“There is something in it; but, coming from him, ’tis unsafe! He surely has only his own gain in view.—Be not hasty to sell: ‘A man rides away from his lands on a stallion, but on foot he comes back—a tatterdemallion.’—Would anybody stand bail? We must seek someone.—If the money were but at hand!” “Perhaps it is,” she said timidly. “I—I have a little cash in hand, but cannot count it aright.” “Show it me; we shall do the sum together.” She disappeared, and soon returned, shot the bolt, and laid a parcel on his knees. It contained notes, some silver and some gold pieces, besides six strings of corals. “These belonged to his dead wife. He gave them to Yagna, and (I suppose) took them back again later,” she whispered, squatted down by the settle on which Roch was counting. “Four hundred and thirty-two roubles, five _zloty_.—From Matthias, hey?” “Yes—yes!” she faltered, turning red. “He gave them to me after Eastertide.” “It will not suffice entirely, but you might dispose of some of the animals.” “It might be done. Our sow could go ... and the barren cow likewise. The Jew asked to buy her; she might still be worth some bushels of corn to us.” “Then we shall bail Antek without aid.—Is it known to anyone that ye have this money?” “Father gave it to me to set Antek free, forbidding me to say one word of it to any creature. You are the first to know.—If Michael...!” “Be easy; your secret is safe. When I hear the time has come, we shall go together and free Antek. The clouds will roll by and the weather clear up, my dear child!” he said, and kissed the top of her head, as she fell at his feet to thank him. She wept tears of joy. “My own father could not have been fonder,” she sobbed. “Your man will return to you, thank God!—Where is Yagna?” “She started for town this morning in company with her mother and the Voyt. They say Dominikova is going to the notary, intending to make all her land over to Yagna.” “All to Yagna?—And her sons?” “They want her to divide the land, and she would spite them. Hell is in their cabin now, and the Voyt is on Dominikova’s side: at the father’s death, he was named the orphans’ guardian.” “Is it so? About the Voyt I had heard another tale.” “Ye have heard true. He does indeed care for Yagna, but in such wise as I shame to speak of. He is past his prime, but still vigorous; and she, a wanton. I do not repeat hearsay; myself I saw them in the orchard.” “I would lay me down somewhere: may I?” She wanted him to sleep on Yuzka’s bed, but he preferred going to the stable. “Keep your money safe!” he said on leaving her. He was not seen until dinner-time. After the meal, he was making for the village, when Hanka hesitatingly proffered a request. “Roch, would you help us to adorn our altar?” “Ah! yes: to-morrow is Corpus Christi Day.—Where are you to erect it?”