The fingers with which she grasped the candle seemed transparent and rosy; the gleam crept along her bosom, lighted her lips and her small face which looked somewhat drowsy and sad, perhaps because her eyes were in a deep shade while her forehead and the glorious bright hair, which was as a crown just above it, were still in full radiance. And she all in quiet and splendor stood there in the gloom like an angel created from ruddy brightness. "Oh, as God is dear to me, a vision!" said the prelate. Then Pan Gideon called,-- "Anulka!" Leaving the light on a nitch of the chimney, she ran to them and gave greeting, joyously. Pan Gideon pressed her to his heart with much feeling, commanded her to rejoice at the arrival of a guest so distinguished, a man famous as a giver of counsel, and when after greeting they entered the dining-hall he asked,-- "Is supper over?" "No. The servants were to bring it from the kitchen, and that is why no one was standing at the entrance." The prelate looked at the old noble, and asked,-- "Then perhaps without waiting?" "No, no," answered Pan Gideon, "Pani Vinnitski will be here directly." Thereupon Pani Vinnitski made herself felt in reality, and fifteen minutes later they sat down to heated wine and fried eggs. The prelate ate and drank well, but at the end of the supper his face became serious, and he said, turning to Panna Anulka,-- "My gracious young lady, God knows why people call me a counsellor and why they take advice of me, but since your guardian does so, I must speak with you on a certain task of importance which he has given my poor wit to accomplish." When Pan Gideon heard this, the veins swelled on his forehead; the young lady paled somewhat, and rose in disquiet, for, through some unknown reason, it seemed to her that the prelate would talk about Yatsek. "I beg you to another room," said he. And they left the dining-hall. Pan Gideon sighed deeply once and a second time; then he drummed on the table with his fingers, and feeling the need of talking down his internal emotion by words of some kind, he said to Pani Vinnitski,-- "Have you noticed how all the relatives of my late wife hate Anulka?" "Especially the Krepetskis," answered Pani Vinnitski. "Ha! they almost grit their teeth when they see her; but soon they will grit them still harder." "How is that?" "You will learn in good season; but meanwhile we must find a bed for the prelate."