And all left relieved in some way. Bukatski, if he was thinking of something opposed to what Vaskovski had said, did not dare mention it; for when people in presence of real misfortune seek salvation in faith, scepticism, even when thoroughly rooted, pulls its cap over its ears, and is not only cowardly, but seems weak and small. Bigiel, who came in at that moment, saw more cheerful faces, and said,-- "I see by you that the little one is not worse." "No, no," said Pan Stanislav; "and the professor told us such wholesome things that he might be applied to a wound." "Praise be to God! My wife gave money for a Mass to-day, and went then to Pani Emilia's. I will dine with you, for I have leave; and, since Litka is better, I will tell you another glad news." "What is it?" "Awhile ago I met Mashko, who, by the way, will be here soon; and when he comes, congratulate him, for he is going to marry." "Whom?" asked Pan Stanislav. "My neighbor's daughter." "Panna Kraslavski?" "Yes." "I understand," said Bukatski; "he crushed those ladies into dust with his grandeur, his birth, his property, and out of that dust he formed a wife and a mother-in-law for himself." "Tell me one thing," said the professor; "Mashko is a religious man--" "As a conservative," interrupted Bukatski, "for appearance' sake." "And those ladies, too," continued Vaskovski. "From habit--" "Why do they never think of a future life?" "Mashko, why dost thou never think of a future life?" cried Bukatski, turning to the advocate, who was coming in at that moment. Mashko approached them and asked, "What dost thou say?" "I will say Tu felix, Mashko, nube!" (Thou, Mashko, art fortunate in marriage!) Then all began to offer congratulations, which he received with full weight of dignity; at the end he said,-- "My dear friends, I thank you from my whole heart; and, since ye all know my betrothed, I have no doubt of the sincerity of your wishes." "Do not permit thyself one," said Bukatski. "But Kremen came to thee in season," interjected Pan Stanislav. Indeed, Kremen had come to Mashko in season, for without it he might not have been accepted. But for that very cause the remark was not agreeable; hence he made a wry face, and answered,-- "Thou didst make that purchase easy; sometimes I am thankful to thee, and sometimes I curse thee." "Why so?" "For thy dear Uncle Plavitski is the most annoying, the most unendurable figure on earth, omitting thy cousin, who is a charming young lady; but from morning till evening she rings changes on her never to be sufficiently regretted Kremen, through all the seven notes, adding at each one a tear. Thou art seldom at their house; but, believe me, to be there is uncommonly wearisome."