"How did you come here?"
"I am one of the many emigrants who have forfeited their country and their life; and I, who come of a good family, and who was an officer of the Honveds, must now ... go into service, and thank God if I find a mistress who is at the same time beautiful and an aristocrat, as you are."
Miss Zoë—that was the lovely woman's name—smiled, and at the same time showed two rows of pearly teeth.
"I like your looks," she said, "and I feel inclined to take you into my service, if you are satisfied with my terms."
"A lady's whim," her maid said to herself, when she noticed the ardent looks which Miss Zoë gave her manservant, "which will soon pass away." But that experienced female was mistaken that time.
Zoë was really in love, and the respect with which Lajos treated her, put her into a very bad temper. One evening, when she intended to go to the Italian Opera, she countermanded her carriage, and refused to see her noble adorer, who wished to throw himself at her feet, and ordered her groom to be sent up to her boudoir.
"Lajos," she began, "I am not at all satisfied with you."
"Why, Madame?"
"I do not wish to have you about me any longer; here are your wages for three months. Leave the house immediately." And she began to walk up and down the room, impatiently.
"I will obey you, Madame," the groom replied, "but I shall not take my wages."