a long time this ceremony has been the pet idea of old Onucz
and now Fatia Negra has agreed to it.

Gradually all the partners have assembled in the cavern. Amongst the
last to arrive are old Onucz and his daughter with the bridesmaids.
Anicza is dressed as usual with her girdle and embroidered bodice and a
round hat on her head. The only difference is that now she sparkles all
over with gold and jewels and her pig-tail is interwoven with real
pearls. Amongst all the picked beauties who have gathered together here,
she is still the most beautiful.

Only the bridegroom still keeps the good folks waiting. He is a long
time coming, as becomes a great man. Nay, it is quite possible he may
be there already without anyone seeing him. Perchance he is walking
along there behind the bride in an invisible mantle and only when he
throws it off, then only and not till then will the people see him.

Anicza screams aloud--perhaps with joy! Everyone is thunderstruck; they
imagine their leader must be in league with the devil himself, for he
comes up from out of the earth!

And with what splendour does he ascend! The purple robe that he wears is
scarce discernible for gold lace; a long embroidered mantle, like the
mantle of a prince, floats down from his shoulders and on his head he
wears a golden helmet from which the mask depends.

The top of this helmet is set all round about with diamonds, and one of
his comrades makes the remark that the spike of this helmet is somewhat
muddy. He wore no weapon by his side, not even a dagger. Naturally,--one
generally lays aside one's arms when one is about to swear solemnly
before an altar. Onucz approached him obsequiously and kissed the hand
of his mysterious leader with profound respect, whilst Anicza approached
him with roguish archness, adroitly feigning a superstitious fear of her
magician of a sweetheart.

"I am not afraid of you, Fatia Negra! though you come and go unseen. I
fear you come not in God's name."

"That is true. We are nearer methinks to the Kingdom of the Devil."

"Hush! say not so!"

"Why not? If these men had imagined that I came down from Heaven, they
would have betrayed me long ago. They would have carried me bound to
Fehervar; but because they fancy I came from below and am acquainted
with the devil, they fear me and are faithful. It is the same with you:
you love me because you fear me."

"Ho, ho, ho! We shall see. I fear nobody, not even you. It was a joke