Part 42 (2/2)
As the judges left the room, Shoskuty said to Zatonyi:--
”G.o.d be thanked that it is over!”
”G.o.d be thanked, indeed! I've never heard of such a court-martial----”
”_Denique_, if the president is a donkey,” remarked Shoskuty.
”Yes; a man who weeps at the mere squeaking of a woman!” said Mr.
Skinner, as he joined the two worthies; ”unless we all dun him he won't allow the execution to take place.”
”It's four o'clock now, and I'll bet you any thing the dinner is spoilt; and the roast meats used to be excellent!” said the Baron, with a deep sigh.
CHAP. VIII.
On his way from the justice-room to the house, Volgyeshy met Kalman and young Rety's servant, Janosh; the former of whom held an open letter in his hand: and his stamping, his unequal paces, and the sudden manner in which he would turn upon his companion, showed that he was labouring under a strong excitement. At some distance a groom was walking two horses, whose appearance showed that their riders had paid more attention to time than to the health of their beasts.
Volgyeshy was not in a temper to seek the society of others; and observing that young Kishlaki did not see him, he turned and walked to the house. But Kalman, whose attention was directed to him by a few words from the hussar, rushed after him, and cried--
”Is it over?”
The violence with which these words were p.r.o.nounced, startled Volgyeshy.
He stood still and said:
”Yes, it is over! They had settled the matter before they commenced the sitting. But that farce--or sitting, if you like--continues still.”
”But what are you doing here? Are you not a member of the court?”
”I have a seat, but no vote; and I left them because----” Volgyeshy paused, and added: ”We had better not talk of these things here. Let us go to your room, where I'll tell you all; besides, I have a request to make of you.”
”I say, Janos.h.!.+” cried Kalman. ”Go to my servant and get something to drink. My groom will take care of your horse.”
”No, no, young gentleman!” said the old man, shaking his head; ”my horse is number one, and I'm number two. Meat after corn, sir, that's the way we did it in our time; and, besides, you see I've brought my master's own horse. He's a jewel, and I wouldn't trust him with that lad for any thing.”
”Do as you please, Janosh; but when the horse is provided for, I must see you.”
When the two young men had entered the house, Kalman turned to Volgyeshy, and said,--”Now tell me why, in the name of all that is reasonable, did you leave the court?”
”Because I would not be a party to a murder! because I scorned to be a tool in their hands--because I would not lend my hand to their knavish and diabolical designs!”
”My dear friend, you're out of temper! How can you talk of such things when my father is one of the parties concerned? I am sure _he_ would never be guilty of any knavery.”
”That was _my_ opinion. Believe me no one _can_ respect your father more than I do. He's a good and blessed man! I have always said so, and I say so now; but your father is weak, and his weakness neutralises the best feelings of his heart. The wickedness and folly of this world are not at the doors of the wicked and foolish alone, but also at the doors of those honest and good men, whose weakness and laziness,--let me say whose _gentility_,--cause them to suffer what they have the power to prevent. The wicked are powerful, not because of their numbers and strength, but because they are reckless, energetic, and daring; while the good and honest are weak, and though they would scorn to act, they are not ashamed at conniving at any meanness which they may set a-going.”
”I agree with you,” said Kalman, ”and I fear the remark applies in a manner to my father; but, abuse them as you like, only tell me what has happened!”
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