"Wherefore?" she cried, trembling, "what can be the meaning of it?"
"Because--because--" he hesitated, the honest man could ill prevaricate--"because I might be fined heavily for the lawsuit...."
"It is an untruth!" she exclaimed. "You think of taking away your life!"
"No, indeed," he asserted with a solemn oath. But she could not take comfort, despatching little Wassilj with a message to the pope. Father Leo came at once, expressing unfeigned wonder on being shown the document.
"Why, it's a deed of gift, in due form and legally attested. But what for, my friend; what for?"
"You must not ask me."
The pope looked at him; his gloomy face wore an expression of unbendable resolve. And Father Leo, thereupon, was silent, knowing it would be useless to inquire. After awhile, however, he began again: "I will not press you, Taras; but tell me one thing: Did you inform Dr. Starkowski of your reasons?"
"No," replied Taras. "And that was why he refused to make out the deed. 'I require to know your intention,' he said. But fortunately there is another solicitor at Colomea now--a young man who did not trouble about my reasons."
"Fortunately?" echoed the pope, with marked emphasis.
"Yes, fortunately," returned Taras, equally pointedly. "I have fully considered it."