"What kind of a girl is she?" asked Pani Hannah's sister.
"Iii!" answered Pani Hannah, as before, "she is a common girl."
"Her father, Raphael, gives her fifteen thousand roubles as dowry," said Eli.
Leopold frowned.
"That's not much," he said. "I cannot live on fifteen thousand."
"You will start some business," remarked the merchant.
But the mother of the good looking boy turned angrily to her brother-in-law.
"Business!" she exclaimed, "he is not brought up for business! Did we give him a fine education for business? He was through five classes in the gymnasium (college) and he is now an official. It is true that he has as yet only a small salary, but who knows what may happen! He may be appointed to a governorship! Who can tell?"
Leopold raised his eyebrows significantly, indicating that he was satisfied at having been born for such honours and that he did not object to the likelihood of receiving a governorship.
Eli nodded and said nothing. "It does not matter," he thought, "that they talk nonsense. Let them talk!" At that moment pretty Mera raised her head and said to her cousin.