"But Pani Yamish? or haven't I seen with my own eyes--" "What?" Here Plavitski shut one eye and thrust out the point of his tongue; but that lasted only an instant, then he raised his brows, and said,-- "Well, as to Pani Yamish? She is well enough in Kremen. Between thee and me, I cannot endure affectation,--it savors of the country. May the Lord God not remember, for Pani Yamish, how much she has tortured me with her affectation: a woman should have courage to grow old, then a relation would end in friendship; otherwise it becomes slavery." "And my dear uncle felt like a butterfly in bonds?" "But don't talk in that way," answered Plavitski, with dignity, "and do not imagine that there was anything between us. Even if there had been, thou wouldst not have heard a word about it from me. Believe me, there is a great difference between you of this and us of the preceding generation. We were not saints, perhaps; but we knew how to be silent, and that is a great virtue, without which what is called true nobility cannot exist." "From this I infer that uncle will not confess to me where he is going, with this carnation in his buttonhole?" "Oh, yes, yes! Mashko invited me to-day to dine with a number of other persons. At first I refused, not wishing to leave Marynia alone. But I have sat so many years in the country for her sake that in truth a little recreation is due to me. But art thou not invited?" "No." "That astonishes me: thou art, as thou sayest, an 'affairist'; but thou bearest a good family name. For that matter, Mashko is an advocate himself. But, in general, I confess that I did not suspect in Mashko the power to place himself as he has." "Mashko could place himself even on his head--" "He goes everywhere; all receive him. Once I had a prejudice against him." "And has uncle none now?" "I must acknowledge that he has acted with me in all that business of Kremen like a gentleman." "Is Panna Marynia of the same opinion?" "Certainly; though I think that Kremen lies on her heart. I got rid of it for her sake, but youth cannot understand everything. I knew about her views, however, and am ready to endure every bitterness with calm. As to Mashko, in truth, she cannot cast reproach at him for anything. He bought Kremen, it is true, but--" "But he is ready to give it back?" "Thou art of the family, so, speaking between us, I think that that is true. Marynia occupied him greatly, even during our former visit to Warsaw; but somehow the affair did not move. The maiden was too young; he did not please her sufficiently; I was a little opposed myself, for I was prejudiced as to his family. Bukatski sharpened his teeth at him, so it ended in nothing." "It did not end, since it is beginning again." "It is, for I am convinced that he comes of a very good family, once Italian and formerly called Masco. They came here with Queen Bona, and settled in White Russia at that time. He, if thou hast noticed it, has a face somewhat Italian."