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 exquisite civility, but he looked at Lucy now and then, as if to say: “We know a thing or two, but we keep quiet, as becomes a gentleman.”

His conversation was exclusively with Jiří, that is, he spoke, and Jiří listened. He knew all the political wires behind the curtain, all about representatives, journalists, and ministers,—he knew some spicy gossip or anecdote about each, and at every opportune moment he flattered Jiří with: “Such and such a fellow, well! But you are all right!”

Jiří was charmed with him. After dinner he took him to his study, where the gentleman remarked that he here found all the familiar signs of the Bohemian land, which he promised to take a look at. Jiří read his speeches to him. In the meanwhile the trusty man drank wine (good wine!), smoked, now and then praised, and now again burst forth into full, enthusiastic agreement.