"No, only after ten years, ten years from to-day."
"Why?"
"Don't ask me: only give me your word of honor to keep my secret. If you do not do so, you will inflict a heavy sorrow on me, and on all our family."
"But if circumstances change?"
"I said, not for ten years. And, if the whole world should dance with delight, still keep peace and don't call for me, or put my mother on my tracks. I have a special reason for my desire, and that reason I cannot tell you."
"But if they ask me, if they weep before me?"
"Tell them nothing ails me, I am in a good place. I shall take another name, [49]Bálint Tátray. Topándy also shall know me under that name. I shall find my way to his place as bailiff, or servant, whichever he will accept me as, and then I shall write to you once every month. You will tell my loved ones at home what you know of me. And they will love you twice as well for it: they will love you in place of me."
[49] A name peculiarly Magyar.
I hesitated. It was a difficult promise.
"If you love me, you must undertake it for my sake."