I risked one more audacious attempt in this matter.
I wrote to Lorand, putting before him that the horizon all round was already so clear, that he might march round the country to the sound of trumpets, announcing that he is so and so, without finding anyone to arrest him, as it was the same whether it was ten years or eight, he might let us off the last two years, and admit us to him.
Lorand wrote back these short lines in answer:
"We do not bargain about that for which we gave our word of honor."
It was a very brief refusal.
I troubled him no more with that request. I waited and endured, while the days passed.... Ah, Lorand, for your sake I sacrificed two years of heaven on earth!
CHAPTER XX
THE FATAL DAY!
It had come at last!