Not Made For
Marriage
The next morning, Lina and Julija set out on a shopping expedition they had been planning for a while. Mrs. Polgār had invited the Grums to her New Year's party, and both ladies felt that it would not be a good idea to attend a New Year's party wearing an old gown.
They went to a modiste's shop that both Mrs. Lazar and Miss Polgār had strongly recommended, and had a look at the articles displayed there. Lina glanced longingly at a red silk gown, but she knew her Mama's views on What Young Ladies Did, and wearing red silk was something she would not approve of. With a sigh, Lina turned to Julija, who was trying to draw Lina's attention to a light blue dress, with embroidery on the bodice and the hem of the skirt.
"Look," she said. "This one is lovely! You should buy something like it -- I am sure it would suit you perfectly."
"But I already have a blue dress," Lina protested, casting another longing look at the red gown that had taken her fancy. Julija followed her gaze and said, "It is wonderful, isn't it? Such a rich colour..."
"Do you think it would become me?" Lina asked.
"I am certain it would," Julija answered. "But I had rather not hear what your Mama would have to say about it. She would never forgive me if I let you show yourself in public in such a dress. Such a red...and so revealing, too! Impossible! It would probably be the last time she ever let you go anywhere with me."
"My mother does not understand," Lina complained. "Why should a girl not wear red if she feels like it?"
"Young ladies should try not to put themselves forward, Lina, and you must admit that red does draw people's attention to it. Once you are married, you can wear whatever you like -- if your husband can afford it, of course, but as long as you are single, your mother will always have a say in your clothing matters."
"It is almost enough to make me think of marrying," Lina said with a mischievous smile. Julija laughed.
Finding themselves addressed by one of the young ladies who attended to the customers, they postponed the discussion to a more convenient time and place.
After some negotiation, they finally compromised -- Lina was to have a dress made very much in the style of the red gown (though the neckline would be a bit more decorous), but it would have to be a colour her mother could not possibly find a fault with. Julija tried again to persuade Lina to choose a blue fabric, but Lina decided on some eau-de-nil silk instead.
"I do not always want to wear the same colours," she said, and Julija gave in.
Julija settled for the blue dress she had recommended to Lina before and after the measurements for their new gowns had been taken, they left the shop. They were walking down the street towards St Stephen's Square, when suddenly Julija stopped and said, faintly, "I think I need to sit down somewhere." Lina, supporting Julija as well as she could, directed her to the nearest shop, which happened to be a chemist's. While Julija sat down in one of the chairs lined up along the wall to accommodate customers during their wait, Lina hurried to the counter to ask for assistance. Just as she was trying to catch the apothecary's attention, Mrs. Horvāth entered the shop. She saw Julija sitting there and, grasping the situation at once, offered to convey them to Annagasse in her own carriage which was just waiting outside. The apothecary, feeling that a fainting lady on his premises was not the sort of publicity he liked, was only too glad to help Julija into the carriage and take Mrs. Horvāth's orders. Then he hurried back into the shop, and Mrs. Horvāth instructed her coachman to take them to Annagasse immediately. There, she escorted the two ladies into their house and saw to it that Julija's maid took her mistress to her bedroom.
"Can I do anything to be of assistance," she asked Lina the moment Julija had left them. "Does your sister-in-law often have such fainting fits?"
"No, she is not prone to them at all," Lina said. "I think today was the first time she ever had such a thing. What am I to do?"
"Send for a doctor, of course," Mrs. Horvāth said. "Does your brother have a family doctor in Vienna?"
"I do not think so, we never needed one until now," Lina said.
"What a lucky coincidence I happened to meet you," Mrs. Horvāth exclaimed. "I know just the man to attend to your sister -- I consult him every time when something is wrong with me. He is excellent, and has a great deal of experience. -- With your permission, Miss Grum, I will send for him at once."
Lina expressed her gratitude and suggested that she should go and tell her brother what had happened.
"Oh, I would not if I were you," Mrs. Horvāth said. "Men cannot handle such situations, they either act as if it does not concern them or they fret and are constantly in the way. My own dear husband -- may he rest in peace -- was one of the former sort, though he managed to get in everybody's way nevertheless. - Wait until Dr Levy has seen your sister -- there is still plenty of time to let your brother know afterwards and, what is more, you shall know what to tell him. No need to upset him now."
Lina agreed with Mrs. Horvāth, and Mrs. Horvāth wrote a short note to summon Dr Levy to the Grums' house. Then she handed the letter to one of the servants, telling him to take the note to Dr Levy's in _________gasse and be quick about it, and finally took leave of Lina.
"Your sister will be in excellent care with Dr Levy," she said, and added, "If you need anything, Miss Grum, do not be afraid to drop me a line. I shall be only too glad to help. -- And do not worry too much about your sister. Such things as her faintness happen at times, to all of us."
Half an hour later, Lina heard the doorbell ring and knew that the doctor had arrived. Shortly after that, Jakob entered the drawing room, looking for Julija. Seeing that there was no point in keeping the truth from Jakob, Lina told him what had happened. He turned pale, but bore the news rather well.
"Why did you not tell me at once?" he simply wanted to know.
"Mrs. Horvāth said that there was no use upsetting you before we knew what was wrong," Lina replied. "I hope you are not too angry with me, but really, I was going to tell you." Lina doubted that Jakob heard much of her explanation; he was pacing up and down in front of her and was clearly agitated.
"How long has the doctor been with her," he asked.
"No longer than ten minutes," Lina said. "I suppose it will take some time -- he will need to examine her, after all. But, Jakob, Mrs. Horvāth said that we should not worry too much. She said such things happened now and then, to all of us."
"Mrs. Horvāth! What does she know?" Jakob exclaimed angrily.
"There is no need for you to yell at me, Jakob, and there is no need to abuse Mrs. Horvāth, either, after all she has done for us," Lina said severely.
"I am sorry," Jakob said. "I am so worried -- I can hardly restrain myself ..."
"I know, Jakob, but you will see, the doctor will put your mind at rest."
Jakob stayed with Lina in the drawing room until Dr Levy joined them, and then led the doctor to his study to hear more about Julija's state of health. Lina was a bit vexed that she was not included, after all, she worried about Julija, too -- but then she thought that certainly Jakob would acquaint her with the facts as soon as he knew them. So she remained in the drawing room and tried to make herself useful by taking up some needlework to pass her time.
~~~o~~~
A couple of days after the dinner party at Annagasse, Janos was just in his office composing a chilly letter to Mrs. Petek's relatives when he received an invitation from Jakob Grum to join him at Café Hugelmann for a game of billiards in the afternoon. Janos smiled. Apparently, Mrs. Grum's illness had not been too bad -- his mother had told him of her encounter with the Grum ladies, and he had been seriously worried, especially as he had recalled Grum's apprehensions regarding his wife's health. He interrupted the composition of the Petek-letter to write a couple of lines in reply to Grum's note. Having sent one of the young recruits to deliver it, he turned back to his task.
So far, he had pointed out that he did not relish the Petek's interference in his affairs. He had told them that their son had apparently had enough sense to foresee a situation like this, and had therefore taken precaution against a separation of his children and their mother by appointing him, Janos Horvāth, to be their guardian. He would thank them to leave Mrs. Petek in peace and to apply to him, should they have any desire to change the status quo -- although he did not see any reason why it should be changed anywhere in the near future. Janos reread the letter with some pleasure -- he imagined how the Peteks would react on it and wished he could see them when they received the letter. Hopefully they would realise the futility of their intervention and leave Mrs. Petek alone in the future.
Seeing how they had treated their own son, Janos felt little to no compassion for them. No son of his -- should he ever live to have any -- would be treated as Petek had been treated by his parents. Janos sealed the letter and decided to post it on his way to Hugelmann's.
"Busy, Horvāth?" came an inquiry from Lazar's desk. Lazar had been watching Janos' every move all morning, as Janos had been well aware. Janos could not help thinking that Lazar was in all probability up to something. There was something pointed in the way he was trying to act inconspicuously.
"I am never busy when I'm in my office," Janos said dryly. "You should have noticed that by now, Lazar."
He opened a file that had been lying on the desk waiting to be dealt with. Those were the figures he had been doing the day before -- a dull piece of work dealing with the Viennese garrison's stable expenses. Nothing really important, but he would check on it once more before he handed it in to be signed. Then he noticed something strange -- the sheet looked as if someone had dabbled with it. Some of the figures had been changed -- someone had been at work with a razor, blotting out Janos' figures and replacing them with different ones. The thing had been done rather clumsily, it was so obvious that Janos suspected someone had wanted this to be noticed -- though, perhaps, not by Janos.
