Had I not caught her in my arms, she would have fallen. How quickly her heart beat!—and oh! that sigh, which released it! I felt its deep throb. Once more I strained her to my heart, and whispering—"But it is all still a secret," I tore myself away, and hurried back to the arbour.
Meanwhile, Uncle Gergely had announced the news, to the joy of all the assembled guests, but the rage of Mistress Debora; and when I returned I was received with such a burst of congratulations, that I was quite overpowered.
"I will bet you anything," said Uncle Gergely, "that this girl will bring anything back with her except the sugar-box, which she was sent for."
He might have betted what he liked; when little Esztike returned, her artless countenance beamed with some joyful mystery, but there was no sugar-box in her hand.
Every eye was turned upon her; it was no wonder, therefore, that she blushed like the morning sky.
"Well, where is the sugar-box?" cried Mistress Debora impatiently.
Esztike blushed still deeper, looked still more confused; but at last, when she saw that everybody began to smile on her, she ran over to her father and hid her burning face in his bosom. The old man laughed, and kissed the little bride again and again, making her face still redder with his rough beard.
"I will go for the sugar myself," said I; for I felt as if thorns were under my feet.
"Certainly, go for it, both of you," said Uncle Gergely, putting Esztike's hand in mine.
"And now I will answer for it, we shall not see the sugar box to-night," remarked the assessor on the two chairs.