_ would naturally be still more noticeable in a translation, and
I am particularly anxious that "A Hungarian Nabob" should attract at
first sight. Let this, therefore, be my apology to Dr. Jokai and, as I
trust, my claim upon his forgiveness.

R. NISBET BAIN.
AUGUST, 1898.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. AN ODDITY, 1822 9
II. A BARGAIN FOR THE SKIN OF A LIVING MAN 41
III. THE WHITSUN KING 58
IV. A FAMILY CURSE 89
V. THE TEMPTER IN CHURCH 116
VI. PAID IN FULL 132
VII. THE NABOB'S BIRTHDAY 153
VIII. AN UNEXPECTED CHANGE 186
IX. THE HUNTER IN THE SNARE 203
X. POOR LADY! 242
XI. THE FEMALE FRIEND 260
XII. THE HOUSE-WARMING 268
XIII. THE HUNT 274
XIV. MARTYRDOM 287
XV. THE SPY 294
XVI. LIGHT WITHOUT AND NIGHT WITHIN 301
XVII. A DANGEROUS EXPERIMENT 315
XVIII. UNPLEASANT DISCOVERIES 327
XIX. ZOLTAN KARPATHY 332
XX. SECRET VISITORS 337
XXI. THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT 344
XXII. LEAVE-TAKING 356

A HUNGARIAN NABOB.

CHAPTER I.

AN ODDITY, 1822.

It is nasty, dirty weather outside there on the _puszta_;[1] the sky is
cloudy, the earth muddy, the rain has been falling for two weeks
incessantly, as if by special command. There are inundations and
submersions everywhere; rushes are growing instead of wheat, the stork
is ploughing, the duck is fishing all over the precious sea-like
expanse. "This judgment weather began on St. Medardus' Day, and will
last now for forty days longer, but if it does last, I know not where we
are to find the Noah to save man and beast from a partial deluge."

[Footnote 1: For the meaning of this and all other Hungarian words used
in the text, see the glossary at end of book.]

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