Janos perceived Lazar's intent look but ignored it. He was certain that someone was trying to frame him, and he was certain he would not have to go very far to find that person. Without any comment, he took a new sheet of paper and started the work anew.
"Is anything wrong?" Lazar asked Janos innocently.
"Oh, yes, I have found a mistake in my calculations," Janos said calmly. "Besides, I am not going to hand in such a beastly piece of work. I wonder who ruined their razor for my sake."
Lazar went pale, but said nothing.
"It is a good thing I never sign my work until I hand it in," Janos went on. "Just imagine some helpful creature might have carried it to Polgār. The picture he would get of people working in this office!" He gave Lazar a bright smile. "We know how such trifles upset him -- just think of that business about your bills the other day. And he may not always manage to settle such an affair without the General's interference."
Lazar nodded, and went back to his desk, pretending to be concentrating on his work. Janos grinned. It had been Lazar, there was no doubt -- but knowing Lazar, Janos believed that he would not go any further with his attempts to set a trap for Janos. As for trying to harm him openly, Janos knew Lazar was too cowardly to try such a thing. Especially now that Lazar knew that Janos was fully conscious of his efforts to discredit him.
As Janos arrived at Hugelmann's, Grum was already waiting for him at one of the billiard tables. The café was crowded, as always -- which was why Hugelmann's did not usually enjoy Janos' patronage. Even though he was fond of billiards, he preferred to play in quieter surroundings. Grum greeted him cheerfully, and immediately challenged him to a game -- "I have only been able to secure this table for an hour, you know, so we should make the most of it," he said. Janos nodded and suggested that Grum should begin.
"How is Mrs. Grum," Janos asked his friend as it was Janos' turn to play on.
Grum grinned. "Fine, thank you," he said.
"I only asked because my mother told me what had happened the other day," Janos said. "I am glad to hear that Mrs. Grum has recovered." He made his shot, and missed.
"Oh, she had me worried that day," Grum said. "I was determined to pack up and leave Vienna immediately the moment she felt better. But the doctor convinced me that it would be no good if I did."
"Of course not. There is no use dragging an invalid across the country -- especially at this time of year. "
"But my wife is not an invalid," Grum protested, and made his shot, hitting his goal precisely.
"Of course not," Janos assured him.
"The thing is -- the doctor said that in her situation a fatiguing journey would do her more harm than good, so we will be staying in Vienna after all. Julija is disappointed, but between us, Levy and I managed to persuade her."
"I am glad to hear you are staying." Janos smiled. "Not many of my friends agree to play billiards with me in public places." He made his shot -- a better one than last time. Grum looked at him with raised eyebrows.
"I cannot say I blame them," he said with a grin. "So, the thing is, we will remain in Vienna until August, at least."
"August? I thought you had planned to return to Marburg in spring?"
"So I had, but Julija has managed to thwart my plan. Not that she is the only one to blame. You see...dash it, why should you not know at once, you are one of my best friends, after all? The thing is, Julija is with child."
"Is she? Why, well done, Grum," Janos said with a grin. "Congratulations! Still you have managed to leave her at home and come to play billiards with me!"
"She sent me away," Grum said, with a rueful smile. "She said if I kept hovering around her and asked her once more whether she was fine, she would scream."
Janos laughed.
"Don't laugh, Horvāth! Just you wait until you are married," Grum protested.
"How often do I have to tell you, Grum, that I am not made for marriage?" Janos asked.
"You cannot tell me often enough, for I shall not believe it," Grum said severely. "Perhaps you are not made for marriage -- but possibly marriage is made for you."
~~~o~~~
It was Christmas Day, and although it was only two o'clock in the afternoon, Janos felt as if it were ten o'clock already. Christmas Day was, in his mother's opinion, a Family day, and one ought to spend one's time with one's nearest and dearest on that occasion.
Janos had done his best to entertain his mother, but unfortunately that had not entertained him very much. To say the truth, Janos was heartily bored.
At last, after some weary discussion with his mother, he decided to retire
to the billiard room for an hour or two.
"Where are you going?" his mother demanded.
"If you need to know, Mother, I am going to the billiard room," Janos replied.
"You cannot be in earnest, Janos!" his mother cried. "Games of chance on Christmas Day! What has the world come to?"
"Billiards is not a game of chance, Mother." Janos said. "Especially not if one is playing by oneself."
"The way you play it, it is a game of chance," his mother replied icily, "and I cannot approve of it."
Janos did not wish to conjure up a family quarrel on this day, and gave in. Instead of going to play billiards, he sat down in an easy chair and grabbed the first book within his reach -- which turned out to be Virgil's Aeneid. The Devil alone knew how it had got there, Janos thought, but at least his mother would not bother him if she thought him to be absorbed with improving his mind. Unfortunately, Janos did not want to improve his mind quite as much, and so, after about half an hour, he gave up on the book and, on looking out of the window, remarked that it seemed to be a fine day.
"I think I will go for a walk," he said. "Do you care to join me, Mother?"
"In this cold?" she said. "Hardly."
"Come, Mother," Janos said. "I feel walled up in here. Let us go out for a stroll."
"But not a very long one, I hope," his mother objected. "I do not want to catch a cold."
"Mother, when did you have your last cold? Thirty years ago?"
"No, it was when ... I know what you mean, boy. Will you just give me some time to get ready?"
"Certainly."
Half an hour later, they set out in the direction of the city walls to take a walk on the Glacis. They happened to meet friends of his mother's, and so Janos walked ahead while his mother stayed behind chatting with her friends. On reaching the city gate, Janos stopped and looked around to see whether his mother was coming -- and was surprised to see a group of people coming towards him, a gentleman with two ladies -- the Grums. This was a most welcome meeting, and Janos greeted his friend perhaps more cordially than was his custom. The Grums stopped to talk with him, and when his mother joined the group it was decided that they should walk together.
Mrs. Grum and Janos' mother soon walked ahead, no doubt discussing things concerning Mrs. Grum's imminent motherhood, and Janos, Grum and Miss Grum brought up the rear.
"So, how was your Christmas, Major," Miss Grum asked.
"A rather dull affair, as always," Janos answered. "It has to be, with only my mother and myself to bear each other company. I need people around me, you see."
Miss Grum laughed. "We had a nice evening yesterday -- did we not, Jakob? -- We played cards all evening, and had a great deal of fun."
Grum nodded. "We were a merry set," he said.
Janos laughed. "I do not doubt it. As to playing cards, Miss Grum, my mother does not approve of games of chance at Christmas -- she told me so today. I spent this afternoon trying to escape boredom, and even went so far as to read Virgil."
"You must have been bored then," Grum remarked dryly.
"It was a translation, of course," Janos said, grinning. "I don't know how bored I would have to get to read Virgil in the original."
"And what exactly did you read?" Miss Grum asked.
"The Aeneid, of course," Janos said with a grin. "I had to reacquaint myself with Queen Dido, but I am afraid she does not improve on closer acquaintance."
"Poor woman!" Miss Grum exclaimed, and laughed. "You are very harsh with her. -- When I think of her, I think of all the sadness she must have encountered in her life. What does she make you think of, Major?"
"My sister," Janos said before he could stop himself.
"Your sister?" Miss Grum looked at him earnestly. "Oh dear! I am sorry I named my horse after her -- if you connect the name with such painful memories...had I known..."
Janos laughed. "Pray do not make yourself uneasy, Miss Grum. I had no idea you thought me so touchy a fellow. You may rest assured -- I am not. I do not see any connection between your horse and my sister."
Miss Grum laughed and Janos could discern the relief in her eyes. "If one sees things that way, sir, I believe you are right. -- Will you be at the Polgārs' New Year's party, by the way? Miss Polgār said all the officers had been invited."
"Invited is a good word, indeed," Janos said with a smile. "Ordered, more likely. Will you be there, Miss Grum?"
"I certainly will. One should not spend New Year's Eve at home if one can help it."
"So at least some good company is to be had there," Janos said, smiling. "Until now, the only inducement for me to go to Polgār's ball was that it prevented my dining with the Schillers. Now things are different, of course. Will you dance a waltz with me, Miss Grum?"
"We will see," Miss Grum replied.
