Part 51 (2/2)

”Do not suppose that my influence is so great as people say it is. They say that my word is law in Mr. Rety's house. The sheriff and his wife's doings are put down as mine. They have the benefit of the obloquy which falls on me, but I have the vexation and the enmities which ought to be their share. G.o.d knows, things would be far different if I had my will.

But--never mind! I _have_ some influence in Rety's house, and perhaps I can exert it to your advantage. Mr. Tengelyi, I understand, has been summoned to show cause why he should not be considered as being in a state of _villanage_?”

The coolness with which this question was asked by the very man whom she considered as the prime mover of her husband's troubles, surprised Mrs.

Tengelyi to such an extent that she was unable to make any reply.

”And I learn,” continued the attorney, ”that the papers, by means of which he expected to prove his n.o.ble descent have been feloniously abstracted from these premises?”

”If anybody ought to know, it is you!” cried Mrs. Tengelyi, with utter disgust.

”I understand you,” said Mr. Catspaw, with a placid smile; ”and I am free to confess that I feel hurt that I, of all men, should be suspected of such a thing. Even if such an action were not repugnant to my feelings, I cannot understand what hopes of profit or advantage it could possibly hold out to me. I have no claims on Mr. Tengelyi. His rights or wrongs have no influence on my fortunes or interests. To suppose that I should be guilty of the gratuitous perpetration of such a crime is simply absurd.”

”I cannot dispute with you; but, from what my husband says, and from what we have heard of Viola's depositions, it appears----”

”But, dearest Mrs. Ershebet, if this were the case, can you think that I would have dared to come to your house? Why it were the greatest piece of impertinence,--and of folly” (added he, seeing that the former supposition seemed by no means unlikely to Mrs. Tengelyi,) ”and, indeed, of madness, if, after so much danger and risk for the purpose of wronging Mr. Tengelyi, I would now exert myself for his advantage.”

”As yet we have no proofs of your wish to do any such thing,” dryly remarked Mrs. Tengelyi.

”Heaven knows,” said Mr. Catspaw, with a pious look to the ceiling,--”Heaven knows, madam, how unjustly you treat me! If you could but know what I did to prevent the person--but no matter! I intend to give you proofs of my friends.h.i.+p, and to gain the esteem even of Mr.

Tengelyi, your respected husband.”

”G.o.d grant it! As far as in us lies, you may rely on our grat.i.tude.”

”No grat.i.tude! Do not mention it! What I want is your friends.h.i.+p. The papers,” added the attorney, looking cautiously round, and drawing his chair to Mrs. Tengelyi's side, ”I say, are the papers such that they give full and satisfactory proofs of your husband's n.o.ble descent?”

”Of course they do. What of that?”

”Indeed, indeed!” said Mr. Catspaw, abstractedly. ”Important matter!

Valuable papers! What baptism is in the kingdom of Heaven, that is n.o.ble descent in the kingdom of Hungary. I understand your grief now, and especially when I think what is to become of your little boy!----”

”For G.o.d's sake, cease to torment me! If you know what has become of them----”

”But tell me,” said Mr. Catspaw, ”have you lost _all_ your papers? Are none of the doc.u.ments left?”

”None!” sighed Mrs. Tengelyi. ”They were tied in a parcel, and they are all gone. But if you know where they are, I pray, I entreat you to tell me. If I have ever offended you, pray consider that my children, at least, are innocent of any grudges you may think you owe me!”

Mr. Catspaw had some difficulty to conceal the joy he felt at the effect of his words.

”Alas!” said he, with a sigh, ”if it were my own case--believe me, dearest Mrs. Ershebet, if I only knew where the papers are, I'd walk a thousand miles to restore them to you!”

”Do you mean to say that you do _not_ know where they are?” cried Mrs.

Tengelyi, with amazement.

”How should I? Do but consider the matter. What Viola says is a mere invention. Let me ask you again: what are those doc.u.ments to _me_, that I should commit a felony for them?”

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