Ladislaus, in his laughter, displayed his sound, shining teeth and answered joyously:
"Ah, how it does delight me! the soul almost squeaks."
And they both began to laugh.
"But," said Gronski, "one must be lucky enough to find that and courageous enough to win."
To Krzycki there suddenly came the recollection of a certain ball in Warsaw; of Panna Rose Stabrowska, her pensive eyes, and her white, half-childlike shoulders protruding from the net-lace like watery foam. He therefore sighed quietly.
"Sometimes," he said, "courage also is necessary to bridle one's self."
In the chamber for an interval could be heard only the measured tick-tack of the cumbrous clock and the wheezing of the asthmatic servant, who dozed, leaning against the sideboard.
The hour was late, Gronski rose and, having roused himself from a momentary revery, said, as if speaking to himself:
"And those ladies will be here to-morrow."
Afterwards he added with a touch of sadness: