When Yosef parted with the widow that evening, he held her hand to his lips for a long time, and went home late, greatly agitated. CHAPTER IX But next day Yosef after a perfect sleep was quite calm; he even laughed at the previous day and at his own alarms and fears. "Many pretty phrases are uttered," said he to himself, "but are they reality? Only a fool regrets happiness. Gustav is the best proof of this. What good is feeling, though the strongest, though the most manly, when purchased at the cost of life? Besides, I am little fitted for tragedy. I love Helena, and she me. What is that to any one? Augustinovich, rise, O scapegrace! tell me what hundred-tongued Satan has turned the head of some brown parasol by means of thee?" "Didst thou see her face?" inquired Augustinovich, forcing himself to sigh. "I did, and by Jove, it was like a freshly plucked radish--the mother looked like a bowl of sour milk. Well, art thou in love, old man?" "Be quiet! those are very rich ladies." "Both? How much has the daughter?" "Who has counted such a treasure--but she will be richer yet." "Richer--by a husband and children?" "No; but the mother has come on a lawsuit, and dost know whom she is suing? Our neighbor the count owes her several thousand zlotys." "From whom dost thou know all this? Art long acquainted with the ladies?" "Only since yesterday. I became acquainted by chance: they inquired for the street--whither? I did not mind, 'pon my honor, but I told them that the weather was very beautiful, and asked if they would not walk with me. The old lady loves conversation dearly. I learned immediately who they were, and why they had come to the city. She asked me if I knew the count. I answered that I visit him daily, and that I would use my influence on the old man to pay what he owes her. I said also that I was a doctor of medicine, theology, and many other sciences and arts; that I have an immense practice in Kieff. Then the mother began to tell into my ear her troubles and the troubles of her daughter. I promised to visit them and to examine their case carefully." "Of course. What did the daughter say to that?" "She hung out the red flag on her face, but the mother scolded her for doing so, called on all the saints, and assured me of the unanimous assistance of those saints at the day of general judgment. Thou seest what I have won." "Thou art an innocent." "I shall visit them to-day." "Whom? all the saints?" "No, my new acquaintances. I will advise them both to marry." "The youngest thee?" "What dost thou wish, my dear? A man grows old; moreover, I think that we shall greet thee soon with a hairy palm." "I have begged thee not to interfere between me and Helena." "Very well. I will say only that Pani Helena is beautiful." "Surely!" answered Yosef, with ill-concealed pleasure. At that moment Vasilkevich appeared.