For a time the young man sat lost in reflection; and it was not until he at length raised his head to gaze upon a scene congenial to his feelings, that he became aware of the form of old Farkas, standing erect against a tree, like a sentry in his box, at no great distance from him. "This is a persecution to which I cannot submit," he murmured to himself; and then rising, and calling angrily to his attendant, he cried, "Did I not bid you leave me, Farkas?" "Leave you, my lord?" said the attendant, advancing with an air of surprise. "Yes, leave me. Do you hear now?" "My duty"--continued the old man, in an expostulatory tone. "Is to obey me." "My attachment"---- "Becomes importunate," broke in his master, "if my footsteps are to be thus dogged, and my solitude to be disturbed, fellow." Farkas tossed his head, with a sigh, that perhaps might be more appropriately termed a grunt, and moved a few steps backwards; but then, as if unable to obey, he again lingered and returned. "Master Otmar," he said, "call me rude, unmannered, disobedient. Bid me leave you--yes, leave you for ever, if you will. But, out it must, _teremtette!_ in spite of all. I cannot see you thus, and quit you, without a word--you, your father's son. You, Master Otmar, whose heels I was the first to spur, whom I first set on horseback to gallop alone over the Puszta, whom I first taught a good round Hungarian oath. I could not do it, were I to know it were the last word I spoke." "Speak then! What have you to say?" cried Otmar, in a tone of vexed impatience; but then, as he saw the eyes of the old man fixed in such mournful earnestness and solicitude upon him, he seemed to repent his harshness, and stretched out his hand, which his attendant took and kissed with reverence, according to the custom of the country. "Speak!" he said more mildly; "I know you love me, although sometimes you show your love after a strange rude fashion, Farkas!" "Are you a man, Master Otmar," began the old attendant, bluntly, "that you should be thus cast down because you have seen a pretty face that smiled upon you?" The young man showed evident marks of impatience at these words; but Farkas had seized his advantage, and continued, "Is a chitfaced woman's glance, seen only once, to break a man's bold spirit thus? You are in love, you will tell me. That's a boy's answer to all; but"-- "Peace, foolish man! what do you know of love?" said Otmar, impatiently.