For a while they walked on without talking much. Janos exchanged some news with Grum, while Miss Grum enjoyed the scenery around her. Then Janos looked ahead and saw that a gentleman who had come towards them had stopped to talk to his mother. On coming nearer, he recognised Bāthory. Janos knew that his expression betrayed what he felt on seeing that man, because he noticed the anxious look Miss Grum gave him, but he could not help it. Fortunately, Bāthory did not stay long with his mother-in-law, and walked on, passing Janos without even greeting him. A slight nod of his head was the only acknowledgement of their connection, and Janos returned it icily. As Bāthory had passed them, Grum wanted to know who the man had been.
"My so-called brother-in-law," Janos said between clenched teeth. "We are not on the best terms, Grum."
"I thought as much," Grum said. "Yet he did talk to your mother."
"He always does. He tries to give her the impression of a dutiful son-in-law, but I do not think that fools her. Neither does it fool me. Bāthory has used my sister very ill, Grum, and I cannot forgive him."
They neared one of the streams now. The water had frozen over, and skaters, mostly children, were enjoying their sport on the ice.
"Let us stop and watch them for a while," Miss Grum said. "I like watching people skate. They look so elegant."
"Not on their first skating trip they don't," Grum said teasingly.
"Oh, but I want to try it nevertheless," Miss Grum said.
"You do not skate, Miss Grum?" Janos asked.
"I have always wished to learn it, but my mother objected. She said it was too dangerous, and I might get hurt. So, if ever I am to try it, I must try it while I am in Vienna. In Marburg I will not be allowed to."
"I will teach you, if you want to, Miss Grum," Janos said. "Even though I am fully aware that I ought not to assist you in the defiance of your mother's orders. The only consolation I have is that this is what your parents would expect of me."
"They will never know, Major." Miss Grum laughed. "When will we have our first lesson?"
"I need to procure skates for you first, Miss Grum," Janos said, smiling at her eagerness. "That should not be too difficult. My sister used to be fond of skating; we used to go skating very often. Her skates must be around somewhere -- I shall ask my mother."
Shortly after that, they turned back towards the city and parted at Annagasse. Janos felt that, despite the encounter with Bāthory, he had thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon, and was now content to escort his mother home and to have a good cup of coffee on his arrival.
On New Year's Eve, Lina was sitting at her dressing table and watching Julija's maid doing her hair. She had wished for a different hairdo this time -- one that matched her gown, which too was different from anything she had worn before. On its delivery, Lina had been relieved to see that the original neckline had been modified -- even as it was, the dress was rather daring for Lina's standards. But both Julija and her maid had assured her that the dress became her exceedingly well.
Once she had finished dressing, Lina joined her brother and Julija in the drawing room. Julija looked better than she had done lately, Lina thought. There was a rosy hue on her cheeks that had been missing. Her new dress suited her, too, and Jakob, though not in the habit of recognising a new gown, had noticed something different about her this time.
A carriage took them to the Black Eagle, a respectable hostelry, where Colonel Polgār had hired the ballroom for his New Year's party -- his own lodgings did not provide him with a suitable room for such an undertaking, Eva Polgār had told Lina, and besides Mrs. Polgār, though fond of company, was also fond of her peace and quiet in the Christmas season and had not fancied the bustle of the necessary preparations. At the Black Eagle she could shine as a hostess without having had any inconvenience in her own house.
Upon their arrival, they were greeted by the host and hostess, and Eva Polgār took Lina's arm and drew her away from her brother and sister to introduce her to some people she had not yet met -- some more officers and their wives, and a couple of friends of the Polgārs who had not been at the regimental ball. While talking to a Mr. and Mrs. Marton, Lina kept her eyes on the doorway, and soon was rewarded by the entrance of Major Horvāth and Captain Kodaly. Just as she was looking towards them, Major Horvāth turned his eyes in her direction, and greeted her with a smile that warmed Lina's heart. He joined her without delay and solicited her hand for the first two dances -- one of which was a waltz.
Captain Kodaly did not seem so very happy about it; he actually accused his friend of monopolising Miss Grum.
"You should have given the rest of us a chance, you know," he said reproachfully.
Major Horvāth laughed. "One needs to be quick with pretty girls, Kodaly. I thought you knew that," he said. Captain Kodaly reddened, but said nothing in reply to this. Instead, he went off in search of another partner for the first two dances.
"He will get over it," Major Horvāth said to Lina with an amused smile. "And I do hope, for his sake, that he will yet have his dance with you tonight."
"If he shall ask me, I see no reason why he should not," Lina replied. "I am fond of dancing, and I have no intention of sitting down at all tonight."
"This is one of the best intentions I have ever met with," Major Horvāth said, smiling. "May the Lord keep you in this frame of mind. I hate to see my friends' hopes disappointed."
"If they should be disappointed, sir, it will be no fault of mine," Lina said.
The band struck up their first tune, and Major Horvāth led Lina to the dance floor. Lina noticed that Captain Kodaly had found a partner, too -- he stood up with a lady with whom Lina was not acquainted, but who, though pretty, looked too haughty to be pleasant.
The first dance was a polonaise, and they did not have much chance to talk with each other during the dance. They exchanged the usual pleasantries, but nothing more.
It was during the waltz that Lina took the opportunity to inquire when she could expect her first skating lesson to take place.
Major Horvāth laughed. "Not before the New Year, Miss Grum."
"Oh, I know that. Does that mean tomorrow?"
"No, Miss Grum, not tomorrow -- though I may call on your family tomorrow to wish them a happy new year."
"Why, you can do so tonight -- unless you mean to be home before midnight that is," Lina said teasingly.
"So you do not want to see me?" Major Horvāth said lightly, though his eyes did not sparkle as they did when he was joking.
"I do not mind if you do pay us a visit, sir," Lina said.
"I am glad to hear it," he replied. "I already feared I had rendered myself odious by being too frequent a visitor."
"Your visits can never be too frequent, sir." Lina said earnestly. "It was in no way my intention to indicate such a thing, you may be sure."
He smiled again. "Good," he said, and, as they were twirling round and round, Lina felt that he was drawing her nearer to him -- though she could have been mistaken. There was nothing improper in his behaviour, and if he should hold her closer, it would by no means be undesirable to her. It was thrilling, in a way, but in no way disagreeable. When the dance ended, Major Horvāth took Lina back to her brother and sister, and took his leave "for the time being".
The next time Lina saw him he was dancing with Eva Polgār, and they seemed to be enjoying themselves very much. They were laughing a great deal, and Lina heard Eva say, "You are an outrageous flirt, Major." She wondered what he might have said to Eva to excite such a statement. His reply made Lina laugh, and earned her a rather puzzled look from her dancing partner.
"Miss Polgār, I must protest. Outrageous I may be, but a flirt? Never!"
Major Horvāth's mischievously sparkling eyes met Lina's, and Lina, feeling caught, flushed with shame. He would probably think she was keeping a watch on him -- a disagreeable notion.
~~~o~~~
Considering how much Janos had dreaded the evening (at least when he had not known that Miss Grum would be at the ball too), he enjoyed himself immensely. He did not dance much, although he had danced the first two with Miss Grum, the next two with Miss Polgār (one knew what was due to one's hostess), and was planning to dance some more with Miss Grum later in the evening.
At the moment, however, he was not inclined to dance -- instead he wandered around, watching the dancing couples and stopped occasionally to talk to some friend or other. Midnight drew nearer, and Janos decided to procure some champagne to drink a toast to the New Year with the Grums.
He drew up to the buffet table where three waiters were attending to the guests, and asked one of them to bring a bottle of champagne and four glasses to the Grums' table. The waiter readily complied, and Janos was on the point of leaving and joining his friends when he overheard Kodaly, who was surrounded by some of his cronies. They seemed to quiz him on the topic of Miss Grum, or something he might have said about her earlier in the evening.
"You know that wager we had the other day, Kodaly?" one of them asked. "You said you could make any woman fall in love with you whoever she may be. I think we have found our candidate."
Kodaly demurred, and added that he saw no reason why he should try to secure a respectable girl's affection just for a wager's sake. Janos could not help but agree with him -- it was the kind of behaviour unworthy of a gentleman. Kodaly's friends, however, did not agree with Kodaly, and one of them -- the most persistent -- said, "Come, Kodaly, you are not going to back out now, are you? You said I could choose any woman I liked, and you would make her fall for you. Hell, now I have found her and you try to worm out of the business with a cheap excuse. Miss Grum it is, and if you do not want to pick me up on this, you had better pay me off right now."
