"Knowest what? When Pani Emilia comes, my wife will ask her to the country, and with her Marynia. Maybe those ices will thaw then between you." "Play the 'Träumerei' once more." The sounds were given out a second time, with calmness and imagination. Pan Stanislav was too young not to be somewhat of a dreamer; hence he imagined that Marynia was listening with him to the "Träumerei," with her hand in his hands, with her head on his bosom, loving much, and beloved above all in the world. CHAPTER X. Pan Plavitski was what is called a well-bred man, for he returned Pan Stanislav's visit on the third day. He did not return it on the second, for such haste would have indicated a wish to maintain intimate relations; and not on the fourth nor the fifth, for that would have shown a want of acquaintance with the habits of society,--but only within the period most specially and exclusively indicated by command of _savoir vivre_. Plavitski prided himself all his life on a knowledge of those commands, and esteemed them as his own; the observances of them he considered as the highest human wisdom. It is true that, as a man of sense, he permitted other branches of knowledge to exist, on condition, however, that they should not be overestimated; and especially, that they should not have the claim to force themselves on to people who were truly well-bred. Pan Stanislav--for whom everything was desirable that would strengthen in any way the thread of further relations with Marynia--was hardly able to conceal his delight at the arrival of Plavitski. That delight was evident in his agreeable reception, full of good-humor. He must have been astonished, besides, at Plavitski, and the influence which the city had exercised on him. His hair shone like the wing of a raven; his little mustaches were sticking up, vying with the color of his hair; his white shirt covered a slender form; his scarf-pin and black vest gave a certain holiday brilliancy to his whole figure. "On my word, I did not recognize my uncle at the first moment!" cried Pan Stanislav. "I thought that some youngster was coming." "_Bon jour, bon jour!_" answered Plavitski. "The day is cloudy; a little dark here. It must be for that reason that thou didst mistake me for a stripling." "Cloudy or clear, what a figure!" answered Pan Stanislav. And seizing Plavitski by the side, without ceremony, he began to turn him around and say-- "A waist just like a young lady's! Would that I might have such a one!" Plavitski, offended greatly by such an unceremonious greeting, but still more delighted at the admiration roused by his person, said, defending himself,-- "_Voyons!_ Thou art a lunatic. I might be angry. Thou art a lunatic!" "But uncle will turn as many heads as he pleases." "What dost thou say?" asked Plavitski, sitting down in an armchair. "I say that uncle has come here for conquest." "I have no thought whatever of that. Thou art a lunatic!"