The sun was shining, there was a little dust in the air, and the heat
made itself felt on all faces, though the hour was about six in the
afternoon. Multitudes of people were on the streets; many acquaintances
greeted Yosef with a friendly nod; some, and among them strangers,
looked around at our couple. Really they were a beautiful couple. Yosef
had grown, he had become manly; his chin and the sides of his face were
covered now by a splendid, ruddy growth, and his face had a serious
expression, with a certain tinge of pride. The widow looked exactly like
a young betrothed. The wind blew apart the ribbons of her dainty hat,
played with her white dress, and bearing apart the cape, showed her
slender form. Leaning on Yosef's arm gracefully, she delighted in him
and the sun and the air, and was as if born into the world a second
time. Yosef looked more at her than at the people around. We will not
undertake to repeat the words in that twittering of lovers, without
meaning for others, full of charm for themselves. But there was more
serious conversation; she, for example, begged him to take her to
Potkanski's grave.
"In the summer," said she, "there is much shade even in the cemetery.
And it is so long since I was there; still I cannot forget him. Thou
takest his place, Yosef, but permit me to pray for him sometimes."
It was all one to Yosef for whom or for what Helena prayed; so he
answered with an indulgent smile,--
"Very well, remember thy dead; but love the living," added he, inclining
his head toward her face.
A slight pressing of Yosef's arm to her breast was Helena's answer. She
looked him in the eyes, then blushed like a girl.
Yosef covered with his palm the little hand resting on his arm, and--was
perfectly happy.
They went to the cemetery, and on the way met Augustinovich; he was
smoking a cigar and walking with two ladies, a mother and a daughter.
Augustinovich had the daughter on his arm, the mother hurried on a
little at one side; plumpness and finally the heat hindered her haste
somewhat.
Augustinovich was eloquent evidently, for the young lady restrained her
laughter at moments. While passing Yosef he blinked with one eye; this
was to signify that he was content with the world and the order of the
earth at that moment.
Yosef asked Helena about Augustinovich.
"I know him, though I do not know his name. When Kazimir died, I saw him
near me, then he disappeared somehow from my eyes."
"He is the most gifted scapegrace whom I know," added Yosef. "But he
told me that he was in love with my lady."
"Why tell me that?"
"Without an object, but it is a wonder how all are attracted to thee."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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