Page:Imre.pdf/77

75 word and action... that haunt the breeze Lánczhid in Szent-Istvánhely? If so, some of us would better cross that long bridge in haste and solitary silence after nightfall. For:

«You surprise me,» I said lightly. I was thinking of one of his own jests as well of his unbelief in his personal attractions. «How inconsistent for you! Now you are just the very individual I should suspect!...... yes, yes, I am surprised!»

To my astonishment, Imre stopped full in his steps, drew himself up, and faced me with instant formality.

«Will you be so good as to tell me why you are surprised?» asked he, in a tone that was—I will not write sharp, but which suggested to me immediately that I had spoken mal-à-propos or misleadingly; the more so in view of what Imre had mentioned of his ex professio and personal sensitiveness to the general topic. "Do you observe anything particularly womanish—abnormal—about me, if you please?"

Now, as it happened my remark, as I have