Stanislav entertained at the same time Pani Vinnitski, Panna Anulka, and the four Bukoyemskis with a pitcher of wine which steamed quite as actively as the other. The ladies touched the glasses however with their lips very sparingly, but the Bukoyemskis needed no urging, hence the world seemed to them more joyous each moment, and Panna Anulka more beautiful, so, unable to find words to express their delight, they began to look at one another with amazement and panting; then each nudged another with his elbow. Mateush at last found expression,-- "We are not to wonder that the wolves wished to try the bones and the body of this lady, for even a wild beast knows a real tid-bit!" Marek, Lukash, and Yan, the three remaining Bukoyemskis slapped their thighs then in ecstasy. "He has hit the nail on the head, he has! A tid-bit! Nothing short of it!" "A Saint Martin's cake!" On hearing this Panna Anulka laid one hand on the other, and, feigning terror, said to Stanislav,-- "Oh, help me, for I see that these gentlemen only saved me from the wolves to eat me themselves." "Gracious maiden," said Stanislav, joyfully, "Pan Mateush said that we were not to wonder at the wolves, but I say I do not wonder at the Bukoyemskis." "What shall I do then, except to ask who will save me?" "Trifle not with sacred subjects!" cried Pani Vinnitski. "Well, but these gentlemen are ready to eat me and also auntie. Are they not?" This question remained for some time without answer. Moreover, it was easy to note from the faces of the brothers that they had much less desire for the additional eating. But Lukash, who had quicker wit than his brothers, now added, "Let Mateush speak; he is the eldest." Mateush was somewhat bothered, and answered, "Who knows what will meet him to-morrow?" "A good remark," said Stanislav, "but to what do you apply it?" "How to what?" "Why, nothing. I only ask, why mention to-morrow?" "But knowest thou that love is worse than a wolf, for a man may kill a wolf, but to kill love is beyond him." "I know, but that again is another question." "But if there be wit enough, a question is nothing." "In that case may God give us wit." Panna Anulka hid her laughter behind her palm; after her laughed Stanislav, and then the Bukoyemskis. Further word-play was stopped by a servant announcing the supper. Pan Serafin gave his arm to Pani Vinnitski; after them went Pan Gideon; Stanislav conducted Panna Anulka. "A dispute with Pan Bukoyemski is difficult," said the young lady, made gladsome. "For his reasons are like wilful horses, each goes its own way; but he has told two truths which are hard of denial." "What is the first one?" "That no man knows what will meet him on the morrow, just as yesterday I did not know, for example, that to-day I should see you." "And the other?" "That a man can kill a wolf, but to kill love is beyond him. This also is a great truth."