his mother, the sealing
of which had sealed his own fate, had not been posted, and could not
have prepared them for his coming.

At home they had received only the first letter.

When that letter of good tidings arrived it caused feelings of
intoxicated delight and triumph throughout the whole house.

After all they loved him still best of all. He was the favorite child
of his mother and grandmother. No word of Desiderius is required for his
heart was already united to his darling: and good Fanny was doubly happy
in the idea that she would not be the only happy woman in the house.

With what joy they awaited him!

Could he ever have doubted that the one he loved would be loved by
all?--no need to speak of her virtues: everybody knew them: all he need
say was "I love her."

It was certainly very well he did not send his mother that letter, in
which he had written of Czipra and requested his mother's
blessing:--well that he had not wounded the dearest mother's heart with
those final words--"but if you curse her whom I love--"

Curse her whom he loves!

Why should they do so? That letter brought a holiday to the house. They
arranged the country dwelling afresh: Desiderius took up his residence
in the town, handing over to his elder brother his birthright.

The eldest lady put off her mourning. Lorand's bride must not see
anything that could recall sad thoughts. Everything sad was buried under
the earth.

Desiderius could relate so much that was pleasant of the gypsy girl:
Lorand's letters during the past ten years of silence always spoke of
the poor despised diamond, whose faithful attachment had been the sunny
side of Lorand's life. They read the bundles of letters again and again:
it was a study for the two mothers. Where Lorand had been giving merely
a passing hint, they could make great explanations, all pointing to
Czipra.

Providence had ordered it so!

After the first meeting in the inn, it had all been ordained that Lorand
should save Czipra from the murderer's knife, in order to be happy with
her later.

... Why the gypsy girl was happy already.

Topandy's letter informed them that, immediately after the despatch of
the letter, Lorand would wed Czipra, and they would come home together
to the house of his parents.

So the day was known, they might even reckon the hour when they would
arrive.

Desiderius remained in town to await Lorand. He promised to bring them
out, however late they came, e