Saying this, Gronski nodded to Dolhanski and they departed. Swidwicki's last words, however, caused him to reflect; so after a while he said: "Now people's minds are haunted by the Prussians and they are reminded of them by the slightest cause. After all, Swidwicki's description of them was apposite." "If you knew how little I am interested in Swidwicki's descriptions." "Nevertheless, you vie with him and talk in a similar strain," answered Gronski. After which, pursuing further the train of his thoughts, he said: "Nietzsche also did not perceive that the susceptibility and appreciation of other people's woes becomes manifest only upon the culmination of the creative ..." "Good, good, but at this moment I am more interested in what Krzycki is going to do about Miss Anney." Dolhanski, who could not endure Swidwicki, would have been sorely afflicted, if he had suspected that the same question occurred to the latter's mind. Remaining alone, Swidwicki recalled Gronski's recital and began to laugh, as the thought of such unusual complications amused him immensely. He imagined to himself what excitement must have prevailed at Krzycki's and at Pani Otocka's, and how far the affair would agitate the circles of their relatives and acquaintances. And suddenly he began to soliloquize in the following manner: "And if I paid Miss Anney a visit? It even behooves me to leave her a card. That would be eminently proper. I may not find her in--that does not matter much, but if I should find her in, I will try to see whether her legs are not too bulky at the ankles. For culture, education, even polish may be acquired, but delicate ligaments of the legs and hands it is necessary to inherit through a whole series of generations. That furious Pauly, nevertheless, has a sufficiently thin ligature. The devil, however, knows who her father was, I will go. If I do not find one, I shall find the other." And he went. He was admitted not by the man-servant but by Pauly; so he smiled at her in his most ingratiating manner and said: "Good-day, pretty fennel-flower! Is Panna Hanka Skibianka at home?" "What Hanka Skibianka?" she asked in surprise. "Then, the little lady does not know the great tidings?" "What great tidings? I do not know any." "That the mistress of the little lady is not named Miss Anney?" "Do not upset our heads." "I give the little lady my word of honor. Ask Pan Gronski, or Pan Krzycki, who is chewing off his fingers from mortification. I give you my word of honor. I also could tell you more, but if the little lady is not curious I will go. Here is my card for Panna Ski-bian-ka." The eyes of the girl sparkled with curiosity. She took the card mechanically. "I do not say that you should go, but I do not believe," she said hurriedly. "And I know yet more." "What is it?" "I will whisper it in your ear."