To Czipra this speech was very surprising. There are many who do not like overburdened sweetness.
"Ah, Melanie is far more beautiful than I," she said, casting her eyes down, and growing very serious.
"Well it is my bounden duty to believe in that, as in all the miracles of the apostles: but I cannot help it, if you have made a heretic of me."
Czipra turned her head aside and gazed down into the water with eyes of insulted pride: while Lorand, who was standing behind Gyáli, thought within himself:
("If I take you by the neck and drown you in that water, you would deserve it, and it will do good to my soul: but I should know I had murdered you: and no one should ever be able to boast of that? My name shall never be connected with yours in death.")
For Lorand might well have known that Gyáli's appearance on that day had no other object than that of reminding Lorand of his awful obligation.
"My dear boy," said Lorand patting Gyáli's shoulder playfully, "I must show what a general I should have made. I have an important journey this afternoon to Szolnok."
"Well, go; don't bother yourself on my account. Do exactly as you please."
"That's not how matters lie, Pepi: you must not stay here in the meantime."
"The devil! Perhaps you will turn me out?"