Here he turned to Marynia, and continued,-- "Imagine that might: a whole world, millions of people, iron laws, power unequalled before or since, an organization such as has never been elsewhere, greatness, glory, hundreds of legions, a gigantic city, possessing the world,--and that Palatine hill over there, possessing the city; it would seem that no earthly power could overturn it. Meanwhile two Jews come,--Peter and Paul, not with arms, but a word; and see, here is a ruin, on the Palatine a ruin, in the Forum a ruin, and above the city crosses, crosses, crosses and crosses." Again there was silence; but from the direction of Santa Maria Liberatrice the sound of the flute came continually. After a while Vaskovski said, pointing to the arena,-- "There was a cross here, too, but they have borne it away." Pan Stanislav was thinking, however, of Svirski's words; for him they had a more vital interest than they could have for a man who had finished the spiritual struggle with himself. At last he said, following his own course of thought,-- "Yes, there is something beyond human in this; some truth shines into the eyes here, like that moon." They were going slowly toward the entrance, when a carriage rattled outside. Then in the dark passage leading to the centre of the circus, steps were heard; two tall, figures issued from the shade into the light. One of these, dressed in gray stuff, which gleamed like steel in the moonlight, approached a number of steps to distinguish the visitors better, and said all at once,-- "Good-evening! The night is so beautiful that we, too, came to the Colosseum. What a night!" Pan Stanislav recognized the voice of Pani Osnovski. Giving her hand, she spoke with a voice as soft as the sound of that flute which came from the direction of the church,-- "I shall begin to believe in presentiments, for really something told me that here I should find acquaintances. How beautiful the night is!" CHAPTER XXXIV. On returning to the hotel, Pan Stanislav and Marynia were surprised somewhat to find the Osnovskis' cards; and their astonishment rose from this, that, being newly married, it was their duty to make the first visit. For this unusual politeness it was needful to answer with equal politeness, hence they returned the visit on the following day. Bukatski, who saw them before they made it, though he was very unwell, and could barely drag his feet along, brought himself still to one of his usual witticisms, and said to Pan Stanislav, when they were alone for a moment,-- "She will play the coquette; but if thou suppose that she will fall in love with thee, thou art mistaken. She is a little like a razor,--she needs a strap to sharpen herself; in the best event, thou wilt be a strap for her." "First, I do not wish to be her strap," answered Pan Stanislav; "and second, it is too early." "Too early? That means that thou art reserving the future for thyself."