Hungary -- History -- Joseph II, 1780-1790 -- Fiction
"So we had to return to Pesth till the county of Pesth
should supersede the county of Weissenburg in its
strategic co-operation. But rumour has it that the
redoubtable robber has come back from Weissenburg
county to that of Pesth, and is haunting the Vörösvár
woods. Therefore have I received new marching orders
from the commander-in-chief to march with my squadron
on to Vörösvár. To-morrow, at the first streak of dawn
shall we start on an expedition which brings me on the
wings of the Hours to the charmed circle of my
adorable Calypso in the beauteous Vörösvár Vale of
Tempe.
"There is, however, a small but fatal incident that
must be recorded, that has much disquieted me, which I
will set forth to the Fräulein. Last week I was
amusing myself with Mr. Justice Petray (a good fellow
by the way), in dallying with Fortune's painted cards,
on which occasion a thousand dancing sprites turned
the wheel very unluckily for me, so that I lost twenty
ducats to the justice, and had to give him my _parole_
as an officer that I would pay him to-morrow. Item, he
insists on my redeeming my word, because to-morrow
there is to be an enquiry into the accounts, and among
other things will be missing the twenty ducats from
the treasury. But owing to the incredibly bad state of
the roads the allowance my aunt sends me has not
arrived, nor do I know how I can settle the affair.
And so for me there remains nothing but to take my
leave of the world with a pistol-shot, and embark in
the boat of Charon, or else to take refuge under the
protection of my good genius, and call her to my aid.
I humbly suggest that she might, for just this once,
be an intermediary with her rich uncle for me, and
borrow the above-mentioned sum on my behalf, which I
pledge my word, as a cavalier, gratefully to reimburse
directly I get my aunt's allowance.
"May the Fräulein accept the most humble homage of
Heinrich von Lievenkopp."
Off went Fräulein Fruzsinka, when she had read this letter, to her
uncle, the prefect.
"I say, uncle, dear, will you advance me ten ducats out of my
allowance?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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