[89] i.e., during the war.
One afternoon "clerk Coloman" (that was his familiar epithet) opened the door of my working-room. "I beg pardon, sir," said he, "but a cuirassier is here."
"What sort of a cuirassier?"
"A senior lieutenant."
"What does he want with me, I wonder?"
In the fifties the visit of an officer was tantamount to a challenge. Those were the days of the famous political duels in which Coloman Tisza,[90] Julius Szapary,[91] and Francis Beniczky fought with the delegated officers.
[90] The late Prime Minister of Hungary and leader of the Liberal party there.
[91] The present Prime Minister.—Since this note was written, Szapary has given way to Weckerle.
"Admit him!"
"Call me, please, if necessary," said clerk Coloman confidentially, making at the same time a significant movement with the paper-knife.