What could the poor little thing answer? Indeed, I seemed to myself idiotic, and immediately was ashamed of having spoken with deceitful tongue to that innocent little angel,--to ask one thing, wishing to learn another. Besides Evunia was the pet of the whole house, and my pet, so I did not wish to torment her any further. I kissed her, stroked her hair, and let her go. The little girl ran at once to the swing, and I walked off as wise as before, but still with the conviction in my heart that a confession had passed between Selim and Hania. Toward evening Selim said to me,-- "I shall not see thee for a week; I am going on a journey." "Where?" asked I, with indifference. "My father commands me to visit his brother in Shumna. I must stay there about a week." I looked at Hania. That information called out no impression on her face. Evidently Selim had told her of the visit already. She smiled, raised her eyes from her work, looked at Selim somewhat cunningly, somewhat perversely, and asked,-- "But are you glad to go there?" "As glad as a mastiff to go to a chain," answered he, quickly; but he restrained himself in time, and seeing that Pani d'Yves, who could not endure anything trivial, was making a wry face, he added,-- "I beg pardon for the expression. I love my uncle; but you see it is pleasanter here for me, near Pani d'Yves." And speaking thus, he cast a sentimental glance at Pani d'Yves, which roused laughter in all, not excluding Pani d'Yves herself, who, though she was easily offended, had a special weakness for Selim. She took him gently by the ear and said with a kindly smile,-- "Young man, I might be thy mother." Selim kissed her hand, and there was concord; but I thought to myself, what a difference between me and that Selim! If I had Hania's affection, I should merely dream and look toward the sky. What place should I have for jokes! but he laughs, jokes, is joyous as never before. Even when radiant with happiness, he was always joyful. Just before going he said to me,-- "Dost know what I will say? Come with me." "I will not; I have not the least intention." The cold tone of the answer struck Selim somewhat. "Thou hast become strange," said he. "I do not know thee for some time--but--" "Finish." "But everything is forgiven those who are in love." "Unless those who cross our path," answered I, with the voice of the stone Comandore. Selim struck me with a glance as sharp as lightning, and went to the bottom of my soul. "What dost thou say?" "I say that I will not go, and, secondly, that one does not forgive everything!"