"By thinking as little as possible of a handsome youth who is now at sea."
Milena blushed.
"Then you must bear your husband's ill-humour, even his blows, patiently, and, little by little, get him to understand what kind of a man Vranic is. Radonic is in love with you; therefore, 'the sack cannot remain without the twine.' You must not fear Vranic; 'the place of the uninvited guest is, you know, behind the door.' Moreover, to protect you against him, I'll give you a most powerful charm."
Saying this, she went to a large wooden chest and got out of it a little bag, which she handed to Milena.
"In it," whispered the old woman, mysteriously, "there is some hair of a wolf that has tasted human flesh, the claw of a rabid old cat, a tiny bit of a murdered man's skull, a few leaflets of rue gathered on St. John's Night under a gibbet, and some other things. It is a potent spell; still, efficient as it is, you must help it in its work."
Milena promised the old woman to be guided entirely by her advice.
"Remember never to give way to Vranic in the least, for, even with my charm, if you listen to him you might become his prey. You must not do like the dove did."
"And what did the dove do?"
"What! don't you know? Well, sit down there, and I'll tell you."
"But I'm afraid I'll be troubling you."