Moreover, in his whole bearing, in all his
movements, there was something precocious, a resolute, bold expression
which made one forget that he was a mere child--a sort of cynicism not
pleasant to behold.
Szilard soon had a good supper ready for him, which the youth fell to
work upon without ceremony.
"My dear Leander," said Vamhidy when the meal was over, "no doubt it is
a very fine thing when one can say that he is his own master, nor is it
so difficult to attain to such a position after all. All that is wanted
is a strength of character always true to itself. But you, my friend,
have committed follies which might easily make of you something very
different."
Coloman shrugged his shoulders.
"I have committed many follies no doubt, but I do not call to mind any
which I should be afraid to confess."
Szilard began to fancy that his suspicions were groundless.
"People are talking of a certain _bill_ which you have given in your
sister's name?"
At these words Coloman cast down his eyes upon his plate and his whole
face grew blood-red. In a scarcely audible voice he enquired: "And has
Henrietta refused to honour that bill?"
Vamhidy sighed deeply. Then it was really true that this thoughtless
child had committed the crime!
"My dear Coloman," said he, dropping the Leander now, "your sister is
the martyr of her own devotion. She was most certainly ready to
acknowledge the bill as her own; but you ought to have thought what
sacrifices she will have to make now that her grandfather has cut her
off with a shilling and her husband refuses to place such a considerable
amount at her disposal.
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