"Pani Osnovski," said Pan Stanislav, "has a husband who loves for two; therefore she has no need to fatigue herself, so Svirski, at least, insists. She has Chinese eyes; she is Aneta by name; has filling in her upper teeth, which is visible when she laughs much, therefore she prefers to smile; in general, she is like a turtle-dove,--she turns in a circle, and cries, 'Sugar! sugar!'" "That is a malicious man," said Marynia. "She is beautiful, lively, witty; and Pan Svirski cannot know how much she loves her husband, for surely he hasn't mentioned the matter to her. All these are simply suppositions." Pan Stanislav thought two things: first, that they were not suppositions; and second, that he had a wife who was as naïve as she was honest. But Zavilovski said,-- "I am curious to know what would happen were she as much in love with him as he is with her." "It would be the greatest double egotism that the world has ever witnessed," said Pan Stanislav. "They would be so occupied with each other that they would see no other thing or person on earth." Zavilovski smiled, and said, "Light does not prevent heat; it produces it." "Taking matters strictly, that is rather a poetical than a physical comparison," said Pan Stanislav. But Zavilovski's answer pleased the two ladies, so both supported him ardently; and when Bigiel joined them, Pan Stanislav was outvoted. After that they talked of Mashko and his wife. Bigiel said that Mashko had taken up an immense case against Panna Ploshovski's million-ruble will, in which a number of rather distant heirs appeared. Pan Plavitski had written of this to Marynia while she was in Italy; but, considering the whole affair such an illusion as were aforetime the millions resting on the marl of Kremen, she barely mentioned it to her husband, who waved his hand on the whole question at once. Now, as Mashko had taken up the affair, it seemed more important. Bigiel supposed that there must be some informality in the will, and declared that if Mashko won, he might stand on his feet right away, for he had stipulated an immense fee for himself. The whole affair roused Pan Stanislav's curiosity greatly. "But Mashko has the elasticity of a cat," said he; "he always falls on his feet." "And this time thou shouldst pray that he may not break his back," answered Bigiel; "for it is a question of no small amount, both for thee and thy father-in-law. Ploshov alone with all its farms is valued at seven hundred thousand rubles; and, besides, there is much ready money." "That would be wonderful, such unexpected gain!" said Pan Stanislav.