“See how calm and warm. The windows might be opened now. Dost thou know what I’ve been thinking of these last days? That for thy health and Stas’s we ought to go soon from the city.”
“But is not Buchynek rented?” asked Marynia.
“Buchynek is sold,” answered he. Then, taking both her hands and looking into her eyes with immense affection, he said,—
“Listen, my dear, I have something to tell thee, and something which ought to please thee; but promise not to be excited too much.”
“Well, what is it, Stas?”
“Seest thou, my little one? Mashko fled to foreign parts; for he had more debts than property. His creditors threw themselves on everything which was left after him, so as to recover even something. Everything went into liquidation. Magyerovka has been parcelled, and is lost; but Kremen, Skoki, and Suhotsin could be saved. Do not grow excited, my love; I have bought them for thee.”
Marynia looked at him some time, blinking, and as if not believing her ears. But no! He was so moved himself that he could not jest. Her eyes were darkened with tears, and all at once she threw both arms around his neck.
“Stas!”
And at that moment she could not find other words; but in this one exclamation there were thanks and great love, and a woman’s homage for the efficiency of that man who had been able to do everything. Pan Stanislav understood this; and in the feeling of that immense happiness which he had not known hitherto, he began to speak, holding her still at his breast,—
“I knew that this would comfort thee, and God knows there is no greater pleasure for me than thy delight. I remembered that thou wert sorry for Kremen, that that was an injustice to thee, and that it was possible to correct it; therefore I corrected it. But that is nothing! If I had bought ten such Kremens for thee, I should not have repaid thee for the good which thou hast done me, and still I should not be worthy of thee.”