nourable to marry
when one loves another. Perhaps time will heal me; I shall depart--for a
long absence."

"Thaddeus," interrupted his uncle, "that is a strange way of being in
love, to run away from one's beloved. It is well that you are frank; you
see, you would have committed an act of folly by going away. But what
should you say if I helped you to obtain Zosia? Hey? Well, aren't you
jumping for joy?"

"Your goodness amazes me," said Thaddeus after a pause, "but yet--the
favour of my kind uncle will avail me nothing! Ah, my hopes are vain, for
Pani Telimena will not yield me Zosia!"

"We will ask her," said the Judge.

"No one can prevail upon her," interrupted Thaddeus hastily. "No, I cannot
wait, uncle; I must be on my way quickly, to-morrow. Only give me your
blessing, uncle; I have made all my preparations, and am now leaving for
the Grand Duchy."

The Judge, twirling his mustaches, gazed angrily at the lad:--

"Are you so frank? Have you opened your heart to me so fully? First that
duel! Then again love and this departure; O, there is something behind all
this! They have been telling me, I have watched your steps! You are a
deceitful, giddy fellow; you have been telling lies. Where were you going
that evening, and what were you tracking like a setter outside the house?
See here, Thaddeus, maybe you have seduced Zosia and are now running away?
If so, booby, you will not succeed! Whether you like it or not, I tell you
that you shall marry Zosia. Otherwise, the horsewhip--to-morrow you shall
stand before the altar! And you talk to me of feelings--of an unchanging
heart! You are a liar! Foh! I'll look into your case, Pan Thaddeus, I'll
make your ears smart for you! I've had enough trouble to-day--till my head
aches with it--and now you come to keep me from going to sleep in peace!
Now go to bed!"

So speaking he threw open the door and called the Apparitor to undress
him.

Thaddeus went out quietly, hanging his head, and thought over his bitter
interview with his uncle. It was the first time that he had ever been
scolded so severely! He appreciated the justice of the reproaches and
blushed at himself. What should he do? What if Zosia should learn the
whole story? Should he ask for her hand? But what would Telimena say?
No--he felt that he could remain no longer in Soplicowo.

Thus buried in thought, he had hardly made two steps when something
crossed his path; he looked--and saw a phantom all in white, ta