"All right, uncle. When I've bought the house, and had time to look round a little, I'll go and see her."
The postmaster did exactly as he had promised, and he did it promptly.
"Now I have got the house, you've got to set up housekeeping, but don't buy much furniture, the wife will see to that. Till you get a wife, I'll lend you my maid-servant to keep house; she's also a good hand at milking, for a cow you must have; and your cooking will have to be done at home, for there is no café or hotel here, as at Vienna. And don't trust your wine-cellar key to anyone else!"
Mathias Ráby took this good advice, and arranged his new house as if he were settling down for good in it. He had his fields sown with crops, his vineyards overhauled, and laid in a stock of winter provisions. But he encouraged no gossips, took no interest in outsiders, and was reserved with acquaintances to the verge of taciturnity.
But general rumour had it that the gentleman who had thus settled among them, had been sent by the Kaiser himself to investigate matters of state in Szent-Endre.
Soon after this, Ráby made an excuse for going to Pesth so as to call on the Tárhalmys.
Tárhalmy was the county notary, and lived in the Assembly House assigned him. Ráby knew it well, for when he was a clerk, he used to go there every day. When he reached the door, the heyduke who stood sentry, barred his way, with his musket under his arm, one foot crossed over the other, and his shoulder against the door.
"Tell me, my friend," for thus did Ráby accost the old heyduke, "is the worshipful pronotary at home?"
The man answered, his worship had just gone out, but his lady-daughter was within, and would be delighted to see the honourable gentleman.
Ráby hastened up the familiar wooden stairs, that were so well worn down the middle.
Our hero needed no guide through these rooms. He knew all the nooks and corners of the house, and likewise the time at which callers might come--between the hours of three and four in the afternoon. First he betook himself to the ante-room, where he laid aside his sword and hat. But there was no lackey there to announce him, he had to knock therefore at the first door, to hear a "come in," before he ventured to enter without further preamble.