!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_150" id="Page_II_150">[Pg 150]</a></span>Völgyeshy gave him a short account of the transaction, and Kalman +listened with evident distress.</p> + +<p>"Never!" cried he, when Völgyeshy concluded his tale; "impossible! They +cannot condemn a fellow-creature in that manner. My father will never +consent to it!"</p> + +<p>"He will consent—indeed, I am sure he has already given his consent. +The question was decided when it was resolved that Viola's confession +respecting Tengelyi's papers should not be mentioned in the records."</p> + +<p>"Confound it!" cried Kalman "And that letter which they sent me from +Tissaret. I must save him in spite of a hundred courts-martial!"</p> + +<p>"Did they send you a letter? Did the sheriff perhaps?"</p> + +<p>"No; but you know Akosh is wounded—Etelka writes in his name. Read the +letter."</p> + +<p>Völgyeshy took the paper and read as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Tengelyi's papers are of the greatest importance. +There is reason to believe that my brother's +happiness, that the happiness of all of us, is +concerned in your recovering them. Viola did not +commit the robbery. Whatever he may have confessed on +this subject, it is all true. He has acted far more +nobly than any <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_151" id="Page_II_151">[Pg 151]</a></span>one else can do—it is horrible to +think that he is to suffer death for his generous +conduct. Certain persons will move heaven and earth to +obtain a verdict against him, for his death removes +the only witness in the case of the papers. I entreat +you to save him! it is the first favour I ever asked +of you; and the very generous manner in which you took +Tengelyi's part at the election, gives me hope that it +will not be the last.</p> + +<p class="signature">"Etelka."</p></div> + +<p>"You see, I am bound to save him! I'd forfeit my life to save him! I'm +bound to do it," cried Kalman.</p> + +<p>"There is some signal villany going on," said the lawyer; "this letter +shows that my suspicions are but too well founded."</p> + +<p>"What in ——'s name are we to do! By Jove I'll go down and tell Catspaw +that he is a rascal, and a dirty thief, and——"</p> + +<p>"Not so fast!" said Völgyeshy, stopping the impetuous young man in his +way to the door. "If you make a scene, you will spoil all. It strikes me +that that fellow Catspaw is but the tool of others, a dirty tool, I +grant you, but still a tool; and, unless I am very much mistaken, there +are some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_152" id="Page_II_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> people mixed up in this affair, whom it would not be wise in +you, and much less in Akosh and Etelka, to involve in a criminal +prosecution."</p> + +<p>"Yes; but I say, let me go down! A single vote can save him, and my +father——"</p> + +<p>At that moment Janosh entered the room, and informed them that the +sitting was over, and that Viola was sentenced to death.</p> + +<p>"Confound me!" cried Kalman; "confound my being away from home this +morning! I was aware that our Gulyash is a friend of Viola's! I believed +that he would be able to get the papers; so I talked to him last night, +but he told me he had not seen any thing of the robber. I returned last +night, and early this morning I left for our Puszta to see our Tshikosh. +Nothing was known of Viola's capture when I started. The Puszta is more +than eleven miles from here; and when I had rested my horse, and indeed +when I was on my way home, confound it! I got this letter."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir!" said Janosh; "I had no idea that your worship had gone to +the Puszta. I've been up and down the county in every direction, and all +to no purpose, until some one told me you had taken that way."</p> + +<p>"I know it's not your fault, Janosh. It's that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_153" id="Page_II_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> cursed fate of mine! If +I had been at home, no harm would have come to Viola; but what am I to +do now that the sentence——"</p> + +<p>"After all, what does it signify?" said the hussar, stroking his +moustache.</p> + +<p>"You know what's in the letter. They ask me to save him; and what can I +do now that he's condemned?"</p> + +<p>"If your worship will do a kind thing for the love of Miss Etelka—I beg +your pardon—for the love of my young master; and if your worship will +save Viola——"</p> + +<p>"'If!' and 'will!' I'd give my life if I <i>could</i> do it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, then we need not care for such a bit of a sentence. Only think, +sir, what should we do for ropes if every man were hanged whom they +condemn in Hungary?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you are not aware," said Völgyeshy, "that there's a +court-martial in the case. In a common court——"</p> + +<p>"Of course, of course!" said Janosh; and, turning to young Kishlaki, he +whispered, "Do not let us mention these things before strangers."</p> + +<p>"Don't mind Mr. Völgyeshy," said Kalman.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_154" id="Page_II_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> "He knows all about it; and +he'd help us if he could."</p> + +<p>"So I would," said the lawyer.</p> + +<p>"That alters the matter entirely. The worshipful gentlemen do not like +us to put our fingers into their pie; and when they wish to hang a +fellow, they are apt to be unreasonable if he escapes. They are fond of +being hard upon the like of me."</p> + +<p>"But what is it you mean to do?"</p> + +<p>"I myself hardly know. I want to reconnoitre the place; but shoot me if +I don't find a means to set him free! They won't hang him to-night; +there's plenty of time to think about it. Mr. Kalman is at home here; +that's half the battle. Your cellars are full of wine; we've lots of +money, keys, ropes, and a horse. Hej!" added he, laughing; "did you ever +hear of the adventures of the famous Baron Trenck?"</p> + +<p>"Thanks, old Janosh!" cried Kalman, shaking his hand; "do as you please +in the house! manage it all your own way, and throw the blame upon me!"</p> + +<p>"Very well! very well indeed!" said the hussar, twisting his moustache; +"old Janosh isn't half so dull as people fancy, and, <i>terrem tette</i>! an +old soldier has had capital schooling in these things. But you must go +to dinner, for unless you do, they'll fancy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_155" id="Page_II_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> we are mustering our +forces, as indeed we are. I'll reconnoitre the place."</p> + +<p>"I'm your sworn friend to the end of my life!" said Kalman, as he left +the room with Völgyeshy.</p> + +<p>"Don't mention it," muttered the old soldier; "a man who has served the +emperor so many years, and who has fought in the battle of Aspern, and +in France, such a man wants none of your gratitude, especially since I +have my own master. But I dare say Master Kalman would like to oblige +our young lady. Very well, I'm agreeable; that's all I can say. He's a +fine young fellow, and almost as good a horseman as my own master, which +is saying a great deal, for he had the benefit of <i>my</i> schooling." +Muttering these and other things, Janosh marched to the steward's house, +where he met Peti the gipsy.</p> + +<p>We need hardly say that Lady Kishlaki's dinner was as dull and gloomy as +any dinner can be. Völgyeshy and Kalman were thoughtful and silent. The +lady of the house did not press her guests to eat; nor did she ask them +to excuse the bad cooking, although almost every dish stood in need of a +thousand apologies. Mr. Kishlaki, who remarked his wife's altered +manner, and who justly interpreted the looks of reproach which she cast +upon him, sat staring at his plate with so anxious and careworn a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_156" id="Page_II_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> face, +that Völgyeshy would gladly have spoken to him but for the presence of +Messrs. Skinner and Kenihazy, who, to do them justice, strove hard but +unsuccessfully to amuse their host. Baron Shoskuty's compliments, and +Mr. Zatonyi's anecdotes, were equally lost on their gloomy and +dispirited audience; and everybody felt relieved when the dinner was +over. Kalman, in particular, could hardly bridle his impatience; the +moment Lady Kishlaki rose from the table, he left the room with +Völgyeshy.</p> + +<p>"How are we getting on, Janosh?" asked Kalman, when he saw the old +hussar, who was smoking his pipe in the hall.</p> + +<p>"Pretty well, sir; let us go to your room, and I'll tell you all about +it."</p> + +<p>"Do you think we can possibly save him?" asked Kalman, as they entered +his apartments.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" said Janosh. "The commander of the fortress has it all his +own way. Any man whom he will allow to get out, why that man gets +out—that's all."</p> + +<p>"But how will you do it?"</p> + +<p>"The curate of Tissaret is here," whispered the hussar. "When he saw +that Viola was bound to a post, and in the open air, and in November, +too, with but an armful of straw for him to lie on; and his poor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_157" id="Page_II_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> wife +and children shivering and shaking by his side;—and I tell you, sir, +fine children they are, as fine as any you can see; but, as I told you, +when the curate saw them, he said it was a shame, and he would not stand +it, and the law was that the prisoner ought not to be kept in the open +air at this time of the year. Says I to myself, when the curate +sermonised them, says I, 'That's as lucky a thing as can be!' for, to +tell you the truth, I had my doubts about our getting him off, if they'd +keep him in that cursed shed. The great donkeys have put four lamps +round him, seeing they wish to watch every one of his movements. But, of +course, I didn't say a word about it. I only told the steward that there +was no harm in what the curate said; for, after all, it is a safe thing +to have your prisoner locked up and provided for."</p> + +<p>"But what for?" asked Kalman, impatiently; "of what use can it be to us, +if they lock Viola up?"</p> + +<p>"Locking your prisoner up is a capital thing in its way," said the +hussar. "When your prisoner is by himself, where no one sees him, he can +do as he likes, and there are few things he will not do. But if he is +watched by half-a-dozen men and more, let him be ever so stout a man, it +cows him down. At the least of his motions, he's got a dozen hands<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_158" id="Page_II_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> upon +him, and he's laughed at to boot. But if they put Viola into the +chaff-loft, which I understand they think of doing, they may whistle for +him, that's all."</p> + +<p>"But how the deuce will you do it?" asked Völgyeshy, whose temper was +not proof to the old soldier's circumstantial explanations.</p> + +<p>"In this way, your worship," whispered the old hussar, in a still lower +voice: "the chaff-loft is next to the steward's house, and there's a +door between the granary and the steward's loft, isn't there?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, so there is. What next?" said Kalman.</p> + +<p>"As I said before, there's a door from the granary to the steward's +loft—(I'd not like that door, at all, if the corn were mine)—but +that's neither here nor there; it serves the steward's purpose, I dare +say, and at present it serves ours."</p> + +<p>"Go on, man!" cried Kalman.</p> + +<p>"The key of the granary," continued the hussar, "is in your lady +mother's hands, and it's you who'll get it for us?"</p> + +<p>"Of course."</p> + +<p>"That's all we want. To-night, when they are all asleep, we go to the +granary, walk through the door to the steward's loft, and from thence to +the chaff-loft. That loft is, as it were, glued to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_159" id="Page_II_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> house; the +wood-work consists of thin planks. Peti, the gipsy, knows it to a +nicety. We remove a couple of planks, put a ladder through the hole, and +Viola gets up by it, and out by the door of the granary. Once in the +open air, he's saved. Peti is gone after your worship's Gulyash, who is +to send his horse. I tell you, sir, they may whistle for him when Viola +has once got a horse between his legs!"</p> + +<p>Kalman clapped his hands with joy, and Völgyeshy himself commended the +arrangement and its details; but he remarked that there were a thousand +chances for or against its execution.</p> + +<p>"Never mind," said Janosh; "if you put Viola into that loft, and the key +of the granary into my hands, I'll be hanged if we don't do them! +There's no window to the loft, consequently no one can look in from +without; and when they're once asleep, we have it all to ourselves."</p> + +<p>"But what will you do with the sentinels? And besides, there's the +steward close by you. He's likely to hear the noise, and to alarm the +house."</p> + +<p>"I'll pocket the sentinels," said the hussar, contemptuously. "The +inspector is a-bed with his wounds; if you make the justice and that +fellow Kenihazy drunk, to prevent them from going their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_160" id="Page_II_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> rounds,—and +nothing is more easy than to make <i>them</i> drunk,—and if you do your duty +as a landlord to the sentinels, and make them drunk, too, I do not care +for the steward's noise. But I don't think he'll make any. When he's +once in bed, it's no small matter will get him out of it. The key is the +great thing, and Viola must be put into the chaff-loft."</p> + +<p>"If that's all," cried Kalman, "you need not care!" and, accompanied by +Völgyeshy, he returned to the dining-room, where they found Vandory, the +curate of Tissaret, who had informed the court of his request, and who +was just in the act of replying with great warmth to the objections of +Zatonyi and Baron Shoskuty. The assessor appealed to the ancient custom +of keeping culprits under the sentence of a court-martial in the open +air; Baron Shoskuty protested that it was wrong to abuse Lady Kishlaki's +hospitality for the benefit of so arrant a knave as Viola undoubtedly +was; but the curate's request was so energetically supported by Kalman's +father and mother, that the interference of the two young men seemed +likely to do more harm than good.</p> + +<p>"I do not, indeed, see the necessity of placing the prisoner in a room," +remarked Mr. Catspaw, very politely. "The provision in the articles is +confined<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_161" id="Page_II_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> to the winter months, and I dare say that Viola ought, by this +time, to be accustomed to the night air."</p> + +<p>"Never mind his catching a cold in his throat," cried Mr. Skinner; +"to-morrow morning we'll give him a choke."</p> + +<p>"None of your jokes, sir," said Mr. Catspaw, who remarked the +unfavourable impression which the justice's words made on the company. +"This is no laughing matter," continued he, with a deep sigh. "As I +said, I do not indeed think it necessary, and I protest it is not even +legal to give the prisoner houseroom: but if it can relieve our dear +hostess's tender mind, I will not oppose Mr. Vandory's request, provided +always that the place be safe, that the windows have bars, and the door +bolts and locks, and that sentinels are duly placed before it."</p> + +<p>"If your worships please," said the steward, who had followed Vandory +into the room; "I know of a place with no window at all."</p> + +<p>"Ay, the cellar!" said Zatonyi. "Yes, that's right. It struck me from +the first that was the place."</p> + +<p>"No! not by any means!" protested the steward; "there's lots of wine in +the cellar, my master's property, and entrusted to my care. Nobody is +imprisoned in the cellar, if I have my will! But<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_162" id="Page_II_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> there's the chaff-loft +at your service; it has a lock and a key, and no window; and if you put +a sentinel before the door, the prisoner is as safe as any state +prisoner at Munkatsh."</p> + +<p>Vandory, and especially Lady Kishlaki, resisted this proposal because no +fire could be lighted in the place; but on Kalman's protesting that +nothing could be more futile than this objection, the resolution was +carried by acclamation, and Messrs. Skinner, Kenihazy, and Catspaw +accompanied Vandory to the steward's house, for the purpose of +inspecting the place, and witnessing the removal of the prisoner. +Völgyeshy and Kalman followed at a distance.</p> + +<p>"Be careful!" said the lawyer. "Did you remark Catspaw's stare, when you +told them Viola could do without a fire?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I did. I see it's no good to be too clever. But I'll make up for +it. I'll object to the room—I'll——"</p> + +<p>"Worse and worse!" said Völgyeshy. "Leave them alone, and believe me, if +that loft is the worst place in the house, they'll put him there, and +nowhere else."</p> + +<p>The truth of Völgyeshy's words was borne out by the event. Mr. Catspaw +indeed made some curious<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_163" id="Page_II_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> inquiries about the solidity of the building, +but he was quickly put down by the steward, who replied with great +dignity, that Mr. Kishlaki, his master, was not in the habit of +constructing his houses of mud. The attorney, thus rebuked, turned away, +and the place was forthwith furnished with a table, a stool, and a heap +of straw.</p> + +<p>Mr. Kishlaki, pretending to suffer from a headache, retired to his room, +whither his wife followed him. Zatonyi and the Baron walked in the +drawing-room, and laughed at the ridiculous sentimentality of their +host, at Vandory's still more ridiculous philanthropy, and at +Völgyeshy's impertinence. They interrupted this charitable conversation +at times with deep sighs, and longing looks at the card-tables; for they +waited for Messrs. Catspaw and Skinner.</p> + +<p>While his guests were thus employed, Mr. Kishlaki sat in his room, +leaning his head in his hand, and so entirely given up to thought, that +his pipe went out without his being aware of it.</p> + +<p>"Treshi, my soul!" said he at length, turning to his wife, "Treshi, I am +a wretch!"</p> + +<p>Lady Kishlaki sighed, and her husband went on.</p> + +<p>"I know, Treshi, you will not love me as you used to do, and it's the +same with Kalman. When<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_164" id="Page_II_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> you see me you'll think: he might have saved the +poor fellow's life, and he wouldn't do it!"</p> + +<p>Lady Kishlaki said a few words of comfort; but the old man shook his +head, and continued:</p> + +<p>"No, Treshi! that man's life was in my hands, and I killed him. His +blood is on my soul."</p> + +<p>The good woman's heart yielded to the sincerity of his sorrow, and +instead of reproaching him, as she intended, she sought to comfort him, +by protesting that the responsibility, if there was any, lay equally +with the other judges. "Besides," added she, "how frequently have you +not sat in a common court, without feeling remorse and sorrow!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's a very different thing," replied Kishlaki. "In a common +court a man is allowed to vote after his conscience, and the sentence is +found by a majority. There is no idea of the life of the prisoner +depending upon a single vote; the sentence is sent to the upper court, +and to the king's government, and if it is executed, I need not reproach +myself with being the <i>sole</i> cause of the prisoner's death. But to think +that nothing was wanted to-day but my single simple word of 'non +content;' that I did not say the word, and that it was I who killed that +fellow,—goodness gracious! it breaks my heart. I hate myself, and I +feel that others cannot love me."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_165" id="Page_II_165">[Pg 165]</a></span>"But if that is your view of the case," said his wife, with tears in her +eyes; "why, for God's sake, did you vote as you did?"</p> + +<p>"Why, indeed?" cried Kishlaki, pacing the room in a state of great +excitement; "because I am a poor weak fool; because I was afraid of them +when they told me my conduct was ridiculous; because Mr. Catspaw, and +the whole lot of them, called out, that the Retys would never forgive me +if Viola's depositions were taken down; and because I thought of +Kalman's love to Etelka. And Völgyeshy walked away and left me by +myself——"</p> + +<p>"I cannot think that the Retys should be guilty of such infamous +conduct——"</p> + +<p>"Nor I! I am sure it's a trick of Catspaw's; and it tricks me out of my +reputation, name, and peace of mind."</p> + +<p>"Do not say so!" cried Lady Kishlaki. "Who will dare to attack your +reputation?"</p> + +<p>"Who? Everybody! Perhaps Völgyeshy is right. On consideration, it +strikes me that the protocol was irregular; and if so, who's to be +blamed for it? I, the president of the court. But I wouldn't mind that! +I would not mind it in the least, if they called me a dunce, and a +cullion, and a zany, and what not—but to step from my door,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_166" id="Page_II_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> and to see +the wretched man hanging on my own ground, whom I might have saved, and +to think of his wife and his children, how they clasped my knees, and +begged for his life—oh, I'm undone!"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" said Kalman, who entered the room at that moment. "It's in +your power to release Viola."</p> + +<p>"Impossible!" cried Kishlaki; "and still the subject is too serious for +jokes. But it's impossible."</p> + +<p>"There's a legal impossibility, if you like," replied the young man; +"for in law, I take it, it is thought impossible for two witnesses to +tell lies, though one witness may, and for a judge to be a party against +the culprit. But, thank heaven! there are other expedients."</p> + +<p>"No appeal is possible from a court-martial," sighed Kishlaki.</p> + +<p>"But still there is an appeal, and we'll make it. It's an appeal to the +future!"</p> + +<p>"What does he say? I cannot understand it," said the old man.</p> + +<p>"But <i>I</i> do!" cried Lady Kishlaki. "You have planned his escape, have +you not?"</p> + +<p>"I have, my dear mother. When he is once at large, we will make an +appeal; and if the worst come to the worst, he'll come before God's +judgment-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_167" id="Page_II_167">[Pg 167]</a></span>seat at the end of his life. God will re-consider this day's +proceedings, and the sentence. But I know that the law cannot now do any +thing for him: indeed, the law may possibly condemn the step I am about +to take; but I don't care for it. My conscience tells me that what I do +is right; and if the Skinners and Catspaws are <i>in</i> the law, why it's an +honour to be out of it."</p> + +<p>Lady Kishlaki doted on her son; and her joy at his bold and manly speech +passed all bounds.</p> + +<p>"You are right," said she, with that peculiar tone which marks a proud +and a happy woman: "you are right to scorn the law which would force us +to hang that wretched man on our own ground. Save his life; and may God +bless you for making your mother happy!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Kishlaki, too, seemed relieved when he understood that there was a +means of saving Viola's life; but he soon fell back into his +characteristic irresolution.</p> + +<p>"Take care," said he. "I cannot see how——"</p> + +<p>"Leave him alone to manage it," cried Lady Kishlaki. "The moment I heard +him speak, I knew that his young mind, fertile in expedients,——"</p> + +<p>"There you are mistaken, my sweet mother!" said Kalman, smiling. "That +young mind which, fertile<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_168" id="Page_II_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> in expedients, found the means for Viola's +flight, belongs not to me, but to old Janosh." And he proceeded to +detail the manner in which they hoped to effect their purpose.</p> + +<p>"This, then, was the reason why you would not allow Viola to be put into +a better place!" said his mother. "I thought you cruel and +inconsiderate."</p> + +<p>"And you wronged me," cried Kalman, gaily: "but, to make up for it, you +must assist us. I want the keys of the cellar and granary; for, in +Hungary, there's no getting on without the two. Will you trust me with +them?"</p> + +<p>"With all my heart!" said Lady Kishlaki, handing him the keys. "Spare me +not; let them do as they please. Give the haiduks Tokay, if it must be; +but do save that poor man!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Kishlaki walked, meanwhile, to and fro in a terrible state of +excitement. His wife followed him; and, placing her hand on his +shoulder, she asked: "What is the matter with you?"</p> + +<p>"I think of the confounded scrape into which my weakness has brought me. +It was in my power to save that man: I might have done it orderly and +legally; and what's the consequence? My only son is compelled to step +in, and get himself into trouble, perhaps he will destroy the brightest +hopes of his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_169" id="Page_II_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> life, and I am not even allowed to ask him to desist."</p> + +<p>"My dear father!" cried Kalman; "how can I possibly destroy my hopes by +saving the life of a fellow-creature?"</p> + +<p>"Who knows what the Retys will do when they learn that it was you who +saved Viola? You are aware of Lady Rety's vindictive character. I am +sure she hates you for what you did for Tengelyi."</p> + +<p>"It does not signify,", replied Kalman, quietly. "I ask no favour at the +hands of Rety or his haughty lady; and as for Etelka, I trust this +letter will convince you that she, at least, will not owe me any grudge +for what I mean to do." Saying which, he produced the letter which +Janosh had brought him.</p> + +<p>"She is an angelic creature; she is, indeed!" said Lady Kishlaki, +looking over her husband's shoulder, as he read the letter. "You are +right, my son. You're in duty bound to save Viola."</p> + +<p>"It's the first letter I ever had from Etelka," cried Kalman. "If she +asked me to commit a crime, I'd do it with the greatest pleasure; and +this——"</p> + +<p>"God forbid that I should oppose it!" said the old man. "Your motives +are good and generous; but still, what you intend doing is a crime +according<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_170" id="Page_II_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> to law. If you should be detected, I tremble to think of the +consequences!"</p> + +<p>"Our success is certain," said Kalman. "Nothing can be more easy than to +make the haiduks drunk. To keep them sober would be a far more difficult +task. There's a door, of which I have the key. Nothing can be more +simple."</p> + +<p>"But suppose they were to know of it? Suppose they were to indict you?"</p> + +<p>"Indict <i>me</i>?" cried Kalman, laughing. "My dear father, are you not +aware that, to proceed against me, they must have the consent of the +quorum? How will they ever get it?" And, pocketing the keys, he left the +room.</p> + +<p>"A generous lad!" said his mother. "How can Etelka help being fond of +him?"</p> + +<p>"Capital plan!" sighed Kishlaki; "capital plan, if it remains a secret. +It's indeed a generous action; but it's criminal, my love; it's against +the laws."</p> + +<p>"Do not worry yourself with these thoughts."</p> + +<p>"And to think that I had it in my power to prevent it!"</p> + +<p>"Never mind. Viola is saved; that's enough for all intents and +purposes."</p> + +<p>"A cruel law, this," sighed Kishlaki. "I wonder what stuff the man was +made of who first proposed it!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_171" id="Page_II_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_II_IX" id="CHAPTER_II_IX"></a>CHAP. IX</h3> + + +<p>To make people reasonable is a difficult thing at all times; but there +are cases in which it is not less difficult to make them unreasonable. +Kalman Kishlaki was doomed to learn the truth of this maxim, for all his +endeavours to induce Mr. Skinner to drink away the niggardly allowance +of sense with which Nature had provided that individual, proved +abortive. As for Mr. Catspaw, we need not mention <i>him</i>, for he was one +of those wretches who are always sober. To intoxicate <i>him</i> was a thing +that Kalman never dreamed of. The other guests, not even excepting Baron +Shoskuty, answered without any invitations, and as it were +spontaneously, to the wishes of their young host; the judge alone stood +unshaken, like a sturdy rock in a troubled sea. Mr. Skinner was one of +the deepest drinkers in the county; he was not indeed a stranger to the +condition in which Kalman wished to see him; but the presence of +Völgyeshy, whom he hated, the admonitions of Mr. Catspaw, and above all +his honest ambition to add fresh honours to his former trophies, made +him proof against<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_172" id="Page_II_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> any quantity of wine which Kalman induced him to +take.</p> + +<p>"You'd like to make me drunk, now, wouldn't you?" said he, tossing off a +large tumbler of red wine. "Don't be ridiculous, my fine fellow! who +ever saw <i>me</i> drunk?"</p> + +<p>"<i>I</i> have," smiled Mr. Kenihazy from his place at the card-table; "I've +seen you as drunk as David's sow!"</p> + +<p>"Who did?" cried Mr. Skinner.</p> + +<p>Zatonyi, who, leaning on his elbows, watched Mr. Catspaw shuffling the +cards, raised his head at the sound of the judge's shrill voice, and +observed that, after all, the day's business was neatly done.</p> + +<p>"This is my sixteenth case," added he; "and, somehow or other, we always +managed to do for somebody."</p> + +<p>"<i>Nihil ad rem!</i>" cried Mr. Skinner; "it's this man I want to ask."</p> + +<p>"<i>Nihil ad rem</i>, indeed!" hiccoughed Zatonyi, "are not we in +court-martial assembled? It is provided that the court shall sit until +the sentence has been executed."</p> + +<p>"Fiddlesticks! it's nothing <i>ad rem</i>, I tell you! I want to ask +Kenihazy!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, fiddlesticks! eh?" cried the assessor, striking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_173" id="Page_II_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> the table with his +fist, "when I say—eh, what did I want to say? yes, that's it, that's no +fiddlesticks! Consider, <i>domine spectabilis</i>, to whom you're speaking, +and where you are; I say, sir, lie prostrate in the face of the sanctity +of the place; for, sir, this is a court-martial!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Skinner became more and more impatient.</p> + +<p>Kalman, who hoped that a quarrel between them would serve his purposes +better than the heaviest Tokay, nodded approvingly to Zatonyi, who went +on, to the great annoyance of Mr. Skinner, though doubtless very much to +his own satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"This is not a place for your frivolous jokes, sir—frivolous, I say, +sir; and make the most of it, if you please! Up to the criminal's +execution, we sit as a court-martial—all the time, sir, without +intermission, without—fiddlesticks! It is provided in the articles, +chapter four thousand five hundred and twenty-four, that we are to eat +in court-martial, sir, and we play at Tarok in court-martial, sir, and +we——"</p> + +<p>"Cease your row!" snarled the justice.</p> + +<p>"I will make a row! And I must make a row, and I'm entitled to make a +row, and I'd like to see the man who'd prevent me from making a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_174" id="Page_II_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> row! +I'm as much of an assessor as any man in the county!"</p> + +<p>The Baron had meanwhile studied his cards. He was prepared to come out +strong, and he urged them to continue the game; but neither Mr. Skinner +nor Kenihazy would listen to him, for Kalman did his utmost to excite +them still more. Mr. Skinner fancied he saw a sneer on Völgyeshy's lips, +which he could not ascribe to any thing but the doubts which it was +evident that hated person entertained of his assertion, that he, Paul +Skinner, would drink three glasses to Mr. Kenihazy's one, and remain +sober into the bargain.</p> + +<p>"Don't boast!" said Kalman. "I'll never believe you."</p> + +<p>"You won't?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed! I'll back Kenihazy against anybody."</p> + +<p>"You will, will you? I say two cows to my greyhound."</p> + +<p>"Done! Your greyhound is mangy; but I don't care. I am sure to win."</p> + +<p>"Done, I say! Hand us the glasses."</p> + +<p>Kalman could scarcely repress a smile of triumph, while Mr. Catspaw +moved heaven and earth to prevent the bet; but Kenihazy laughed, and +emptied<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_175" id="Page_II_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> his glass, the valorous judge followed his lead with three +glasses, and the game was continued, though rather more noisily than +before.</p> + +<p>While Kalman was thus occupied in settling the masters, Janosh imitated +his example with signal success in the servants' hall; indeed so +strenuous were his attacks upon the general sobriety, that scarcely one +of the haiduks and peasants was left to whom an impartial observer would +have awarded the laurels of abstinence.</p> + +<p>A deep silence prevailed in the prisoner's room, at the door of which +two of the least intoxicated among the haiduks were placed. Vandory had +passed above an hour in the cell, attempting to administer the comforts +of religion to the condemned criminal; and when he left, Susi came to +take her last leave of her husband, for, according to Mr. Skinner's +express orders, she was forbidden to remain later than nine o'clock.</p> + +<p>Both Viola and Susi were fearfully anxious and disturbed in their minds. +Viola had often thought of the death which awaited him. From the moment +of his capture in the St. Vilmosh forest, he knew that his doom was +fixed. He made no excuses to the judges, he gave them no fair words; not +from pride, but because he knew that neither prayers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_176" id="Page_II_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> nor promises could +avail him. And what, after all, is death but the loss of life? And was +his life of those which a man would grieve to lose? There were his wife +and children—but was it not likely that they would be happier, or at +least quieter, <i>after</i> the misfortune in whose anticipation they passed +their days? Of what good could <i>he</i> be to his wife? Was he not the cause +of her misery? of her homeless beggary? Of what use could <i>he</i> be to his +children? Was not his name a stigma on their lives? Could he hope, could +he pray for any thing for them, except that they might be as unlike +their father as possible?</p> + +<p>"When I am gone," thought he, "who knows but people may forget that I +ever lived? My wife, too, will, perhaps, forget that accursed creature, +whose life filled hers with shame and sorrow. My children will have +other names; they will go to another place, and all will be well and +good. I have but one duty, and that is to die."</p> + +<p>His tranquillity of mind was disturbed by the plan of escape which +Janosh communicated to him. The old soldier was, indeed, resolved to +delay that communication till the last moment, lest Susi's excitement +and joy should attract the attention and awaken the suspicions of the +justice and his myrmidons. But<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_177" id="Page_II_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> when he entered the room which had been +assigned to Susi and her children; when he saw the pale woman nursing +the youngest child in her arms, and utterly lost in the gloom of her +despair; when Pishta, with his eyes red with weeping, came up to him, +asking him to comfort his mother, and when the infant awoke, and smiled +at him, the old hussar was not proof against so much love and so much +sorrow; and when Susi, kissing the child, exclaimed, "The poor little +thing knows not how soon it will be an orphan!" he wept, and cried out, +"No, no, Susi! this here child is as little likely to become an orphan +as you are likely to be a widow!" And it was only by her look of utter +amazement that he became conscious of what he had said.</p> + +<p>There were now no means of keeping the secret. Little Pishta was sent +away, and Janosh told her in a whisper of all that they intended to do.</p> + +<p>"You see," added he, "we've thought of everything. Don't fret, now; in a +few hours, when the gentlemen and the keepers are asleep, (and they are +settled, I tell you,) you'll see your husband at large, and on +horseback, too. It's no use being sad, and it's no use despairing—that +is to say—yes! I mean you ought to despair; you ought to be sad; come, +wail and pray, and ask for mercy! else they'll<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_178" id="Page_II_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> smell a rat. I am an old +fool, and ought to know better than to tell you, for if you cannot +impose upon them, it's all over with us."</p> + +<p>Susi whispered some questions to Janosh, to which he answered in the +same subdued tone of voice; adding,</p> + +<p>"Give me your child, that I may look at it, and dance it on my knee. +What a sweet child it is!" said he, his whole face radiant with smiles; +"I never saw a prettier child: and it laughs, too, and at me! No, my +fine fellow, we won't let your father come to harm. Ej, Susi, I wish to +goodness I had a child like this!"</p> + +<p>"My children will love you as their second father," said she, with a +happy and grateful look.</p> + +<p>"Yes, as their <i>second</i> father," said the old man, sighing; "but it must +be a fine thing to be loved as a real father. I say, Susi, I've often +thought why God hasn't given <i>me</i> children. You'll say it's because I +have no wife. That's true. But why haven't I got a wife? If they had not +sent me to the wars, I'd be a grandfather by this time; and, believe me, +I'd give my silver medal and my cross for such children as yours. I'd +give them both for a single child! Well, God's will be done. Perhaps I +have no children because if I had I'd not be so fond<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_179" id="Page_II_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> of other people's. +Young children are all equally beautiful; there's no difference between +them. They are fresh and lively, like river trout; but in course of time +one half of them turn out to be frogs, and worse."</p> + +<p>Janosh saw that Pishta came back with Vandory to call his mother to +Viola. Imploring her not to betray the secret, he walked away, fearful +lest Susi should want the strength to dissemble her thoughts. His +anxiety on this head was perfectly gratuitous. The good news, which Susi +communicated to her husband, filled them both with unspeakable dismay. +Whoever could have seen Viola would have thought that his stout heart +was at last overcome with the fear of death. Need we marvel at this? Was +not life powerful within him, trembling in every nerve, throbbing in +every vein? Was not his wife by his side? Could he forget his children, +whom his death might drive to ruin and, possibly, to crime? Viola had +long wished to change his mode of life. He was now at liberty to do so. +The brother of the Gulyash was dead. The poor man died at the moment +when he was preparing to take his wife and three children to another +county, where a place as Gulyash was promised to him. The papers and +passports which were necessary for this purpose were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_180" id="Page_II_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> in the hands of +old Ishtvan, who had promised to take Viola to the place. There, above a +hundred miles from the scene of his misfortunes, in a lonely tanya, +where nobody knew him or cared to know him, could he not hope to live +happily, peacefully, and contentedly? But did not that happiness hang on +a slender thread, indeed? Were there not a hundred chances between him +and its attainment? A whim of the justice's, a different position of the +sentinels, the noise of a falling plank, could snatch the cup of life +and liberty from his lips, and cast him back into the valley of the +shadow of death.</p> + +<p>He was in this state of mind when Mr. Skinner made his appearance in the +cell. He was accompanied by Mr. Catspaw and the steward, for his +<i>umbra</i>, Kenihazy, was in a state which rendered him unfit to be company +to any one, even to Mr. Skinner. The change in Viola's manner was too +striking to escape the attention of either the attorney or the steward. +The justice perambulated the cell with a show of great dignity, and a +futile attempt to examine into the condition of the walls. He poked his +stick into the straw which served Viola for a lair; when the steward +walked up to him, and whispered that the robber had lost all his former +boldness.</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" cried Mr. Skinner, with a shrill laugh.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_181" id="Page_II_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> "I say, Viola, +where's your pluck? Where's your impertinence, man? Ain't you going to +die game, eh, Viola?"</p> + +<p>"Sir," said the robber, biting his lips, "the step which I am preparing +to take is bitter, and, I will own it, I feel for my family. What is to +become of them?"</p> + +<p>"Your family? Oh! your wife! Never mind; <i>I'll</i> protect her."</p> + +<p>Viola looked daggers at the man; but he curbed his temper and was +silent.</p> + +<p>"And as for your children," continued the justice in a bantering tone, +"they're very fine children, are they not?—eh? Well, they'll grow up, +and come to be hanged—eh? But what's the use of this palaver? I say, +Susi, be off! You've had plenty of time for your gossip; and I say, +Viola, make your will and all that sort of thing."</p> + +<p>The prisoner, deeply sensible of his precarious position, embraced his +trembling wife: but Susi would not leave him; she clung to him in all +the madness of sorrow.</p> + +<p>"I say! you've had time enough to howl and lament!" cried the justice. +"Make an end of it, and be off!" And suiting the action to the word, he +seized Susi by her dress, and led her to the door.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_182" id="Page_II_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> Mr. Catspaw and the +steward followed her; but the justice stayed behind, gloating over the +sufferings of the prisoner. At length he laughed, and said,—"I say, +Viola, who's the man that's in at the death? Who'll swing? I said I'd do +it, and you see I'm as good as my word!" And turning on his heels, he +left the room, and locked the door.</p> + +<p>Two of the soberest men were placed in the hall to watch that door; but +even they, thanks to the endeavours of Janosh, were not sober enough for +Mr. Catspaw, who was just in the act of lamenting that, in consequence +of their host's excessive liberality, there was not a man in the house +but was drunk, when he was interrupted by Mr. Skinner.</p> + +<p>"Who is drunk? What is drunk?" said the worthy justice, turning fiercely +upon the attorney. "I say, sir, nobody's drunk here—no one was drunk +here—no one will be drunk—and indeed no one can be drunk! That's what +<i>I</i> say, sir! Who dares to contradict me?"</p> + +<p>"Don't be a fool!" whispered the attorney; "who the devil said any thing +of <i>you</i>? But look at these fellows! they're roaring drunk."</p> + +<p>"D—n you, he's right!—Confound you, you <i>are</i> roaring drunk! Blast me, +I'll have you hanged! If that robber escapes, one of you shall swing in +his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_183" id="Page_II_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> place! I say, fellows, look sharp! It's truly disgusting," +continued the sapient justice, "that men <i>will</i> get drunk—drown their +reason in wine, for all the world like so many beasts."</p> + +<p>The sentinels vowed, as usual, that they had not had a drop ever so +long, and that the prisoner should not escape though he were the very +devil; but Mr. Catspaw, alike distrustful of their vigilance and +sobriety, insisted on seeing the door double-locked, and on taking away +the key. Mr. Skinner protested against this encroachment on the duties +of his office. He knew that the attorney suspected him of being less +sober than he might have been, and this suspicion rendered him the more +obstinate. He pocketed the key and sought his bed-room, denouncing drink +and drunkards in the true temperance meeting style.</p> + +<p>The inmates of Kishlak manor-house followed his example. The judges, the +sentinels at the gate and round the house, the steward, and all retired +to rest; and although Susi watched, though Kalman paced his own room +with all the impatience of his age, and though old Kishlaki himself, for +the first time since many years, courted sleep in vain, yet the house +and its environs were hushed and silent. Stillness reigned in the +prisoner's cell; the sentinels at the door stood gaping, and waiting for +the hour of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_184" id="Page_II_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> their relief. The night was cold, and though they did their +best to keep the cold out, or at least out of their stomachs, they +shivered and complained of the chilly night air. Janosh, who seemed to +like the cold and darkness, had meanwhile met Peti, who held Viola's +horse at the further end of the garden. The gipsy brought a crowbar and +all other tools which they wanted for their purpose; he told the hussar +that the Gulyash Ishtvan had promised to bring his cart and horses to +the threshing-floor, in order to take away Susi and her children. The +old soldier was greatly pleased with this good news. He tied the horse +to the garden gate, and told the gipsy to conceal himself somewhere near +the loft. This done, he went to look after the sentinels, whom, to his +great disgust, he found still awake.</p> + +<p>"Is it not ten o'clock?" asked one of them, when Janosh came up.</p> + +<p>"Of course it is!" said his comrade. "I'd rather do any robot service +than this cold kind of work. It's too much for a soldier, and it's far +too much for me. My comrade here was in the wars; he tells me they never +force soldiers to play the sentinel so long as we must."</p> + +<p>"Who can help it?" said the other man. "It's by order, you know."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_185" id="Page_II_185">[Pg 185]</a></span>"Oh, indeed! It's easy enough, I dare say, to give an order; go and +come! stand still! be starved with hunger and cold!—nothing's more easy +than play the devil with a poor fellow, while they are stretching their +limbs in their warm beds. At least they ought to give us something to +eat, or some brandy; I'm sure I was never so cold in all my born days!"</p> + +<p>"Don't get sulky!" said Janosh. "I'll tell you what I'll do for you. +Master Kalman has given me a bottle of brandy to drink his health. +Suppose I go for it. It's nearly full."</p> + +<p>He went away and told Kalman how matters stood. When he returned, he +brought them a bottle of Sliwowiza and a loaf of bread.</p> + +<p>"You see," said he, "that's the way things go on when there's no proper +officer. If the judge or any of the other gentlemen had been in the +army, they would have made some provision for you, and got some one to +relieve you, but as it is——"</p> + +<p>"Why, I do hope and trust they will relieve us!" cried one of the men.</p> + +<p>"Blessed are those that put their trust in the Lord," retorted Janosh, +laughing; "I'd be happy to know who is to relieve you? Why, man, they're +all asleep!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_186" id="Page_II_186">[Pg 186]</a></span>"Give me the bottle! I'm as cold as ice!" said the other man, shaking +his head, while his comrade stood drowsily leaning on his musket.</p> + +<p>Janosh handed him the bottle, and assured the two men that there was no +chance of their being relieved from their duty, and that nothing was +more likely than their falling asleep about daybreak, the very time when +the justice would go his rounds,—in which case he (Janosh) had no +ambition to be in their skins. The bottle went from hand to hand, to +keep them awake, as Janosh said, until the poor fellows swore that they +would not stand it any longer, and that, come what may, they must sleep.</p> + +<p>"Very well!" said Janosh; "I've been in the wars, you know! I'm used to +the service. You see I'm not at all sleepy. You may go to the shed and +lie on the straw, and when I'm tired I'll wake you. A little sleep will +do you good; and by the time the justice turns out you'll be all right."</p> + +<p>His offer was readily accepted. The two men walked off, and their loud +snoring soon informed Janosh that there was now no obstacle to the +execution of his plans. Leaving the musket behind, he walked to the +shed, where he assured himself of the firm and sound sleep of the two +sentinels; and, having done this, he hastened to the loft, where Peti +and Kal<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_187" id="Page_II_187">[Pg 187]</a></span>man waited for him. Janosh pulled off his boots, (there was no +occasion for the gipsy's following his example,) and, having lighted a +lamp, he crept up the stairs to the top of the house. Kalman kept watch +by the lower door. Wrapped up in his cloak, he listened with a beating +heart, lest something might interfere with the success of their scheme.</p> + +<p>Something of the kind was likely to happen. Kalman was scarcely at his +post when he heard the sound of steps approaching from the house in +which the judges slept. The young man stepped aside to escape being +discovered, and he had already begun to blame himself for failing to +"settle" Mr. Skinner sufficiently, when he saw that the person who +approached the place, holding a lamp in one hand and a cudgel in the +other, was not Skinner, but Mr. Catspaw, the attorney. Kalman raised his +hand, and was preparing to rush forward, with a view of "doing for" the +lawyer by knocking him down; when, luckily for the attorney, it struck +him that that delicate operation could not be performed without some +noise, and, consequently, not without hazarding the success of the +enterprise. Mr. Catspaw was therefore allowed to pass on, which that +worthy man did with the utmost unconcern. But his peaceful and happy +state of mind was changed to utter disgust, confusion, and dismay,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_188" id="Page_II_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> +when, on reaching the door of Viola's cell, he found that there were no +sentinels to guard the prisoner.</p> + +<p>"Confound it!" muttered he, "they're after no good in this house. That +young fellow Kalman has made them all drunk—Skinner, the sentinels, the +servants, and all. They would like Viola to escape. They tried it this +morning, and as it was no go, they mean to do it by brute force. +Confound them! I'll go back and wake some of the men,—I'll remain here +and watch the door,—what the devil am I to do? That fellow must be got +out of the way! If the case is tried in a common court, he'll say enough +to implicate me in the matter; and goodness knows what may come of it! +There are some who hate me!—--" And the attorney was about to return to +the lower parts of the house, when his attention was attracted by an +extraordinary noise, which seemed to come from the prisoner's cell. The +noise resembled that of the breaking of planks. He crept to the door and +listened. There was the creaking and the sound of the raising of planks; +and immediately afterwards there was a sound of some heavy object being +carefully lowered into the cell.</p> + +<p>"They are breaking through the ceiling!" cried the attorney; "d—n them! +I'll stop them yet!" and, in defiance of his usual prudence, he +at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_189" id="Page_II_189">[Pg 189]</a></span>tempted, though unsuccessfully, to open the door. He cursed Skinner +for pocketing the key. Peti and Janosh, who were at work on the upper +loft, had provided themselves with a ladder, which they lowered into the +cell, the noise of which operation was distinctly heard by Kalman, and, +indeed, by the sentinels in the shed, whom it awaked, though not +sufficiently to induce them to get up, which, considering the quantity +of liquor they had drunk, was by no means an easy matter. But if the +noise was lost upon them, it was not lost upon the steward; on the +contrary, so effectually did it tell upon him, that he fell into an +agony of fear and despair.</p> + +<p>That worthy servant of the Kishlakis had never donned his nightcap with +so proud and happy a feeling as on that night. The great condescension +of the members of the court, nor even excepting the Baron, for all that +he was a magnate; the important duties which he had to perform, such as +the guarding of the prisoner, the construction of the gallows, and other +arrangements which required ability and tact, and which brought out his +"<i>savoir faire</i>," gave him still stronger feelings of his own importance +than those which usually pervaded his unwieldy frame. He gloried in +himself, and lay awake, magnifying and exalting his own name.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_190" id="Page_II_190">[Pg 190]</a></span>"I'm born for better things," said he. "I was never meant for farming. +To look after the manure, and the planting, and the ploughing and +threshing,—curse it! it's slow work, and I am too good for it! I ought +to be a lawyer. Providence created me expressly for that profession! +Wouldn't I get on in that line! I might come to be a sheriff, and an +assessor of the high court, and indeed a lord-lieutenant, and a magnate +of the empire! For what place is too high for a Hungarian lawyer?"</p> + +<p>Such were the stout man's thoughts. His imagination borrowed a glow from +his cups, (for he, too, had drunk deep), and the cares of his fancied +honours and dignities kept him awake, in spite of the fatigues of the +day, and, indeed, in spite of his own endeavours to go to sleep. He, to +whom it was an easy matter to talk a whole party to sleep, now vainly +exerted his skill upon himself. He tried every means; he occupied +himself with figures and accounts. But the figures danced in a wild +maze, and, somehow or other, the accounts would not tally. He opened his +eyes, and looked around. The dying glare of his candle threw a dim light +on the objects in the room, filling it with gaunt and shadowy forms. He +shuddered, and extinguished the candle; but the darkness made matters +worse. His thoughts <i>would</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_191" id="Page_II_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> run on robberies and murders. The greatest +brigand in the county, a man sentenced to death, was a prisoner in his +house. Who knows what Viola's friends were about? Perhaps they were +numerous. Perhaps they were formidable and fierce. Nothing was more +natural than that they should attack the house, and liberate their +captain. And if so, what was to become of the poor steward, who had so +jealously watched lest he might escape, and who had protested, yes, and +in the presence of at least a hundred people, every one of whom might +have told the robbers of it, that Viola must needs be hanged? That +thought made him shake in his bed. And besides, was not his door wide +open? Did he not keep it open ever since he was afraid of apoplexy? What +was to prevent the outlaws from entering his room, and hanging him on +his bed-post? Nothing; for the haiduk, whose duty it was to sleep on the +threshold, had been taken away to join the watch on Viola.</p> + +<p>The poor steward's alarm had come to its <i>acmé</i>, when he heard the noise +of steps in the loft over his head. He sat up in his bed. He heard the +steps very distinctly, and immediately afterwards he heard the creaking +and breaking of the planks. Yes! the most dreaded event had come to +pass. The robbers were at their work of death and destruction! They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_192" id="Page_II_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> +were burning the house, and cutting the throats of all the inmates! +"Gracious God!" groaned he, clasping his hands. What <i>could</i> he do? He +might lock the door! There was a singing in his ear, his heart beat +irregularly, his breath failed him, his face was covered with sweat, and +his limbs trembled,—all these were symptoms of an apoplectic fit. "If I +lock the door, I am utterly lost!" thought he; "for no one can come to +my assistance!" He hid his head under the blankets. But the noise grew +louder, and he fancied somebody was breaking through the wall of the +room next to his. Perhaps there were not less than a hundred robbers; +perhaps they were bent upon torturing him! Unless the door was locked, +there was no possibility of screaming for help; for he knew the first +thing they intended to do was to gag him. But then, he was in a +perspiration; the room was icy cold: to get up and stand on the cold +floor was literally courting a fit of apoplexy. But when he heard Mr. +Catspaw hallooing, his fear got the better of all other considerations. +He jumped out of bed, wrapped himself up in a blanket, and ran to the +door. But what can equal his horror when he heard the door of the +corridor turning on its hinges, and when quick steps approached him! He +dropped the blanket because it interfered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_193" id="Page_II_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> with his movements, and +seized the key, when the door was flung open. Before him stood a small +man, wrapped in a bunda.</p> + +<p>There is a tide in the affairs of a coward in which fear makes him a +hero. Such a moment had come for the steward. Furious as a stag at bay, +reckless as a man who sees certain death before him, merciless as one to +whom no mercy is given, senseless, maddened, frenzied, he rushed upon +the new comer, and in the very next moment Mr. Catspaw measured his +length on the ground, and roared for help.</p> + +<p>"Murder!" screamed the attorney.</p> + +<p>"Assassin!" bawled the steward, throttling his adversary with his left +hand while he punched the wretched man's head with his right.</p> + +<p>"He is mad!" groaned Mr. Catspaw, grasping the steward's ears, and +returning the blows; and thus they would have passed <i>un vilain quart +d'heure</i>, had not the noise of their combat roused the watch, who rushed +to the field of battle, and separated the champions. Lights were +brought, and the two worthies stood bleeding from their respective noses +and mouths, as they gaped and stared at one another.</p> + +<p>"Was it you, sir, who wanted to steal my money?" said the steward.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_194" id="Page_II_194">[Pg 194]</a></span>"He's mad!" cried the attorney: "lock him up; for he's raving mad! Be +quick about it; the prisoner is making his escape!"</p> + +<p>They seized the steward, pushed him into his room, and locked the door. +The poor man stood, for a moment, paralysed with an excess of fear, +fury, and fatigue; but the cold reminded him of his danger, viz., of +being struck with apoplexy. He crept into his bed, pondering on the +deceit and cruelty of this wicked world.</p> + +<p>Mr. Catspaw and the servants hastened to the cell. They forced the door +open, and found that the robber had fled, as it is but natural to +suppose, if we consider the length of time the attorney spent in the +embrace or, more properly speaking, under the fists of the steward. For, +when Mr. Catspaw raised his first shout, Viola had reached the upper +loft, from whence he leaped down stairs, and out of the house. Kalman +locked the door of the loft, and hastened to inform Susi of the success +of their plan, and to conduct her to the back-door of the garden, which +they had scarcely entered, when the fleet steps of a horse, at the top +of its speed, informed them of Viola's safety. Susi kissed Kalman's +hand, and hastened away; while he, with the happy consciousness of a +good deed, hastened to the steward's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_195" id="Page_II_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> house, where he found nothing but +clamour and confusion. Masters, servants, Pandurs, and peasants, with +torches, candles, and lamps, ran in every direction, hallooing and +screaming. Every one took his turn at the cell; and everybody declared, +what everybody was aware of, that the prisoner had escaped through the +ceiling; and everybody gave his advice, which nobody followed, and +orders, which nobody obeyed. Not one of them could be induced to go in +pursuit of the robber; and all Mr. Catspaw had for his watchfulness was +a battered face and the loss of a couple of teeth. Nor was it until +daybreak that they all and each became aware of the fact that they had +neglected to pursue the robber; and, as it was not likely that Viola +would come back of his own free will, they returned to their respective +beds, with the exception of Kenihazy, whom—<i>nec ardor civium, nec frons +instantis tyranni</i>—neither the shaking of the haiduks nor Skinner's +imprecations could induce to leave his bed, and who was not, therefore, +under the necessity of returning to it.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_196" id="Page_II_196">[Pg 196]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_II_X" id="CHAPTER_II_X"></a>CHAP. X.</h3> + + +<p>Nothing is more painful to a man of quick and ardent feelings than to be +compelled to inactivity, as was the case with young Rety while the +events which we have sought to record were passing around him. His +feverish anxiety, his petulance, and his obstinacy exceeded all bounds; +he would certainly have left his room, and taken an active part in +Viola's liberation, had not Etelka informed him of Vilma's anxiety for +his safety, and her urgent entreaties that he should not leave his room +without the permission either of Vandory or the doctor. Etelka felt her +brother's accident more painfully than any other member of the family, +not for his sake alone, but also for Vilma's; for she was aware how much +the poor girl would have to suffer in consequence. It is, therefore, no +wonder that Etelka was sad and dispirited when she retired to her +chamber on the evening of the election-day. There was a gloom on her +mind which she could not dispel. She knew too much of her step-mother to +believe she would ever consent to her brother's marriage<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_197" id="Page_II_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> with Vilma; +and as for her father, he had scarcely a will of his own. It was but +natural to suppose that he would do all in his power to change his son's +mind, partly in obedience to Lady Rety's behests, and partly because he +hated Tengelyi. And Akosh! how could <i>he</i> yield, when even the delay of +a few days brought dishonour on the woman he loved? The least Etelka +expected was a grievous domestic quarrel; the worst, a breach between +father and son.</p> + +<p>Her thoughts were bitter; but they were qualified by at least one soft +and kind feeling. She admired the generous manner in which Kalman +protected Tengelyi. The young man's behaviour was as intrepid as +disinterested. He was aware of the grudge which the sheriff bore +Tengelyi; and he must have known that his words in the notary's behalf +were so many barriers between him and Etelka. He knew it all, and yet he +had spoken; and Etelka, who was convinced of his love, admired him the +more for his reckless daring and his generous self-denial. Wrapped up in +these thoughts, she retired to rest, though restless; and, when she +dropped off to sleep, she was roused by the rattling of a carriage from +her dreams of the election, robbers, her brother's pale face, and +Kalman's bold<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_198" id="Page_II_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> attitude and looks of defiance. She sat up in her bed, +and listened. A quick step was heard on the stairs and in the corridor. +The door of the next room opened, and shut. The new comer was Mr. +Catspaw, who, after Viola's capture, returned with the notary's papers +to Tissaret; and whose apartments, as has been already stated, were next +to Etelka's chamber, from which nothing divided them but a thin brick +wall. Etelka (as, indeed, on a former occasion, her maid) heard every +one of the attorney's movements. "Where can he have come from?" thought +she, as she prepared to lie down again; when her attention was attracted +by the attorney's voice. To judge from the noise he made, he was +arranging some papers.</p> + +<p>"Here they are!" said he; "here are the notary's diplomas! Well, sir, +who'll prove your descent? And here are the papers which Lady Rety +wants. Right, quite right!—I'll put them in a drawer, and lock them up! +I'll have my own price for them, won't I? that's all!"</p> + +<p>He locked the drawer and walked about the room. Etelka had great +difficulty in catching his words; but she understood that they referred +to some piece of knavery, when suddenly her attention was attracted by +other steps in the corridor. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_199" id="Page_II_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> door opened again, and Mr. Catspaw +said, in his usual shrill voice:</p> + +<p>"Victory! my lady! The day is ours! Viola is a prisoner. He fought to +the last; but we burned his hut, and smoked him out. The papers are in +my hands."</p> + +<p>"Where are they?" said another voice, which Etelka knew as her +step-mother's.</p> + +<p>"I burned them, the moment I could lay my hands on them. They'll not +give us any more trouble. They were all in a parcel, and Tengelyi's +papers too, which your ladyship was so anxious to have."</p> + +<p>"For God's sake don't speak so loud!" said Lady Rety. "Etelka returned +last night with her father, and if she is awake she will hear every +word." Upon which Mr. Catspaw continued the conversation in a whisper, +which effectually prevented Etelka from catching the thread of their +discourse. When Lady Rety left the attorney's room, Etelka made vain +endeavours to sleep; at the break of day she hastened to inform her +brother of the events of the night. He induced her to write to Kalman, +and old Janosh received orders to take the letter to Kishlak. That day +passed in a painful uncertainty, which was but partly relieved when, on +the follow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_200" id="Page_II_200">[Pg 200]</a></span>ing morning, Janosh returned from his expedition. Viola was +saved; but what were Akosh and Etelka to do? They felt convinced that +Vandory's papers were stolen in consequence of their parents', or at +least their step-mother's, commands. Could there be any truth in the +statement (which Kalman communicated to Akosh) that these papers had +some relation to their father's elder brother, who had left their +grandfather's house when a boy, and that Vandory was the guardian of the +family secrets? But why all this mystery? Why did he not—why does he +not explain it? Suppose their unfortunate uncle were alive, and somebody +wished to deprive him of his property, was it to be expected that +Vandory would be a party to so vile a transaction? And if that +supposition is false, what papers can the curate possibly possess, that +should tempt Lady Rety to commit a crime to obtain them? There were +mysteries and uncertainties on every side. The papers, and with them +Tengelyi's diplomas, had not been destroyed. Etelka knew that the +attorney had locked them up; his having told Lady Rety that they were +burnt, proved that he wished to keep and to use them for his own ends. +How could Akosh obtain possession of those papers? Was it judicious to +speak to Mr. Catspaw? But the wily attorney<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_201" id="Page_II_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> was sure to deny all +knowledge of them, and to destroy or remove them at the very first +opportunity. And how could Akosh force him to restore the stolen +property? Not by threats of exposure, unless he wished to attack his +parents likewise. Akosh was a prey to the most painful indecision. "What +can we do?" cried he; "are we to suffer the rascal to rob Tengelyi of +his rights? Are we to stand by and let him ruin that good man; or shall +we, who are Rety's children, accuse our own parents?"</p> + +<p>"Our best plan is to do nothing at all—at least for the present," said +Etelka. "All we can do is to watch him. He'll not destroy the papers +immediately, or employ them for any bad purpose; and though it is +against my principles, I mean, for once, to yield to a woman's +curiosity, and listen to all that happens in his room. There's always +time for extreme measures."</p> + +<p>"I am fond of seeing my way clearly," replied her brother. "We ought not +to listen or play the spy. These people are too deep for us, and I'll +promise you he will take good care that you hear nothing. Indeed, all +you heard that night was owing to his not being aware of your presence. +Our best plan is to speak to our father."</p> + +<p>"And spoil all! It's the surest way to destroy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_202" id="Page_II_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> the papers. Whether he +is privy to the affair or not, it's all the same; the papers, will +disappear the moment he or anybody suspects <i>us</i> of being in the +secret."</p> + +<p>"You are right," said Akosh; "we are compelled to be patient and to +dissemble."</p> + +<p>"Now be careful!" replied Etelka, preparing to leave the room. "I hear +my father's footsteps in the hall. He is sure to talk of Vilma; +therefore pray keep your temper and your counsel!"</p> + +<p>And, kissing her father's hands (whom she met at the door), Miss Rety +withdrew.</p> + +<p>Father and son met as antagonists, and their instincts taught them an +increase of that polite reserve which usually characterised their +intercourse. After the necessary inquiries after his son's health, both +were for a while silent, till at length the sheriff, with a violent +effort, launched into the debate.</p> + +<p>"My son," said he, with a smile, which in him meant only that he was at +a loss what expression to give to his features; "I ought to scold you +for your late adventures, not only because they induced you to withdraw +your influence at the election (thank goodness! we managed to do without +you), but also for endangering your life. Consider what a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_203" id="Page_II_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> father's +feelings must be when his son behaves like you."</p> + +<p>"My dear father," replied Akosh, his voice trembling with emotion, "I am +happy you have broached the affair. That matter must be settled, and the +sooner the better."</p> + +<p>The sheriff was by no means pleased with the eagerness with which Akosh +snatched at his words.</p> + +<p>"I am at your service," he said; "but I would advise you to wait before +we come to an <i>éclaircissement</i>. Leave it till another day. You are +excited, and perhaps suffering."</p> + +<p>"No, father," replied Akosh, "I cannot wait when my honour is concerned. +You know I love Vilma."</p> + +<p>The sheriff smiled, and Akosh continued, with a blush:—</p> + +<p>"You need not fear my giving you a homily on my love and Vilma's +virtues. I intend nothing of the kind; but you are aware of the +imprudent step which Tengelyi's obstinacy induced me to take. He would +not allow me to visit his house and see his daughter."</p> + +<p>"Tengelyi is a sensible man; at least, in a great many respects."</p> + +<p>"That may be. I, for one, will not contradict<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_204" id="Page_II_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> you, nor do I mean to +argue the question whether it is reasonable to ask a man to do +impossible things, or whether it shows good sense to oppose a strong and +honourable feeling, and to drive it, by that very opposition, to secrecy +and other steps of a questionable nature. I say I will not argue that +point. You know all that has happened. You know that Vilma's reputation +is at stake, and that I owe her satisfaction——"</p> + +<p>"I know nothing of the kind!" said the sheriff. "My dear son, you make +mountains of mole-hills. I must confess, how Vilma's reputation can have +suffered is a thing which passes my comprehension. I grant that the +business does not reflect much credit on the Tengelyi family, nor, +indeed, on Mrs. Tengelyi; but as for the young woman, why, she is turned +seventeen!"</p> + +<p>Akosh sickened at these words, and the tone in which they were spoken; +but he conquered his feelings, and went on:—</p> + +<p>"This is no laughing matter, father. Vilma's reputation cannot but +suffer; and if I could have doubted it, I'm sure what my mother said of +her in this very room would have enlightened my mind on the subject. +There is but one remedy for this, and as I have long intended to marry +Vilma, I am now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_205" id="Page_II_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> resolved to do so without delay. What I ask for is your +consent, my father."</p> + +<p>Mr. Rety was one of those men who abhor plain questions, because they +require plain answers. The manner in which his son put to him one of +these objectionable questions, and in so important a matter, too, +overwhelmed him with confusion. He muttered something about the dangers +of brusquing any business, and that it was impossible for him to make up +his mind in a moment, or to give a decision on a subject of the bearings +of which he knew so little.</p> + +<p>"As for me," replied Akosh, "my resolution is firmly fixed. But if you +wish to examine the bearings of the question, I trust you will not +forget that Vilma cannot possibly make her appearance any where, unless +it be as my betrothed; and that it is cruel in us to prolong, though +only for a day, the painful position into which I have brought her +family."</p> + +<p>"My son," said Rety, with a show of great sympathy, "no one can admire +your delicacy more than I do! I promise you that you may rely on my +effectual co-operation in any thing we can do to indemnify the Tengelyis +for your inconsiderate rashness."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_206" id="Page_II_206">[Pg 206]</a></span>"Which means that you give your consent!" cried Akosh, seizing his +father's hand.</p> + +<p>Rety proceeded: "I am prepared to go any lengths to indemnify Tengelyi. +We are rich, and, if you think proper, I have no objection, I assure +you, not the least objection, to grant him a certain quantity of land, +and to provide for Vilma in such a manner that——"</p> + +<p>Akosh dropped his father's hand.</p> + +<p>"Are you aware, sir," cried he, "that I love Vilma? That I love her more +than any thing in this world? That she loves me? and that I'd rather die +than leave her?"</p> + +<p>The sheriff looked wretchedly confused. Akosh proceeded in a more +subdued tone:—</p> + +<p>"Do not fancy that I come to you for assistance. My late mother's +property is in my hands; it will suffice to keep me and my wife. I leave +you to do as you please with your property. All I ask is your blessing, +which I <i>do</i> trust you will not refuse me."</p> + +<p>The sheriff was not without feeling, and the words of his son touched +his heart. He was, however, at that time of life in which our principles +(which usually emanate from and correspond with our interests) prevail +against the softer feelings of hu<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_207" id="Page_II_207">[Pg 207]</a></span>manity, which are so strong in a young +and ardent heart; and even if this had not been the case, he would not +have dared to grant Akosh's request. Lady Rety's influence over him +precluded the mere idea of consent. His reply, therefore, consisted of a +variety of those common-place phrases which men are wont to adduce in +argument against passions of which they cannot fathom the depth. But his +reasonings, however specious, made no impression upon Akosh, who would +not even consent to delay, in spite of his father's solemn promise that +he was prepared to sanction his son's choice in a year, if Akosh would +but follow his advice, and go on his travels.</p> + +<p>"You are unreasonable, indeed you are, my dear son!" said the sheriff, +at length, while Akosh paced the room in a state of great excitement. +"You ought to consider what you are about. You ought to consider that +your passion is likely to be your ruin. You must own that I am a good +father, an indulgent father. I never opposed any of your wishes, or even +whims. Your politics are opposed to mine; still you see I respect them, +trusting that time will at length cure you, as it does so many others. +My greatest wish was, that you should contract a suitable alliance: +indeed, I know several young ladies that would have pleased me, but I +have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_208" id="Page_II_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> not urged you. I left you to yourself. I scorned to influence your +choice. I think it but just that in the present instance you should +yield to <i>my</i> will. Consider that there is no stepping back if you once +step forward."</p> + +<p>"I have left nothing unconsidered," replied Akosh. "My mind is made up. +Vilma is all I care for in the world."</p> + +<p>"The world! And do <i>you</i> know what the world is? Do you know what you +will care for when you are past thirty? At your time of life people are +mad for love and a cottage. But, believe me, there are other things in +this world to wish and to struggle for, and to possess. A youth is +amorous, but a man is ambitious. When love has ceased to yield us +happiness, we turn to the world, and would fain exult in the respect and +obedience of the many."</p> + +<p>Akosh smiled and shook his head.</p> + +<p>"You are sceptical now, but I know your time will come. You are +generous. You are free from egotism and selfishness: but, after all, you +are human. The expression of our features may vary; but we are all +formed of the same clay, and our feelings and instincts are very much +the same, however varying their expression may be. Your time will come. +There will be a day in which your soul<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_209" id="Page_II_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> will yearn for honours and +distinctions. There will be hours in which you will regret that your +talents have been left to rust in the back kitchen; and you will curse +your folly, which excluded you from the only career in which a man can +feel real happiness."</p> + +<p>"I cannot believe it! But suppose such were the case; suppose that I +were to wake to ambition; who tells me that, in following your advice, I +can satisfy that ambition? Thousands of hands are stretched forth to +grasp those apples of Tantalus, but whose thirst did they ever slake? +Was there ever a man, who strove for distinction, who did not come to +despise that which he had gained?"</p> + +<p>"Some there are, indeed," said the sheriff; "but they grasp at more than +they can reach."</p> + +<p>"But who tells you that this is not to be my case? I have never wished +for greatness; but if I were to enter the lists, I know that I should +struggle for an object which millions have striven for in vain. To be +the great man of a county; to be the master of a poor few thousands; to +carry my head high like the reeds of the morass, surrounded by the +rottenness to which I owe my elevation; to bow and bend like a reed, so +that my weakness may not appear from my resistance: no, father, that is +not an object to devote<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_210" id="Page_II_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> one's life to, and yet, could I possibly aspire +to any thing else?"</p> + +<p>"Why should you not?" replied the sheriff, with great eagerness, for he +rejoiced in the turn of the conversation, though smarting under his +son's words, which pictured his own condition in very unattractive +colours. "Why should you not? A young man of your class may aspire to +the highest honours. I admit that the path is thorny, and indeed you +would be obliged to make it straight through the county; but you are +young, and you have the means to begin where others end. At the end of +three years I intend to resign my place in your favour, and when you +have once obtained the shrievalty you can aspire to any thing. I trust I +shall live to see you as a <i>judex curiæ</i>."</p> + +<p>"But, my dear father," said Akosh, with a smile, "even if the career you +trace out for me were to my mind, even if I would condescend to barter +my opinions for office, and to come to the mountain because the mountain +will not come to me—why, in the name of all that is reasonable, cannot +I do all this with Vilma, as well as without her?"</p> + +<p>The sheriff looked up with the greatest amazement expressed in his +countenance.</p> + +<p>"Are you not aware <i>where</i> it is you live?" said he.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_211" id="Page_II_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> "Don't you know +that nothing is to be got in this country, unless by means of family +influence? Personal merit is a cypher; it multiplies your value if your +position be added to it as number one; or do you think I could ever have +come to be a sheriff if I had married a woman of ignoble descent?"</p> + +<p>"Is it not enough that <i>I</i> am of a noble house?"</p> + +<p>"Of course," replied Rety, with deplorable rashness; "if the wife of +your choice were any other but Vilma—any other but the daughter of a +village notary! I am no tufthunter. If you like, you may marry into a +merchant's family—or, really I do not care, take the daughter of a +proselyte from Judaism—any thing of the kind will do. I am by no means +a tufthunter, my dear Akosh; I am <i>not</i> prejudiced, whatever people may +say to the contrary—no! I know too well that nobody ever saw the blood +which runs in the veins of the Retys. Take any girl you like, so that +she has plenty of money; it will set you upon your legs, my boy. Your +sister, you know, is coheiress with you, not with <i>my</i> will, I assure +you; but if your wife is not rich, you'll have only one half of what I +possess, and——"</p> + +<p>"My dear father," cried Akosh, "do not let us pursue this subject any +further. It's of no use; I have made up my mind. If my heart alone were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_212" id="Page_II_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> +concerned, I would sacrifice all my hopes of happiness for your sake; +but my honour, and Vilma's present and future happiness, are at stake, +and nothing can shake my resolution. I beg, I entreat, do not refuse me +your consent! do not compel me to take the most important step of my +life without your permission and your blessing!"</p> + +<p>"Consider, my son," urged Rety, "consider what your grandfather and +father did to raise our family to its present position! Are the +struggles of half-a-century to be sacrificed to your passion? to a whim +of the moment? Consider that you deprive my house of its peace; for, +believe me, my wife and Vilma can never meet as friends; and my wife +tells me that she would sooner leave the house than consent to this +cursed marriage. Think of your sister, for she too is likely to be +ruined by your obstinacy. What gentleman would be kin to a village +notary?"</p> + +<p>The sheriff would probably have urged a variety of other reasons upon +the consideration of his son, but the door opened, and Lady Rety entered +the room. Rety's arguments were not likely to have any effect upon his +son; nor was it probable that Akosh could ever persuade his father, that +a man who had the full enjoyment of his reasoning faculties could prefer +the daughter of a poor village notary<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_213" id="Page_II_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> to the seductive charms of a +shrievalty; but still Akosh loved his father, and the sheriff's warmth +and sincerity touched his heart. But when his step-mother entered, and +(as usual) took the lead in the discussion, her commanding tone and +supercilious manner turned the young man's blood to gall, and his every +word betrayed his scorn and disgust of the woman, whom he knew to be an +accessory of a crime.</p> + +<p>"I presume you have talked to Akosh," said Lady Rety, addressing her +husband. "Pray what has he to say for himself?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I did mention the matter—and Akosh said he would—that is to say, +just at present—that he——"</p> + +<p>"That he will never resign Vilma," cried Akosh, "neither now nor ever; +that's what he says!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, very well!" replied Lady Rety, with an angry look at her son. "You +are mistaken, if you believe, sir, that <i>we</i> can ever be brought to +consent to this marriage."</p> + +<p>"As for your ladyship, I never reckoned on your consent; but——"</p> + +<p>"Nor will your father give his. I am sure my husband has never given you +reason to suppose——"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not!" said Akosh. "But since my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_214" id="Page_II_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> father loves me, I have no +reason to suppose that his will is unchangeable."</p> + +<p>"It <i>is</i> unchangeable!" cried Lady Rety, violently. "I say it <i>is</i> +unchangeable! Am I right, Rety?"</p> + +<p>The sheriff nodded his head in token of assent.</p> + +<p>"No, never!" continued Lady Rety. "Neither he nor I will ever sanction +this folly!"</p> + +<p>"If that's the case," said the young man, with a look of contempt, "I +shall be forced to do my duty as an honourable man without my father's +consent; I shall be forced to leave a house which, it appears, is so +completely monopolised by others, that there's no room left for me!"</p> + +<p>"And which place does the young gentleman intend to honour with his +presence?" sneered Lady Rety. "Does he propose to reside on the domains +of his lady-love?"</p> + +<p>"There's no occasion for it!" replied Akosh, trembling with excitement. +"My mother's property will suffice for me now that she is dead. If she +were alive, I'd not be forced to leave my father's house in this +manner!"</p> + +<p>"Ungrateful wretch!" screamed Lady Rety; "do you reproach me with my +condescension? I was born a Baroness of Andorhazy, and nothing compelled +<i>me</i> to marry a common-place nobleman! I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_215" id="Page_II_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> am sure <i>I</i> was not honoured +by the alliance! No, it was <i>I</i> who honoured your family! And as for +your mother's property, you shan't have it! You are not of age. You have +no right to claim it!"</p> + +<p>"I shall be of age in about six weeks."</p> + +<p>"And I say no! and no! and no! I scorn the match! I won't stand the +disgrace—the infamy! Your father will disown you! curse you! I say I +will not allow you to disgrace the name which <i>I</i> bear!"</p> + +<p>Akosh would have spoken, but she continued:—</p> + +<p>"I will not suffer it! What? is the daughter of a village notary to +become my daughter-in-law! A woman without a name! a woman with scarcely +a rag to her back! a woman I despise!"</p> + +<p>"My lady!" cried Akosh.</p> + +<p>"Yes, a dishonourable woman! Your mistress before she was your wife; +a——"</p> + +<p>The cup was full. Akosh, in a frenzy of passion, rushed forward to +attack his step-mother, but the sheriff caught his arm as it descended.</p> + +<p>"How dare you?" screamed the young man; "how dare <i>you</i> say so! <i>you</i>, +the accomplice of robbers and thieves! <i>You</i>, who are indeed the +disgrace of our house! Why woman, if I were to speak, I could send you +to gaol, to your fellows!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_216" id="Page_II_216">[Pg 216]</a></span>His words were so many thunders in Lady Rety's ear. She stood deadly +pale, trembling, with downcast eyes—a picture of guilt and misery. +There is no saying what the sheriff might not have done but for +Vandory's entrance, which put a stop to all further explanations. When +the curate entered, Lady Rety seized her husband's hand and led him out +of the room. Akosh, still exhausted with his illness, and fearfully +excited, flung himself on the sofa, and wept.</p> + +<p>A short time afterwards the sheriff's servant brought a note, in which +Rety asked his son to leave the house at his earliest convenience. The +curate offered to effect a compromise, but Akosh insisted on going +immediately. He took a hurried leave of Etelka, and accompanied Vandory, +who had offered him shelter under his own roof.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_217" id="Page_II_217">[Pg 217]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_II_XI" id="CHAPTER_II_XI"></a>CHAP. XI.</h3> + + +<p>The majority of mankind are more or less eloquent on the subject of the +wounds which love inflicts on the human heart, while they most unjustly +forget that if love makes wounds, he also heals them, and that his +sorrows and pains are as nothing in comparison to the joys he gives us, +by rendering us (for the time) insensible to the other griefs that flesh +is heir to. This healing and protecting power of love relieved young +Rety from the sorrows that would otherwise have beset his mind, and +caused him to triumph over griefs which might have borne down a stouter +heart than his.</p> + +<p>Vandory introduced his young guest to his house; and this done, he +hastened to Tengelyi. The notary was just returned from a journey to +some distant place, where he had been consulting a legal friend of his. +He was preparing to set out again for Kishlak, to talk to Viola, when he +was informed of the prisoner's escape. This news deprived him of all +hopes of profiting from Viola's confession; and the disappointment was +the more painful from the fact of its<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_218" id="Page_II_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> strengthening his suspicions of +the Rety family. Vandory's conversation did much to calm his mind, and +the two friends had a long debate on the situation of affairs, and the +danger which threatened Vilma's reputation, in the course of which the +curate put great stress on the fact that young Rety's love to Vilma was +the cause of his banishment from his father's house. Tengelyi was at +length induced to promise that he would not oppose his daughter's +attachment to Akosh; and when Vandory hastened away, and returned +accompanied by the trembling lover, the notary gave him a kind and even +hearty welcome, and, by way of a practical demonstration of the old +proverb, "the least said, the soonest mended," he led young Rety to his +daughter. Having thus far yielded to the influence of his wise and +judicious friend, he returned to Vandory, saying, as if to excuse his +own weakness,</p> + +<p>"After all, what can we do? They love one another; and fate, it appears, +wills their union."</p> + +<p>"I've often told you so, but you would not believe me."</p> + +<p>"I was not always convinced of it; I wished for an older husband for my +daughter, for a man equal to her in rank and position; but fate has +willed it otherwise. And, after all, Akosh is thoroughly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_219" id="Page_II_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> good and +honourable. He will protect my boy,—poor little fellow! he has lost +caste, and is now no better than a '<i>villain</i>.' My daughter's reputation +would have been lost, for we all know Lady Rety's malice: but this +marriage will set all right again. In short, it were folly to oppose it, +however hostile my principles are to alliances of this kind."</p> + +<p>Thus the notary. And love, which but a few days ago had endangered the +tranquillity and peace of his house, served now to make it brighter and +gladder than ever. But the inmates of the manor-house of Tissaret were a +prey to grief and vexation of spirit.</p> + +<p>Immediately after the stormy scene in Akosh's room, Lady Rety conducted +her husband to her own apartments, where she told him the secret of the +recent events, to which she added Mr. Catspaw's account of what had +happened during the trial of Viola. The sheriff was shocked and alarmed, +though far less than his wily wife had been led to expect. He left her +to think the matter over in his study. Lady Rety remained alone, a prey +to the bitterest feelings. She thought of what Akosh had said, and of +the sacrifices which she pretended to have made for that young man's +benefit.</p> + +<p>"What," thought she, "what did I slave for?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_220" id="Page_II_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> Why did I put my head into +the snares of that hateful attorney? Why, indeed? Was it not to raise +this family, and to secure a large fortune to that young fool, who now +turns against me?"</p> + +<p>She sobbed and clasped her hands.</p> + +<p>"My life," continued she, "has been <i>one</i> long struggle, a continued +sacrifice of my feelings to objects which escaped from my grasp. The man +I loved was poor. I felt that my heart yearned for better things than +the insipid happiness of a good housewife. I married Rety because his +fortune and his position gave me a promise of rank, splendour, and +distinction. And what is it I have come to be?—I am a sheriff's lady, +the wife of a man who has neither talents nor energy which could raise +him to a higher position. Well, I was resigned. I sought another basis +for my happiness. I thought of raising Rety's children to that lofty +position which their father wanted the strength to reach, or even to +covet. What are these children to me? They are not my own children. They +have not sprung from my blood. But they bear my name; and though they +hate me, their step-mother, still they could not prevent me from +profiting by the position into which I wished to force them. All my +endeavours were directed to that end. And now! now! I have lost<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_221" id="Page_II_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> all! +All my plans, all the struggles of so many years are in vain, and only +because Akosh is in love with Vilma! There's nothing too high for him, +and he—he turns his back on me, on the world, on splendour and wealth; +and all for the notary's daughter. Confusion! and I cannot even revenge +myself on him!"</p> + +<p>And Lady Rety racked her inventive mind to find a means to cross her +son's plans; but she sickened at the thought that the notary, whom she +hated because she could not despise him, was likely to triumph over her. +She was lost in these painful thoughts, when Mr. Catspaw entered her +room. Lady Rety asked him what the sheriff was doing.</p> + +<p>"He is rather excited," said the attorney, seating himself +unceremoniously, and with a freedom of manner which was by no means in +keeping with his usual respectful politeness. "Your ladyship can have no +idea of his state of mind. Indeed he has gone to the length of abusing +me—the poor sheriff! But who the deuce can help it? It's a dirty +business, and in his position too——"</p> + +<p>There was something in Mr. Catspaw's voice and manner which struck Lady +Rety, and which made by no means an agreeable impression upon her.</p> + +<p>"You are merry, sir," said she; "though really I cannot understand what +there is to laugh at?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_222" id="Page_II_222">[Pg 222]</a></span>"But I can!" replied Mr. Catspaw. "The man who is in at the death, and +after a hard run too, has a right to be merry."</p> + +<p>"But we are not in at the death!" retorted Lady Rety; "Viola is at +large, and we are suspected."</p> + +<p>"Fiddlesticks!" exclaimed the attorney, with a loud burst of laughter. +"Viola's escape is nothing to us. Is he not sentenced to death? Is he +not aware that he cannot appear against us, without bringing his own +skin to market? or do you think that the robber will come to be hanged, +merely for the pleasure of giving evidence against you and me? And as +for any one suspecting us, why it's sheer nonsense! The thing is too bad +for anybody to believe it!"</p> + +<p>"You would change your opinion if you could hear what Akosh says. I am +afraid he knows more than is good for him and for us."</p> + +<p>"Fiddlesticks! Stuff and nonsense!" cried the attorney. "What can <i>he</i> +know? I dare say he has smelled a rat, but that's all. But I'll dodge +him, madam; I'll dodge him!"</p> + +<p>"You are determined to see the bright side of things," said Lady Rety, +amazed; for usually it was the worthy attorney's habit rather to +increase than to lessen the difficulties of a question.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_223" id="Page_II_223">[Pg 223]</a></span>"Why should I not?" answered Mr. Catspaw, as he leaned over towards her. +"Have I not devoted my whole life to your family? And have I not braved +all dangers? And now that the time of my reward is come, what can +prevent me from enjoying myself?"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, sir?" said Lady Rety, with a stare.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my dear, good, clever lady, you know to a nicety what I mean! How +can you help it?" cried the attorney in a bantering tone, as he seized +her hand. "Why should you pretend to make sport of your humble servant? +What was your promise? Whenever I could lay my hands on Vandory's +papers, I was to have a grant of land as a reward for my faithful +services,—<i>propter fidelia servitia</i>. You know it was mentioned on the +day of the canvass. Your ladyship must remember it; we were in the +garden——"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes! I know all about it."</p> + +<p>"And what were your ladyship's words on that memorable occasion?"</p> + +<p>"I said, My dear Catspaw, on the day you produce those papers, we will +transfer the land."</p> + +<p>"Oh, your ladyship, I too remember those words which bound me to you +with chains of gold. Here,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_224" id="Page_II_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> in my heart, they are written in golden +letters, and——"</p> + +<p>"Why do you remind me of that promise? Do you doubt me, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Not I, indeed!" cried Mr. Catspaw, as he pressed her hand. "No! I am +sure you mean to stand by what you said. It's the very reason, you know, +why I am come to consult you about the draft of the document. Your +ladyship will understand, that in the preamble some mention must be made +of my merits and my natural modesty——"</p> + +<p>"<i>C'est une vertu que vous cachez avec soin!</i>" said Lady Rety, +sarcastically. "Well, sir, I agree to an enumeration of your +transcendent merits. Leave it to me! I will take care that the document +is drawn up; but I trust the affair is not pressing."</p> + +<p>"Who knows?" replied the attorney, with a sigh. "We are all of us +mortal, and——"</p> + +<p>"I hope that <i>I</i> do not look like a dying woman!" retorted Lady Rety, +with an impatient shrug of her shoulders.</p> + +<p>"God forbid, that I, your devoted servant, should live to mourn your +loss! But, after all, who can be sure of to-morrow? and am I, whose only +hope lies in your promise, to risk my all, and perhaps lose it?"</p> + +<p>Lady Rety overcame the disgust she felt at Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_225" id="Page_II_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> Catspaw's impertinence. +She replied that the suspicion which attached to them must necessarily +increase, if such a reward were given to the attorney at this particular +time.</p> + +<p>"It is much safer to wait," added she, in a confidential tone. "You see +the affair must blow over: but to satisfy your mind, I repeat my +promise; and depend upon it, my dear Mr. Catspaw, you'll find me as good +as my word!"</p> + +<p>The attorney kissed her hand in a transport of joy.</p> + +<p>"A proud man indeed I am!" said he; "for where is so distinguished a +lady to be found as my gracious mistress? so careful, so clever, and so +businesslike a lady! And your ladyship is right: there are few +solicitors who get through their work as I do; and in the other point +too you are right, indeed you are! A cession of land, at this particular +time, might possibly get us into a scrape. The truth of the matter is, I +thought so too. I intended to point it out to you, but your ladyship's +sagacity puts me to the blush. What I wished to direct your attention to +is, that there is another way to vent your generous liberality, and to +keep the affair quite snug and secret. My plan is a most simple one. +Your ladyship need only persuade my gracious master, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_226" id="Page_II_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> sheriff, to +sign five bills of ten thousand florins each, of course with convenient +terms for payment, say from six to six months. After that——"</p> + +<p>"This is a bad joke!" said Lady Rety, staring at Mr. Catspaw in wild +amazement. "Fifty thousand florins in Austrian money——"</p> + +<p>"I was never more serious in my life. Please to consider that——"</p> + +<p>"But it's thrice the value of the grant I promised you!"</p> + +<p>"A fair valuation of the land would perhaps amount to a higher figure. +Besides, your ladyship must see that the affair was more troublesome and +dangerous than I was led to suppose; then there's the loss of my +reputation, for Viola's evidence does go for something against me; and, +besides, I have paid the Jew a large sum, and I know he'll be at me +again, for, to tell you the truth, I believe that Jew has some idea of +your ladyship's being mixed up in the affair; and considering all this, +it is but fair——"</p> + +<p>"Do you really mean to say you expect me to satisfy your impertinent +demand?" said Lady Rety, boiling with rage; "do you think me and my +husband so foolish as that? What! are we to get into debt for your +sake?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_227" id="Page_II_227">[Pg 227]</a></span>Her violence made no impression on the attorney, who replied with the +utmost coolness:</p> + +<p>"I'm sure, your ladyship, you are so clever, and so businesslike and +generous, that——"</p> + +<p>"No, sir, no!" screamed Lady Rety. "Don't you rely upon my generosity, +or folly, if you please! Indeed, Mr. Catspaw, I'm happy to know you at +last! I'm proud to understand what was at the bottom of your zeal!"</p> + +<p>"Your ladyship does me too much honour!" said Mr. Catspaw, with his +grating voice; "and it's a pity that you should endanger your precious +health by the violence of your gratitude. But this generous burst of +passion adds to my conviction that your ladyship will joyfully embrace +my proposals."</p> + +<p>"Your proposals, indeed!" cried the lady. "You are an impertinent +scoundrel, sir! I'd like to see the man that can force <i>me</i> to any +thing! The very fulfilment of my promise depends upon my own free will. +Where are your witnesses, sir? Where's your judge? No, sir! You have +nothing to rely upon except my generosity, particularly since you +neglected to fulfil the very first condition of our bargain. Where <i>are</i> +those papers, sir? for all <i>I</i> know they may be at Vandory's, or +somebody else's;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_228" id="Page_II_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> and you, sir, how dare you ask me for money on the +wretched plea of your having burnt them!"</p> + +<p>"Nothing is so easy for me as to satisfy your ladyship on that point," +retorted the attorney, with a sneer. "The papers are still in my hands. +You are welcome to see them any time you like."</p> + +<p>Lady Rety stood trembling, speechless, and stunned. At length she +muttered,—</p> + +<p>"You forget, sir! You told me you'd thrown them into the fire."</p> + +<p>"I'm fully aware of it!" sneered Mr. Catspaw, "And not only did I tell +you I'd burnt the papers, but for a moment I had that insane intention. +Thank goodness! I did not carry it into execution."</p> + +<p>"But why did you not give me the papers?" said Lady Rety, with so +trembling a voice that it was clear she knew the attorney's motives.</p> + +<p>"Why did I not give them to <i>you</i>? Can your ladyship dare to ask me such +a question? But I'll tell you. I did not do it, because, having devoted +my life to yourself and your family, I had no mind to be cast aside like +a used-up tool. I kept the papers, because I would not trust to your +generosity, and because I thought it was better to be safe than to be a +fool."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_229" id="Page_II_229">[Pg 229]</a></span>"Do let us talk it quietly over. Suppose I <i>was</i> violent just now! are +we not old friends? and have you not spoiled me?" said Lady Rety, +forcing a smile. "The papers are in your hands: they are your property; +and nothing can be more fair than your wish to sell them. But your +demand of fifty thousand florins is utterly inadmissible."</p> + +<p>"I would not take one penny less than that," replied Mr. Catspaw, with +great composure. "Papers for the possession of which a lady of your +ladyship's rank and condition condescends to such deeds as we enacted +together, I say, such papers must be worth their weight in gold."</p> + +<p>"Beast!" growled Lady Rety, as she walked to and fro in the room.—"My +friend," said she, turning to her antagonist, "please to consider my +position. You know I have not one fourth part of the money in my +possession; and the bills, to be valid, must have my husband's +signature. How can I induce him to consent to so great a sacrifice?"</p> + +<p>"I know your ladyship's power too well! Nothing can be easier for you +than to induce the sheriff to sign the bills. Everybody knows how +irresistible your ladyship is!"</p> + +<p>Lady Rety made no reply to this cutting speech; but she turned, to hide +the tears which bedewed her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_230" id="Page_II_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> cheeks. The attorney walked to the window, +and drew figures on the panes. After a long pause, the lady mustered up +her resolution; and, boldly confronting the lawyer, she asked: "Do you +really mean to stand by your demand?"</p> + +<p>"I do, indeed," replied Mr. Catspaw.</p> + +<p>"You will not let me have the papers under fifty thousand florins?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly not."</p> + +<p>"Very well, sir; keep them!" said Lady Rety, with a loud laugh: "keep +them, sir! make the most of them! What do I care about Akosh's fortune +now, since he <i>will</i> marry the notary's daughter! and it was for his +sake alone I wanted those cursed papers."</p> + +<p>"Am I to make the most of them? Am I, indeed?" said Mr. Catspaw, +somewhat startled by the sudden turn of the debate.</p> + +<p>"Of course you are!" said Lady Rety. "I declare it's quite amusing! To +think that I should have forgotten that I have no reason whatever to +care for them since the young gentleman told me his mind! And as for +you, my dear sir, indeed it grieves me, but your conduct of this evening +will certainly induce me to re-consider my promise,—about the grant, +you know."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_231" id="Page_II_231">[Pg 231]</a></span>"Nothing more natural. The papers have possibly lost their former value +in your ladyship's eyes; nothing can be more natural, woman's heart is +so changeable! but, in my eyes, they retain much of their original +value. That value, madam," said Mr. Catspaw, seizing the lady's hand, +and affectionately pressing it, "is enhanced by the <i>manner</i> in which we +became possessed of them."</p> + +<p>"<i>We?</i> Mr. Catspaw! What do you mean, sir?"</p> + +<p>"What I mean is clear enough," retorted he, still squeezing her hand. +"Viola has accused your ladyship of theft, and of being a partner to a +robbery. No matter! Viola is a robber: no man in his senses will believe +a word he says. But suppose another witness were to come into court, +say, for instance, <i>I</i> were to appear against your ladyship, say I were +to give evidence fully corroborating the robber's statements; and +suppose, in confirmation of my evidence, I were to produce the papers we +stole, the contents of which would prove, beyond the possibility of a +doubt, that you, and only you, could have an interest in their +abstraction,—what then? My humble opinion is, the affair would make +some stir in the county."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" said Lady Rety. "I do not fear<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_232" id="Page_II_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> your threats; knowing, as I +do, that you cannot ruin me without ruining yourself."</p> + +<p>"Don't be too sure of that! We are not exactly in the same position. I'm +not interested in the papers; but your ladyship is. I am a poor lawyer; +and suppose I were to come into court, declaring that I devoted my life +to the service of your house, that my zeal got the better of my duty, +and that I assisted your ladyship in the theft; but that, repentant and +conscience-stricken, I come to accuse myself, and to give the stolen +property up to the court,—is there not a deal of pathos in such an +account? Can it fail to touch the hearts of the judges?"</p> + +<p>"Demon!" gasped Lady Rety, as she flung herself on the sofa, and covered +her face with her hands.</p> + +<p>The attorney proceeded:—</p> + +<p>"The business will give me a good reputation, and some profit, too. +Akosh would do any thing to get Tengelyi's papers. Perhaps he is open to +a negotiation; and Vandory, too, (he delights in repentant sinners,) +will take my part. But as for your ladyship——"</p> + +<p>"Devil! cease to torment me!" screamed the lady, clasping her hands.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_233" id="Page_II_233">[Pg 233]</a></span>"The sheriff's lady in gaol!—it's an ugly thing. The sheriff's +influence no doubt would go for something to make the punishment short +and mild; they would give you, say, six months, or three months; but +still,—you have been in gaol, and,—for thieving in company with a Jew. +Besides, there are the cross-examinations, the evidence——"</p> + +<p>"Catspaw!" screamed Lady Rety, with the bound of a wounded panther, "No! +you cannot do that!"</p> + +<p>"I can and I will do it, unless I have the bills on Friday next."</p> + +<p>"You shall have them!"</p> + +<p>"Five bills of ten thousand florins each, and signed by the sheriff."</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"The bills to be payable from six to six months."</p> + +<p>"I know it all. For pity's sake, leave me!" cried she, with a dying +voice.</p> + +<p>"You shall have the papers the day you give me the bills," added the +attorney, seizing his hat. "Good night, my lady!" And he left the room.</p> + +<p>The noise of his steps had scarcely ceased to sound in the hall, when +the door of the hall stove opened, and Peti's curly head appeared in the +gap. The gipsy was Mr. Rety's stove-heater; and, in the present +instance, he had crept through the chimney<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_234" id="Page_II_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> to Lady Rety's apartments, +where he had listened to her conversation with Mr. Catspaw. He was just +about to leave the place, when he met Janosh.</p> + +<p>"Dear me! what's the matter?" cried the hussar. "Your face is all soot +and ashes, man!"</p> + +<p>"No wonder it is!" said the gipsy, wiping his face with the sleeve of +his shirt. "You know I am always at that dirty work."</p> + +<p>"At it again, man! Make large fires in this house! Give them a taste of +hell! I am going to join my master. I've packed my things, and I've done +with this house, d—n it!"</p> + +<p>"Are you, too, going?"</p> + +<p>"With a vengeance, my boy!" replied Janosh. "I've eaten the sheriff's +bread, and I never dreamt I should ever leave his house without saying +'God bless you!' But that's the way they've sent my master about his +business. Good night!"</p> + +<p>The hussar hastened away. Peti took his bunda, crept to the garden, and +disappeared in the darkness of the night.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_235" id="Page_II_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_II_XII" id="CHAPTER_II_XII"></a>CHAP. XII.</h3> + + +<p>On the following day the sheriff's house resumed its usual tranquil +appearance. Mr. Rety, indeed, looked dispirited and gloomy, and Etelka +was less cheerful than usual. Lady Rety, too, looked pale; but whatever +her feelings were, she kept them under command; and when Mr. Catspaw +made his appearance, she received him with a smile, which had lost +nothing of its former graciousness. Lady Rety's temper, however violent, +was never allowed to interfere with her plans: Mr. Catspaw knew this. He +was too familiar with the lady's character to confide in the treacherous +tranquillity of her appearance, especially since her maid had told him +that her mistress had not gone to bed that night; that she walked to and +fro, and showed other signs of restlessness; and that early in the +morning she shut the windows of her room with such violence that she +broke several panes of glass, which were symptoms—as Mr. Catspaw sagely +observed—of an unsettled and disturbed mind. He watched her closely, +though unsuccessfully; and none but the chamber-maid knew that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_236" id="Page_II_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> Lady +Rety, instead of sending the broken windows to the Jewish glazier, had +ordered that man to come to her room; and that, strange to say, although +the lady remained in the room while the Jew was at work, she never once +raised her voice for the purposes of correction and abuse. But as Lady +Rety complained of headache and fever, the chamber-maid was justified in +finding a reason for this extraordinary mildness in the weak state of +her health.</p> + +<p>On the third day, however, she was so far restored, that she could +accompany her husband and Etelka on a visit to Dustbury. Mr. Catspaw +alone remained at home. He was anxious and restless; indeed he would +gladly have accompanied the family, for he could not believe in his own +safety unless he had his eye on Lady Rety. And that she should go to +Dustbury of all places!</p> + +<p>"This woman," said Mr. Catspaw, "would do any thing to injure me. I'm +sure she has settled a plan of revenge in her mind; I'm quite sure of +it! her seeming kindness makes it clear beyond the possibility of a +doubt. What can it be? I would not mind it if she were to abuse me or +swear at me; but I don't like her present manner,—indeed I don't like +it," said Mr. Catspaw, emphatically, as if to convince himself of the +very dangerous nature of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_237" id="Page_II_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> Lady Rety's intentions. He thought of all and +any thing she might, could, or would do; but there was nothing he could +think of by which she could ruin him with safety to herself.</p> + +<p>"But is it not possible for her to sacrifice her safety to her +vindictiveness?" said the attorney; "and if she does, who is the victim? +I? It was I who took an active part in the theft. How am I to prove her +guilt? Viola knows all about it; but Viola is not likely to show his +face again. The county is too hot to hold him. As for the Jew, he'll be +as false to me as he is to everybody else; and when once accused, who +will believe me if I accuse the sheriff's wife? I must needs make +friends," exclaimed the amiable attorney; "everybody hates me; and the +cleverest man cannot stand the attacks of numbers. But what am I to do?"</p> + +<p>After a careful examination of his position, it appeared to him that +there were two ways of providing for unforeseen contingencies. The first +was to ingratiate himself with Lady Rety by preventing young Rety's +marriage; the second, to creep into that young man's favour. The thing +was difficult, but it could be done. After receiving the bills, he could +easily retain a few of Vandory's papers. Lady Rety had never seen them: +she could not, therefore,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_238" id="Page_II_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> suspect any thing. At a later period he (the +attorney) thought of presenting those letters and Tengelyi's papers to +Akosh, telling him how they were obtained, and what share Lady Rety had +in the transaction. Akosh was sure to keep the secret; and, as for Lady +Rety, it was not likely that she would accuse Mr. Catspaw, if she knew +that her own son was prepared to give evidence against her.</p> + +<p>His resolution once taken, he commenced with his usual energy to carry +it out; and being informed that the notary was out walking with Vandory +and Akosh, and that Mrs. Tengelyi and Vilma were alone, he hastened to +the notary's house, studying his part as he walked along, and comforting +himself with the reflection, that, however ill they might receive him, +they were but women he would have to contend with, he knocked softly at +the door.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ershebet and Vilma were at work in the notary's room. They were not +a little startled by the attorney's appearance; and Mrs. Ershebet's tone +was none of the kindest, when she asked him why and what he came for? +but he managed to reply, with the utmost coolness, that he wished to pay +his respects to Mr. Tengelyi and his family; and, suiting the action to +the word, he took a chair, and waited to be spoken to.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_239" id="Page_II_239">[Pg 239]</a></span>His quiet assurance confounded Mrs. Ershebet. Mr. Catspaw knew it would, +and, knowing this, he had prudently timed his visit so as not to meet +Mr. Tengelyi. He suspected that the notary would not give him time to +say all the kind words which were to make his peace with the family. The +attorney's misgivings on that head showed his astounding sagacity; for, +indeed, nothing was more likely than that the notary, regardless of his +exordiums, would rush into <i>medias res</i> by kicking him out of doors.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ershebet spoke reluctantly, but she spoke. Their conversation was +of the weather, the crops, and other things; and when Vilma left the +room, the attorney turned to Mrs. Tengelyi, and drawing his chair to her +table, said:—</p> + +<p>"I am happy the dear girl is gone! I want to speak to you about a +subject which concerns your family, and especially your angel Vilma. I +know I can open my heart to you, for you are as clever as you are kind."</p> + +<p>This flattering speech, and the tone of confidential adulation in which +it was spoken, told less strongly upon Mrs. Tengelyi than Mr. Catspaw +expected it would. But she concealed her disgust; and hoping to learn +something about her husband's papers, she intreated the attorney to +speak.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_240" id="Page_II_240">[Pg 240]</a></span>"My dear Mrs. Ershebet," continued that learned man, with a grotesque +whine, "permit me again to address you with the words which at one time +were so dear to my heart, and whose sound still fills my soul with the +reminiscences of youth!"</p> + +<p>"Sir!" said Mrs. Tengelyi, angrily, "the less you remind me of the past +the better; and, moreover, you know, that at that time too——"</p> + +<p>"Do you think I can have forgotten," sighed Mr. Catspaw, "that when, +many years ago, I offered you my heart and my hand, you rejected me with +contempt, and that you preferred Tengelyi and poverty to Catspaw and +tranquil happiness? But, oh! what agonies might have been spared to us +if my respected Ershebet had been less blindly devoted to Tengelyi's +shining talents, which after all cannot keep the pot boiling."</p> + +<p>"If you <i>have</i> something to say, say it, sir! or if you must needs +mention my husband, do it with proper respect, and consider to whom you +are speaking!"</p> + +<p>"God forbid!" said the attorney, humbly, "that I should say or think any +offence to Mr. Tengelyi! No! I respect him above all men; and though he +wounded my heart, for it is he who robbed me of my hopes of happiness, +of my hopes of possessing you—and——"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_241" id="Page_II_241">[Pg 241]</a></span>"Enough!" replied Mrs. Ershebet, with a look of contempt. "I think we +know each other. You have given us so many proofs of your love and +respect, that we can dispense with your protestations."</p> + +<p>The attorney sighed.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said he, "I grieve to find you a victim to the very delusion which +enthrals Mr. Tengelyi's mind. You too believe that I am the cause, or at +least the promoter, of the lamentable Dustbury quarrel. Very well! I +submit. The future will show how greatly you wrong me!"</p> + +<p>"Heaven grant that it be so!" sighed Mrs. Tengelyi; "and whatever cause +we may have to complain of you, you can rely on my sincere gratitude, if +you exert yourself in behalf of my children."</p> + +<p>"No thanks! my dearest Mrs. Ershebet, no thanks!" said the attorney, +with increasing warmth. "My heart's best wish is to show you that I am +still faithful to the love of my youth. If I can prove this, I am amply +rewarded; and I believe there is now an opportunity to convince you of +my constancy."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Tengelyi was astonished, and more than half frightened; but she +replied that she had no doubt that Mr. Catspaw's position and influence +could be beneficially exerted in behalf of her family.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_242" id="Page_II_242">[Pg 242]</a></span>"Do not suppose that my influence is so great as people say it is. They +say that my word is law in Mr. Rety's house. The sheriff and his wife's +doings are put down as mine. They have the benefit of the obloquy which +falls on me, but I have the vexation and the enmities which ought to be +their share. God knows, things would be far different if I had my will. +But—never mind! I <i>have</i> some influence in Rety's house, and perhaps I +can exert it to your advantage. Mr. Tengelyi, I understand, has been +summoned to show cause why he should not be considered as being in a +state of <i>villanage</i>?"</p> + +<p>The coolness with which this question was asked by the very man whom she +considered as the prime mover of her husband's troubles, surprised Mrs. +Tengelyi to such an extent that she was unable to make any reply.</p> + +<p>"And I learn," continued the attorney, "that the papers, by means of +which he expected to prove his noble descent have been feloniously +abstracted from these premises?"</p> + +<p>"If anybody ought to know, it is you!" cried Mrs. Tengelyi, with utter +disgust.</p> + +<p>"I understand you," said Mr. Catspaw, with a placid smile; "and I am +free to confess that I feel hurt that I, of all men, should be suspected +of such<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_243" id="Page_II_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> a thing. Even if such an action were not repugnant to my +feelings, I cannot understand what hopes of profit or advantage it could +possibly hold out to me. I have no claims on Mr. Tengelyi. His rights or +wrongs have no influence on my fortunes or interests. To suppose that I +should be guilty of the gratuitous perpetration of such a crime is +simply absurd."</p> + +<p>"I cannot dispute with you; but, from what my husband says, and from +what we have heard of Viola's depositions, it appears——"</p> + +<p>"But, dearest Mrs. Ershebet, if this were the case, can you think that I +would have dared to come to your house? Why it were the greatest piece +of impertinence,—and of folly" (added he, seeing that the former +supposition seemed by no means unlikely to Mrs. Tengelyi,) "and, indeed, +of madness, if, after so much danger and risk for the purpose of +wronging Mr. Tengelyi, I would now exert myself for his advantage."</p> + +<p>"As yet we have no proofs of your wish to do any such thing," dryly +remarked Mrs. Tengelyi.</p> + +<p>"Heaven knows," said Mr. Catspaw, with a pious look to the +ceiling,—"Heaven knows, madam, how unjustly you treat me! If you could +but know what I did to prevent the person—but no matter! I intend to +give you proofs of my friendship, and to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_244" id="Page_II_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> gain the esteem even of Mr. +Tengelyi, your respected husband."</p> + +<p>"God grant it! As far as in us lies, you may rely on our gratitude."</p> + +<p>"No gratitude! Do not mention it! What I want is your friendship. The +papers," added the attorney, looking cautiously round, and drawing his +chair to Mrs. Tengelyi's side, "I say, are the papers such that they +give full and satisfactory proofs of your husband's noble descent?"</p> + +<p>"Of course they do. What of that?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed, indeed!" said Mr. Catspaw, abstractedly. "Important matter! +Valuable papers! What baptism is in the kingdom of Heaven, that is noble +descent in the kingdom of Hungary. I understand your grief now, and +especially when I think what is to become of your little boy!—--"</p> + +<p>"For God's sake, cease to torment me! If you know what has become of +them——"</p> + +<p>"But tell me," said Mr. Catspaw, "have you lost <i>all</i> your papers? Are +none of the documents left?"</p> + +<p>"None!" sighed Mrs. Tengelyi. "They were tied in a parcel, and they are +all gone. But if you know where they are, I pray, I entreat you to tell +me. If I have ever offended you, pray consider that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_245" id="Page_II_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> my children, at +least, are innocent of any grudges you may think you owe me!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Catspaw had some difficulty to conceal the joy he felt at the effect +of his words.</p> + +<p>"Alas!" said he, with a sigh, "if it were my own case—believe me, +dearest Mrs. Ershebet, if I only knew where the papers are, I'd walk a +thousand miles to restore them to you!"</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say that you do <i>not</i> know where they are?" cried Mrs. +Tengelyi, with amazement.</p> + +<p>"How should I? Do but consider the matter. What Viola says is a mere +invention. Let me ask you again: what are those documents to <i>me</i>, that +I should commit a felony for them?"</p> + +<p>"But in what way do you propose to assist my children, if you cannot +help us to prove our nobility?"</p> + +<p>"But who tells you that I do not mean to assist you in recovering your +nobility?" retorted the attorney, with a smile. "As for papers and +documents, never mind them! We can do without them."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Tengelyi stared at him, but he went on:—</p> + +<p>"My dearest Mrs. Ershebet, we live in Hungary, you know, though I am +afraid you are wofully ignorant of the doings and dealings of Hungarian +life. Who ever heard of nobility being obtained<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_246" id="Page_II_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> and proved by documents +only? Fancy, if every man enjoying the privileges of a nobleman were to +be asked for his parchments! I assure you such a proceeding would make +greater havoc amongst us than the battle of Mohatsh.<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> Don't you see, +my dear madam, that there is a better and simpler way to prove noble +descent, viz., by <i>usus</i>. Of late they have called it prescription, but +that word does not embrace the idea in all its bearings; for +prescription is, after all, a kind of law, and where there's law there's +no occasion for <i>usus</i>; nay, it is a peculiarity of the <i>usus</i> that it +presupposes something which is not, and has not been, and never can be +founded on law. For instance, you have a large field, and I am your +neighbour. I encroach on your field, and plough a small piece away every +season. At length you bring an action against me. Very well. I prove +that I was in the '<i>usus</i>:' that I have always ploughed and reaped to a +certain point—say a stone, or tree, or any thing you like. Very well. +You say it's a bad habit of mine, and that the field belongs to you. But +it's all of no use: I've the <i>usus</i> on my side, and if you go on with +your action you're a fool, that's all. Or say, you and I are joint +proprietors of a farm. I keep sheep, and you don't.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_247" id="Page_II_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> At last you take it +into your head to keep sheep. But I say, 'No, you shall not!' And why? +Because I've the <i>usus</i> for me!"</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_II_X" id="SEE_NOTE_II_X"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_II_X">Note X</a>.</p></div> + +<p>"But of what use is all this in our case?"</p> + +<p>"This is the use. As you can get any thing by <i>usus</i>, so you can get the +privileges of nobility by it also."</p> + +<p>"I cannot understand this," said Mrs. Tengelyi.</p> + +<p>"And yet it is as clear as daylight. I say A. or B. has not a rag of +paper to prove his nobility with; nay, more: he himself is aware that +his family are not noble; but he has friends in the county, who have +kept the tax-gatherer from his door. Now suppose somebody questions his +noble descent; what a horrid thing would it be for the poor man if he +were compelled to prove how, and why, and when his ancestors were +ennobled! No, he simply shows that he never paid any taxes, and he is at +once established as a nobleman; especially if he can prove that he has +attended an election, where he thrashed somebody, or where somebody +thrashed him; for, if there's a thrashing in the case, I'd like to see +the man who would dare to doubt the <i>usus</i>. I remember the case of a +party against whom they brought an action of that kind, and who proved +that his grandfather was repeatedly sent to gaol for horse-stealing, +without<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_248" id="Page_II_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> having ever been subjected to corporal punishment. Very well. +The <i>usus</i> was proved, that's all. Believe me, you are sadly mistaken if +you fancy that you want documents to prove your noble descent. There are +many counties in which hundreds of <i>villains</i> are admitted to the +franchise by the parties in office, merely for the purpose of carrying a +contested election. All you want for the purpose is a friend and——"</p> + +<p>"Alas! we have no friends!" sighed Mrs. Tengelyi.</p> + +<p>"No, but you have, my dear madam!" cried Mr. Catspaw, nodding his head +with great energy; "I say, madam, you have friends who would do any +thing to be of service to you! who would hire a score of witnesses to +swear that Mr. Tengelyi is descended <i>rectâ viâ</i> from a count's family. +Even Mr. Rety——"</p> + +<p>"I am sure <i>he</i> will oppose us to the last."