Page:Selected Czech tales - 1925.djvu/34

 bride. If that satisfies you, give me your hand.’

Old Paloucky held out his hand to Lukas.

The widower took it hesitatingly and said: ‘I did not ask for any settlement, I don’t care whether you give your daughter anything or not: I ask for nothing but the girl. If we two, after so much trouble, now come together, I shall envy no king. To be sure, far rather than have your thousand florins I wish you had not made that insinuating remark which has given me great pain. And do not think, my dear uncle, that I shall give you peace until you have told me quite plainly why my marriage with your only daughter is not as agreeable to you as I had hoped and thought.’

These words, said in a tone of real distress, did not fail to make a great impression on the future father-in-law.

‘Well, my dear boy’ he hesitated, fearing a fresh outburst of wrath, and yet willing to grant a reasonable and civil request, ‘do you want me to tell you what I really think? I fear, there will be no blessing on your marriage.’

‘No blessing? Do you think in your heart as my parents did?’

‘Yes and no. I have no objection to your