"Very well," Kodaly said with a sigh. "As you wish. I suppose you will want to have some evidence whether I have succeeded or not."
"Of course," his friend replied. "What about her handkerchief?"
"Oh, please," another said. "Anyone can get hold of a handkerchief -- who is to tell us whether it really belonged to her? I suggest you get her to give you a lock of her hair, Kodaly. She won't part with that without really caring for you."
Janos had heard enough to make him furious. Had he had any right to do so, he would have called Kodaly out for this, but he did not want Miss Grum to become the centre of a scandal, and he did not want to make an exhibition of himself. The only thing there was for him to do was to keep a strict lookout, and to interfere, should it become necessary. Miss Grum was, after all, a young lady able to look after herself, and her brother was certainly capable of protecting her. Grum was aware of Kodaly's reputation just as much as Janos was. Should Kodaly go too far with his attentions, Grum would show him his place -- quite certainly.
Janos joined the Grums at their table, and together they welcomed the New Year, wishing each other good luck and happiness and drinking champagne. When Kodaly joined them, Janos noted with satisfaction his irritable look, and decided to drive a spoke in his wheel whenever he could.
Kodaly's infamy was forgotten when Janos led Miss Grum to the dance floor to dance two more waltzes with her. Holding her close as they danced soothed him. As long as she was with him, at least, she would have nothing to fear. Janos gave in to the feeling of contentment that overcame him, and so the evening ended in a very pleasant way.
~~~o~~~
It took two more weeks until Lina finally got her skating lesson with Major Horvāth. Though it was no fault of the Major's -- he had brought his sister's skates with him on his New Year's visit and had asked Lina to try them on. They had fit, and Lina had been looking forward to a delightful afternoon the next day, but ill fortune would have it that, the very next morning, she had found herself too sick to keep her appointment. She lamented her evil fate, but both Julija and Dr Levy were adamant -- Lina was not to leave the house, especially not for an ice-skating trip. Major Horvāth and the river would have to wait.
Lina was consoled by the fact that apparently Major Horvāth as well as Captain Kodaly called in Annagasse every day to inquire after her health. Major Horvāth even sent presents -- his gifts usually consisted of fresh hot-house fruit (Lina wondered how he came by them). He also sent her books from his own library, with a flippant note telling her that, since she had the misfortune of being ill, her suffering should not be further increased by boredom. Lina was not certain whether she should laugh or throw the books at his head the next time she saw him. Yet, when she was allowed to leave her room for the first time and received his visit, she felt nothing but genuine pleasure to see him.
"I am glad to see you look so well," he said, on entering the room, and kissing her hand by way of a greeting. "You had us quite worried."
"Us, Major?" Lina asked with a teasing smile.
"My mother and myself, Miss Grum. I was particularly worried -- I was afraid the skating season would end without my having the opportunity to keep my promise. It would have been quite vexing -- just imagine my having to travel all the way to Marburg for the sole purpose of teaching you to skate!"
Lina laughed. "You would not have done that, sir!"
"I would have had to, Miss Grum, as a man of honour -- I have given you my word for it and I keep my promises at all cost. But as it seems, we will be able to go skating before long."
"Not before next week at the earliest," Julija protested. "I do not want Lina to suffer a relapse!"
"Believe me, Mrs. Grum, I am the last person in the world who would wish Miss Grum to come to any harm," the Major said calmly. "Of course we will wait until Miss Grum is fully recovered."
"I am fully recovered," Lina asserted, but a coughing fit proved her wrong.
"Miss Grum, though I am not a doctor, to me this sounds as if you needed some more time to recover. Just remember that any relapse of yours might deprive us of your company for even longer -- so, if you do not worry about yourself, do have a little bit of compassion for us!" Major Horvāth said in a half-joking tone, and made Lina laugh. Shortly afterwards, he took his leave, and Julija insisted that Lina should go back to bed.
A week later, Lina found herself on the left bank of the Vienna River, putting on her skates for the first time. It was sunny, and it seemed as if half the inhabitants of Vienna were determined to make the best of this beautiful day. Lina watched the crowd anxiously and hoped she would not make too much of a fool of herself. Jakob's account of the first time he had ever gone skating had filled her with apprehension.
While Lina was getting ready, Major Horvāth was skating already, taking some turns from one river bank to the other. He pointed out that it "had been some time since he had skated, and he needed to refresh his memory". When he saw that Lina had got up and was standing on the river bank, though a bit unsteadily, he joined her at once.
"Now, Miss Grum," he said cheerfully. "Are you ready?"
"As ready as one can be, sir," Lina replied with an uncertain smile. "I suppose I have not felt the way I feel now ever since I was a baby trying my first steps."
"Quite natural, Miss Grum," the Major said and held out his hands.
"Take my hands and step on the ice -- but slowly, carefully." Lina did
as he had told her, but still she suddenly found herself in his arms.
He laughed. "Did I not tell you to be careful, Miss Grum?"
"Oh dear," Lina said. "I had no notion the ice would be quite as slippery...what am I to do?"
"I suggest that you hold on to me, Miss Grum," he answered. "I will take a couple of turns with you -- you need not do anything. This is just for you to get used to the smoothness of the ice."
"You are making fun of me, Major!" Lina accused him.
"Nothing would be further from me, Miss Grum -- though I admit I am enjoying myself immensely. Yet, I hope you will not find me the sort of person who rejoices in the misfortunes of others."
He drew her across the river and back, skating backwards, holding both her hands. Lina was too busy trying to keep upright to pay much attention to what he said. Her eyes were fixed on her feet and the ice -- the tiniest bump made her feel anxious that she might take a fall again.
As they arrived on the left bank again, Major Horvāth asked Lina to hold on to his arm now.
"I will show you some steps," he said. "Now that you are accustomed to the surface, that should not be much of a problem."
"I wish I had your confidence in my abilities, sir," Lina said, laughingly. "But, well -- let the Viennese have their spectacle. What will happen if I take a fall?"
"Nothing. I will catch you," Major Horvāth promised. "No one will even notice."
"I hope so," Lina said. "I wish to be able to show my face in town tomorrow."
"Any particular reason for such a wish?"
"None whatsoever. Just a general inclination to go out without having to pull my shawl over my face."
"Miss Grum, I ought to be angry with you -- you have no trust in my qualities as a teacher. Besides I am perfectly prepared to tell anyone we might meet that you are making fine progress."
He soon had an opportunity to do so -- they had taken another couple of turns, Lina desperately clinging to the Major's arm, and were just talking to Jakob and Julija, negotiating whether they should stay a bit longer or if Julija thought it wiser to go home soon -- when they were suddenly hailed by an acquaintance of the Major's.
Major Horvāth, though looking a bit disconcerted at first, readily started a conversation with his friends -- a young lady and a gentleman whom he introduced as Miss von Hertenberg and Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Lina was naturally more interested in the lady, especially as she seemed to be on such familiar terms with the Major. She was a pretty young lady, rather tall, with brown hair and a friendly countenance.
At being introduced, it occurred to Lina that she should curtsey -- but could not think of any way to do so without an accident.
"I would like to curtsey, Miss von Hertenberg. I only fear that any such attempt might end in displaying myself in a quite unladylike manner -- I hope you will forgive my rudeness," she said, smilingly.
Miss von Hertenberg laughed. "Such formal behaviour is not at all necessary in these circumstances," she assured her. "Is this the first time you try ice-skating then, Miss Grum?"
"Oh yes -- as everyone can see, I am sure." Lina laughed. "One should not leave a city without having made a fool of oneself at least once. I am afraid Major Horvāth already curses the moment when he offered to teach me how to skate."
"Not at all, Miss Grum, you are doing very well," Major Horvāth said with a smile.
"Spoken like a real gentleman," Lina answered, "but I will see the truth of that assertion very soon, I am sure. -- We will take another turn, shall we not?"
"We certainly shall," the Major said. "How could I stop, now that you seem to have picked up the basics of skating?"
At that point, Miss von Hertenberg took leave of them, reminding Major Horvāth of an engagement where they might meet -- a ball at one of the great families' Palais.
"I did not know you moved in such exalted circles, Major," Lina said as they were moving on.
Major Horvāth laughed. "My sister used to move in those circles, mostly -- and since I was invited to most of her parties, it is no wonder that I am acquainted with all those people. The Hertenbergs have been friends of mine for years -- Colonel von Hertenberg and his sister especially. Hertenberg has been my best friend since one fatal detention in military school." He laughed.
