And whither should she go now? They would slam the doors in her face—nay, set their dogs upon her. To flee to her mother’s availed nothing: she, in spite of entreaties and wailings, had all but driven her away.... And, had it not been for Hanka, she would have done herself a mischief.... Aye, it was she—the wife of Antek—who alone had held out a helping hand to her and protected her from her enemies!... No, no, no! she was not guilty, the Voyt was! guilty of tempting her, of forcing her to sin.... But the most guilty of all was ... he!... that old monster! (She meant her husband!) “He has fettered my whole life.... Had I been a free woman, would any have dared to injure me so? Nay, none.... And what have I enjoyed with him? Neither life nor freedom!” As she went on brooding, her grief turned to passion, and she set to pacing the room under its sway. “In truth, he is the fountain-head of all I suffer.... Without him, I should have lived in quiet still, as all the others do.... The devil set him in my way, tempting my mother with that land.... And now I must endure ... endure!—Oh, may the worm devour you speedily!” At this height of fury, she looked through the window, and perceived the litter with her husband in it under the trees. She ran out and, bending over him, hissed cruelly: “Die, old dog! die! And the sooner, the better!” He rolled his eyes at her and mumbled something; but she had gone. The outburst relieved her: she had someone on whom to revenge her grievances! When she returned, the smith was standing in the porch, but feigned not to see her, and continued talking to Roch, raising his voice: “Matthew is telling everyone in the village that ye are to go at their head and encounter the Germans.” “As they have begged me, I intend to go with them and meet our new neighbours,” he replied, with a stress on the last word. “The Lipka people are forging fresh fetters for themselves—that’s all. The affair with the Squire has turned their heads, and they fancy that a mob with sticks and shouts can deter the Germans from buying.” He was so angry that he could scarce control himself. “Perhaps they may prefer not to buy: who knows?” “Oh, indeed! The lots are measured out; the families have arrived. They are digging wells and laying cornerstones!” “This much I know: the deed is not yet signed before the notary.” “It is as good as signed: so they have sworn to me.” “I speak of my own certain knowledge; and, should the Squire find better purchasers....” “Not in Lipka, at any rate: no one smells very strong of money here.” “Gregory has made a few calculations, and, as I take it....” “Oh, Gregory!” he interrupted rudely. “He is a meddler who misleads folk, and will only bring evil on them!” “Well, we shall see how it turns out; we shall see!” Roch returned with a quiet smile, noting how the smith in his exasperation was tearing out his moustache.