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“ eighteen long years Father Cvok was only a curate on the estate before he obtained the meagre living of Záluz̓í. He had not the honour of pleasing her ladyship the baroness, because he is no sycophant, but a man who neither forgets his own dignity nor that of his office, even when in the presence of the gracious patroness herself. For this reason her ladyship purposely overlooked him twice when two lucrative livings were vacant, which he in all right and justice fully deserved. But how could he expect to get either of them? For on one occasion, about ten years ago, when he went to the castle to solicit the living of Rades̓ín, he forgot himself so far as to offer to shake hands with the baroness! Imagine such unheard of presumption! Of course, there was no hope for him after that; the living was given to another, and poor Father Cvok had to hang his head, and go back to his curacy.”

“I can see it all before me,” observed Jenny, deeply interested.

“Now, when Suchdol was vacant, it was the old story all over again, though Heavens was more cautious that time. Before going to the castle on this occasion, he consulted the priest of Radesín as to how he should best