Dolhanski pretended to be awe-stricken and, bowing his head, cried: "I am vanquished; I retreat and surrender arms." Gronski, laughing, kissed her hand, while she, abashed at her own vehemence and covered with blushes, began to ask: "Is it not the truth? Am I not right?" But Dolhanski already recovered his presence of mind. "That does not prove anything," he said. "Why?" "Because Gronski once promulgated this aphorism: It is never proper to follow the views of a woman, especially if by accident she is right." "I?" exclaimed Gronski. "Untangle yourself from me. I never said anything like that. Do not believe him, ladies." "I believe only you, sir," answered Marynia. But further conversation was interrupted by Pani Krzycki, who observed that it was time for the May mass. In the Jastrzeb manor-house, there was a room especially assigned for that purpose and known as the chapel. At the main wall, opposite the windows, stood an altar with a painting of the Divine Mother of Czestochowo. The walls, altar, painting, and even the candles were decorated with green garlands. On the side tables stood bouquets of elders and jasmines whose fragrance filled the entire room. Sometimes, when the rector of Rzeslewo arrived, he conducted the services; in his absence the lady of the house. All the inmates of the house, with the exception of Laskowicz, during the entire month of May met every evening in the chapel. At present the gentlemen followed the ladies. On the way Ladislaus asked Gronski: "Is Miss Anney a Catholic?" "To tell you the truth, I do not know," answered Gronski, "but it seems--but look, she is entering also. So she must be a Catholic. Perhaps her name is Irish."