"So you did not quite behave yourself in military school either, sir?"
"I shall tell you the story some other time, Miss Grum," he said, and they turned to join Jakob and Julija again. On their way back, Lina nearly fell another time -- and again the Major caught her and steadied her in his arms. A warm, contented feeling got hold of her -- something she had not felt ever before. It felt as if the Major's arms were the perfectly right place for her to be.
Lina was unable to banish that thought for the rest of the evening. It occupied her when they walked home, it was in her head while they were having coffee and cake at their house, and it was still on her mind when the Major finally left and Lina, absent-mindedly, went to window to look out and watch him walk down the street. Only when he turned round and, seemingly, looked up towards her window, Lina moved away from the window and sat down next to Julija, determined to get that silly thought out of her head.
It was an unfamiliar feeling Janos had when he woke up the next day -- unfamiliar, but not at all unpleasant. Something had happened -- and even Simon, who was busy brushing Janos' uniform, noticed it. Janos was shaving when he realised Simon's stare was directed at him. He looked as if he had seen a ghost.
"What is the matter, Simon?" Janos asked.
"No...nothing," Simon stammered, and busied himself with Janos' uniform again. It was then that Janos became aware of one thing -- he had slept through the night, he was perfectly rested, and he had been humming to himself, trying to recall some details of a dream he had had. More importantly, that dream had not been one of his usual nightmares, but a very pleasant one. It was quite unfortunate, Janos thought, that he could not remember much. All he knew was that his dream had been somewhat related to ice-skating.
In short, it was no wonder that Simon was astounded to see him in such an excellent mood in the morning.
While having his breakfast, Janos remembered an appointment at the fencing hall with Carl von Hertenberg -- an appointment he was looking forward to, for he had not seen his friend for a while. Besides, he felt he was in need of training -- peace had made him lazy, he admitted. He had neglected his fencing practice lately, and hoped that his skill had not suffered too much.
At the fencing hall, Janos waited in vain for more than an hour. Von Hertenberg did not come, a fact that struck Janos as unusual. Usually, if his friend was not able to keep an appointment, he sent a message -- so far, he had never forgotten to do so. After one and a half hours of waiting for von Hertenberg, Janos gave up on him and decided to seek him out. Only a sudden illness or a new mistress could have kept him away. Knowing very well that his friend was head over ears in love with his cousin, Miss von Laudeck, Janos dismissed the New Mistress Theory as highly unlikely.
He called at the Hertenberg Palais, asked whether the Colonel was up yet, and received the alarming news that "the Colonel had left his home the previous evening and had not returned".
"Has there been any message?" Janos asked, now seriously worried about his friend.
"Yes, a note arrived for Miss von Hertenberg in the morning, and Novacek came some time later to pick up some of the Colonel's clothes."
"I see," Janos said, suddenly suspecting what had happened to his friend, and gave the maid who had provided him with the information a radiant smile that quite took her breath away. "Thank you very much!"
He directed his swift steps towards the infantry barracks, hissed at the
sentry who had the audacity to try and stop him at the main gate that he "had
an important meeting with the Colonel", and climbed the stairs to Carl von
Hertenberg's office. Whatever had happened, von Hertenberg owed him an
explanation. No one kept Janos Horvath waiting for one and a half hours without
consequences.
The explanation became evident when Janos entered the office unannounced and
beheld the pitiful picture of his friend sitting at his desk, looking as if he
were at death's door.
"Good morning, Colonel," Janos said cheerfully and slammed the door shut. Von Hertenberg winced. With every glance at this friend Janos became more and more convinced that he was suffering from a severe hangover.
"Can't you close the door with some more decorum?" von Hertenberg said with a frown.
"Sure I could, if I wanted to, but I'm bloody furious, von Hertenberg, and I'm sure if you keep thinking very hard, you will actually find out why." He noticed von Hertenberg's puzzled expression and said, grinning, "What a pretty picture you present! Been carousing, have we?"
Von Hertenberg suddenly hit his forehead, and groaned. "Fencing hall!" he said. "I knew I had forgotten something!"
"Happens to the best of us," Janos said cheerfully. "Never mind, it doesn't matter, I only waited for an hour and a half."
"I am really sorry, Horvath," von Hertenberg said. "I simply forgot ... there is so much going on in my head..."
"I can see that," Janos said sarcastically. "If you take my advice, von Hertenberg, stop drinking if you cannot take your drink. -- Who got you off your deathbed?"
Von Hertenberg rose, went to the door, opened it, and told Novacek to bring some coffee. Black. Strong. Then he turned to his friend, and said, "Fitzwilliam. I spent the night at his place."
Janos whistled. "Was it as bad as that? Didn't find your way home any more?"
"Things are even worse," von Hertenberg said. "I do not dare show my face at home for a while. You do not know all that happened yesterday."
Janos sat down in a chair, and deliberately placed his legs on von Hertenberg's desk. "Do enlighten me," he said with a smile. "Unburden yourself! That's what friends are for!"
"Are you quite comfortable?," von Hertenberg snapped.
"Perfectly. Thank you for asking," Janos said, grinning.
Novacek entered with a pot of coffee and two cups. "I'm afraid we haven't got any sugar, sir," he said.
"I don't want any," von Hertenberg said angrily.
"I know, sir, but I thought the Major might want some, sir," Novacek said. Although his address was respectful, Janos thought he could discern some censure in Novacek's tone.
"I do not need any either, Novacek," he said calmly. "Got any brandy?"
"Brandy, Major?" He did not utter the question that was clearly expressed in his eyes. At this time of day?
"Brandy," Janos said.
"I'll see what I can find, sir," Novacek said with a wooden expression.
Janos laughed. "I would be surprised if there was no liquor to be found on these premises," he said.
"If you can't find any," von Hertenberg said bitingly, "try and ask at the cavalry barracks!"
Shortly afterwards, Novacek returned with a bottle and two glasses and placed them on the desk. Janos took the bottle and filled a glass with brandy.
"Want some, too?" he asked his friend, grinning.
Von Hertenberg went pale. "If you don't put that away at once, Horvath, I shall be sick," he said.
"Better out than in," Janos said mercilessly. "Now, what troubles you? What made you drink yourself half to death last night?"
Von Hertenberg sighed. "I had a terrible quarrel with my cousin," he said.
"And that affected you so much that you had to drown your worries in liquor?" Janos asked. "Don't you know that troubles can swim, von Hertenberg?"
"They obviously can," von Hertenberg said grimly. "What's more, apart from my worries I now have a hangover to deal with. Believe me; I haven't had such a bad one for ages."
"It's your own fault," Janos said. "A cow knows when it's had enough -- and they only drink water."
"It's so good to have a compassionate friend like you," von Hertenberg said dryly.
"Why did you quarrel?" Janos asked, ignoring that remark.
"Amalia."
"Of course." Janos nodded.
"She told me Theresia had abused her, and I was stupid enough to believe her -- and interfered."
"Good God, von Hertenberg, what the Devil possessed you to believe your sister-in-law's stories?"
With a rueful grin, von Hertenberg said, "I do not know. I will have to make amends somehow -- though how I am going to do it, I have no idea."
"You will find a way somehow," Janos said reassuringly. "But why does this upset you so?" He wished von Hertenberg would finally admit to him what had been clear for ages -- that he was in love with Theresia von Laudeck. He didn't, though.
"I hate quarrels," he simply said.
Janos laughed. "Quarrels with your cousin, at any rate," he said.
"I do not know what you are talking about," von Hertenberg said, playing stupid as he always did when that particular topic was touched, but he smiled. Janos wondered when his friend would finally confide in him. What was he afraid of? As far as Janos was concerned, Miss von Laudeck was already a married woman, and he treated her as such -- even though she, like von Hertenberg, seemed unaware of it. That she was not married yet did not make a difference at all. That, Janos believed, was only a matter of time. Von Hertenberg would get over that quarrel, he was sure. They would manage somehow. And if that argument would make von Hertenberg finally confess his feelings to his cousin, there might even be some benefit in it.
These were his thoughts as Janos made his way towards his barracks. Von Hertenberg's troubles had temporarily put ice-skating out of Janos' mind, but his thoughts returned to that topic once he had taken his place at his desk. Though, strictly speaking, ice-skating was not the subject that preoccupied him most. The picture of Miss Grum landing in his arms was the one that mattered most to him. Reluctantly, he had to admit to himself that Miss Grum meant more to him than any woman had ever had. An uncomfortable thought, especially since he had never been one to hang out for a wife. But Miss Grum ... she might make him change his mind.
