will not 'reflect,' as I did not come for it." Still he "reflected," and that to such a degree that after he had undressed and lain down, he could not sleep for a long time. The cocks began to crow, the window panes were growing pale and green; but under his closed eyelids he saw yet the calm forehead of Panna Plavitski, the shadow over her mouth, and her hands pouring out the tea. Then, when sleep became overpowering, it seemed to him as though he were holding those hands in his own and drawing her toward him, and she was pulling back and turning her head aside, as if to escape a kiss. In the morning he woke late, and remembering Panna Plavitski, thought, "Ah, she will look like that!" CHAPTER II. He was roused by the servant, who brought coffee and took his clothes to be brushed. When the servant brought them back, Pan Stanislav asked if it were not the custom of the house to meet in the dining-room for coffee. "No," answered the servant; "because the young lady rises early, and the old gentleman sleeps late." "And has the young lady risen?" "The young lady is at church." "True, to-day is Sunday. But does not the young lady go to church with the old gentleman?" "No; the old gentleman goes to high Mass, and then goes to visit the canon, so the young lady prefers early Mass." "What do they do here on Sunday?" "They sit at home; Pan Gantovski comes to dinner." Pan Stanislav knew this Gantovski as a small boy. In those times they nicknamed him "Little Bear," for he was a thick little fellow, awkward and surly. The servant explained that Pan Gantovski's father had died about five years before, and that the young man was managing his estate in the neighboring Yalbrykov. "And does he come here every Sunday?" "Sometimes he comes on a week day in the evening." "A rival!" thought Pan Stanislav. After a while he inquired,-- "Has the old gentleman risen?" "It must be that he has rung the bell, for Yozef has gone to him." "Who is Yozef?" "The valet." "And who art thou?" "I am his assistant." "Go and inquire when it will be possible to see the old gentleman." The servant went out and returned soon. "The old gentleman sends to say that when he dresses he will beg you to come." "Very well." The servant went out; Pan Stanislav remained alone and waited, or rather was bored, a good while. Patience began to fail him at last; and he was about to stroll to the garden, when Yozef came with the announcement that the old gentleman begged him to come.