"No--I just wanted to know--"
"Panna Pauly," said Gronski, "Pan Swidwicki lives at No. 5 Oboznej, but it is not very safe for young girls to go to him."
She colored to the ears from fear that the "young lord" might think something bad about her.
And she hesitated for a while whether she should tell that Laskowicz was in the hallway and that it was necessary to hide him, as otherwise destruction awaited him. But again she recollected that Laskowicz had been sought in Jastrzeb and that Krzycki, on account of that had been almost arrested. A fear possessed her that perhaps Gronski himself might want to hide the student and in such case would jeopardize the young lord. She looked once or twice at the shapely form of Krzycki and decided to remain silent.
But Gronski spoke further:
"I do not advise you to go to him. I do not advise it. It is said that you once gave him a tongue-lashing."
And she, raising her head, answered at once haughtily and indignantly:
"Then I will give him a tongue-lashing a second time; but I have some business with him."
And bowing, she left. Gronski shrugged his shoulders and said:
"I cannot understand what she is concerned about. There is something strange in that girl, and I tell you that your future lady gives evidence of holy patience, that she has not dismissed her before this. She always says that she is a violent character but has a golden heart, and that may be possible. I know, however, from Pani Otocka that the golden heart enacts for her such scenes as no one else would tolerate."