He had only three whole fingers on the right hand, the other two were fearfully mutilated.

As for the left arm it was horribly distorted from its natural position, the elbow being twisted right round and the joint immovable.

Add to this that one of his legs was shorter than the other.

Yet, in spite of everything, this fraction of a man was so agile that he anticipated all the others and was the first to courteously kiss the hand of the descending lady, who shrank back horror-stricken at the contact of those crippled fingers.
"My wife--my friend Gerzson," said Hatszegi hastening to introduce them to each other.

The master of the house professed himself delighted at his good fortune; pressed his friend's hand with his third remaining finger and presented his arm, the stiff one, to the lady who touched it as gingerly as if she was afraid of hurting it.
The master of the house laughed aloud at her misgivings.
"Lean on it hard your ladyship!" cried he, "it won't break, it is as strong as iron.