"All is written out accurately," said Pan Serafin; "nothing to be added, nothing taken away."
"Ha!" said the priest, "do you think that he gets what he deserves?"
"Oi! certain words burnt me."
"And me," added Lukash. "It is sure that when a man hears such speeches he wants to drink, just as on a hot day."
"Yatsek, attend to those gentlemen. I will seal the letter and send it away."
So saying he took the ring from his finger and went to the alcove. But while sealing the letter some other thought came to his head, as it happened, for when he returned, he said,--
"It is done. The affair is over. But do you not think it too cutting? The man is old, it may cost him his health. Wounds given by the pen are no less effective than those by the sword or the bullet."
"True! true!" said Yatsek, and he gritted his teeth.
But just this exclamation of pain decided the matter. Pan Serafin added,--
"My revered benefactor, your scruples are honorable, but Pan Gideon had no scruples whatever; his letter struck straight at the heart, while yours strikes only at malice and pride. I think, therefore, that it ought to be sent."