"You must not be shocked, aunty."
"They brought him up for trial,—is that it?"
"No, it is worse; he is brought up for trial, but before a higher tribunal than ours."
My aunt winked with both eyes vigorously.
"What do you mean, Leon?"
I showed her the telegram. She read it, and without saying a word went to her prie-Dieu and buried her face in her hands. After a short time she rose from her knees and said:—
"Aniela may pay for it with her life. What is to be done?"
"She must not know anything until after the child is born."
"But how can we prevent it? It will be in everybody's mouth; the papers will discuss it. How can we keep it from her?"
"Dearest aunt," I said, "there is only one way. We must have the doctor here and ask him to prescribe for her a change of air. Then I will take her and Pani Celina to Rome. There I can keep all news from her. Here it would be difficult, especially when the servants come to hear about it?"