The prince fell into good humor, and said,—
“When there is a pander for best man, there cannot be another kind of marriage.”
For a while they were silent; then both began to laugh. But their laughter sounded with marvellous ill-omen through the dark room. Night fell deeper and deeper.
The prince began to walk through the room, striking audibly with his hammer-staff, on which he leaned heavily, for his feet did not serve him well after the last numbness.
Now the servants brought in candelabra with candles, and went out; but the rush of air bent the flames of the candles, so that for a long time they did not burn straight upward, melting meanwhile much wax.
“See how the caudles are burning!” said the prince. “What do you prophesy from that?”
“That one virtue will melt to-day like wax.”
“It is wonderful how long that talk lasts.”
“Maybe the spirit of old Billevich is flying over the flames.”
“You are a fool!” answered Boguslav, abruptly. “You have chosen a time to talk of spirits!”