Only a few days more remained.
These few days he must be gay and cheerful: must deceive every eye and heart, that followed attentively him who approached the end of his journey,—that no one might suspect anything.
There was still one more precaution to be taken.
Desiderius might arrive before the fatal day. In his last letter he had hinted at it. That must be prevented. The meeting must be arranged otherwise.
He hurriedly wrote a letter to his brother to come to meet him at Szolnok on the day before the anniversary, and wait for him at the inn. He gave as his reason the cynicism of Topándy. He did not wish to introduce him as a discord in that tender scene. Then they could meet, and from there could go together to visit their parents.
The plan was quite intelligible and natural. Lorand at once despatched the letter to the post.
So does the cautious traveler drive from his route at the outset, the obstacles which might delay him.
Scarcely had he sent the letter off when Topándy entered his room.
Lorand went to meet him. Topándy embraced and kissed him.
"I thank you that you chose my home as a place of refuge from your prosecutors, my dear Lorand; but there is no need longer to keep in hiding. Later events have long washed out what happened ten years ago, and you may return to the world without being disturbed."