From a boy, he seemed to have become a man all at once, and I cannot say that I liked the change.
To me he was the same loving brother he had always been, and we embraced each other with every mark of affection; but there was a sternness of purpose in his face and a determined courage that I thought ill suited one who was really little more than a lad.
The two lieutenants had very considerately gone outside, but now I called them in and introduced them to my brother.
"The general gives you little leisure time," Thurzo remarked.
"Very little," replied Stephen; "but then he gives himself less. I doubt if even Kossuth works harder."
"Glad to hear you give the dictator his due."
"Oh, I don't deny that Kossuth is an extraordinary man, a genius of the first water, and in his way a devoted patriot. Whether we win or lose the game, Kossuth's name will live for ever. Without his marvellous eloquence we couldn't have carried on the war; but though I admire the man I doubt his object. Kossuth the patriot deserves well of his country, but Kossuth the democrat is another person. We don't want a French revolution in our country."
"Bravo!" cried Dobozy. "Hungary a kingdom is my motto; and not Hungary a republic."
"The 9th Honveds are all royalists," remarked Thurzo quietly.
"And every regiment in the brigade," said Stephen. "Kossuth discovered that not very long ago."