In view of this, it already seemed to Laskowicz a matter of minor importance whether in that aid a rôle would be played by a knife, or by a revolver, or by casting upon Hanka some ignominy, after which nothing would remain for her to do but to fly and hide herself forever from human eyes. Neither opportunity nor willing hands were wanting. It was only necessary to deliberate upon the choice: and afterwards to act promptly and decisively. With this he went to Pauly who agreed to everything. As a compensation he demanded that she should release him from his promise to see Marynia only from a distance, and he secured that with ease. He evidently wanted to have his hands untied also in that regard. XIII "Here is the answer which I finally received," said Ladislaus, handing a letter to Gronski; "I could not expect anything else." "I knew that you would receive it," replied Gronski, blinking with his ailing eyes and searching for his binocle, "I was already informed of it by Pani Otocka, who from the beginning insisted that Miss Anney ought to answer you, and in the end prevailed upon her." Ladislaus reddened and asked: "Ah! So Zosia Otocka knows everything." "She does and does not know. Miss Anney told her only this much; 'He did not forget that he is a young lord and I a peasant woman and we ceased to understand each other.' For her it was yet harder to speak of this than for you and that difficulty festers all the more the wound which, without it, is deep enough--But I cannot find the binocle." "Here it is," said Ladislaus. Gronski placed it on his nose and began to read: "You, yourself, sir, rent and trampled upon our joy, our happiness, my trust, and that deep attachment which I had for you. To your query of whether I can ever recover those feelings, I answer that I seek for them in vain. If ever I recover them I will inform you with the same sincerity with which I to-day say that I have in my heart only grief and sadness which for a joint life will not suffice." "Only so much!" said Ladislaus. "My foresight," answered Gronski, "is verified only too perfectly. The spring for the time being has dried up." "To the bottom, to the bottom, not a drop for refreshment." Gronski remained silent for a while; after which he said: "I think otherwise, nevertheless. This is not entirely hopeless. There remains sadness, grief and, as it were, the anticipation of the recurring swell. In reality, it will not flow to-day nor to-morrow.--In view of this, for you there remains either to persevere patiently and win anew that which you lost, or else, if you have not sufficient strength, to take some shears and sever the remaining threads." "Such shears I will not find. Do you remember, sir, what she did for me when I was wounded? I will not forget that." At this Gronski shaded his eyes with his hand, gazed at Ladislaus intently and asked: "My dear sir, did you ever propound to yourself one question?"