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 unusually close contact just at that time, but afterwards nothing suspicious had occurred between the two; and if Mundy was changed, it was only the consequence of his dangerous illness. The baroness, therefore, felt her mind quieted and relieved; but she determined, for all that, to inquire very particularly into the mysterious affair. She remembered Ledecký, and knew that Cvok was in the habit of visiting him pretty often. Besides Suchdol was in the immediate neighbourhood of Záluz̓í and spinster Regina was known to her as a very sharp-witted gossip. She hesitated for a day or two, and then made up her mind to send for Ledecký before Mundy returned from his travels. However, she was very near being too late in carrying out this plan, her son having written sooner than she expected, to say he would be home the very day his letter reached her.

On hearing this, she quickly sent off Ferdinand to Suchdol for Father Ledecký, who came, as we know, without delay. The baroness received him in her business-room very kindly, quite as if she considered him her equal. The sharp-sighted priest said to himself, “Beware, my dear, beware! Under this honeyed sweetness there is a sharp sting lurking, I’ll be bound!” He thanked her for the rare honour of having been invited by the baroness to come to see her, and only hoped he would be able to satisfy her ladyship in whatever matter she wished to consult him about; and then begged her to let him know her pleasure.

The baroness asked if he had no idea what it was that she wished to hear from his reliable lips.“

I have not the remotest idea,” answered Ledecký deliberately. “I just had a visit from my reverend