“Thou?” asked Bigiel, with astonishment. “I thought that thy relations were broken forever.”
“I shall try to renew them. I will visit the Plavitskis to-morrow.”
“I do not know that they will be glad to see thee.”
“And I myself do not know.”
“Dost wish I will go with thee? For it is a question of breaking the ice. They may not receive thee alone. It is a pity that my wife is not here. I sit by myself whole evenings and play on the violoncello. During the day I have time enough too; I can go with thee.”
Pan Stanislav, however, refused, and next day he dressed himself with great care and went alone. He knew that he was a presentable man; and though usually he did not think much of this, he resolved now to omit nothing which might speak in his favor. On the way he had his head full of thoughts as to what he should say, what he should do in this case or that one, and he tried to foresee how they would receive him.
“I will be as simple and outspoken as possible,” said he to himself; “that is the best method absolutely.”
And, before he noted it, he found himself at the Hotel Rome. His heart began to beat then more quickly.
“It would not be bad,” thought he, “if I should not find them at home. I could leave a card and see later on if Plavitski would acknowledge my visit.”
But straightway he said to himself, “Don’t be a coward,” and went forward. Learning from the servant that Plavitski was at home, he sent in his card, and after a while was invited to enter.