"Only be careful, sir, and when you know where to hide, let me know. I will not betray." "I know, I know; such do not betray." After which he suddenly asked: "Why does not the little lady want to agree that we should call each other 'associates'? Amongst us we all speak that way." But she rebuffed him at once. "I told you once I cannot endure that." "Ah, if it is so, then it is hard." Pauly began to prepare for home. Laskowicz on the leave-taking made a second departure from the customs governing his associates, for he kissed her hand. Previously he had noticed that this raised her in her own eyes; that it flattered her and brought her into a good humor. Although not by nature over-intelligent, he observed that the principles of the Party alone would not entirely hold her, and that he would have in that girl an aid capable of all extremes, but only so far as her own personality entered into the play. This lowered the opinion which he held of her and his gratitude to her. He nevertheless submitted to this despotism, remembering that he owed to her his life. At present he had, besides, a favor to ask of her; so at the door he kissed her hand a second time and said: "Panna Pauly--the same lot, the same wrong. Let the little lady answer yet one more question. Where can I see though from a distance--though from a distance--" "Whom?" she asked, knitting her brows. "Panna Marynia." "If from a distance, then I will tell," she replied reluctantly. "The little lady is to play for the starving working people and at noon goes to the rehearsals." "Alone?" "No, with Pani Otocka or with my mistress; but sometimes with one of us servants." "Thank you." "But only from a distance--do you understand, sir,--for otherwise you will fare badly." And after these words, which sounded like a menace, she left him. The next moment Laskowicz heard through the door Swidwicki's voice and laughter, after which something resembling a scuffle, a suppressed scream, and--the sound of hasty footsteps on the stairs; finally Swidwicki stumbled into the room, drunk. "What were you doing here?" he asked. "Nothing," answered Laskowicz. And he began to scan the room, evidently desiring to satisfy himself whether he could not detect some signs of disorder, and repeated: "Nothing!" "I give you my word of honor," the student exclaimed with energy. At this Swidwicki leered at him, fingering his disheveled beard and said: "Then you are a fool!" After which he flung himself upon the sofa, for he had partaken of a sumptuous breakfast and was sleepy. III Laskowicz's extreme fanaticism could not in reality harmonize with the extreme cynical scepticism of Swidwicki, who in addition took advantage of the situation not only beyond measure, but to the point of cruelty. He himself spoke of it and boasted about it to Gronski, when he met him in the restaurant, to which Gronski went after Krzycki's removal.