"With this our conversation ended. They, in a yet higher degree than we, cannot endure unpleasant truths, so my dignitary changed into a decanter of iced water, and on the leave-taking merely said to me: 'Well, you are too candid, young man, but I thank you for the child.' A half an hour later I was at home." "I can surmise what happened afterwards," said Gronski. "Yes. As the thimble was removed, that same night I received an order to leave the next day by the first train." "Be satisfied that it ended with that." "I am satisfied. I will stay a few days in Warsaw; I will see the notary; I will attend Panna Zbyltowska's concert. Certainly! Certainly!" Here he addressed Ladislaus. "How is your mother and your fiancée?" "Thank you. Mother is not badly, but will soon have to leave." And desiring to hide his confusion, he began to gaze intently into the depths of the street, and after a while exclaimed: "But look! I see Panna Marynia with a maid-servant, and with them some third person is walking." In reality about a hundred paces down the street Marynia could be seen approaching, accompanied by a maidservant, with the violin in a case. On the other side, though somewhat behind, walked a young man with a yellowish beard, who, leaning towards Marynia, appeared to speak to her in an earnest and vehement manner. She hastened her steps, turning her head aside, evidently not desiring to listen to him, while he, keeping pace with her, gesticulated violently. "My God! Some one is molesting her!" said the doctor. And all three rushed at full speed towards her. "Who is that? Who are you, sir?" And Marynia, seeing Gronski, seized his arm and trembling all over, began to cry: "Home! Take me home, sir!" Gronski understood in a moment that nothing else could be done and that it was necessary to hurry, as otherwise Marynia might be embroiled in a vulgar street row. He was certain that Ladislaus in whom was accumulated an enormous supply of spleen and irritation, with his impulsive nature, would not permit the offence of the assailant to pass unpunished. So taking the girl aside, he placed her as soon as possible in a hackney-coach, which was passing by and ordered the coachman to drive to Pani Otocka's house. "There is nothing now. Everything is all right," he said on the way, to pacify the affrighted Marynia. "From home we will send a message that there will be no rehearsal to-day, and with that it will end. It is nothing, nothing." And he began to press her hand; after a while, he asked: "But who was that and what did he want?" "Pan Laskowicz," answered Marynia. "I did not recognize him at first, but he told me who he was."