In the corner of the corridor she found Lorand sitting beside a table. On the table a lamp was burning; before Lorand lay a book, beside him, resting against his chair, a "tomahawk."[64]
[64] The Magyar weapon is the so-called "fokos," which is much smaller than a tomahawk, but is set on a long handle like a walking stick, and only to be used with the hand in dealing blows, not for throwing purposes.
"What are you doing here?" inquired Czipra, starting back.
"I am keeping guard over you," answered Lorand. "As you said your doors cannot be locked, I shall stay here till morning lest some one break in upon you."
Czipra slunk back to her room. She met Melanie, who, candle in hand, hastened towards her, and asked what was the matter.
"Nothing, nothing. I heard a noise outside. It frightened me."
No need of simulation, for she trembled in every limb.
"You afraid?" said Melanie, surprised. "See, I am not afraid. It will be good for me to come to you and sleep with you to-night."
"Yes, it will," assented Czipra. "You can sleep on my bed."
"And you?"