"Thy relation with Pani Helena. Do not frown, and do not wonder that I know those things well. Ho, ho! we have had a little experience. For that matter I will tell thee that I wanted myself to fall in love with Pani Helena. I prefer such women. Though, on the other hand--But do I know that thou wilt not be angry?" "Talk on." "I was afraid to fall in love with her. There is no denying that she is an unhappy woman, but, by the beard of the Prophet! what is that to me? I know only that the inheritance goes from hand to hand, and that whoso approaches her is happy for the ages. B-r-r! By my honor I should not wish to be the heir to such a legacy, even for a friend." Yosef put the glass of partly drunk tea on the table, and turning to Augustinovich said coldly,-- "Yes; but since I am the executor of the will, be so kind as to speak of the inheritance more considerately." "Well, I will tell thee in perfect seriousness not this, who or what the widow is, but what thou shouldst do. I speak disinterestedly. I speak even to my own harm. The affair is of this kind." Augustinovich sat up in bed. "I know thee, I know her; she will rush into thy arms herself. Initiative on the part of a woman--Ho! that is not good! Love must be a conquest. In a month thou wilt be sick of her, thou wilt be tortured and throw her to the devil. Yosef, I wish thee well--marry Helena while there is time." Yosef frowned more than before, and answered abruptly,-- "I will do what I think is proper." And really that little word "marry" had not come to his head yet. While kissing the widow's hands he had not thought of the consequences of the kisses. He was angry at himself, and at this more especially, that some one had reminded him of duties of conscience. A day later, two days later, he would have reminded himself of them beyond fail. The reminder coming from another took away from this thought the charm of spontaneous action which flows from love and made it constraint. The evening of that day Augustinovich met Vasilkevich. "Knowest thou that Yosef visits the widow now?" asked he. "What wonder?" "The woman is in love with him to distraction. Think what will come of that, and judge what Yosef ought to do." "He ought to love her too," answered Vasilkevich, with his usual decision. "Yes; and then?" "Then let them marry." Augustinovich waved his hand impatiently. "One other question. How wouldst thou act with Pani Helena?" "If I loved her?" "Yes." "I should marry her without hesitation." Augustinovich stopped him, and with his hand on his heart began to speak in a tone of deep conviction,--