"Have you any other brothers or sisters?"
"I don't know."
His answers showed the perturbed state of his mind, and it was with difficulty he kept his seat at table. At length the old lawyer said:
"Perhaps it would be better if your reverence were to go and look for Miss Veronica yourself; and I should be glad if you would send word to my coachman that I wish to start as soon as possible, for it is a long drive to Besztercebánya."
The priest seized the opportunity, and begging Madame Krisbay to excuse him, hurried away, for he found Veronica's absence very strange, and was beginning to get anxious. So, Madame Krisbay having retired, the two gentlemen were left alone, and a painful silence ensued. Gyuri was gazing with melancholy eyes at the canary, which was also silent now.
"You had better order your carriage, too," said Sztolarik, breaking the silence at last. "We could leave at the same time."
Gyuri murmured some unintelligible answer, and shook his head.
"But you will have to leave soon, for our part here is played out."
"I tell you it is impossible."
"Why?"