Page:Halek's Stories and Evensongs.pdf/147

 ing elsewhere, you by no means fetter yourself, and if you are convinced then at all events you act from conviction.”

Uncle John saw what grandfather was aiming at.

“The Horakoffs, of Brizoff, begged us to send you to see them. I hear their daughter is pretty, and with expectations; if you do not like her you need not take her.”

“Oh, father, by everything in the world I implore do not tempt me so cruelly”, cried Uncle John with clasped hands.

“Nay, nay, I do not intend anything so bad as you seem to think. But about this one girl I pray you to listen to me, in order that I may see whether my grey hairs have yet any respect paid to them by you. Go then to see her. I leave your will entirely free. I do not the least fetter you; but only about this one thing, I pray you. If you are not suited there you may then do as you like. And if you still wish it you may then take—even Betuska.”

This last word grandfather scarcely pronounced at all—his voice was as it were broken.

But Uncle John did not oppose his will. It appeared to him that this road was open to him in order that by it he might win Betuska. A moment before he had not the least idea that he was so near the realization of what was the single wish of his soul.

Uncle John kissed grandfather’s hand, and grandfather felt that on it fell a tear. “I shall go there”, he said, and went out of the room.

In appearance all was now again at peace at grandfather’s, and reconciliation, as it were, now drew them all to one another

When Novak departed from grandfather’s he betook himself by a direct road to Kubista’s. I do not know whether he did this by an impulse of his own, or whether grandfather had given him some hint. But this is certain that Novak was so crafty that he managed to extort everything from grandfather which might have endangered the success of his conspiracy.

Such people do everything for the sake of gain, and from the like motives pervert young people to passion, worse than in the olden times they perverted the barbarians to faith.

At Kubista’s Novak again introduced himself as before with humble bows, flattery, and subtle speeches, and his eyes flashed from side to side like the sting of a wasp.

There is no need of the horse’s hoof, and of horns on the forehead for a man to think, speak, and act, like a very devil.