"The counselor, for he has humor and a good heart; the director when he pays; the public when it applauds us; pretty and kind women, the spring, if it is warm; people, when they are happy, all that is beautiful pleasant and smiling; while tiresome things are all those that are ugly: cares, tears, suffering, poverty, old age and cold. . . ." "Who is that young lady over there?" inquired the counselor, pointing to Janina who was listening attentively to the rehearsal. "A novice." "She has an engaging expression. Her face shows good breeding and intelligence. Do you know who she is? . . ." "Wicek!" called Cabinska to the boy who was playing about the garden, "go and ask that lady, standing near the box, to come here." Wicek ran over to Janina circled about her, glanced into her eyes and said: "The old woman over there wishes to see you." "What old woman? . . . Who? . . ." she asked, unable to understand him. "Cabinska, Mrs. Pepa, the directress, of course! . . ." Janina approached slowly, while the counselor observed her intently. "Please have a seat, mademoiselle. This is our dear counselor, the patron of our theater," spoke Cabinska, introducing him. "I beg your pardon!" cried the counselor, grasping her hand and turning the palm to the light. "Don't be afraid, Miss Orlowska! . . . The counselor has an innocent mania of fortune telling," cried Cabinska merrily, peering over the shoulder of the counselor into the palm he was examining. "Ho! ho! a strange one, a strange one!" whispered the old man. He took from his pocket a small magnifying-glass and through it examined minutely the lines of the palm, the fingernails, the finger joints, and the entire hand. "Ladies and gentlemen! We tell fortunes here from the hands, the feet, and something else besides! . . . Here we predict the future, and dispense talent, virtue, and money in the future. Admission only five copecks, only five copecks! . . . for the poorer people only ten groszy! Please step in, ladies and gentlemen, please step in!" cried Wawrzecki, excellently imitating the voice of the show criers on Ujazdowski Square. The actors and actresses surrounded the trio on all sides. "Tell us something, Mr. Counselor!" "Will she marry soon?" "When will she eclipse Modrzejewska?" "Will she get a rich hubby?" "How many suitors has she had in the past?" The counselor did not answer, but quietly continued to examine both of Janina's palms. She heard those derisive remarks, but was unable to move, for that strange man actually held her pinned to her seat. She felt herself burning with anger, yet could not move her hands which he held.