h her pocket
handkerchief. Nor did she eat anything except an apple which was just
sufficient to keep the pangs of hunger off.

Mr. Gerzson, however, fell to like a man. He had generally a good
appetite, and the lack of a dinner, the worry and trouble of the
journey, and the labour of driving had made him hungrier than ever. He
cut such whacking slices off the loaf and off the good red ham beside
him that it was a joy to watch him; after he had raised the
cluck-clucker[38] to his lips, his conversation became so entertaining
that Henrietta listened to him with delight.

[Footnote 38: _I.e._, the wine-flask.]

"But now I am not going to drink any more," said Mr. Gerzson at last,
"for it is apt to make me sleepy and I don't want to sleep to-night.
About midnight the coachman will arrive with the fresh relay of horses.
Won't your ladyship rest a little in the adjoining room?"

Henrietta shook her head.

"Well, I suppose you are right. How indeed could you remain all alone in
the room of a suicide? Let us stay together then and tell each other
tales."

"Yes, that will be nice, and I'll begin by telling papa Gerzson
something."

"I could go on listening to you till morning, it will be like the angels
singing in my ears."

So Henrietta began to tell him all about the dead hostess and about her
love, and also the story of the robber who was hanged for his companion.

Mr. Gerzson, with his head supported by his hand, listened religiously
and struck himself violently on the mouth when he was seized by an
involuntary fit of gaping.

"I cannot understand why I am so sleepy,--my eyes seem to be closing in
spite of me."

"Why don't you have a pipe then? Come light up!"

"What, light up? Your ladyship will really allow me? You are sure you
don't mind tobacco smoke? You are indeed a blessed creature. But are you
sure it won't make your head ache?"

"On the contrary, I like tobacco smoke."

Squire Gerzson half drew out his cigar case, but he immediately shoved
it back again.

"No, I won't smoke a cigar. One ought not to abuse one's good fortune. I
shall get on well enough."

Then Henrietta began to tell him of Fatia Negra's Transylvanian
exploits, of the Lucsia Cavern, of the capture of the coiners--and then
she observed that Mr. Gerzson's eyelids were sinking lower and lower and
he was nodding his head violently.

"Now you really must light up, papa Gerzson," she cried, "or you'll
never be able to keep awake."