</p> + +<p>"You are mistaken. When he once sees what interest I take in you, he too +will be eager to stop the recorder's process against your husband. I +assure you, Mr. Rety is a dear good gentlemanly man; and if we could but +remove the cause of this disagreeable quarrel, dear me! I don't see why +they shouldn't be as they were at the German university.—I speak of +your husband and Mr. Rety, madam."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_249" id="Page_II_249">[Pg 249]</a></span>"What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"The cause of the quarrel, you know, is young Rety's love to that dear +girl, Vilma. If means could be found to arrange that business, I am sure +we'd go on smoothly and comfortably."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid you are not aware, sir," said Mrs. Tengelyi, to whom these +words gave a clue to the attorney's intentions, "that it is no use +trying to remove that cause of the quarrel. Akosh has made a formal +offer; Vilma loves him, and he has our consent. If the sacrifice of my +daughter's happiness is the only thing you have to propose——"</p> + +<p>"But who thinks of sacrificing the poor girl's happiness?" said Mr. +Catspaw, reproachfully. "What man can desire the dear angel's happiness +more than I do? But I say, are her affections irrevocably fixed on the +sheriff's son?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Tengelyi would have spoken, but the attorney interrupted her.</p> + +<p>"A great name and a large fortune are capital things! indeed they are; +and I, of all men, ought to know it. It's a fine thing to have your +daughter living in a large house, and driving about in a +carriage-and-four; but is this happiness? Why, you yourself are the best +proof that it is not. You might have married a wealthy man, who would +have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_250" id="Page_II_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> led you a comfortable life; but you preferred Tengelyi——"</p> + +<p>"If you think," cried Mrs. Ershebet, angrily, "that we accepted the +offer only because Akosh is rich, you are very much mistaken, I assure +you! On the contrary, we wish he were of our own condition in life."</p> + +<p>"Just so; exactly, my dear Mrs. Ershebet! If I had a daughter of my own, +I'd never give her to my betters. It is true such gentlemen are enabled +to introduce their ladies to all the enjoyments of life, enjoyments, +too, which are quite out of the question in the humble paths of an easy, +comfortable competence, of honourable poverty, if you like the term. +They can surround them with splendour, luxury, and Heaven knows what. +But as for real love, dearest Mrs. Ershebet, real love, as you and I +understand it, flies from the glittering snares of a monied alliance!"</p> + +<p>"Akosh is an exception. He adores Vilma."</p> + +<p>"Of course he does! nothing more natural. Whom does he not adore! His +heart is so full of sentiment. But you see, dearest Mrs. Ershebet, it's +a strange thing, a peculiar thing, indeed, my dear madam, this very +adoration is—what is it, after all? You kneel down, raise your hands, +are transported, en<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_251" id="Page_II_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>raptured, and all that sort of thing; and when +you've done with your prayer, you get up, and go your way. That's +adoration, madam."</p> + +<p>"No, sir!" said Mrs. Tengelyi, firing up; "I know Akosh! I respect him! +I would never have promised him my daughter's hand, if I had doubted his +honour."</p> + +<p>"Madam, I respect you for respecting Akosh; on my word, I do. He's the +best, the most honourable of gentlemen, though I say it, who ought not +to say it, because I'm his friend. If he were my own son, I couldn't +like him better than I do. Who would quarrel with him for being +excitable, and less constant in love than we old people would like to +see young gentlemen? You see, dearest Mrs. Ershebet, it is not just, it +is not fair, to ask that kind of thing of a young gentleman of Mr. +Rety's station."</p> + +<p>"But I do ask it!" protested Mrs. Tengelyi. "I give him my daughter; and +I have a right to ask——"</p> + +<p>"Not an impossibility, I trust!" said Mr. Catspaw, with a smile. "If +Akosh were of our own standing in society, your wish to monopolise him +would be natural; but in the higher spheres of life such a desire is +perfectly ridiculous. What would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_252" id="Page_II_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> the world say, if a gentleman of his +rank were to confine his attentions to his lady!"</p> + +<p>"I trust you do not insinuate any thing disreputable against Akosh——"</p> + +<p>"Disreputable? No; indeed not! He has some mistresses; but——"</p> + +<p>"Mistresses!" screamed Mrs. Tengelyi.</p> + +<p>"Well! and what of that?"</p> + +<p>"What, indeed!" cried Mrs. Tengelyi, utterly forgetful of who it was, to +whom she spoke. "If he were capable of having but one mistress, now that +he has told my daughter, at least a hundred times, that he loves her +alone, why it were infamous, despicable,——"</p> + +<p>"But I assure you it is wrong to attach any importance to that kind of +thing!"</p> + +<p>"But I do! Rather than permit such doings——"</p> + +<p>"My dear, good Mrs. Ershebet," whispered the attorney, drawing still +closer to her; "I know your views of life; and, as your friend and +sincere well-wisher, I feel bound to express my opinion that Akosh will +never be what you expect him to be. He is a young gentleman of great +talents, of energy, hot temper, business habits; he is all that, and +more; but he is neither faithful nor constant in love. If you desire a +constant son-in-law," he added, seizing her hand, "I can tell you of +one."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_253" id="Page_II_253">[Pg 253]</a></span>Mrs. Tengelyi looked at him in hopeless bewilderment.</p> + +<p>"Yes, dearest Mrs. Ershebet!" continued Mr. Catspaw, with increasing +pathos; "I know a man of tried constancy, of unbounded devotion! a man, +indeed, who cannot vie with Akosh in splendour, but in whose arms Vilma +is sure to find that tranquil happiness whose value she knows so well +how to appreciate. I, madam,—I am ready to take young Rety's place!"</p> + +<p>"You, Mr. Catspaw!" cried Mrs. Ershebet, holding up her hands.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" said the good man, brimful of kindness. "I am not quite the +boy I was when I proposed for you; but I'm not an old man, eh? I am a +man in the prime of life, a man of substance, dear Ershebet. What I +offer is more than a competence. I've a hundred and fifty thousand +florins, if I have a penny. If Vilma marries me, there will be no more +questioning about Tengelyi's nobility; indeed, the Retys would be happy +to make me a handsome cession of land. And as for that little affair +with Akosh, you know I am by far too sensible and indulgent——"</p> + +<p>While he was engaged in enumerating the advantages of an alliance +between him and Vilma, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_254" id="Page_II_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> attorney had neglected to watch Mrs. +Tengelyi's features, and to mark the unmistakeable expression of scorn +and disgust which they bore. He was not, therefore, at all prepared for +the scene which ensued, when the insulted mother rose and told him to +leave the house instantly. He would have spoken, explained, excused +himself, and what not! but Mrs. Tengelyi would not allow him to speak, +and, to make bad worse, the door opened at this very critical moment, +and Tengelyi entered the room.</p> + +<p>"What do you want here?" said the notary, with an awful frown.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ershebet cut off the attorney's reply by a circumstantial account +of Mr. Catspaw's proposal, in the course of which she commented on that +worthy gentleman's behaviour in severe and, indeed, pungent terms.</p> + +<p>"Be off! and never again dare to show your impudent face in my house!" +said the notary, in reply to Mr. Catspaw's offer; but that gentleman, +who, on seeing the notary, had expected no less than that the latter +would assault him on the spot, was misled by this seeming moderation. He +thought it a duty he owed to himself to make the best of so favourable +an opportunity, and launching forth into protestations<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_255" id="Page_II_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> of his unlimited +friendship for the Tengelyi family, he was just in the act of venting +his admiration and love of the notary, when the latter addressed him +very unceremoniously,—</p> + +<p>"Get out, sir! If you don't, I'll kick you!"</p> + +<p>"But, sir, please to give me a moment's hearing! Indeed, sir, this is +not the way you ought to treat my offer! If Vilma——"</p> + +<p>"Don't presume to mention her, you miscreant!" cried Mr. Tengelyi. +"<i>You</i> my daughter's husband? You!—a robber, a thief?"</p> + +<p>The noise of the altercation brought Vilma and the Liptaka into the +room, and the passers-by in the street stopped at the window and +listened. Mr. Catspaw was of opinion that the presence of so many +witnesses would prevent the notary from proceeding to acts of bodily +violence; and, moreover, he was aware that his dignity would not allow +him to submit to Tengelyi's insulting language. To talk big was not only +safe, but prudent.</p> + +<p>"This is too bad!" screamed he. "I'll make you repent it, sir!"</p> + +<p>"Repent it?" shouted Tengelyi.</p> + +<p>"Yes, repent it, if you please, my dear notary! Perhaps you are not +aware that you are not a nobleman?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_256" id="Page_II_256">[Pg 256]</a></span>"Reptile! dost thou dare to remind me of thy villany?" cried the notary, +raising his stick, in spite of the endeavours of his wife and daughter, +who sought to restrain him.</p> + +<p>"Though I condescend to propose for your daughter, you ought not to +forget the difference between your rank and mine!"</p> + +<p>"It's the difference between an honest man and a rascal!" cried +Tengelyi, still struggling to disengage his arm from the grasp of Mrs. +Ershebet.</p> + +<p>Mr. Catspaw saw clearly that the delay of another minute would prove +dangerous. He retreated, and reached the door just when Tengelyi, whose +fury brooked no restraint, broke from those who held him, and rushed in +pursuit of him.</p> + +<p>"God knows but I'll be the death of that fellow!" said the notary, as he +returned to his house, accompanied by Vandory and Akosh, who luckily met +him as he was running after the attorney. Exhausted with his passion, he +flung himself on a chair; and though his wife, Vandory, and Akosh +assured him that Mr. Catspaw was beneath an honest man's notice, a +considerable time elapsed before he regained his usual equanimity. The +witnesses of the scene, too, were greatly excited and interested; and a +report was spread, by some, that Mr. Catspaw had been beaten<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_257" id="Page_II_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> and +kicked, and by others, that Tengelyi would have killed the attorney, but +for the flight of the latter.</p> + +<p>While these and sundry other rumours on the subject of his danger were +spreading in Tissaret, the worthy Mr. Catspaw reached his apartments in +safety, though by no means in an enviable mood.</p> + +<p>"What a confounded fool I've made of myself!" said he. "Propose for the +girl, indeed! curse me, I'm a victim to that silly attachment of mine +for the Retys. Would they have given me a penny more for marrying her? +No. They cannot help giving me fifty thousand florins, but they won't +give me a farthing more. And even if I were to prevent young Rety's +marriage, his ungrateful mother would never forgive me. She'll never get +over those money matters. Curse her! She'd skin a flint! But who the +deuce could have thought that the woman wouldn't let me speak, and that +Tengelyi would come home? And he insulted me!—publicly!—before +everybody did he insult me, and I cannot even retaliate upon him! I dare +not offend that puppy Akosh; for, after all, I don't see what I can do, +except giving him Tengelyi's documents, and a few of Vandory's letters. +It's a good plan, and it will protect me against being prosecuted. But +before doing this I must have the bills in my pocket."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_258" id="Page_II_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>But even this resolution did not quite conquer Mr. Catspaw's +apprehensions; for did not Akosh hate him? and might not the young man +institute proceedings against him? No! he would bind Akosh by his word +of honour,—these young men are so full of prejudice! "And besides, he +cannot inform against me, without dishonouring his own name. His +mother-in-law is too much mixed up with the affair," muttered the +attorney, as he lighted a candle and sat down to examine Vandory's +papers.</p> + +<p>It was almost eleven o'clock when he finished his labours. He took a few +of the letters, put them in an envelope, and placed them in a secret +corner of his desk. His examination of the letters had satisfied him +that the Retys could not think of braving the publicity of a court of +justice. This discovery put him into the best of tempers.</p> + +<p>"Capital!" said he, rubbing his hands; "in a few days I shall have fifty +thousand florins, and by communicating the affair to Akosh, I can foil +any plans of revenge which this woman may have against me. I'm worth two +hundred thousand florins! At last I know what I've lived for!" And he +prepared to lock the door. He turned the key and tried the door, but it +remained open. He tried it again, but without success. Mr. Catspaw shook +his head.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_259" id="Page_II_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> Something must be the matter with the lock. He thought of +bolting the door; but the bolt would not move.</p> + +<p>"What the deuce can be the matter?" said he, after another unsuccessful +attempt.</p> + +<p>He recollected that since Akosh, Etelka, and the Retys were gone, he was +quite alone in that part of the house; and so much had his mind of late +been occupied with robbers and robberies, that he became uneasy at the +thought of passing the night alone and with open doors; and while he +thought of it, it struck him that something moved in the stove. He +approached it and listened.</p> + +<p>"I am a fool!" said he at last; "if I can't lock the door, it's because +the lock's used up; and as for the bolt, why I've never moved it. It +ought to be rusty by this time!" He went to bed, still thinking of the +most profitable plan of investing his money, when a slight noise +interrupted his train of agreeable thoughts. Steps were heard on the +stairs. They were soft and cautious, like the steps of one who wishes to +escape detection. Mr. Catspaw heard them distinctly. They approached +from the stairs, and crept along the corridor to his room. He was just +about to leave his bed when the door was softly opened, and a man, +wrapped up in a bunda, entered the room.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_260" id="Page_II_260">[Pg 260]</a></span>"<i>Viola!</i>" said Mr. Catspaw, with a trembling voice, for the shout which +he wished to raise died in his throat. His hair stood on end; his jaws +shook.</p> + +<p>"It's well you know me!" said the outlaw, as he advanced to the +attorney's bed. "If you call for help, you are a dead man! Besides, it's +no use calling; nobody will hear you."</p> + +<p>"I won't call! I won't make a noise!" said Mr. Catspaw, while an ashy +paleness spread over his features. "I know you are the last man to hurt +me, good Mr. Viola! Do you come for money? I am a poor man, but you are +welcome to all I have. No thanks! I am happy to oblige you!"</p> + +<p>"<i>I</i> am the last man to hurt you!" said the robber, giving the attorney +a look which made his blood creep. "Am I indeed? Don't you think bygones +are bygones with me! Not your agony, not all the blood in your veins, +can pay me for what you've done to me and mine!"</p> + +<p>"You are mistaken, my dear sir; indeed you are——;" the attorney cast a +despairing look around him; "I am not——"</p> + +<p>"Who?" said Viola, sternly. "Who was it made me a robber? Who was it +that drove me forth, like a beast of the forest, while my wife and +children were cast as beggars on the world? Say it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_261" id="Page_II_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> was not you! Say it +was not you who wrote my doom! Say it was not you who would have drunk +my blood! Say it is not you who are my curse and my enemy!—--"</p> + +<p>"I'll give you my all,—I'll give you all I have! I've a couple of +hundreds of Mr. Rety's money too, and you are welcome to them, though I +shall have to refund them, and——"</p> + +<p>"I don't want your money!" said Viola, scornfully. "I want the papers +you stole from the notary."</p> + +<p>"The papers?" said the attorney, with a look of profound astonishment; +"what papers does it please you to mean, my dear Mr. Viola?"</p> + +<p>"I mean the papers which you took away when they bound me. If you don't +give them up this minute, you'll never rise from this bed."</p> + +<p>The robber's tone showed Mr. Catspaw that it was dangerous to trifle +with him. He replied,—</p> + +<p>"Yes, I had them! You are right, I took them from you; but I lament to +say I was rash enough to burn them on the spot. That's the truth of it. +I would not tell you a lie, no! not for the world; for you know all and +everything."</p> + +<p>"If so, tell your lies to others. I know that you keep the papers in +this room, and that you've offered them to Lady Rety for fifty thousand +florins."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_262" id="Page_II_262">[Pg 262]</a></span>"Who can have told you that?" cried Mr. Catspaw, as a suspicion flashed +through his mind that Viola might possibly be hired by Lady Rety; "who? +who?"</p> + +<p>"Never you mind who it was?" said Viola, dryly; "if you think your life +of less value than fifty thousand florins, I'll show you in an instant +how little <i>I</i> care for it."</p> + +<p>"But do tell me!" cried the attorney, "do tell me who told you that the +papers are in my room?—who has sent you?"</p> + +<p>"Silence!" and the robber flung his bunda back; "get up! give me the +papers, unless——"</p> + +<p>Mr. Catspaw rose and walked to his desk. Viola stood quietly by, +watching him.</p> + +<p>The attorney's hands trembled as he produced the papers. They were in +two bundles, and among them were some letters of Tengelyi's, which the +Jew had abstracted with the rest.</p> + +<p>"Here they are!" said Mr. Catspaw, with a hoarse voice; "you know their +value. Ask whatever you please——"</p> + +<p>"I don't want your money, keep it!" said the robber, advancing to seize +the packet; when the attorney recollected that he kept a loaded pistol +in the desk.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_263" id="Page_II_263">[Pg 263]</a></span>Yielding to an impulse of mad despair, he seized it and presented it at +Viola.</p> + +<p>The robber's eyes shot fire as he saw the weapon. He made a rush; the +attorney fell, and the pistol was in Viola's hands.</p> + +<p>That movement sealed Mr. Catspaw's doom. Viola was not cruel. He had an +instinctive aversion to the shedding of blood. If Mr. Catspaw had given +up the papers without resistance, he would have been safe; but the +treachery of the action and the struggle inflamed the robber's wilder +passions.</p> + +<p>"Pity!" screamed Mr. Catspaw, as Viola seized him by the throat.</p> + +<p>"Did you pity <i>me</i> when Susi begged for grace, when you wrote my +death-warrant?"</p> + +<p>The attorney's face grew black, his eyes started from his head; but his +despair gave him strength. When he saw the robber's knife descending, he +caught it in his hands.</p> + +<p>There was a noise in the house. Steps were heard. The attorney's cries +had roused the servants.</p> + +<p>Viola made a violent movement. Again, and again, and again was the broad +steel buried in the breast of his victim. Then, seizing the papers with +his bloody hands, he rushed from the room and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_264" id="Page_II_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> reached the yard, where +he was met by the coachman and another servant. They pursued him.</p> + +<p>He crossed the meadow, and disappeared in the thicket which covers the +banks of the Theiss.</p> + +<p>When the domestics entered the attorney's room they found him dying. +There were no traces of a robbery. The wretched man's watch and purse +lay on the bed.</p> + +<p>"Robbers! Murderers!" cried the cook, who was the first to enter. +"Follow him!"</p> + +<p>"Send for the doctor!"</p> + +<p>"No, send for the curate!"</p> + +<p>All was noise and confusion. Two of the men raised the attorney and laid +him on the bed.</p> + +<p>"Follow him!" gasped Mr. Catspaw, "Follow! My papers!"</p> + +<p>"What papers?" said the cook.</p> + +<p>"Tengelyi——" groaned the dying man.</p> + +<p>His lips moved, but his voice was lost in a hoarse rattle.</p> + +<p>"I've caught him!" cried a haiduk from the corridor, as he dragged +Jantshi, the Jewish glazier, into the room.</p> + +<p>"That's the rascal!" said the haiduk. "That's him. He was hid in the +chimney!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, the villain!" cried the cook, pushing the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_265" id="Page_II_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> reluctant Jew to Mr. +Catspaw's bed. "I say, your worship, that's the man!"</p> + +<p>The attorney shook his head. His lips moved, but no sound was heard.</p> + +<p>"But, sir, I'm sure it's he!" said the cook. "Give us a nod, sir!"</p> + +<p>Again Mr. Catspaw shook his head. He seized the cook by the hand; he +would have spoken, but it was in vain. With a convulsive motion of his +body he stared round, and, falling back, breathed his last.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to know what he meant?" said the cook, when they had bound the +prisoner and locked him up in the cellar; "when I showed him the Jew, he +shook his head."</p> + +<p>"His last word," cried Mrs. Kata Cizmeasz, the female cook of the +servant's hall, wiping her eyes, less from sorrow for Mr. Catspaw's +death, than because she thought it was proper that women should weep on +such occasions; "his last word was <i>Tengelyi</i>."</p> + +<p>"Hold your silly tongue!" said the cook, with dignity; "it's blasphemous +to say such a thing of Mr. Tengelyi!"</p> + +<p>"Really," reiterated Mrs. Kata Cizmeasz, "it struck me that he said +'Tengelyi;' and when he could not speak, poor dear, he moved his lips, +for all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_266" id="Page_II_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> the world, as if to say 'Tengelyi' over again. When my poor +husband, God rest his soul! was dying of the dropsy, he didn't speak by +the day; but I looked at his mouth, and understood what he meant to say. +'Go away! Come here! Give me some water!' Any thing he'd like. I knew it +all!" And she wiped her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Bless that woman!" said the cook, appealing to the crowd of servants, +"She'll be after accusing the notary of the murder. Did I ever!"</p> + +<p>"Bless yourself!" retorted Mrs. Kata; "all I say is, that the attorney +said 'Tengelyi' when we asked him who had done it? He said it with a +clear voice. I heard it quite distinctly, and I'll take my oath on it!"</p> + +<p>"Never mind! Who knows what he meant?"</p> + +<p>"I am sure <i>I</i> don't; all I say is, that the attorney——"</p> + +<p>"Very well; leave it to the judge. Depend upon it, he'll come to know +the truth of it, and you'll see that I'm in the right in saying as I do, +that the Jew is the murderer," said the cook, angrily; and, turning to +the two servants, he added, "Lock the door, and send for the judge! +Hands off! is the word in a place where a robbery or a murder has been +committed."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_267" id="Page_II_267">[Pg 267]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_II_XIII" id="CHAPTER_II_XIII"></a>CHAP. XIII.</h3> + + +<p>After Mr. Catspaw had left the notary's house on that fatal night, +Tengelyi's family, including Akosh and Vandory, settled peacefully down +in Mrs. Ershebet's room, while the notary himself was engaged in writing +letters. He was determined to recover his rights; and, thinking that +some of his father's old friends might possibly assist him in +establishing his title, he was about to appeal to them to support him in +his present extremity.</p> + +<p>While thus employed, his attention was roused by a slight knock at the +window. He got up, opened it, and looked out; but as nothing was visible +in the darkness, he was just about to return to his work, when a letter +was flung into the room. The notary was astonished; but his +astonishment increased when, after unfolding the crumpled-up and soiled +despatch, he read the following lines:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I am a man who owes you a large debt of gratitude. I +am accused of having stolen papers from your house, +but this is a base and false accusation. The Jew, whom +the sheriff's attorney bribed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_268" id="Page_II_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> was the thief. I took +them from the Jew; however, the story is too long to +tell. Meet me at the lime-tree, just by the ferry, at +eleven o'clock; but not earlier. If it cost my life, I +will put the papers in your hands before midnight!</p> + +<p>"I entreat you, in the name of God, to come, and fear +no harm! You have taken my wife and children under +your roof, and I would give my life to serve you or +any of your family. If you do not come, I know not +what to do with the papers: I dare not enter the +village; I must cross the Theiss this very night. Let +me implore you to keep the meeting secret, and come +alone. The county has set a price on my head; and if +they get the least hint of my whereabouts, I am a dead +man. I am in your hands.</p> + +<p class="signature">"Viola."</p></div> + +<p>The perusal of these lines was no easy task to the notary. "What shall I +do?" said he. "If I do not follow the robber's advice, the papers will +most probably be irrecoverably lost. If Viola leaves the county, he will +take good care not to come back again; and he will destroy them if it be +only in order that they should not be proofs against him. On the other +hand, if it should be found out that I, a member of the law, and an +honest man, had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_269" id="Page_II_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> clandestine meetings with a robber, without delivering +him up to justice, what a dreadful light it would place me in!" Spiteful +things had already been said by his enemies, because he had taken +Viola's wife and children into his house. Another man would most likely +have thought it his duty and interest to go to the appointed place, +though not alone, to arrest Viola, and thus at once to obtain his +papers: but this proceeding would not accord with Tengelyi's +disposition; he was incapable of such an act, whatever might have been +its advantages.</p> + +<p>Yet there were but those two alternatives. What to do he knew not. He +paced the room, agitated by mingled feelings of duty and patriotism.</p> + +<p>First he would yield to the robber's request; then, again, he would not. +Thus he continued resolving and wavering, till Mrs. Ershebet called him +to supper.</p> + +<p>The notary's absence and confusion during supper astonished and +perplexed his family.</p> + +<p>He burnt the letter after deciphering its contents, lest it should fall +into other hands.</p> + +<p>After supper was over, Vandory and Akosh took their leave. Mr. Tengelyi +wished his wife and daughter good night; and, under the pretence of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_270" id="Page_II_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> +business, he hastened to his study. When alone, he gave himself up to a +full contemplation of his situation. He resolved to see the robber. +"Inform against Viola? No, no; such a mean unmanly act I would not be +guilty of! And how could I be so unjust to my wife and children as not +to embrace this opportunity of establishing my rights? If he has my +papers, so much the better! if not, then at least I shall have the +satisfaction of knowing that I have neglected nothing to regain my +property. It is not likely that this meeting should ever be known. What +have I to fear if my conscience is unsullied?"</p> + +<p>The clock was on the stroke of eleven, when the notary crept from his +house into the garden. When he gained the open field adjoining the +house, he struck off to the left, and in a few minutes he reached the +path leading to the Theiss. It was a thorough November night. Not a star +or even a drifting cloud could be seen; and so dark was it, that it +required all the notary's care and knowledge of the way to carry him on +without accident. The village was hushed in sleep, and he reached the +spot without meeting any one.</p> + +<p>In summer this place was one of the prettiest anywhere about. The +lime-tree was of gigantic growth, and its wide-spreading branches +afforded a delicious<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_271" id="Page_II_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> shade. The grass around it was of the freshest and +purest green, and when other grass-plots were scorched up by the July +sun, this place seemed to be fresher and greener than ever. Three sides +of the meadow were hedged in and surrounded with bushes; on the unfenced +side stood a few old trunks of trees, dropping their bare branches into +the yellow Theiss, that washed their withered roots.</p> + +<p>Mr. Tengelyi had spent many an hour under that tree with his friend, +who, on such occasions, would exclaim that no spot was so charming as +the banks of the Theiss; and that if the Turk's Hill were not there, the +lime-tree alone would make Tissaret a beautiful place to live in.</p> + +<p>Now this spot looks mournful and forsaken. The beautiful green plot is +covered with sere and yellow leaves, and the night winds howl through +the unclad branches of the noble linden; while the swelling waves of the +Theiss lash its sombre banks.</p> + +<p>The notary, wrapped in his bunda, walked dejectedly up and down; at +times he stood still and listened. On a sudden he heard a rustling in +the bush, but seeing no one near, he thought it a delusion, and +continued walking, but now and then turning to look at the ferryman's +hut, which was about two hundred yards distant, and in the kitchen of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_272" id="Page_II_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> +which a large fire sent its glaring and flickering shadows dancing on +the black landscape.</p> + +<p>It was half-past eleven, and yet Viola came not. Could he have changed +his mind, or had any thing happened to prevent him? Perhaps he was +scared by the hue and cry which had been raised after him.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a cry of murder rang through the air. It came nearer.</p> + +<p>"Good God!" cried the notary; "can it be that Viola is taken?" And to +escape being seen in this questionable place, and at such a time, too, +he hastened back to the village.</p> + +<p>A few minutes after the notary's departure, Viola broke through the +hedge. A parcel of papers was in his hand. One moment he stood +still—one moment he cast an anxious and half-desponding look around +him. But the man whom he sought was not there. The avenger of blood was +at his heels. He leapt down the bank, stepped into a boat which lay hid +among the willows; and the lusty strokes of his oars were drowned in the +shouts of his pursuers.</p> + +<p>"Here he is! That's the place he went in! At him, boys!" cried they, as +they rushed into the open space. But here they were at fault. They had +lost the track of him they were pursuing. Their clamours roused the old +ferryman in his hut. Ferko,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_273" id="Page_II_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> the coachman, who led the crowd of servants +and peasants from the house, approached, and the ferryman, coming up, +asked what was the matter, and whether some one had stolen a horse.</p> + +<p>"No, no!" cried the coachman. "Our attorney has been killed, and we have +pursued the murderer to this spot. We saw him a minute ago. He's hid in +the bush, here; help us to find him. He must be here!"</p> + +<p>"The Lord have mercy on us! What, the attorney killed! Well, after all +there's not much harm done. But you are far out if you think to find him +here. He is in the village by this time! A few minutes before we heard +the row here, a man walked very fast by our house to the village. You +heard the footsteps, Andresh, didn't you?"</p> + +<p>"That's him! that's him! Quick! Go after him!" shouted the coachman; +and, without waiting to hear the young man's reply, he darted off +precisely in the same direction which the notary had taken on his way +home.</p> + +<p>"He is not here! He has made for the village, it's plain enough!" said +the ferryman, as he with difficulty hobbled after the party.</p> + +<p>As the hounds follow the scent, so the coachman and his companions +followed the foot-marks.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_274" id="Page_II_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> "What's this?" exclaimed Ferko, stooping to +pick up a stick which lay on the ground. "It's a stick; a gentleman's +walking-stick, too. It's a tshakany<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a>; no doubt the robber has stolen +it somewhere!"</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_II_XI" id="SEE_NOTE_II_XI"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_II_XI">Note XI</a>.</p></div> + +<p>They traced the foot-marks up to the hedge of the notary's garden. The +coachman walked round it.</p> + +<p>"The devil take it!" cried he; "the foot-marks end here."</p> + +<p>The others snatched the lantern from his hand, and eagerly looked for a +continuation of the foot-marks.</p> + +<p>It was no use; the track which had continued up to that point was lost. +They were again at fault.</p> + +<p>"Surely the earth can't have swallowed him!" said the ferryman.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he's hid on the other side of the hedge," said the coachman: +"stay here; I'll jump over and see."</p> + +<p>"No, no! don't do that!" cried the ferryman, pulling Ferko back; "that's +the way to get a knock on the head. What does it matter to us if the +attorney is killed? For my part, I wished him to the devil last summer; +he won't come down upon me now for a hundred and fifty florins a year!"</p> + +<p>But the coachman, though not stimulated to follow Viola from any love to +Catspaw, paid no attention to this advice, and bounded over the fence.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_275" id="Page_II_275">[Pg 275]</a></span>He returned soon afterwards, declaring that all trace of the robber was +lost; and they were just about to return home, when the ferryman's son +came running to inform them that he had discovered some fresh foot-marks +on the garden path. They all ran to the garden gate, which was open, and +found the continuation of the foot-marks which they had so suddenly and +mysteriously lost. They were distinctly traced up to the very door of +the house.</p> + +<p>"He is in the notary's house, or perhaps he is in the shed," said Ferko, +in the tone of a man who, when he has came to a certain point, will +hazard all. "Let us enter."</p> + +<p>"What!" said the ferryman, seizing him by the coat; "you don't think of +looking in Mr. Tengelyi's house for a murderer, do you?"</p> + +<p>"And why not?" retorted Ferko.</p> + +<p>"Don't you know it would not be the first time robbers have been in this +house? It's here young Mr. Akosh was shot at!"</p> + +<p>"But you forget," answered the ferryman, "that this house is a +nobleman's!"</p> + +<p>"What do we care for that? We are in search of Viola. Moreover, did we +not ransack the house with the justice at our head?"</p> + +<p>"That's different," said the ferryman; "they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_276" id="Page_II_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> were gentlemen,—we are +not. They would kick us out of doors."</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll see about that. I am Lady Rety's coachman, and have the +honour of wearing her livery. I should like to see the notary kick me!"</p> + +<p>And Ferko tore himself from the grasp of the ferryman, and rushed into +the house, accompanied by the men who came from the Castle.</p> + +<p>The old man remained outside, heartily praying that the servants of the +place would seize Ferko and his companions, and give them a thorough +whipping.</p> + +<p>However bold the coachman might have felt in entering the house, he was +penitent and abashed when Mr. Tengelyi, who had only just come in, and +had not had time to throw off his bunda, stepped out of his room, and +said, in a commanding voice, "What do you want here?"</p> + +<p>For a moment they stood speechless; but when, gradually regaining +confidence, Ferko told the notary that Mr. Catspaw had been murdered, +and that they had traced the robber's footsteps up to his door, Mr. +Tengelyi became much distressed. He thought of Viola's letter, and could +not doubt for a moment that the outlaw had perpetrated this dreadful act +to gain possession of the papers.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_277" id="Page_II_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> Perhaps he was, though unconsciously, +the cause of the murder. This thought made the notary shudder. The +coachman and his companions remarked the effect their news produced upon +him, and looked amazed at each other, while Tengelyi stood motionless, +with the candle trembling in his hand. By degrees he regained his +self-possession, and began to inquire how the murder was committed? +when? and where?</p> + +<p>"We followed the robber to the banks of the Theiss, where we suddenly +lost him," said the coachman, casting occasional glances at the notary's +boots, which were covered with mud, and at his companions; "from there +we have traced his footsteps to your house."</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon," said the ferryman, stepping forward; "we have found +foot-marks leading to this place, it is true; but whether they are the +robber's marks or not, I cannot say. And you know I said we ought not to +enter this house, that it was a nobleman's curia, but——"</p> + +<p>"You are mad!" said the notary, with indignation. "If you think a +murderer is secreted in my house, search, and leave no corner +unexamined!"</p> + +<p>The inmates became alarmed by the noise; and Ershebet and Vilma got up +and hastily dressed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_278" id="Page_II_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> themselves; while the notary, with a lantern in his +hand, led the way into every room and nook of his house, until they were +convinced that the robber was not there.</p> + +<p>"Did you see," said Ferko to the ferryman, holding him back; "did you +see how he trembled when I mentioned the murder of the attorney?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I did. Do you think I am blind?"</p> + +<p>"And his boots too were up to the ankles in mud," continued Ferko.</p> + +<p>"That's no wonder, in such weather as this," answered the ferryman; +"ours are nearly up to the knees in mud."</p> + +<p>"By God! If I had not known him these ten years, I would——"</p> + +<p>"You don't mean to say that you suspect the notary of the murder of +Catspaw, do you?" demanded the ferryman, with warmth.</p> + +<p>"If nobody else had been in the house, upon my soul I'd believe it!"</p> + +<p>"You are a fool, Ferko!" exclaimed the old man, turning round in the +direction of the Castle, whither all the others repaired in silence.</p> + +<p>During the search Mr. Tengelyi had been summoned in great haste to the +Castle.</p> + +<hr class="wide" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_279" id="Page_II_279">[Pg 279]</a></span></p> + +<h3><a name="NOTES_II" id="NOTES_II"></a>NOTES TO VOL. II.</h3> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_II_I" id="NOTE_II_I"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_II_I">Note I.</a></span><br /> +BUZOGANY.</p> + +<p>Among the characteristic weapons of the ancient Hungarians was the +buzogany, a short staff, with a heavy knob of precious metal at the end. +The buzogany is a symbol of command, and as such it is still found in +the hands of the Indian Rajahs. In Hungary, it was usually hung by the +side of the sabre. It still denotes military rank and authority. The +lower classes have a similar weapon, the tshakany; a long stick, with a +square piece of iron at one end, and a hook at the other. The fokosh is +a stick, armed with an axe and spike. The tshakany and fokosh are +dangerous weapons in the hands of the Hungarian herdsmen.</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_II_II" id="NOTE_II_II"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_II_II">Note II.</a></span><br /> +TOKANY.</p> + +<p>Tokany is pork roasted with spices and scented herbs.</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_II_III" id="NOTE_II_III"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_II_III">Note III.</a></span><br /> +SWATOPLUK.</p> + +<p>Swatopluk was a king of the Czechian empire in the days of Arpad, who +first brought his warriors into the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_280" id="Page_II_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> kingdom of Hungary. When Arpad +approached the confines of the country, he sent ambassadors to +Swatopluk, to ask him for grass from the Hungarian heaths, and for water +from the Danube (a variation of the demand of "earth and water" of +classic reminiscence); and in return he offered the Czechish king a +white steed with a purple bridle. Swatopluk, who had no idea of the +Oriental meaning of the demand, readily accepted the horse, and provided +Arpad's ambassadors with a plentiful supply of hay and water. Upon this +the Hungarians advanced on the great heath between the Danube and the +Theiss (<span class="smcap">A.D.</span> 889). Swatopluk would have opposed them, but they offered +him battle, and routed his army. The king of the Czechs was glad to make +his escape on the very horse which he had accepted in exchange for his +kingdom.</p> + +<p>Grotesque illustrations of this transaction are frequently to be met +with in ancient Hungarian houses. The legend under the pictures +expresses Swatopluk's astonishment and wonder at the sight of the white +horse, for, as king of a pedestrian nation, he is profoundly ignorant of +horses and horsemanship. He questions the Hungarian ambassadors, whether +the horse is likely to bite, and what food will please this wonderful +animal; and on the reply that the horse is in the habit of eating +<i>oats</i>, the king replies, "By my troth, a dainty beast! Nothing will +please him but my own food!" The Slowaks, in Upper Hungary, are +descendants of the conquered race, and still addicted to the historical +diet of Swatopluk, the prince, who sold a kingdom for a horse.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_281" id="Page_II_281">[Pg 281]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_II_IV" id="NOTE_II_IV"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_II_IV">Note IV.</a></span><br /> +HUNGARIAN NAMES.</p> + +<p>In all Hungarian names the Christian name is put after the family name, +as, Kossuth Lajosh, Lewis Kossuth; Teleky Shandor, Alexander Teleky; +Gorove Ishtvan, Stephen Gorove.</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_II_V" id="NOTE_II_V"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_II_V">Note V.</a></span><br /> +WIZARD STUDENT.</p> + +<p>The legend of Faustus has a natural foundation in the creative +superstition of darker ages. Hungary, too, has its wizard student, and +one who need not blush to be ranged with Faustus, Albertus Magnus, +Michael Scott, and Friar Bacon, for his power was and is great. The +wizard student is possessor of a dragon, which carries him through the +air. He has an absolute control over hailstones and thunderbolts. He is +an impertinent fellow, fond of mischief, of pretty women, and milk. It +is therefore but natural that the women in the Hungarian villages should +offer him jars of milk, to engage his goodwill and to prevent his +devastating their harvests with hail and lightning.</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_II_VI" id="NOTE_II_VI"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_II_VI">Note VI.</a></span><br /> +TATOSH.</p> + +<p>This name belongs originally to the priests of the ancient Hungarians, +and it is still given to soothsayers. Their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_282" id="Page_II_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> characteristic feature is, +that they are white-livered and gifted with second sight. But the name +of Tatosh is likewise given to the magic steed of the Hungarian legend. +The Tatosh is jet black, and so extraordinarily quick-footed that he +will gallop on the sea without dipping his hoofs into the water. He is +attached and faithful to his master, with whom he converses, and whom he +surpasses in understanding.</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_II_VII" id="NOTE_II_VII"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_II_VII">Note VII.</a></span><br /> +KONDASH.</p> + +<p>This word stands for Kanaz, or keeper of swine.</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_II_VIII" id="NOTE_II_VIII"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_II_VIII">Note VIII.</a></span><br /> +SCARCITY OF HANGMEN.</p> + +<p>Almost all the smaller Hungarian towns and boroughs had (before the +Revolution) the right of judging and executing the persons who were +within their jurisdiction. Capital executions were frequent, as is +always the case when the power over life and death is given into the +hands of small and close corporations; but still, though a large number +of people were hanged each year, the executions which fell to the share +of each individual town and borough were few and far between. In cases +of this kind the poorer communities were frequently at a loss to find an +executioner; for they could not afford to maintain one merely for the +chance of employing him once or twice every three years.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_283" id="Page_II_283">[Pg 283]</a></span>The greatest difficulty was usually experienced in a case of +<i>Statarium</i>; for if the sentence was not executed within a certain time, +it was annulled, and the prisoner came within the jurisdiction of the +common courts. There was, therefore, no time left to send for an +executioner to one of the larger towns; and it was a common occurrence +that a gipsy was induced, by threats and promises of reward, to +discharge the odious functions of an executioner.</p> + +<p>Justice <i>in a fix</i> was the more prone to appeal to the help of the +Bohemian population, from the vagrant habits of the gipsies, which +prevented the man who volunteered as a hangman suffering from the odium +which would have fallen to the share of a resident of the place, and +from the fact that the extreme jealousy of the wealthier corporations +made it by no means an easy matter to borrow a hangman. It is on record +that the inhabitants of Kesmarkt, in the Zips, sent an envoy to the +magistrates of the city of Lutshau to ask for the loan of their hangman, +a request to which their worships gave an indignant refusal. "For," said +they to the negotiator, "tell your masters we keep our hangman <i>for +ourselves and for our children</i>, but not for the people of Kesmarkt!"</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_II_IX" id="NOTE_II_IX"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_II_IX">Note IX.</a></span><br /> +HASZONTALAN PARASZT.</p> + +<p>The phrase of "good-for-nothing peasant" was, at one time, frequently +used by the privileged classes. M. Kossuth's party succeeded in turning +the odium of that phrase against those who employed it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_284" id="Page_II_284">[Pg 284]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_II_X" id="NOTE_II_X"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_II_X">Note X.</a></span><br /> +BATTLE OF MOHATSH.</p> + +<p>The city of Mohatsh, in Lower Hungary, was the scene of a terrible +battle between the Hungarians and the Turks. Solyman the Magnificent +succeeded his father Selymus on the Ottoman throne in the year 1520. +After quelling an insurrection in Syria, and establishing his power in +Egypt, he resolved to turn his arms against the Christian nations. His +great-grandfather had endeavoured, without success, to obtain possession +of Belgrade,—a city in which were deposited most of the trophies taken +by the Hungarians in their wars with the Turks. The Sultan, having +rapidly moved his army towards the frontiers, arrived in Servia before +the Hungarians were even aware of his approach.</p> + +<p>At this period the Hungarian power had greatly declined. The throne was +occupied by Louis II., a young and feeble sovereign, who had no means of +raising an army sufficient to contend against his powerful and ambitious +enemy. "His nobility," says the quaint historian Knolles, "in whose +hands rested the wealth of his kingdom, promised much, but performed, +indeed, nothing. Huniades, with his hardy soldiers,—the scourge and +terror of the Turks,—were dead long before; so was Matthias, that +fortunate warrior: after whom succeeded others given to all pleasure and +ease, to whose example the people, fashioning themselves, forgot their +wonted valour."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_285" id="Page_II_285">[Pg 285]</a></span>Belgrade fell almost without resistance.</p> + +<p>Solyman, having gained his immediate object, broke up his army, returned +to Constantinople, and employed himself in fitting out a fleet for the +conquest of Rhodes, which he also effected towards the end of the year +1522. Having devoted the three following years to the organisation of a +large army, he resumed his designs against Hungary, taking advantage of +the distracted state of Europe in consequence of the Italian campaign of +Francis I. against Charles V.</p> + +<p>The inroad of the Turks was sudden in the extreme. Before Louis had any +knowledge of the intentions of Solyman, a Turkish army of two hundred +thousand men had crossed the frontiers of Hungary. When the young +monarch learned the peril to which his kingdom was exposed, he addressed +applications for assistance to most of the Christian princes; but +without success. He summoned the prelates and nobles of Hungary to his +aid. They obeyed the call with great readiness; but the troops which +they brought into the field were ill-appointed and inexperienced. They +had been accustomed to triumph over the Turks, and therefore treated the +coming danger with haughty contempt. Archbishop Tomoreus, in particular, +who had had a few slight skirmishes with the Turks, boasted of his own +prowess; and assured the army, in a sermon which he delivered, that the +infidels were doomed to destruction.</p> + +<p>The king's troops amounted to five-and-twenty thousand men, horse and +foot. His old officers foresaw the result of a conflict which was about +to be undertaken<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_286" id="Page_II_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> with such inadequate means, and they advised the king +to withdraw from the scene of danger. They insisted on his retiring to +the Castle of Buda. But to this proceeding the army objected; and +declared that, unless they were led by their sovereign, they would not +fight. Whereupon the king advanced with his army, and encamped at +Mohatsh, at a short distance from the Turkish vanguard.</p> + +<p>A body of Transylvanian horsemen having been expected to join the king, +it was debated whether he should not defer giving battle until the +arrival of a force so essential for his support against the enemy. The +impetuosity of the Archbishop, however, unfortunately decided the +councils of the day, and preparations were made for the encounter.</p> + +<p>The vanguard of the Turks consisted of twenty thousand horsemen, which +were divided into four squadrons, and which harassed the king's troops +by skirmishes. So closely did they watch the Hungarian army, that no man +could attempt to water his horse in the Danube. They were compelled to +resort to digging ditches within the confines of the camp. In the mean +time, Solyman arrived at Mohatsh with the main body of his army. The +Archbishop Tomoreus arranged the order of the battle. He stationed the +cavaliers at intervals among the infantry, fearing that the Turks might +crush his line by flank marches, unless it were extended as far as +possible. A small force was left in charge of the tents, which were +surrounded with waggons chained together; and, next them, a chosen body +of horse was placed in reserve, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_II_287" id="Page_II_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> the purpose of protecting the +king's person, in case any disaster should occur.</p> + +<p>It is said that the gunners employed on the Turkish side, being, for the +most part, Christians, purposely pointed the artillery so high, that +their fire was altogether harmless. Nevertheless, at the first onset, +the Hungarians were completely routed by the superior number of their +antagonists. Tomoreus was among the first victims of that fatal day. His +followers displayed their usual gallantry, but perished, in this unequal +conflict, one after another; and, the horsemen once trampled down and +killed, the camp remained open to the assault of the enemy. The garrison +was too weak to make any defence, and the reserve force was called in to +assist them. The king, seeing his army overthrown, and his guard engaged +in a fatal conflict with the enemy, took to flight; but his horse, +scared by the turmoil of the conflict, bore him into a deep morass, in +which he was drowned. Solyman marched up to Buda, which he took by +assault.</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_II_XI" id="NOTE_II_XI"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_II_XI">Note XI.</a></span></p> + +<p>For the meaning of Tshakany, see Note I.</p> + + + +<p class="theend">END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">London</span>:<br /> +<span class="smcap">Spottiswoodes</span> and <span class="smcap">Shaw</span>,<br /> +New-street-Square.</p> + + + +<hr class="wide" /> + +<h2><a name="VOL_III" id="VOL_III"></a>THE VILLAGE NOTARY.<br /> +VOL. III.</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_1" id="Page_III_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_III_I" id="CHAPTER_III_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h3> + + +<p>If my readers had ever seen the inmates of the Castle of Tissaret, they +would not be astonished to find that, after the first shock of the +sudden death of Mr. Catspaw had worn off, the matter was thought of, and +commented on, with utter indifference. The order and quiet of the Castle +was quite restored, and the servants sat talking of the murder round a +blazing fire in the kitchen. But although some of them were in the +attorney's room almost immediately after the deed was perpetrated, +nobody knew any thing about it. Everybody's statement differed. They sat +talking until daybreak, and yet they were no wiser than when they began. +They rose and separated with opinions as various as those entertained of +Hannibal's passage across the Alps.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_2" id="Page_III_2">[Pg 2]</a></span>The greatest incoherence, however, was in the dying man's own statement. +When they asked him who had done the deed, he distinctly mentioned the +name of Tengelyi. But Mrs. Cizmeasz, who was an honest and +truth-speaking woman, insisted on its being a request to see the notary, +and protested that it had nothing to do with the murder.</p> + +<p>Mr. Tengelyi had hastened to the Castle on the night of the murder, and +on hearing that the dying man's last word was his name, he grew pale and +agitated. This did not fail to produce its effects upon the observers.</p> + +<p>As soon as he had caused the door of the room, in which the corpse of +the attorney lay, to be sealed up, he left the Castle.</p> + +<p>Mr. Skinner did not arrive before the next morning, though he had been +repeatedly sent for during the night.</p> + +<p>When his carriage at length drove up to the door, the cook ran out +exclaiming, "Our attorney is murdered, sir!"</p> + +<p>"Poor man!" said Mrs. Cizmeasz; "his last words were——"</p> + +<p>"But we have found the murderer," said the cook with great joy.</p> + +<p>"<i>I</i> found him!" cried the haiduk.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_3" id="Page_III_3">[Pg 3]</a></span>"Yes, in the chimney!" bawled the kitchen-maid.</p> + +<p>"He got off!" cried Mrs. Cizmeasz, in a shrill voice.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, we have him! It's the Jew—the glazier, sir; you know him," +said the cook, who wished to be an important personage in the affair.</p> + +<p>"He has made his escape," said the coachman, coming forward; "we +followed him to the Theiss, when——"</p> + +<p>"He is in the cellar," bawled the foot-boy; "I have bound him hand and +foot!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," resumed the coachman, "we ran at his heels until we came to +the thicket——"</p> + +<p>"The door is duly sealed, sir, and I have the Jew under lock and key," +said the cook, with dignity.</p> + +<p>"It wasn't the Jew!" screamed Mrs. Kata.</p> + +<p>"It was the Jew, sure enough!" said the cook.</p> + +<p>"If it was the Jew, why did Mr. Catspaw shake his head?" urged the lady, +shaking her head, in imitation of the attorney.</p> + +<p>The dispute grew hot, and the clamour became deafening. Mrs. Cizmeasz +protested that it was not the Jew, and the others swore it was the Jew.</p> + +<p>"Are you people all gone mad?" thundered the justice, in the midst of +the confusion; "it is impossible to hear oneself speak in such a Babel +as this!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_4" id="Page_III_4">[Pg 4]</a></span>In an instant the clamour ceased. Mrs. Cizmeasz fluttered and muttered +still, and, turning to the person next to her, in whom she hoped to find +a more patient listener, she declared, still shaking her head, that was +the way in which Mr. Catspaw had shaken his when the Jew was brought +before him.</p> + +<p>"My dear friend!" said the justice at length to the cook, "is it not +possible to get some breakfast?—it's bitterly cold!"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, sir," answered the cook; "if you will go to my warm room, +I'll get it as soon as possible." After a few minutes, some brandy and +bread were brought until coffee was ready.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Cizmeasz went fretting and grumbling to her room, leaving the +kitchen-maid to prepare the breakfast.</p> + +<p>The cook was happy. He had the justice now all to himself, and was +busily engaged in explaining his own conviction of the murder, and in +trying to persuade Mr. Skinner to believe the same. According to his +opinion, there could be no doubt that the murder had been committed by +the Jew, who, on hearing the approach of footsteps, had hid himself in +the chimney, which also accounted for his not stealing any thing.</p> + +<p>"The thing is too plain," added he; "a person with the smallest particle +of sense could see through<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_5" id="Page_III_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> it; every murderer, when found in the act, +hides himself behind the door, in a cupboard, or squeezes himself up a +chimney! Oh, I have read of such stories over and over again. That silly +woman fancies she is very wise, but she knows nothing about it."</p> + +<p>"You are quite right," said the justice, in a fit of abstraction, and +filling his glass for the third time; "you are quite right, the matter +is very clear. As clear as can be."</p> + +<p>"Did I not say so?" rejoined Mr. Kenihazy; nodding his head with great +satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"What did you say?" asked the justice, who wished to remind Mr. Kenihazy +that he had had great difficulty in rousing him from sleep.</p> + +<p>"I said that the man who had done this was certainly a great scoundrel."</p> + +<p>"I remember you did say so; but I never should have thought this Jew had +such audacity. Poor Catspaw! he was a very good man."</p> + +<p>"And what a hand he was at tarok, the other day!" said Kenihazy; "twice +he bagged the <i>Jew</i>; and with five taroks he won Zatonyi's <i>ultimo</i>. And +now this Jew!"</p> + +<p>"But the rascal denies it all!" said the cook, entering with the coffee. +"Suppose you can't succeed in making him confess?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_6" id="Page_III_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>"Succeed!" said the justice, casting a contemptuous look at the cook. +"Not succeed with a miserable Jew! I have done twenty years' service in +the county, and never failed in any thing I wished to accomplish!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, everybody knows that," replied the cook, with great humility; +"but Hebrews are sometimes very stubborn."</p> + +<p>"Well, if he won't confess, he'll squeak!" said Mr. Skinner, pushing his +empty coffee-cup aside.</p> + +<p>"He will have Skinner before him, a haiduk in the rear, and me at the +table; we'll show you sport, my boy!" said Mr. Kenihazy, with great +glee. "And once in the midst of us, he'll confess, I'll answer for it."</p> + +<p>The breakfast was over; and Kenihazy, wondering how any one could have +the bad taste to drink coffee when such delicious wine and brandy could +be got in Hungary, drank off a glass of brandy to wash the coffee down.</p> + +<p>The justice rose and lighted his pipe, which he had laid aside during +breakfast. He stalked up and down the room, trying the condition of his +voice. He ordered the haiduks to be ready, and the prisoner to be +brought before him at once.</p> + +<p>The cook, to whom these orders were given, very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_7" id="Page_III_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> curious to see the +examination of the Jew, lost no time in executing the justice's mandate.</p> + +<p>Mr. Kenihazy sat mending some pens; and his face was radiant with joy at +having picked up a piece of coarse paper, on which he thought to take +down the evidence, and by this means save the better paper allowed him +by the county.</p> + +<p>Mr. Skinner's manner of treating persons whom he suspected, was simple +in the extreme. His inquisitorial powers vented themselves in abuse, +imprecations, and kicks. Peti, the gipsy, and the treatment which he +received at the justice's hands on the Turk's Hill, are by no means an +unfavourable specimen of that worthy functionary's summary mode of +dealing with the lowly and unprotected; and in the present instance, the +poor Jew learned to his cost, that the worthy magistrate's jokes had +lost nothing of their pungency, and that his kicks retained their +pristine vigour. But if the justice was violent, the Jew was stubborn. +Neither Mr. Skinner's stunning rejoinders, nor the striking arguments of +the haiduk, whose stick played no mean part in court, could convince the +culprit of the propriety of making (as Mr. Kenihazy said) "a clean +breast of it." Nothing can equal Mr. Skinner's disgust and fury. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_8" id="Page_III_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> +stamped and swore—as indeed he always did—but to no purpose.</p> + +<p>"Dog!" cried he; "I'll have you thrown into the wolf-pit. I'll have you +killed!" And kicking the Jew, he sent him staggering and stammering out +his innocence against the wall. "Innocent!" cried the justice, with a +savage laugh, "Does that fellow look as if he were innocent?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Kenihazy and the cook stood laughing at the culprit, while the big +tears ran down his cheek from his one eye.</p> + +<p>There was nothing, however, in the Jew's appearance that could impress +one with an idea of his innocence. His red hair, matted and wet from the +damp of the cellar, hung longer and straighter down his forehead than +usual. His dress and beard were in great filth and disorder. His ugly +features were wild and haggard from the pain of his bonds, and the +ill-treatment he had received from the justice and Mr. Kenihazy; in +short, he looked like one of the coarse woodcuts of Cain in the +story-books.</p> + +<p>"I am innocent—I am not guilty!" blubbered the Jew. "I implore you! I +intreat you, Mr. Skinner, and Mr. Kenihazy, and Mister Cook, who knows +well——"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I know you, you villain!" said the cook.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_9" id="Page_III_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> "You have always robbed +me when I employed you——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I humbly entreat you! Oh, no, I never cheated any one!" sobbed the +Jew. "The panes of glass in the saloon were very dear, and I——"</p> + +<p>"You dirty dog!" cried the justice. "You want to shift the question, do +you? I ask you again, and for the last time, why you murdered the +attorney?"