He was thinner, frailer than other members of the clan and in him the famous Kendy nose which so resembled the beaks of birds of prey‚ eagles‚ falcons and hawks, had dwindled in Pityu’s case to the less ferocious but none the less exaggerated of some exotic jungle bird. With Pityu’s weak chin his face seemed to consist entirely of a huge hooked nose and two sad-looking black eyes.

The serenade was nearly over when there was heard behind them a loud clatter of horses’ hoofs.

A carriage drawn by a team of four horses raced into the forecourt and drew up barely an inch from the back of the cymbal-player. The first two horses snorted but remained otherwise motionless but the gypsies quickly scattered.

Uncle Ambrus started to swear in his usual masterly and complicated fashion but he was forced to break off when he saw that it was Pali Uzdy, Adrienne’s husband, who jumped down from the high travelling carriage. So he rearranged his face into a smile of welcome and cried out, ‘Servus‚ Pali! Where do you spring from at this late hour?’

Uzdy walked over to the serenaders with his usual measured tread. His thin figure, like a dark tower, seemed even taller than usual in his ankle-length double-breasted fur coat and, as he was narrow-shouldered as well as exceptionally tall, he somehow gave the impression of having been whittled away the further up you looked. With his elongated pale face framed in the fur collar, long waxed moustaches and goatee beard he looked for all the world like one of those tall bottles of Rhine wine whose wooden stopper has been crowned with the caricature of Mephistopheles.

Towering above the others he replied, ‘I’ve just come from home‚ from Almasko. I like to come and go without warning … and sometimes I get quite a surprise, as now, though this, of course, is a very agreeable surprise!’ Pali emphasized each last word in his usual ironic manner. He shook hands with each in turn.

His slanting almond-shaped eyes glinted with private amusement he sat down at the table. ‘You don’t mind if I join you?’ he asked‚ the polite words barely masking the mockery of his tone. The serenaders were extremely put out, for they had chosen that evening only because they knew that Uzdy was away. Now he had turned up and spoilt everything.

‘So? A serenade? It is a serenade‚ is it not? For Adrienne‚ of course! Very good! Very good! You are quite right! I am most flattered that you should honour our house in this way. I am only sorry I disturbed you, but I must say in my defence that I knew nothing about it. You will forgive me, I’m sure,’ went on Uzdy without giving the others any chance to reply‚ ‘… but go on! Please go on‚ and, as long as you don’t object, I’ll just sit here and listen. It’s a great joy to me to hear such beautiful music. I never get the chance at home.’

This was more than Uncle Ambrus could bear. Angrily he burst out‚ ‘Only an idiot would serenade a lady when her husband’s at home! Perhaps you’d like us to come and play to you when …’ Ambrus broke off when he saw that Uzdy was looking at him with a strange gleam in his eyes.

‘When …?’ he enquired icily‚ raising his long neck from the fur collar.

‘Well … when you’re asleep‚ or, or… when …’ stammered Ambrus. ‘Anyhow‚ it isn’t the custom!’ Then, to bring the evening to an end as quickly as possible, he turned to the musicians and shouted, ‘Well, you dolts, get on with it! Play Master Alvinczy’s song, are you daft?’ Turning once more to Uzdy in explanation he said, ‘It’s Adam’s turn. That’s what the boys agreed.’

Again song followed song, but more swiftly now as if the gypsies wanted to get it all over with and run.

Though the music continued the festive mood round the table had been extinguished. While Adam Alvinczy stood near the band-leader‚ all the rest remained seated, Ambrus still nearest to the veranda, Uzdy at the upper end of the table, Kadacsay and Pityu on the courtyard side and, at the other end of the table, rather apart from the others near to the wooden gates at the end of Adrienne’s wing which led to the garden and the Szamos river that flowed beyond it, sat Laszlo Gyeroffy. While it was obvious that Uzdy’s arrival had spoilt the evening for the others, Laszlo seemed quite indifferent. He sat very straight, staring into the night, drinking tumbler after tumbler of champagne, laced with brandy.