They Were Found Wanting (79 page)

And so ended an era in which nothing whatever had been achieved. The balance sheet consisted only of omissions, the worst of which had been the defence of the nation. Four years had been lost; and Hungary was now less prepared even than Italy or insignificant little Serbia.

The express had long since left the Danube. Evening came and Balint found himself still staring through the darkening light onto a sad, sooty, seemingly endless plain. The first snows had melted and it had then frozen again. The train rushed northwards across ice-covered fields. The smoke from the engine swirled overhead and from time to time, whenever the stoker opened the furnace door, bright red glowing sparks were reflected on the frozen earth outside.

In half an hour he would arrive, get out, seat himself in the
carriage
which had been sent for him; and in another half-hour he would be at the Szent-Gyorgyis’ country place where he would do what he had promised in the telegram he had that morning sent to Adrienne;

It had been his only reply to her letter, and read:

‘
A
T NOON TODAY I AM LEAVING FOR JABLANKA AS
YOU HAVE ORDERED ME TO DO
’