"May extermination not fail upon you both.
"Oh, beloved one.
"A certain night I summoned Thee but Thou didst not hear me and didst not come. Now I extend my hands towards Thee and say unto Thee: Come and slumber in my heart.
"And when the time of awakening comes, I will wake Thee for a brief moment of pleasure, which love gives for the toil without an end and which the idea demands.
"For toil and perchance for martyrdom.
"But in that martyrdom for the dawn of a new life, there is greater happiness than in the dusk, mephitic air, ashes and mould of graves.
"Therefore come even for martyrdom.
"And until our existence floats into the sea of nothingness, abide with me.
"Oh, beloved one."
Gronski's countenance reflected perturbation. For a time he and Pani Otocka walked in silence.