"Who, to-day, does stand on steady legs? Doctrines intoxicate more than alcohol--therefore at this moment all are drunk. The empire is staggering, the revolution is reeling, the parties are floundering, and a third person stands on the side and looks on. Soon all will tumble to the ground. Then there will be order, and may it come as soon as possible." "You ought to be that third person." "The third person is the German and we are fools. We begin by falling to loggerheads, and have reached such a state that the only salvation for our social soul would be a decent civil war." Here he became silent and after a while turned to Ladislaus. "I see that your eyes are wide open, but nevertheless it is so. A civil war is a superb thing. Nothing like it to clarify the situation and purify the atmosphere. But to be led to such a situation and not to be able to create it is the acme of misfortune or folly." "I confess that I do not understand," said Ladislaus. Gronski motioned with his hand and remarked: "Do not attempt to, for after every fifteen minutes of conversation you will not know what is black and what is white and your head will swim, or you will get a fever, which as a wounded man you should try to avoid." "True," said Swidwicki, "I had heard and even read in some newspaper of the occurrence and paid close attention to it because in your home Pan Gronski and Pani Otocka with her sister were being entertained. I am a relative of the late aged Otocka. Those women must have been scared. But if they think that they are safer here in the city they are mistaken." "Judging from what can be seen, it is really no safer here. Have you seen those ladies yet?" "No, I do not like to go there." At this, Ladislaus, who by nature was impetuous and bold, frowned, and looking Swidwicki in the eyes, replied: "I do not ask the reason, for that does not interest me, but I give you warning that they are my relatives." "Whose cause a young knight would have to champion," answered Swidwicki, gazing at Ladislaus. "Ah, no! If I had any intention of saying anything against the ladies I would not say it, as Gronski would throw me down the stairs and I have a favor to ask of him. What I said is the highest praise for them and simply gall and wormwood for me." "Beg pardon, again; I do not understand." "For you see that for the average Pole to have respect for any one and not to be able to sharpen his teeth upon him is always annoying. I cannot speak of the ladies as I would wish, that is, disparagingly. I cannot endure ideal women; besides that, whenever it happens that I pass an evening with them, I become a more decent man and that is a luxury which in these times we cannot afford." Ladislaus began to laugh and Gronski said: "I told you that surely your head would swim." After which to Swidwicki: "If he should get any worse, I will induce him to send the doctor's and apothecary's bill to you."