have put it out again."

"Never mind, Mrs. Adamecz. I feel sure you were anxious on my account,
but now go and see about some dinner for us, for we are dying of
hunger."

Veronica had become suspicious at the widow's words, and began to storm
her brother with questions; then burst out crying and turned her back
upon Gyuri, declaring they were hiding something from her. So they were
obliged to tell her the truth, and her poor little heart nearly broke
when she thought of what her brother had gone through, and what danger
he had been in.

While this was going on, Mrs. Adamecz was bustling about in the kitchen,
and giving every one plenty of work to do. Both the maids were called in
to help, and the farm-servant too.

"Come and whip this cream, Hanka. And you, Borbala, go and fetch some
salt. Is the goose plucked? Now, Matyas, don't be so lazy, run and pick
some parsley in the garden. Dear me! How very thin the good lady is whom
Miss Veronica has brought home with her. Did you see her? I shall have
hard work to feed her up and make her decently fat. Give me a saucepan;
not that one, the other. And, Borbala, grate me some bread-crumbs. But
the young man is handsome. I wonder what he wants here? What did you
say? You don't know? Of course you don't know, silly, if I don't. But
this much is certain (between ourselves of course), there is something
strange in Miss Veronica's eyes. Something has happened, but I can't
make out what."

Widow Adamecz thought of all sorts of things, both good and bad, but her
cooking was excellent, and she gave them such a dinner, that even the
lovers found their appetites.

After dinner, Gyuri sent a man on horseback with a letter to Mr.
Sztolarik in Besztercebanya.

"MY DEAR GUARDIAN:

"I have great things to communicate to you, but at
present can only write the outlines. I have found the
umbrella, partly through Mrs. Muencz, partly by chance.
At present I am in Glogova, at the priest's house,
whose sister Veronica I have asked in marriage. She is
a very pretty girl; besides, there is no way of getting
at the money unless I marry her. Please send me by the
messenger two gold rings from Samuel Huszak's shop,
and the certificate of my birth; it must be among your
papers somewhere. I should like the banns to be
published the day after to-morrow.

"I remain," etc.

He told the messenger to hurry.

"I'll hurry, but the