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 The huntsman wished very much to take Bára with him at once, but things did not move as rapidly as that, as Miss Pepinka would not consent to let Bára go before the formal wedding. Better to have all three publications of the banns of marriage at once when the bridegroom is impatient. Jacob, too, could not at once tear himself from the herdsman’s cottage.

Bára grieved most deeply about Elška. But the next day a letter arrived from Prague for the priest, in which the aunt stated that she would bequeath all her wealth to her niece on the single condition that she marry the young doctor who had cured her (the aunt) and that the priest should ask Elška to decide yes or no on the matter. When also a special letter was enclosed for Elška full of the most beautiful hopes for an early meeting, then Bára had no more unfulfilled desires.

Before the wedding all the people of the village became reconciled with Bára. Even the sexton’s wife wished her happiness and handed her a letter from Josífek. Elška read it to Bára and then only did the latter learn what Elška had long known, that Josífek loved her and only on Bára’s account had not wanted to become a priest. But since she was to marry another he would now accede to his parents’ wishes and enter the priesthood.

A week later Miss Pepinka prepared a fine wedding for Bára. The huntsman’s dear old mother came also to take away with her the daughter to whose coming