Of course, there was Kodaly to be dealt with. Janos had kept an eye on Kodaly's proceedings concerning Miss Grum. So far, Kodaly had not been guilty of any transgression -- he had stayed within what was proper behaviour, but he had courted Miss Grum. Janos had been aware that, every time he had taken a present to Annagasse, Kodaly had been there too, or had just left. Kodaly had to be taken seriously, Janos knew that. If Kodaly put his mind to it, he could have any woman he fancied -- that had not been an exaggeration on his friends' part. Janos had always liked Kodaly in a way, but now he was on a fair way to hating him. There had to be a means to get rid of him...
For the time being, Janos decided, there was nothing for him to do, except trying to fix his own interest with Miss Grum, and hoping that she would, in time, see Kodaly for what he was. Unfortunately, he did not quite possess Kodaly's address with the ladies. But, Janos flattered himself, Miss Grum liked him. That was a start. Besides, his reputation as far as the ladies were concerned was spotless. Comparatively spotless.
But would he be able to make her happy? Horvāth marriages never worked out. Janos wondered whether misery in a marriage with him would not be preferable to misery in a marriage with Kodaly. One thing was certain -- Janos might have his faults, but he would treat his wife with respect, and would probably not even look at any other woman -- provided that wife was Miss Grum. Whereas Kodaly would not stop at looking at other women, if Janos was any judge.
Stop thinking about marrying her, you fool! Janos thought. It takes two to marry. Just because you may be willing doesn't mean that she wants it too!
For the moment, Janos decided, he'd be satisfied if Miss Grum did not marry Kodaly.
~~~~o~~~~
"You want to do what?" Jakob stared at his sister, aghast.
"I want to learn to play billiards," Lina repeated her request. Jakob smiled that impertinent smile Lina had come to know so well.
"Any particular reason for that?" he asked her sweetly.
"None really," Lina said. "I only thought it might be fun."
"It is not a suitable thing for a lady to do," Jakob said.
"Nonsense. I hear Empress Josephine actually has a billiard room in her mansion."
"This is the first time I hear anyone refer to the Beauharnais woman as a lady," Jakob said severely. "She certainly hasn't always behaved like one."
"She is one of those grand ladies who can do whatever they like," Lina insisted. "Which is what I intend to do as well. If you do not teach me, I shall ask Major Horvāth."
"God help us," Jakob muttered, but then submitted to his sister's wish. They went into the billiard room, and spent about an hour practising. Jakob credited Lina with having a natural talent for the game, and challenged her to a match. It was at that moment that a servant announced Major Horvāth's visit.
"We will have to defer our game," Lina said, disappointed. Jakob laughed. "Oh no, we won't," he said.
"But ... I'm not that good at billiards yet," Lina protested. "And I am sure if Major Horvāth..." That moment she realised her blunder and continued, "...or anyone else, for that matter, saw how badly I am playing..."
She did not have the chance to finish her sentence. Major Horvāth came in, dressed in his uniform, and told them he had wanted to see how they were doing before going home.
His eyes seemed to take in the picture of Lina, casually leaning on her cue, and there was a slight smile on his face.
"I was just showing my sister how to play billiards," Jakob explained. "She seems to have taken a fancy to the game."
"Indeed?" Major Horvāth smiled at Lina. "It is a pleasant pastime, to be sure. Do you find it difficult?"
"Not at all," Lina said. "My brother says I have a natural aptitude for it."
"We were just planning to play a match," Jakob said. "Would you like to take my place? I honestly do not mind!"
"Perhaps Miss Grum does mind," the Major said.
"I do not," Lina said eagerly. "I would very much like to play with you." On reflection, she thought she had perhaps been a bit too eager, but it could not be helped. At least it had the desired effect, for Major Horvāth took her brother's cue.
"What's the stake?" he asked casually.
"Do we need one?" Lina asked.
"Of course. We need some incentive to win, don't we? Can you think of something?" There was a warm glow in his eyes as he looked at her -- something that took Lina's breath away for the moment. Perhaps she could use this match as a means to get him to spend some more time with them...
"Do you have a sleigh," Lina asked. "A horse-drawn one, I mean?"
"No, but I know where to borrow one," the Major laughed.
"Very well then. If I win, I would like you to take us on a sleigh ride to the countryside."
Major Horvāth laughed. "Miss Grum, that means that I will win, either way! I was going to suggest another outing to the Vienna River. If I should win, that is."
"Ice skating?" Lina asked, her eyes gleaming.
"Exactly."
"But that means that either way, I win, too!" she laughed. "Enough said! Let us start playing!"
Major Horvāth bowed, and allowed her to make her first shot. They were evenly matched, Lina thought as the game progressed. Although, perhaps the Major was taking pains to let her win. It was hardly conceivable that a gentleman who was so fond of the game -- as Jakob had once said -- and played it so often was not a proficient in it.
Lina won, and decided to tease the Major about it. Perhaps then he would let on that he had let her win intentionally.
"Without wishing to offend you, sir," she said, smilingly, "I thought your aim would be better."
"Why, Miss Grum?"
"You are a soldier, aren't you?" Lina asked. "Surely they taught you how to aim with your weapons!"
"So they did," the Major said. "If it is any comfort to you, Miss Grum, I am a crack shot with my pistols."
"Then why did you lose this game?" Lina gave him a searching look.
"I could afford to lose it," Major Horvāth said with a smile. "It is not often a soldier can say that. In battle, winning or losing is a matter of life and death. If I miss, I may not get another chance."
Lina went pale. For the first time in her life, it became clear to her what it meant to be a soldier. Until then, she had only seen the glamorous side of the profession. Now she became aware of what every soldier who had seen action must have gone through. Major Horvāth spoke of it calmly, but she could see in his eyes that the topic was not one of his favourites. She reached out her hand to touch him -- but drew it back when she became conscious of what she was doing. Major Horvāth, however, seemed to have taken in her meaning nevertheless, and, in order to get rid of the solemnity of their situation, tried to laugh it off.
"Do not fret, Miss Grum," he said lightly, "the war is over. I am all set for years of idleness before I retire."
"I cannot think of you being idle, sir," Lina said. "You are too energetic."
Major Horvāth laughed. "This is the picture I am trying to convey to my acquaintance, but I am as lazy as they come," he said. "But now, Miss Grum, when do you want your trip into the country to take place -- and whom shall we invite?"
They spent some time discussing the matter, and then the Major left, promising to come back the next day, to offer her a choice of destinations for the outing.
~~~~o~~~~
Janos spent the morning visiting. First he visited the Countess Potocka, to discuss the loan of her sleigh for the outing with the Grums. Then he visited von Hertenberg at his barracks, to see how he was doing and to hear the latest news of his ongoing quarrel with Miss von Laudeck. After that, Janos went to call on the Grums to discuss the destination for their outing -- he had thought of a quaint inn in the Vienna woods, where they could have luncheon. After that, there would be plenty of opportunities to go for walks (and get lost in the woods in each other's company, Janos thought, picturing himself with Miss Grum clinging to his arm), and would be at home in time for coffee and cake in his own place.
Unfortunately, the ladies were not at home, and Jakob Grum received him with unusual gravity.
"Good morning, Grum," Janos said. "You look like ten days of rain! Anything wrong?"
"I do not know," Grum said. "But I must say your visit suits me very well -- I was just thinking of calling on you, Horvāth. There is something we must talk about. Can you spare a few minutes?"
Janos did not need a great deal of imagination to guess what his friend might want to talk about. He acted like the big brother that he was -- and was obviously worried about his sister. Janos had been in the same situation once -- only, in his case, he had not been very efficient in averting the disaster.
"Certainly," Janos said. "What is it that you want to discuss, Grum?"
"I've seen a lot these days that has led me to believe that ... there is something going on between my sister and you," Grum said. "I am not blind, you know -- I notice the way you talk to her, or look at her, and the sight of her tumbling into your arms when you were skating has kept me awake at night."
Janos could readily believe that. The recollection of having Miss Grum in his arms -- even for such a short moment -- had had its effect on his peace of mind as well.
"In short, Horvāth, where is this going to lead?"
