"I do not ask," said Gronski, "but as to the current I have no doubt, as otherwise you would fear to place yourself in jeopardy."
To this Swidwicki said:
"Know this, that I do not fear anything in the world, and this gives me in this enslaved country such an unheard of independence as is not enjoyed by any one else."
Saying this, he drained the glass to the bottom and exclaimed:
"Long live liberty--but only my own."
"Nevertheless, all this demonstrates that you have a little good in your heart."
"Not in the least. I did that, firstly, because I expect a reward, on which, after all, in such virtuous company, I prefer not to dilate--unless after a second bottle--and again, because I will have some one upon whom I can vent my spleen and assert my ascendency. I assure you that my gallows-bird will not sleep upon roses--and who knows whether after a week he will not prefer the gallows to my hospitality?"
"That is possible. But in the meantime?"
"In the meantime I bought for him Allen's Waters in order to bleach the black tufts of hair on his head into a light color. 'Are te biondegiante'--as during Titian's time. I feel also a little satisfaction at the thought that the police will stand on their heads to find him and will not get him."
"But if they find him?"