"Oh! A thousand apologies for my clumsiness. I certainly thought she was already married."
Madame Bálnokházy had time to remark that Czipra's eyes, when they looked upon Lorand, seemed like the eyes of faithfulness: and she had a delicious opportunity of cutting to the heart two, if not three people.
"Well, it seems to me what is not may be, may it not, 'Lorand?'"
"Lorand!" cried three voices in one.
"There we are! Well I have betrayed you now. But what is the ultimate good of secrecy here between good friends and relations? Yes, he is Lorand Áronffy, a dear relation of ours. And you had not yet recognized him, Melanie?"
Melanie turned as white as the wall.
Lorand answered not a word.
Instead of answering he stepped nearer to Topándy, who grasped his hand, and drew him towards him.
Madame Bálnokházy did not allow anyone else to utter a word.
"I shall not be a burden long, my dear uncle. I have taken up my residence here in the neighborhood, with Mr. Sárvölgyi, who is going to buy our property; we have just won an important suit in chancery."