Transcriber's Note: Text surrounded by _ was italic in the original, text surrounded by = was bold and in a different font. The (rare) oe ligatures were replaced by "oe". IN VAIN BY HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ _Author of_ "QUO VADIS," "WITH FIRE AND SWORD," "THE DELUGE," "PAN MICHAEL," "HANIA," ETC. _TRANSLATED FROM THE POLISH_ BY JEREMIAH CURTIN BOSTON LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY 1899 _Copyright, 1899_, BY JEREMIAH CURTIN. _All rights reserved_. University Press: JOHN WILSON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A. INTRODUCTORY. "In Vain," the first literary work of Sienkiewicz, was written before he had passed the eighteenth year of his life and while he was studying at Warsaw. Though not included in his collected works by the author, this book will be received with much favor; of this I feel certain. The first book of the man who wrote "With Fire and Sword" and "Quo Vadis" will interest those of his admirers who live in America and the British Empire. These people are counted at present by millions. This volume contains pictures of student life drawn by a student who saw the life which he describes in the following pages. This student was a person of exceptional power and exceptional qualities, hence the value of that which he gives us. JEREMIAH CURTIN. Jerusalem, Palestine, March 8, 1899. IN VAIN CHAPTER I "And this is Kieff!" Thus spoke to himself a young man named Yosef Shvarts, on entering the ancient city, when, roused by toll-gate formalities, he saw himself unexpectedly among buildings and streets. The heart quivered in him joyfully. He was young, he was rushing forward to life; and so he drew into his large lungs as much fresh air as he could find place for, and repeated with a gladsome smile,-- "And this is Kieff!" The Jew's covered wagon rolled forward, jolting along on the prominent pavement stones. It was painful to Shvarts to sit under the canvas, so he directed the Jew to turn to the nearest inn, while he himself walked along by the side of the wagon. Torrents of people, as is usual in a city, were moving in various directions; shops were glittering with a show of wares; carriages were passing one after another; merchants, generals, soldiers, beggars, monks pushed along before the eyes of the young man.