"My Dear Guardian:
"I have great things to communicate to you, but at present can only write the outlines. I have found the umbrella, partly through Mrs. Müncz, partly by chance. At present I am in Glogova, at the priest's house, whose sister Veronica I have asked in marriage. She is a very pretty girl; besides, there is no way of getting at the money unless I marry her. Please send me by the messenger two gold rings from Samuel Huszák's shop, and the certificate of my birth; it must be among your papers somewhere. I should like the banns to be published the day after to-morrow.
"I remain," etc.
He told the messenger to hurry.
"I'll hurry, but the horse won't!"
"Well, use your spurs."
"So I would, but there are no spurs on sandals!"
The horse was a wretched one, but all the same, next day they heard a carriage stop at the door, and who should get out but Sztolarik himself. Great man though he was, no one was glad to see him except the priest. Veronica felt frightened. She hardly knew why, but it seemed as though a breath of cold air had entered with him. Why had he come here just now?
The old lawyer was very pleasant to her.
"So this is little Veronica?" he asked.