But further reflections were interrupted by the servant with the announcement that breakfast was ready and that the guests were at the table. In fact, all had already assembled in the dining-room, through which pervaded the odor of coffee and the hum of the samovar. At the sight of the white dresses of the ladies and their fresh, well-rested countenances, Ladislaus' soul gladdened to such an extent that he immediately forgot all squabbles and vexations. By way of greeting, he kissed Pani Otocka's hand; then, as if absent-mindedly, that of Miss Anney, but so forcibly that she reddened like a cherry; after which he squeezed Marynia's hand, saluted the gentlemen and began to cry merrily: "Coffee! coffee! From the rise of the sun I drank only two glasses of water and I am as hungry as a wolf." "Was that a cure? Did you have a fever?" asked Dolhanski. "Perhaps I did have a fever, but nevertheless I had a horseback ride to Rzeslewo and transacted a thousand matters." "How is it in 'rustic-angelic' Rzeslewo," interrupted Dolhanski. "There is nothing further that is disturbing. Those trouble makers whom I wished to look at, in the eyes, are gone. But now above all things, I want coffee and will not answer any more questions." Marynia, as the substitute of Pani Krzycki, who remained in bed owing to rheumatism, poured out the coffee for him, and he also kissed the hand of his young cousin; whereat she was pleased as she fancied that it added to her dignity. "That is due me as a vice-hostess," she said, shaking her head. "And especially taking age into consideration," added Dolhanski. She did not show him her tongue only because she was too well-bred. But Dolhanski, who suffered from catarrh of the stomach, gazed enviously at Ladislaus, eating with such relish, and said: "What an appetite! A genuine cannibal." "Go also over the road a mile before breakfast and you will have the same appetite. But cannibal or no cannibal, when I entered this room, I was ready to devour even this bouquet of flowers which is before me." "The time will come when the country nobility will not have anything else to eat," replied Dolhanski. But Marynia quickly seized the bouquet and, laughing, shoved it to the other side of the table. "After coffee there is no fear," cried Ladislaus. "But what beautiful field flowers! Did you ladies pick them?" "We are sleepy-heads," answered Pani Otocka; "they were gathered by Aninka's servant." Aninka was the pet name which both sisters gave Miss Anney. Ladislaus turned a sharp glance towards the ladies, but as their faces were perfectly calm, he thought: "She gathered the flowers and did not mention the mishap." And Miss Anney, turning the bouquet about and examining it, said: "An apple-blossom is in the middle,--the good-for-nothing girl plucked it from some little tree, for which she must be reprimanded; these are spearwort, those primroses, and those pennyroyal, which are now coming out."