Page:Magdalen by J S Machar.pdf/133

 at one side with the aunt. The old lady followed the familiar game with interest, and she laughed, as she leaned on Lucy’s arm. Jiří, who was sitting near the slender daughter of the tax collector, at first hesitated, but finally joined the game.

That charming blonde, with eyes as blue as cornflowers, and with beautiful sunburnt hands, took hey hat off while she played. By accident Jiří leaned over her head and breathed in the intense perfume of the pomatum which her hair exhaled. He breathed it again, and a third time. She turned her eyes a little towards Jiří, and he saw something mysterious flash in them as though hundreds of tiny gnomes were dancing there in sparkling violet garments. A sweet feeling set all his nerves atremble. He said something to her. She smiled. The directress called her to order. They went on playing.

The directress again invited Lucy, and the aunt, too, urged her to play. Lucy arose,