</p> + +<p>"I did not kill him," answered the Jew, sobbing; "what should I have +killed him for? He was my best friend; and if he were living now, he +would not see me used thus."</p> + +<p>"Very possible, if you had not killed him!" quoth Paul Skinner.</p> + +<p>"I never killed him," persisted the Jew. "When Mister Cook took me to +the attorney, and asked him if I had stabbed him, he shook his head, you +know he did, Mister Cook."</p> + +<p>"That's true!" said the other, turning to the justice. "When I took the +knave to the bed-side, and asked the attorney if he had done it, he +shook his head."</p> + +<p>"But who knows? Perhaps he didn't understand me, or he had lost his +senses, or he was so disgusted!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no!" said the prisoner, eagerly. "He hadn't lost his senses, or he +wouldn't have shaken his head<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_10" id="Page_III_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> twice again afterwards, when you asked +him if I had stabbed him."</p> + +<p>"That's what Mrs. Cizmeasz said, I'm sure," said Mr. Kenihazy.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the Jew; "Mrs. Cook and everybody in the house were in the +room, and saw how poor dear Mr. Catspaw shook his head when I was +brought in. He did nothing but shake his head while I was in the room."</p> + +<p>"Call the cook!" said Mr. Skinner, recollecting her extraordinary and +energetic behaviour on his arrival.</p> + +<p>"It's a great pity," protested the cook, "that your worship should +fatigue yourself with the gibberish of that woman, who is as blind as a +bat in the matter. It was the Jew, and nobody but the Jew, that +committed the murder."</p> + +<p>"I know all that," said the justice, with dignity; "but it's necessary +to observe certain forms." And again he desired the haiduk to call the +cook.</p> + +<p>Catharine Cismeasz, or Mrs. Kata, as she was usually called, (for who, +as she often and justly remarked, will give a poor widow her due? and +even her Christian name is shortened, as if she were a mere +kitchen-maid),—Mrs. Kata, I say, had meanwhile addressed her own +partizans, to whom she com<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_11" id="Page_III_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>plained of the stupidity of the judge, who +would not condescend to listen to a reasonable woman. "I am sure," said +she, "that fellow, the cook, will lead him astray; he's a treacherous +knave, so he is, and he's always getting my lady out of temper with +everybody; and I'm sure, sirs, he'll say it was the Jew, and yet he's as +innocent as an unborn babe, for when they took him to Mr. Catspaw's bed, +he——"</p> + +<p>Here she was interrupted by a haiduk, who informed her that she was +wanted; whereupon her complaint was suddenly changed into high praise +and admiration of the justice, who, she said, was a proper man indeed.</p> + +<p>After Mrs. Cizmeasz had spent a short time in dressing her head and +making herself spruce before a piece of glass which hung at the window, +she set off, with great consequence, to see the justice; declaring, at +the same time, that the truth should and would now be known.</p> + +<p>She had never been in a court of justice. When Mr. Skinner asked her +what her name and occupation were, two things she thought the whole +world knew, she became much embarrassed; and when the judge inquired her +age, the cook could not refrain from tittering. "Forty-two," said she, +in so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_12" id="Page_III_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> low a voice that it could scarcely be heard. And when the justice +warned her, in a very solemn manner, to speak the truth, for that what +she was about to say would all be taken down, and that, if she deviated +from the truth, a severe punishment would be inflicted upon her, she was +induced to believe that the whole was planned and got up by the cook to +pique her. In order, therefore, to thwart him, and in reply to Mr. +Skinner's exhortation, she said she really could not say exactly how old +she was, as she had lost the certificate of her birth; but she believed +she was younger than forty-two. The cook and Mr. Kenihazy laughed +outright; and the justice assured her, with a smile, that he was not +particular about the truth on that point, but he hoped she would be more +accurate in her evidence; upon which she took the opportunity of +assuring him that she always gave people to understand she was older +than she really was.</p> + +<p>The questions, Whether she had known Mr. Catspaw? If she had ever seen +the culprit before? What she knew of him? &c. &c. put Mrs. Cizmeasz in +better spirits, and indemnified her for the disagreeable impression +which the first part of the examination had made on her mind.</p> + +<p>She was one of those women who will neither hide<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_13" id="Page_III_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> in the earth nor wrap +in a napkin the loquacious talent with which Nature has endowed them.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Cizmeasz had, all her life, talked with ease from morning till +night; and it could not be expected that now, perhaps for the first time +in her life that she spoke from duty, she should stint her hearers, +especially since Mr. Skinner had particularly cautioned her to tell all +she knew.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Cizmeasz had a powerful memory at times, and, on this occasion, +remembered everything. She told where she had formerly lived; how she +had come to the Castle; what had happened since her first quarrel with +the cook; how the Jew (pointing to him) had stolen a florin and +twenty-four kreutzers from her when she sent him to the Debrezin fair to +buy twelve yards of calico: in short, the good woman left nothing untold +that she could remember.</p> + +<p>At length the justice jumped up, and paced the room in a state of great +perplexity; and the clerk, who did not mean to write a book, laid his +pen aside. The cook cast a triumphant glance first at the justice, and +then at Mr. Kenihazy; as much as to say, "There, was I not right? Did I +not say it was no use to examine this woman?"</p> + +<p>Paul Skinner could restrain his impatience no longer; he exclaimed, +"What, in the name of God,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_14" id="Page_III_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> woman, do you mean by all this? Do you take +me to be your confessor, or your fool, that you pester me with your d—d +history?"</p> + +<p>"I humbly beg your pardon," said Mrs. Kata, greatly astonished that any +one should not take an interest in what she had related; "but your +worship told me to tell everything and forget nothing, and that it would +all be written down, because a man's life depended upon it——"</p> + +<p>"That you should forget nothing relating to the murder, were my words."</p> + +<p>"Exactly," resumed the lady; "but when you ask me about my name and +occupation, and I answer that I am a widow, I must also mention my +husband, and how long we lived together, and I assure you, your worship, +we were very happy together, and when he died, and of what he died, +and——"</p> + +<p>"Well, well," interposed the justice, heartily wishing her eloquence +anywhere but there; "now tell us, in a word, is it true that when the +cook took the Jew to the death-bed of Mr. Catspaw, he shook his head?"</p> + +<p>"It is true, your worship," answered she, with a glance of defiance at +the cook; "he did shake his head; if your worship could only have seen +<i>how</i> he shook his head! Since I stood at the death-bed of my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_15" id="Page_III_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> +husband—poor man! God rest his soul, he was a cook——"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we know all about it," said the justice, interrupting her; "he +died of dropsy. But tell us, young woman, is it true that my poor +friend, Mr. Catspaw, shook his head the second time when the cook asked +him?"</p> + +<p>"He did shake his head! Your worship cannot think how he shook his head! +for all the world like my poor dead husband! God rest him! The last +fourteen days I never left him, day or night——"</p> + +<p>"Who knows," observed the cook, "but perhaps he shook it with disgust?"</p> + +<p>"What!" exclaimed Mrs. Cizmeasz, "my husband shaking with disgust? My +husband was happy to the last moment. He lost his speech, poor man; he +understood no one but me, and whatever he wished——"</p> + +<p>"Who the devil speaks of your husband?" interposed the justice; "God +give him peace! he must have had little in this world. The question is, +whether Mr. Catspaw was in his senses or not when he shook his head?"</p> + +<p>"Out of his senses!" said Mrs. Cizmeasz. "I beg your worship's pardon, +nobody can say that but such a fool as——" here she darted a look at +the cook<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_16" id="Page_III_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> that left no doubt of its meaning—"he who doesn't understand +a man unless he speaks. When the water came into my husband's breast he +couldn't speak, but I understood him to the last; and he used to throw +such sweet melancholy looks at me, as if he would say, 'Thank you, my +sweet dove!'"</p> + +<p>But here she came back to the point, seeing the justice get very +impatient. "How could poor Mr. Catspaw be wandering in his mind when he +answered questions which were put to him?"</p> + +<p>"He spoke? and what did he say?" inquired the justice, very eagerly.</p> + +<p>"He didn't say much, it is true, but it was distinct," answered the +woman. "Everybody in the room heard him say 'Tengelyi,' when he was +asked who had stabbed him; and then the rattles came into his throat."</p> + +<p>"Tengelyi?" cried the justice and Kenihazy, in utter astonishment. "Most +extraordinary!"</p> + +<p>"Why does your worship listen to such nonsense?" interposed the cook, +impatiently; "this woman would bring her father to the gallows!"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, is it?" cried Mrs. Cizmeasz; "then why does the justice +listen to it, and why does Mr. Kenihazy write it down? Well, I don't +care! I don't want to speak; if I had not been asked I would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_17" id="Page_III_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> have said +nothing; I never would have spoken to any one about it."</p> + +<p>Mr. Skinner shouted at the top of his voice that she must not confound +the evidence, but tell him if her memory was quite clear—if she was +quite sure that Mr. Catspaw had mentioned the name of Tengelyi?</p> + +<p>"Why should I not remember!" cried she, amidst a clamour of voices. "The +attorney spoke as well as we do now. Everybody was in the room, and +everybody heard him say, 'Tengelyi.'"</p> + +<p>"Nobody heard it!" shouted the cook, in spite of all admonitions to keep +silence. "When did he say it? What reason could he have for saying it? I +say——"</p> + +<p>"When did he say it? When you took the Jew to his bed-side, and asked +him if that was the man who had murdered him," screamed Mrs. Cizmeasz, +getting into a generous passion; "first he shook his head, and——"</p> + +<p>"It's not true!" bawled the cook, trying to drown her voice. "It's a +lie! He first said Tengelyi, and afterwards shook his head."</p> + +<p>"I say he first shook his head, and then said Tengelyi; and everybody +who speaks the truth will say so too!" screamed the other.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_18" id="Page_III_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>"It's a lie, I say! and everybody that says it is a liar, though he +swore it a thousand times!" shouted the cook, in a voice of thunder, and +darting looks of the fiercest lightning at Mrs. Cizmeasz.</p> + +<p>"I'll call the whole house to prove it," said Mrs. Kata, with a face as +red as scarlet.</p> + +<p>At length the justice interfered, and said, "To set this matter right, +we must have another examination of witnesses."</p> + +<p>While the haiduk was absent to call all the people together who had +witnessed the last moments of Mr. Catspaw, the two cooks were engrossed +in dispute, and Mr. Skinner warned Mr. Kenihazy to take particular +notice of that part of the woman's evidence relating to the attorney's +last words.</p> + +<p>The messenger found the remainder of the witnesses jabbering away all +together in the kitchen. He brought them at once to the justice; but +never was a man more deceived than Mr. Skinner was when he thought to +remove the veil from the mystery by the multiplicity of witnesses.</p> + +<p>He had now got six instead of two. The steward and boots took Mrs. +Kata's part; the kitchen-maid and scullery-maid that of the man cook; +the cooks were equally backed. For a quarter of an hour<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_19" id="Page_III_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> after the +witnesses had entered the room the noise and confusion were pitiable. At +length the justice, shrugging his shoulders impatiently, said, "It +doesn't signify a jot whether he shook his head before or afterwards. +The principal thing is, that the attorney was distinctly heard to +pronounce the name of Tengelyi. On that much depends. I hope you have +taken that down?" inquired he, turning to Mr. Kenihazy, who nodded in +the affirmative, without raising his head from the paper.</p> + +<p>The contending parties looked at each other with astonishment. Mrs. Kata +Cizmeasz, who had not the least intention of throwing suspicion on the +notary, and who simply wished to prove her assertion that the attorney +first shook his head and afterwards said "Tengelyi!" was now horrified +at the justice's words. The cook alone had the presence of mind to +remind Mr. Skinner that he had not corroborated this assertion, and also +deposed that the dying man had certainly mentioned Tengelyi, but not +when it was a question of his murderer. Everybody affirmed this with a +nod, but particularly Mrs. Kata, who, when she saw the consequences of +her evidence, burst into tears, and, sobbing, said, "I am a poor lone +widow, and Mister Cook must know better than I do. I was so terrified +when I saw the bleeding breast of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_20" id="Page_III_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> Mr. Catspaw that I knew not what I +did, or what I saw, or what I heard."</p> + +<p>As the unfortunate witnesses endeavoured to retract what they had said, +the justice was induced to assure them that everything they had said had +been taken down: "And," added he, "if any of the witnesses endeavour to +revoke or explain away what they have said in their evidence against +Tengelyi, they shall see and feel the consequences of telling lies in a +court of justice!"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Kata, under the shock of these words, shrunk terrified into a +corner of the room.</p> + +<p>The cook, who had a profound veneration for the notary, was much +afflicted, and, in spite of his respect for a justice, he could not +suppress his indignation. "I cannot see, sir," said he, "what cause you +can find in the evidence to suspect Mr. Tengelyi."</p> + +<p>"What cause?" rejoined the justice, darting a look of wrath at the cook. +"What cause? That's a question on which your decision will not be +required. Moreover, I think it cause enough, when this woman and two +other witnesses affirm that the dying man (the simple assertion of a +dying man is worth a thousand oaths of another person) named Tengelyi as +his murderer."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_21" id="Page_III_21">[Pg 21]</a></span>"I did not say that," sighed Mrs. Kata, stepping forward; "I only said +that the attorney shook his head, and then said 'Tengelyi.' I never +thought these words could throw suspicion on the notary."</p> + +<p>"It's quite certain," said the cook, who, being a freeman, felt himself +insulted by the manner in which the justice had spoken to him,—"every +man can have his suspicions if he likes; but when it's a question of +murder, I think it a great shame that the mere prattle of a silly woman +should throw suspicion on a man of Tengelyi's respectability."</p> + +<p>"But did you not say yourself that Mr. Catspaw mentioned the notary?" +said the justice, in a cutting tone. "Moreover, it's well known that Mr. +Catspaw and the notary have been enemies all their life, and it is +thought that the notary has not behaved to him as he ought to have done. +Even yesterday they had a violent dispute; and who knows but what the +attorney had to repent it in his last moments? And what is still more +suspicious is, that they quarrelled again yesterday evening. The cook +himself has said so. Make a note of that!" said the justice, turning to +Mr. Kenihazy.</p> + +<p>The cook could not deny this; and Mrs. Kata, thinking to benefit the +notary, and make amends for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_22" id="Page_III_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> her former imprudence, related the quarrel +of the previous evening, with the addition of all the scandal and +tittle-tattle of the village.</p> + +<p>"Most strange! most suspicious!" exclaimed the justice, turning to Mr. +Kenihazy; "that my friend should be found murdered in his bed the very +night on which he had had a deadly quarrel with the notary. This woman's +evidence proves beyond a doubt that my friend died by the notary's hand. +I hope you have taken down every word," said he, still addressing his +clerk.</p> + +<p>The cook wished to speak; but, finding the justice would not listen to +him, he said to Mr. Kenihazy, in a subdued voice, "If the Jew didn't do +it, what business had he in the chimney?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Skinner, instead of replying to the cook, addressed the Jew: "Who +has bribed you to this horrid act? Who are your accomplices, you scurvy +hound? For it's you who struck the blow, you vagabond!" continued the +justice. "Confess this instant! Say who employed you to murder the +attorney! If you are candid, and tell everything, you may do yourself +some good; but if you hesitate, I'll——" Here he raised his hand in +such a way as made the Jew instinctively throw his arm over his head to +protect it; and no doubt he would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_23" id="Page_III_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> have suited the blow to the attitude, +had not a carriage at that instant driven up to the door.</p> + +<p>The arrival of the sheriff and his family changed the scene at the +Castle entirely.</p> + +<p>Mr. and Lady Rety proceeded directly from the carriage to the room where +the witnesses were examined. The justice gave them the full details of +the murder, the news of which had reached them during the night. The +sheriff and his wife seemed much afflicted.</p> + +<p>"It is atrocious!" exclaimed Lady Rety, when the justice had finished, +"that such a murder should take place in my house, and under the eyes +and ears of so many people!"</p> + +<p>"My poor wife is quite overwhelmed!" said the sheriff; "she had a +presentiment of something dreadful all day yesterday; I never saw her so +excited and feverish in my life!"</p> + +<p>"Do not talk so," said Lady Rety, whose lip was pale and quivering; +"people will take me for a lunatic. I only felt indisposed, as, indeed, +I do to-day."</p> + +<p>The justice endeavoured to condole with her ladyship, while Dr. Sherer +hastened to feel her pulse; but the Jew, whose eye encountered Lady +Rety's, looked at her with a glance full of meaning.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_24" id="Page_III_24">[Pg 24]</a></span>"It's quite certain," remarked the sheriff, "that he who committed the +crime is well acquainted with the ways of the house, but, what is most +strange, nothing is stolen!"</p> + +<p>"We are not quite sure of that yet," said the justice; "the servants say +that they found Mr. Catspaw's watch and pocket-book in his room. I +should have had a closer search of the premises; but as Mr. Catspaw was +your attorney, I thought it probable that he had in his possession +papers and documents which you would not like interfered with, and I +therefore resolved to seal the door, and wait your decision."</p> + +<p>"You did quite right, sir," interposed Lady Rety; "Mr. Catspaw had in +his possession many documents and law papers belonging to me. I'll go +myself and look after them."</p> + +<p>"My lady!" exclaimed the doctor, "you would not think of such a thing in +your present delicate state of health?"</p> + +<p>"It is my pleasure to do it," said the lady.</p> + +<p>"Your ladyship had better not go," interposed the cook, with humility; +"the body is in the room, and——"</p> + +<p>"The body?" said Lady Rety, striving to suppress a shudder; "you must +take it away. I know<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_25" id="Page_III_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> better than any one else where the attorney kept +my papers, and I cannot be easy until I have satisfied myself that they +are safe."</p> + +<p>In obedience to her ladyship's commands, Dr. Sherer and Mr. Kenihazy +left the room with some servants. Lady Rety was in deep thought, when +Mr. Skinner, who stood just by her, said, "Thank God! we have at least +the man who committed the deed in our hands;" and, dragging the Jew +forward, he continued: "We found this fellow in the chimney immediately +after the act was perpetrated."</p> + +<p>"What, Jantshi the glazier!" exclaimed Lady Rety; "impossible! Mr. +Catspaw was his best friend, and——"</p> + +<p>"My love!" interposed the sheriff, "that doesn't prove any thing; +unfortunately, there are many instances wherein men have committed the +vilest acts against their benefactors."</p> + +<p>"There can be no doubt," said the justice, "that this Jew is the +instrument of some vile person."</p> + +<p>Lady Rety turned ghastly pale at these words, and Mr. Rety and the +justice asked at the same moment if she was ill; but, instead of +answering them, she inquired if the Jew had confessed his crime.</p> + +<p>"No!" replied the justice; "not exactly con<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_26" id="Page_III_26">[Pg 26]</a></span>fessed; but that doesn't +signify. This fellow is devilish stiff-necked, but I'll bring it out of +him. Moreover, the circumstances are of such a nature, that not a doubt +can be entertained that——" Then he went on to relate, with great +self-satisfaction, his suspicions against Tengelyi.</p> + +<p>The effect Mr. Skinner's information had upon the sheriff and his wife +was extraordinary. "No!" said he, shaking his head; "one cannot think +him capable of such a thing!" while Lady Rety, who was now more +composed, remarked that "One could not say what a man of the notary's +passionate character would not do, with such feelings of hatred as had +always existed between him and the attorney."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we shall soon know all about it!" said the justice, with +self-complacency. "I would bring it out of this fellow if he were twice +the vagabond he is."</p> + +<p>Here the culprit fixed his eye upon Lady Rety, and said, in a +threatening tone of voice, "If I am to be dealt with in this way, I'll +confess everything."</p> + +<p>"Dealt with, you rascal!" said Mr. Skinner; "if you don't speak out the +truth freely, the haiduk shall deal his stick across your head!"</p> + +<p>"Your ladyship has known me a long time," said Jantshi, in a +supplicating tone; "I have always<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_27" id="Page_III_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> been an industrious and honest man. +But the justice treats me like a dog; from behind, the haiduk strikes +me; in front, the justice kicks me and pulls my beard; rather than bear +it any longer, I don't care who the devil I accuse!"</p> + +<p>Lady Rety beckoned Mr. Skinner to the window, where she whispered to him +that she thought the culprit was innocent, and that it would be well to +treat him leniently: whereupon the justice swore that the Jew was a +liar, and that he had treated him as kindly as possible. "These Retys +are a strange family; the young ones protect the Bohemians, and the old +ones defend the Jews," said the justice to himself. "If things are to go +on in this way, there'll be no use for a minister of justice."</p> + +<p>By this time the body was removed, and Lady Rety proceeded to the +attorney's room, accompanied by the justice. Everything was in the same +state as when found by the servants immediately after the murder, with +the exception of the bed, which they had covered. The pool of blood on +the side of the apartment, with the bloody knife lying beside it, +presented an appalling sight on entering the room, and the lady stood +for a moment aghast at the threshold. Mr. Rety and the justice remarked +her terror, and advised her by all means to go away.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_28" id="Page_III_28">[Pg 28]</a></span>"Do not distress yourselves; it is only a womanly weakness," answered +she. "It will soon be over. Mr. Catspaw was our faithful servant, and I +cannot bring myself to believe in his untimely end!" And forcing herself +forward, as if by a violent effort, she picked her way through the +papers and articles lying on the floor, to the drawers; she then went to +the box where the attorney kept all his law papers, but was equally +unsuccessful in finding the much-desired documents. A few letters lay +there, which it will be remembered had been put aside by the attorney +before the murder.</p> + +<p>Lady Rety was well aware that these letters were only a small part of +the Vandory papers, and in hopes to find the remainder, she searched +with the greatest care and patience. Still all was in vain; and she +began to believe that the attorney had burned the other papers, and only +kept these few letters, which, as the perusal of one of them showed her, +were sufficient to force the bills from her, when her husband's +conversation with Mr. Skinner attracted her attention.</p> + +<p>"Exactly as I said!" exclaimed the latter; "the letters which we found +on the floor, besmeared with blood, were directed to Tengelyi; and of +those two notes there on the table, one is directed to you and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_29" id="Page_III_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> the +other to Tengelyi. And here I have found at my feet a bill covered with +blood. It's in the notary's handwriting: 'Books for Vilma, eight +florins; dress for Elizabeth, ten florins,'" said the justice, throwing +the bill down with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"It cannot be denied," said the sheriff, looking more closely at the +bill, "that this is the notary's writing; but how came it here?"</p> + +<p>"That could easily be accounted for by the evidence given in the +examination."</p> + +<p>"Impossible! utterly impossible!" said the sheriff, who happened to be +too honest a man to believe Mr. Tengelyi capable of the crime imputed to +him. "You surely do not, Mr. Skinner, seriously suspect the notary? You +know he is not a favourite of mine; but I assure you he is the last of +all my acquaintance whom I should suspect."</p> + +<p>Lady Rety, who had attentively listened to this conversation, understood +at once the nature of the case. She knew that Catspaw had possession of +the papers which had been stolen from Tengelyi's house, and it seemed +but natural that some of the documents should have been lost in the +hurry and confusion of the scuffle which evidently had preceded Mr. +Catspaw's assassination. But what puzzled her was,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_30" id="Page_III_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> that some +unimportant letters, bearing the notary's address, had been found, and +this circumstance drew her suspicions upon Tengelyi, as either the +perpetrator of, or accessory to the crime. Her suspicions were confirmed +by the fact that no trace of blood was found on Jantshi's hands, face, +or clothes. "If," thought she, "Tengelyi has regained possession of his +documents, the best way to neutralise them is to accuse him of the +murder; for he cannot in that case produce them, without proving his own +guilt." Led on by this idea, she protested that the case ought to be +strictly examined, and that she was convinced that the Jew was innocent +of the murder. "Perhaps," added she, "the rascal meant to steal; but +since there are no traces of blood on him, it is utterly impossible for +him to have committed the murder. You see the room is full of blood!"</p> + +<p>"Examine as much as you like!" said the sheriff, who was so irritated by +the thought that the best friend of his youth should be accused, that he +forgot his usual politeness to his wife, "Yes, we will examine! I myself +will examine, and refute, this very day, the base calumny against +Tengelyi!"</p> + +<p>"I am astonished at your unusual warmth!" said Lady Rety, with a soft +but bitter tone, as she walked with her husband to the cook's room; +"you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_31" id="Page_III_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> were not wont to defend Mr. Tengelyi in this manner."</p> + +<p>"Defend him?" answered the sheriff, firmly. "I think we have done this +man a great injustice: he was once my friend; he has lived in my house +as part of myself; and, taking all in all, he never did a wrong thing +against me, and yet he is the man on whom this horrid crime is sought to +be fixed."</p> + +<p>Lady Rety saw, from the humour her husband was in, that it was best to +say as little as possible on the subject then, and merely remarked that, +at present, it was not a charge against Tengelyi, but only a +"supposition;" and, for her part, she hoped those suspicions would prove +unfounded. Upon this Mr. Rety remarked, dryly, that she would certainly +see her wish realised.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherer and Mr. Kenihazy had returned from the inquest, and were +walking up and down the room debating on the largeness of the wound, +which the surgeon had pronounced to be mortal, because he had heard that +a poor Jew had inflicted it; whereas, if a rich man had been supposed to +have inflicted it, he would have declared that it was not mortal, and +that death had been caused by apoplexy, or some other illness.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_32" id="Page_III_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>The Jew still stood in the same place in the room which he had from the +first occupied, with the haiduk by his side, in anxious expectation of +the moment when the examination would be adjourned.</p> + +<p>Lady Rety summoned all the servants together, and desired them to relate +to her, with the greatest care and attention, everything they knew +respecting Catspaw's death.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Cizmeasz said, in a timid voice, that she could not deny that she +fancied she understood the attorney mentioned the name of Tengelyi when +the cook questioned him about his murderer; but she supposed it was all +a mistake; for that she was a poor silly woman, and never understood any +thing properly. The testimony of the butler and boots was much the same, +as was indeed the evidence of all the others: they adhered to their +former statement, that the attorney shook his head when the Jew was +brought; and everybody admitted that a violent quarrel had taken place +on the evening of the murder between the attorney and Mr. Tengelyi, and +that the notary had driven him out of his house with a stick.</p> + +<p>"But the Jew must know all," said the sheriff, who had been walking up +and down the room in deep thought. "He was found in the chimney; he +cannot deny that; he must at least have heard<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_33" id="Page_III_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> everything that passed. +Rascal!" said he, turning to the culprit, "what did you want there?"</p> + +<p>"You came to steal, did you not?" said Lady Rety, with evident emotion; +"deny it if you dare! It was for that purpose the false keys were to be +used, which were found upon you!"</p> + +<p>The Jew, perceiving that suspicion rested on the notary as well as on +himself, caught at Lady Rety's hint, and, throwing himself on his knees, +confessed that he only came to steal. "Miss Etelka has many precious +jewels," said he, entreatingly. "I saw them on her when I was repairing +the windows the other day. I am a very poor and unfortunate man; and I +thought to myself, if I could get some of them, it would help me. I knew +Miss Etelka was not at home, and I tried to steal them. I hope your +ladyship will have compassion on me, I will never do so again; I will +ever be an honest man from this time."</p> + +<p>"Fiddlesticks!" interposed the justice, with a sneer; "I dare say you'd +like to be mistaken for a thief; you think that would save your neck: +but it won't do! it's too evident that you at least had a part in the +murder."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I entreat you," cried the Jew, still on his knees, "I am innocent +of the murder. Mr. Catspaw<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_34" id="Page_III_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> said so, for he shook his head when I was +brought to him; and how was it possible for a weak man like me to kill a +strong man like Mr. Catspaw?"</p> + +<p>"Jew!" said Mr. Skinner, sarcastically, "that story won't do; you must +find another plea: this is the first time in my life I have heard of Mr. +Catspaw's strength."</p> + +<p>"And was it likely," continued the Jew, imploringly, "that I should have +gone without a weapon if I had any intention of committing murder?"</p> + +<p>"We found a large carving-knife in the chimney," interposed the cook.</p> + +<p>"I swear I know nothing about it," cried Jantshi; "somebody in the house +must have put it there and forgotten to remove it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we know very well it belongs to the house," said the cook; "you +stole it the day before yesterday."</p> + +<p>"Oh, indeed, Mister Cook, I did not; and was the knife which you saw +bloody? And should I not be bloody if I had killed the attorney?"</p> + +<p>Here the steward remarked that "Jews were great conjurors. One of their +tribe came to the house a day or two ago," continued he, "and made us +all sign our names on a piece of paper, and in the twinkling of an eye +he made them disappear again.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_35" id="Page_III_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> And who knows but what this Jew has +learnt the art from him; and all the world knows, that nobody is so +expert at getting out blood stains as Jews."</p> + +<p>This reasoning of the steward impressed nobody but the servants.</p> + +<p>"Considering the quantity of blood the attorney lost," said Lady Rety, +"it's quite incomprehensive to me how the murderer should escape without +staining his clothes. However," said she, turning to the Jew, "if you +did not participate in the actual deed, at least you know everything +that passed; you must know the murderer!"</p> + +<p>"I heard everything," said Jantshi, sighing; "I heard everything from +the beginning to the end, and I shudder still when I think of it!—I +wanted to jump out to help the poor man, but I was so frightened; and +then I thought, too, if any thing dreadful should happen, and I should +be found there; and then I became so frightened that I had no power to +move."</p> + +<p>"Well, what did you hear?" inquired Lady Rety, encouragingly; "you +surely must know whether it was Tengelyi, as the justice suspects, or +not? Now sit down and tell us all about it," said she, meeting at the +same moment the glance which her husband cast at her when she mentioned +Tengelyi.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_36" id="Page_III_36">[Pg 36]</a></span>"If you think," said the sheriff, turning to the Jew, "to exculpate +yourself by cunningly involving an innocent man, you shall find yourself +mistaken; you may say what you will, the strongest suspicion must always +remain attached to you."</p> + +<p>The Jew was too cunning to make any reply, and merely said that "he +could not tell who the murderer was, as he spoke in a suppressed voice; +but," said he, "I heard Tengelyi mentioned several times, and I heard +papers demanded, and the murderer took papers away with him; but as I +said before, I don't know who he was; those who followed him ought to +know."</p> + +<p>Ferko, the coachman, who had hitherto been a quiet listener, was now +asked to give a circumstantial account of what he knew. There are people +who are very eager to do any thing but their duty: Ferko was one of +them. When the house was first alarmed by the attorney's assassination, +Ferko was the first to leave his stables and to pursue the murderer, +accompanied by the servants, who showed no less zeal than himself. But +when the pursuit led to a very different result from what he had +expected, and when, instead of taking the robber, he followed the track +to Tengelyi's house, where he saw the notary, his zeal vanished, and it +struck him that not to have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_37" id="Page_III_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> seen any thing was by far the most prudent +way of managing the matter. Perhaps he suspected the notary; but he was +not inclined to endanger his own safety by giving evidence against a man +whose rank in life was so far above his own. He resolved to give no +evidence against Tengelyi; and as this resolution was unconditionally +approved of by his best friend, to wit, by Peti the gipsy, he stated, in +reply to the sheriff's questions, that he had pursued the robber to the +banks of the Theiss, where he had lost his track. Afterwards, he and his +friends had proceeded to the notary to inform him of what had happened.</p> + +<p>This account would have been quite satisfactory, but for the evidence of +the servant who had accompanied the coachman on his expedition; and who, +merely for the sake of varying the lesser features of the evidence, +stated that they had picked up a stick on the field, and that the said +stick was in the ferryman's possession. That person was called in and +examined: the result was, that all the unfavourable circumstances which +spoke against Tengelyi were gradually elicited from the trio, in spite +of the obstinate defence which they made of the notary's innocence.</p> + +<p>"But where is the stick you talk of?" said Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_38" id="Page_III_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> Skinner, with evident +satisfaction at the turn which the examination took.</p> + +<p>"With your worship's permission," replied the ferryman—"that is to say, +begging your worship's pardon—that is to say, I hope your worship will +excuse me, we found the stick in the middle of the road, on our way from +the Theiss to the notary's. We all saw it as it lay on the ground."</p> + +<p>"Where is it?" asked Mr. Skinner, sharply.</p> + +<p>"Please your worship, I have left it in the kitchen, for I could not +presume to come to your worship with a stick."</p> + +<p>"Bring it here instantly!" cried the justice. The ferryman left the +room, and returned with a black stick with a brass fokosh at the end. +Everybody was startled. Mr. Skinner took the stick and showed it to the +sheriff, who clasped his hands in utter amazement.</p> + +<p>Lady Rety whispered to the clerk, and the cook cried instinctively, "I +know that stick! It belongs to the notary."</p> + +<p>"You are both to be sworn," said Mr. Skinner to the ferryman and the +coachman, "that this is the stick which you found last night." And, +turning to the sheriff, he added, "I told you so! The matter is as plain +as can be."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_39" id="Page_III_39">[Pg 39]</a></span>"It is clear beyond the possibility of a doubt," said Lady Rety, seizing +the fokosh in her turn. "I have always seen that stick with Tengelyi; +and here are his initials, 'J. T.' It is shocking!"</p> + +<p>"I really don't know," said Rety, with great emotion; "there are many +things against Tengelyi, but the impression on my mind is——"</p> + +<p>"But consider, sir!" cried Mr. Skinner; "only please to consider! +Tengelyi quarrels with Catspaw, and says he'll have his revenge. Catspaw +is murdered that very night, and when dying he says that Tengelyi is his +murderer. The Jew, who I now believe came merely for the purpose of +thieving, hears that Catspaw is asked to give up Tengelyi's papers. The +coachman pursues the murderer after the deed. The track is lost for a +moment. They find it again, and follow it to the notary's house, whom +they see at midnight in his usual dress, covered with dirt and violently +agitated. Letters are found in Mr. Catspaw's room addressed to Tengelyi; +and, besides, here is the notary's stick! What do you say to that?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing!" replied the sheriff, shaking his head; "but all this cannot +convince me. I have known Tengelyi these——"</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" said Lady Rety, with a sneer. "It<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_40" id="Page_III_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> strikes me that you and the +notary are mighty good friends."</p> + +<p>"I am not his friend; but I will never believe him guilty of such a +deed."</p> + +<p>"I will furnish you with other proofs!" said Mr. Skinner. "I will go at +once to his house, and examine him and his family."</p> + +<p>"But, sir, have you considered that——" said the sheriff. But his wife +interrupted him by telling Skinner to make haste, lest the notary might +remove the traces of the crime.</p> + +<p>"But Tengelyi is a nobleman!" protested Rety.</p> + +<p>"He says he is a nobleman!" put in Lady Rety. "And it has been decided +in the Assembly that he is to be treated as not noble, until he proves +that he is. Go at once!" added she, turning to Skinner, "for if you were +to bring him here, it would create such excitement. After all, he may be +innocent."</p> + +<p>The justice and his clerk kissed her hand, and left the room. When they +were gone, the sheriff seized his wife's hand, saying, "Do you really +think Tengelyi is capable of such a deed?"</p> + +<p>"And why not?" said she, looking her husband full in the face.</p> + +<p>"You know Tengelyi's life, you know his character, his——"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_41" id="Page_III_41">[Pg 41]</a></span>"All I know of him is that he is my enemy!" retorted Lady Rety; "and I +shall never forget that, I assure you!" Saying which she left the room.</p> + +<p>Rety's heart shrunk within him when the soul of his wife was thus +brought before him in all its native ugliness. He shuddered to think +that he had hitherto obeyed the dictates of this heartless woman, and he +hastened away to protect the notary from the ill-treatment to which he +was convinced Mr. Skinner would subject him.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_42" id="Page_III_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_III_II" id="CHAPTER_III_II"></a>CHAP. II.</h3> + + +<p>Though ignorant of the suspicion which had been cast upon him, Tengelyi +passed the night in sorrow and remorse. He was convinced that the deed +of blood was done by Viola's hand; and his soul trembled within him as +he thought that, instead of preventing the crime, he had actually gone +to meet the robber on the banks of the Theiss. He felt degraded and +wretched by this strange complicity. After a sleepless night, he rose +with the day, and hastened to Vandory, who was still in happy ignorance +of what had happened.</p> + +<p>"Shocking!" cried the curate, when Tengelyi had finished his narrative +of the late events: "to think that he should be summoned to appear +before God in the very midst of his sins, and without having one moment +left for repentance!"</p> + +<p>"Shocking, indeed!" said the notary; "but is not mine the fault? Am I +not a partner in this crime? I all but knew that Catspaw had possession +of my papers. I ought to have known that Viola could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_43" id="Page_III_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> not wrest them +from him without taking his life. And what did I do? Instead of +preventing the deed, I obeyed the summons of the outlaw. I waited for +him, to receive the booty from hands reeking with the blood of his +victim!"</p> + +<p>"Viola's deed is horrible. I understand your feelings. But, tell me, +what could you have done to prevent him?"</p> + +<p>"My duty. I ought to have informed against him. I ought to have arrested +him."</p> + +<p>"No," said Vandory. "How could you think of arresting a man who relies +upon your honour? Besides, to arrest Viola, means to deliver him up to +the hangman."</p> + +<p>Tengelyi was about to reply, when the Liptaka rushed into the room.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Tengelyi, sir! For God's sake, do come home! Do, sir!" cried the +old woman.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter?" asked Vandory and Tengelyi at once; for the manner +of the Liptaka impressed them with the idea that some accident of a +fearful nature must have happened.</p> + +<p>"Oh, gracious! The justice and the clerk!" gasped the Liptaka.</p> + +<p>"Do tell us, good woman; what <i>has</i> happened?" said Vandory. "Why should +not the justice come<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_44" id="Page_III_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> to the notary's house? Is the event so very +extraordinary?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, sir! but if you knew what he comes for! He says, the notary—you, +Mr. Tengelyi, sir!—have murdered the attorney—confound the +fellow!—and he's come with the clerk and the haiduk; and he's at it! He +questions everybody in the house."</p> + +<p>Though used to misfortune, though prepared to meet injustice at every +step, Tengelyi was, for a moment, overwhelmed with grief and amazement.</p> + +<p>"This is too bad!" said he, with a tremulous voice. "I was prepared for +any misfortune; but I was not prepared to hear myself accused of a +crime! Yes; I am not prepared to answer a justice, and to plead in my +defence, when the crime laid to my charge is murder!"</p> + +<p>"It is impossible!" said Vandory, seizing his hat. "You are mistaken, my +good woman. There's some mistake, I'm sure."</p> + +<p>"I thought so too, sir," said the Liptaka: "that was my opinion, when +the justice told Mrs. Tengelyi that the notary was accused of a heinous +crime, and that he came to examine him. I fancied the villain was merely +joking; but when they called the maid, and the man, and the neighbours, +and examined them severally,—when they did that, sir, I under<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_45" id="Page_III_45">[Pg 45]</a></span>stood +that the rascal pretended to believe in what he said. And he would have +questioned Mrs. Tengelyi; but she told him she was a nobleman's wife, +and was not bound to answer questions. Oh! and the justice,—don't be +shocked, sirs!—he said the notary was not a nobleman; and, if she +wouldn't reply, he'd make her! Oh! but when he said that, I ran away to +call the notary; for it's he that is learned in the law, and he'll make +the justice repent his impertinence!"</p> + +<p>"You see, the affair is beautifully got up," said Tengelyi, with a +bitter smile. "They have robbed me of my proofs of noble descent, and +now they are at liberty to do with me as they please."</p> + +<p>"But——" said Vandory.</p> + +<p>"Come along!" cried the Liptaka. "The sheriff, too, is there! He came +when I ran away!"</p> + +<p>"Come," said Tengelyi, with increased bitterness. "Come; we are safe +now. You know my dear friend Rety has come to protect me in my hour of +trouble."</p> + +<p>Matters were indeed in a sad state in the notary's house. Mrs. Ershebet +insisted on her privilege; and nothing could induce her to reply to the +questions which the justice put to her; but the whole of the other +evidence, which was taken down, went against<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_46" id="Page_III_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> the notary. The neighbours +proved the quarrel, and the forcible expulsion of Mr. Catspaw from his +house; and one of them quoted Tengelyi's words, that the fellow (viz., +Mr. Catspaw) should die from his hands. The maid deposed that her master +had left the house late at night; the stick was at once identified as +the notary's property: in short, all the circumstances of the case were +so suspicious, that the sheriff, who assisted in the proceedings, and +who sought to modify Mr. Skinner's violence, though convinced of +Tengelyi's innocence, could not but admit that there was a strong case +against the notary.</p> + +<p>When Tengelyi entered the room, Mrs. Ershebet rushed up, and embraced +him, with sobs and tears.</p> + +<p>"Be comforted," said the notary. "This is not our first persecution, nor +is it the last. If God be with us, who can prevail against us!"</p> + +<p>His grave and dignified manner affected the sheriff; who, walking up, +addressed his former friend, and assured him that no persecution was +intended by the justice's proceedings.</p> + +<p>"Circumstances," said he, "will, at times, force the best of us to clear +themselves of suspicion by an explanation of their conduct; and in the +present<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_47" id="Page_III_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> instance, I am sure, nothing can be easier to Mr. Tengelyi."</p> + +<p>"I thank you, sir," said the notary, dryly, "and I am sure, if your will +had been done, these people would have treated me as they would wish to +be treated in a similar case, and, indeed, as any honest man has a right +to be treated. Allow me now to ask Mr. Skinner what the circumstances +are that have created a suspicion of my having murdered Mr. Catspaw, for +I understand that is the charge which they bring against me?"</p> + +<p>"We'll satisfy you to your heart's content, sir!" cried the justice, who +was in the habit of speaking in the name of the firm. All his +professional sayings were delivered under the authority of Skinner and +Co. He then proceeded at once to give a clear, and, strange to say, +comprehensive summary of the evidence, which he concluded by repeating +the chief points of the charge.</p> + +<p>"Considering," said he, "that the said Mr. Catspaw was murdered by some +person or persons unknown;—considering that no robbery was committed, +and that no feasible grounds can be found why anybody should have +committed that murder;—considering that the said Tengelyi's hate +against the said Catspaw is a matter of vulgar talk and notoriety,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_48" id="Page_III_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> in +evidence of which we need but adduce the yesterday's scene, in which the +said Tengelyi is proved to have threatened to kill the said +Catspaw;—considering that the said Catspaw was unjustly and maliciously +accused of having possessed himself of certain papers and documents the +alleged property of the said Tengelyi, the which circumstance goes far +to establish the presumption of an interested motive in the case of the +said Tengelyi;—considering that the crime was committed at midnight, at +a time when the said Tengelyi, against his usual habits and custom, was +from home, and considering that sundry persons who went in pursuit of +the robber came to the house of the said Tengelyi, where they found him +(<i>i. e.</i> the said Tengelyi) in a dress spotted with mud;—and, lastly, +considering that certain articles which were found in the room where the +crime was committed, and a stick which was picked up on the road which +the alleged murderer took, have been identified as belonging to the said +Tengelyi, there can be no doubt that there are grave reasons to suspect +the said Tengelyi of being guilty of the said murder."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir!" continued Mr. Skinner, after delivering this address, which +bore a striking resemblance to the preamble of a sentence of a +Hun<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_49" id="Page_III_49">[Pg 49]</a></span>garian court, "Well, sir! what have you to say to this?"</p> + +<p>The notary was silent.</p> + +<p>"Don't be confused, sir!" said Mr. Skinner; "please to speak the truth, +sir. You see our questions are put with the utmost politeness."</p> + +<p>"Don't give him an answer!" cried Mrs. Ershebet, passionately. "Thank +God, no one has as yet proved that we are not noble! They cannot force +you to answer!"</p> + +<p>"I <i>will</i> speak!" cried the notary; "I'd reply to the basest of mortals +if he were to charge me with so foul a deed!"</p> + +<p>"You see, madam, your husband does think us worthy of a reply," said the +justice: "don't be afraid; let him speak! I'm sure he'll give us the +most satisfactory explanations."</p> + +<p>"I can indeed give you the most satisfactory explanations, sir," replied +the notary, who, after adverting to the fact that his late suspicions of +Mr. Catspaw were now proved to be well founded, proceeded to state the +contents of Viola's letter, and the steps which it induced him to take.</p> + +<p>Mr. Skinner listened with a sly and incredulous smile.</p> + +<p>"But, sir," said he, "how could you endanger<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_50" id="Page_III_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> your precious life by +doing the robber's will? Mind, you say you were unarmed; and we know but +too well that you were alone, and at night too! Would any man of sense +wish to meet the greatest robber in the county under such +circumstances?"</p> + +<p>"I never did Viola any harm, and I had not therefore any reason to fear +him, when I learnt from his letter that he regarded me with feelings of +gratitude; after all, what could I do? I wished to have my papers, and I +availed myself of the only opportunity that offered."</p> + +<p>"Will you have the goodness to show us that letter?" asked the justice; +"I'd like to see the robber's autograph."</p> + +<p>"The writer of the letter intreated me to burn it," replied Tengelyi, +"and I have burnt it."</p> + +<p>"That's a pity! Perhaps you've shown the letter to some one. We want two +witnesses, you know!"</p> + +<p>"I informed my friend Vandory early this morning."</p> + +<p>"Oh! ah! I understand,—yes, early this morning!—about the time when I +came to the village and commenced examining the witnesses, eh? Is that +all you have to say?"</p> + +<p>"No!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_51" id="Page_III_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>"From your hesitating manner I take it that you knew of the murderer's +intentions."</p> + +<p>"You have no right, sir," cried Tengelyi, "to construe any of my words +in that sense!"</p> + +<p>"Sir!" retorted the justice, "it's mere folly to deny the fact. You +admit that you had reason to suppose that Mr. Catspaw was possessed of +your papers; and, supposing there ever existed a letter of Viola's to +you, you must have known that the robber intended to obtain the papers +by means of a crime."</p> + +<p>"Is this all?—no! more is behind!" continued Mr. Skinner, after a +pause. "Your own confession proves that you were not only privy to the +murder, but that you acted the part of one who stimulates and instigates +the murderer. It is quite clear that Viola had no interest in the +papers, nor would he have risked his life for them unless an artificial +interest was created in his mind. And whose advantage did that +artificial interest tend to? whose interests did it serve to +promote?—Yours, and only yours!"</p> + +<p>Tengelyi would have answered; but Mr. Skinner continued, with great +pathos:</p> + +<p>"And who is it that is guilty of so heinous a crime?—a notary! a man +whose duty it is to prosecute the breakers of the law, and who imposes +upon the county and the sheriff by making his house a den<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_52" id="Page_III_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> for thieves +and robbers! This case," added Mr. Skinner, turning to Kenihazy, "is +beyond our jurisdiction. It is our duty to send the prisoner to the +county gaol, to prevent his being liberated by Viola and his other +comrades."</p> + +<p>The sheriff, who watched the case with great interest, interposed, and +offered to be bail for the notary's appearance; but Mr. Skinner thought +he had shown his respect to Mr. Rety more than sufficiently by eschewing +the low abuse and the curses with which it was his habit to give vent to +his feelings on similar occasions. He refused to accept bail; "For," +said he, "I would not accept it even if Mr. Tengelyi's nobility had +never been doubted; the privilege of nobility cannot protect a man in +the present case. The associates of robbers——"</p> + +<p>"How dare you call <i>me</i> an associate of robbers?" exclaimed Tengelyi, +his fury getting the better of his discretion; "How dare you, sir? You, +of whom it is known that you are a receiver of stolen goods!"</p> + +<p>What the notary said was, more than any thing else, calculated to wound +the feelings of the worthy Mr. Skinner, and a sharper sting was given to +the reproach by the fact of its being thrown at the magistrate's head in +the presence of the sheriff and of a numerous audience. There certainly +had been cases<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_53" id="Page_III_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> in which the owners of stolen cattle had accidentally +found their property in Mr. Skinner's stables; but when, after leaving +the place in confusion and dismay, they returned with a witness, the +cattle, somehow or other, had disappeared. Accidents of this kind are +not the less disagreeable from their not being unheard of; and Mr. +Skinner's rage, in the present instance, passed all bounds.</p> + +<p>"Do you ask me how I dare to call you an associate of robbers?" cried +he. "You'll find, to your cost, that I dare more than that. I'll <i>treat</i> +you as an associate of robbers. I'll have you put in irons, sir; for +everybody knows that some time ago, when we hunted Viola in the village, +the robber found an asylum in your house! Ay, you may stare! And when I +wished to search it, your wife had the impertinence to put in a +protest!"</p> + +<p>"How dare you utter this calumny?" said the notary, with increasing +violence. "I sheltered Viola's family because they were in distress; but +I never saw the robber. Come, Ershebet; was Viola ever in our house?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ershebet, who was equally ignorant of what Vilma and the Liptaka +did on that occasion, affirmed that Viola had never entered the house; +but the justice sneered, and forced the old woman, Liptaka,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_54" id="Page_III_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> to repeat +the statement which she had made before the court-martial.</p> + +<p>"It's but too true, sir," said she. "While they were hunting after Viola +in the village, he was hid in the house. I hid him in the back room +behind the casks; but neither the notary nor Mrs. Tengelyi was aware of +it. And I told the gentlemen of the court that I was too frightened to +tell the notary what Viola desired me to tell him, namely, that he ought +to look to his papers. Heaven knows but a great misfortune might have +been prevented, if I had done as I was bid!"</p> + +<p>"I'd be a fool to believe you!" said the justice. "How could you take +the robber to the back room unless some one knew of it?"</p> + +<p>"Some one did know of it, but neither the notary knew of it, nor his +wife, for she was in bed at the time. Miss Vilma and I were sitting up +when Viola came to the house. We were sitting up with Susi, when we +heard the noise in the street. I went out and found Viola. The place was +surrounded, and there was no escape. I knew they'd hang him if they +could take him, so I entreated Miss Vilma to allow me to take him in. +She was moved to pity, and gave her permission. That's the long and the +short of it. If it was wrong to hide him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_55" id="Page_III_55">[Pg 55]</a></span>—very well! You may do with me +as you please. I am an old woman, and I'm the only criminal in this +business."</p> + +<p>"Never mind, you old beldame!" cried Mr. Skinner, angrily. "We'll clear +our accounts with you one of these fine days. We must now examine Miss +Vilma, since it appears that all the inmates of this house are leagued +against the law!" and, turning to Mrs. Ershebet, he said, "Call your +daughter!"</p> + +<p>"Never!" said Mrs. Tengelyi. "My daughter is the betrothed bride of +Akosh Rety; who will dare to offend her? To think that my own Vilma +should be examined for all the world like a common culprit!" said the +good woman: but Tengelyi asked her to fetch her daughter.</p> + +<p>"But, my dear Jonas, how can you think——"</p> + +<p>"Go to your room and call your daughter!" repeated Tengelyi. "I am +convinced that the Liptaka tells an untruth. My daughter has never kept +any thing secret from me."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ershebet left the room, and returned with Vilma. The power of +beauty is irresistible; even Mr. Skinner, in spite of his innate +vulgarity, lost half of his impertinence when Miss Tengelyi appeared +before him. He said it was necessary that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_56" id="Page_III_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> a few questions should be put +to her, but that he was ready to wait, if she thought it inconvenient to +answer them now.</p> + +<p>"Go on!" said Tengelyi, dryly. "Speak, Vilma. Tell us, is it true that +Viola was hid in our house at the time they pursued him through the +village?"</p> + +<p>"Father!" cried Vilma; and her pale face became suddenly flushed.</p> + +<p>"Fear nothing, my love! You've always been my good, my dear child. You +were always open and candid. Tell us, now, is it true that Viola was in +our house, and with your permission, too?"</p> + +<p>Vilma stood silent and trembling. Mr. Skinner pitied her, when he saw +the effect the question produced on the poor girl.</p> + +<p>"Dearest Vilma, I intreat you to have no fear!" continued Tengelyi. "I +know very well it's a vile calumny. I know you would never have done +such a thing without my consent, or, at least, without informing me of +it after it was done. You see, Vilma, dear, this woman—God knows I do +not deserve it at her hands!—tries to clear herself by saying that it +was with your permission she hid Viola in my house."</p> + +<p>Vilma's fear yielded to the impression that a confession on her part was +necessary to justify her old<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_57" id="Page_III_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> friend. She wept, and confirmed the +statements of the Liptaka.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, dearest father!" added she; "I am the cause of this +misfortune. I asked the Liptaka to hide Viola in this house, and I asked +her to keep the matter secret from you, for I knew you would be angry +with us, because they say Viola is a great criminal; though it is but +natural that I did my best to save the wretched man from certain death."</p> + +<p>"Gammon!" muttered Mr. Skinner. Kenihazy fetched sundry deep sighs; and +Rety remarked that he thought Vilma's evidence consistent and credible.</p> + +<p>Tengelyi stood lost in speechless agony. Vilma was silent, but the looks +which she cast upon her father expressed unutterable despair. Vandory +alone broke through the solemn silence; and, seizing the hand of his +friend, he entreated him not to yield to his grief.</p> + +<p>"Fear nothing!" said Tengelyi, gloomily. "Since I have come to +this—since my own daughter tells me the truth only when examined by a +judge—since it is so—there is nothing to startle; nothing is left to +amaze me! It is enough!" continued he, with a deep sigh, turning to the +justice. "Let us make an end of it. You know all you can wish to know. +You know that everything speaks against me. I see no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_58" id="Page_III_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> reason why you +should trouble yourself any more with me. Give me two hours' time to +arrange my affairs, and, if you please, have my house watched in the +meantime."</p> + +<p>"Of course, if <i>you</i> have said all you have to say, there is no reason +for further ceremony. I'll have the carriage ready in two hours. You had +better take all the things you want for your stay in Dustbury, which, I +am afraid, will be longer than you seem to anticipate."</p> + +<p>"I will accompany him!" cried Mrs. Ershebet, weeping; "I will not leave +my husband in his trouble."</p> + +<p>"My dear Ershebet," said the notary, "I must insist on your remaining +where you are. I am accused, and I must prepare my defence, and for that +purpose I ought to be alone."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ershebet wept still more; but Mr. Skinner remarked that he was not +sure whether the regulations of the prison would allow the prisoner to +communicate with his family. Having said this, he left the room with +Kenihazy, thereby conferring a substantial benefit, not only on the +notary and his family, but also upon himself, for he had scarcely left +the house when Akosh Rety arrived in a state of fearful excitement.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_59" id="Page_III_59">[Pg 59]</a></span>"For God's sake, tell me what <i>has</i> happened?" cried he, as he rushed +into the room.</p> + +<p>"My dear Akosh!" cried Mrs. Ershebet, taking his hand, "we are lost. Our +name is dishonoured. My husband is accused of murder. They are going to +take him to the county gaol."