“Well done! Well aimed!” he exclaimed. “Come,” added he, “I’ll make a bargain with you. If you’ll tell me your father’s name, I’ll tell you who I am.”
“As I believe you to be honorable,” she said, keeping her eyes upon his face, “I will tell you his name. It is Vladimir Betzkoi.”
The man’s brow darkened, then contracted into a frown. But after a few seconds it cleared, and he muttered, “I will not believe it. His child’s artless speeches and conduct bear proof that he must be a man of worth and probity. At all events, I will have it looked to.”
Then he added aloud: “You did me no less than justice, little one, in believing me a man of honor. Now that you have trusted me with your father’s name, I will use all my power to have his case inquired into.”
“You will interest your friends! You will use your influence with them to have my father’s case properly represented to the emperor! You will do what you can for us!” exclaimed Paulina, her eyes sparkling with joy, and fixed eagerly and hopefully upon the man’s face. He nodded and she went on: “I remember. You said you knew the master of this house. He must be a rich man—a powerful lord—you will interest him? You will speak to him in my father’s behalf?”
Again the man nodded; and again Paulina went eagerly on: “Will you let me see your friend, and tell him myself? The master of the house! Perhaps he’s at home now! Come, let us go to him at once!” she exclaimed, starting up, and seizing the man’s arm.
“Softly, softly, little one,” answered he, smiling. “You forget how tired I am with my wanderings.”
“I am thoughtless, selfish,—I forget all, in my one concern for my father; but you will forgive his daughter for her sake, won’t you?” said Paulina, pointing to Hermione, and then proceeding to bustle about, as she had done at the peasant’s hut, drawing off his gloves, and helping him remove his cloak.
His daughter joined her in her ministry, with her own quiet, gentle, yet decided manner. She had stood by her father’s side the whole time, with one arm upon his shoulder, as he sat; while he held her in one of his, passed around her waist.
“You have fasted, then?—you have been delayed on your journey?—some accident?—these clothes?” she now said, in her tender voice, full of affectionate interest, though so gentle and low. “Dear father, tell me what has happened. But first you must need refreshment. They shall bring supper here.”