Then, turning to Kossuth, he inquired:
“Governor! have you any objection to my remaining your guest till the sun goes down, and a little after?”
“My dear captain! Why do you ask the question? You know how glad I shall be of your company.”
“Another question. Do you chance to have in your house such a thing as a horsewhip?”
“My adjutant, Ihasz, has, I believe. He is devoted to hunting.”
“Still another question. Is there among Madam’s wardrobe half a yard of black crape? A quarter of a yard will do.”
“Ah!” sighed the exile, “my poor wife’s wardrobe is all of that colour. I’m sure she can supply you with plenty of crape. But say, cher capitaine! what do you want with it?”
“Don’t ask me to tell you, your Excellency—not now. Be so good as to lend me those two things. To-morrow I shall return them; and at the same time give you an account of the use I have made of them. If fortune favour me, it will be then possible to do so.”
Kossuth, perceiving that his friend was determined on reticence, did not further press for an explanation.
He lit a long chibouque, of which some half-dozen—presents received during his captivity at Kutayah, in Turkey—stood in a corner of the room. Inviting Maynard to take one of them, the two sate smoking and talking, till the light of a street-lamp flashing athwart the window, told them the day was done.