</p> + +<p>"And I am the cause of my father's ruin!" cried Vilma. "Save him, Akosh; +if you ever loved me, save him!" And the wretched girl fell fainting to +the ground.</p> + +<p>They took her away. The notary looked after them in silence; and, +turning to Vandory, said: "Be a father to them when I am gone!"</p> + +<p>Rety, the sheriff, though deeply moved, was a silent spectator of this +scene; for the cold politeness with which Tengelyi deprecated his +interference whenever he attempted to advocate his cause, prevented him +from expressing his sympathy. He now came up to the notary and assured +him, with a trembling voice, that, come what might, he would use the +whole of his influence to extricate his former friend from his present +painful position.</p> + +<p>"I thank you, sir," said Tengelyi, coldly, as he turned to the speaker. +"I must confess I was not aware that we were still honoured by your +presence under my roof. I thought you had accompanied<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_60" id="Page_III_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> Mr. Skinner; for, +as I take it, the transaction which excited your interest is now over. +Everything is in the best order, and the crime, it appears, is fully +brought home to me."</p> + +<p>"Tengelyi," said the sheriff, with deep emotion, "do not treat me +unjustly. What brought me to this house, was my wish to assist you by my +presence, and to induce Skinner to treat you with kindness and +moderation."</p> + +<p>"If that was your intention," retorted Tengelyi, "it would have been +wise not to have used your influence for the election to that post of a +man whom the presence of his chief does not prevent from abusing the +powers of his office."</p> + +<p>The sheriff was confused.</p> + +<p>"I will not argue that point with you," said he; "but what I wish to +assure you of is, that, however circumstances may speak against you, I +still am convinced of your innocence. I assure you, you can rely upon +me!"</p> + +<p>"Sir!" said the notary, "there was a time when I did place my trust in +my friends; but they have since been kind enough to convince me that +friendship is far too pure and lofty to descend to this poor world of +ours, I shall shortly be called upon to appear before my judges; and if +you, sir, think you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_61" id="Page_III_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> have strength enough to forget the friendship which +you have hitherto shown me, it will give me pleasure to see you on the +bench. Pardon me, if I leave you, I have but two hours to myself, and I +wish to spend them with my wife and daughter."</p> + +<p>And, bowing low to the sheriff, Tengelyi seized Vandory's hand and led +him from the room. Rety sighed, and left the house.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_62" id="Page_III_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_III_III" id="CHAPTER_III_III"></a>CHAP. III.</h3> + + +<p>The notary's position was critical, his future doubtful, and his +separation from his family painful in proportion. Tengelyi wanted all +his strength of mind to speak words of consolation and hope to his +weeping family. The despair of his daughter in particular filled his +heart with the deepest, bitterest grief.</p> + +<p>"Do not weep, dear girl!" said he, embracing poor Vilma, whose pallid +face showed more than her tears what agonies she felt. "You know your +father is innocent. Things will clear up, and I shall be allowed to +return to you. Won't you be my good, happy girl, when I come back!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, father!" cried Vilma, "to think that you should go to prison, to be +confined with those wicked people though but for a day, though but for +an hour! And to think that I am the cause of it, dear father, it drives +me mad!"</p> + +<p>"You, my daughter? What makes you think that your confession of Viola +having been hid in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_63" id="Page_III_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> house can do any thing to make my case worse +than it is?"</p> + +<p>"Father!" said she, sadly, "don't talk to me in that way! I am +undeserving of your love. Will they not say you were aware of Viola's +being in the house, and that you wished to deny it? And even if this +were not so, are not all our misfortunes owing to our having taken in +Susi and her children? And that was <i>my</i> doing!"</p> + +<p>"And since <i>that</i> is the cause of your misfortune," interposed Vandory, +"I am sure God will not abandon you in your trials. His ways are indeed +unaccountable; but I never heard of a good action having led a man to +utter ruin!"</p> + +<p>Tengelyi sighed, but Vilma felt comforted; and even Mrs. Ershebet's sobs +ceased when the curate told her that this unjust accusation was possibly +the means to defeat their enemies, and to lead to the recovery of the +documents. The notary added to the comfort of his wife by assuring her +that his incarceration was not likely to continue for any length of +time, and that Vandory would be their friend and adviser during his +absence.</p> + +<p>Again Mrs. Ershebet entreated him to allow her and Vilma to accompany +him to Dustbury; but the notary felt that he wanted all his strength for +the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_64" id="Page_III_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> moment in which he must cross the threshold of the prison; and, +with Vandory's assistance, he prevailed upon his wife to desist, at +least for the present.</p> + +<p>"If my captivity were indeed to be of long duration," said he, "I would +of course send for you. But in the first days I must devote myself +exclusively to an examination of my position, and of my means of +defence. Völgyeshy is an honest man. I intend to retain him as my +counsel; and Akosh, I know, will find means of informing me how you are +going on. Where is Akosh?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ershebet replied, that he had left the room with the sheriff; and +Tengelyi turned to arrange his papers and books, when the young man +entered. He looked excited, and his eyes showed traces of tears.</p> + +<p>"Have you spoken to your father?" cried Mrs. Ershebet.</p> + +<p>"I have!" replied young Rety, with a trembling voice.</p> + +<p>"And what does he say?" asked Ershebet and Vandory at once.</p> + +<p>"Nothing but what is beautiful and edifying, I assure you!" said Akosh. +"He wept; indeed he did! He embraced me! He called me his dear son!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_65" id="Page_III_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> He +told me he was convinced of Tengelyi's innocence; and his heart bled to +think that so honest a man, and his old friend too, should be in such an +awkward position; and Heaven knows what he said besides! He pleaded +Tengelyi's cause admirably; but the end of it was that he refused to +comply with my request. He said that fellow Skinner would not take bail, +and he could not force him. In short, he said there was nothing to be +done. But then, you know, he told us his <i>heart</i> was bleeding; can we +ask for more?"</p> + +<p>"I could have told you so!" said Tengelyi, quietly.</p> + +<p>"No! no! You could not!" cried Akosh, passionately. "If an angel from +heaven had told me that my father would reply to my entreaties in <i>this</i> +manner, by Heaven I would not have believed it! Oh! you cannot know how +I implored him. I wept! I knelt to him! I reminded him of my poor +mother! I told him, if he had ever loved me, if ever he wished to call +me his son, if he would not make me curse fate for having made him my +father, he should grant me this one, this poor request! And he refused +to grant it!"</p> + +<p>Vandory felt hurt at the manner in which Akosh spoke of his father. He +said:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_66" id="Page_III_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>—</p> + +<p>"Who knows whether he was not justified in saying that he <i>could</i> not +comply with your request?"</p> + +<p>But Akosh replied with increased bitterness:—</p> + +<p>"Do you really think Skinner would have dared to resist my father if he +had insisted on putting in bail for Tengelyi, or, at least, on having +him confined in our own house? Oh, indeed, and what was His Excellency, +the lord-lieutenant, likely to say to such an infraction of the rules? +And perhaps the illustrious Cortes would not be pleased with his +protecting the notary! Such are the reasons which induced my father to +stifle his better feelings, and to spurn me, his only son, who wept at +his feet!"</p> + +<p>"Who knows," said Vandory, "how painfully he felt it that he was +compelled to refuse you?"</p> + +<p>"No matter!" said Akosh. "When I left the house, I saw Kenihazy busy +with the carriage. We have not much time left; it were a shame to lose +that time in a dispute about my father's character." And, turning to +Tengelyi, he added, "Will you allow me to accompany you to Dustbury?"</p> + +<p>The notary repeated to him what he had already stated to the other +members of his family. He entreated him to bring him news of Mrs. +Ershebet and Vilma; "and," added he, with a smile, "to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_67" id="Page_III_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> recommend them +to your protection is unnecessary!"</p> + +<p>"All I wish is, I had a better right to protect them. I wish Vilma were +my wife. What my father would not do for his son, he might perhaps be +induced to do for the honour of his name."</p> + +<p>"I understand you!" said Tengelyi; "but, thank God! I want no protection +to prove my innocence. I have nothing I can leave my daughter but an +honest name; and until the honour of that name is restored, I cannot +consent to your marriage."</p> + +<p>Akosh would have replied; but the carriage, which drove up that moment, +diverted his thoughts into another channel. Tengelyi embraced his wife +and daughter, seized his bunda, and stepped into the carriage, which +Rety had sent, to the great vexation of Mr. Skinner, who intended to +convey the notary in a peasant's cart. Mr. Kenihazy seated himself +beside the prisoner, two haiduks occupied the rumble, and the +unfortunate notary thanked heaven when the carriage drove off, and +withdrew him from the gaze of his despairing family.</p> + +<p>The county gaol at Dustbury was, in those days, free from the prevailing +epidemic of philanthropical innovations, which a certain set of +political empirics are so zealous in spreading. The ancient<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_68" id="Page_III_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> national +system of Austrio-Hungarian prison discipline was still in full glory; +but as coming events cast their shadows before, so this venerable and +time-honoured system was every now and then attacked by the maudlin and +squeamish sentimentality of modern reformers. Nay more, a committee was +appointed to inquire into the condition of the prisons and their inmates +in the county of Takshony; and though the keeper of Dustbury gaol +allowed each prisoner on the day of the inquest full two pints of +brandy; though they were ordered to play at cards, and be merry, the +gentlemen of the committee insisted on giving a libellous account of +Captain Karvay's mode of treating his prisoners. The established prison +discipline suffered a still ruder shock, when, in the gaol of a +neighbouring county, no fewer than six prisoners were dull enough to +permit their feet to be frozen by the cold; and though the county +magistrates gave them the full benefit of their attention, though their +feet were amputated with a handsaw, though only one of the patients +survived, and though such things were known to have frequently happened +without any one being the worse for it, yet (so great is human +perversity) a cry of indignation was got up against the worshipful +magistrates of the said county, for all the world as if those honourable +gentlemen had <i>made</i> the cold.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_69" id="Page_III_69">[Pg 69]</a></span>And besides, at the very time that the prisoners' feet were frozen in +the lower gaol, there were no fewer than eighty prisoners confined in +one room in the upper part of the building; and these eighty men, though +they disagreed and fought on the slightest provocation, were still +unanimous in their complaints of excessive heat. This circumstance shows +that malicious persons will complain of any thing, if they can but hope +to bring their betters into trouble. But the committee of inquiry could +not continue for ever, and the cry of indignation became hoarse from its +very excess. The new instructions, which government was weak enough to +publish during this crisis, were put on the shelf, and Mr. Karvay +returned to his Austrio-Hungarian management, of which the excellence +was clearly proved by the yearly increasing number of its +<i>pupils</i>—pupils, we say, for what is a prison but an academy for +grown-up boys and girls?</p> + +<p>The council-houses in Hungary serve likewise the purposes of county +gaols. The council-chambers, the court, and the prison are under one +roof. This system has its merits on account of its compactness. The +council-houses, which, though not exactly <i>built</i> by the nobility, are +built for their exclusive <i>use</i> (always excepting the prisons, of which +the nobility leave a small part to the peasantry,) are not only<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_70" id="Page_III_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> used +for quarter sessions and the like; no, they are also made to serve +purposes of a more social nature.</p> + +<p>The hall, for example, with its green table, resounds in the morning +with the shrill tones of Hungarian eloquence, or it is hushed by the +gravity (it is well known that this inestimable quality is greatly aided +by the smoking of strong tobacco) with which sentences of death are +passed, and criminals sent off to instant execution. But whatever want +of measure and order a man may detect in the debate of the morning, he +will find it brought to its level in the ball of the evening, when a +hundred couples move to the sounds of harps and violins. Among the +miscellaneous uses to which the county-house is put, one of the most +important is that it serves as a place of rendezvous for the assessors +and other officials. They meet in every room, and show a wonderful +activity in conversation, and a no less wonderful energy in smoking +their pipes, which pursuits are notoriously conducive to despatch and +accuracy in business. The Hungarian nobility resemble the Romans in more +than one respect. That classic people had an innate desire to pass their +time in the forum; the Hungarian assessor exults in his council-house. +In it he passes his life. It is here he works,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_71" id="Page_III_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> eats, smokes, sleeps, +and gambles. In the county of Takshony, this laudable custom was of +course in a high state of perfection. It is therefore but natural that +Mr. Skinner should have left Tengelyi's house only to proceed to the +council-house at Dustbury, where he spread the news and surrounded +himself with a chosen body of his friends, who, with him, were eagerly +looking for the arrival of the prisoner. We find them in the recorder's +office, where Mr. Shaskay condoled with the assessor Zatonyi about the +depravity of the world; while James Bantornyi, holding the recorder by +the button, informed that worthy magistrate of all the forms and +observances of the English trial by jury; and an Austrian captain, who +spent his half-pay at Dustbury, held forth at the further end of the +room, assuring some of the older assessors that this shocking increase +of crime was solely owing to the flagitious mildness of the penal laws, +a proposition to which his hearers gave their unconditional assent by +sundry deep sighs and significant exclamations against the scandalous +scarcity of capital executions and the jeopardy into which this +ill-advised leniency put the lives and limbs of the well-clad and +bean-fed among the Takshony population. Völgyeshy, though generally +averse to large assemblies, had joined and indeed scandalised<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_72" id="Page_III_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> the +party, by protesting his conviction of Tengelyi's innocence.</p> + +<p>Mr. Kenihazy's arrival, and the news that he had safely conveyed the +prisoner to Dustbury, drew the attention of the several groups in the +room to the worthy clerk, who gloried in the excitement which his +presence produced.</p> + +<p>"Heavy roads," said he, wiping the perspiration from his forehead. +"Heavy roads, I assure you, gentlemen! I'd never have thought that we +should have had so much trouble."</p> + +<p>"So he did trouble you!" said Mr. Skinner. "Very well. I thought as +much. You are so late, I am sure something came in your way."</p> + +<p>"Came in my way with a vengeance!" said Mr. Kenihazy. "Luckily, I had +the two haiduks. I could never have done without them."</p> + +<p>"What the devil! Did the notary fight? Did they endeavour to rescue +him?"</p> + +<p>"No! not exactly!" said Mr. Kenihazy, reluctantly; for the general +interest these questions excited made him loth to disappoint his +audience, "we fell asleep on the road. They are doing something to the +bridges. We were forced to leave the dyke. The carriage was almost +swamped in the mud; and, as I told you, if the haiduks had not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_73" id="Page_III_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> been +with me, and if I and the notary had not put our shoulders to the +wheels, bless me, we shouldn't have been here till to-morrow morning; in +which case the brigand would have attempted to rob me of my prisoner. +But I'd like to have seen them, that's all!" added he, shaking his fist; +"I'd have taught them manners, dirty knaves as they are!"</p> + +<p>This explanation of Mr. Kenihazy's late arrival was far too commonplace +to satisfy the worshipful gentlemen; but still the principal interest +remained concentrated on Tengelyi, and half-a-dozen voices asked at +once:</p> + +<p>"How did the notary behave?"</p> + +<p>"What did he say?"</p> + +<p>"Did he make any ill-natured remarks?"</p> + +<p>"He did not do any thing," replied Mr. Kenihazy; "how could he? since +the sheriff ordered me to treat him with the greatest leniency!"</p> + +<p>Everybody was astonished, and the recorder exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Are you sure that the sheriff gave such an order?"</p> + +<p>"Of course he did. I never saw him more energetic in my life than when +he told me that he was convinced of Mr. Tengelyi's innocence—yes, +inno<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_74" id="Page_III_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>cence was the word!—and that we ought to avoid any thing which +could possibly make his position more painful."</p> + +<p>"Strange!" cried Shaskay, shaking his head.</p> + +<p>"<i>I</i> thought it strange; but as the sheriff told me that to offend the +prisoner was as much as an offence to himself——"</p> + +<p>"It's quite natural! quite! you know," cried Mr. Skinner, when he saw +and cursed his clerk for the effect which those words had on the +company, but particularly on the recorder. "It's quite natural, you +know. His son is in love with the notary's daughter; and now that +Tengelyi has got himself into trouble, the sheriff must do something in +the way of taking his part, for there is no saying what that hot-headed +fellow Akosh would not do. But <i>I</i> am the man who knows the sheriff's +real sentiments. Lady Rety told me to use all due diligence and severity +in the trial of the offender, who has murdered her most faithful +servant; and we know, gentlemen, that the sheriff never differs in +opinion with his lady."</p> + +<p>"If that is the case, I have been wrong in what I did," said Mr. +Kenihazy, scratching his head; "after what the sheriff told me, I did +not even offer to bind his hands and feet—indeed, I have treated him +with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_75" id="Page_III_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> great politeness. I wanted to converse with him, but he made no +reply to what I said."</p> + +<p>"Conscience! it's all conscience!" groaned Mr. Shaskay.</p> + +<p>"That's what I thought when he refused to smoke a pipe, though I offered +it over and over again."</p> + +<p>"You might have let it alone, sir," said Mr. Zatonyi, with great +severity. "In your relations with prisoners, your behaviour ought to be +dignified, grave, and majestic: to show them that there is some +difference between you and a vagabond."</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Bandi," said Mr. Skinner, when he saw that his clerk +smarted under the reproof, "never mind; you're over polite, you know. +Tell them to send the prisoner up. We'll be grave enough, I warrant +you!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Kenihazy left the room; and a few minutes afterwards Tengelyi +entered with an escort of four haiduks. Völgyeshy accompanied him. That +gentleman had left the company, when he heard of the notary's arrival: +he had gone to confer with him. The notary's face was serious, and his +behaviour had that dignity, gravity, and majesty which the assessor +advised Kenihazy to practise in his relations with culprits.</p> + +<p>"How devilishly proud the fellow is!" whispered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_76" id="Page_III_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> Mr. Skinner to Mr. +Zatonyi: "but never mind; we'll get it out of him in no time."</p> + +<p>"So we would if the sheriff did not protect him!" sighed Zatonyi.</p> + +<p>The formal surrender of the prisoner was made, and Tengelyi expected +every moment that they would take him to his prison; when Captain Karvay +asked the recorder what kind of a chain the notary was to have.</p> + +<p>Simple as this question was, it seemed to puzzle the magistrate, who was +at length heard to say, that it would be better to wait for the +sheriff's arrival, before any thing was decided on the point.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" cried Mr. Skinner; "give him a chain of eight or ten pounds, +and have done with it."</p> + +<p>Before the recorder could make an answer, Völgyeshy interfered, saying, +"that to chain the prisoner was useless and therefore illegal. No +attempt had been made to escape."</p> + +<p>"It strikes me," said Zatonyi, "that Mr. Völgyeshy is the advocate of +every criminal."</p> + +<p>"No, not of every one," replied Völgyeshy; "but I am proud to plead the +cause of those of whose innocence I am convinced; and it is for this +reason I have asked Mr. Tengelyi to put his case into my hands."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_77" id="Page_III_77">[Pg 77]</a></span>"Have we then the honour of seeing in you the advocate of Tengelyi?" +said Mr. Skinner, with a sneer.</p> + +<p>"<i>Desperatarum causarum advocatus!</i>" whispered Zatonyi. "If Viola had +not escaped, you might have seen a practical illustration of the results +of your defence."</p> + +<p>"Whatever result my pleadings may have, does not depend upon me," +retorted Völgyeshy. "All I say is, that I mean to do my duty to my +client, and I know that our respected sheriff will take my part against +you."</p> + +<p>These last words told upon the recorder; and, after a short +consultation, it was resolved to lock the notary up without chaining +him.</p> + +<p>Messrs. Karvay and Skinner were utterly disgusted with this resolution. +The gallant captain complained of the unfairness of the court, who made +him responsible for the safe keeping of the prisoner, and who yet +refused to sanction the necessary measures of precaution. But a +sheriff's influence is great, particularly immediately after the +election; and all Mr. Karvay gained by his demurrer was a hint from +Shaskay, to the effect that it was far easier to keep a prisoner in gaol +than to confine certain people to the field of battle; and the homeric +laughter which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_78" id="Page_III_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> followed this sally drowned his voice, when he rejoined +that great caution ought to be used with any deposits in a +council-house, since certain monies, though wanting feet and though kept +in irons, had been known to vanish under the hands of certain people. +This brilliant repartee was utterly lost, and nothing was left to the +gallant gentleman but to protest that it was not his fault, if he was +unable to obey the sheriff's orders respecting the treatment of the +prisoner; for since they would not allow him to chain the notary, his +only way was to put him into the vaults.</p> + +<p>This proposal filled the mind of Völgyeshy with horror, not indeed +because the vaults of the Dustbury prison have any resemblance to those +mediæval chambers of horror which the managers of provincial theatres +expose to the horrified gaze of a sentimental public. No! The cellars of +the Dustbury prison, though by no means eligible residences, were not +half so bad as the most comfortable of the lath and canvass dungeons to +which we have alluded. The door of these vaults, which opened into the +yard, led you to twelve steps, and by means of these into a passage, +lined with a score or so of barred doors. The whole arrangement was +simple, safe, and useful. There are none of the paraphernalia of a +romantic keep,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_79" id="Page_III_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> no iron hooks, no trap-doors, no water-jars; on the +contrary, if the prisoners have any money, they can get wine and brandy, +and as much as they like, too. The Dustbury prisons are strangers to the +nervous tread of pale and haggard men. It is true that the number of +prisoners prevents walking; but there is a deal of merry society; there +is smoking, idleness, swearing, singing, in short, there is all a +Hungarian can desire. This shows that the lower prisons of Dustbury are +very satisfactory places, at least for those for whom they were built. +There were, indeed, some witnesses and a few culprits, who, though +uninured to prison life and averse to its gaieties, were compelled to a +protracted stay in these places, and who had the presumption to +complain. But of what? Of nothing at all! there was no reason to fear +that the gaoler would let them die of thirst, for on rainy days there +was an abundant supply of water, which came in by the windows, and which +was retained in its own reservoir on the floor of the prison. But they +complained of the badness of the air, (and indeed the air <i>was</i> bad, at +least it seemed so to those who were not used to it), which might +perhaps have been the cause of the prevalence of scurvy and typhus +fever.</p> + +<p>Such places are unquestionably very disagreeable,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_80" id="Page_III_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> for the prevailing +prejudice forces magistrates and guardians to dispense medicines to each +of the sick prisoners. And medicines are fearfully expensive! But this +motive was scarcely powerful enough to induce the Cortes of the county +of Takshony to build new prisons; for the gentlemen of the sessions +adopted certain remedial measures against long druggists' bills. The +prisoners were treated by a homœopathic practitioner, and this measure +reduced the charge for medicines to a very low figure indeed. The +construction of a new prison cannot therefore be ascribed to pecuniary +motives. No! it was simply owing to the impossibility of confining more +than a certain number of people within a prison of certain dimensions; +and though one half of the culprits were always allowed to go at large +on bail, yet the county was at length compelled to provide for the +accommodation of a greater number of its erring sons. The new prison was +built on the best plan, and fitted with all modern improvements. It +contained eight good-sized rooms and a hall. Each of the eight rooms was +inhabited by from twenty-five to forty, and the hall by from fifty to +eighty prisoners. But, strange to say, the sanitary condition of the +inmates of the new prison was as bad as that of the sojourners in the +old vaults, and this extraordinary circumstance fully justified<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_81" id="Page_III_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> the +opinion of some of the older assessors, that the frequency and virulence +of disease had nothing whatever to do with the locality.</p> + +<p>Such was the state of the gaol in which the people of Takshony confined +above five hundred prisoners; and it is therefore but natural that +Völgyeshy should shudder at the thought of Tengelyi being confined in +the same room with the other criminals. Four small rooms were set apart +for the reception of prisoners of a better class; and Völgyeshy insisted +on his client's right to have one of those rooms.</p> + +<p>"What next?" cried Zatonyi, laughing. "Did I ever! A village notary and +a private room in a prison! It's too good, you know!"</p> + +<p>"I say!" cried Mr. James Bantornyi; "Mr. Völgyeshy is right! Every +prisoner ought to be locked up by himself, that's what the English call +solitary confinement: each cell has got a bed, a wooden chair, a table +to do your work on, and a Bible, or a crucifix if you are a Catholic. +It's the best plan I ever heard of! I've seen it in England. Did any of +you ever read the second report? I mean the Second Report on Prison +Discipline?"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! I wish you'd hold your peace with your English +tom-fooleries!" said Zatonyi. "We are in Hungary, sir!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_82" id="Page_III_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>"But I say," rejoined James, "there is not a severer punishment than +solitary confinement. Auburni's system, of which I saw the working at +Bridewell, is nothing compared to it!"</p> + +<p>"Of course! of course!" laughed Zatonyi; "you'll come to advise us to +give our prisoners coffee, and sugar, and rice, as I understand people +do in America. But now tell me, how can you confine each prisoner by +himself, when there are five hundred prisoners and thirty-three wards? +There's no room, my dear fellow; that's all."</p> + +<p>"And why is there no room?" cried the Austrian captain, passionately. +"Because, instead of hanging people, as our fathers did before us, we go +to the expense of locking them up for so many months or years. If I had +my way, I'd make room for you! Fifty stripes and the gallows! There's a +cure for you; and all the rest is d—d nonsense!"</p> + +<p>"I should have no objection to Tengelyi's having a separate room," said +the recorder; "but really there is none. The four cells which are set +apart for solitary confinement are taken."</p> + +<p>"Then there <i>are</i> some rooms devoted to that purpose, are there?" cried +Mr. James Bantornyi, eagerly. "Oh, very well! Did I not always tell you +we'd come to imitate England? Solitary con<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_83" id="Page_III_83">[Pg 83]</a></span>finement is introduced for +four prisoners! A beginning being once made, I have no doubt but the +rest will follow."</p> + +<p>"You are right!" said the recorder, in a mortal fear lest it should be +his lot to have a description of the Milbank prison. "But, after all, +who can help that we have but four rooms, and that they are all taken?"</p> + +<p>"Taken? By whom are they taken?" inquired Mr. James, who took a +praiseworthy interest in prisons and their inmates.</p> + +<p>"One of them is retained by the baron," said Captain Karvay. "It's now +three years since the poor gentleman was sent to prison, and I'll swear +to it he's innocent."</p> + +<p>"Is he indeed?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing more certain!" said the gallant captain. "He's a capital +fellow, but a little violent, you know: and it may have happened that he +has ordered his servant to beat a man; indeed, I don't know, but perhaps +he did it himself. It's what everybody does, you know, and nobody minds +it. But the baron had ill luck. Thirty years ago, he knocked one of his +servants on the head, and the fellow died in consequence of the blow. A +prosecution was commenced and carried on, and while it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_84" id="Page_III_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> was being +carried on it was all but forgotten; when, as ill luck would have it, +the poor baron chanced to get himself into a fresh scrape. He is fond of +his garden. The peasants stole his fruit and flowers. So he swore the +first whom he could lay his hand on should have forty stripes. It was a +vow, you know. And what happened? The very next morning a young chap was +caught stealing cherries. Of course the baron could not think of +breaking his vow. The young fellow was not quite ten years of age; he +could not stand forty blows, and he died before the thing was fairly +over. There was another row, and the county magistrates could not but +sentence the baron to be confined for six months; the upper court +cancelled the judgment, and gave the poor man four years! Only fancy! +and he's seventy years old. It's an atrocious cruelty, you know, to send +such a man to prison, and for four years too!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I remember," said James Bantornyi. "I heard it talked about when I +returned from England. But I thought he had got over it. Some time ago I +saw him on his estate."</p> + +<p>"Why," replied the recorder, "if we were not to give him a run now and +then, his manager would play the devil with his crops and cattle."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_85" id="Page_III_85">[Pg 85]</a></span>"The second room," continued the captain, "is inhabited by an attorney: +he was sent here for forgery. And in the third room lives an engineer, +who is likewise accused of forging bank-notes."</p> + +<p>"And did it ever strike you," asked Mr. James, with great anxiety; "did +it ever strike you that solitary confinement exerts a salutary influence +on the prisoners?"</p> + +<p>"It certainly does. Ever since the baron has lived with us, he's grown +fat; he never complains of any thing except of his ill luck at cards, +and that he cannot get any wine which is strong enough for him. He's +blunted, you know."</p> + +<p>"Wine and cards are not fit agents to carry out the purposes of solitary +confinement: but, after all, the English too have, of late, relaxed the +former rigour of their system. But how do the others go on?"</p> + +<p>"The attorney acts as middleman between the borrowers and lenders of +money, and the engineer is always writing and sketching. I suppose you +saw his last <i>quodlibet</i> with the sheriff's portrait, and the autographs +of all the magistrates, and with a few bank-notes mixed up with them. It +was remarkably well done, especially the notes."</p> + +<p>"Capital!" said James. "Occupation is the life<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_86" id="Page_III_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> of prison discipline. It +improves the criminals, you know."</p> + +<p>Völgyeshy, who had scarcely kept his impatience within bounds, +interrupted this conversation.</p> + +<p>"One of the cells is untenanted," said he; "why don't you put Tengelyi +in that?"</p> + +<p>"Impossible!" said the captain, dryly. "The worshipful magistrates have +resolved that one of the rooms must be kept empty, to provide for an +emergency."</p> + +<p>"But is not this an emergency?" asked Völgyeshy.</p> + +<p>"I don't care whether it is or not!" said the captain, twisting his +moustache. "All I say is, that the worshipful magistrates have +instructed me to keep that room empty. I have my orders, sir. Besides, +we cannot put the notary into that room to please anybody; for Lady Rety +has used it as a larder these three years, and she keeps the key."</p> + +<p>Still Völgyeshy persisted; but the recorder interfered, saying, that the +mildness which the sheriff had recommended could not, by any means, be +carried to the bursting open and disarranging the larder of the +sheriff's wife. And when Völgyeshy told them that, at least, an +arrangement might be made by confining two of the three prisoners in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_87" id="Page_III_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> +one room, and assigning one of their cells to his client, his proposal +excited a violent storm of indignation.</p> + +<p>"I wish you may get it!" cried Captain Karvay. "I wonder what the baron +would say if I were to force somebody upon him! And I don't know what he +would say if I were to tell him it was to make room for a village +notary."</p> + +<p>But the decision of the affair was, as usual, brought about by Mr. +Skinner's energy. That great lawyer protested that he could not think of +fighting or squabbling for such a self-evident point; that Mr. Völgyeshy +had a right to defend the notary as much as he pleased; but that the +worshipful magistrates had an equal right not to care for Mr. Völgyeshy +or his defence.</p> + +<p>The matter being thus settled to the satisfaction of all but the +notary's counsel, the recorder said to Karvay: "But you'll put him +somewhere where the crowd is not too great!"</p> + +<p>"Of course. I'll send him to No. 20.,—as sweet a room as you'd like to +see, and with but five people in it. There's the old receiver; a +murderer; a man confined for horse-stealing; and two children convicted +of arson."</p> + +<p>"Very good," said the recorder. "Whatever he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_88" id="Page_III_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> wants, he must have; for +the sheriff wishes us to treat him kindly."</p> + +<p>With a heavy heart did Völgyeshy follow the captain to the hall, where +Tengelyi was awaiting the close of the discussion.</p> + +<p>"It's rather strange that they should leave me without chains," said the +notary, as they descended the steps to the vaults. "I am in the power of +these people; and, I assure you, they'll give me a taste of what they +can do."</p> + +<p>"I'll make an end of it!" cried the advocate. "I'll go and talk to the +sheriff. He cannot mean——"</p> + +<p>"He does not mean any thing!" said Tengelyi, with bitterness. "It's a +pity that you should trouble yourself; not only because you'll lose your +labour, but also because, in my position, a man gets blunted to smaller +sufferings."</p> + +<p>"But the additional straw which——"</p> + +<p>"I am no camel, my dear sir.—Stop here. I will not allow you to +accompany me farther." And, turning round, the notary followed his +gaoler.</p> + +<p>Völgyeshy left the place sadly and reluctantly. At some distance from +the council-house he met Kalman Kishlaki, who had just come from +Tissaret to inquire for Tengelyi. The news of the notary's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_89" id="Page_III_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> confinement +in the vaults struck young Kishlaki with angry surprise. He hastened to +the place where he had left his horse; and, without giving the poor +beast time to rest, he rode back to Tissaret to appeal to Akosh, and, +through him, to the sheriff.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_90" id="Page_III_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_III_IV" id="CHAPTER_III_IV"></a>CHAP. IV.</h3> + + +<p>The last rays of the setting sun shed their brightness on the roofs of +Dustbury, when Tengelyi entered his prison. As he paused on the fatal +threshold, his heart ached within him, to think that this was his +farewell to the free light and air of heaven. The prison was dark. The +dirty panes of glass in the windows, the rough paper which, pasted over +the frames, supplied the want of them in more than one place, added to +strong bars of iron which protected the windows, created a dim twilight +even in the midst of the gladness and brightness of day; but to those +who entered the place in the afternoon, as Tengelyi did, it appeared as +dark as night, until their eyes became accustomed to the darkness. This +circumstance, and the murky and fetid air which he breathed, unnerved +Tengelyi so much, that he paid no attention to the words of comfort +which the turnkey addressed to him. That meritorious functionary, who +gloried in the military rank of a corporal, considered every new +prisoner in the light of a fresh source of income to himself; and his +politeness to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_91" id="Page_III_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> the notary was not only unbounded, but even troublesome. +He bustled about the prison; selected the most comfortable place for the +new comer; deposited the notary's luggage in what he called a snug +corner; and exhorted the other prisoners, rather energetically, to be +civil and polite to their guest. He asked Tengelyi whether he had any +commands for the night. The notary asked for some bedding.</p> + +<p>"We'll find it for you," said the corporal. "Of course I must borrow it +from some other man; and I don't know what he'll want for it a day; but +if you'll pay the damage, we'll find it for you, that's all."</p> + +<p>Upon the notary declaring that he was willing to do so, the corporal +continued: "We find you every thing for your money. You can have meat, +brandy, wine, whatever you like, if you've got some money. I say," added +he, in an under tone; "it would make matters pleasant if you were to +send for a drop for these chaps. When they get a new companion, they +want to drink his health, you know; and these here fellows are +dreadfully put out, because they've been disturbed in their places. You +ought to make things pleasant, you know; for they <i>will</i> be mischievous +unless you do."</p> + +<p>The notary declared his readiness to "make things pleasant," as the +corporal called it.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_92" id="Page_III_92">[Pg 92]</a></span>"I say!" cried that person; "this gentleman is a real gentleman, and +nothing but a gentleman. He means to give you wine and brandy to drink +his health in; so don't trouble him!"</p> + +<p>Saying which, and while several voices expressed their joy, the corporal +left the cell and locked the door. Tengelyi sat down on his luggage, and +leaning his face on his hand, he gave himself up to his gloomy thoughts; +but he had scarcely done so, when a voice from the other side of the +place disturbed him.</p> + +<p>"Don't be sad, comrade!" croaked the voice. "This cursed cellar is +awfully cold. If you're once sad, you're done for!"</p> + +<p>The place was so dark that Tengelyi could not distinguish the speaker's +form; but the cracked voice, and the gasping and coughing of the man, +showed him to be old and decrepit.</p> + +<p>"What's the use of being mum?" continued the voice. "Take it easy! +People who live together ought to be cronies! Besides, we are much +better off here than you or anybody would think—ain't we, boys?"</p> + +<p>"Yes! yes!" replied two voices, which evidently proceeded from a man and +a boy.</p> + +<p>"We're snug and comfortable! There are some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_93" id="Page_III_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> drawbacks, you know. My +poor Imri here has a whipping on every quarter day, and Pishta is going +to lose his head—that's all. It's a bore, you know."</p> + +<p>"What the devil makes you talk of it?" said the man's voice, trembling.</p> + +<p>"Never you mind! Who knows but you'll get off for all that? Why, you +were not even twenty when you did for that Slowak; by the same token, +you were a jackass to kill that fellow of all others for the miserable +booty of ninepence which you found in his pockets. As for me, I've twice +been under sentence of death, and you see I'm none the worse for it. But +if they <i>will</i> chop your head off, why, it's some comfort to think that +they hanged your father before you. Never mind, boy, you're as likely to +dance on my grave as I am on yours! When a man has lived up to +ninety-three years——"</p> + +<p>"Three and ninety years!" sighed the notary, with a shudder.</p> + +<p>"Three and ninety years!" continued the old man, with his usual cough. +"It's a good old age, you know; and fifty-four years of that time I've +lived in gaol, and I'm none the worse for it; if the Lord keeps me +alive, they'll discharge me on St. Stephen's day that's coming."</p> + +<p>"Fifty-four years?" cried the notary.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_94" id="Page_III_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>"Ay! it's a good long time, ain't it? I've been in gaol for stealing +horses and other cattle, and I was a party to a murder. Twice they +locked me up for arson, but, d—n me, I had no hand in it in either +case; and this time I'm caged because people <i>will</i> have it that I was +the head man in the Pasht robbery—you know three men happened to be +killed on the occasion. Never mind, I'm to be a free man on St. +Stephen's day; and, after all, though <i>I</i> say it who should not, their +worships were not far out when they brought that business home to me!"</p> + +<p>"I say, father, you're an out-and-outer!" said the boyish voice. "Come, +tell us of the Jew that lost his life!"</p> + +<p>"Tell you, indeed, you abortion!" said the old man. "Don't you hear me +coughing. Ask Pishta! he'll tell you how he diddled that Slowak."</p> + +<p>"D—n Pishta! he doesn't tell stories half so well as you do, father; it +gives one an appetite for the business to hear you."</p> + +<p>"Never mind, lad! you'll have your share of it, I warrant you!" laughed +the old man. "The devil shall take me by ounces, if you don't kill a man +before you've got a beard to your chin."</p> + +<p>"I'll kill any one! I'll drink blood! Let me once get out of this place, +and you'll see!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_95" id="Page_III_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>"Will you, indeed! You'll get the shakes before you do it, my boy."</p> + +<p>"Drat the shakes! I'd wish you to see me at work. I'm not the coward I +was when they brought me here. Wasn't I a fine fellow, father? A knife +made me <i>funky</i>. But your fine stories have set me up. I can't help +dreaming of the old Jew whom they hanged in the forest. Let me once get +an axe in my hand! I shan't use it for woodcutting, that's all."</p> + +<p>"Bravo!" cried the old man. "You're a bold fellow, you are! By the bye, +what's the other chap about?"</p> + +<p>"He's asleep!"</p> + +<p>"Is he? then box his ears, and wake him!"</p> + +<p>And turning to Tengelyi, he added, "That boy Imri is a whapper, sir; but +the other chap's a scurvy rat!"</p> + +<p>A loud wailing cry, and the entreaties of the other child, showed that +Imri had obeyed his patron's command; and though the notary was resolved +not to enter into any conversation with his fellow-prisoners, that cry +of pain overcame his resolution.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you let the poor boy sleep?" said he.</p> + +<p>"You leave my children alone, sir!" said the old<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_96" id="Page_III_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> robber, rather +fiercely. "They ought to fight. It does them good, you know. Makes them +hard, sir, as hard as nails! That little fellow, Imri, is a whapper, +sir. That boy'll do me honour, that boy will; but that sleepy cove in +the corner will never come to any thing. I've given them a year's +schooling, sir, and that's why I ought to know them."</p> + +<p>"You would do better to think of your death-bed, old man. You are +driving these children to ruin."</p> + +<p>"Ruin be d—d! I'll make men of them. I'll give them reason to be +grateful to their worships for locking them up with me. I'll give them a +bit of education, you know."</p> + +<p>At this moment the turnkey opened the outer gate of the prison, and +brought a large lamp, which he placed in the hall, so as to economise +its light for three of the cells. The reddish glare of the lamp showed +the notary the place to which his misfortune, and the malice of his +enemies, had brought him. It was a perfect hell of sweating walls, +half-rotten straw, filth, chains, and iron bars. The old prisoner, to +whom Tengelyi had spoken, squatted in a corner, with his head leaning on +his knees, so as to conceal his features. But in the intervals of the +conversation,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_97" id="Page_III_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> he raised his head, and showed a countenance on which the +crimes of nearly a century had set their mark. His was one of those +faces which, once seen, are always remembered, and the very turnkey felt +some awe when he approached him. His white beard, which covered the +lower half of his face, the thin long silvery locks which descended to +his shoulders, and his sunken eyes and temples, showed that he had +reached an age which few men attain, and the sight of which is wont to +fill us with respect, or at least with pity. It was not so in the case +of this man. The keen look of his eyes under his bushy eyebrows +impressed you with a conviction that this patriarch of the prison, +though he might want the power, did not lack the will to commit any +crime; and when his trembling and shrivelled hands were stretched forth +towards you, it was not pity, but a feeling of comfort you had in +thinking, that these hands had lost the strength to grasp the dagger or +aim the blow.</p> + +<p>At the old man's feet lay a boy of fourteen, with a withered and oldish +face. His cheeks were pale, his forehead wrinkled, and his eyes dull and +glazed, except when the old man called him by his name, or stroked his +hair with a trembling hand. It was then that some feeling was expressed +in that haggard face.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_98" id="Page_III_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> It was then that the boy's eyes gleamed in wild +exultation. It was the yearning of the human heart for kindness, and its +gratitude even to the depraved. The other boy, whose wailings induced +Tengelyi to speak, had crept up to the iron railings of the door, and +there he stood gazing at the light of the lamp. When the flame burnt +clear and bright, the boy clapped his hands and laughed; but when it +burnt low, he said he was sure the lamp was neglected, and that it would +go out, as it did the other day.</p> + +<p>"If I could but creep through the bars!" sighed he. "If they'd only let +me trim it! I'd give it a large wick and plenty of oil; and I'd make it +burn with a red flame, and a yellow flame, and a blue flame! Look, look! +what a bright jet of fire! Grow! grow little flame! rise to the +house-top, and shine over the town and warm it! Oh, see how splendid!" +And the poor lad pressed his glowing face to the iron bars. "Oh! if +they'd but let me touch it!"</p> + +<p>"It's no go, my boy!" cried the young murderer from the furthest corner +of the cell; "they won't allow you to set the prison on fire, as you did +the other day. Get away from the bars, you little rascal; if you don't, +I'll drag you away by the hair!"</p> + +<p>"Bravo, Pishta! Give it him!" said the old man;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_99" id="Page_III_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> "he all but killed us +with his smoke. You see he's mad!"</p> + +<p>Pishta got up and seized the boy; but Tengelyi interfered, and asked how +the child could have set the prison on fire.</p> + +<p>"That boy! There never was such a boy! He used to ask me by the hour for +my steel and flint; and when he once had it, there was no getting it +away from him. He would strike fire, and when he made the sparks fly he +laughed and screamed like mad. And one night he prigged a piece of +tinder and lighted it, and put it in the old cove's straw."</p> + +<p>"Pull his ears for him, Pishta!" cried the old man. Even Tengelyi's +interference would not have saved the lad from being beaten, had not the +appearance of the turnkey, with some bottles of wine and brandy, engaged +the attention of the prisoners.</p> + +<p>"Give us the brandy, Imri; and I say, Pishta, take a bottle and let that +nasty toad alone, since the man who treats us wishes to protect him. Let +him stare at the flame to the end of time; only look sharp that he +doesn't claw your tinder. Will you not take a drop, sir?" added the old +man, addressing Tengelyi. The notary's refusal astonished him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_100" id="Page_III_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> quite as +much as the cleanliness and neatness of his dress and appearance.</p> + +<p>"If you don't care, I'm sure <i>I</i> don't!" said he; and, turning to his +comrades, he added, in a whisper: "Leave him alone, for after all he +pays for our brandy. To-morrow morning we'll make him send for some +more. He's our cellar, you know! Drink, Imri, my boy! Stick to the +brandy. You look rather queer about the eyes; but never mind, you'll get +used to it, and you're a whapper for all that."</p> + +<p>Thanks to the old man's calculations on his future generosity, Tengelyi +was left to his reflections. The prison presented a scene of uproarious +hilarity, which, at length subsiding, gave place to the deep and heavy +breathing of its drunken inmates, when the door again opened and +admitted a man, who, laying a mattress, a pillow, and a blanket at +Tengelyi's feet, introduced himself as Gatzi the Vagabond, a former +inmate of the cell, though at present a kitchen prisoner<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> of the +recorder's. Having thus informed Mr. Tengelyi of his state and station, +both in the world and in the prison of Dustbury, he produced a small +basket with eatables, adding that they were sent by Mr. Völgyeshy, who +wished the notary to be patient, for that he was sure to have his own +private<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_101" id="Page_III_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> room next day. "And," added Gatzi, "I'll make you a bed fit for +a king to sleep on. I've just made the recorder's bed, and he is +particular, you know."</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_III_I" id="SEE_NOTE_III_I"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_III_I">Note I</a>.</p></div> + +<p>Tengelyi, who had not broken his fast since the previous day, took some +meat and bread, and invited the new comer to fall to.</p> + +<p>"Thank you!" said Gatzi the Vagabond. "I've eaten as much as I can eat. +The recorder had no end of things for supper. I waited at table, and +minded my own business, I can assure you. But you don't take any wine! I +hope it's good; and it's I myself fetched it at the inn, and the +landlord knows he can't do me, for if he did I'd go to the Lion next +time, that's all."</p> + +<p>"Try it!" said Tengelyi. "As for me, I do not mean to take any."</p> + +<p>"I humbly thank you!" said the prisoner, seizing the bottle. "Ah, +well-a-day, what wine! Bless me, if you'd give me such wine every day, +I'd never wish to leave this place."</p> + +<p>"It strikes me you are pretty well reconciled to your captivity."</p> + +<p>"Oh I'm far more comfortable than I might be. I've been a servant ever +since I was a boy; and now I'm a kitchen-prisoner. Dear me! there's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_102" id="Page_III_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> no +difference between the two; and when the weather's bad, and I sit by the +kitchen-fire thinking how they used to set me to work, both in winter +and in summer, it strikes me that I'm better off than I ever was. I've +got plenty to eat, a warm jacket, and a few kreutzers now and then for +an extra service. The haiduks don't bully me—in short, it's the very +place for a poor fellow like myself."</p> + +<p>"But what of liberty? Would you not like to be free and unfettered?"</p> + +<p>"These chains of mine <i>are</i> troublesome; yes, so they are, especially +when I've to change my boots. You can't believe how awkward they are at +times, though they are lighter than any in the place. But, after all, +who knows when they take them off but that I must carry heavier loads to +gain my bread? And as for liberty, why you see, sir, in fine weather, in +a starry night, I think it would be a nice thing indeed to be racing +over the heath with my fellows; but, after all, liberty's very +uncomfortable: a man must work for his bread, you know."</p> + +<p>The notary sighed.</p> + +<p>"Cheer up, sir!" said the Vagabond, in happy unconsciousness of the real +cause of the notary's sigh. "Cheer up, sir! To-morrow you'll have your +own room; and since Mr. Völgyeshy's your lawyer, I am<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_103" id="Page_III_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> sure you'll get +through the business, however ugly it may be. The devil himself could +not live in this hole among a parcel of blackguards! Would you believe +it, sir? there isn't a respectable man among the lot!"</p> + +<p>"Society's none of the best in the other cells, I dare say," responded +the notary, as he settled down for the night.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but it is! It was quite a pleasure to be in the cell I once lived +in. They were all men of substance, I assure you, sir, and mighty fine +stories they told. There was no end of good stories. There was a woman, +too—but this is a place to despair in."</p> + +<p>"Then, I presume, this is not your own cell?"</p> + +<p>"By no means!" said Gatzi the Vagabond, with great pride. "I'm in the +habit of sleeping in the recorder's kitchen, or in the yard, and I've +only come down here because Mr. Völgyeshy told me to watch lest +something might happen to you, sir."</p> + +<p>"What can he mean?"</p> + +<p>"Why that old fellow there is fit for any thing in a small way. He's +been after one of the boys in such a manner that the poor child has got +the epileptics."</p> + +<p>The notary shuddered.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_104" id="Page_III_104">[Pg 104]</a></span>"Why do they allow him to have the children in his cell?" cried he.</p> + +<p>Gatzi the Vagabond, stretching his limbs in his bunda, replied, with +great composure:—</p> + +<p>"They say the fellow's so desperately wicked, that whenever a man was +locked in his cell, he was sure to commit some horrid crime the moment +he came out of prison. As for Pishta, they've put him here because the +recorder says he has no chance of living. He'll lose his head to a +certainty. And the children are small and weak; what harm can they do +when they get out?"</p> + +<p>"But what are they in prison for?"</p> + +<p>"It's a queer thing altogether!" yawned Gatzi. "There were no end of +fires in the village where they come from, and it was found out that +half the children in the place had a hand in it; little toads, you know, +of from twelve to fourteen. Mr. Völgyeshy says it's a disease; and I +dare say he's right, for one of the boys has been a making fires ever +since he came here. But, whether it is a disease or not, it didn't +matter. The justice had the other boys and girls soundly whipped; and as +for these here two, he sent them to gaol because they're orphans. Fine +plants they'll come to be. Good night, sir!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_105" id="Page_III_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_III_V" id="CHAPTER_III_V"></a>CHAP. V.</h3> + + +<p>There are moments in the life of every votary of the world's splendour +and ambition in which, wearied by the obstacles which obstruct his path, +and harassed by the petty failures of a thousand wishes, the more ardent +because they are unreasonable, he looks back with something like regret +on his past career, while the future fills his soul with fear, mingled +with disgust. The rewards of ambition are scanty, its labours great. +There is profuseness in the promise, there is a niggardly stinginess in +the performance. The hour of doubt and sorrow comes for every one; that +hour which makes us feel that "the paltry prize is hardly worth the +cost." But the man of real ambition, the man of high purposes, who walks +the rugged paths of greatness, not because he wishes that the crowd +should stare at him, but to satisfy his own ardent mind; not because he +longs for command, but because his mind thirsts for freedom,—such a +man, even in his darkest hours, will never look back to the past with +that intensity of bitterness which the sheriff felt, when, pacing his +room, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_106" id="Page_III_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> reviewing his position, he became convinced of the fact that +his past career was as false as his present existence was hollow.</p> + +<p>His was not an unfeeling heart. In his younger years he was loving, and +zealous for the love of others. Moderately accomplished, with a fine +property, and a good face and figure, Rety was formed to pass his life +in tranquil happiness. But there was something in his character which +blasted the fair hopes of his youth. He was weak and vain, and these two +qualities spoilt his appetite for the good things with which fortune had +so amply provided him. Once removed from his natural sphere, his life +was a series of bitter disappointments. His attachment to the friends of +his early youth sprang from a desire of praise and friendly +conversation. When he entered into practical life, he was equally +influenced by the views of his family, and by their advice; and though +in the outset he was rather a passive than an active sharer of the high +plans of his father, his vanity soon caused him to covet those very +distinctions which he for a time pretended to disregard. His first move +in that career brought him in opposition to Tengelyi, the friend of his +youth. Rety was not insensible to the meanness of the transaction. He +did all he could to change his father's purpose. He told him that to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_107" id="Page_III_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> +treat his friend in this manner would for ever undermine his +self-respect. But his father protested that all the hopes of his life +were bound up in this one desire; his mother added her entreaties; and +the neighbours said there never was so young and so gentlemanly a +justice in the county. And when they all protested that Tengelyi had not +the least chance of carrying the election, Rety wanted the strength to +resist, and all that the nobler feelings of his mind effected was to +make him ashamed of himself. He was afraid to meet his friend; and he +added to his wrongs by breaking off the acquaintance.</p> + +<p>Thus launched into public life, accustomed to the frequent +glorifications and distinctions of county life, Rety's innate vanity +became of gigantic growth; and when he took his father's place of +sheriff, when the Cortes of the Takshony county made him the object of +their devotion, he exulted in what he considered his pride of place.</p> + +<p>Some people accused him of want of principle. They protested that his +habitual dignified reserve was the result of a deep scheme, and that his +ambition was of the most insatiate and the boldest kind. They were +mistaken. The sheriff was satisfied with his position. All he wished was +to be the first man, the beloved and exalted man of the county. His was +a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_108" id="Page_III_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> modest vanity. His mind did not crave for fame, or for a grand sphere +of action. He was satisfied to rise gradually and peaceably, and to be +surrounded by an admiring circle of friends. The county of Takshony +yielded the fullest satisfaction to these wishes, and the sheriff's +aspirations were confined to its borders. It never struck him that it is +a disgrace for a man to be the favourite of <i>all</i> parties. But this +tranquil enjoyment of petty honours could only last while there was no +one near him to disturb it. His distinctions ceased to be grateful to +him when new wishes were awakened in his heart. The death of his first +wife and his second marriage served to disgust him with his repose upon +his laurels.</p> + +<p>In the choice of his first wife he had followed his heart; his second +alliance was caused by ambition. The woman of his choice had no +property; but she was a magnate's daughter, and celebrated for her +beauty and her talents. To think of the many that would envy him if he, +a widower, were to marry the most beautiful woman in the county, made +him happy; and that thought was a solace to him, even when he found to +his cost that his wife had other qualities besides beauty and talents. +Lady Rety felt uncomfortable in her position as the wife of the sheriff +of Takshony. Though her father was poor, he had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_109" id="Page_III_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> rich relations, many of +whom were high in office; and the uninterrupted correspondence in which +she stood with some of the greatest men in Hungary, while it +dissatisfied her with her present station, caused her to strain every +nerve to raise her husband to a higher rank. From the moment she entered +his house, she strove to urge Rety on.</p> + +<p>And she succeeded. He had hitherto prided himself on being the first man +in the county. She told him that was a small matter indeed. She told him +the county of Takshony was not worth living for; that the cheers, the +exultations of the crowd were caused by his cellar, and not by his +merits. The affability which his office imposed upon him as a duty +became perfectly odious to Rety's mind, when his wife convinced him that +it was a meanness to bow and smile to the Zatonyis, Skinners, and +Kishlakis. She spurred him on; she sneered at him and his county +politics, until he felt utterly wretched, demoralised, and contemptible. +He yielded, and resolved to aim at higher dignities.