Malinka was sitting near the window. In the twilight, on the darkened panes, could be seen her mild, thoughtful little face. All at once Lula's arms were clasped around her neck. "Is that thou, Lula?" asked she, in a low voice. "I, Malinka!" answered Lula. She was sitting on a small stool near Malinka's feet; she put her head on her knees. "My kind Malinka, thou art not angry with me now, and dost not despise me?" Malinka fondled her like a child. "I was very much to blame as thou seest, but in my own heart I have found myself to-day. How pleasant it is for me here near thee! As formerly we talked long and often--let it be so to-day! Art thou willing?" Malinka smiled half sadly, half jestingly, and answered,-- "Let it be so to-day, but later it will change. A certain 'His grace' will come and take Lula away, and I shall be left alone." "But will he come?" inquired Lula, in a very low whisper. "He will come. The poor man was sick surely from yearning. I did not understand what it meant that Pan Adam would not tell me why he came not; now I understand. Pan Yosef forbade him, he would not terrify thee." "I think that he did not wish to hinder Pelski--so unkind of him to do this." "But what did Pelski do?" "I was just going to tell thee. He proposed to me to-day." "And what?" "I refused him, Malinka." Silence continued awhile. "He would not even take my hand when I gave it at parting, but could I do otherwise? I know that I acted very unkindly, very unkindly, but could I act otherwise? I do not love him." "Better late than never. Thou didst obey the voice of thy heart. Only with Pan Yosef canst thou be happy." "Oh, that is true, true." "In a month or so," continued Malinka, "we shall array Lula in a white robe, weep over Lula the maiden and rejoice over Lula the wife. Thou wilt be happy, he and thou. He must be a good man, since all respect him so much." "Do all respect him so much?" repeated Lula, who wanted to laugh and cry at the same moment. "Oh, yes, mamma fears him even, and I also fear him a little, but I respect him for his character." Lula put both hands under her head, and resting on Malinka's knees, looked into her face with eyes bright from tears. Meanwhile it grew perfectly dark, then the moon rose, the dogs fell asleep; nothing was to be heard save the whispers of the two maidens filled with fancies by their talk. All at once they were interrupted by the bell at the entrance. "Maybe that is he!" cried Lula. But it was not "he," for in the first room was heard Augustinovich's voice,-- "Are the ladies at home?" "Go, Lula, into that room and hide there," said Malinka, quickly. "I will tell him how thou didst give the refusal to Pelski, I will beg him to repeat it to Pan Yosef. We shall see if he does not come. Thou mayst listen there." The door opened. Augustinovich entered. CHAPTER XIX