"
"Completely."
"And then, I suppose, she would have to pay the money?"
"Either pay it or be sued for it."
"Poor woman! I know she has no money. A most awkward position, most
awkward. But it does not matter; if her jewels are under lock and key,
nobody guards mine."
At these words which came straight from the best of hearts, Szilard
could not restrain himself from impressing a burning kiss on the
countess's hand so affected was he by this outburst of generosity.
"Ah, ha!" cackled the count behind his back, "so we have got as far as
that already, eh! Capital, capital, upon my word! Nay, nay, my young
friend, don't be afraid of me. Do not put yourself out in the least on
my account! God bless you, my boy!"
"To-morrow, we'll plan it all out, I'll be waiting for you at one
o'clock," whispered the countess to Szilard, "now I must go, the
cotillion is beginning."
"Don't you dance then?" enquired the count of Szilard. "Nonsense!
they'll say you are mourning somebody. Thank God, old Lapussa was not
_your_ father-in-law, but Hatszegi's. It is for him to pull a long face,
but you go and dance!"
CHAPTER XIII
TIT FOR TAT
It may seem strange to us that the rumour of Fatia Negra's nocturnal
adventure was not spread abroad in these parts, but as a matter of fact
nobody did speak of it. It seemed as if everybody who knew anything
about it, died out of the world before he could pass the news on to his
neighbour.
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