Silence continued awhile.
"He would not even take my hand when I gave it at parting, but could I do otherwise? I know that I acted very unkindly, very unkindly, but could I act otherwise? I do not love him."
"Better late than never. Thou didst obey the voice of thy heart. Only with Pan Yosef canst thou be happy."
"Oh, that is true, true."
"In a month or so," continued Malinka, "we shall array Lula in a white robe, weep over Lula the maiden and rejoice over Lula the wife. Thou wilt be happy, he and thou. He must be a good man, since all respect him so much."
"Do all respect him so much?" repeated Lula, who wanted to laugh and cry at the same moment.
"Oh, yes, mamma fears him even, and I also fear him a little, but I respect him for his character."
Lula put both hands under her head, and resting on Malinka's knees, looked into her face with eyes bright from tears.
Meanwhile it grew perfectly dark, then the moon rose, the dogs fell asleep; nothing was to be heard save the whispers of the two maidens filled with fancies by their talk.
All at once they were interrupted by the bell at the entrance.