Page:Halek's Stories and Evensongs.pdf/98

 in his playful humour more than one trace of despair. Possibly among his guests there was such a psychologist, if so he must have confessed that the actor played his part to perfection. The cup went merrily round and Pan Hurka did all in his power to inoculate his guests with the same good humour as that which beamed on his own countenance. Karla was not present on this occasion but no one had observed her absence. It does not appear either that Pan Hurka missed her particularly. He was so devoted to every one, so polite to all, so entirely subservient to their wishes, that at least just then there was no room for Karla in his thoughts. It was already midnight and the good humour of the company blossomed like flowers in a garden. Pan Hurka all at once began to converse about a certain new speculation of his the advantages of which he depicted in glowing colours, and he thought doubtless that he had already proved to all present what profits were to be made by a subscribed capital. At the same time half jestingly he brought a roll of paper, inscribed the names of all present and turning quickly to his guests asked whether he might put down their names and distribute the shares.

But contrary to his expectation the day’s festivities were soon at an end. The guests present looked inquiringly at one another and excused themselves to Pan Hurka on the ground that they must think over and coolly weigh the matter at home: and they said that they would let him hear from them on the morrow. And they began to file off home one after another for really it was getting so late they said. Pan Hurka at this occurrence grew pale and had it not been for his presence of mind which prompted him to let fall a pen and search long for it, his pallor could not fail to have been noticed by all his guests.

He felt that drops of sweat stood on his brow and when he gave his hand to his guests at the door it trembled not a little and was as cool as his forehead. However, he whispered to let him know for certain on the morrow what they decided upon at home about his projected scheme. When Pan Hurka was alone and the lamps illuminated in the empty chamber the relics of that day’s feasting the expression of his countenance was terrible. He sat down on one of the chairs and crushing spasmodically the paper with the names inscribed he opened his eyes so wide that any one who had seen him would have shuddered.

For a long time he walked up and down the dining-room, and when he turned to his bedroom and saw Karla sleeping by herself without a suspicion in her dreams of what her husband had done