And so days and months passed; but by degrees some change began to take place in Yosef too. Gradually that dear child had ripened in his soul and become a beautiful woman in full bloom. His glance when he looked at her had not that former complete transparency and calmness. Formerly he might have lulled her to sleep on his breast, and laid her as he would a child on a couch; to-day that would have caused a surprisingly different sensation. The idyl grew stronger in the spirit of both, till at last, after so many and so many days, or so many and so many months, the following conversations took place in the lodgings of Pani Visberg and those of Yosef. "If thou wert in love, Malinka?" "Then, my Lula, I should be very happy, and I should love very much; and seest thou, my Lula, the Lord God would arrange so that the man should love me also." "But if he did not love?" Malinka rubbed her forehead with her hand. "I do not know, I do not know, but it seems to me that there is a difference between loving and loving. I should love this way--O God! I do not know how to tell it--this way is how I should love--" Malinka threw her arms around the neck of her friend, and pressing her to her bosom, covered her with fondling and kisses. "My Lula, he would have to love me then." And like two doves they hid their heads on the breasts of each other. There was silence. "Malinka!" said Lula at last, with tears in her voice. "Lula, my heartfelt!" "Malinka, I love." "I know, Lula." * * * * * "Old man!" said Augustinovich to Yosef. "What news?" "May I be ---- if this is new. Old man, I saw thee kissing the countess's veil. May I be hanged if thou didst not kiss it! Well, thou art fond of kissing--wait, I have a parasol here, perhaps thou wilt kiss the parasol; if that does not suit thee, then perhaps my last year's cloak. The sleeve lining is torn, but otherwise it is a good cloak. May I be!--Give me the pipe--I know what this means, old man; that fool of a Visberg does not know, but I know." Yosef covered his face with his hands. Augustinovich looked at him in silence, shuffled his feet under the table, coughed, muttered something through his teeth; finally he said in a voice of emotion,-- "Old man!" Yosef made no answer. Augustinovich shook him by the shoulder with sympathy. "Well, old man, do not grieve, be not troubled--thou art concerned about Helena." Yosef trembled. "About Helena. Thou art honest, old man. What is to be done with her now?--I know! If thou wish, old man, I will marry her. By Jove, I will marry her!" Yosef stood up. Beautiful resolution shone on his broad forehead, and though on his frowning brows thou couldst read pain and struggle, thou couldst see that the victory would fall where Yosef wished it. He pressed Augustinovich's hand. "I am going out." "Where art thou going?" "To Helena." Augustinovich stared at him. "To He-le-na?"