"I have known that long since: why, we read the newspapers; but I prefer to remain here. I am quite satisfied with this world."
"You have a mother and a brother from whom you have no reason to hide."
"I only wish to meet them when I can introduce myself to them as a happy man."
"That depends on yourself."
"A few days will prove it."
"Be as quick as you can with it. Let only one thought possess your mind: Melanie is now in Sárvölgyi's house. The great spiritual delight it will afford me to think of the hypocrite's death-face which that Pharisee will make when that trivial woman discloses to him that the young man, who is living in the neighborhood, is Lörincz Áronffy's son, can only be surpassed by my anxiety for you, caused by his knowledge of the fact. For, believe me, he will leave no stone unturned to prevent you, who will remind him of that night when we spoke of great and little things, from being able to strike root in this world. He will even talk Melanie over."
Lorand, shrugging his shoulders, said with light-hearted indifference:
"Melanie is not the only girl on this earth."
"Well said. I don't care. You are my son: and she whom you bring here is my daughter. Only bring her; the sooner the better."
"It will not take a week."