"But," said Eva, as if following her own thoughts, "is it true that thou art betrothed?"
"True."
"Why hast thou not told me of it?"
"Because the engagement was broken, and then rearranged not long since. But if thou tell me that as betrothed I should not become acquainted with Pani Helena, I will answer, that I was a painter before I was betrothed. However, thou hast no fear for her?"
"Do not imagine that. I will not take thee to her, for I do not wish to expose her to people's tongues. They say that for some weeks half Warsaw is in love with thee; they relate uncreated things of thy conduct. No longer back than yesterday, I heard a witticism, that thou hast made the ten commandments of God into one for thy own use. Knowest thou into what one?"
"What one?"
"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife—in vain."
"Thou, O God, seest my suffering! but the witticism is good."
"And surely pointed."
"Listen to me, Evus; [21] art thou willing to hear the whole truth? I have ever been timid, awkward: I have not had, and have not now success with women. People imagine, God knows what; and meanwhile they do not suspect how much truth there is in the cry, Thou, O God, seest my suffering!"