For answer Topándy blew a long mouthful playfully into the girl's face.—She must accustom herself to it: and then he hinted to Lorand that they should leave that room and go where unlimited freedom ruled.
But Czipra began to put the strings of the czimbalom out of tune with her tuning-key.
"Why did you do that?" inquired Melanie.
"Because I shall never play on this instrument again."
"Why not?"
"You will see it will be so: the cards always foretell a coffin for me; if you do not believe me, come and see for yourself."
Therewith she spread the cards again out on the table, and in sad triumph pointed to the picture portrayed by the cards.
"See, now the coffin is here under the girl in green."
"Why, that is not you," said Melanie, half jestingly, half encouragingly, "but you are here."
And she pointed with her hand to the queen of hearts.