And she blushed slightly, for she had betrayed the fact that she had been reading about Italy just when Pan Ignas was there.
“Pan Svirski persuaded me to go as far as Sicily,” said he, “but it was hot there at that time; that would be the place to visit at this season.”
“Ah!” said Marynia, “it is well that I think of it—but my letters? You asked through Pan Svirski if I wished you to write your impressions, but afterward I did not receive a single letter.”
Pan Ignas blushed; he was confused, and then in a kind of strange and uncertain voice, answered,—
“No, for I have not been able yet; I will write very much, but later.”
Having heard these words, Svirski approached Marynia after lunch, and indicating Pan Ignas with his eyes, said,—
“Do you know the impression which he makes on me sometimes?—that of a costly vessel which is cracked.”
CHAPTER LXVII
A couple of days after the christening, Svirski visited Pan Stanislav in the counting-house, to inquire for Marynia’s health, and to talk about various things which lay at his heart. Seeing, however, that he was late, and that Pan Stanislav was preparing to go, he said,—