The counselor willingly reached for his pocket book and, handing Wladek ten rubles said: "I am glad I can help you. If any more is needed, tell Miss Janina to mention only a word to me and she can have it."
Wladek went off with the money, whistling merrily.
The counselor entered the house, quietly opened the door to Janina's apartment, took off his hat and coat and walked into the room.
Janina was combing her hair and paid no attention to the opening of the door, for she thought that Wladek had returned.
The counselor coughed a few times and approached her with extended hand.
Janina sprang up hastily and threw a scarf over her naked shoulders.
"Mr. Wladyslaw has just told me that you were ill, so I thought it would be a sin not to come to see you," said the counselor, speaking rapidly, adjusting his glasses and smiling a colorless, banal smile.
Janina stared at him in amazement, for a moment, but when she felt the touch of his cold, clammy hand in her own, she grew red with anger, sprang toward the door so violently that the scarf fell to the floor, revealing the stately lines of her shoulders, and opening the door with an energetic gesture, cried: "Leave the room!"
"But I give you my word of honor that I hadn't even the slightest intention of offending you. As a well-wishing friend I came here merely to offer you my sympathy. Mr. Wladyslaw . . ."
"Is a scoundrel!"