"Besides, seeing that Gyáli is the ladies' solicitor, and seeing that you, my dear friend, have 'manupropria' despatched Gyáli out of Szolnok—he immediately took the post-chaise and is already in Pest, or perhaps farther—it is your official duty to give an explanation to those who are waiting for their solicitor and to tell them where you have put their man—if you have courage enough to do so."
Desiderius at first drew back, but later his calm confidence and courage immediately confirmed his resolution.
"What do you say,—if I have courage? You shall soon see. And you shall see, too, what a lawyer-like defence I am able to improvise. I wager that if I put the case before them, they will give the verdict in our favor."
"Do so, I beseech you," said Lorand, soliciting his brother with humorously clasped hands.
"I shall do so."
"Well be quick: get your hat, and let us go."
Desiderius with determined steps went in search of his hat.
Czipra laughed after him. She saw how ridiculous it would be. He was going to calumniate the bridegroom before the bride. With what words she herself did not know: but she gathered from the gentlemen's talk that Gyáli had been driven from the company the night before for some flagrant dishonor. Since two days she too had detested that fellow.
Lorand meanwhile gazed after his brother with eyes flashing with a desire for vengeance.
Topándy grasped Lorand's hand.