</p> + +<p>That resolution was the curse of his life. A vain man wants the breath +to run a long race: vanity must have applause for each word, and praise +for each act. Rety knew that the road to higher things is open to those +only who league themselves with one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_110" id="Page_III_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> party. And when he left his batlike +position, when he joined a party for good, he saw to his horror that +there were some people who doubted his excellence; the criticisms of his +enemies made him miserable. And when he yielded to the impulse of his +ruling passion, when he returned to his undecided position between the +hostile factions, their shortlived applause was poisoned by the sneers +of his wife. The sheriff's conduct was vacillating and fickle. Nobody +could be more painfully conscious of this fact than he himself was.</p> + +<p>The part which Lady Rety played in the robbery of Tengelyi's papers was +divulged by Viola's confession, and eagerly commented on by the gossips +of the county. Those who credited the robber's statement believed too +that the sheriff had acted in concert with his wife. But this opinion +was erroneous. The sheriff knew nothing of Lady Rety's plans; and, +though sensible of the importance of the papers which Vandory possessed, +he was too honest, and, indeed, too weak, to consent to any thing like a +crime. But when the robbery had been perpetrated, and when his wife +informed him of Viola's confession, he asked her with horror whether the +robber had spoken the truth. "He has!" replied she, with that boldness +which experience told her was wont to awe him into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_111" id="Page_III_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> submission. "I have +done the thing I am accused of. But why did I do it? It was for the +benefit of your family, name, and interests. Will you accuse me? Can you +think of producing me in a court of justice? Will you dare to cast +dishonour upon your own name? If you do, you effect your own ruin, +without convincing any one of your innocence. They accuse you more than +me. If you turn against me they will say, it is not because you are +innocent, but because you are a knave. The only thing you <i>can</i> do is, +to hush the matter up."</p> + +<p>Rety was miserable. But there was no alternative; and he chose to become +an accessory after the fact. Mr. Catspaw's assassination increased the +difficulties of his position. Some papers, of which the property was +traced to Tengelyi, were found in Mr. Catspaw's room. So long as +Tengelyi was thought to be the murderer, the circumstance of the papers +being found might be explained by asserting that the notary had lost +them when he committed the crime; but if he could prove his innocence, +were not those papers likely to increase the suspicions which the +sheriff felt were entertained against him? And was not Tengelyi likely +to rest his defence on those very suspicions?</p> + +<p>Rety, as is usually the case with weak men, was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_112" id="Page_III_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> by no means fond of the +person who reigned over him; the coldness of years ripened into hate. He +was estranged from his old friends; scorned, and perhaps hated, by his +own children; he was exposed to danger and infamy, and all for her sake. +He could not pardon his own weakness, but he hated her the more +cordially; a feeling which she returned with interest. This distracting +position was still heightened by the contents of a letter which the +sheriff took up at times, and threw down again, to stamp the floor and +ponder on certain points which seemed to move his feelings. That letter, +which was in Vandory's handwriting, was to the following purpose:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"My dear Brother,</p> + +<p>"You know that I am not in the habit of using this +name too often. I loved it once; but I have dropped it +since I saw that it would hurt your interests. I am +your brother, but I have never claimed other rights +than those your heart gave me; and if I now remind you +of the bonds which unite us, it is to recall you from +the path which leads to certain ruin.</p> + +<p>"Samuel, you are on the brink of an abyss. The very +next step you take will decide your fate for ever. If +you proceed in your career, you are given over to +evil. Your honour, now jeopardised, is irretrievably<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_113" id="Page_III_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> +lost. There are crimes which defy all repentance. +Consider, my brother, whether worldly honours and +riches can repay you for peace on earth and for the +loss of your hopes of heaven!</p> + +<p>"There was a time in which you professed friendship +for Tengelyi; but let that pass. You thought proper to +sacrifice his friendship to the cravings of your +ambition. I leave it to your heart to decide whether +you were right or wrong. But even if Tengelyi had +never been your friend, you ought to feel for his +situation. You are convinced of his innocence; you +know the circumstances to which he fell a victim; you +know the authors of his misfortunes; and you know +those who accuse him because they wish to hide their +own misdeeds. Will you suffer him to fall a prey to +his enemies? Will you plunge his family in misery and +ruin? I never thought that I should have to raise my +voice in a case in which duty speaks so clearly. I was +convinced that you, who bear so great a share in +Tengelyi's misfortunes, would strain every nerve to +save him. I was mistaken. The entreaties of your own +son could not prevail upon you even to alleviate the +sorrows of this ruined family. All that is now left to +me is to remind you of your promise to me; and, though +reluctantly, I must also remind you of the +obliga<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_114" id="Page_III_114">[Pg 114]</a></span>tions which, according to your own words, you +are under to me.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Samuel; a review of the past will convince you +that I was always a faithful brother to you: that, for +your sake, I sacrificed what mankind prize as most +high and valuable; and that I have a claim upon your +gratitude.</p> + +<p>"I was a child when my mother died, but I was old +enough to become conscious of the change in my life +when our father married for the second time. Your +mother was the bane of my childhood. Before she was a +mother she hated me, because I reminded her of what +she longed for; and when you were born, she feared +lest I should share our father's property with you. +Everybody pitied me, and there were some people who +wished me to hate you. But I loved you. I loved to +embrace you; to hear you speak, and to teach you my +childish games. I was neglected, hated, and +persecuted; but I had a brother, and I hoped to be +happy when he came to be a man. My childhood was so +utterly wretched, that my hopes had nothing but the +distant future, and the older I grew, the more +insupportable became my condition. You say my father +loved me. He never showed it. The slightest mark of +kindness from him would have prevented me from +quitting his roof as I did. My<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_115" id="Page_III_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> departure from home +was covered by a distant relation of my mother's, who +found the means and the passports for a journey to a +foreign country. He supported me during the first +years of my voluntary exile. At the end of three years +he died. Death surprised him with such awful rapidity, +that no time was left to inform his friends of my +whereabouts, or to provide for me in his will, and I +found myself, at the commencement of my studies at +Göttingen, thrown upon my own resources, and, though +not friendless on foreign soil, I felt homesick. But I +had no faith in my father's affection, and I conquered +that feeling. My poverty could not shake my +resolution. I worked for my living, and was happy and +proud that I could support myself. I lived thus for +more than ten years. My longings for my country passed +away. I all but forgot my mother's language; and when +I passed my examinations and took my degrees, I felt +as a native of the foreign land in which I lived. It +was at this time I saw your name in the lists of the +University of Heidelberg. I left Göttingen, and +hastened to meet you.</p> + +<p>"I write this, not to reproach you. If I was useful to +you, your presence was a source of happiness to me. +What I wish is, to remind you of those happy days, of +those days when there were no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_116" id="Page_III_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> secrets between us; +when it was as unlikely that I should ask for any +thing that could give you pain, as that you should +refuse to comply with any of my requests.</p> + +<p>"No one knew of our consanguinity, and many people +wondered at our friendship; I was so much older than +you. Even Tengelyi could never suspect that we were +brothers. We agreed to return together to my father's +house, and to ask his pardon for my rash and +injudicious step.</p> + +<p>"Heaven would have it otherwise. You knew the woman +whose love caused me to forget all other ties, and to +make her country mine. I knew my father was proud. I +knew that my chosen wife would be a source of +annoyance and sorrow to him. He could never be +reconciled to the marriage of his son with the +daughter of an artisan; and you, too, advised me to +take the place which at that time was offered to me, +and to remain in Germany.</p> + +<p>"My happiness was of short duration. My wife died a +few months after your departure from Heidelberg. I +felt very lonely. You were far away. Tengelyi had left +the place before you. My soul was sorrowful, even unto +death. I resolved to turn my steps homewards, but I +did not inform you of my resolution.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_117" id="Page_III_117">[Pg 117]</a></span>"I wished to see my father and his house before +introducing myself to him as his son. What I saw +convinced me that it was better to remain unknown as +long as my father lived. My name and my claims to the +property were likely to inflame your mother's hate +against me, and the prodigal's return would have +embittered the last days of his father. We resolved to +keep the secret between us; and when your +recommendation caused me to be appointed to the curacy +of Tissaret, I had no reason to desire a change of my +position. I lived in the house as one of the family. +My father, led by instinct, loved me like a son, and I +was permitted to cheer his declining age. Your mother +died, and my father's death followed soon afterwards. +In his last hour I knelt by his bed, told him who I +was, and asked his pardon. He wept. He embraced and +blessed me as his son. You were present, he blessed +you too, and entreated us to be of one mind, and to +love one another.</p> + +<p>"After my father's death there was no obstacle to my +assuming my real name; but while I stayed in your +house a variety of circumstances had come to my +knowledge which prevented my taking that step. Our +father was in debt, and you and your wife had, for +some years, lived on your expectations. To<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_118" id="Page_III_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> claim my +share of the property was to condemn you to a life of +privations and regret; and to assume my name and +resign my heritage was ungenerous. It was burdening +you with an obligation in the eyes of the world. +Besides, I was fond of my new vocation, and I felt +that the position my name would give me was likely to +interfere with my duties as a clergyman. I entreated +you not to reveal the secret of my birth to the world. +As it was, I could live with you, and love you as a +brother, and that was all I wanted.</p> + +<p>"The world would say that I sacrificed much to you. I +sacrificed a name of which you yourself are proud, a +fine property, and an enviable position; for though I +am not eager for honours, I have often felt that my +power of doing good to my fellow creatures would be +greater if I had not resigned the advantages of my +birth. Do not force me to believe that I made that +sacrifice for one who is unworthy of it!</p> + +<p>"Tengelyi's fate is in your hands. It is in your power +to save him, and to restore his honour and reputation +to their pristine purity. I need not tell you how you +can do it. But, my brother, if you ever loved me, if +our father's last prayer is indeed sacred to you, and +unless you wish me to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_119" id="Page_III_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> curse the moment in which my +love for you induced me to sacrifice my interests for +your sake,—do, for your children's sake, for the sake +of your hopes of heaven, what your duty and conscience +command you to do.</p> + +<p class="signature">"Balthasar."</p></div> + +<p>The sheriff had just read the last lines of this letter, when the door +opened. His brother stood before him.</p> + +<p>When Kalman returned from Dustbury, he went to Vandory, and gave him an +account of Tengelyi's situation; on hearing which, the curate hastened +to the sheriff, to intercede in behalf of his friend.</p> + +<p>Vandory's arrival took the sheriff by surprise. He was not prepared for +an interview with his brother; and, evidently confused, he held out his +hand. But the curate did not seize it. His face had lost its habitually +mild expression. It was solemn and severe.</p> + +<p>"Balthasar!" said the sheriff, sadly; "will you not take the hand which +I hold out to you?"</p> + +<p>"Samuel!" replied the curate; "why should our hands meet, since our +hearts are far asunder?"</p> + +<p>The sheriff threw himself back in his chair.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_120" id="Page_III_120">[Pg 120]</a></span>"Alas!" cried he; "and you, too, repulse me! you, too, condemn me, +Balthasar! you, whose heart is so full of love and pity!"</p> + +<p>Vandory was deeply moved by the sorrow which his brother's features +expressed.</p> + +<p>"I condemn no one," said he. "Believe me, I would not have come to you +if I were not convinced that your good natural disposition would triumph +over these guilty passions. But the least delay is fatal. Tengelyi is in +prison——"</p> + +<p>"Don't name him!" cried Rety, violently. "Would to God I had never heard +his name!"</p> + +<p>"You are indeed far gone," sighed Vandory. "To think that, instead of +repenting, you should hate the man whose pardon you ought to implore!"</p> + +<p>"Implore his pardon? his?" cried Rety. "No! he is the spoiler, the +destroyer! Is it not he who caused my only son to leave my house, +cursing fate which made him son to <i>me</i>? Is it not he who robs me of the +affections of the last person that loved me? Tell me of one of my +sufferings which may not be traced to him!"</p> + +<p>"And who is the cause of all this?"</p> + +<p>The sheriff was silent.</p> + +<p>"Whose fault is it," continued Vandory, with great earnestness, "that +the bonds of friendship<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_121" id="Page_III_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> which once united you are now torn asunder? Who +was the persecutor? who the destroyer?"</p> + +<p>The sheriff would have spoken, but Vandory proceeded:—</p> + +<p>"Tengelyi is in prison. He is locked up with murderers and thieves; and +you, the sheriff of the county, use your power and influence only to +wreak your vengeance upon him, and to add to his sufferings. Who, I ask, +is the injured party?"</p> + +<p>"I am not the cause of the notary's sufferings," said the sheriff, +pettishly. "I am convinced of his innocence; but I cannot stay the arm +of justice, even though it strike in a wrong direction."</p> + +<p>"Samuel!" replied the curate, sadly, "that excuse will exculpate you in +the eyes of man; but how will you stand with it before God, when He +calls you to account for Tengelyi's sufferings?"</p> + +<p>"I've done all I could do!" retorted Rety. "I offered to bail him. I +implored Skinner, and I instructed Kenihazy, to treat the notary with +the greatest mildness. Can you, in reason, ask me to do more?"</p> + +<p>"I, as your brother, can indeed ask you to do more! I sacrificed +everything to you——"</p> + +<p>The sheriff looked confused and ashamed.</p> + +<p>"Fear nothing," said the curate, with a sneer (the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_122" id="Page_III_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> first he ever was +guilty of): "nobody can hear my words. You need not be ashamed to be +reminded of what, it seems, you have forgotten; namely, that it is your +brother who speaks to you."</p> + +<p>Rety made an unsuccessful attempt to speak; but Vandory continued:—</p> + +<p>"Yes; I am your brother. The papers by which I could have proved my +birth are lost. A court of justice might, perhaps, refuse to hear me, if +I were to claim my name and property; but you know the truth of what I +say, and you cannot deny that I treated you as a brother ought to do."</p> + +<p>"My gratitude——" muttered Rety.</p> + +<p>"Where is it? Where is the brotherly affection which was to indemnify me +for the loss of wealth; that is to say, of power and influence to do +good? This is the fulfilment of your voluntary promise never to refuse +any request of mine! I confided in those promises; for I was convinced +that I should never abuse my power. We were happy as it was; and I was +satisfied with my position, which gave me an opportunity to improve the +condition of the peasantry. Even our former intimacy with Tengelyi was +on the point of being restored. He was willing to forgive and to forget. +Your children were a new bond of union between you. Whose fault<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_123" id="Page_III_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> was it +that those happy days are gone? I will not accuse you; but I will ask +you, when were you happier,—then, or now? You sigh? Oh, Samuel! why did +you not listen to the still small voice within you, which protested +against the first step on that fatal path? I will not talk of the +heartlessness with which you treated Tengelyi. Akosh loved Vilma. You +knew it was my dearest wish that these children should not be separated; +but your pride revolted at the thought that your son should marry the +daughter of a notary; and Tengelyi, the friend of your youth, was +ordered to leave your house!"</p> + +<p>"I knew nothing of my wife's doings!" cried the sheriff. "I would never +have consented to her treating the notary as she did."</p> + +<p>"Be it so!" continued Vandory, warmly, and even passionately. "I will +not argue with you whether that assertion agrees with what you did +afterwards. As the world goes, a father has a right to dictate to his +children; I will not quarrel with you because you abused that right. But +the abstraction of my documents——"</p> + +<p>The sheriff started up. "All is lost!" cried he. "My own brother +condemns me as a villain!"</p> + +<p>"God sees my heart!" replied Vandory. "When the first attempt at a +robbery was made in my house,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_124" id="Page_III_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> I would have spurned such a suspicion. I +made a voluntary resignation of my birthright. How, then, could I +suspect that any one should desire to rob me of the documents by which I +could prove my rights? That I had no suspicion against you, is shown by +my informing you and your wife of my intention to commit those papers to +Tengelyi's keeping. But when the robber followed them even to my +friend's house; when Viola accused the attorney and your wife as guilty +of the theft; when I considered that no one besides you could take an +interest in those papers——"</p> + +<p>Vandory stopped before he pronounced his conclusion. The sheriff covered +his face with his hands.</p> + +<p>"I am not naturally prone to suspect any one," continued the curate; +"and to suspect you, of all men, gives me unspeakable grief. If you can +explain it, if you can exculpate yourself,—I will thank God, and ask +your forgiveness, even on my knees!"</p> + +<p>Rety rose from his chair. His heart was full, to overflowing. Not to +speak was death to him. So he told his brother the share which his wife +had taken in the robbery, and of her having informed him of it after the +deed was done. "You may despise me," continued he; "you may hate me;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_125" id="Page_III_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> +but I could not, I cannot, act otherwise than I did. My evil genius +induced me to marry that beldame. I was blinded by her family, her +beauty, and by the praises of people who called her the queen of the +county. I knew that she married me for my fortune; and I never mentioned +your existence to her. Afterwards, I waited for a good opportunity to +break the matter to her; until circumstances forced me to an +explanation. She discovered my son's attachment to Vilma, and insisted +on my sending Tengelyi, or, rather, Vilma, out of the house. As for me, +I admit that I would have liked it better if Akosh had chosen another +woman for his wife; but, partly for your sake, and partly because I +hoped that he would change his mind, I refused to obey Lady Rety's +commands. She acted for herself; and, when I reproached her, she sneered +at me for being in fear of a curate and a poor notary. It was then I +told her of your real position, and of the power you had of depriving me +of one half of my estates. The wretched woman would not be dependent on +your generosity: she availed herself of the attorney's help to deprive +you of the papers by which you could prove your claims."</p> + +<p>"My poor Samuel!" cried Vandory.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my brother!" continued the sheriff; "neither<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_126" id="Page_III_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> you nor any one else +can conceive the agony of my heart! My children turn away from me; my +reputation is gone; and you yourself consider me as the partisan of +robbers and thieves!"</p> + +<p>Vandory would have spoken; but the sheriff continued, violently:—</p> + +<p>"Don't speak! don't try to comfort me! I <i>am</i> the accomplice of robbers; +and my very position compels me to hush down and cloak this villanous +business!"</p> + +<p>"The bonds which unite you to your wife are sacred," said the curate. +"You are not allowed to abandon her to her fate; and, fallen though she +is, it is your duty to defend her. But you must not sin for her. You +may, indeed, you ought to, sacrifice yourself for her sake; but it is +sinful to endanger the life of a guiltless man merely to shield that +guilty woman from the punishment she so richly deserves!"</p> + +<p>"I understand you," replied the sheriff; "nor would I hesitate for one +moment, if I could save Tengelyi by sacrificing my wife. I hate her! But +what is the use of accusing her, and of dishonouring the name of my +children? The more clearly it is proved that the attorney robbed +Tengelyi of his papers, and that my wife was accessory to the act,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_127" id="Page_III_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> the +more convincing will be the proof of his seeming guilt."</p> + +<p>Vandory acknowledged the justness of this view of the case. He admitted +that the sheriff was unable to effect Tengelyi's liberation; and he +therefore entreated him to protect the notary against the petty +persecutions of his enemies. The sheriff was amazed when Vandory +informed him of the manner in which the people at Dustbury had thought +proper to execute his orders respecting Tengelyi. He promised to go to +Dustbury early the next morning, and to provide for the prisoner's +comforts.</p> + +<p>"Do, Samuel," said Vandory; "do your best for poor Tengelyi, and leave +it to God to do the rest."</p> + +<p>The sheriff sighed.</p> + +<p>"Be of good cheer!" continued the curate: "let us hope for better days."</p> + +<p>"Brother!" said Rety, sadly; "the man whose conscience accuses him, +knows neither hope nor comfort."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_128" id="Page_III_128">[Pg 128]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_III_VI" id="CHAPTER_III_VI"></a>CHAP. VI.</h3> + + +<p>A few days after Tengelyi's incarceration, Mrs. Ershebet removed to +Dustbury, where she hired a small house. The wretched woman was a prey +to the deepest misery. She was proud of her husband. She was accustomed +to hear his praises wherever she went. It was generally admitted that +Tengelyi was the most honest and upright man in the county; and that +man, the pride of her heart, and her idol, was in gaol! He was accused +of a crime: the dangers which threatened him made her shudder. Ershebet +was a strong-minded woman. She stood by Tengelyi in all the reverses and +vicissitudes of his life. But the last blow was more than she could +bear. Her distress made her careless of everything; even her daughter's +society and conversation failed to cheer her, and her former friends +were convinced that she could not survive Tengelyi's sentence.</p> + +<p>Vilma, on the other hand, rose with the storm. She was convinced of her +father's innocence, and firm in her hopes of better days. Her sorrow was +of the keenest, but it was tempered by her convic<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_129" id="Page_III_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>tion that it was her +duty to cheer her mother, and by her love for Akosh, whose devotion kept +pace with the unfortunate events which threatened for ever to destroy +the honour and prosperity of the notary's family. The sheriff was now no +longer opposed to the wishes of his son; indeed, there was nothing to +prevent the perfect happiness of the young couple, except their anxiety +concerning Tengelyi's fate.</p> + +<p>The notary himself bore the blows of misfortune with his usual sturdy +perseverance, but, we regret to say, with more than his usual +bitterness. Neither Völgyeshy's advice, nor the entreaties of Akosh and +Vandory, could induce him to see the sheriff. He refused to avail +himself even of the legal remedies which were at his command, unless +they agreed with his ideas of what the law ought to be; and Völgyeshy's +complaints that his conduct was likely to injure the defence, he met +with dogged indifference.</p> + +<p>"I am innocent!" was his usual plea on such occasions. "My innocence +will sooner or later come to light; and although I am forced to prove +that I am not guilty, I will at least avoid guilty means in doing so."</p> + +<p>This was the state of affairs during winter; nor was it changed in the +beginning of spring. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_130" id="Page_III_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> prisoner passed that time surrounded by all +the comforts, and even luxuries, which the ingenuity of the sheriff +could devise, and which the nature of a gaol would admit of. His little +room was comfortably furnished; he was not without society, and among +those who visited him, no one was more assiduous or more eager to effect +a formal reconciliation between the notary and the sheriff, than +Völgyeshy the advocate. It is in the midst of one of their discussions +on the manner and time of the defence, that we find them on a fine day +in March.</p> + +<p>"Consider, my friend," said Völgyeshy; "there can be no humiliation in +your speaking a few kind words to the sheriff: nor is there any meanness +in writing one or two simple lines to the lord-lieutenant, entreating +him to adjourn your case."</p> + +<p>"But I tell you it is a humiliation!" retorted the notary. "I will not +condescend to beg for mercy. I am innocent. If they condemn me, it is +their affair, not mine!"</p> + +<p>"But you need not beg for mercy," replied the advocate, with a sigh. +"All I desire is, that you should treat people with kindness and +civility; that you should not insult them when they show you sympathy, +as you did the other day when Kriver and the attorney-general called on +you."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_131" id="Page_III_131">[Pg 131]</a></span>"And what is the use of this sympathy? Do these people think me +guiltless? No! they came because the lord-lieutenant mentioned my name +with kindness? Am I to herd with beings like these?"</p> + +<p>"My dear sir!" entreated the advocate, "consider the nature of the +charge; pray consider the consequences of your conduct!"</p> + +<p>"The consequences? Oh, I am aware that my conduct leads me to the +scaffold!" replied the notary, passionately. "Let them do their worst; +and may my blood be on their heads! I am not their first victim, nor +indeed the last."</p> + +<p>"And your family!" cried Völgyeshy. "What is to become of your wife and +children?"</p> + +<p>Tengelyi covered his face and wept. At last he said, with a trembling +voice:—</p> + +<p>"What is it you wish me to do? Am I to kneel to Skinner? am I to bribe +false witnesses? or have recourse to some equally infamous means? I know +that these things have more effect in our courts than the musty legal +remedies which they taught us at college. We adopt a homœopathic +treatment to cure wickedness. If you are accused of a crime, you may +save yourself by committing a crime. Our Dustbury magistrates wish to +prove their oriental descent, by extorting presents from the suitors in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_132" id="Page_III_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> +their courts. I know it all; but how can you ask me to condescend to sue +and to bribe?"</p> + +<p>"My dear friend, you are unreasonable!" said Völgyeshy, seizing the +notary's hand.</p> + +<p>"Unreasonable!" cried Tengelyi. "I, of all men, have cause to be so. I +commenced life as an enthusiast, I grant it; but were its lessons lost +upon me? No! All I have latterly wished for was, to be a useful and +humble member of the community, and to end my life in peace. But even +this is denied me. My wife is not likely to survive my misfortune; my +daughter's grief, though less avowed, is not less acute. My son has to +enter life with a dishonoured name: and after all this, I am expected to +abandon my principles! Is it not enough to drive a man mad?"</p> + +<p>"No!" replied Völgyeshy; "for no honest man was ever in so distressing a +situation, and without his own fault too. I admit all you complain of; +but what I say is, that there is no humiliation in your asking the +lord-lieutenant and Rety to adjourn the decision in your case."</p> + +<p>The notary shook his head, and replied,—</p> + +<p>"My asking them to delay the sentence, what is it but a confession that +I doubt the justice of my own cause?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_133" id="Page_III_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>"By no means. It is a proof that you do not consider the case ripe for +decision. We cannot but admit, as it stands at present, that all the +evidence is against us. Public opinion is in your favour. Nobody doubts +your innocence, though there is no evidence we can adduce in support of +our statement of the case. If you were to be judged by a jury of your +countrymen, I am sure I would not hesitate to appeal to their verdict. +But the judges cannot travel out of the record, and they cannot but +decide against us. Time may do a great deal for us. That Jew is now +dying of typhus fever; who knows but he may recover, and our promises +may induce him to confess the truth? Perhaps we may find out Viola, and +defeat the accusation by producing him; perhaps some circumstance may +turn up——"</p> + +<p>Here the advocate's argument was interrupted by Janosh, the hussar, who +had quietly entered the room and listened to the latter part of the +conversation. Yielding to the entreaties of his son, the sheriff had +consented to let Janosh wait upon the notary in prison; a duty which the +old trooper fulfilled with so much alacrity, that even Tengelyi was +moved by the devotion and kindness of his new servant.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_134" id="Page_III_134">[Pg 134]</a></span>"I say, sir," said the hussar, approaching the table at which Völgyeshy +and the notary were seated, "is it a fact that they cannot injure you if +we manage to produce Viola?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly!" replied Völgyeshy; "if Viola could be induced to appear and +to confess that it was he who killed the attorney, there can be no doubt +but that the decision would be in our favour."</p> + +<p>"Then the great thing is to find him?" said the hussar.</p> + +<p>"We have tried it in vain," replied the advocate, with a sigh. "We have +sent orders to all the justices, we have written to all the counties, +but nothing has come of it."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, no wonder he dodged you," said Janosh, shaking his head; +"who the deuce thinks of sending a drummer to catch rats? Viola won't +leave his address at a justice's, I promise you."</p> + +<p>"But what are we to do? Do you know of any other way?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I do! it's the only way to do the thing. If you hunt after +your watch, some thief will tell you where it was last heard of. If you +wish to find Viola, you had better speak to some of his cronies."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_135" id="Page_III_135">[Pg 135]</a></span>"We have asked the Liptaka, and Peti the gipsy?" replied the lawyer.</p> + +<p>"Well, as far as the gipsy is concerned," said the hussar, "I'll be +bound that cunning creature could give us a hint or two, if he thought +proper. But who knows whether he was not a party to the murder of the +attorney? Besides, he is Viola's sworn brother, and thinks, perhaps, +they would hang him, if they had him fast and sure."</p> + +<p>"As for the hanging part of the business," said Völgyeshy, "Peti knows +very well that Viola is not to be tried by court-martial. A common court +will not condemn him to capital punishment, since he is not guilty of +any other great crime besides the assassination of Catspaw; and, +especially, since he has once gone through his agonies."<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_III_II" id="SEE_NOTE_III_II"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_III_II">Note II</a>.</p></div> + +<p>"That's what the sheriff may say; but Peti won't believe it. A gallows +is an ugly concern to joke with. But there are others—"</p> + +<p>"Who?" asked Völgyeshy.</p> + +<p>"Why, sir, any of the robbers that are now in gaol. An honest man does +not know his fellow, but a robber does. For instance, there is Gatzi, +sir, the Vagabond; give him leave of absence for two or three weeks. I +will put on a peasant's dress and go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_136" id="Page_III_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> with him, and I'll promise you +I'll keep him safe. Now, I tell you, if he and I don't bring Viola to +this place! you may call me a liar, even when I tell you that we beat +the French at Aspern."</p> + +<p>Völgyeshy, who was aware of the uninterrupted correspondence in which +the captive robbers in Hungary stand with their comrades out of doors, +volunteered at once to solicit the dismissal from custody of Gatzi the +Vagabond, and he proposed that the two men should start early the next +morning.</p> + +<p>"We had better go this very night," said the hussar. "If any of the +robbers see me leave this place with the Vagabond, I'll warrant you +there's not a robber in the county but will know of it before +to-morrow's sunset. They'll mistake him for a spy, and if they do, we +may go whistling after Viola."</p> + +<p>Völgyeshy was struck with the truth of this remark.</p> + +<p>"And besides, sir!" continued Janosh, confusedly. "I beg you a thousand +pardons; and I'm sure I'll do any thing I can for Mr. Tengelyi—any +thing I'll do to get him out of this confounded place; but Viola is +after all a fellow-creature, and his wife is the best woman I ever set +my eyes on, and his children are so pretty,—they've called me Batshi, +and plucked my moustache! You see, sir, it wouldn't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_137" id="Page_III_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> be decent in me to +twist a rope to hang their father with. Punish him as you please, sir; +but as for death—you see it's a very queer thing!"</p> + +<p>Völgyeshy repeated his former statements and promises; and the old +soldier, who was well pleased with them, stroked his moustache, saying,</p> + +<p>"Well, if that's the case, sir; and why shouldn't it be? especially +since the sheriff has said so, and after all he is the man to say who is +to be hanged; since that's the case, I'll be a rascal if I don't bring +Viola along with me. It's much better for him, poor fellow, to get his +punishment, and have done with it; and as for his wife and children, +I'll be bound Mr. Tengelyi will do what is right by them. Let Gatzi go +with me, and you'll see what we'll do. It's not the first time I've left +my quarters with a queerish order; still no one can say but that I've +always come back with credit to myself. The worst thing a man can do is +to despair!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_138" id="Page_III_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_III_VII" id="CHAPTER_III_VII"></a>CHAP. VII.</h3> + + +<p>The month of March is notoriously fatal to the inmates of the Hungarian +prisons. The typhus fever increases in that month to a fearful violence. +It is but natural that the year of Tengelyi's captivity should have +exhibited the average amount of disease and mortality in the Dustbury +county gaol. Nothing, indeed, appeared more natural to the Dustbury +people. They looked upon the sufferings of their fellow-creatures with +so much indifference that a stoic might have envied them; and as for the +prison coffin, which was put in requisition more than once a day, it was +to them a matter of light and fanciful conversation.</p> + +<p>The medical inspector of the county of Takshony—and here our readers +must pardon us a short digression on the merits of the Hungarian +medicinal police, for the man who filled that important office, and whom +we shall take the liberty of most particularly introducing to the +public, had devoted his whole life to the elucidation and +exemplification of that great official problem, how far it is safe, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_139" id="Page_III_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> +even profitable, to neglect and disobey the orders of superior boards +and committees?</p> + +<p>It is now some years since a terrible disease prevailed among the cattle +throughout the country. Pursuant to an order of the High Court, all +communication was interdicted between the counties; the county of +Takshony too was placed in a state of unenviable isolation, and a +rigorous prohibition was published against the importation of foreign +(that is to say, not Takshony) cattle.</p> + +<p>And what was the consequence? One of the justices having bought some +cattle in a neighbouring county, insisted on taking them to his estate. +The sanitary commissioner and the border guards protested; and the +justice, who was accustomed to have his oxen and sheep in the fields of +his neighbours, was now precluded from taking them to his own fields. +But a state of things which involved so gross a violation of the laws of +property, could not possibly last. For the medical commissioner of the +county remarked with great fairness, that the order of the High Court +stated expressly that no <i>foreign</i> cattle should be allowed to enter the +county, but that it was perfectly ridiculous to suppose that any oxen +belonging to a county magistrate could be <i>foreign</i> cattle. Some few +months after this lucid decision,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_140" id="Page_III_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> which, strange to say, did <i>not</i> +obtain the unqualified approval of the High Court, this meritorious +servant of the public proposed to an assembly of magistrates to prohibit +the transit of cattle for the term of one month, since it was proved by +the experience of years that the disease among the cattle had always +broken out in this particular month, just about the time of the Dustbury +cattle market. There was not at the time any disease among the cattle in +the neighbouring counties; but one thing is certain, viz., that the +landed proprietors of Takshony realised enormous sums by the sale of +their oxen. A variety of other measures might be adduced to prove that +the medical commissioner was fully deserving of the high degree of +popularity which he enjoyed. It now remains to be told how it happened +that this deserving patriot was elected to the important post of a +county commissioner of public health.</p> + +<p>When his predecessor, the late commissioner, died,—the worthy man was +notorious for killing pheasants and larks with the same sized shot, and +drugging all his patients with the same modicum of pills,—the +lord-lieutenant and the Estates of Takshony had a tussle on the +appointment of a medical officer. The lord-lieutenant promised the place +to a distinguished young man of excellent conservative principles. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_141" id="Page_III_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> +was a Roman Catholic; he had a diploma; he had been tutor to a magnate, +and he had written several poems and charades. But the Estates of the +county of Takshony laughed at his Excellency's recommendation, and, +insisting on their right of election, they chose another man, and one of +whose abilities the county was utterly ignorant. But it was said of him +that he knew French, English, and the breeding of silkworms, that he was +an honorary member of sundry foreign agricultural societies, that he had +studied medicine and law at the university of Sharosh-Patak, and that he +was a Calvinist. But the election was annulled; the county was divided +into two hostile camps, and the contest lasted above a twelvemonth, when +the rival candidates were forced to withdraw from the field, and the +hostile factions united in favour of a third party; the reigning medical +commissioner of the county. He was a Lutheran, and as such he was +agreeable to his Excellency, who hated the Calvinists, and to the +Estates, who bore an equal hate to the Romanists. The successful +candidate was not of the conservative nor indeed of any other party; he +had never been a tutor; he was ignorant of foreign languages, and of the +breeding of silkworms; he was not a member of any learned society either +at home or abroad; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_142" id="Page_III_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> he was therefore agreeable to all parties, and +(as Kriver said) a born angel of peace for the county of Takshony.</p> + +<p>Dr. Letemdy, the medical commissioner, was a great man. He treated every +one of his patients according to the very system which that individual +patient preferred to all others. This accommodating temper of his was, +like virtue, its own reward. If the patients had the worst of it, the +fault was their own; and besides, Dr. Letemdy had a number of champions +on his side. The homœopathists said it served the patient right, for the +fool insisted on being treated allopathically; and when the patient +refused to be bled, the allopathists raved about the fatal theories of +the homœopathists. Add to this that he advised the old bachelors to +marry and the young ladies to dance; that he sent the married ladies to +the watering-places, and that he indulged his male patients with +tobacco, gulyashus, tarhonya, and wine; and it is but natural that Dr. +Letemdy was held in great veneration, not only in his own county, but +also in the districts and "demesnes that there adjacent lay."</p> + +<p>An epidemic disease is the touchstone of a physician. It is here he has +to prove not only his skill, but also his courage, his devotion, his +philanthropy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_143" id="Page_III_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> The typhus fever which raged in the Dustbury gaol gave +Dr. Letemdy a favourable opportunity to display his brilliant qualities; +and candour compels us to state that he did display them to a most +dazzling extent; for, considering that the great duty of a medical +commissioner consists in preventing the extension of an infectious +disease, and considering that he was in daily communication with the +first families of Dustbury: he made an heroic sacrifice of his feelings, +as a physician and a man of science, by never once crossing the +threshold of the infected place. The prisoners were thus left to their +fate and to Nature; the druggist's bill was remarkably moderate, and Dr. +Letemdy could not, in justice, be accused of having adopted a false +treatment in the case of any of the many deaths which were daily +reported to him, and which he, excellent man! entered, though with a +bleeding heart, on the register.</p> + +<p>The majority of the Dustbury prisoners were not generally discontented +with their involuntary place of residence. Cheerful society, wine, +brandy, gambling, singing and laughing, indemnified them, especially in +winter, for the pleasures of liberty; and, indeed, there were some of +the noble and ignoble inmates of the place who strove hard in autumn, +and would not be satisfied till they were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_144" id="Page_III_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> safely housed in what they +considered their winter quarters.</p> + +<p>But in the month of March of the year 18— the Dustbury gaol was a place +of howling and gnashing of teeth.</p> + +<p>There was a sick ward in the prison. The Estates of the county, obedient +to superior orders, had one room and six beds prepared for the sick +among the prisoners. And although there were only five hundred people in +the gaol, it so happened that the sick ward was always full; nor was it +possible, during the prevalence of the epidemic, to separate the +infected from those who were in health; each remained on the spot where +the hand of disease struck him. The upper rooms had from thirty to +eighty prisoners, and from two to three corpses daily. Many of the +vaults were absolutely emptied by the death of their inhabitants.</p> + +<p>The prisoners were moody and desponding. Even the boldest shrunk from +the sight of death in its ghastliest form; and the very haiduks who did +the service of the prison, spoke of the scenes which they witnessed with +pity and even with tears. The cells which once resounded with riotous +laughter and wild songs, were now silent as the grave; but when night +came on, the slow measure and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_145" id="Page_III_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> lugubrious sound of hymns was heard +to rise from the loopholes which led to the streets. The sound was like +the groaning of a vast multitude. And at night, too, the sentinel on his +lonely post listened to the prayers of the prisoners, to the confused +and earnest murmur which rose on the air and was hushed in silence. The +prisoners conversed but little, and always in whispers. When the haiduks +entered the gaol in the morning, to take them to their usual exercise in +the yard, they found the wretches clinging to the iron railings of their +cells, each crying out and entreating them to open his cell first, that +he might not lose any of the precious moments of air and sunshine. Some +who were struggling with the disease, and who could not stand or walk, +crept up the steps and lay on the pavement of the yard, happy to breathe +the fresh air of the morning and to see the bright sun before they died.</p> + +<p>Among the prisoners in the cell next to the steps were two brothers. +They were herdsmen, and the sons of honest parents. An hour of youthful +frolic had brought them into the hands of the justice, and from thence +to gaol. The younger of the two, a mere child, was the first to fall +ill, and his brother tended him as a mother would her infant.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_146" id="Page_III_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> It was he +who had persuaded his younger brother to do the deed for which they were +imprisoned; and was he to see that brother die? He implored the haiduks +to send for a doctor, or to procure his brother's release. He said he +would willingly suffer the punishment for both. "Let them keep me here +two years instead of one! let them keep me here for ever, but let that +poor boy go! He is innocent! I told him to do it!" cried he, wringing +his hands, and entreating the corporal of the haiduks. Even the eyes of +that hardened man filled with tears as he replied, that the entreaties +of the prisoner were of no avail, the county having resolved to confine +all the inmates of the prison to its precincts to prevent the disease +from spreading. As the days wore on, and when there was no hope of the +lad's recovery, the unfortunate young man spoke to no one. At the hour +of recreation he seized his brother's wasted form, took him to the yard, +sat down by his side, and taking the poor boy's head in his arms, +remained quietly sitting there during the short half-hour which they +were allowed to stay out. One day a haiduk said to him: "Why do you drag +him about with you? Don't you see he is dead?" The prisoner shuddered. +He looked at the body which lay by his side. He kissed it—but there was +no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_147" id="Page_III_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> breath! He put his hand to its heart: it had ceased to beat! He +stared into its eyes, they were fixed and glazed! its limbs were stiff +and cold. "He is dead!" cried the prisoner, with a broken voice, as he +reeled and fell. They took him back to the cell, but he never regained +his consciousness. He, too, fell a victim to the epidemic.</p> + +<p>In a cell adjoining his there was a man who moved even his +fellow-prisoners to compassion. He had passed ten years in gaol: his +hair was turning grey; his body had lost its former strength; but the +term of his punishment was all but over. Only a few weeks were wanting +to the day to which he looked for his return to the world, broken in +health, but rid of his chains. Nobody expected him. Nobody was to +receive him and greet him; but he was to be free! That one thought made +up for all he had suffered. When the fever broke out in the gaol, he +grew anxious and restless: he asked his fellow-prisoners how they did? +he asked the haiduks whether there were any deaths? For the first time +in his life, he was afraid of death; for the first time in his life, he +had an earnest hope. Two days before his liberation he was taken ill. +His despair was fearful to behold. He told the bystanders that he +expected to be a free man in forty-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_148" id="Page_III_148">[Pg 148]</a></span>eight hours: he talked of his native +village and of his plans for the future, and that he intended to live an +honest life, if, indeed, his life were spared. He prayed and wept. He +cursed the hour of his birth; he hurled his maledictions against God, +who had kept him alive all these long years to deprive him of the fruits +of his hopes and his patience. He doted on life; after ten years' +absence, the world seemed a paradise to him; there was a deep yearning +in his soul for the fresh green meadow, the glassy expanse of the river, +and the wide and boundless view over the Puszta. He had dreamed of these +things during the long weary nights of his captivity; and now, when +there was but the space of one single step between him and this +longed-for bliss, now, now he was to die! Now, even before he was free! +even before the chains were off his hands! There was the glow of fever +in his brain, turning, whirling, and distorting the things of this earth +before his burning eyes: but that one thought was uppermost even in the +wild ravings of fever; and his wailing voice was heard to lament the +fate which robbed him of liberty.</p> + +<p>At length death set him free! And many were there in that prison who +gasped for freedom, and found it in the grave.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_149" id="Page_III_149">[Pg 149]</a></span>And, after all, if they had been but guilty! If there had not been men, +aye, and women, too, who died in that prison by no fault of theirs! For +the law of Hungary, that nobody can be punished until he has been +sentenced by a competent judge, is a privilege of the nobility; and thus +it would be difficult to point out any prison in which there are not a +great many people, in consequence of an information against them,—and +that but too often unfounded,—who for years suffer as much and more +than the greatest criminals. This was the case in the Dustbury prison.</p> + +<p>Among a variety of people who were arrested at the suit of some unknown +informer, there was one man who was perfectly innocent, and who, after +an incarceration of five months, had not yet been able to find out how, +why, and wherefore he was in gaol. The poor man, whom his +fellow-prisoners despised for his very honesty, sat apart from the rest +in a corner of his cell. His young wife had done and sacrificed her all +to obtain her husband's liberation. Three times daily did she come to +the windows of the prison and looked in, and he, shaking off his +despondency, came up to the window and told her that he was well, asking +for his father and mother and his children; and when he felt that his +voice<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_150" id="Page_III_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> trembled with inward weeping, he entreated her to go away, +because he would not have her know how much he suffered. Völgyeshy's +mediation availed the poor woman at length to prove her husband's +innocence. Early in the morning, when the prison was opened, she went +down to the cell; but her husband lay senseless on the straw. He was +discharged, and a few days afterwards death set his seal to the warrant +of his deliverance.</p> + +<p>There were but two men who strove to soften the sufferings of these poor +creatures. One of them was Vandory; the other was the Catholic priest of +Dustbury. Religious questions ran at that time very high in the county, +and the adherents of the two sects were engaged in a violent controversy +about the most legitimate method of solemnising marriages between +Protestants and Catholics. Vandory and the Catholic priest thought +proper (in spite of the general displeasure which their proceedings +excited) rather to <i>act</i> than to <i>talk</i> religion. The church militant +was sufficiently represented in the county of Takshony; perhaps it was +not amiss that there were at least two men who opined that the Church +had some other duties besides fighting its own battles; and that amidst +the violence of the contending parties there were two men who devoted +themselves to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_151" id="Page_III_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> peace-making, to instructing and comforting the +quarrelsome, ignorant, and distressed. Whenever Vandory could manage to +leave Tissaret for Dustbury, he passed the greatest part of his time in +the prison. The priest followed his example; and the words of bliss and +comfort of the two curates gave new hope to many a wretched heart. Some +indeed there were who scorned the messengers of peace, but even they +came at length round, and listened to them; for what man, especially in +a season of distress, can do without the comforts of religion?</p> + +<p>The effect of Vandory's words upon the prisoners was truly miraculous. +When he entered the gaol, when they heard his voice, and even his step, +their faces were radiant with joy. The inmates of the wards which he +entered assembled round him in respectful silence, and the kind and +loving manner with which he addressed them softened the hearts even of +the most hardened. But most powerful was his influence on the Jewish +glazier, on the man who was suspected of being an accessory to the +assassination of Mr. Catspaw. The circumstance of his having been found +in the attorney's chimney made his evidence of the greatest importance +in the Tengelyi process; and Völgyeshy, the notary's counsel, insisted +on the Jew being confined in a sepa<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_152" id="Page_III_152">[Pg 152]</a></span>rate cell. The sheriff seconded this +demand. A room, which was originally destined for the keeping of +firewood, was prepared for the reception of the prisoner, who was at +once consigned to it, to the unbounded delight of Mr. James Bantornyi, +who considered this mode of disposing of the Jew as a glorious victory +of the principles of solitary confinement. Lady Rety, indeed, objected +to what she called an unnecessary harshness, in the case of a man of +whose innocence she protested she was convinced. So strong was her +feeling on this head, that she even condescended to visit the prisoner +once or twice; and though she with genuine humility insisted on the +turnkey keeping the secret of these visits, that generous man was +equally eager to proclaim to the world this fresh instance of the +condescension and charity of the excellent Lady Rety. Indeed, that +charity was the more meritorious, inasmuch as no one else pitied the +Jew. Nobody spoke to him. The very haiduk who brought him his scanty +allowance of bread and greens treated him with contempt, and the +prisoner was abandoned to all the torments of solitude. He had no hopes +of the future, no gladdening reminiscences of the past.</p> + +<p>Gladdening reminiscences! He was a Jew; that one word tells his whole +history. Born to be a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_153" id="Page_III_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> sharer of the distress of his family, brought up +to suffer from the injustice of the masses, cast loose upon the world, +to be not free but abandoned; struggling for his daily bread, not by +honest labour, for that is forbidden to a Jew, but by trickery and +cunning; crawling on the earth like a worm which anybody may tread upon +and crush; hated, hunted, persecuted, scouted: such was his past. Such +are the sufferings common to the Jews in Hungary; but Jantshi had a +heavier burden to bear than the generality of Jews. His disgusting +ugliness made him suspected even before he was guilty; and now that his +features were still more distorted by fear, he was the very picture of +misery and wretchedness. But nobody pitied him; and it seemed that he +himself doubted whether any one could pity him. Vandory found him moody +and uncommunicative; the curate saw that the Jew considered him as a +spy. He strove hard to gain the prisoner's confidence; but in vain! +Jantshi received him with the deepest humility. He replied to every +question, and he seemed to have no objection to become a convert; but +everything he said showed that he considered the curate's visits as a +kind of examination.</p> + +<p>This state of things changed suddenly when the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_154" id="Page_III_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> prisoner was taken ill. +He, too, was seized with the epidemic. His case was hopeless. He lay +alone in his room; there was no one by to cool his parched lips with a +draught of water. It seemed as if the people out of doors reckoned him +as one of the dead; for even Lady Rety was quite comfortable in her mind +when she understood that there was no hope of the patient's recovery, +and that his delirious ravings were incoherent. Vandory alone showed his +kindness of heart, by doing all he could for the poor man. When in +Dustbury he called upon him twice a-day, and hired a woman to sit up +with him. Awaking from his delirious dreams, the Jew saw Vandory sitting +at his bedside; when he started up at night, moaning for water to slake +his burning thirst, the nurse came and gave him to drink; and when he +asked who it was that sent her, she told him it was Vandory. The curate +was to him a providence, a guardian angel; in his wildest dreams he +called for him, imploring his help; and as the days passed by, as he +grew weaker and weaker, when the tide of the fever turned back, leaving +his mind clear and unoppressed for the last time, he called out for +Vandory; "For," said he to the nurse, "I cannot die unless I speak to +the curate, and thank him for all he has done for me. Be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_155" id="Page_III_155">[Pg 155]</a></span>sides, there is +a secret,—something which Mr. Vandory cares to know, and which I ought +to tell him. I entreat you, my dear good woman, go and see whether he +has come from Tissaret!"</p> + +<p>The old woman left the cell, and shortly afterwards the curate entered +it. On seeing him Jantshi broke out into a paroxysm of tears.</p> + +<p>"Be comforted, my friend!" said Vandory, with deep emotion. "God is +merciful, and His mercy will not forsake you!"</p> + +<p>The prisoner seized Vandory's hand. His tears drowned his voice: he was +silent.</p> + +<p>"You are much better now," said the curate, sitting down by the bed. +"You will recover, I am sure; and I trust you will be a useful member of +society."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear, reverend sir!" said the Jew, with a firm voice; "it's all +over with me! I feel that I must die; but it is not for that I weep. I +have not had so much joy in the world that I should regret to leave it. +I never knew my father and mother; and a poor Jew's life is very little +worth. When I'm once underground, they will perhaps cease from troubling +me. But, reverend sir, when I think of all you have done for me—for +<i>me</i>, whom people treat like a dog; and when I think that you, who did<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_156" id="Page_III_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> +this, are a Christian, and that it is you, sir, whom I——" Here the +prisoner's voice was lost in tears. He covered his face with his hands, +and sobbed.</p> + +<p>It struck Vandory that this was the time to impress upon Jantshi the +necessity of his conversion to a purer faith. He therefore told him that +God was indeed merciful, and willing to receive the homage, of the +humblest heart; and that Christ——</p> + +<p>But the Jew shook his head. "No, reverend sir," said he, with a sigh; +"do not ask me to do it. I will never abandon the faith of my fathers. +How utterly lost a wretch I must be if, after having clung to that faith +all my life (it was my only virtue, sir), I were now to abjure it. There +is nothing in the world I would not do for you, sir; but do not ask me +to do this!"</p> + +<p>"My son," said Vandory, "do not think I wish for your conversion for +<i>my</i> sake. It would be a grievous sin if I were to ask you to consult +any thing but your own conviction in this, the most important step in +life. But I urge the matter for your own sake—for the sake of your +soul's welfare. The religion of Christ is the religion of love——"</p> + +<p>"The religion of love!" cried the Jew, with something like a sneer. +"Sir, go and ask the Jews, my brothers, what they know of that love? If +all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_157" id="Page_III_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> Christians were like yourself, sir," added he, in a softer tone, "I +might possibly have left my faith, and accepted theirs. I, for my part, +have found but few good men among the Jews. As it is, I wish to die in +my father's faith. But there is a secret on my soul which I must +communicate to you before—I am fast going, I fear!"</p> + +<p>Vandory moved his chair close to the bed, and the Jew detailed to him +the circumstances of the robbery of the documents, and the share which +the Lady Rety and the attorney had in the perpetration of that crime.</p> + +<p>"But who killed the attorney?" asked Vandory. "You ought to know. The +place where you were found allowed you to hear all that happened in the +room."</p> + +<p>"I heard it all. It was Viola who did the deed. He spoke to the +attorney, and I know his voice."</p> + +<p>"Wretched man! Why did you not state this in your examination?" sighed +Vandory. "You know that another man, an innocent man, is accused of the +crime, and you know that your confession alone can save his honour and +his life!"</p> + +<p>"You ask me why I did not state it?" replied Jantshi, staring at the +curate. "The lady, who is as great a lawyer as any in the county, told +me that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_158" id="Page_III_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> the suspicion would lie with me if I were to speak in +Tengelyi's favour."</p> + +<p>"But what business had you in the place where they found you?"</p> + +<p>The Jew shook his head.</p> + +<p>"I implore you," said Vandory. "I entreat you——"</p> + +<p>"Why shouldn't I say it!" cried Jantshi. "I've sworn to keep the secret; +but this woman has abandoned me in my distress, why then should I spare +her? Listen! I will tell you. The day before the murder, the Lady Rety +and the attorney had a quarrel. He refused to give her the papers which +he had taken from Viola. The lady sent for me, and promised me two +thousand florins, if I would——"</p> + +<p>The curate clasped his hands in astonishment and horror.</p> + +<p>"If Viola had not anticipated me," whispered the Jew, "I would have +killed the attorney!"