And so it was, but for various reasons. While Pan Stanislav was occupied with his thoughts, Pani Osnovski attacked him a number of times with her eyes and her words. He answered her words with something disconnected, and did not notice her glances in any way. He simply offended her: she might have forgiven him, she might have been pleased even, if to her statement that she wished to be a nun, he had answered with impudence concealed in polished words; but he wounded her mortally when he ceased to notice her, and in punishment she ceased also to notice him. But as a person of good breeding she became all the politer to Marynia. She inquired touching her plans on the following day; and, learning that they were to be at the Vatican, she announced that she and her husband had tickets of admission, and would use the opportunity also. "You know the dress?" inquired she. "A black robe, and black lace on the head. One looks a little old in them, but no matter." "I know; Pan Svirski forewarned me," answered Marynia. "Pan Svirski always talks of you to me when I am sitting to him. He has great regard for you." "And I for him." During this conversation they arrived at the hotel. Pan Stanislav received such a slight and cool pressure of the hand from the fair lady that, though his head was occupied with something else, he noticed it. "Is that a new method," thought he, "or have I said something that displeased her?" "What dost thou think of Pani Osnovski?" asked he of Marynia in the evening. "I think that Pan Svirski may be right in some measure." And Pan Stanislav answered: "She is writing at this moment 'memoirs,' which 'Yozio' considers a masterpiece." FOOTNOTES: [6] River-maiden among the Slavs. [7] Thus printed to show her style of Italian. [8] A diminutive of Aneta. CHAPTER XXXV.