Pan Stanislav approached, embraced Plavitski heartily, and said, "I do with uncle's consent and permission." But Plavitski exclaimed, "Oh, my child!" and, advancing with tottering step to a sofa, he sat on it heavily. "Wait a moment," said he, with emotion. "It will pass--do not mind me--my children! If that is needed, I bless you with my whole heart." And he blessed them; wherewith still greater emotion mastered him, for, after all, he loved Marynia really. The voice stuck in his throat repeatedly; and the two young people heard only such broken expressions as, for example, "Some corner near you--for the old man, who worked all his life--an only child--an orphan." They pacified him together, and pacified him so well that half an hour later Plavitski struck Pan Stanislav on the shoulder suddenly, and said,-- "Oh robber! Thou wert thinking of Marynia, and I was thinking thee a little--" He finished the rest in Pan Stanislav's ear, who grew red with indignation, and answered,-- "How could uncle suppose such a thing? If any one else had dared to say that?" "Well, well, well!" answered Plavitski, smiling; "there is no smoke without fire." That evening Marynia, taking farewell of Pan Stanislav, asked,-- "You will not refuse me one thing?" "Nothing that you command." "I have said long to myself that if a moment like the present should come, we would go to Litka together." "Ah, my dear lady," answered Pan Stanislav; and she continued,-- "I know not what people will say; but what do we care for the world--what indeed?" "Nothing. I am thankful to you from my heart and soul for the thought--My dear lady--my Marynia!" "I believe that she looks at us and prays for us." "Then she is our little patroness." "Good-night." "Good-night." "Till to-morrow." "Till to-morrow," said he, kissing her hands,--"till after to-morrow, daily;" and here he added in a low voice, "Until our marriage." "Yes," answered Marynia.