"If you knew how weighed down I am, especially after such a sad event, you would weep over me. I am sorry, too, for that poor fellow; but it is necessary—it is necessary even for this reason, that people should not make suppositions."
"Is it? Till we meet again!" said Svirski.
And a moment later, while sitting in the train, he said to himself,—
"If I go with you to the 'Formidable,' or any other place, I am a dead crab!"
CHAPTER VIII.
BUT next morning, he received Pani Cervi and Panna Maria with a gladder heart. At sight of the fair, fresh face of the girl even delight seized him.
Everything had been prepared in the studio; the easel was in its place; the sofa for the model pushed forward and covered properly. Pani Lageat had received the strictest command not to admit any one, not even "Queen Victoria herself," should she come. Svirski now opened and now closed the curtains which hid the window of the skylight; but while drawing the cords he looked unceasingly at his charming model.
Meanwhile the ladies removed their hats, and Panna Maria inquired,—
"What must I do now?"