With a sigh, Janos said, "If only I knew, Grum. Mind you, I have the greatest regard for your sister, she is a delightful young lady, quite different from any I have met so far, and I cannot get her out of my mind. As for my intentions, Grum, I haven't decided yet. You know my attitude towards marriage, don't you? Old habits die hard. All I can do is promise you that I won't let things go too far. I do not want to hurt her."
"Good," said Grum. "If you did hurt Lina, I'd have to kill you."
Janos laughed. "More likely you'd get killed in the attempt," he said, and added, "Rest assured, though. I don't dally with respectable girls. Besides, I think your sister can take care of herself. She is a bright one."
"Yet, you know how it is to have a younger sister," Grum said. "One ought to take care of them. No hard feelings on your part, I hope? You are my friend, and, to be honest, I would not mind if the two of you were to make a match of it -- on the contrary. I just do not want Lina to be disappointed."
Janos nodded. "I know how it is," he said quietly. "You need not worry about me, Grum -- though you might want to keep an eye on Kodaly. He does dally with respectable girls at times. -- And no, I am not jealous."
Janos left his friend then, leaving Jakob Grum grinning to himself and surmising that no man, however jealous he might be, would ever admit to it.
Janos was looking forward to the sleigh-ride with the Grums. He was fully occupied with the preparations for it, and eagerly making plans for making it a memorable event -- one that they would enjoy remembering, once they were back in Marburg. To be entirely honest to himself, Janos had to admit that he was mainly concerned about Miss Grum's comfort. Whatever he planned for the outing was calculated to gain her approval.
His musings were interrupted by the butler entering the library. "There is a gentleman to see you, sir," he said, handing Janos a tray with a visiting card. L. Petek, it said.
With a grim smile, Janos told the butler to show the -- not entirely unexpected -- visitor in. The first thing Janos noticed about his friend Petek's brother was that there was no likeness whatsoever between him and his youngest brother. Mr. Petek was taller than his brother had been, his hair was darker, and his stature was corpulent. That man had not spent most of his life on horseback, Janos was sure about it.
Mr. Petek stopped at the door, looking at Janos with unconcealed curiosity. "Major Horvāth?" he asked. Janos decided that, though the Petek brothers were not alike in looks, Mr. Petek's voice was very much like his brother's. There was, however, a hint of coldness in his tone of voice that Janos had never heard in György Petek's.
"Whom would you expect to find in my library, sir, that you consider it necessary to ask?" he asked dryly. Mr. Petek did not answer his question.
"I am Laszlo Petek," he simply said. "György Petek's eldest brother."
"I thought as much, sir," Janos said. "Glad to make your acquaintance at last."
"That remains to be seen," Mr. Petek said with a malicious smile. Janos drew a deep breath. Apparently, Mr. Petek had not come to plead for a cessation of hostilities between the Viennese and the Posony branch of the family.
"Will you take a seat, sir?" he asked coldly, taking refuge in the kind of chilly politeness he reserved for people he detested. As Mr. Petek sat down, Janos continued, "I guess I need not ask what business has taken you to Vienna."
He sat down in a chair facing Mr. Petek's and, as Mr. Petek made no answer, said, "Well?"
"Since you seem to be singularly well-informed about my motives, I thought an answer would be unnecessary," Mr. Petek said.
"I do not mind your stating them, sir," Janos said. "I like to know where I stand with people."
"Very well then," Mr. Petek said. "I have come to take my brother's children to Posony with me."
Janos smiled derisively. "So you are their guardian, are you?"
"I may soon be," Mr. Petek answered. "Once you have relinquished your guardianship to me."
"I see no reason why I should do so," Janos said. "Indeed, as long as you insist on acting contrary to your brother's wishes, I cannot. He trusted me, you see, not you. Not without reason, it transpired." Janos could not resist the temptation to fire this shot at his friend's brother.
"I have always thought my brother was severely lacking in judgement," Mr. Petek said. "Too gullible, he was. Easily taken in. -- But never mind. I will give you three days to reconsider your decision, Major."
"Spare yourself the trouble, sir," Janos said. "The children will remain with their mother. They are much too young to be separated from her. If you -- or their grandparents -- wish to see them, you are welcome to visit them at her house."
"Three days," Mr. Petek said, rising. "After that, I will approach a magistrate. Such a woman as that cannot be allowed to raise children -- her lifestyle and her easy virtue being the talk of the town."
"Easy virtue?" Janos asked, raising an eyebrow. Someone accusing Mrs. Petek of loose behaviour needed help. She was one of the most respectable women in town, and her way of life had never, to Janos' knowledge, given rise to speculations regarding her virtue.
With a malicious grin, Mr. Petek said, "Oh, I thought you, of all people, would know what I am talking about. There are even some people doubting that my brother was the father of those children."
"Those people cannot have seen them, for they are his image," Janos said dryly, "and if your brother were still alive, you would not dare utter such a suspicion. Brother or not, he would have had your blood for it."
"As I said, severely lacking in judgement, my poor brother was," Mr. Petek said, rising. "But why don't you discuss this matter with that woman at one of your tęte á tętes? Three days, remember. After that, everyone in town will know about your friendly visits to her house. That is, those who do not know yet." With a mock bow, Mr. Petek left the library. Janos sighed.
"So that is the way the wind is blowing," he said softly. Apparently there were rumours about Mrs. Petek and him -- and they had come to the Peteks' ears. That was a serious crisis in Mrs. Petek's affairs, for even though the rumours were completely unfounded, Mrs. Petek had no one to back her but him -- and since he was her supposed lover, that would not help her much. Unfortunately, Mrs. Petek had no relatives who might take her side -- she was alone in the world, only lived for her children and the memory of her husband. How was she to defend herself if she was suspected to have an affair with the only person who was able and willing to stand up for her? What could Janos do? He would have to bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion -- a compromise, but how was that to be achieved if neither side would stir an inch into the other direction? Janos called for his overcoat and hat. When matters of diplomacy were concerned, he would have to ask for an expert's advice.
As he walked through the dark Viennese streets towards von Hertenberg's favourite coffee house (where he knew he would find his friend), another thought struck Janos. If there was a scandal concerning him and Mrs. Petek, there would be an end to all his hopes concerning Miss Grum. How could she ever love -- and marry -- a man with a soiled reputation? True, such a scandal did less harm to a man's name than a woman's, but still... The Grums were respectable people. They would not allow their daughter to marry a man whose character was not above every suspicion. If he wanted to marry Miss Grum -- and at that moment, Janos became acutely aware that he wanted nothing more -- he had to settle Mrs. Petek's affairs in an adequate way. Otherwise, his chances for happiness would be gone forever.
As expected, Janos found von Hertenberg in the coffee house, sitting at his usual table by the window, staring at the opposite wall.
"In your cups already?" Janos asked him with a liveliness he was far from feeling. Von Hertenberg started.
"No, just thinking," he said. "Haven't touched a drop since the other evening."
"How is your cousin?" Janos asked.
"I do not know. Haven't set eyes on her ever since our quarrel." He sighed.
"And how are you?" Janos asked, sitting down at von Hertenberg's table.
"Miserable," von Hertenberg said with a faint smile. "What brings you here?"
"I wanted to have a word with you," Janos said. "It is important."
"Fire away, then," von Hertenberg said.
"Not here," Janos said. "This is confidential."
Von Hertenberg whistled. "We had better go to a private parlour, then," he said, and told a waiter to see whether there were any guests in the back parlour. There were not, and so they retired to that room -- reserved for regular visitors of the establishment. Once the waiter had supplied them with a bottle of wine and two glasses, he retired and Janos and his friend were left to themselves.
Janos told von Hertenberg what had happened. "Now, what am I to do?" he concluded. "Unless I get the Peteks to accept her, or I give in to their demands, the poor woman will be ruined!"
"Serious business, that," von Hertenberg said. "I confess I didn't know you were supposed to have an affair with Petek's widow. Would not have believed it, either."
"Thank you," Janos said. "At least my best friend thinks I have some sense of decency. But what about the rest of the world?"
"If I were you," von Hertenberg said slowly, "I would not let the Peteks blackmail me. As soon as you give in, they might think there is something to these rumours."
"Fine. So I am not going to give in. I did not want to anyway," Janos said.
"Mrs. Petek lives alone, doesn't she?" von Hertenberg said.
"Alone with her children and her maid, yes," Janos said.
"That, if I may say so, my dear friend, was not very clever of you," von Hertenberg said. "People were bound to talk sooner or later. My advice is, take her somewhere else. Make her take in a respectable female to keep her company. Talk will cease after a while -- especially if you make a point of staying away from her."
