Fever made the girl's imagination more irritable.
"If some misfortune should befall him on the way? If he should meet the defeated robbers? If he should be upset on one of the rickety bridges?"
Pictures of horror followed each other in quick succession in her feverish brain. She trembled for Lorand.
Then it occurred to her that he could defend himself against terrors. Why, he knew how to pray.
She clasped her hands across her breast and closed her eyes.
As she said "Amen" to herself she heard the rattling of wheels in the courtyard, and then the well-known steps approaching along the corridor.
What a relief that was!
She felt that her prayer had been heard. How happy are those who believe in it!
The door opened and the youth she worshipped stepped in, hastening to her bed and taking her hand.
"You see, I was lucky: I found him on the road. That is a good sign."