</p> + +<p>He fell back upon his pillow. Vandory sat silent and lost in thought. +Jantshi's tale had filled him with horror, but with hope too, for it +held out a chance for Tengelyi. Rising from his seat, he said,</p> + +<p>"My friend, thank God that He has given you strength and time to repent +and atone for your sins. What you have told me suffices to clear the +notary<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_159" id="Page_III_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> from suspicion; but to make your testimony effectual, you must +repeat it in the presence of two witnesses."</p> + +<p>"Am I to repeat what I shudder to think of?" said the Jew, mournfully.</p> + +<p>"It is your duty. How can you expect God to show you mercy, if you +refuse to atone for your sin?"</p> + +<p>"I will do it!" said Jantshi, after a pause. "The notary is your friend. +I will do it for your sake!"</p> + +<p>"If you are too weak," said Vandory, deeply moved by these words and the +way in which they were uttered; "if you are weak now, you had better +take rest. In a few hours——"</p> + +<p>"No! sir, no! Now or never! In a few hours I shall have ceased to speak. +Come back at once, reverend sir! Tell anybody to come. I'll tell them +all, for I am a dying man. I care not for the sheriff's displeasure. He +cannot harm me now!"</p> + +<p>"You need not say any thing to excite Lady Rety's displeasure," said +Vandory. "Your transactions were chiefly with the attorney, you need not +tell them any thing about your intentions——"</p> + +<p>"But I <i>will</i> tell them!" cried the Jew, with a savage exultation. "I +will have my revenge. That<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_160" id="Page_III_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> woman was my evil genius! She led me on to +crime, and abandoned me in my distress!"</p> + +<p>"And is this the moment to think of revenge?" said the curate.</p> + +<p>The Jew was silent. At length he replied, "Let it be done as you wish +it. I will do anything to please you. But," added he, "go at once. My +time is very short, sir."</p> + +<p>Vandory called the nurse, and hastened away.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_161" id="Page_III_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_III_VIII" id="CHAPTER_III_VIII"></a>CHAP. VIII.</h3> + + +<p>When he left the cell of Jantshi the glazier, the curate hastened to +find some trustworthy persons whom he might take to hear and testify to +the Jew's confession. The great county sessions were being held in the +county house, and the curate was aware that some of the justices and +assessors were sure to be assembled in the large hall of the building. +When he entered it he found a numerous meeting, under the presidency of +no less a person than Mr. James Bantornyi.</p> + +<p>The gentlemen there and then assembled were members of an association +for the prevention of cruelty to animals. Mr. Bantornyi was the founder +and chairman of this charitable institution. Mr. James was a fit and +proper person to take the chair, for no man could vie with him in racing +and hunting, which pursuits, as every body knows, are prone to create a +loving tenderness for the animal creation in the human mind. When Mr. +James returned from England, his ambition had taken a higher flight. He +was emulous of the laurels which Wilberforce and the Quakers earned in +advocating<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_162" id="Page_III_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> the interests of the black, and injuring that of the white +population of the British colonies. There are no black people in +Hungary; but there are gipsies who are brown, and Bantornyi's +"Association for the Improvement of the coloured Population of Hungary" +would have enchanted all the Wilberforces and Gurneys of Great Britain. +The landed interest of Takshony was greatly in favour of the plan. The +gentry were indeed but slightly acquainted with Mr. Wilberforce's +emancipation theories; but when Mr. James Bantornyi made his grand +speech, and explained that <i>gradual</i> emancipation was carried out by +apprenticing the slave, and by making him work four days in the week, +the Takshony people became quite enthusiastic for this kind of +philanthropy, which they preferred to their own <i>Urbarium</i>,<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a> the +compilers of which had been most disgracefully neglectful of the vagrant +population. But, strange to say, the gipsies demurred against the +proposed improvement of their condition. They fled from the hands of the +philanthropists who sought to apprentice them; and Mr. James Bantornyi +saw clearly that Hungary was not ripe for his more subtle projects, and +that his activity must be displayed in another field.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_III_III" id="SEE_NOTE_III_III"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_III_III">Note III</a>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_163" id="Page_III_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p></div> + +<p>He therefore founded his famous Association for the Prevention of +Cruelty to Animals. There was much opposition, but his perseverance +triumphed over it. It was argued that the ninth chapter of the first +volume of the <i>Tripartitum</i><a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a> would go for nothing if the privileges +of the Hungarian nobility were extended to dumb animals; and that a +landed proprietor and a member of the Holy Crown would lose his high +position if he were forbidden to whip his horse to his heart's content. +The objection was grave, but Mr. James was fertile in expedients. He +stated that the association would confine itself to the prevention of +cruelty to animals in the case of the <i>villain</i> population of the +county. Again, it was objected that peasants were, in the service of +their landlords, sometimes compelled to beat their horses; and Mr. James +decided that it was by no means cruelty to animals if a nobleman beat a +horse or other cattle, or caused it to be beaten, nor was it cruelty in +a peasant to beat his horse on robot-days, or in winter. So liberal an +extension of protection against the restrictions of the association +silenced even its greatest opponents; and the Association for the +Prevention of Cruelty to Animals held its sittings, and flourished to +the satisfaction of its<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_164" id="Page_III_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> members, and especially of its paid secretary +and treasurer.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_III_IV" id="SEE_NOTE_III_IV"></a>See <a href="#NOTE_III_IV">Note IV</a>.</p></div> + +<p>When Vandory entered the hall, the assembly were in the act of +considering and debating on the case of an ass which had suffered from +the violent temper of its owner. Party feeling ran high; for a strong +body of conservative members argued that, whereas the association was +intended to prevent cruelty to, that is to say, the beating of, animals, +that is to say, of horses: the benefits of its protection could not, +with any degree of propriety, be extended to asses, sheep, and other +creatures of an inferior description. The radical members, on the other +hand, were equally zealous, and far more pathetic, in the cause of +donkey-emancipation; and, excited as they were with the debate and the +various points of thrilling interest which the subject offered, they +remarked with astonishment, not unmixed with disgust, that the curate, +unmindful of the merits of the question, approached Völgyeshy and Louis +Bantornyi, whispered to them, and left the hall in their company. +Everybody was puzzled, and some were eager to know the secret of this +sudden intrusion and mysterious disappearance. Mr. James Bantornyi was +highly incensed against Vandory; for the members declined giving their +attention to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_165" id="Page_III_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> question, and it was found necessary to adjourn the +meeting. But besides Mr. James Bantornyi, there was another person in +the council-house whom Vandory's conduct affected equally powerfully and +still more disagreeably.</p> + +<p>Lady Rety sat at the window of her bedroom, of which the view commanded +the yard, when she saw Vandory leaving the glazier's cell, and walking +straightway to the great staircase of the council-house. She was struck +with his manner, though it excited no apprehensions in her mind. But, +after a short time she saw him returning, accompanied by Völgyeshy and +Louis Bantornyi. They entered the prison, and, immediately afterwards, +the nurse whom Vandory had hired to attend the Jew, left the cell. They +had evidently sent her away.</p> + +<p>"What can this mean?" thought Lady Rety. "The Jew is delirious: he +cannot recover. What can they want in his cell? This is indeed strange! +Völgyeshy is Tengelyi's advocate; and Vandory—If that Jew were not such +a rascal—I must look deeper into this business. I'm frightened, and I +ought to be calm. The woman who waits upon the Jew is in the yard. I'll +send for her; for she ought to know all about it."</p> + +<p>Lady Rety sent her maid for the old woman, who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_166" id="Page_III_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> soon after entered the +room, with many curtsies. She was utterly bewildered to have been sent +for by, and to be compelled to talk to, the lady sheriff.</p> + +<p>That lady strove hard to conceal her emotion. She told the poor woman +that Jantshi was an old and faithful servant of her house, and (to the +best of her opinion) innocent of the crime laid to his charge. She +added, that she took the greatest interest in the unfortunate man; and, +having praised the nurse for her care and watchfulness, she asked her +how her patient did, and why Mr. Vandory and the two other gentleman had +gone to his cell?</p> + +<p>The replies of the woman were not calculated to quiet Lady Rety's +apprehensions. She learnt that the Jew had regained his consciousness; +that he sent for Vandory; and that he said something about a secret. She +was likewise informed of the fact, that the curate had had a long +interview with him; and she trembled to think that Völgyeshy and Louis +Bantornyi had been called in to be witnesses to his confession.</p> + +<p>"Did you hear what the Jew said to Mr. Vandory?" asked she, with a +trembling voice.</p> + +<p>"His reverence sent me away," said the old woman; "although I cannot, +for the life of me, understand why he should do so; for I've never<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_167" id="Page_III_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> been +a gossip all the days of my life; and he might have trusted me with a +Jew's secret any day. But, since his reverence sent me away, I know +nothing about it; only, I believe the infidel made confession of his +crimes."</p> + +<p>"Why do you think so?" said Lady Rety, with a start which attracted the +old woman's attention.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure I did not listen; and, even if I had wished to do it, I could +not have done it, because I'm rather deaf; but I think they talked of +bad things; for I've never, in all my born days, seen his reverence so +violent as he was when he left the cell. God knows; but I think the Jew +has told him of great crimes. When I came back to the cell, the +unbeliever was quiet for some minutes; but I had scarcely sat down, when +he became restless, and asked me whether they would come. 'If they wish +me to confess,' says he, 'they ought to make haste! Why don't they +come?' I told him his reverence had just gone away, and he ought to be +patient; but he tossed about, and groaned. It was a sad thing to see him +plagued by his conscience; and he would not be quiet till his reverence +came back with two other gentlemen. He asked them whether they'd allow +him to confess; and when they said 'Yes,' he seemed quite +comfortable.—But, my lady," cried<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_168" id="Page_III_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> the old nurse; "your ladyship is so +pale! Is your ladyship sick?"</p> + +<p>"No!" said Lady Rety, with a violent effort to appear unconcerned. "Go +to your patient, my good woman. The gentlemen will probably leave him +soon."</p> + +<p>"Very well, your ladyship. I'm sure the poor man won't live till +to-morrow morning; and perhaps he'll want me in the night. All I care +for is, that the truth should come to light; for that is the great +thing, after all: is it not, your ladyship?"</p> + +<p>"Go! go!" gasped Lady Rety. "I dare say the truth <i>will</i> come to light!"</p> + +<p>The old woman kissed her hand, and left the room.</p> + +<p>Lady Rety locked her door; and, overwhelmed with despair, she flung +herself on the sofa.</p> + +<p>The Jew had made a confession. From Völgyeshy and Vandory she could not +expect forbearance. She could not hope that Tengelyi's friends would +make a secret of what Jantshi had told them; since his disclosures were +evidently in Tengelyi's favour. She knew that she was hated by all, and +that against such accusations she could not rely on the assistance of +her husband.</p> + +<p>"What shall I do?" cried she, with a shudder.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_169" id="Page_III_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> "Is there no means of +salvation?—There is none! Tengelyi's case is too far advanced to be +suppressed; and even if it were not, to whom could I confide my dreadful +position? Whose advice can I ask? On whose assistance can I rely? My +husband?—am I to truckle to him? Am I to implore his assistance? He +never loved me! He hates me now! He will leave me in my danger! He will +turn against me to prove his own innocence! No! I will do any thing but +bend to him!"</p> + +<p>A sudden thought seemed to strike her. She fixed her eyes on the desk +which stood on the dressing-table. She shuddered.</p> + +<p>"No! No!" cried she; "it has not come to this pass yet. I cannot do it!"</p> + +<p>She went to the window; but before she had opened it, her eyes were, as +if by magic force, again attracted by the desk.</p> + +<p>"It makes me mad!" said she. "God help me! That thought haunts me! I +cannot shake it off!"</p> + +<p>"But why?" continued she; after a pause—"why should I shudder at the +thought. To die——? After all, death robs us of that only which we +have. And is there anything I have to lose? I have no children. I detest +my husband. My plans are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_170" id="Page_III_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> frustrated. Infamy and punishment await me—I +have no choice!"</p> + +<p>She opened a secret drawer in the desk, and produced a small bottle +containing a whitish substance. Her hand trembled as she put it on the +table.</p> + +<p>"Here's arsenic enough to poison half the county. This is my last, my +only alternative.—But they say it is a painful death. They have told me +of people who died after excruciating torments of many hours, foaming +and cursing with the intensity of the pain. What if this were to be my +case? Horrid! to suffer the agony of hours! to feel the poison eating +into me; to feel my every nerve struggling against destruction! to howl +and to suffer, and to have no one to tend me! to have no one by to wipe +the sweat of agony from my face! Or worse, to be surrounded by those +whose every look tells me that they are waiting for the end, not of my +sufferings, but of my life!"</p> + +<p>With a convulsive motion she pushed the poison away.</p> + +<p>"But no!" cried she, with a sudden resolution. "I will not live to see +their triumph! I'll take the whole of it! it will shorten my sufferings. +It will kill me in a minute—Oh, but to die! to die! and there's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_171" id="Page_III_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> twenty +years' life in me!—Suppose the old woman told me a lie? Suppose what +she said was not true; or that the Jew did not tell Vandory what I fear +he did? Why should he betray me? What good can it do him? I must know +more about this matter before I proceed to extremities," said she, as +she took her cloak, and restored the poison to its place in the desk.</p> + +<p>Night had set in. Nobody observed the guilty woman as she crossed the +court-yard and knocked at the cell in which the Jew was confined. The +old nurse opened it. She looked aghast when she saw the sheriff's wife +in that place and at that time.</p> + +<p>"How does your patient go on?" asked Lady Rety.</p> + +<p>"He's quiet now!" said the old woman. "When the gentlemen left him, he +said he was happy now that the murder was out. He's been asleep since. +Poor fellow! if he could but know that your ladyship's ladyship has +condescended to ask how he is going on!"</p> + +<p>"Leave the room!" said Lady Rety, with a trembling voice. "I want to +speak to this man before he dies."</p> + +<p>The old woman tarried; nor was it until the lady had repeated her +command, that she left the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_172" id="Page_III_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> room, muttering and discontented. When she +was gone. Lady Rety approached the bed and spoke to the Jew.</p> + +<p>He made no reply. His breath came thick and irregular. His limbs moved +convulsively. The shadows of death were thickening over him.</p> + +<p>Again and again she spoke to him. At length he raised his weary head, +and stared vacantly at the Lady Rety.</p> + +<p>"You do not know me," said she. "Look up, man! Tell me, do you know who +I am?"</p> + +<p>"Leave me alone," gasped Jantshi. "I've told you all I know. I've +nothing more to say. Let me rest."</p> + +<p>"Look up, and see to whom you are speaking. It is I, the Lady Rety!"</p> + +<p>"The Lady Rety?" said the Jew, while a ray of returning consciousness +darted over his features.</p> + +<p>"Who else would come to you? Who else cares for what becomes of you?"</p> + +<p>"Begone!" screamed the dying man. "Begone! What can you want of me? I'm +not strong enough to steal or murder!"</p> + +<p>"You are mad!" cried she. "How <i>can</i> you talk in this manner? Suppose +some one were to hear you?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_173" id="Page_III_173">[Pg 173]</a></span>"I do not care," replied he. "I have no fear of anybody."</p> + +<p>"Do not let them impose upon you," said she. "I know they tell you there +is no hope for you. They've told you so to make you confess; but I have +it from the doctor that you are in no danger whatever. You're weak, +that's all. Keep your own counsel, I entreat you! They tell me Mr. +Vandory called upon you; did he?"</p> + +<p>The Jew groaned and laughed at the same time. He stretched his trembling +arms and seized Lady Rety's hands.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said be, "that's what you come for? You want to know what I have +said of the crimes which we have committed. Set your mind at rest. I've +told them all—all—all! Do you understand me? I've told them every +circumstance, from the first day that the attorney hired me to steal the +papers, to the night you promised me your cursed money if I would kill +the attorney. You said——"</p> + +<p>"Silence, miscreant!" cried Lady Rety, striving to disengage her hands +from the grasp of the Jew.</p> + +<p>"Miscreant! Ay, indeed, miscreant!" retorted the Jew; "but how will they +call <i>you</i> who bribed me to these enormities?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_174" id="Page_III_174">[Pg 174]</a></span>"Rascal of a Jew! who will believe you?"</p> + +<p>"They are sure to believe me. Viola has said what I say, and nobody can +doubt it!"</p> + +<p>"You must revoke all you have said. I'll bring other witnesses to whom +you must say that they bribed you to give false testimony."</p> + +<p>"I will not revoke a word of what I have said—not a single word——"</p> + +<p>"How dare you, Jew——"</p> + +<p>"Don't threaten me! Your promises and threats cannot affect me now. This +very night will remove me from your jurisdiction. But you," added he, +with a convulsive effort—"You who seduced me and abandoned me to my +despair—you, Lady Rety, will find your judge. I've dreamed of it. I see +it now! I see you standing by the side of the executioner. He has a +large glittering sword. Tzifra, too, is there, and Catspaw, and a crowd +of people. They tie you down upon the chair——"</p> + +<p>His voice sunk down to an indistinct murmur, and his hand, which still +clasped Lady Rety's fingers, held them with a cold and clammy grasp. She +tore it away, and, rushing past the nurse, she hastened to her +apartments.</p> + +<p>She rang for her maid.</p> + +<p>"Give me a glass of water!" said she.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_175" id="Page_III_175">[Pg 175]</a></span>Julia, the maid, was astonished and shocked to see her mistress look so +pale.</p> + +<p>"Are you ill, my lady?" asked she. "Shall I go for Dr. Letemdy?"</p> + +<p>"No! Hold your tongue! Mind your own business!" said Lady Rety. "Give me +a glass of water, and be off!"</p> + +<p>Julia obeyed. Lady Rety locked the door after her.</p> + +<p>It is easier to defeat the sympathy of mankind than to baffle their +curiosity. Lady's maids in particular are always most eager to mind +other people's business when they are told to go about their own. Julia +had left the room, but she returned to the door and listened.</p> + +<p>What she heard served still more to excite her curiosity. Lady Rety +walked up and down. She sat down, arranged her papers and wrote. Again +she got up, and tore some papers. Again she paced the room. She opened a +drawer. Again she sat down, and Julia overheard a deep, deep sigh. Then +again there was a sound as of something being stirred in a glass.</p> + +<p>"She is ill!" thought Julia. "She's taking her medicine! I ought to call +the doctor!"</p> + +<p>She listened again, and heard the rattling of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_176" id="Page_III_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> glass as it was +violently put down upon the table. This, it struck her, was a sign that +her mistress was fearfully ill-tempered. She thought it more prudent not +to go for the doctor. After a short time she heard deep groans. She +knocked at the door, but she received no answer. This circumstance, and +the moaning inside, which became more violent every moment, caused her +to forget Lady Rety's ill-temper, and to hasten to the sheriff, whom she +found closeted with Vandory.</p> + +<p>Julia told them all she had heard when listening at her mistress's door.</p> + +<p>"She has done the worst!" cried Vandory. "Let us make haste. Perhaps +there is time to save her!"</p> + +<p>They hurried to the room. They tried the lock. It resisted. A low +moaning was heard from within.</p> + +<p>"Break it open!" cried Vandory.</p> + +<p>As the two men rushed against the door, it gave way. They entered.</p> + +<p>It was too late.</p> + +<p>The glass,—the poison,—the livid and distorted face of the wretched +woman, showed them that there was no hope.</p> + +<p>She looked at her husband, and made a violent<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_177" id="Page_III_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> effort to speak; but when +he knelt down, and seized her hand, he felt it stiff and cold.</p> + +<p>She heaved a long deep sigh.</p> + +<p>"May God have mercy upon her soul!" said Vandory. "She is dead!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_178" id="Page_III_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_III_IX" id="CHAPTER_III_IX"></a>CHAP. IX.</h3> + + +<p>Even the humblest among us excites the interest of at least some of his +fellow men, at the very time when he is removed beyond its sphere. The +church bells toll for the poorest man, and, however lonely he may have +been throughout life, people will assemble round his coffin. Whatever +may have been the obstacles that blocked up a man's path when alive, +there are no impediments to the progress of his funeral procession; and +the very beggar, who never had a crust or a rag which he could really +call his own, comes into possession of a small freehold, which is given +to him to hold, and to enjoy, till the day of judgment. A dead body is +an object of interest and of awe. And why? Is it because respect is due +to him who acts sensibly, and because the majority of mankind cannot do +a more sensible thing than to die? Or is it because the dead have passed +through that arduous ordeal in which all of us are equally interested? +Death is indeed a capital teacher. Any one who has his doubts about the +value of earthly things, and who would wish to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_179" id="Page_III_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> know whether the objects +he strives for are worth his trouble, can easily set his mind at rest by +watching the death of any of his fellow-citizens. A funeral procession, +a coat of arms, or a name on the coffin, and on the grave or mausoleum a +marble column or a wooden cross; an after-dinner conversation, a score +of mourning letters, a paragraph in the provincial papers, or at best a +column in "The Times" or "La Presse," that is the <i>gloria mundi</i>! A +crape hatband, and a suit of mourning; quarrels about the expense of the +funeral, or the "cash he left behind him," is all that reminds us of the +love and devotion of family life. And as for friendship—we all know its +value and its duration!</p> + +<p>We do not mean to plead in defence of the cynical views which we have +just expressed. Bitter thoughts <i>will</i> press to the surface of our heart +when we ponder on the pride, pomp, and circumstance of life, and the +utter oblivion to which we fall a prey after our surviving friends have +paid us what they significantly call "the last honours." But still, as +there is an exception to every rule, we must admit that the people of +Dustbury were neither unmindful of Lady Rety's death, nor forgetful of +it; at least not in the first fortnight after the event. The most noble +the Lady Rety was a person of great importance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_180" id="Page_III_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> Her decease would have +attracted attention under any circumstances. That a lady of rank and +property, the head of an excellent table, and the owner of a splendid +wardrobe, should depart this life, is shocking, even if she takes that +step with all due formality, and with the assistance and advice of +half-a-dozen physicians. But Lady Rety's case was far worse. Dr. Letemdy +had indeed been called in, but at a time when his help and co-operation +was quite out of the question; and his professional learning was of no +avail, except in enabling him to protest that the most noble lady might +have been saved, if greater despatch had been employed in soliciting his +presence. Mr. Sherer, who was likewise on the spot, asserted his +conviction that the draught of which Lady Rety died must have been any +thing but sugar water, and that almond milk might have saved her life, +if she had not died before he could offer that miraculous medicine. But +the fact remained unaltered. Lady Rety had taken poison. The medical men +in the county of Takshony had a just title to complain of this +encroachment upon their legal sphere of action, and the people of +Dustbury were equally justified in their laudable and charitable +endeavours to discover the secret causes of this shocking occurrence.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_181" id="Page_III_181">[Pg 181]</a></span>Rety's family and friends would have it that the accident was occasioned +by a mistake. Lady Rety, they said, was in the habit of taking magnesia, +which she kept in a drawer where she had some time previously placed a +bottle of arsenic for the purpose of killing rats. In the twilight of +evening she had taken the poison instead of the drug; and this—the +Retys protested—was the cause of the terrible catastrophe. But +explanations of this kind are by no means palatable to the understanding +of the crowd. The Dustbury gentry would not, and could not, credit any +thing like a simple story. They all and each launched into the boundless +realms of surmise and speculation, and in their praiseworthy endeavours +to make out a substantial and shocking account of Lady Rety's death, +they were eagerly assisted by Julia, who had been all but an eye-witness +of the decease of her mistress. Julia gave so interesting an account of +the sadness and despondency to which her lady had of late been a victim, +and of her extraordinary behaviour on the last day of her life, that all +her hearers relinquished any doubts which they might have entertained, +for the firm and (under the circumstances) comfortable conviction of +Lady Rety's suicide. But as for the cause of that step, it re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_182" id="Page_III_182">[Pg 182]</a></span>mained a +secret and a mystery to the gossips of the town of Dustbury.</p> + +<p>The sheriff made no allusion to the cause of his wife's death. The most +watchful sympathy or curiosity could not trace home to him any word or +action that could have strengthened or confirmed any of the various +surmises and rumours which were afloat on the subject. The cause of Lady +Rety's suicide remained an open question. Perhaps it was attributable to +temporary insanity; perhaps she had been urged to that desperate step by +the conviction of her inability to prevent her son's union with Vilma +Tengelyi, and she preferred death to certain shame; or perhaps the +sheriff had driven his wife to despair (the ladies of Dustbury were very +eloquent on this last hypothesis) by a concentration of matrimonial +brutalities; for what woman is a stranger to martyrdom? Certain it is +that none of Mr. Rety's words or looks could be adduced as an authority +for all or any of the above surmises. Still, those who knew him became +aware of the deep impression which the death of his wife had made on his +mind.</p> + +<p>His sorrow was not indeed caused by a return to the old love of days +long gone by. The flowers of love have indeed been known to luxuriate in +the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_183" id="Page_III_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> soil of a churchyard, especially in the case of couples whose +matrimonial doings did not present that edifying spectacle of love, +honour, and obedience, which is inculcated by, and which is so rarely to +be met with out of, the catechism. Mr. Rety had had too deep an insight +into his wife's character to lament his loss. His grief was the growth, +not of affection, but of remorse. He accused himself for being the cause +of the misfortunes he saw around him. A letter was found on her table, +which the miserable woman had addressed to him; and in which she +reproached him as the cause of her unfortunate life and wretched end. +And was not this accusation well-founded? Could Rety look back upon the +past without feeling that the events to which his wife fell a victim, +were brought about by his own culpable weakness. If he had candidly told +her of his relationship to Vandory, she would perhaps have refused to +marry him; or if she had, she would have been resigned to the idea that +the curate was her husband's brother, but she never would have thought +of committing the crime to which her evil spirit had urged her. Rety's +weakness and indulgence had made her the woman she was; his dislike and +aversion drove her to that desperate step which she would never have +taken, if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_184" id="Page_III_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> she could have hoped for the sympathy and protection of her +husband. Thoughts like these filled Rety's mind with bitter grief, which +not even Vandory's gentle words could assuage.</p> + +<p>The Jew's confession, which was the cause of Lady Rety's death, remained +without any of those favourable results which it was expected to have. +It had no influence on Tengelyi's fate. Even before the Jew made his +confession, there were few who doubted of Mr. Catspaw's having been +implicated in the robbery of the documents; but this very fact, when +once established, strengthened the suspicions which were entertained +against Tengelyi. If the documents were in Mr. Catspaw's possession (and +Jantshi's evidence proved that they were), that fact alone was reason +enough to induce Tengelyi to commit the crime of murder. The Jew's +assertion, that it was Viola who killed Mr. Catspaw, was unsupported by +the second witness, and inadmissible as evidence against the numerous +and grave circumstantial evidence which was adduced against the notary. +His only hope of safety lay in the contingency of Viola's capture and +confession of the murder. That hope was a vague one. It was now more +than a fortnight since Janosh and Gatzi the Vagabond had left Dustbury +in quest of Viola, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_185" id="Page_III_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> no news of their whereabouts and their chances +of success had reached Vandory. It was scarcely reasonable to suppose +that the old hussar should succeed in an undertaking, which had hitherto +foiled the endeavours of Akosh, Kalman, and Völgyeshy, and, indeed, of +all those who took an interest in Tengelyi's fate.</p> + +<p>Peti, the gipsy, was indeed strongly suspected of being privy to the +secret of Viola's retreat; but neither entreaties nor promises could +induce him to answer young Rety's questions. As for the Gulyash of +Kishlak, who was known to have received Viola's family, after the flight +of the latter, into his tanya, and who had afterwards taken them away in +his cart, he, too, gave none but unsatisfactory intelligence. He +protested that he had taken Susi and her children to a Tsharda, at the +distance of about three miles from Kishlak, where he had left her. He +had not the least idea what could have become of her. Curses and +entreaties, threats and promises, were alike in vain; it was evident +that even the rack could not induce him to say more. The old woman, +Liptaka, though devoted to the Tengelyi family, and especially to Vilma, +was inexhaustible in excuses of her ignorance of Viola's whereabouts; +until at last, wearied and perplexed by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_186" id="Page_III_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> young Rety's questions, she +protested that she would not betray Viola's confidence, even if she +could; and when Akosh attempted to move her by his entreaties, she +exclaimed:—</p> + +<p>"No! no! Master Akosh! You know I'm as fond of you as ever a nurse was +of her own child; but do not—do not compel me to hate you! I'd lay down +my life for Mr. Tengelyi; but I won't be a Judas, no! not even for <i>his</i> +sake! He has no end of friends; they'll liberate him, sooner or later; +and even if he were to remain in prison, I know they keep him decently +and comfortably, and his family is well provided for. But Viola can +expect no mercy at the hands of the magistrates! To give him up to his +enemies is to murder him and his family; and even if Susi were not my +near relative, I'd rather tear my tongue out than betray her husband!"</p> + +<p>What could Akosh do? Viola's friends were resolved to keep the secret; +and, after a search of two weeks, old Janosh was still as much as ever +in the dark as to the direction which the fugitive had taken.</p> + +<p>Both Janosh and Gatzi the Vagabond were convinced that Viola was not +hidden in any of the neighbouring counties. It was not indeed likely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_187" id="Page_III_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> +that he had left the kingdom of Hungary, as Gatzi was fond of asserting; +but even this reflection was but cold comfort to the two adventurers. In +which of the fifty-two counties of Hungary were they to seek him? was +indeed a question which sadly puzzled the tactics and the military +experience of old Janosh.</p> + +<p>"Viola is a devil of a fellow!" said he to his comrade. "He has +retreated, and so cunningly too, that Satan's self would be at a loss to +find him. Ej! what a general he would have been!"</p> + +<p>"What does '<i>to retreat</i>' mean?" asked Gatzi, who listened to the tales +of his companion with the greatest interest.</p> + +<p>"Did I ever!" cried the hussar. "Do you mean to say you don't know what +it is to retreat? But, after all, it's but natural," added he, after a +few moments' consideration. "You have not been in the wars, where they +would have taught you. Now, mark me! to retreat is when they order you +to fall back."</p> + +<p>"Ah! I understand! It's when the enemy drives you."</p> + +<p>"You're a fool!" said Janosh, angrily. "A good soldier won't run away, +nor will he be driven. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_188" id="Page_III_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> have never been in a battle in which we did +not beat the enemy, and yet we retreated!"</p> + +<p>The old hussar, like many soldiers in the Austrian army, was firmly +convinced that the Emperor's troops had never been defeated.</p> + +<p>"To retreat," added he, "means to fall back, after you've given your +enemy a drubbing. Do you understand me?"</p> + +<p>"Oh yes! I understand!" replied Gatzi; "but I can't make out why you +should fall back after a victory."</p> + +<p>"Donkey!" said Janosh, with a compassionate smile; "you retreat because +you're ordered to fall back; and a soldier who doesn't obey orders is +shot. That's all!"</p> + +<p>"But why do they order you back?"</p> + +<p>"Why, indeed? That's not our business!" replied the old trooper, +angrily; for it was the very question which had puzzled him all his +life. "Why, indeed? A good soldier obeys his officers, and the rest +doesn't concern him. Why they order you back? A stupid question that! +Perhaps it is to make you advance, for if you fall back you've got room +to go forward. Perhaps they do it to give the enemy time to rally their +men, and to prepare for another battle. I say, Gatzi, if you were a +soldier,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_189" id="Page_III_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> and if you were to ask such questions, they'd shoot you on the +spot!"</p> + +<p>Such conversations were instructive to the Vagabond Gatzi, and +entertaining for Janosh, who gloried in the reminiscences of his +campaigns; but they did not promote the ends of the two travellers. The +Gulyash of Kishlak was as little communicative to Janosh as he was to +his young master, nor was the hussar more lucky in his inquiries in +other quarters.</p> + +<p>"It strikes me they've agreed upon it!" murmured he. "They have but one +answer to all my questions, and that answer is the worst they can give. +Every one says, 'I don't know; you'd better inquire somewhere else!' and +so we go from one tanya to another, without being any the wiser for it!"</p> + +<p>They had, indeed, by this time, made the round of three counties; and +though Gatzi became gradually accustomed to their roving life, and +though Janosh, riding, as he did, through forests and over moors, felt +almost happy to live again the life of a trooper, they came at length to +be fairly tired of their fruitless search. The season, too, was by no +means favourable. The month of April has a general reputation for +changeableness; but in the year in which Janosh and Gatzi rode in search +of Viola,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_190" id="Page_III_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> that month was by no means changeable. On the contrary, it +rained from the first day to the last. Janosh had seen a deal of +hardship in the course of his long and eventful life; but still his +temper was not proof against the provoking sameness of this +extraordinary April weather. At length he fairly lost his patience.</p> + +<p>They were just traversing the third county, at a distance of about +eighty miles from Dustbury. They had been on horseback from an early +hour in the morning, and now the sun was setting, when Gatzi confessed +to his older comrade that he could not find the tanya to which he had +promised to conduct him. The old man had hitherto borne all +disappointments with great fortitude, still hoping to get news of Viola; +for Gatzi had told him that the Gulyash to whom they were going knew all +the herdsmen of the district. What was to be done? They were in the +heart of the forest; they had lost their way; and, although Janosh swore +that it was a shame for an old man to follow at the heels of a mere boy +like Gatzi, he could not but wrap himself up in his bunda, and follow +his companion, who was looking for marks on the trees, and for cross +branches on the road, these being the signs by which men of doubtful +honesty are in the habit of marking their track for the benefit of +their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_191" id="Page_III_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> comrades. It was quite dark when the two wanderers were at length +attracted by the glare of a fire. They struck from the path which they +had hitherto pursued, and reached the tanya which they sought. The +pleasure which Janosh felt as he stretched his limbs by the fire could +not be greater than the rapture of the Gulyash when he recognised Gatzi. +The old herdsman, it seems, had been Gatzi's partner in more than one +affair of which they did not care to inform the county magistrates.</p> + +<p>When the old Gulyash had had his chat with his young companion, Janosh +stepped in and asked for Viola. The first answer which he received was a +profession of utter ignorance on the part of the Gulyash; when Gatzi too +showed his desire for information, the herdsman told them to stay the +night.</p> + +<p>"To-morrow morning," said he, "I'll conduct you to somebody who is +likely to answer your questions. There is a Gulyash in this +neighbourhood who came last autumn from your part of the country. He is +a good-for-nothing fellow, who does not associate with any one. He +doesn't sell cattle, and there is no talking to him. But, after all, it +is very likely that he can give you the information you require."</p> + +<p>"Who can he be?" said Gatzi, astonished. "I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_192" id="Page_III_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> don't know of any herdsman +from our parts who has gone to this county."</p> + +<p>"It's the brother of the Gulyash of Kishlak," replied the old man. "His +brother is a trump of a fellow; but this chap is a blockhead. He won't +speak to a body."</p> + +<p>"It can't be the brother of the Gulyash of Kishlak. Old Ishtvan had but +one brother, who died last autumn."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! I tell you, man, I have seen him. He is a handsome fellow, +and darkish. He brought his wife and two children. Don't tell me he's +dead."</p> + +<p>"I say, the brother of the Gulyash of Kishlak is dead, though the man, +whom you take to be his brother, may be alive, for all I know: but I am +sure he is no relation to Ishtvan the herdsman!"</p> + +<p>"But I tell you he is! Don't teach me to know Ishtvan the herdsman! It's +true I haven't seen him for many years: but formerly we were much +together; and last year, when he brought his brother's family to this +place, they all slept in my hut. One of the children is not at all +likely to live; but the other boy is a fine fellow. I am sure he'll be a +better sort of a man than his father. There! now don't you believe that +I am going to take you to the brother of the Gulyash of Kishlak?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_193" id="Page_III_193">[Pg 193]</a></span>In the course of this conversation, Gatzi cast significant looks at the +old hussar; and when their host had retired for the night, he said, +"I'll lose my head if the fellow he speaks of isn't Viola!"</p> + +<p>"I am sure it's he," whispered Janosh. "Let us keep our own counsel, +lest he refuse to show us to the place."</p> + +<p>"How he'll stare, when he hears that his neighbour, of whom he thinks so +little, is no other than Viola, the great robber! What a treat!" said +Gatzi, as he lay down by the fire. "But I'm as sleepy as a dog! Good +night!"</p> + +<p>"Good night!" responded Janosh, turning round, and arranging his bunda +for the night. The day had been one of extraordinary fatigue. His lair +in the hut was comfortable, and the fire burnt bright and cheerful at +his side; but still the old hussar could not sleep. He turned and tossed +about, a prey to restlessness and harassing thought. Now that Viola was +all but found, Janosh began to doubt whether he was justified in +disturbing the poor man's quiet life, and whether it was not better to +leave him where he was.</p> + +<p>"He's come to be an honest man," thought he; "why should I remind him of +his former misfortune? I dare say they won't hang Mr. Tengelyi; but as +for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_194" id="Page_III_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> Viola, I'm not at all sure whether they'll stick to their word when +they have him in their power. His wife will despair, and his children +come to be little vagabonds; and who will be the cause of all this +misery but I, who am now trying to entrap him, for all the world like +one of those d—d spies whom we used to hang in France!"</p> + +<p>Old Janosh had but one comfort amidst these distressing reflections. He +might indeed find Viola; but there was no necessity which forced him to +give him up to the county magistrates: and, after all, was it not +possible, in conversing with Viola, that they might find out a means of +liberating the notary without any prejudice to the late robber's life +and liberty?</p> + +<p>"For," said Janosh, "God knows he has suffered enough! and his children, +bless them! they are such fine creatures, and so loving. I wouldn't harm +them; no, not for the world!"</p> + +<p>As for the object of old Janosh's search, it was he who, under the +assumed name of a brother to Ishtvan, the herdsman of Kishlak, inhabited +the tanya to which Gatzi's friend had promised to conduct the two +adventurers. The outlaw's place of refuge was not quite so large and +commodious as his farm-house at Tissaret; but it was as favourable a +specimen of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_195" id="Page_III_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> a tanya as a man of Viola's character and habits might wish +to see. The roof was made of reeds, and afforded a shelter against the +rain; the walls were newly washed, and shone hospitably over the dun and +desolate heath. The tanya was built on a slope of the mountains, which, +forest-crowned, extended in the rear; and in front lay the immense +plain, dotted with flocks and herds of cattle and horses, with here and +there a steeple rising on the far horizon. Near the house was a stable +and some haystacks; and close to the threshold lay a couple of large +fierce wolf-hounds, basking in the rays of the sun.</p> + +<p>Viola might have been happy. He had found a place of refuge: he was +removed from all social intercourse; and this is, in itself, a blessing +for the persecuted and maligned. He might have been happy, if our +happiness or misery were not at least quite as much depending on the +past as it is on the present. Viola's recollections were most gloomy. +His mind was saddened by the thought that he was compelled to leave the +scenes of his former life. An exile from the place of his birth, he +languished and grieved quite as much as men of better education do, when +fate compels them to fly from their own country. The lower classes +cling, not only to their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_196" id="Page_III_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> country, but also to the place of their birth. +Their lives lie within a narrower circle; and, however great his +patriotism, a peasant's love for his <i>home</i> is still greater. With some +it is a predominant feeling; with others it is a madness. His real +country, his real fatherland, is the village in which he saw the +light,—the narrow spot of earth on which he passed his earliest years. +If you remove him from that place, he finds little consolation in the +thought that his new abode is still on Hungarian soil, that his +country's language is still spoken around him. He sighs for his +birth-place, for the humble roof of his parents, for the fields in which +he used to work, for the trees in the shade of which he took his rest. +His reminiscences are not national, but local; his sphere of interest +and action is limited to the confines of his parish. And even if this +were not the case, is not our life a totality? Can we separate the past +from the present, or the present from the future? Are not our joys bound +up in remembrance and hope? And what was there in Viola's past, what was +there in his future, to cheer him up, and to nerve him amidst the +sorrows of life?</p> + +<p>Could he ever forget the injustice and cruelty of mankind? Could he +forget that they had hunted him like a beast of the forest? And, worse +than all,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_197" id="Page_III_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> could he forget his own deeds? the blood he had shed,—the +blood which still clung to his trembling hands? How could he hope for +happiness? The future lowered over him like a pall. His name was, +indeed, unknown in that part of the country. His master, and the people +with whom he had dealings, took him for a brother of the Gulyash of +Kishlak; but what guarantee had he for his safety? The arrival of any of +his former associates, the discovery of his having come to the county +with a false passport, was sure to divulge his real name, and deliver +him into the hands of justice. Every stranger who approached the tanya +made him tremble. He trembled to think that his own boy might betray the +secret of his father's guilt. But still, he could have borne all this. +He might have inured his heart to sorrow and anxiety if his wife had +been happy, if the love of his children had withdrawn his mind from the +remorse and fear in which it lay shrouded.</p> + +<p>Fate willed it otherwise!</p> + +<p>Susi wanted but little for happiness. To love, was her vocation. She had +no wish but to live with her husband and her children, to devote herself +to them, to care, labour, and pray for them. Her heart was made to +resist the blows of fate, if they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_198" id="Page_III_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> failed to strike at that one tender +point. When she knew of her husband's liberation,—when she took her +children to their new home, she felt as if there was nothing to wish +for, or to hope; and all her past sufferings were lost in the feeling of +happiness which pervaded her mind. To live far away from mankind, +removed from the scene of her former sufferings,—to live a new life, +lonely and unknown,—had been her wish for many years; and that wish was +now realised. She knelt down at the threshold of her new tanya, and wept +and prayed with a grateful heart. She had nothing to ask for, nothing to +desire!</p> + +<p>But her happiness was of short duration. Her younger child was weak and +sickly. Its little face had that expression of sadness which, in +children, is a sure sign of suffering and disease.</p> + +<p>"How could it be otherwise?" said Susi; "sorrow was its first food. My +tears have effaced its smiles, and ever since it opened its soft blue +eyes it has seen nothing but grief and sorrow. The poor child cannot +help being sad!"</p> + +<p>The unsettled life which Susi had latterly been compelled to lead, and +which the infant had shared with her; the cold autumnal air to which it +was exposed; and last, not least, the fatigue and expo<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_199" id="Page_III_199">[Pg 199]</a></span>sure of the +journey to their place of refuge, had a fatal effect upon the tender +health of the child. So long as the excitement continued, and while she +had to tremble for the safety of her husband, Susi took no heed of its +altered appearance; but a few days after their meeting in the tanya, she +became alive to the danger which threatened the infant's life. To see +and despair of all hope was one and the same thing. After some days of +maddening anxiety, the child died, and a little grave near the tanya was +all that remained of so much sorrow and so much love.</p> + +<p>The child's death struck a deeper blow to Susi's heart, from the +circumstance of its occurring in the very first week of her new-found +repose; but when she remarked her husband's sadness, who, still +depressed by the late events, considered the death of his youngest born +as a harbinger of the approach of avenging fate, she felt that Viola +wanted to be cheered and comforted, and her love for him conquered the +grief of her mother's heart.</p> + +<p>"Who knows," said she, "whether the child is not all the better off for +leaving this world of sorrow; and perhaps this misfortune has been sent +to us, to prevent our becoming too presumptuous in our happiness? And, +after all, have we not Pishta, and does<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_200" id="Page_III_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> he not grow up to be a fine +bold fellow, like his father?"</p> + +<p>But in January little Pishta was seized with the fever. His mother's +anxiety, her watchfulness, her care, the smiles of comfort from her +breaking heart, and her secret tears and wailings,—all,—all could not +prevail against the stern decree of fate; and after three long weeks, +Pishta was buried by the side of his little brother, and Susi felt that +there was nothing in the world that could make her happy.</p> + +<p>She complained not; she spoke not of her misfortune; she strove to hide +her grief from her husband: but the forced smile on her pale face, the +rebellious sigh which <i>would</i> break forth, the trembling of her voice, +when an accident, when</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0q">"The wind, a flower, a tone of music"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>reminded her of her children, and her turning away to hide the tears +which <i>would</i> bedew her cheeks, spoke more plainly than any wailing and +mourning by which the wretched woman might have given vent to her grief. +Viola loved his wife too warmly to be deceived by her seeming calmness; +his keen eye found the traces of secret tears upon her face; he +understood her wordless woe, and his heart was a prey to the bitterness +of sorrow. To love, to see<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_201" id="Page_III_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> the loved one suffering, and to feel that we +cannot do any thing to lessen her grief, is a bitter feeling indeed; and +Viola felt as if fate had saved his life, only for him to drain the cup +of misfortune to the very dregs.</p> + +<p>"Wretched man that I am!" cried he, as he stood alone on the heath; +"after all my sufferings, must I live to see this day? If I had suffered +for my crimes, God would perhaps have pitied my children; but now His +hand strikes me in them! There is blood on my hands,—but is it Susi's +fault? Are my little ones guilty? Father in heaven! what have they done, +that Thy wrath should pursue them?"</p> + +<p>Thus lost in the bitterness of his grief, he sat on the hill near his +house, when his attention was attracted by the violent barking of his +dogs, and as he looked in the direction of the tanya, he beheld a +stranger approaching him. Viola lived in solitude; the Gulyash of +Kishlak had only called on him once since he dwelled in the tanya, and +the herdsmen and outlaws of the county were by no means inclined to +cultivate the acquaintance of their new neighbour, for a few +unsuccessful attempts had convinced them of his reluctance to join them +in their illicit doings. No wonder, then, that the approach of a +stranger attracted Viola's attention. But his astonishment passed all +bounds when he recognised the sheriff's hussar,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_202" id="Page_III_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> and when the latter +called him by his real name, a name which he had not heard for many +months.</p> + +<p>At some distance from the tanya, Janosh had thanked his guide for his +trouble, and sent him and Gatzi back, for he wished to speak to Viola +freely and without being interrupted. The latter could hardly trust his +own eyes, when he saw the old soldier, who used to be a pattern of +neatness, attired in a peasant's dress, travel-stained, and with his +hair and beard neglected.</p> + +<p>"Is it you, Janosh?" said he, addressing the new comer. "What does this +dress mean?"</p> + +<p>"It's strange, isn't it? We are naked when we are born, and naked do we +go to the grave, or at best they give us a gatya to sleep in. A soldier +was a peasant at one time, and to a peasant's estate he returns; that's +how the world goes. After all, my present dress is none of the worst, +only I felt queer in it at first, accustomed as I am, you know, to be +buttoned up in a tight hussar jacket. For some days I fancied I was not +dressed at all!"</p> + +<p>"But where did you come from, and what has brought you all this way from +home?"</p> + +<p>The old soldier, who had some secret misgivings about the honesty of his +errand, felt uncomfortable at this question.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_203" id="Page_III_203">[Pg 203]</a></span>"Why," said he, scratching his head, "I wanted to call on you,—that is +to say, I wanted to find you. I've some important matters to talk to you +about. But don't be frightened, man!" added he, on seeing Viola's +astonishment; "I have indeed promised to find you, but I have not +promised to tell them where you are. I'll have my palaver with you, +that's all, and you may afterwards do as you please. As for the +worshipful magistrates, they shall never get any thing out of me; no! +not even if they'd skin me alive! I'm not the man to blow upon a +deserter! Bless you! I never did that sort of a thing!"</p> + +<p>Viola's curiosity was heightened by the words and the manner of Janosh; +and his desire for an account of the sudden and mysterious appearance of +the latter was at length gratified by a circumstantial statement of all +the events which had taken place at Dustbury and Tissaret, since the +assassination of Mr. Catspaw. The impression which this news produced +upon Viola was fearful.</p> + +<p>When Janosh told him of Tengelyi's situation, he cast a despairing look +to heaven, and cried:—</p> + +<p>"I am a cursed being! I am born to destroy all who come near me, no +matter whether they are my friends or my foes!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_204" id="Page_III_204">[Pg 204]</a></span>And covering his eyes with his hands, he gave himself up to a transport +of grief.</p> + +<p>His distress moved the old hussar, who endeavoured to comfort him in his +own rough manner.</p> + +<p>"Don't you think," said Janosh, "that Mr. Tengelyi is very badly off! +Nonsense, man! he isn't even in gaol."</p> + +<p>"But where is he?"</p> + +<p>"Why he is not exactly in gaol; but he's in a room of his own in the +prison. He has plenty to eat and to drink, for it's I who wait upon him; +and you might have known that I am not a man who would give Master +Akosh's father-in-law cause to complain. He's all right and comfortable, +and there's no reason why he should not walk away, if they had not got +that accursed criminal process (for that's the name they give it, I +believe,) against him. But there's the rub! Unless his innocence is +proved, they'll sentence him—Heaven knows to what! And you see——"</p> + +<p>"Did I not wish to serve him?" cried Viola, in a violent burst of grief. +"I'm in gratitude bound to serve him! He gave shelter to my wife and +children. I would have given my life to make him happy. I killed the +attorney because I thought to do him good, and what has come of all my +gratitude?"</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_205" id="Page_III_205">[Pg 205]</a></span>"Why, this has come of it! He's the honestest man on the face of the +earth, and they accuse him of <i>my</i> crime! and it's I who have got him +into prison,—oh! and if you had not come and told me all, they would +execute him in my place!"</p> + +<p>"Viola! my boy," said the hussar, "you're wrong. The case is not half so +bad as you make it out, I assure you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Janosh! why, when I was sentenced at Tissaret, did you come to my +assistance? Why did you save my life? You see what I have come to! I'm +ready to bless the day of my death. When a mad dog feels the distemper, +he will run away from the house of his master, in order not to harm his +benefactor! That's what a mad dog does,—but I, I am worse than a dog, +for I am dangerous to those whom I love best!"</p> + +<p>Janosh, who was deeply moved by Viola's remorse, endeavoured to comfort +him, by protesting he was sure there must be some means of extricating +the notary from his present dangerous position.</p> + +<p>His words, rude and awkward as they were, had their effect upon Viola. +He became more composed, and said—</p> + +<p>"As for the notary, he is safe. It will take us three days to go to +Dustbury. The papers which I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_206" id="Page_III_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> took from the attorney are in my hands; +they are covered with blood, and when I tell them how the thing was +brought about, they cannot possibly suspect Tengelyi."</p> + +<p>The old hussar shook his head.</p> + +<p>"I don't think," said he, "you can do it in that way. You're not in a +fit state to take a resolution. You are in despair, and what you intend +to do ought to be well considered. Nothing is more easy than to go to +Dustbury. 'Here I am! I'm Viola! I've killed that rascal, Catspaw!' Why +it's mere child's-play to say the words. But the worst is behind. When +they've once got you into gaol, I don't see how you can get out of it."</p> + +<p>"I don't care!"</p> + +<p>"But you ought to care! Why, man! it's the very first thing you ought to +think of! They have indeed promised not to take your life, and even the +sheriff has pledged his word for your safety! But who can tell? I +wouldn't advise you to rely on the promises of the gentry, and it's far +more prudent to manage the business otherwise."</p> + +<p>"Have you any idea how it can be done?" said Viola, sullenly.</p> + +<p>"Of course I have! Give me the papers! I'll take them to Dustbury, and +tell the gentlemen that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_207" id="Page_III_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> I have spoken to you, that you gave me the +papers, and that you made no denial of your having murdered the +attorney."</p> + +<p>"They'll never believe you!"</p> + +<p>"If they don't, I'll call in another witness—Gatzi the Vagabond, who is +a good fellow. He's come along with me, and he's now at your +neighbour's, the Gulyash. Two honest witnesses can prove any thing; but +as Gatzi is not, perhaps, quite honest, because he's in the habit of +stealing now and then, we'll have the Gulyash as a third witness. While +we are telling our story at Dustbury, you and your wife and children +leave this place, and when they come to arrest you they'll find an empty +house. That's <i>my</i> plan!"</p> + +<p>"I have no children!" said Viola, with a deep sigh; "our last—our +little Pishta—was buried two months ago!"</p> + +<p>"Pishta!" cried Janosh; "my little Pishta! Why, that's a dreadful +misfortune!"</p> + +<p>"The two little ones are dead! I am childless! My poor Susi is not +likely to survive her sweet children long. She is sinking fast; poor +woman, she won't see the next snow!"</p> + +<p>The two men sat in silence. Viola was lost in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_208" id="Page_III_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> gloomy thought, and old +Janosh's eyes were full of tears. At length he said,—</p> + +<p>"Truly, God alone knows why fate deals harshly with some people! They +tell me we're all going to the same place in the end, and that God, who +is a great general, commands us to march straight through this world +into another. But I must say, the men of the rear-guard have the worst +of it. The advanced guard have it all to themselves—grub, and glory, +and all; and those that remain behind are in for short commons and +kicks. I've known that sort of thing, my boy! When an army retreats, the +best men are ordered to the rear; and in the wars I've been dealt with +as you are on this earth. 'Devil take the hindmost!' is a true proverb. +Bless me! you can't fancy what hard blows we got, and how we were +starved! but, after all, it was then I learnt that a man ought never to +despair. For when you've come to the camp, a good general is sure to +praise and reward the last man of the regiment; and I'm sure our Father +in Heaven will do the same when you march into quarters. And besides, +who knows but the tide will turn? Susi is left you, and that's a great +blessing. Why shouldn't she have half a dozen children? You won't have +another Pishta, I'm afraid; for there is not another such a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_209" id="Page_III_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> child on +the earth, nor will there ever be; but you'll have plenty of children. +And, I say, no one knows what a deal of good luck such a child may bring +you; and all I say to you is, you're a fool if you put your neck into +the keeping of the Dustbury gentry. Bless you, man, it's the worst you +can do! and there's time enough for the worst, I should hope!"