Gronski, who had already risen to bid him farewell, was overcome temporarily by curiosity.
"What blunder?" he asked.
"That they assume super-villeiny to be superhumanity."
"In this you are right."
"I feel a contempt for myself as often as I am right."
"Then we will leave you with your wine and your contempt."
Saying this, Gronski nodded to Dolhanski and they departed. Swidwicki's last words, however, caused him to reflect; so after a while he said:
"Now people's minds are haunted by the Prussians and they are reminded of them by the slightest cause. After all, Swidwicki's description of them was apposite."
"If you knew how little I am interested in Swidwicki's descriptions."
"Nevertheless, you vie with him and talk in a similar strain," answered Gronski.