In this vexation of spirit there occurred to him one wicked, low, and ugly thought. In what manner did the poor and simple Hanka change into the brilliant Miss Anney? In what manner could a gray sparrow from under a village thatched hut be transformed into a paradisiacal bird? Hanka was a betrayed girl; therefore the bridges had been burnt behind her. Amidst the wealth of a foreign land, beautiful but poor girls have before them only one road to the acquisition of affluence and even polish, and that was the road of shame. Hanka found one patron who took care of her in the appropriate manner; how many similar patrons and protectors could Miss Anney find? At the thought of this Krzycki's head swam. Conscience said to him, "You opened those gates before her," and at the same time he was seized by such anger at Miss Anney and himself that if the life or death of both rested in his hands, he would at that moment have selected death. Something within him was rent asunder; something crashed. It seemed to him that again, just above his head, pealed lightning, which stunned him and burnt, within him, to a crisp, the ability to think. He wandered a long time over the city. He himself did not know in what manner he again found himself before Pani Otocka's home, but he did not enter for he once more felt that at that time he could not speak with his mother. He returned to his own house late at night. Gronski was already at home, and for an hour had been waiting for him with the tea. "Good evening," he said, "I have returned from your mother's." And Ladislaus asked him with blunt impetuosity, "Do you know who Miss Anney is?" "I do. Pani Otocka told me." A moment of silence followed. "What do you say to this?" "I could ask you that question." Ladislaus sat heavily in the chair, drew his palm over his forehead and replied with bitter irony: "Ah, I have time. I was given a week for consideration." "That is not too much," answered Gronski, looking at him questioningly. "Certainly. Does Mother also know?" "Yes. Pani Otocka told her everything." Again silence ensued.