As I said beforehand, the young lady reconsidered her
position, chose the better way and consented to the marriage with the
baron. The betrothal is an accomplished fact and they signed the
marriage contract before my eyes."
"Doubtless," returned Szilard coldly.
"My friend, the girl did not make such a sour face over it as you are
doing. She was strong-minded and decided. I was amazed at the composure
with which she addressed her family, she was like the capitulating
commandant of a fortress dictating the terms of surrender. Not a tear
did she shed in their presence and yet I believe she suffered."
"Oh, she has lots of courage."
"I wish you had as much. Here is your absurd scribble, its surrender was
one of the conditions imposed. I am glad these mischievous exercises are
safely in our hands again. Don't bother your head about them any more!
The girl is going away, you will remain here, in a year's time you will
have forgotten each other."
Szilard smiled frostily.
"And that word which binds us together or tears us asunder?" said he.
"Yes, I thought of that, too. She looked me straight in the eyes for a
long time when I asked for it and I told her I wanted the real, the
genuine word. She has written it on the back of these papers, look!"
Szilard stretched forth a tremulous hand towards the papers, seized
them, turned them round, and cast one look at the word written there and
then fell at full length on the floor, striking his head against the
corner of the table so that the blood flowed.
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