Page:Magdalen by J S Machar.pdf/179

 The doctor stepped aside abashed. Just then Jiří came by, and took him away; but Lucy saw him patting him on the shoulder and saying: “Friend, you have a fine lassie! I must say, you show good taste!”

Jiří drew him aside, and explained something to him; the doctor smiled, and shook his head.

The old lady was fatigued by all the sights, and soon fell asleep. Then suddenly the doctor’s wife seated herself by Lucy’s side. Her silk garment rustled at every motion; her little head was redolent with powder; in her pale-blue eye was reflected an eternal longing for luxury; her every turn, glance, and smile was graceful and charming. She spoke two or three sentences, and lightly vaulted over to the burgomistress and to those ladies who gathered every morning for gossip in the house at the common. She called them very humorously the holy inquisition of the town, then sarcastically, but in a half-whisper, told her the salacious stories