self into a paradise for you; just wait till you
know him as I do, to the very bottom of his heart."

Blanka could not but smile at the sister's proud claim. Yet Anna was in
earnest.

"Perhaps you don't believe me," said she. "Have you ever seen him in
anger, with an enemy before him?"

"Yes."

"How did he look?"

"On his forehead were two red spots."

"Yes, and further?"

"His eyes glowed, his face seemed turned to stone, his bosom heaved, and
he strove with himself until gradually he recovered his self-control;
then his features relaxed, he smiled, and presently he spoke as coolly
and collectedly as possible."

"Then you have never seen him really aroused," affirmed the sister, "as
I saw him once, when with one hand he seized a strong man who had
wronged him, and threw him down with such force that all his family had
to hasten to help him up. When he speaks in wrath he can strike terror
into a multitude, and he is such a master of all weapons of warfare that
no one can vie with him. Now, then, have you ever really learned to know
him?"

"Indeed, I think not," returned Blanka, in surprise.

"And hear me further," Anna went on. "When our house witnessed the sad
event that spread a widow's veil over my bridal wreath, our whole family
was terribly wrought up. My brothers swore to kill the man wherever they
found him,--all but Manasseh. Nor did I seek to allay their wrath,
knowing but too well that it was justified. But I also knew that they
would never go forth into the world to hunt him down. To the people of
Toroczko it is an immense undertaking to go even beyond the borders of
Transylvania, and, as a general rule, no power on earth could drag one
of them to Vienna or Rome. But Manasseh, I knew, must meet with the
fugitive, as the two were to be dwellers in the same city and members of
the same social circle. Manasseh, however, said not a word, and it was
on him that I used all my influence. Still wearing my wedding-dress, I
went to his room, where he was preparing for his journey. It happened
that he was just putting a brace of pistols into their case; one of them
he still held in his hand. I went up to him, threw myself on his bosom,
and appealed to him. 'Manasseh,' I pleaded, 'my heart's treasure, unless
you wish to kill me too, promise not to kill that man,--not to send his
wretched soul out of this world.' Manasseh looked at me: his eyes
glowed, as you have described, and two red spots burned on his fo