"No, cousin. I knew only that unfortunate quarrels and lawsuits separated our families for a number of years. I knew nothing of those quarrels, since I was young and always absent, and if I am to make a confession my present visit was undertaken only as an attempt at reconciliation." "What was the degree of relationship between you and my father?" "Reared abroad, I know little of our family relations in general; for example, I am indebted to a lucky chance for discovering not our relationship, of which I was aware, but other intimate bonds connecting our families from of old." "Is it permitted to inquire about this circumstance?" "With pleasure, cousin. Having taken on me, after the death of my father, the management of my property and family affairs, I looked into the papers and various documents touching my family. Well, in these documents I discovered that your family is not only related to the Pelskis, but has the same escutcheon." "To a certain extent, then, we are to thank chance for our acquaintance." "I bless this chance, cousin." Lula dropped her eyes, her small hand twisted the end of her scarf; after a while she raised her head. "And for me it is equally pleasant," said she. The shadow of a smile flew over Augustinovich's face. "I had much difficulty in finding your lodgings. This gentleman" (Pelski indicated Augustinovich with one eye) "has a marvellous method of giving answers. Fortunately his room-mate came; he gave me an answer at last." "I lived in the same house as they," added the countess. "How did you become acquainted with them, cousin?" "When father fell ill, Pan Shvarts watched him in his last hours; afterward he found Pani Visberg, and I am much indebted to him." Augustinovich's closed eyelids opened a little, and the sneering expression vanished from his face. "Is he a doctor?" asked Pelski. "He will be a doctor soon." Pelski meditated a moment. "I was acquainted in Heidelberg with a professor and writer of the same name. From what family is this man?" "Oh, I do not know, indeed," answered the countess, blushing deeply. Augustinovich's eyes opened to their full width, and with an indescribable expression of malice he turned toward the countess. "I thought," said he, "that you knew perfectly whence Pan Yosef came, and what his family is." Lula's confusion reached the highest degree. "I--do not remember," groaned she. "Do you not? Then I will remind you. Pan Yosef was born in Zvinogrodets, where his father in his day was a blacksmith." Pelski looked at his cousin, and bending toward her said with sympathy,-- "I am pained, cousin, at the fatality which forced you to live with people of a different sphere." Lula sighed.