Page:Zawis and Kunigunde (1895).djvu/268



During the period immediately preceding and following the departure of Zawis, Lady Ludmila discharged the duties of the household at Fürstenberg with more than ordinary grace and dignity. A queenly deportment, and possibly a consciousness of personal pre-eminence in stateliness, characterized all her movements. Not a step could be heard as she approached, and yet she always contrived to announce her coming; no bold advance marked her presence. Only the rustle of silk indicated her progress. Tall and majestic Lady Ludmila did not seem to walk. She moved as if her person obeyed one impulse, and with an active unity of progression her place was changed. A smile, a graciousness for all; an order of method that told of system well arranged; a clear, specific statement that indicated precision of thought, all rendered her task seemingly facile and light, and proffered to each a special courtesy and attention. Witek, and Wok, and Drda received the sturdy visitors, and distributed themselves among the guests of all degrees; and each felt himself of as much importance and the object of as much affability as any other in that equal company. Squire and