"Janina . . . have mercy . . ."
"I do not understand that word," she answered with emphasis, "and I repeat: never! unless it be . . . after I am dead."
"Don't say that, for . . ."
He did not finish for the door suddenly swung wide open and Mimi with Wawrzecki came rushing in.
"Well, are you coming? Hurry and dress yourself, for we start immediately! . . . Ah, I beg your pardon, I did not know you had a visitor," cried Mimi, observing Grzesikiewicz who took his hat, bowed automatically, and, without looking at anyone, whispered.
"Good-bye."
And without more ado he left.
Janina sprang up as though she wished to detain him, but Kotlicki and Topolski were just then entering and greeted her jocularly. After them came some third person.
"What sort of broad gentleman was that? As I live, it is the first time that I saw such a mass of meat in a surtout!" cried that third comer.
"This is Mr. Glogowski. In a week we are to present his play and in a month he will be famous throughout Europe!" said Wawrzecki, introducing him.