Page:Halek's Stories and Evensongs.pdf/97

 since; we cannot speak about cooling towards one another when there was never any warmth.

But latterly indeed it had occurred to Karla that Hurka showed himself unusually gentle and caressing, occasionally, indeed, he appeared distrait, but not enough to injure their relations to one another.

He called her his dear soul, his dearest friend, and declared it would kill him if fate ever were to separate them for any length of time. Her goodness to him was unbounded he said, and though he had frequently deserved reproaches he had never been troubled by a single one.

Karla reasoned very little about these pretty speeches, indeed scarcely at all. More especially in regard to their separation she conjectured that her husband meant her to understand that he had to undertake some unavoidable journey and not wishing to give her full particulars, he put her off with specious formulas. But she was soon enlightened as to her husbands designs.

Hurka now invited to his home more company than ever and entertained them with reckless extravagance. Karla more than once complained of having so often to play the part of hostess, and several times it happened that she spent the evening in her own room or retired early on the ground that she must attend to her child. Hurka had indeed latterly opened wide his purse-strings to play the gentleman and was oftener seen at cards than at any other occupation. And very much surprised was Karla one day when preparing for another grand entertainment she put her hand into their money-box and found it empty. She asked Hurka for money, but he told her smilingly that the chest would be full again by the morrow and she made no further inquiries.

On the day of the dinner-party Hurka appeared more beaming than ever. His face shone with satisfaction, he rubbed his hands as if he wished to announce to every one the news of his good fortune, his eyes glowed with fire, and if the inner man corresponded with the outer there was not a happier person that day than Hurka.

Ideas and words played above the surface like the pearl-bubbles of champagne wine, he amused every one or was pleased to think he was irresistible. A psychologist might have detected, however, in all this display something spasmodic and feverish and