"It is nothing to me," cried the young lady. "Jacob is no longer on my list."
"Alas," replied Madame Wtorkowska, "to be so rich and to remain such an obstinate Jew!"
"Mamma, would you have any objection to Sofronof, if he declares himself?" asked Emusia.
"Do as you wish. Provided that you marry, your choice will be mine. Yet be on your guard with this Sofronof. These Russians have no scruples, no delicacy; to break a woman's heart is for them a pleasure, something to glory in. Under apparent splendour, they are often penniless adventurers who come to Poland to replenish their purses. I know the Russians well. Many of them parade about in a brilliant uniform and live in poverty."
"Mamma, Sofronof has a fine property in the province of Kostroma."
"I have met these brilliant officers who boast of possessing hundreds of peasants near Iaroslaf or Tambof. They lied, and this one may also. Let us go to Kostroma. The government pays these colonels so poorly, and even the generals, that they are obliged to rob to cut any figure."
"It is not called robbery in Russia. They give it another name,--indirect revenue, I believe. The country is so organized that the employés, civil and military, without exception, procure indirect revenues to increase their salary."
"Yes, dear Emusia, I regret Jacob. Unfortunately, he has a mother who is an impossible Jewess."
"If I willed it, nevertheless, I could make him leave father, mother, and religion. I am sure I could overcome him; but I do not care to make any more efforts in that direction. Jacob is not congenial to me. My favourite, you know, is Henri."
"You always force me to repeat that he is married."