"He was ailing a long time, and the doctor ordered him to eat plentifully. But even in that case he eats only what is cheap. He lives in a poor chamber, and rears birds. Next door he has two large rooms; and knowest, uncle, who passes the night in them? Children whom he picks up on the street." "It seemed to me right away that he had something here," said Plavitski, tapping his forehead with his finger. Pan Stanislav did not find Vaskovski at home; hence after an interview with Mashko he dropped in to see Marynia about five in the afternoon. His conscience was gnawing him for the nonsense he had spoken to Plavitski. "The old man," said he to himself, "will drink costly wines on account of that codicil; while to my thinking they are living beyond their means already. The joke should not last too long." He found Marynia with her hat on. She was going to the Bigiels', but received him, and since he had not come for a long time, he remained. "I congratulate you on the inheritance," said he. "I am glad myself," replied she; "it is something sure, and in our position that is important. For that matter, I should like to be as rich as possible." "Why so?" "You remember what you said once, that you would like to have enough to establish a manufactory, and not carry on a mercantile house. I remember that; and since every one has personal wishes, I should like to have much, much money." Then, thinking that she might have said too much, and said it too definitely, she began to straighten the fold of her dress, so as to incline her head. "I came, for another thing, to beg your pardon," said Pan Stanislav. "To-day at dinner I told a pack of nonsense to Pan Plavitski, saying that Panna Ploshovski had changed her will, perhaps, and left him a whole estate. Beyond my expectation he took it seriously. I should not wish to have him deceive himself; and if you will permit me, I will go at once to him and explain the matter somehow." "I have explained it to him already," said Marynia, smiling; "he scolded me, and that greatly. You see how you have involved matters. You have cause indeed to beg pardon." "Therefore I beg." And, seizing her hand, he began to cover it with kisses; and she left it with him completely, repeating as if in sarcasm, but with emotion,-- "Ah, the wicked Pan Stas, the wicked Pan Stas!" That day Pan Stanislav felt on his lips till he fell asleep the warmth of Marynia's hand; and he thought neither of Mashko nor Gantovski, but repeated to himself with great persistence,-- "It is time to decide this." CHAPTER XXV. Kresovski, with a doctor and a case containing pistols, entered one carriage, Pan Stanislav with Mashko another, and the two moved toward Bielany. The day was clear and frosty, full of rosy haze near the ground. The wheels turned with a whining on the frozen snow; the horses were steaming, and covered with frost; on the trees abundant snow was resting.