"No; I hope nothing. I have a little love, but I am a man too insignificant, too weak in mind. This will vanish, as if some one had thrown a stone into water; but there will be a circle. Let some chosen one come later on; for I know that what is predestined will not fail. He will not refuse the mission even if he wishes. There is no use in bending men from their predestination, nor in changing them by force. What is good in a different place may be bad in this, for God made us for another use. The labor is vain. Vainly too wilt thou persuade thyself that thy only wish is to gain money; thou, like others, must follow the voice of predestination and nature." "I am following it indeed, for I am going to marry; that is, if I be accepted." Vaskovski embraced him. "I wish thee happiness! This is perfect! May God bless thee! I know that the little maid indicated it to thee. But remember how I told thee that she had something to do, and that she would not die till she had done it. May God give her light, and a blessing to both of you! Besides, Marynia is golden." "And to thee, beloved Professor, a happy journey and a successful mission!" "And to thee, thy wish for thyself." "What do I wish?" asked Pan Stanislav, joyfully. "Well, so, half a dozen little missionaries." "Ah rogue! thou wert always a rogue!" answered Vaskovski. "But fly off, fly off; I will visit thee once more." Pan Stanislav flew out, sat on a droshky, and gave command to take him to the Plavitskis'. On the road he was arranging what to say to Marynia; and he prepared a little speech, partly sentimental, and partly sober, as befits a positive man who has found really that which he was seeking, but who also is marrying through reason. Evidently Marynia looked for him much later; for there was no light in the chamber, though the last gleam of twilight was quenched. Pan Stanislav, for a greeting, began to kiss both her hands, and, forgetting completely his wise introduction, asked in a voice somewhat uncertain and excited,-- "Have you received the flowers and the letter?" "I have." "And did you guess why I sent them?" Marynia's heart beat with such force that she could not answer. Pan Stanislav inquired further, with a still more broken voice,-- "Do you agree to Litka's wish,--do you want me?" "I do," answered Marynia. Then he, in the feeling that it was proper to thank her, sought words in vain; but he pressed her hands more firmly to his lips, and, holding them both, drew her gently nearer and nearer. Suddenly a flame seized him; he put his arms around her, and began to seek her lips with his own. But Marynia turned away her head so that he could kiss only the hair on her temples. For a while only their hurried breathing was heard in the darkness; at last Marynia wrested herself from his arms.