It was the beginning of November. The days were still clear and warm, and so there was no danger in undertaking a journey with an infant. It had been settled between Jenny and Father Cvok that they should meet in Prague on the 5th, at the house of Mrs. Knír̓ová, who by a lucky accident was in the country just then for the wedding of her husband’s brother. Jenny promised to come about noon; but if her friends from Záluz̓í arrived sooner, they were only to go to the house-porter, who would admit them on showing the card which Jenny enclosed in the letter.
The evening before the appointed day, the baron, Cvok, Miss Naninka, and little Pepíc̓ek arrived in Prague, and took up their quarters in the baron’s house. The baron was unusually disturbed, and spoke little during the two hours he spent with Father Cvok in the dining-room.
Our friend of Záluz̓í, too, felt his heart almost fail him. He reproached himself for not having told the baron anything about Doubek; but though the matter was several times on the tip of his tongue during the evening, he could not bring himself to mention it. The conversation flagged continually, though each made efforts every now and then to begin afresh. After some time the servant brought in the evening papers, which helped to fill up the time a little. At last, about ten o’clock, they said “good night,”and went to their several rooms. Miss Naninka, with Pepíc̓ek, slept in the old baroness’s bedroom, in her very bed, and the faithful spinster felt not a bit less anxious and restless than the two men. Only Pepíc̓ek slept like a top after the journey. What did he care for the changes of fate or fortune, in the arms of his devoted nurse and foster-mother?
In the morning they met at breakfast; then they drove