</p> + +<p>Viola listened to the old hussar's advice, without showing his dissent +either by words or gestures; but when Janosh ceased speaking, and looked +at him, waiting for a reply, he shook his head sadly, hopelessly, and +said,—</p> + +<p>"You would not advise me as you do if you could but know what I have +suffered. You warn me not to surrender to my judges and you counsel me +to fly from punishment. But do you really think, my poor Janosh, that my +present and past sufferings are not a hundred times more painful than +any punishment which they can award to me? You say they will sentence me +to death. It's no more than what I deserve. And what is even the most +painful death, compared to the unceasing fear which has weighed upon my +heart ever since I came to this place? I am eighty miles from home; but +what, after all, are eighty miles? <i>You</i> have found me, and others +may!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_210" id="Page_III_210">[Pg 210]</a></span>"There you are out! It's not every man has been in the wars, and——"</p> + +<p>"You found me by accident! Oh, I tell you, I've played the coward! I've +crouched among the ferns and the brushwood, when I saw a stranger +approaching my house! When my master asked me about my former pursuits, +I felt the hot blood rush into my face, and I trembled for all the world +as if I stood before my Judge. No, Janosh! my life is a hell! it's not +the life of a human being, and the sooner I've got rid of it the better +for me, for Susi, for all!"</p> + +<p>"They won't hang you!" said Janosh. "The sheriff has come to quarrel +with his wife, and he has been an altered man ever since. He has +promised to spare your life, and I'm sure he'll stick to his word, that +is to say, if he <i>can</i>; for, after all, who knows but the other +gentleman may get the better of him? and it's always my opinion one +ought never——"</p> + +<p>"Stop!" cried Viola. "I'm sure you mean well; but I've made up my mind. +Believe me, ever since my children died I've often thought whether to +surrender is not the best thing I can do. Even if you had not come and +told me of the notary's danger, I think I should have given myself up to +the police, to rid myself of the torments which now prey upon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_211" id="Page_III_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> my mind. +A few days before my poor Pishta died, the child was so thin and worn +out you would not have known him if you had seen him at the time. +Nothing was left of him but his sweet soft voice; methinks I hear it +now; and he——What were we saying?" continued Viola, wiping his eyes; +"to think of him makes me forget all and everything. What was it, +Janosh?"</p> + +<p>"You spoke of Pishta's death. Don't go on, pray!"</p> + +<p>"I must! I must tell you, that shortly before he died, and, indeed, all +the time he was ill, he entreated me not to go on being a robber: 'Won't +you, father, dear! you won't be a robber any more?' were the last words +I ever heard him say. Now, tell me, is it in my power to obey my dying +child's request if I remain here? Let the meanest thief come to this +house who has seen me in former times; is he not my master, because he +has my secret? Can he not force me to join him in any crime he may +choose to perpetrate? I'm lost! My very honesty depends upon an +accident; and chance alone can protect me from falling back into my old +ways."</p> + +<p>Janosh sighed; for he felt the truth of Viola's remarks.</p> + +<p>"There's blood on my hands, and I must die!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_212" id="Page_III_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> It's but common justice! +I've thought the matter over, and I see no other way to get out of it. +And, after all, there is neither peace nor comfort in this world after +such a deed! When they have pronounced my sentence, my conscience will +cease from accusing me. I have not, indeed, ever had the <i>intention</i> of +killing any body! Accident has made me what I am—a murderer! and fate +has decreed that I am to suffer for my crime. What man can prevail +against his destiny?"</p> + +<p>"This is all very well; but what's to become of Susi, I'd like to know?" +said Janosh, with a deep sigh.</p> + +<p>Viola made no reply. His features were violently contracted; his hands +clung with a tremulous grasp to the staff which lay by his side; his +chest heaved as if it were bursting. At length he said, with a trembling +voice,—</p> + +<p>"What is to become of Susi when I am dead? Why, it's this which unnerves +me! But what am I to do? Poor woman! If I could do aught to remove her +sorrow, if her misery were not so great that nothing can add to it, I +would suffer all! all! all! I would not care for the pangs of my +conscience! I would not mind my fears and my sorrows, neither here, nor +even in the world to come, if I could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_213" id="Page_III_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> hope that my life would serve to +comfort Susi. But her heart is brimful of anguish. There is no room for +fresh griefs, no room for comfort of any kind; nay, more, my presence +compels her to forego the only relief she has—that of taking her fill +of weeping! No! no!" continued he, passionately, "I cannot bear it any +longer. I'll do it, since it <i>must</i> be done, and I'll do it at once. God +will perhaps have mercy on her when I'm dead and gone! He'll take her +away from this world, in which there is no place of rest—no! none at +all for those that love Viola; and even if she does not die, she will be +safe, and perhaps some charitable hearts will pity her case and provide +for her. Come, Janosh! bind my hands and take me to Dustbury. Be quick!"</p> + +<p>These words, and the tone in which they were spoken, convinced Janosh of +the firmness of Viola's resolution, which he did not attempt to oppose, +because he felt the weight of the arguments which the repentant robber +had advanced in support of it.</p> + +<p>"After all, you're not far from right," said he, after a short pause. +"I'll be bound for it they won't hang you; and perhaps it's better for +you to have your punishment over, and have done with it. It makes you a +free man; and prevents you being brought back to your old ways. But as +for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_214" id="Page_III_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> binding part of the business, it's sheer stuff and nonsense, I +tell you. If you come of your own accord, they'll put it down on the +bill as a special point in your favour, and strike off a few years from +the time of your captivity. But, hang me if I take you to Dustbury! It +would be a disgrace to me to the end of my life, if people could say, it +was old Janosh who arrested Viola!"</p> + +<p>"Very well!" said Viola, "if you won't take me, you may go to Dustbury +at once, and tell Mr. Tengelyi to be of good cheer, I'll be at Dustbury +on the fourth day from this. My Bojtar<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a> will soon come back to take +charge of the cattle. I must talk to Susi lest she should be shocked by +my sudden departure. Poor woman! it will be a hard thing to take leave +of her."</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> Bojtar, <i>i.e.</i> helpmate.</p></div> + +<p>"Why," said old Janosh, "if you've made up your mind to go, you had +better not mention your plans to Susi. After you've come to Dustbury, +I'll go to fetch your wife; and when the sheriff tells her that your +life is not in danger, I'm sure she'll get reconciled to the +arrangement. Be of good cheer!" added the old soldier, shaking Viola's +hand; "all's well that ends well! They'll lock you up for a few years, +and after that time you'll go back to Tissaret<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_215" id="Page_III_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> as an honest man. But I +must be off now. It would frighten Susi to death to find me here, and in +this dress too!"</p> + +<p>Saying which, the hussar turned to leave the spot; but after walking a +few yards he came back, and said:</p> + +<p>"I forgot to mention, that you need not come if you should repent of +your resolution. I'll take my oath nobody shall ever learn from me where +your tanya is; and all they can say is, that I'm a greater donkey than +they thought I was, because I couldn't manage to find you. But, believe +me, I don't care what they say. God bless you, my boy!"</p> + +<p>Janosh did not wait for an answer. He hurried away; and after a few +minutes, Viola heard the quick trotting of a horse. It was Janosh on his +way back from the tanya.</p> + +<p>"After all, my life will be good for something," muttered Viola. "I +wanted to prove my gratitude to my benefactor, and all I did was to +bring another misfortune upon him. At present I have it in my power to +save his life by the sacrifice of my own! But what is to become of +Susi?"</p> + +<p>He sat lost in gloomy thoughts, with his head leaning on his hand, when +his wife returned to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_216" id="Page_III_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> tanya. Her voice awoke him from his dreams. It +struck her that he looked as if he had wept. But for the poor woman, who +came from the grave of her children, there was nothing extraordinary in +his tears.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_217" id="Page_III_217">[Pg 217]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_III_X" id="CHAPTER_III_X"></a>CHAP. X.</h3> + + +<p>Viola had many difficulties to encounter before he could carry his +project into execution. His resolution was irrevocable; but what was his +most plausible pretence for leaving the tanya without alarming the fears +of his wife? Ever since their change of abode, Susi showed the greatest +anxiety whenever her husband left her, though but for a few hours; and +this anxiety, so natural to a woman in her position, had risen to a +formidable height ever since the death of her children. Her husband was +her all—her only treasure,—her sole comfort on this earth. And was he +not always in danger of a discovery of his former character and +pursuits? Her anxious care was, in the present instance, almost +maddening to Viola. In the course of that day he attempted a hundred +times at least to tell his wife that he must leave her for a few days; +and a hundred times he felt that he wanted the strength to break the +matter to her. At one time it struck him that Susi was more cheerful +than usual, and he was loth to distress her at such a moment; another +time he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_218" id="Page_III_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> thought she looked sadder than she generally did, and he +considered that frame of mind unfavourable to the reception of his +communication. Indeed there is no saying how he could have executed his +project if Susi had not been struck with his embarrassed manner, and the +preparations he made for the journey. She questioned him, and he told +her that his master had sent in the morning ordering him to fetch some +cattle from a neighbouring county. Susi trembled; but there was no help +for it. Viola was bound to obey his master's orders: he could not +possibly refuse obedience by stating the reasons of his aversion to the +journey; and the poor woman was reduced to snatch at the straws of +comfort which lay in her husband's assurance that the place to which he +was sent lay at a greater distance from the county of Takshony than +their present abode did.</p> + +<p>"Don't be afraid. Nobody can know me at that place; no Tissaret people +come there!" said Viola; and Susi did her best to appear quiet and +unconcerned.</p> + +<p>Viola was conscious of the fate which awaited him. Whenever he looked at +his wife he shuddered to think what her anguish would be when the true +nature of his errand was revealed to her; and all his strength of mind +could scarcely suppress<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_219" id="Page_III_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> his tears. He struggled hard to keep them down; +and in the evening, when, after pressing Susi to his heart for the last +time, he mounted his horse, she could not, by any outward signs, get a +clue to the deep despair which ate into his heart. When his voice came +to her with the last "God bless you!" she had no idea of the truth. It +never struck her that she heard his voice for the last time.</p> + +<p>Viola was inured to suffering. His grave aspect hid the anguish which +convulsed his mind: but when his horse had borne him onwards to the deep +forest, his grief leapt forth like a giant; and, shaking off the bonds +of restraint, he bent his head low down on his horse's neck, and his +powerful frame trembled with the convulsions of deep, hopeless, +unmitigated grief.</p> + +<p>It was late in the afternoon when he left the tanya; the faint rays of +the setting sun shone from the west, and the crescent, shedding her +silver light through a few feathery clouds, shone upon the solemn +silence of the earth below. The beauty of Nature cannot prevail against +the existence of care; but it can lessen its intensity: grief, with its +bitter and passionate expression, yields to solemn sadness. Nature seems +to share our woe: each star looks feelingly down from its sphere; and +the boundless<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_220" id="Page_III_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> horizon brings our own littleness, and the trivial +character of our sorrows, home to us.</p> + +<p>The peaceful silence which surrounded Viola gave peace to his weary +heart. He dried his tears as he looked up to the stars, that send forth +their rays of hope from their spheres of silence and mystery.</p> + +<p>He came to the hill whence, but a few short months ago, he had cast the +first glance at his new tanya. He stopped his horse and looked back. The +dim light of the moon showed him but a whitish speck, and a herdsman's +fire near it. He thought of the hopes which bloomed in his heart when he +came to the place; he thought of the events which destroyed those hopes +in their first and fairest bloom. He thought of his children, who lay +buried at the foot of the hill, and of their wretched mother, and of the +cruel blow which was about to descend on her devoted head. Again the big +tears gushed forth from his eyes; but when this sudden burst of sorrow +was over, he regained all his former firmness.</p> + +<p>"Who can help it?" said he, with a deep sigh, as he turned his horse's +head away from the place which contained all he loved best. "What man +can run away from his fate? I was born for misery!"</p> + +<p>Viola intended to go to Tissaret and to surrender to Akosh Rety, or, if +he did not find him, at least<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_221" id="Page_III_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> to send the Liptaka to tend and comfort +his wife. The distance from the tanya to Tissaret was full eighty miles; +and Viola, to avoid being seen by any one, especially in the county of +Takshony, shunned the roads and beaten paths, and journeyed mostly at +night. He had therefore time enough to think of his situation and +prospects. But his thoughts would still return to Susi.</p> + +<p>"I would not care," said he to himself, "if I could but be comforted on +her account. She'll despair when they tell her that I have surrendered +to the county magistrates. She will think me cruel! But what was I to +do? They would have found me out at last. Old Janosh found me sure +enough, and others might follow in his track any day. They would have +pounced upon me and arrested me. But now that I surrender of my own free +will, I can at least prevent them from taking Mr. Tengelyi's papers. I +can get him out of his troubles, and who knows? perhaps they'll give me +a pardon, Janosh said they would!"</p> + +<p>This last reflection was a great comfort. If ever a man expected the +approach of death calmly and with firmness, that man was Viola. But +death by the hands of the executioner is terrible even to the most +courageous; and Viola, who thought of Susi, was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_222" id="Page_III_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> prepared to suffer all +and everything, except this one last infamy, which he felt convinced his +wife could never survive.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they will lock me up for ten years—let them! they may torture +me, they may do their worst, I won't care for it. It will give Susi +strength to know that I am alive, and that she can be of use to me; and +I, too, I'm sure I'll bear any thing if I can see her at times; and +after all there must be an end even to the worst punishment, as Janosh +told me, and I shall be able to live as an honest man to the end of my +life!"</p> + +<p>Such is human nature. In the worst plights we cast the anchor of our +hope amidst the shoals of lesser evils; but without hope we could not +live for a day.</p> + +<p>Viola's reflections on his position tended greatly to calm and comfort +his mind. He was a two-fold murderer: but there were a variety of +extenuating circumstances in both the cases; and, with the exception of +his two great crimes, of all his breaches of the law, there was not one +which exposed him to capital punishment; the circumstance that he had +already undergone what the Hungarian law calls "<i>the agony</i>,"<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a> +namely, the mortal anxiety of a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_223" id="Page_III_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> culprit under sentence of death, and in +the present instance his voluntary surrender to the criminal justice of +his country would stand in the way of a capital sentence. And if he +succeeded in liberating the notary from his present painful position, +could he not rely on the protection of Akosh Rety and his friends?</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> See <a href="#NOTE_III_II">Note II</a>.</p></div> + +<p>The third night of his journey found him at a few miles' distance from +Tissaret. Here he was under serious apprehensions lest he should fall +into the hands of Mr. Skinner's Pandurs, before he could surrender or +manage to deliver the papers to Akosh Rety. Viola had no idea of the +real cause of the importance of the papers, but when he remembered that +they were taken from him at the time of his capture in the St. Vilmosh +forest, and that Mr. Skinner had attempted to deny their existence, he +was justified in his fear that the justice would annihilate the +documents if they were to fall into his hands. He resolved therefore to +defend them to the last, and to prefer death to captivity, unless he +could place the notary's papers in the hands of a trustworthy person.</p> + +<p>At break of day he reached the St. Vilmosh forest. He had been on +horseback ever since sunset, and his horse was fatigued. It was a good +two<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_224" id="Page_III_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> hours' ride to Tissaret from the place where he stood, and he +pitied the horse, which had done many a good service in by-gone days. He +knew the danger to which he exposed himself by approaching the village +by daylight, for nothing was more likely than that he would be seized +and dragged to the justice's before he could meet young Rety. But what +was he to do? The forest had been cleared in the course of the winter; +the trees were still stripped of their foliage, and there was no place +in which he could have remained till sunset. He had no other alternative +but to proceed.</p> + +<p>"And after all," thought he, "on the plain I can keep a good look out, +and get out of the way, if need be. <i>Hollo</i>, my boy!" added he, patting +his horse's neck, "don't fail me to-day, old comrade! I'll give you into +good hands. Perhaps Master Akosh will take you to his stable. He'll use +you for hare-hunting, for you've had a good schooling in racing. They've +hunted us many a time; but never mind! Your time has come at last, +Hollo, my boy, for this is the last time you and I are on the heath +together!"</p> + +<p>He continued his way in deep thought; and the horse, too, as if +conscious of his master's grief, walked dejectedly amidst the trees on +the outskirts of the forest.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_225" id="Page_III_225">[Pg 225]</a></span>Viola's train of gloomy reflections was interrupted by the sound of +hoofs. He looked up, and beheld three Pandurs, who were travelling on +the other side of the clearing. He turned his horse's head to steal +away; but they had seen him, and rode up to him.</p> + +<p>There was but one means of safety. He knew it at once, and, putting +spurs to his horse, he rushed forward.</p> + +<p>"Stand, or die!" shouted his pursuers; but, though fatigued, Hollo was +still a match for the jaded hacks<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> of the county police, and the +reports of the pistols which were fired behind him only heightened his +speed. He rode on in the direction of Tissaret, and the Pandurs, who +still kept their eyes upon him, followed, though at a distance.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> <a name="SEE_NOTE_III_V" id="SEE_NOTE_III_V"></a><a href="#NOTE_III_V">Note V</a>.</p></div> + +<p>Akosh was at that time in Tissaret. Ever since his wife's death, the +sheriff felt an aversion to return to his family seat. He left the +management of the property to his son, who lived in old Vandory's house; +for he too had an aversion to the Castle and the reminiscences connected +with it.</p> + +<p>The morning on which Viola approached his native village, Vandory arose +early, according to his habits, and seeing that the sky was clear and +unclouded, he could not resist his desire to visit the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_226" id="Page_III_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> Turk's Hill, to +see the sunrise from its summit. He roused Akosh, and induced him to +accompany him to the hill, on which we found the curate and Tengelyi at +the commencement of this history.</p> + +<p>There are few people in the world who like to be disturbed in their +sleep; and though Akosh Rety yielded to his uncle's entreaties, his +temper was none of the sweetest, as he accompanied the enthusiastic old +man, who, in the course of their walk, held forth on the beauties of the +rising sun, while he delighted in the anticipation of the glorious +spectacle which awaited them. To the shame of Akosh Rety be it spoken, +that not all the glories of that gorgeous phenomenon, and much less his +uncle's arguments, could convince him that it was worth while to wake +him from his sweet dreams, merely for the purpose of seeing a few pink +clouds and breathing the moist and chilly air of an April morning. But +though the beauties of Nature failed to engage his interest, his +attention was soon directed to and attracted by another spectacle.</p> + +<p>Akosh had not been on the Turk's Hill ever since the autumn, when he met +Vandory and the notary after the hunt. It was but natural that he should +think of all the events that had occurred since that time. His heart was +full, and he turned to the curate, saying,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_227" id="Page_III_227">[Pg 227]</a></span>—</p> + +<p>"I remember, for all the world as if it had happened yesterday, that +poor Tengelyi stood where we now stand. Our horses were at the bottom of +the hill. To the right stood Paul Skinner, the great fool. I think even +now I hear his curses when he looked to the forest of St. Vilmosh, and +saw that the Pandurs were escorting a prisoner. You remember it, don't +you? I protested that it was not Viola whom they had with them!"</p> + +<p>As he said these words, Akosh turned in the direction of the St. Vilmosh +forest, and his quick eye discovered the horsemen, who at that moment +broke from the forest and spurred over the plain.</p> + +<p>"What does this mean?" cried he, as he directed Vandory's attention to +the chase.</p> + +<p>"What is it?"</p> + +<p>"Look! look! they are going at a fearful rate. One man in front, and +three after him as if they were pursuing him!"</p> + +<p>The curate sighed.</p> + +<p>"Heaven forbid!" said he. "I have seen one of my fellow-creatures hunted +down from this very spot. I hope and trust——"</p> + +<p>"It's a chase!" cried Akosh. "It's the foremost man they are after. How +he cuts away! straight through the meadows and over the fields!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_228" id="Page_III_228">[Pg 228]</a></span>"God help him!" said the curate, folding his hands.</p> + +<p>"He can't escape! they are driving him up to the village, and his beast +is done up. They have been gaining upon him ever since we first saw +him!"</p> + +<p>"Let us hope the man is not a robber!" said Vandory, who watched the +proceedings of the horseman with painful attention. "I am sure he is a +robber, or at least his pursuers take him for one," added he, after a +short pause.</p> + +<p>"I see the carbines of the Pandurs!" cried Akosh. "The poor beast is +done up! One of the rascals is close at his heels—there! he's come down +horse and all! On! on! my fine fellow! you're safe for a few minutes! +you've got a start now! Goodness knows!" added the young man, "I'd do +any thing to give him a fresh horse!"</p> + +<p>Viola's position—for we need not say that it was he whom Akosh and +Vandory beheld from the Turk's Hill—was improved by the fall of one of +his pursuers; for when the second Pandur came up to the place where his +comrade struggled under the weight of his horse, he stopped and +dismounted to assist him. As for the third officer, he was far in the +rear; and as it was Viola's greatest desire to reach the village, and to +give the papers into the hands of a trustworthy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_229" id="Page_III_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> person, he could for a +moment hope to succeed in his endeavours.</p> + +<p>"Hollo! my good horse, don't fail me in this last extremity!" gasped he, +as he spurred his steed. "On! on! Hajra! Hajra! Hollo!"</p> + +<p>But Hollo's last strength was spent. The poor beast came from a long and +fatiguing journey, and for the last half-hour the race had been over +broken ground, fields and ditches. From a gallop he fell into a broken +trot; and Viola, who was close to the Turk's Hill, and who saw his +pursuers coming nearer and nearer, tried all he could do, with voice, +whip, and spur, to urge the exhausted animal onward. The horse was +covered with white foam, the perspiration ran down his long black mane, +he trembled on his legs—but despair made Viola blind to the sufferings +of his faithful companion, and again and again he buried his spurs in +his bleeding sides. Hollo made another rush forward.</p> + +<p>"Stand and surrender!" cried a voice behind him.</p> + +<p>Viola turned round.</p> + +<p>The Pandur was at the distance of but a few yards from him; another +minute would have brought him to his side.</p> + +<p>The outlaw seized the pistol at his saddle-bow,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_230" id="Page_III_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> and turned it upon his +pursuer. But the Pandur had his carbine in readiness.</p> + +<p>He raised it, and fired.</p> + +<p>Viola uttered a loud shriek! He flung back his hands and fell on his +horse's neck. The frightened animal leaped, plunged, and rolled on the +ground!</p> + +<p>Akosh Rety, who had left his position on the hill for the purpose of +interfering, if possible, in behalf of the pursued, came just in time to +prevent the Pandur from ill-treating the wounded man.</p> + +<p>The latter had dismounted, and would have struck Viola with a fokosh, +had not young Rety prevented him.</p> + +<p>"You're a dead man, if you dare to hurt him!" cried Akosh, endeavouring +to extricate the robber from the weight of his horse. "Scoundrel! don't +you see you've killed him?"</p> + +<p>"Killed him, indeed! So much the better!" said Tzifra, (for it was he, +whom the patronage of Paul Skinner had established among the county +police). He would have resisted, but on consideration he thought it best +to avoid a quarrel with the sheriff's son.</p> + +<p>"I don't care, sir, whether I've killed him or not," said he; "I'm sure +it does not matter. Don't you see, sir, it's Viola; and I'm entitled to +the reward of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_231" id="Page_III_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> five hundred florins, which the county has promised to +the man who captures or kills him. I hope he'll die before my comrades +come. Confound them, they'd be after claiming part of the money!"</p> + +<p>Akosh paid no attention to the Pandur's brutal expressions, and with +Vandory's assistance he succeeded in removing the horse from the body of +the wounded man.</p> + +<p>"He is dead!" said Akosh, as they laid him on the turf. "Life is +extinct, and with it all hope of proving Tengelyi's innocence!"</p> + +<p>The curate knelt down and examined the wound.</p> + +<p>"No!" said he. "He is alive, but the ball has pierced his breast. He is +not likely to live; still I think he will linger on for a few hours. I +say!" added he, addressing the Pandur, "mount and ride to the village! +Tell them to send a stretcher and call in a surgeon!"</p> + +<p>"I'd rather——" replied Tzifra. "Don't you think me such a fool as all +that. I'm entitled to a reward of five hundred florins, and if I go, my +comrades will come and claim the money. And, after all, your worships +are my witnesses that it was I who shot him!"</p> + +<p>"If you don't go this very moment, I'll blow your brains out!" shouted +Akosh, taking up a pistol which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_232" id="Page_III_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> had fallen from Viola's hands. "Be off! +I'll give the blood-money if no one else will!"</p> + +<p>His threats and promises induced Tzifra to hasten away. Young Rety and +the curate remained with Viola, and when the two Pandurs came up they +were at once despatched for some water; but neither the water, nor the +words of comfort and consolation spoken by Vandory, availed to break +through the deep slumber of death which lay on the wounded man.</p> + +<p>Half an hour passed thus, and already did the people from the village +flock to the spot, when Viola gave some signs of returning life.</p> + +<p>He moved his limbs, opened his eyes, and looked around.</p> + +<p>"Do you know me?" said Akosh, leaning over him, and taking his hand. +"Pray look at me, Viola!"</p> + +<p>"I know you!" replied the outlaw, with a broken voice. "It's well you +are here, for it's you I wanted to see."</p> + +<p>He raised his hand, and made a vain attempt to open his dress.</p> + +<p>"Open my coat for me!" said he. "Take the papers away. They are Mr. +Tengelyi's papers, which Jantshi the Jew and Catspaw the attorney stole. +I came to restore them to their owner."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_233" id="Page_III_233">[Pg 233]</a></span>Akosh took the papers in his hand.</p> + +<p>"They are covered with blood!" groaned the outlaw. "There's some fresh +blood on them; but it's no matter,—it's my own blood. Mr. Tengelyi +deserved well of me,—we are quits now. Tell him I kiss his hands, and +don't let him say that Viola was a reprobate who returned evil for +good!"</p> + +<p>While he spoke, the people of the village came in crowds and stood round +him.</p> + +<p>Vandory advanced, and said,—</p> + +<p>"My friend, perhaps you are not aware of the fearful suspicion which +rests on Mr. Tengelyi, on account of these very papers?"</p> + +<p>"I know all about it!" replied Viola. "Janosh told me everything; and it +was for the purpose of clearing him from suspicion that I came to +deliver myself to the magistrates."</p> + +<p>With a violent effort he raised himself on his arm, and exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Men of Tissaret, listen to me! Whoever says that it was Mr. Tengelyi +who killed the attorney, that man tells an untruth, no matter who he be! +<i>I</i> am the murderer. I intended to take the papers which the attorney +and the Jew stole from the notary. He threatened to shoot me, and I slew +him. The notary is not guilty of the murder, so help me God!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_234" id="Page_III_234">[Pg 234]</a></span>He fell back, and lay motionless. The villagers were deeply moved by his +words. They stood silent, and many of them wept.</p> + +<p>"Poor fellow!" said an old peasant at length, "why has fate dealt with +you in this manner? You were a good neighbour, and I thought you would +close my eyes after my death, as I closed your father's eyes before +you."</p> + +<p>Viola turned his glance upon the speaker.</p> + +<p>"Old man," said he, "when you pass my house, and see it desolate or +inhabited by strangers, you will not forget Viola, your neighbour, who +owned it in former times. God sees my soul! it was not by my own fault +that I came to be what I am. May God have mercy upon me, and upon those +who made me a robber!"</p> + +<p>"Clear the way! let me pass! for mercy's sake, let me come to him!" +cried a female voice at a distance; and as the people fell back on each +side, old Mother Liptaka came running up to her dying kinsman.</p> + +<p>"Take him up!" cried she. "Why don't you take him to the village? +There's life, and hope, and help! Come along, some of you, and carry him +to my house!"</p> + +<p>"Leave me alone, coz!" said Viola, drawing his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_235" id="Page_III_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> breath with great +difficulty; "leave me alone! Nothing can do me good. It's over with me, +and it serves me right. There's blood on my hands, and I pay for it with +my own blood. Heaven is just, coz! But since die I must, let me die here +in the free air of heaven, and in the warm rays of the sun."</p> + +<p>His voice grew fainter and fainter.</p> + +<p>He moved his hand.</p> + +<p>The Liptaka, obedient to his wish, knelt down by his side.</p> + +<p>"Go to Susi, coz!" said he; "tell her I implore her pardon for having +deceived her when I left my home. Tell her I could not help it. I could +not abandon my benefactor in his distress; and if I had told her what I +was going to do——"</p> + +<p>The words died on his pale lips. Once more did he open his eyes on the +clear blue sky, on the distant village, and the people around him. He +closed them again. A strange smile passed over his face, and with his +last breath he whispered,—</p> + +<p>"<i>Susi!</i>"</p> + +<p>"May God have mercy on every sinner!" said the old peasant. "He has much +to answer for!"</p> + +<p>"His sufferings were great!" said Vandory. "May the earth be light to +him, after the struggles of this life!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_236" id="Page_III_236">[Pg 236]</a></span></p> + +<h3 class="newchapter"><a name="CONCLUSION" id="CONCLUSION"></a>CONCLUSION.</h3> + + +<p>It is scarcely necessary to detail the results of Viola's last +confession. Tengelyi's liberation and the alliance of his house with the +Retys, and of the Retys with the Kishlakis, by means of Kalman and +Etelka, were its first fruits. The happy consummation of the wishes of +the young people, and the heartfelt contentment which expressed itself +in the faces of all around him, sufficed to rouse Mr. Rety from the +gloomy lethargy into which the events detailed in this history, and +especially the death of his wife, had sunk him. He did not, indeed, feel +at ease in his official position, which he resigned, under the pretence +of ill health; nor at Tissaret, for the place reminded him of many +things which he wished to forget; but he sought and found all his heart +longed for in his dignified retirement at Dustbury. He was respected by +all factions, for he never opposed any, and he was the favourite of the +ruling party, whatever it might be, for his political opinions were +always exactly those of the majority. Some people believed that he +intended to remove to Pesth. They were mistaken. Rety was the first man +in Dust<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_237" id="Page_III_237">[Pg 237]</a></span>bury: he did not care to follow, since he might lead. Besides, +he became, in course of time, sincerely attached to old Kishlaki, who +disliked Pesth, and who preferred Dustbury, his pipe, and the frequency +of his intercourse with his son, Kalman, and his daughter-in-law, +Etelka, to all the capitals of Europe. It need hardly be said, that Mr. +Kishlaki was not any longer, nor did he ever intend to act again as, +president of a court-martial.</p> + +<p>The notary was moody and depressed for many months. Misfortunes are apt +to spoil the most facile temper, and Mr. Tengelyi's temper was <i>not</i> +facile. His wife's entreaties could never induce him to inhabit the +Castle of Tissaret, and to join the family circle of Akosh and Vilma +Rety. But the happiness which surrounded him, the beneficial influence +which he, the father-in-law of the lord of the manor, exercised over the +condition of the inhabitants of Tissaret, and the conversation of his +friends, Völgyeshy and Vandory, conquered his habitual ill-humour, and +made him, in course of time, an agreeable and even indulgent member of +the circle in which he moved.</p> + +<p>As for Mr. Paul Skinner, his fate was simple in the extreme. An +unfortunate mistake which he committed, by compelling the peasants of +Garatsh to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_238" id="Page_III_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> repair his house instead of the roads, caused the High Court +to deprive him of his office, and, with it, of all the means he +possessed to attract attention or merit public reproof. If he is still a +tyrant—for nothing is known of his present doings—he must confine his +oppression to his family circle, where it is but too likely that he will +at length meet with opposition.</p> + +<p>Susi was anxiously waiting for her husband's return when the news of his +death reached her. It came upon her like lightning: she fell, and lay in +a death-like swoon. When she returned to consciousness, she arose and +went to the graves of her children, which were for the first time +covered with the fresh verdure of spring. She knelt down and took her +leave of all that remained of her loved ones; and, having done this, she +consented to accompany the Mother Liptaka to Tissaret. She asked, as a +favour, that she might be allowed to live in the house which she and her +husband formerly inhabited. Akosh Rety had the house repaired, and +everything arranged as it was when Viola was an honest and thriving +peasant. It was there Susi lived, lonely and solitary, speaking to no +one, and never leaving her room except by night. After sunset she would +go to the Turk's Hill, where she remained till morning dawned on the far +plain.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_239" id="Page_III_239">[Pg 239]</a></span>Some months passed in this manner. Akosh and Vilma (now his loving wife) +were walking on a fine evening in June to the Turk's Hill, when they +were startled by a female voice, singing the words of the psalm:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0q">"Oh that to me the wings were given,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Which bear the turtle to her nest!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That I might cleave the vaults of heaven,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And flee away, and be at rest!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Vilma knew the singer.</p> + +<p>Early next morning, when the peasants went to their work in the fields, +they found a woman lying on her face, close to the Turk's Hill, on the +spot where Viola had breathed his last.</p> + +<p>They tried to wake her, but they could not. Susi slept, never to wake +again!</p> + +<hr class="thin" /> + +<p>My work is done; and nothing now remains but to say adieu to my readers. +But before I close this book, let me turn to the boundless plain of my +country, and to the scene of the joys and sorrows of my youth, to the +banks of the yellow Theiss! There is a beauty in the mountains; there is +a charm in the broad waters of the Danube: but to me there is a rapture +in the thought of the pride of Hungary,—her <i>green plain</i>! It extends, +boundless as the ocean;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_240" id="Page_III_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> it has nothing to fetter our view but the deep +blue canopy of Heaven. No brown chain of mountains surrounds it; no +ice-covered peaks are gilded by the rays of the rising sun!</p> + +<p>Plain of Hungary! Thy luxuriant vegetation withers where it stands; thy +rivers flow in silence among their reed-covered banks: Nature has denied +thee the grandeur of mountain scenery, the soft beauty of the valley, +and the majestic shade of the forest, and the wayfaring man who +traverses thee will not, in later years, think of one <i>single</i> beauty +which reminds him of thee; but he will never forget the awe he felt when +he stood admiring thy vastness; when the rising sun poured his golden +light on thee; or when, in the sultry hours of noon, the <i>Fata Morgana</i> +covered thy shadeless expanse with flowery lakes of fresh swelling +waters, like the scorched-up land's dream of the sea which covered it, +before the waters of the Danube had forced their way through the rocks +of the <i>Iron Gate</i>; or at night, when darkness was spread over the +silent heath, when the stars were bright in the sky, and the herdsmen's +fires shone over the plain, and when all was so still that the breeze of +the evening came to the wanderer's ears, sighing amidst the high grass. +And what was the feeling which filled his breast<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_241" id="Page_III_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> in such moments? It +was perhaps less distinct than the sensations which the wonders of +Alpine scenery caused in him; but it was grander still, for thou, too, +boundless Plain of my country, thou, too, art more grand than the +mountains of this earth. A peer art thou of the unmeasured ocean, +deep-coloured and boundless like the sea, imparting a freer pulsation to +the heart, extending onward, and far as the eye can reach!</p> + +<p>Vast Plain, thou art the image of my people. Hopeful, but solitary; thou +art made to bless generations by the profuseness of thy wealth. The +energies which God gave thee are still slumbering; and the centuries +which have passed over thee have departed without seeing the day of thy +gladness! But thy genius, though hidden, is mighty within thee! Thy very +weeds, in their profusion, proclaim thy fertility; and there is a boding +voice in my heart which tells me that the great time is at hand. Plain +of my country, mayst thou flourish! and may the people flourish which +inhabit thee! Happy he who sees the day of thy glory; and happy those +whose present affliction is lightened by the consciousness that they are +devoting their energies to prepare the way for that better time which is +sure to come!</p> + +<hr class="wide" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_242" id="Page_III_242">[Pg 242]</a></span></p> + +<h3><a name="NOTES_III" id="NOTES_III"></a>NOTES TO VOL. III.</h3> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_III_I" id="NOTE_III_I"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_III_I">Note I.</a></span><br /> +KITCHEN-PRISONER.</p> + +<p>In all matters of internal management, the Hungarian prisons have always +been arranged on the self-supporting system. While the service of the +house, the feeding and airing, and the discipline, were in the hands of +the haiduks, who acted as turnkeys, the meaner work was done by the +prisoners. A few of them were always chosen to clean the wards and +cellars, to sweep the yard, to cook the prisoners' dinners, and (not +unfrequently) to assist the servants of those among the magistrates who +occupied chambers in the county-house. The men who were used for this +kind of work were called "<i>kitchen-prisoners</i>;" and as the occupation +was not only a distinction but also a means of making them comfortable, +the post was eagerly competed for. So accustomed were the magistrates to +see certain functions discharged by prisoners instead of by free men, +that once upon a time, when not a single evil-doer was confined in the +county gaol of Wieselburg, and when the haiduks refused to sweep, char, +and cook, such occupations being "<i>infra dig.</i>," the worshipful +magistrates assembled, and, for the purpose of putting an end to so +disgraceful a state of things,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_243" id="Page_III_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> resolved to <i>hire a prisoner</i>, meaning +thereby the engaging of a person who, for a certain pecuniary +consideration, would condescend to act as servant to the turnkeys. This +resolution was carried out, and the man whom they engaged was ever +afterwards designated by the name of "<i>The hired kitchen-prisoner</i>."</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_III_II" id="NOTE_III_II"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_III_II">Note II.</a></span><br /> +AGONY.</p> + +<p>The Hungarian criminal law held that the moral sufferings of a culprit +on the eve of execution are quite as severe a punishment as death +itself. Hence, if a culprit was hanged, and the rope broke, he was +usually released. A free pardon was also granted to those whom the +headsman failed to kill in three blows. If a culprit escaped, the +circumstance that he had been ordered to be executed, and that he had +suffered "<i>the agonies</i>," was a great point in his favour whenever he +was recaptured and brought to trial.</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_III_III" id="NOTE_III_III"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_III_III">Note III.</a></span><br /> +URBARIUM.</p> + +<p>Whatever travellers and politicians may have asserted to the contrary, +Hungary has not, for many years back, known any privileges of race. Her +social and legislative distinctions were founded on <i>class privileges</i>. +In the very first year of her history we find, indeed, a distinction +between a governing and a governed race. When Arpad invaded the country, +his companions and the aborigines who joined him were free. But the +majority<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_244" id="Page_III_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> of the Slowaks, who opposed him, were defeated and reduced to +servitude. The number of the serfs was increased by the frequent +predatory excursions into Southern Germany, Greece, and Upper Italy, in +which the followers of Arpad indulged, and from which they returned with +treasures, cattle, and captives. The latter remained as bondsmen on +Hungarian soil.</p> + +<p>When St. Stephen, king of Hungary, induced his people to embrace the +Christian faith (in the year 1000), all Christians, even the serfs, and +all converts to Christianity, became free men; but all heathens were +reduced to, and remained in, servitude. Hence many nationalities were +emancipated, while part of the original Magyars became serfs. This is +the origin of the Hungarian <i>peasantry</i>.</p> + +<p>In the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth centuries, the Hungarian +peasant had ceased to be a serf. He was merely "<i>glebæ adscriptus</i>," and +bound to a <i>robot</i>; that is to say, he was compelled to work for two +days each week for the benefit of the lord of the soil. In return, a +certain portion of land (from thirty to forty acres) was ceded to him, +and he was compelled to pay tithes to the church. The landlord had no +right to remove him from his <i>cession</i>.</p> + +<p>In the fourteenth century, the <i>robot</i>, or labour rent, was increased, +and the peasantry were moreover obliged to give one ninth of their +harvests to the landlord, but, on the other hand, they were freed from +military service. The noblemen, or, more justly speaking, the franklins, +alone defended the country against foreign invasions. At a later period, +when the Turkish wars commenced,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_245" id="Page_III_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> the attacks of that hardy, numerous, +and warlike race, placed Hungary in great jeopardy, and the franklins, +awed and terrified beyond measure, summoned the peasants to defend the +country. A law was passed compelling twenty <i>cessions</i> to produce, +equip, and maintain in the field <i>one</i> soldier; and the men who were +thus raised were called <i>hussars</i>, from <i>hus</i>, which means twenty. The +derivation of the name was of course speedily forgotten; and in later +years the Hungarian cavalry used to boast that they were called +<i>hussars</i> because each man of them was a match for twenty.<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> The nickname of the Hungarian infantry was Cherepai, or +double dealers, because it was asserted that in the exchange of +prisoners, two Turks were given for one Hungarian foot-soldier.</p></div> + +<p>In the year 1512, Cardinal Bakatsh, the archbishop of Gran, thought +proper to preach a crusade against the Turks, and to exhort the +peasantry to rally round the standard of the cross. They obeyed the call +with great readiness, but once assembled and in arms, they advanced some +new and dangerous doctrines. Property, they said, ought to be equally +divided. No one was entitled to one inch more of ground than his +neighbour. They protested that they saw no necessity for lords and +magnates, and as for the king, they put him down as a luxury. Their cry +was that Hungary was large enough for all to live in plenty, if the land +were equally divided. For the furtherance of their doctrine, and for the +purpose of giving a practical proof of their thesis, "that there was +room and plenty for all," they attacked and slaughtered, not the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_246" id="Page_III_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> Turks, +but their landlords, and all other opponents of their fraternal +democracy. Some priests who joined them directed their destructive +fanaticism against the church, and, under the cry of religious and +political liberty, all ecclesiastical and secular government was +declared to be vicious and damnable.</p> + +<p>This insurrection was at its height, when the franklins and magnates of +Hungary assembled under John Zapolya (afterwards King John), the +Voyewode of Transylvania. A war of extermination commenced, and the +forces of the fraternal democrats were eventually routed in a fierce +battle, which was fought near Szegedin. Their leader, George Dozsa, fell +into the hands of John Zapolya, who ordered him to be placed on a +red-hot iron throne, while his temples were scorched by an iron crown. +The other leaders of the insurrection were hanged, broken on the wheel, +and quartered. The Diet, which assembled immediately afterwards, +declared that the peasants had forfeited all their rights. They were +degraded to the state of serfs, <i>ad perpetuam rusticitatem</i>; that is to +say, they could never purchase their emancipation, and rise to the +estate of citizens or franklins.</p> + +<p>Fifty years later, we find some laws which prove that this cruel decree +was "more honoured in the breach than the observance." The peasants have +returned to their robot of two days each week; but nevertheless their +condition is extremely precarious, for the law of the land is still +against them, and whatever privileges they enjoy, they hold them, not by +right, but by indulgence.</p> + +<p>In 1715 occurs the first introduction of a standing army and of war +taxes. The landowners refused to pay these<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_247" id="Page_III_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> taxes, because they +protested that, as they were the proprietors of the land, and as every +burden on the peasant was a burden on his landlord, it followed that all +that the peasants paid was in reality paid by them, and that to tax +peasant and landlord meant no more than taxing the latter twice. The war +taxes were consequently paid by the peasantry. But as these taxes rested +and depended on the tenure of the peasants, the government considered +itself entitled to protect them against the encroachments of the +landowners, and to establish them irrevocably in their <i>cessions</i>.</p> + +<p>In 1764, the Empress Maria Theresa proposed a law to the Diet regulating +and determining the duties and rights of the peasantry. The Diet found +fault with the details of the bill, and rejected it. The Empress +convoked no other Diet, but, deviating from the course of the law, she +decreed that the bill should be enforced throughout Hungary by means of +Royal Commissioners. The Estates of Hungary demurred against this +decree, not only because the clauses of the bill were utterly +impracticable, but also because the interference of Royal Commissioners +was a source of great annoyance to the Hungarian magistrates and landed +proprietors. The Hungarian Chancery and the Home Office supported the +Diet in the question of details, because it was impossible to make one +rule suffice for the whole country. One councillor only, M. Izdenczy, +declared that the thing could be done, and he volunteered to prepare the +code, if the Empress consented to let him have an unlimited quantity of +Tokay from her cellars. His wish was complied with, and he undertook and +finished his gigantic<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_248" id="Page_III_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> task in the year 1771. His code was that very +year introduced throughout Hungary under the name of <i>Urbarium</i>.</p> + +<p>Izdenczy's work has a strong resemblance to the Doomsday Book. Every +village within the Hungarian countries and crownlands has its own +Urbarium put down in it, stating the number of cessions, and describing +the various tenures, burdens, and local rights (right of wood and +turf-cutting, of pasturage, &c.) of the peasants.</p> + +<p>The next Diet met in 1790, and memorialised the Crown about the <i>manner</i> +in which the law had been introduced; but no complaints were made of the +law itself, which obtained a provisional ratification under the +condition of a future revision. But the French wars compelled the Diet +to devote all its energies to matters of greater urgency, viz. to the +defence and preservation of the House of Hapsburg. At a later period the +subject would have been resumed but for the necessity under which the +Hungarians were to struggle for their constitution against the attacks +of the Emperor Francis; but still the revision of the Urbarium, though +long delayed, was at length finished in 1836 and 1839. The revised work +was far more liberal than the Urbarium of Maria Theresa: it tended to +equalise the rights and duties of the peasants; and its leading +principle was, that in no single case the condition of the peasantry +should be harder than it was in the most favoured localities in the +times of Maria Theresa. Exceptional rights were thus made general; +emancipation was henceforth possible, and attainable even by common +energy and industry. But the act of the free and unfettered emancipation +was voted by the Diet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_249" id="Page_III_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> of 1848, on the motion and by the influence of M. +Kossuth, who, while he abolished the Urbarium, induced the Diet likewise +to provide for the indemnification of the landowners. The present +emperor of Austria has revoked all the laws of 1848; but he did not +venture to repeal the Emancipation Bill. Nothing has, indeed, transpired +as to what the Austrian government proposes to do respecting the +indemnification of the landed proprietors.</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_III_IV" id="NOTE_III_IV"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_III_IV">Note IV.</a></span><br /> +TRIPARTITUM.</p> + +<p>Hungary had at no time a systematic code of civil laws, although several +jurists attempted to codify the Hungarian common law and the cases in +which it was modified by statutes. Their zeal was great, for, from the +earliest times, the Hungarian lawyers found it necessary to protect +their institutions against the encroachments of the royal prerogative, +which were the more frequent and formidable as several of the kings were +not only princes in Hungary, but also sovereigns of other countries. +Sigismund, for instance, was emperor of Germany, and king of Bohemia and +Hungary. Uladislaw I. ruled over Poland and Hungary; while Ladislaw +Posthumus, Uladislaw II., and Louis II., united the two crowns of +Bohemia and Hungary. At length Uladislaw II., who was a weak prince, and +who was nicknamed <i>Doborze</i>, from his habit of saying "Well! well!" to +everything which happened, consented to the urgent entreaties of the +Diet that the common law should be codified; and <i>Verbötzi</i>, the leader +of the opposition and a good lawyer, was instructed to compile a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_250" id="Page_III_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> code +of laws. He published his work under the title of "<i>Opus Tripartitum +juris Hungarici</i>."</p> + +<p>Verbötzi was afterwards appointed to the post of Palatine; but he was +overthrown by a junta of magnates, because they considered him as a +radical and a friend to the <i>bourgeoisie</i>. They protested that his work +was injurious to their privileges. Before the Tripartitum could be +submitted to the Diet, King Louis II. (Uladislaw's successor) died in +the battle of Mohatsh (1526). His death was the cause of a war of +succession between King John Zapolya, Prince of Grosswarasdin, and King +Ferdinand of Hapsburg. Verbötzi, who exerted himself on King John's +behalf, and who was banished by King Ferdinand, took refuge with the +Turks, who appointed him to the post of Cadi for the Christian +inhabitants of the district of Buda, where he eventually died. After his +death, the work of the exiled outlaw became the highest authority of +Hungarian jurisprudence and the standard of common law. It was never +formally enacted by the Diets; but as the kings of Austrian extraction +considered the Tripartitum as injurious to the privileges of the Crown, +they compiled another code of laws, which they published under the name +of "<i>Quadripartitum</i>" and in which they set forth and enlarged upon the +royal prerogatives. But the Quadripartitum was rejected by the Diet, who +thus acknowledged the authority of Verbötzi's Tripartitum, which since +that time has not only been considered as law, but as an integral part +of the constitution; and in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries we +meet with various statutes of the Diet, interpreting or repealing +certain paragraphs of the Tripartitum.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_251" id="Page_III_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>The most important parts of the Tripartitum are those treating of the +rights of the nobility (Trip. part i. ch. 4-9.); part ii. chap. 3., "Qui +possint condere leges et statuta;" and part iii. chap. 2. "Utrum +quilibet populus vel comitatus possit per se condere statuta."</p> + +<p>The theory of voting in Verbötzi's work is extraordinary in its way. He +has a maxim that the votes are to be weighed and not counted ("non +numeranda sed ponderanda"), and consequently he speaks of a "pars +sanior" of the community, and defends his doctrine by the following +reasoning:—</p> + +<p>"Verum si populus (<i>i. e.</i> nobilitas, part ii. ch. 4.) in duas +divideretur partes, tunc constitutio <i>sanioris</i> et potioris partis +valet. Sanior et potior pars autem ilia dicitur, in qua <i>dignitate</i> et +<i>scientiâ</i> fuerint <i>præstantiores</i> atque <i>notabiliores</i>"—Verbötzi, +Trip. part iii. ch. 8. s. 2.</p> + +<p>Among the numerous peculiarities of the work, we find "capital +punishment with a vengeance" (pœna mortis cum exasperatione) pronounced +against those who maliciously kill any member of the Diet in the course +of the session.</p> + +<p>"Præmissorum nihilominus malitiosi sub Diæta occisores aut occidi +procurantes præviâ tamen citatione <i>pœnâ mortis cum exasperatione</i> +condemnentur."</p> + +<p>Another obsolete punishment is that of making a man an "Aukarius." It is +provided by law that the slanderers of magistrates shall be condemned to +the "pœna infamiæ;" and, in explanation of this punishment, we learn +that the culprit shall be made "ut omni humanitate exuatur." He is +struck with what the Code Napoleon would term "mort civile," and, in +token of his condemnation, a <i>rope</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_III_252" id="Page_III_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> is tied round the culprit's body +(the rope being the mark of infamy, which monks wear to show that they +have resigned the pomps and vanities of this wicked world), and as the +sentence is being publicly read to him, a <i>goose</i> is placed into his +hands. The Hungarian word for goose is <i>oeke</i>, and from thence the Latin +name of the person so treated is <i>Aukarius</i>.</p> + + +<p class="note"><a name="NOTE_III_V" id="NOTE_III_V"></a><span class="smcap"><a href="#SEE_NOTE_III_V">Note V.</a></span><br /> +HAIDUKS ON HORSEBACK.</p> + +<p>The hussars are the Hungarian cavalry, while the haiduks or pandurs are +foot-soldiers. Both hussars and pandurs act as county police. Whenever +the <i>statarium</i> was proclaimed in any county, the <i>persecutor</i>, or chief +of the county police, was instructed to provide horses for a reasonable +number of haiduks, and to send them in quest of robbers.</p> + + +<p class="theend">END OF THE THIRD VOLUME.</p> + + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">London</span>:<br /> +<span class="smcap">Spottiswoodes</span> and <span class="smcap">Shaw</span>,<br /> +New-street-Square.</p> + +<hr class="wide" /> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Transcriber's Note: This novel was originally published in three +volumes, without a table of contents. The title pages for the second and +third volumes have been omitted, and a table of contents has been +created for this electronic edition. Also, the following typographical +errors present in the original edition have been corrected.</p> + +<p>In the Preface, "attempted to pourtray" was changed to "attempted to +portray".</p> + +<p>In Volume I, Chapter IV, "Had it not been for the younker Akosh" was +changed to "Had it not been for the younger Akosh".</p> + +<p>In Volume I, Chapter V, a period was added after "know him as I know +him", "gave Mr. Kislaki to understand" was changed to "gave Mr. Kishlaki +to understand", and "Baron Shoskuti; and Mr. Kriver, the recorder" was +changed to "Baron Shoskuty; and Mr. Kriver, the recorder".</p> + +<p>In Volume I, Chapter VI, a quotation mark was added after "the same as +they were before".</p> + +<p>In Volume I, Chapter VII, a period was added after "afraid for their +money".</p> + +<p>In Volume I, Chapter VIII, "an argument on Vetsöshi's abilities" was +changed to "an argument on Vetshösy's abilities".</p> + +<p>In Volume I, Chapter X, "Dont stand losing your time" was changed to +"Don't stand losing your time".</p> + +<p>In Volume I, Chapter XI, "his wife—— can" was changed to "his +wife——can", and a quotation mark was added before "I didn't think I +could be happier".</p> + +<p>In Volume II, Chapter II, a quotation mark was added before "Od's +wounds!".</p> + +<p>In Volume II, Chapter III, "its not a gentleman's carriage" was changed +to "it's not a gentleman's carriage", "an iron gripe" was changed to "an +iron grip", and "Even Messrs Skinner and Catspaw" was changed to "Even +Messrs. Skinner and Catspaw".</p> + +<p>In Volume II, Chapter V, "if Mr. Skinner's likes it better" was changed +to "if Mr. Skinner likes it better", "be took another parcel" was +changed to "he took another parcel", a period was added after "still +smiling", "as Skoskuty called it" was changed to "as Shoskuty called +it", "a resolulution to that effect" was changed to "a resolution to +that effect", and "sighed Kisklaki" was changed to "sighed Kishlaki".</p> + +<p>In Volume II, Chapter VIII, "to keep them sober" was changed to "To keep +them sober".</p> + +<p>In Volume II, Chapter X, "knew to be an accessary" was changed to "knew +to be an accessory".</p> + +<p>In Volume III, Chapter I, "Do not distress youselves" was changed to "Do +not distress yourselves".</p> + +<p>In Volume III, Chapter II, a quotation mark was added after "nothing can +be easier to Mr. Tengelyi".</p> + +<p>In Volume III, Chapter III, "the keeper of Dustbury goal allowed each +prisoner" was changed to "the keeper of Dustbury gaol allowed each +prisoner", "hade made the cold" was changed to "had made the cold", and +"utterly digusted with this resolution" was changed to "utterly +disgusted with this resolution".</p> + +<p>In Volume III, Chapter V, a period was added after "retorted Rety", and +"not allowed to, abandon her" was changed to "not allowed to abandon +her".</p> + +<p>In Volume III, Chapter VI, "said Jonash, shaking his head" was changed +to "said Janosh, shaking his head".</p> + +<p>In Volume III, Chapter VIII, a quotation mark was added before "Is there +no means of salvation?".</p> + +<p>In Volume III, Chapter IX, "It's true I havn't seen him" was changed to +"It's true I haven't seen him", and "dotted with flocks and herds of +cattle and and horses" was changed to "dotted with flocks and herds of +cattle and horses".</p></div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Village Notary, by József Eötvös + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VILLAGE NOTARY *** + +***** This file should be named 34819-h.htm or 34819-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/8/1/34819/ + +Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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