the distribution of small trees. He even caused artesian wells to be sunk to provide enough healthful water for the village."
Dolhanski, hearing this, leaned towards Krzycki and whispered:
"A capitalist's fantasy. He regarded his wife and Zalesin as two playthings which he fondled, and played the rôle of a philanthropist because he could afford it."
But Pani Krzycki again began to ask:
"Who now is in charge of Zalesin?"
And the young widow, having cast off a momentary sad recollection, answered with a smile:
"In the neighborhood they say Dworski rules Zalesin. – He is the old accountant of my husband and is very devoted to us. – I rule Dworski, and Marynia rules me."
"And that is the truth," interjected Miss Anney, "with this addition, and me also."
To this Marynia shook her head and said:
"Oh, Aunt, if you only knew how they sometimes twit me!"
"Somehow I do not see that, but I think that the time will come when somebody will rule you also."
"It has already come," broke out Marynia.
"So? That is curious. Who is that despot?"
And the little violinist, pointing with a quick movement of her little finger at Gronski, said:
"That gentleman."
"Now I understand," said Dolhanski, "why, after our return from the notary, he had a teapot full of hot water over his head."
Gronski shrugged his shoulders, like a man who had been charged with unheard-of things, and exclaimed:
"I? A despot? Why, I am a victim, the most hypnotized of all."
"Then Pan Laskowicz is the hypnotizer, not I," answered the young miss, "for he himself at supper was telling me about hypnotism and explaining what it is."
Gronski looked toward the other end of the table, in the direction of the student, and saw his eyes, strained, refractory, and glistening, fastened upon Marynia.
"Aha!" he thought, "he actually is trying his powers upon her."
He frowned and, addressing her, said:
"Nobody in truth knows what hypnotism is. We see its manifestations and nothing more. But how did Laskowicz explain it to you?"
"He told me what I already had heard before; that the person put to sleep must perform everything which the operator commands, and even when awakened must submit to the operator's will."
"That is untrue," said Gronski.
"And I think likewise. He claimed also that he could put me to sleep very easily, but I feel that he cannot."
"Excellent! Do such things interest you?"
"Hypnotism a little. But if it is to be anything mysterious, then I prefer to hear about spirits; especially do I like to hear the stories which one of our neighbors relates about fairies. He says they are called sprites, and indulge in all kinds of tricks in old houses, and they can be seen at night time through the windows in rooms where the fire is burning in the hearth. There they join hands and dance before the fire."
"Those are gay fairies."
"And not malicious, though mischievous. Our aged neighbor piously believes in them and quarrels about them with the rector. He says his house is full of them and that they are continually playing pranks: sometimes pulling the coils of the clock to make it ring; sometimes hiding his slippers and other things; making noise during the night; hitching crickets to nut-shells and driving with them over the rooms; in the kitchen they skim the milk and throw peas into the fire to make them pop. If you do not vex them, they are benevolent, driving away spiders and mice, and watching that the mushrooms do not soil the floor. This neighbor of ours at one time was a man of great education, but in his old age has become queer, and he tells us this in all seriousness. We, naturally, laugh at it, but I confess that I very much wish that such a world did exist; – strange and mysterious! There would be in it something so good and nice, and less sadness."
Here she began to look off with dreamy eyes and afterwards continued:
"I remember also that whenever we discussed Boecklin's pictures, those fauns, nymphs, and dryads which he painted, I always regretted that all that did not exist in reality. And sometimes it seemed to me that they might exist, only we do not see them. For, in truth, who knows what happens in the woods at noontime or night time, when no one is there; or in the mists during the moonlight or upon the ponds? Belief in such a world is not wholly childish, since we believe in angels."
"I also believe in fairies, nymphs, dryads, and angels," answered Gronski.
"Really?" she asked, "for you always speak to me as to a child."
And he answered her only mentally:
"I speak as with a child, but I idolize."
But further conversation was interrupted by the servant, who informed Ladislaus that the steward of Rzeslewo had arrived and desired to see the "bright young lord" on a very important matter. Krzycki apologized to the company and with the expression, customary with country husbandmen, "What is up now?" left the room. As the supper was almost finished, they all began to move, after the example of the lady of the house, who, however, for a while endeavored in vain to rise, for the rheumatism during the past two days afflicted her more and more. Similar attacks occurred often and in such cases her son usually conducted her from room to room. But in this instance Miss Anney, who sat nearest to her, came to her assistance and, taking her in her arms, lifted her easily, skillfully, and without any exertion.
"I thank you, I thank you," said Pani Krzycki, "for otherwise I would have to wait for Laudie. Ah, my God, how good it is to be strong!"
"Oh, in me you have a veritable Samson," answered Miss Anney in her pleasant, subdued voice.
But at that moment Ladislaus, who evidently recalled that he had to escort his mother, rushed into the room and, seeing what was taking place, exclaimed:
"Permit me, Miss Anney. That is my duty. You will fatigue yourself."
"Not the least."
"Ah, Laudie," said Pani Krzycki, "to tell the truth, I do not know which one of you two is the stronger."
"Is it truly so?" he asked, looking with rapt eyes upon the slender form of the girl.
And she began to wink with her eyes in token that such was the fact, but at the same time blushed as if ashamed of her unwomanly strength.
Ladislaus, however, assisted her to seat his mother at the table in the small salon, at which she was accustomed to amuse herself in the evenings by laying out cards to forecast fortunes. On this occasion he unintentionally brushed his shoulder against Miss Anney's shoulder and, when he felt those steel-like young muscles, a violent thrill suddenly penetrated through him and at the same time he was possessed by a perception of some elementary, unheard-of, blissful power. If he were Gronski and ever in his life had read Lucretius' hymn to Venus, he would have been able to know and name that power. But as he was only a twenty-seven-year-old, healthy nobleman, he only thought that the moments in which he would be free to hug such a girl to his bosom would be worth the sacrifice of Jastrzeb, Rzeslewo,
