"You know very well that to such things" ... (I saw that she meant to say, "I am used to such things," and I pulled a wry face. She rightly understood from my pantomime that it would be scarcely proper to mention the events of "Anno Rengetegi" in the presence of her Royal and Imperial[97] bridegroom, so, with theatrical savoir-faire, she passed in an instant from the impudent nonchalance of a vivandière to the tender cooing of a turtle-dove) ... "true love is always ready to sacrifice itself." And with an enchanting smile she extended her hand to her bridegroom, who raised it with tender enthusiasm to his lips. They were just like turtle-doves.
[97] Royal as belonging to the service of the King of Hungary, Imperial as serving the Emperor of Austria.
"Eh, Wenzy?"
I felt no particular pleasure in this version of Romeo and Juliet, indeed I was half-inclined to hiss the performers.
"Before giving you my paternal blessing, my dear children," said I, "I have one question to ask you. Most honoured Mr. Lieutenant, as I understand that you were originally intended for a priest, I presume that you are a Catholic?"
"A Roman Catholic, yes."
"During the time you spent in the Seminary, then, have you not so much as learnt that a Catholic is not free to marry a Calvinist woman whom the civil tribunals have divorced from her husband; for, according to Catholic dogma, marriage is a sacrament which the secular power cannot dissolve?"
At this the bridegroom looked very much amazed.
"Neither of us thought of this certainly."