"Then it is not true; and she is lovable and pretty, and whatever you like. It is possible to fall in love with her, and to marry her; but a foot of mine will never be in their house again. I know perfectly why you sent me there; but it would have been better to tell me what sort of a man her father is, for she must be like him in character, and if that be true, then thanks for the humiliation." "But think over what you say: 'She is pretty, she is lovable, it is possible to marry her,' and then again: 'She must be like her father.' These statements do not hold together." "Maybe not; it is all one to me! I have no luck, and that is enough." "But I will tell you two things: first, you have come back deeply impressed by Marynia; second, that she is one of the best young ladies whom I have seen in life, and he will be happy who gets her." "Why has not some one taken her before now?" "She is twenty-one years old, and entered society not long since. Besides, don't think that she has no suitors." "Let some other man take her." But Pan Stanislav said this insincerely, for the thought that some other man might take her was tremendously bitter for him. In his soul, too, he felt grateful to Pani Bigiel for her praises of Marynia. "Let that rest," said he; "but you are a good friend." "Not only to Marynia, but to you. I only ask for a sincere, a really sincere, answer. Are you impressed or not?" "I impressed? to tell the truth,--immensely." "Well, do you see?" said Pani Bigiel, whose face was radiant with pleasure. "See what? I see nothing. She pleased me immensely,--true! You have no idea what a sympathetic and attractive person she is; and she must be good. But what of that? I cannot go a second time to Kremen, I came away in such anger. I said such bitter things, not only to Plavitski, but to her, that it is impossible." "Have you complicated matters much?" "Rather too much than too little." "Then a letter might soften them." "I write a letter to Plavitski, and beg his pardon! For nothing on earth! Moreover, he has cursed me." "How, cursed?" "As patriarch of the family; in his own name and the names of all ancestors. I feel toward him such a repulsion that I could not write down two words. He is an old pathetic comedian. I would sooner beg her pardon; but what would that effect? She must take her father's part; even I understand that. In the most favorable event, she would answer that my letter is very agreeable to her; and with that relations would cease." "When Emilia returns from Reichenhall we will bring Marynia here under the first plausible pretext, and then it will be your work to let misunderstandings vanish." "Too late, too late!" repeated Pan Stanislav; "I have promised myself to sell the claim, and I will sell it." "That is just what may be for the best." "No, that would be for the worst," put in Bigiel; "but I will persuade him not to sell. I hope, too, that a purchaser will not be found."