"That comes out the same. As to me, I confess that I should like to hold some Herod, see, this way, in my hand" (here Pan Stanislav opened his fingers and then closed them into a fist); "but with such a dove as you, it is quite different. With you I think we shall have to fight to restrain you from too much self-abnegation, too much personal sacrifice. Such is your nature, and I know whom I take. For that matter all say so, and even Mashko, who is no Solomon, said: 'She may be unhappy with thee; thou with her, never.' And he is right. But I am curious to know how Mashko will be for his wife. He has a firm hand." "But is he loved much?" "Not so much as awhile ago, when a certain young lady coquetted with him." "Yes; for he wasn't so wicked as a certain 'Pan Stas.'" "That will be a wonderful marriage. She is not ill-looking, though she is pale, and has red eyes. But Mashko marries for property. He admits that she doesn't love him; and when that adventure with Gantovski took place (he is brave, too), he was certain that those ladies would choose the opportunity to break with him. Meanwhile it turned out just the opposite; and imagine, Mashko is now alarmed again, because everything moves as if on oil. It seems to him suspicious. There are certain strange things there; there exists also, as it seems, a Pan Kraslavski--God knows what there is not. The whole affair is stupid. There will be no happiness in it,--at least, not such as I picture to myself." "And what do you picture to yourself?" "Happiness in this,--to marry a reliable woman, like you, and see the future clearly." "But I think it is in this,--to be loved; but that is not enough yet." "What more?" "To be worthy of that love, and to--" Here Marynia was unable for a time to find words, but at last she said,-- "And to believe in a husband, and work with him." CHAPTER XXVIII. Pan Stanislav was not mistaken. Everything went so favorably for Mashko, Pani and Panna Kraslavski acted so admirably, that he was more and more alarmed. At moments he laughed at this; and since he had had no secret from Pan Stanislav for some time, he said one day, with complete cynicism,-- "My dear, those are simply angels; but my hair stands on end, for something is hidden in this." "Better thank the Lord God."