"'You haven't played me away at cards, I hope?'
"'It is not you, but my own head that I have lost. I have accepted the mission to Debreczin. I've run my head against a wall, I know. It's neck or nothing now. And they've pressed a thousand florins into my hand to make the way before me quite secure.'
"'And you have lost it all at cards this evening?'
"'How did you find that out?'
"'I have made it my study. I know well those Hippocratic countenances. Well, and what are you going to do now?'
"'Save my honour! I'll go on my way without money.'
"'Listen to me! I believe that you would be very glad to get out of this bombarded fortress—but I've no very ardent belief that you'll ever come back again. I tell you what: give me the official despatch which has to be taken, and I'll take care that it reaches the hands of the Government.'
"'But how?' inquired Rengetegi, immensely delighted.
"'That I shall not tell you. I've been turning the matter over for some time. You have only a passive part to play here. You hide yourself in the village of Izsa, which the enemy has not occupied, because it lies within the range of the guns of the fortress, and wait for me there till I return from Debreczin with the answer of the Government.'"
"And Rengetegi actually accepted the proposal?" I inquired. I now began to admire this woman.