est: he tore down a leaf which was
round, like a small coin; placing that on the palm of her hand, he said:

"Something no greater than the circumference of this leaf."

Two understood that he meant "a ring," but what he meant was a "bullet"
in the centre of his forehead.

How pitiless are the jests of a man ready for death.

Their happy dalliance was interrupted by the butler who came to announce
that a young gentleman was waiting to speak with Master Lorand.

Lorand's heart beat fast! It must be Desi!

Had he not received the letter? Had he not acceded to his brother's
request? He had after all come one day sooner than his deliberate
permission had allowed.

Lorand hastened up to the castle.

Topandy called after him:

"If it is a good friend of yours bring him down here into the park: he
must dine with us."

"We shall wait here by the bridge," Czipra added: and there she remained
on the bridge, she did not herself know why, gazing at those plants on
the surface of the water, that were hiding Melanie's ring.

Lorand hastened along the corridors in despondent mood: if his brother
had really come, his last hours would be doubly embittered.

That simulation, that comedy of cynical frivolity, would be difficult to
play before him.

The new arrival was waiting for him in the reception room.

When Lorand opened the door and stood face to face with him, an entirely
new surprise awaited him.

The young cavalier who had thus hastened to find him was not his brother
Desi, but--Pepi Gyali.

Pepi was no taller, no more manly-looking than he had been ten years
before; he had still that childish face, those tiny features, the same
refined movements. He was still as strict an adherent to fashion: and if
time had wrought a change in him, it was only to be seen in a certain,
distinguished bearing,--that of those who often have the opportunity of
playing the protector toward their former friends.

"Good day, dear Lorand," he said in a gay tone, anticipating Lorand. "Do
you still recognize me?"

("Ah," thought Lorand: "you are here as the finger-post of death.")

"I did not want to avoid you: as soon as I knew from the Balnokhazys
that you were here, I came to find you."

After all it was "_she_" that had put him on Lorand's track!

"I have business here with Sarvoelgyi in Madame Balnokhazy's interest--a
legal agreement."

Lorand's only thought, while Gyali was uttering these words, was--how
to behave himself