"There is some kind of epidemic," exclaimed Swidwicki, "for my cutthroat is leaving me." "Perhaps something has passed between Krzycki and Miss Anney," said Dolhanski. "I supposed that they were getting quite intimate. Did they part--or what?" "A marchpane, that Englishwoman," interrupted Swidwicki; "but her maid has more electricity in her." Gronski hesitated for a while; after which he said: "No, they have not parted, but something has occurred. I do not know why I should make a secret of that which, sooner or later, you will find out. It has developed that Miss Anney is not the born, but adopted, child of the rich English manufacturer, lately deceased, Mr. Anney, and of his late wife." "Well, if the adoption gives her all the rights, and particularly the right of inheritance, is it not all the same to Krzycki?" "The adoption gives her all rights; nevertheless it is not entirely the same to Krzycki, for it appears that Miss Anney is the daughter of a blacksmith of Rzeslewo and is named Hanka Skibianka." "Ha!" cried Swidwicki, "Perdita has been found but not the king's daughter. What does the pretty Florizel say to this?" But Dolhanski began to stare at Gronski as if he saw him for the first time in his life. "What are you saying?" "The actual fact." "Sapristi! But that is a nursery tale. Sapristi! You are joking." "I give you my word it is so. She herself told that to Krzycki." "I like that expression of astonishment on Dolhanski's face," exclaimed Swidwicki. "Man, come to yourself." Dolhanski restrained himself, for he always proclaimed that a true gentleman never should be surprised. "I remember now," he said, "that this is the Skibianka to whom Uncle Zarnowski bequeathed a few thousand roubles." "The same." "Therefore his daughter." "Fancy to yourself otherwise. Skiba came from Galicia to Rzeslewo with a wife and a child a few years old." "Therefore of pure peasant blood." "A Piast's,[10] a Piast's," cried Swidwicki. "Absolutely pure," answered Gronski. "And what does Laudie say?" "He swallowed the tidings and is trying to digest them," again blurted out Swidwicki. "That substantially is the case. He found himself in a new situation and locked himself up. It dumfounded him a little, and he desires to come to himself." "He was enamoured to the point of ludicrousness but now he will probably break off." "I do not admit that, but I repeat, that, in view of the changed situation, he has fallen into a certain internal strife, which he must first quell." "I candidly confess that I would break off all relations unconditionally." "But if Kaska or Hanka had a hundred thousand pounds?" asked Swidwicki. "In such a case--I would have fallen into a strife," answered Dolhanski, phlegmatically. After a while he continued: