"My guardian blamed him still more severely. I confess to you, however, that we did not act justly, and I think that some reparation is due him."
"He would surely be glad to receive it from your hands," said Pan Serafin.
The young lady shook her golden head in sign of disagreement.
"Oh no!" replied she, smiling sadly, "he is angry with us, and forever."
Pan Serafin glanced at her with a genuine fatherly kindness.
"Who in the world, charming flower, could be angry forever with you?"
"Oh! Pan Yatsek could--but as to reparation this is the best reparation in his case: declare to Pan Yatsek that you feel no offence toward him, and that you believe in his innocence. After that my guardian will be forced to do him some justice, and justice from us is due to Pan Yatsek."
"I see that you have not been so very bitter against him, since you are now taking his part with such interest."
"I do so because I feel reproaches of conscience, and I wish no injustice to any man, besides, he is alone in the world, and is in great, very great, poverty."
"I will tell you," answered Pan Serafin, "that in my own mind I have decided as follows: your guardian, as a hospitable neighbor, has declared that he will not let me go till my son has recovered; but both my son and the Bukoyemskis might go home even to-morrow. Still, before I leave here I will visit most surely Pan Yatsek and Father Voynovski, not through any kindness, but because I understand that I owe them this courtesy. I do not say that I am bad, still, I think that if any one in this case is really good you are the person. Do not contradict me!"