"What about the children? I am their guardian," Janos said. "I will have to see them from time to time."
"In those cases, get your mother to accompany you," von Hertenberg said. "No one will think your visits suspicious then -- not even the worst gossips would think you'd introduce your mistress to your mother."
"The question is," Janos said after thinking for a while, "will she settle anywhere else? She once told me she would stay in that house of hers, because it is one of the few things that remind her of her husband. She doesn't even have a grave to go to -- all she has is her house and her children."
"She can either give up her house or her children," von Hertenberg said. "Which will she choose, I wonder?"
Janos nodded. Von Hertenberg had a point. "I will see what I can do," he said. Then he sighed. He was not sure whether Mrs. Petek would see the necessity of her moving to another place.
"There is one more possibility, of course," von Hertenberg said, watching Janos closely.
"Is there?" Janos said.
"Of course. Marry her."
"No." Janos shook his head emphatically. "That possibility will not work. First, people would only think that their suspicions had been true -- for why should I marry her if there hadn't been anything between us? Secondly, she would not have me."
"Fine. Then find a respectable female to move in with her, and a house in a nice, quiet little town."
Janos laughed. "I shall find one in Posony," he said. "That will be my concession to the Peteks' wishes."
~~~o~~~
Janos decided to call on Mrs. Petek the next morning, before starting his trip to the Vienna Woods with the Grums. In order to prevent any more damage to Mrs. Petek's reputation, he resolved to talk to his mother and ask her to accompany him -- as von Hertenberg had suggested, this would do much to silence the gossips. Most of them, at least.
Arriving at home, he inquired whether his mother had already retired for the night, and since the butler assured him that Mrs. Horvāth had just done so five minutes previously, it was highly probable that she was still awake and in her dressing room. Janos decided to let her in on the rumours at once.
Mrs. Horvāth received her son readily, perceiving that only important business could have induced him to speak to her at this time of the evening. She listened to Janos' explanation in silence, expressed her indignation that anyone could think so ill of her son, and determined to take Mrs. Petek under her wings at once.
"Those odious people shall not succeed," she said resolutely. "Your friend Colonel von Hertenberg is right -- she must settle somewhere new, where there has not been any gossip concerning her, and she must have a companion. It was most unwise of her to make do without one until now."
"She could not afford one, Mother," Janos said. "All she has is that small pension her husband has left her -- and she would not take any money from me."
"Very proper of her, but it will not do," Mrs. Horvāth said. "I daresay she wanted to prevent gossip that way, but it has not answered -- there is talk nevertheless, so she may as well accept your assistance. You will employ a governess for the children -- she will be able to act as Mrs. Petek's companion as well. And do not tell me that the children do not need a governess -- they will, sooner or later. So what is the problem with employing her now?"
"How am I to know whether a governess is suitable for the post?" Janos asked his mother.
"You will have nothing to do with that," Mrs. Horvāth said. "I will see to that matter. What we need is a staid lady, aged forty at least, with the usual accomplishments. Besides, Janos, I would not advise Mrs. Petek to settle in Posony. The Peteks being a most respected family there, they will be able to turn public opinion against her very easily."
"You are right, of course," Janos said. "What would you suggest?"
"I do not know," Mrs. Horvāth said. "But I'd suggest a large place -- gossip is even worse in small towns, you know, and besides she would be found."
Janos frowned. His mother was right, of course -- and if Mrs. Petek was to feel safe, it would be better for her to be settled in a place where the Peteks would not find her easily. A place in which they were not known, but the Horvāths were respected.
"Györ," he said, quietly. Györ was not very far from his uncle's estate -- and Janos was certain that Uncle Horvāth would keep an eye on Mrs. Petek if his nephew asked him to do so. Mrs. Petek would be safe, and under Aunt Erszebet's protection no one would dare gossip about her -- half of Györ lived in mortal dread of Aunt Erszebet Horvāth. Janos could not blame them. Besides, Györ was not so very far from Vienna -- though farther than Posony. He could reach it easily if he was needed there. Györ it was to be.
~~~o~~~
To shorten her wait for the outing with Major Horvāth, Lina decided to go for a ride with Eva Polgār. They met at the main gate of the Prater, Lina accompanied by an irritable Lajos, and decided to ride along the main avenue.
It was cold, but the sun was shining, and Lina loved the picture of people riding and walking in the park. They had not gone very far when they happened to meet Captain Kodaly, who asked them whether he might escort them. Lina would have been happier had they met Major Horvāth instead, but Captain Kodaly's company was better than none at all, and so she allowed him to join them.
During the ride, the Captain seemed to have eyes just for Lina. He kept talking to her, flirting with her, and though Lina remembered what everyone had told her -- that Captain Kodaly was not to be taken seriously -- she began to consider whether he had some serious designs on her after all. She also noticed Eva's eyes on them, and wondered what she might think.
Eva did not hold back her opinion once Captain Kodaly had taken his leave. She warned Lina once again not to take the Captain too seriously.
"Do not let him make you unhappy, Lina," she simply said. "Kodaly is up to something. I do not know what it is, but I do not like it."
"Are you sure he is up to trouble?" Lina asked. It was a lowering thought that a gentleman was only paying her such pointed attentions because he was planning some mischief. It took Lina's pride some effort to swallow that.
"Captain Kodaly always is," Eva said. "Believe me, he is never serious about any lady."
Lina nodded. "I will take care," she said. "But, Eva, I want you to know that I am not at all interested in him anyway."
"I guessed as much," Eva said with a smile. "You are interested in someone else, aren't you?"
Lina blushed, unable to say anything.
"You would be a perfect couple, Major Horvāth and you," Eva continued. "And, Lina, you may flatter yourself that he seeks your company far more often than anyone else's. I do not know whether that has much to say, but it is an encouraging thought, don't you think?"
"Very encouraging," Lina murmured. At the park gate, they parted, and Lina went back to the Major's stables with Lajos. Then she returned to Annagasse, to have dinner with her brother and sister and to go to bed early. She wanted to look her best during their sleigh-ride the next morning.
~~~o~~~
Immediately after breakfast, Janos and his mother went to see Mrs. Petek. She received them, surprised at their early visit, and even more surprised that Mrs. Horvāth accompanied her son. Once matters had been made clear to her, however, she understood.
"I have heard hints now and then," she said bitterly, "but I thought my friends were only teasing me. Mrs. Marton said something the other day -- I should have known people would talk."
She turned to Mrs. Horvāth. "If I had known, Madam, that your son's kindness would get him into trouble, I would have refused his help."
"Then I am glad you did not know," Janos simply said. "Mrs. Petek, this is not your fault. It is mine -- it never occurred to me that people would talk if I visited you so often."
"You did not visit me often," Mrs. Petek said. "It is not that. Someone wants to harm you, sir, and I am to be their means for doing so."
"Or someone means to harm you, Mrs. Petek," Janos said. "And we all know who that might be."
"Can't we sue them for libel?" Mrs. Petek asked. "They have no evidence against us! How can they tell such tales?"
"The only effect such a law-suit would have, Mrs. Petek, is that everyone who was not aware of the rumours yet will find out that there has been such gossip in existence. Besides, we have no evidence that we did not do what people say we did. How is anyone to prove that something did not happen?"
Mrs. Petek sighed. "What are we to do?" she asked, in a small voice. Janos noticed that she was close to crying.
His mother noticed, too, and put her arm around Mrs. Petek's shoulders. "Tell her, Janos," she said, and haltingly, Janos began to describe the plans he had made for Mrs. Petek.
She listened to him in silence, not interrupting him with any questions, just looking at him with big, frightened eyes.
"Do you think that will help?" she finally asked, when Janos had finished.
"I hope it will," Janos said. "But there is no guarantee, of course. You can be certain, however, that with my aunt's patronage you will be perfectly safe."
"You are too kind, Major," Mrs. Petek said. "All the trouble you mean to put yourself through, just because of me and my children! I know why György made that will -- he knew this was what you would do! But I wish I could do something to relieve you of this burden."
"No one said it was a burden, Mrs. Petek," Janos said.
"May I consider the matter until tomorrow?" Mrs. Petek asked.
"Of course," Janos said. "Petek will not come for an answer until the day after that."
Mrs. Petek nodded. "I will send you word tomorrow morning," she said. "And if I am to fly from this town, I had better start packing."
Š 2004, 2005 Copyright held by the author.