“With the greatest pleasure. Such an honest letter, is it not? And you did not confess to me that she suffered somewhat at parting; but I will not reprove, since she herself takes you under her protection.”
“If it would help, I would beg you to beat me; but there is nothing to be said, for those are things incurable.”
Pani Emilia did not share this opinion; on the contrary, seeing Pan Stanislav’s emotion, she felt sure that an affair in which both sides had such vivid feelings was in the best state and must end satisfactorily. At that very thought her sweet face became radiant.
“We shall see after some months,” said she.
“You do not even divine what we may see,” said Pan Stanislav, thinking of Mashko.
“Remember,” continued Pani Emilia, “that he who once wins Marynia’s heart will never be disappointed.”
“I am certain of that,” answered he, gloomily; “but also such hearts, when once wounded, do not return again.”
They could not speak further, for Litka and Pan Vaskovski caught up with them. After a while the little girl took Pan Stanislav, as usual, for her own exclusive property. The forest, sunk in the mild morning light of a fair day, occupied her uncommonly; she began to inquire about various trees; every little while she cried out with pleasure,—
“Mushrooms!”
But he answered mechanically, thinking of something else,—