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 night,’ Lukas began smilingly; ‘because I now sit at the inn till break of day when I never used to formerly.’

‘They must be wise people who blame one person for another’s follies.’

‘They know quite well that I should not seek their company if you behaved as you should.’

Vendulka felt this was beyond a joke.

‘What am I neglecting in my duties that you talk to me like this, and try to make people gossip about me?’

‘The first duty in every household—the master.’

Vendulka became pensive. How was it possible that Lukas should misunderstand her intentions which must be as clear as day-light to every one? Only a person evilly disposed towards her could put her in the wrong about it. Or had her father been right after all with his doubts and his warning?

‘I know you are sensible and kind-hearted,’ she said at last, ‘why do you now dissemble, and pretend you are neither? I have told you more than once that it was not for the sake of love-making that I came to your house: there will be time enough for that.