But even now God has rewarded him, for that greatest of blessings, domestic happiness, has fallen to his lot so lavishly that it has become a proverb, and anybody seeing them together would imagine that Paradise had already begun for them on this earth." An involuntary, an unconscious sigh arose from Fanny's breast at these words.
At that moment the rumbling of a coach was audible in the courtyard; a chance guest had arrived.

A great bustling about was heard outside, in the midst of which resounded Squire John's stentorian voice.

He seemed to be joyfully welcoming some one, and immediately afterwards Martin entered and announced: "Her Excellency the Countess Flora Eszeky Szentirmay!" * * * * * Fanny, with the trepidation of joy and surprise, awaited the guest who had just been announced.

She had tried to form an idea of her, but what would this imaginary figure be like in reality?
How the young lady's heart did beat as footsteps drew nearer and nearer to the door and she heard Karpathy cheerfully conversing with some one! And now the door opened, and in there came--not that face, not that figure which Fanny had imagined, but a tall, dry lady of uncertain age, with a false complexion, false teeth, and false eyes, dressed according to the latest fashion.

A monstrous hat covered with whole bouquets of flowers, quite shut out the prospect of everything that was behind her back.
Her mantle was thrown back over her shoulders, which gave a martial, amazonic cast to her figure, and this impression was intensified by the low cut of her dress, which allowed one to catch a good glimpse of her scraggy shoulders and projecting breast-bone, an alarming spectacle.