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 out to see something of the town; and about eleven o’clock they went to the house appointed. It was a simple building in a side street; and the porter, on seeing an aristocratic carriage drive up to the door, bowed and scraped most obsequiously, and brought them to Mrs. Knír̓ová’s rooms.

Pepíc̓ek grew a little restless; he even began to cry. “Isn’t that a bad sign?” said the baron, breaking the distressing silence.

“I am afraid it is,” answered Naninka. “He was as good as gold the whole way, and the whole night too.” The baron shivered. Father Cvok said, “Perhaps Jenny will not be able to come.”

“Ah! do you mean it?” asked the baron.

“Never fear, she’ll be sure to come,” broke in Naninka, who was trying to pacify the baby.

There was again a pause, long and distressing; then a light step was heard approaching, and a quick knock at the door. The hearts of those present beat almost audibly. Jenny entered the room, closely followed by a handsome man, with a full, well-kept beard, and very elegantly dressed. The baron’s heart was drawn together, and it grew almost dark before his eyes.

Jenny started when she saw him, and a deadly pallor overspread her cheeks, which just before were flushed with joy. For a short moment she stopped thus in the middle of the room; then going quickly to Naninka, she took the baby out of her arms, clasped it to her breast, and kissed it fondly, with tears of happiness.

In the eyes of every one present tears glistened, but not in the baron’s. The sharp pangs of jealousy nearly drove him mad.