Clementina whispered Henrietta to
beware of poison, whereupon Henrietta told the landlady that she _would_
have a bit of that nice dish, and when it came she really enjoyed it,
though she did not know what it was, at which the landlady was
infinitely pleased.
Meanwhile Hatszegi came in after seeing that the carriages were put into
a dry place. He took no notice of the poor vagabonds, but hastily
demanded a change of clothes, as his own were soaking, and was amazed to
see Henrietta handling her knife and fork so well; it was the first time
on the whole journey that she had eaten with appetite. Henrietta said
that this peasant roast suited her taste.
"And now, Dame Kardos, will you put the ladies up for the night?" said
Hatszegi to the woman of the _csarda_.
"Certainly," returned the worthy woman, "I have feather mattresses
enough and bedsteads enough for as many guests of quality as your
lordship likes. This bed will be my lord baron's and this my lady's, and
this the lady attendant's!"
"Not so quick, not so quick! I shall not lie here."
"Not lie here?" cried this child of the _puszta_. "Why, pray?"
"Oh! I'll find some place or other in the tap-room outside."
"It's a way great folks have, I suppose," murmured Dame Kardos,
shrugging her shoulders, "but I never saw or heard the likes of it
before."
"But, my lord," lisped Clementina, greatly agitated, "won't those wild
vagabonds outside disturb you?"
"Me?" exclaimed Hatszegi, "how the devil can they disturb _me_?"
"They are such wicked men, surely?"
"I don't care what sort of men they are.
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