Baroness Orczy

“ The next moment the Countess and Ilonka had disappeared inside the church.
Pater Ambrosius was also coming, holding his cassock high above his lean shanks, to protect it from the mud. Every one filed into the little church, the women to the right, the men to the left. After the first glance of curiosity, at the noble ladies, all heads were reverently bent down, waiting for the Pater to commence. ”

“ We must pray to God to stay the catastrophe, which brings such sorrow upon the lord of Bideskút, Kisfalu and Zárda, who already has had so much grief last year, when a terrible fire devastated his land. Let us all say from our hearts ‘Our Father’ and three times ‘Hail Mary,’ and then the Holy Virgin will truly intercede with her divine Son for the noble lord.”
The simple prayers were repeated devoutly as Pater Ambrosius requested, for all felt truly sorry in their hearts to see the beautiful land devastated by the flood ”

“ Sári and Kati, carrying their red boots, walked each side of the horse, and Kemény András stood watching the three women, till they were out of sight. The people had all left the churchyard. One or two pretty girls looked wistfully after the rich peasant, who was so moody to-day. Gradually the little church porch, and then the village street had become deserted; all had gone in, to eat the meat and eggs, which had been specially blessed by God. In the distance, Pater Ambrosius, his cassock well tucked up, was hurrying home to his presbytery ”

“ Outside there is ceaseless chatter. The gossip continues while from every side the worshippers arrive.
“Will my lord come?” asks one of the late arrivals.
“He came last year, but I don’t know if he will come to-day,” said a young herdsman from Bideskút, “the carriage and horses were waiting when I passed the big house, so I am sure the Countess and the young lady will come.”
“The noble Ilonka is very beautiful,” suggested a pretty girl who was putting on her red boots. ”

“ He drove into Gyöngyös, just before the sowing, and bought his mother a new silk dress, and both his servants a pair of red boots.”
“That man is made of money,” sighed old Berczi, envyingly.
“He makes good use of it, anyhow,” said another, “during the whole of this winter, he paid my mother her full wages for picking wheat, though her eyesight now is quite gone, and she cannot tell cornflower seed from the finest lowland corn.”
“It is easy to do good,” said old Berczi, sententiously, “if one has plenty.” ”

“ Some of the women have gone in, to get a good seat in the rough oak pew, from which they can catch sight of my lord and his family, in their great pew above; for my lord always comes to Mass in the village church on Easter Sunday, and brings his lamb and eggs, to be blessed by the reverend Pater. ”