he affairs of
the world, enjoys himself and laughs--who only knows himself the day of
his death.

Desiderius ventured to ask "When?"

He always thought of Czipra.

Lorand answered lightly:

"When we return."

"Whence?"

"From your wedding."

"Why, you said yours must precede mine."

"You are again playing the advocate!" retorted Lorand. "I referred not
to the execution, but to the arrangements. My banns have been called
before yours; that was my desire. Now it is your business to carry your
affair through before I do mine. Your affair of the heart can easily be
concluded in three days."

"An excellent explanation! And your marriage requires longer
preparations?"

"Much longer."

"What obstacle can Czipra present?"

"An obstacle which you know very well: Czipra is still--a heathen. Now
the first requisite here for marriage is the birth-certificate. You know
well that Topandy has hitherto brought the poor girl up in an
uncivilized manner. I cannot present her to mother in this state. She
must learn to know the principles of religion, and just so much of the
alphabet as is necessary for a country lady--and you must realize that
several weeks are necessary for that. That is what we must wait for."

Desiderius had to acknowledge that Lorand's excuse was well-grounded.

And perhaps Lorand was not jesting? Perhaps he thought the poor girl
loved him with her whole soul, and would be happy to possess these
fragments of a broken heart. Yet he had not told her anything. Czipra
had seen him in desperation over that letter: as far as the faithful,
loving girl was concerned, it would have been merely an insult, if the
idol of her heart had offered her his hand the next moment, out of mere
offended pride; and, while she offered him impassioned love, given her
merely cold revenge in return.

This feeling of revenge must soften. Every impulse guided to the old
state of things.

Meantime the marriage of Desiderius would be a good influence. He was
marrying Fanny. The young couple would, during their honeymoon, visit
Lankadomb: true love was an education in itself: and then--even
cemeteries grow verdant in spring.

The two young men reached Szolnok punctually at noon.

And thence they returned home.

Home, sweet home! At home in a beloved mother's house. A man visits many
gay places where people enjoy themselves: finds himself at times in
glorious palaces; builds himself a nest, and rears a house of his
own:--b