"I have been very happy," answered Pani Emilia; "and since I think that there is only one road to happiness, I wish those who are near me to go by it." "You are right. That road, or none! Since I have life, I wish that life to be of use to some one else and to me." "As to me," said Pani Emilia, laughing, "since I have undertaken the rôle of matchmaker for the first time in life, I wish to be of service. But it is necessary to think what must be done now." Saying this, she raised her eyes. The light of the lamp fell directly on her delicate face, which was still very youthful; on her light hair, which was somewhat disarranged above her forehead. There was something in her so bewitching and at the same time so virginal that Pan Stanislav, though he had a head occupied with other things, recalled the name, "maiden widow," which Bukatski had given her. "Marynia is very candid," said she, after a moment's thought, "and will understand better if I write the pure truth to her. I will tell her what you told me: that you went away much pleased with her; that what you have done was done without reckoning with yourself, purely under the influence of the thought that you could not come to an agreement with her father; but at present you regret this most sincerely, you beg her not to take it ill, and not to take away the hope that she will yield to entreaty." "And I will write to Mashko that I will purchase the debt of him at whatever profit he likes." "See," said Pani Emilia, smiling, "that sober, calculating Pan Stanislav, who boasts that he has freed himself from the Polish character and from Polish fickleness." "Yes, yes!" cried Pan Stanislav, with a more joyous tone. "Calculation consists in this, to spare nothing on an object that is worth it." At that moment, however, he grew gloomy and said, "But if she answers that she is Mashko's betrothed?" "I will not admit that. Pan Mashko may be the most honorable of men, but he is not for her. She will not marry without affection. I know that Mashko did not please her at all. That will never take place; you do not know Marynia. Only do, on your part, what you can, and be at rest as to Mashko." "Then, instead of writing, I will telegraph to him to-day. He cannot stop in Kremen long at one time, and must receive my despatch in Warsaw." CHAPTER VIII. Mashko's answer, which Pan Stanislav received two days later, was, "I bought Kremen yesterday."