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 having harvest and a great deal of work and that he cannot come for several days, but I’d wager my head that he heard about the specter and is afraid. He’s a terrible coward and he has to come by way of the parish forest.”

“I wish it had blown him away so that he’d come no more to Vestec. I’d rather see you in your coffin than with that bald-pate at the altar,” Bára scolded. “I don’t see where Miss Pepinka puts her reason that she forces you to accept such a creature. And yet she is a good woman.”

“She thinks she is making provision for a comfortable future for me. That is the only reason I am not utterly angry at her, but I cannot marry him, no matter what happens.”

“And you must not. God would punish you since you gave your promise to Mr. Hynek, if you did not keep it. You know the saying, ‘He who breaks the vow of love, alas, alas, for his soul!’”.

“I shall never, never break it even if it would take years,” asserted Elška. “But he—he—if only he will not forget! In Prague there are beautiful girls who are his equals. But, Bára, if he would forget me I would grieve myself to death!” And Elška began sobbing.

“You are a foolish child to worry yourself so. Yesterday you told me what a fine man Mr. Hynek was and how much he loves you, and today you have doubts of him?”

Elška wiped her eyes, smiled and, throwing herself