And the doctor began to laugh.
"But as I have yet time, I will first attend Panna Marynia's concert."
"By all means," said Gronski, "ride, sir. Poland is not only being cut from the outside by inimical scissors, but she is beginning to be rent asunder internally. Ride, sir, and tell them that publicly. Perhaps some may be found who will be frightened at their amenableness to the future."
"I think that such will be found. For, in the main, I assume that they, or at least a majority of them, thus far feel in the old way, and only speak as they do in order to loosen, even though for a moment, the noose which presses on their throats. But in this they are mistaken. The result will be that they will be despised and trampled upon, both from above and below."
"When are you going?"
"The assembly meets in about ten days, so I actually will stay here about a week, for I have various matters to attend to in Warsaw. In the meantime, I will visit my acquaintances, and among others Pani Otocka, and the Krzyckis. How is Krzycki?"
"As well as a fish--and he is going to marry."
"Well, well. I will wager that it is with that beautiful Englishwoman? A pure flower!"
"Yes. But it seems that this is not an English flower, only genuinely Polish, from a village meadow."
"For the Lord's sake. What are you saying?"