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After this bit of eloquent pantomime, Ciprianu turned and hastened out of the room and into the courtyard, whence he soon reappeared amid a great cackling of poultry. He brought with him, tied together by the feet, a cock and a hen of that splendid breed that so strangely resembles, in head and neck, the proudest of Calcutta turkeys. This pair of fowls he presented to Blanka.
Now you may, if you wish, take me in and say to your guests, 'This is the daughter of that Ciprianu whose sons laid waste Sasd and Felvincz and killed Jonathan Adorjan." "Away, away!" stammered Blanka, waving her hand. She was terrified at the thought of Zenobia's being found there by the people of Toroczko, and perhaps suffering violence at their hands. "Go in peace," said Aaron.
"You mean Ciprianu and his men?" "Yes." "But Ciprianu and both his sons are now fallen." "So much the better. He left a daughter who thirsts for revenge." "Do you know her?" "She is my sweetheart." "And have you picked out the village whose destruction is to be her bridal gift? Which one is it?" "I have told you already, Toroczko." "But I say it shall be Torda!" cried a determined voice.
Much rejoicing then followed, and the two brothers, whom Manasseh now presented to Blanka, told her all about the preparations made for receiving the bridal party at the Borev Bridge. Then all five sat down and emptied the lunch-basket with which Ciprianu had provided his guests; for thenceforth they would not need to carry their supplies with them.
Even to his bishop Ciprianu has never given a cock and a hen of this breed at one time. So now we can sleep soundly in this house, for we have a sure proof that you have won its master's heart. With Ciprianu's cock and hen we can make our way unchallenged through the whole Wallachian army. They are as good as a passport for us." Blanka laughed, unaware of the full significance of his words.
The country peasantry never give themselves a regular night's sleep, but lie down half-dressed in order to get up occasionally and look around in house and stable, to make sure all is as it should be. Ciprianu had a handsome daughter, as tall as himself and with regular features of the old Roman cast.
"Why are we stopped here?" asked Blanka. Aaron gave her a reassuring reply. "Ciprianu says it is not best for us to go any farther to-night, as the rains have washed out the road in some places, and we might get into trouble in the dark. So we must accept his invitation and spend the rest of the night under his roof." Aaron had explained the situation only in part.
In the midst of their discussion a messenger came from Ciprianu and confirmed the truth of my words." "From Ciprianu? Then the messenger must have ridden all night." "Yes, through a trackless wilderness and over rugged mountains." "I do not see how mortal man could have accomplished it!" exclaimed Aaron, shaking his head. "It was not a man; it was a woman that effected the impossible.
"Do you hear Ciprianu's roosters?" Aaron asked his brother. "So you are acquainted with Ciprianu and his poultry?" returned Manasseh. "Yes, I know them well. Ciprianu is a Wallach, but a nobleman of Hungary for all that, and his poultry unique of its sort. The cocks are white, but in head and neck they bear a strong resemblance to turkeys, and they gobble like turkeys, too.
Thus, when Ciprianu put his hand first to his head, then tapped Aaron on the shoulder, kissed his own fingers and then stretched them heavenward, made a motion with his head and raised his eyebrows, bowed low, stood erect again, thumped his bosom, and finally extended his great, muscular hands toward Blanka as if to caress her, she could not but infer that the Wallachian-Hungarian nobleman was proud of the courtesy shown to his daughter.