"Then I took into consideration the world and the people among whom you must live. I knew that not a few would commend your conduct, but in reality you would have to endure a thousand petty annoyances and stings which would irritate and exasperate you until they caused a pain and bitterness even in your feeling towards your wife. I was concerned about your happiness which, in my blindness I craved above all things for you. And only to-day was the film taken off my eyes. Apparently such things we know and proclaim, but, nevertheless, with real surprise and as if it was something new, I heard that happiness is not the most important thing in life and that it ought not to be the greatest concern of a mother. And before that my heart was cleansed of its pride and I was commanded to be guided by my conscience: therefore, my Laudie, I cannot dissuade you from this marriage." Ladislaus, hearing this, again bowed his head to his mother's hands and began to cover them with kisses. "Ah, Mamma, dear," he repeated, "ah, Mamma, how happy I am!" "And I," she answered; "for I feared that your feeling might be superficial, founded upon a delusion and fancy; but, after this conversation, I see that you love Aninka truly." "Yes! That is imbedded so deeply that it could only be torn from me with my life." "I believe, I believe." Thus mutually assuring each other, they both spoke with absolute sincerity, and both at the same time deluded themselves. For Ladislaus had an inflammable head, greedy senses, and soft heart, but he lived principally on the exterior, and none of his feelings could spring from great depths as, on the whole, he was not a deep man. But his mother, believing every one of his words as she believed in the gospel, said with great confidence: "May God bless you, my child. Let us at present speak of what is to come. I, of course, understand that once having agreed, it is necessary to agree not with half but with the whole heart: it is necessary to receive Aninka with open arms and give her to understand that it is she who is conferring a favor upon us for which we should be grateful." "Yes, for she does," exclaimed Ladislaus with ardor. "Very well, very well," answered Pani Krzycki, with a smile, "now it becomes me to go to her and thank her myself. I assume also that Aninka will withdraw the condition that you should not call upon her for a week." "Zosia is to attend to that, but naturally Mamma's words will be more effective." "When do you want me to go?" Ladislaus again folded his palms: "At once, Mother dear, at once." "Very well; will you wait for me here, or at Zosia's?" "Here; for Zosia might be with Marynia at the rehearsal. She sometimes accompanies her."