The other seemed not exactly to relish this answer. "I am going to leave for home to-morrow," said he; "what word shall I carry to your mother from you?"
"Ah, you live in our neighbourhood, do you?" blandly inquired the young hussar officer.
At this the polygonal gentleman nearly lost command of himself, while Jenő tried to look as if his attention were elsewhere engaged.
"What message, then, do you wish to send?" resumed Richard's interlocutor.
"I kiss her hand," answered the young man briefly.
"Ah, that commission I will execute with the greatest pleasure, in person," exclaimed the other, with effusive friendliness.
"Oh, you needn't feel obliged to convey my respects in such a literal sense as that," returned Richard. "I was speaking figuratively."
Jenő meanwhile had opened a conversation with the innocent-looking young lady near him; but he kept one eye on his brother, and as soon as he saw that the angular gentleman had departed, he took leave of the young lady and returned to Richard.
"Well, now, you've put your foot in it this time!" he exclaimed.
"How so?" asked the other, with much composure.