here space was confined, and circumstances are more favorable to
dramatic episodes. Madame Balnokhazy then became gay and talkative. She
thanked Topandy (the old atheistical fool) thousands, millions of times,
for giving a place of refuge to her child, for guarding her only
treasure. Then she looked around to see whom else she had to thank. She
saw Czipra.

"Why," she said to Lorand, "you have not yet introduced me to your
wife."

Everybody became embarrassed--with the exception of Topandy, who
answered with calm humor:

"She is my ward, and has been so many years."

"Oh! A thousand apologies for my clumsiness. I certainly thought she was
already married."

Madame Balnokhazy had time to remark that Czipra's eyes, when they
looked upon Lorand, seemed like the eyes of faithfulness: and she had a
delicious opportunity of cutting to the heart two, if not three people.

"Well, it seems to me what is not may be, may it not, 'Lorand?'"

"Lorand!" cried three voices in one.

"There we are! Well I have betrayed you now. But what is the ultimate
good of secrecy here between good friends and relations? Yes, he is
Lorand Aronffy, a dear relation of ours. And you had not yet recognized
him, Melanie?"

Melanie turned as white as the wall.

Lorand answered not a word.

Instead of answering he stepped nearer to Topandy, who grasped his hand,
and drew him towards him.

Madame Balnokhazy did not allow anyone else to utter a word.

"I shall not be a burden long, my dear uncle. I have taken up my
residence here in the neighborhood, with Mr. Sarvoelgyi, who is going to
buy our property; we have just won an important suit in chancery."

"Indeed?"

Madame Balnokhazy did not explain the genesis of the suit in chancery
any further to Topandy, who had himself now fallen into that bad habit
of saying, "indeed" to everything, as Lorand did.

"For that purpose I must enjoy myself a few days here."

"Indeed?"

"I hope, dear uncle, you will not deny me the pleasure of being able to
have Melanie all this time by my side. I should surely have found it
much more proper to take up my quarters directly here in your house, if
Sarvoelgyi had not been kind enough to previously offer his hospitality."

"Indeed?" (Topandy knew sometimes how to say very mocking "indeeds.")

"So please don't offer any objections to my request that I may take
Melanie to myself for these few days. Later on I shall bring her back
again, and leave her here