III.
As sometimes a beauty, before going to bed, stands before her looking-glass and arrays herself in her rarest jewels, so on this day did Nature deck herself out for her evening rest. The sun, descending majestically from the blue heavens above to the horizon, shone with gorgeous splendour. The windows of the church glowed like flames of fire, and the verdant tree-tops were tinged with gold. The reeds in the pond, which was about a quarter of an hour’s walk from Suchdol, seemed bathed in molten gold; while a delicate haze spread like a thin veil over the fields and meadows.
Though driven on by fear and presentiments of coming trouble, our friend Cvok yet came to a standstill every now and then to refresh himself with a look at Nature’s charms.
Young Kozman, tired from his long run, was left a good way behind, though he did his best to keep up with his reverence. After crossing the brook and climbing the slope, Cvok stood still—this time for a little longer—and looked about him. He had a sharp eye, but he could not see the least vestige or reflection of fire in the direction of Záluz̓í. A weight fell from his
