the farewell dance, was to be the
partner of that very honorable lady, who may often be seen in your
company. The two students disputed in my presence as to who was to dance
with the 'aunt.'"

"Of course, as a piece of unusual good fortune."

"Naturally. As neither wished to give the other preference, they finally
decided to entrust the verdict to lot; on the table was a small piece of
paper, the only writing material to be found in Lorand's room after a
careful rummaging, as all the rest had just been burned. This piece of
lilac-colored paper was torn in two, and both wrote one name: these two
pieces they put in a hat and called upon me to draw out one. I did so
and read out Lorand's name."

"Do you intend to relate how your brother enjoyed himself at that
dance?"

Melanie had not heard anything.

"I have no intention of saying a single word more about that day--and I
shall at once leap over ten years. But I must hasten to explain that the
drawing had nothing to do with dancing with the 'aunt' but was the
lottery of an 'American duel' caused by a conflict between Gyali and
Lorand."

Desiderius did not remark how the coppery spots on Sarvoelgyi's face
swelled at the words "American duel," and then how they lost their color
again.

"One moment, my dear boy," interrupted Madame Balnokhazy. "Before you
continue: allow me to ask one question: is it customary to speak in
society of duels that have not yet taken place?"

"Certainly, if one of the principals has by his cowardly conduct made
the duel impossible."

"Cowardly conduct?" said Madame Balnokhazy, darting a piercing side
glance at Lorand. "That applies to you."

But Lorand was just relating to Melanie how the day-before-yesterday,
when the beautiful moonlight shone upon the piano, which had remained
open as the young lady had left it, soft fairy voices began suddenly to
rise from it. Though that was surely no spirit playing on the keys, but
Czipra's tame white weasel that, hunting night moths, ran along them.

"Yes," said Desiderius in answer to the lady. "One of the principals who
accepted the condition gave evidence of such conduct on that occasion as
must shut him out from all honorable company. Gyali wrote in forged
writing on that ticket the name of Lorand instead of his own."

Madame Balnokhazy incredulously pursed her lips.

"How can you prove that?"

"I did not cast into the fire, as Gyali bade me, the two tickets, but
in their stead the dan