But before he left the room, Marynia rushed in and began to gaze sharply, now at her sister, then at Ladislaus. In reality she was not apprized of the secrets of the former relations between Ladislaus and Hanka, but she already knew that Miss Anney is the former Hanka; she knew everything which transpired afterwards and, loving Miss Anney very much, she was dying from uneasiness and curiosity as to what turn the affair would take. She was so pretty with that wistful gaze and uneasy face and, besides, she had such an amusing mien that Ladislaus, in spite of his emotions, at the sight of her, fell into a good humor. Zosia remained silent, not knowing whether he wished to speak of his affair of the heart before Marynia, while he, purposely, for sometime did not break the silence; finally he approached his little cousin and squeezing her hand, announced in a sepulchral voice: "Too late!" "How too late," she asked alarmed. "She is going to marry some one else." "Who?" "Panna--Kajetana." And he burst out into a sincere, jolly laugh. Marynia conjectured that matters could not stand so badly since Ladislaus was jesting. Desiring, however, to learn fully the good news, she began to stamp with her foot and importune like a child. "But how?--now, honestly. I could not sleep to-day! How? now, honestly. How?" "Honestly, that hope and joy and happiness--there!" answered Ladislaus, pointing in the direction of Miss Anney's quarters. After which, kissing his cousins' hands, he rushed out like a stone whirled from a sling, for he was in a great hurry. On the way he grew grave and even gloomy at the thought that the moment for his decisive interview with his mother was approaching. He found her in the hotel, where she awaited him in her own room. The sight of his mother's face, serene and filled with an unusual kind of sweetness, gave him, for the time being, encouragement, but at the same time he thought that gentle persuasion, entreaties, and perhaps tears, would be heavier to bear than anger--and he asked in an uncertain voice: "Did Mamma read her letter?" "I did," she answered, "but even before that I learned almost everything from Zosia, whom Miss Anney herself begged not to conceal anything from me." "Gronski told me that Mamma became angry at Zosia?" "Yes, that is so, but that can be rectified. Now I want above all things to talk with you sincerely."