She described the circumstances of the family where she lived at present concisely and clearly, dwelling rather more upon the characteristics of the mistress of the house, whom she praised as a lady of uncommon accomplishments, with rare gentleness and delicacy of feeling—a perfect character, in fact—rewarding her efforts with the two children by ready acknowledgment and hearty confidence. The master of the house, she said, was a matter-of-fact merchant, but an excellent, devoted father, and a warm-hearted, loving husband.
Jenny was altogether very happy there, and felt like be of the family, and she added, “It is no mere mockery to say that aristocrats have a different sort of blood from other people, for if I compare the family Opolský with the Poc̓ernickýs, I feel as if I were reading a poem of Burns after a formal birthday ode.”
Furthermore, she wrote that there was only one thing that disturbed her, and caused her some anxiety for the future. A nephew of the master of the house was a partner in the firm. He was the stepson of an elder sister of Mr. Opolský’s, and was already past forty; but a very fine-looking man, with most agreeable manners, and a pleasant voice that spoke directly to the heart. He was very well off; had lost his wife about twelve years ago, and had never married again. On Sundays and holidays, or on any particular occasions, he was generally guest at the Opolskýs’ table, and always showed a partiality for her society, though, of course, in no ostentatious or obtrusive manner. Jenny saw plainly, she wrote, that she was not indifferent to him, and though Mr. Doubek bebaved with great delicacy, still his attentions troubled her with fears, which she thought could be easily understood in her present circumstances.
