not think the worse of him for that, because a dutiful son is, at any age, to a certain degree, a pleasant sight; and am inclined to think that when he is once his own master he will turn out a better and a more useful man than his late father ever was. Of course, a great deal will depend on what his own future experience may do for him. Should he meet with what I call real men—men of independent minds and sterling principles, with enlarged ideas of life and its aims—intercourse with such persons will doubtless elevate his own character and widen his views. For I doubt very much if a man who has been brought up in aristocratic fashion, with all the narrow-minded, exclusive prejudices of that class, can develope of himself into a really large-hearted, manly character.”
Again at these words a slight blush passed over Jenny’s cheeks; Cvok’s opinion of Baron Mundy often returned to her mind, and caused her thoughts to be still more frequently occupied with the young nobleman.
When our friend Cvok left the doctor’s house, a good portion of Jenny’s heart and sympathy went with him; and she promised very readily, when taking leave of him, that she would come to see him at Záluz̓í; and, as far as her circumstances at Labutín permitted, she kept her word to the full. People began to remark her frequent visits, and some good gossips privately shook their heads about it. Still more than the people in general, did the old baroness take notice of the fact; but the companion and lady’s maid did her duty so diligently, and acted altogether so openly, that the baroness could not find any handle against her. Even what she heard under cover of secrecy through old Ferdinand did not cast the least shadow upon Jenny’s behaviour, who never went to
