When I reached the house a letter was waiting for me from Mrs. Huszár. A clergyman of the reformed church is going to-morrow to his parents who live on the other bank of the river, and he will take me with him. One has only to ford the river and one is safe. * * * * * _May 12th._ I had a curious dream last night. I dreamt the moon was shining on the manor-house. I had to escape, and was implored to hurry. Somebody hastily pressed a bundle tied up in a handkerchief and a staff into my hand. Then I found myself on the main road along the river, alone in the silvery light of the moon. The water was visible between the trees and sparkled brightly. Then I noticed that the bundle in my hand became heavier and heavier. I looked at it and found that it was all covered with blood; blood was streaming out of it and running down my staff till it covered the road. Later I told Mrs. Beniczky my dream. “Don’t go,” said she; “a better opportunity will come.” So I stayed. In the afternoon the commander of the artillery in the village came to take leave. The Czechs are retiring all along the line, the Reds in pursuit. The Rumanians also have lost the initiative. In Germany the awful conditions of peace have provoked an outburst of Spartacism. The Germans are making an alliance with the Russians. France does not care; she requires her troops for troubles at home. The domination (such as it was) of the Entente in Hungary has come to an end. The gunner looked down in despair: “The Soviet is going to rule the world,” said he. If this is true I shall not escape; I shall go back to my mother and report myself. One gets tired of being a fugitive. There was a knock at the door and in came Mrs. Huszár. She too was pale and spoke in whispers: “Bad news. It is all over, and the town is full of detectives. You mustn’t stay any longer; you must leave here immediately.” “And your husband? Supposing it’s true that things are going to continue like this for years?” “I’ve just heard from him,” said Mrs. Huszár, “he’s hiding in the woods. He’s having a bad time of it too, but then he is a man.” She had no thought for herself, only for others. “There’s no need for you to stay with us.” So we agreed that I should be informed as soon as the clergyman returned and get ready to start. The moon was filtering through the trees and in the blue light on the lawn the white fluffy dandelion clocks swayed like tiny Chinese lanterns on the ends of miniature poles. The breeze swept across the grass and extinguished the lanterns. The fluff floated in the moonlight: the image of our torn hopes. * * * * * _May 13th._