These words pacified me completely. A couple of days later, in the evening, my father was sitting near me with my mother. He and I began to play chess. After a while mother went out, leaving the door open. Through the door a whole row of rooms was visible; at the end of this row was Hania's room. I looked at it, but I could not see anything, for mine was the only room lighted. Hania's door, so far as I could see in the darkness, was closed. Then some one went in, as it were Doctor Stanislav, and did not shut the door. My heart beat unquietly. There was light in Hania's room. The light fell in a bright column to the dark neighboring hall; and on the background of that clear column it seemed to me that I saw a delicate line of smoke, curling as dust curls in sunlight. Gradually an indefinable odor struck my nostrils, but an odor which became stronger and stronger every moment. Suddenly the hair rose on my head. I recognized the odor of juniper. "Father! what is that?" cried I, throwing the chess-men and chess-board on the floor. My father jumped up, confused, perceiving also that cursed odor of the juniper, and closed the door of the room as quickly as possible. "That is nothing," said he, hurriedly. But I was already on my feet; and though I staggered, I pushed quickly toward the door. "They are burning juniper!" cried I. "I want to go there." My father caught me by the waist. "Do not go! do not go! I forbid thee." Despair seized me; so grasping the bandages around my head, I cried,-- "Well, I swear then that I will tear off these bandages, and open my wounds with my own hands. Hania is dead! I want to see her." "Hania is not dead. I give thee my word!" cried my father, seizing my hands and struggling with me. "She was sick, but she is better. Calm thyself! Calm thyself! Have we not had misfortune enough already? I will tell thee everything, but lie down. Thou canst not go to her. Thou wouldst destroy her. But lie down; I swear to thee that she is better." My strength failed me, and I fell on the bed, repeating only,-- "My God! My God!" "Henryk, come to thyself! Art thou a woman? Be a man. She is no longer in danger. I have promised to tell thee everything, and I will tell it, but on condition that thou collect thy strength. Lay thy head on the pillow. That way. Cover thyself, and be quiet." I was obedient. "I am quiet; but more quickly, father, more quickly! Let me know everything right away. Is she really better? What was the matter with her?"