"That is a pity. But this is not the time to speak of that. Once more I thank you for the rescue, though it is for a short time."
"Why for a short time?"
"Because I do not know what to do with myself, where to go, and where to hide. Every night I sleep in a different place but they are seeking for me everywhere."
"That is true. They were searching for you in Jastrzeb. Do you know that there was a police-search there?"
"Was there?"
"Yes. Gendarmes, police, and soldiers came. They almost put everybody under arrest."
"Oh, they would not arrest them--"
The clatter of horses" hoofs and the rattle of the horseshoes over the stony pavements interrupted for a while their conversation. From a side street ahead rode out a Cossack patrol, consisting of several scores of men. They rode slowly, with carabines resting upon their thighs and looked about cautiously. At the sight of them, Pauly became somewhat pale, while Laskowicz began to whisper:
"That is nothing. They see that I am carrying flowers from the store.
They will take me for a gardener and will ride by."
In fact they did pa.s.s by.
"They are now arresting every moment people on the streets in whole crowds," said Laskowicz. "To some one else that would be a small matter; but if I once fall into their clutches, I will never be able to get out again."
"Well, what do you intend to do?"
"Carry these flowers for you, little lady."
"And after that?"
"I do not know."
"Of course you must have some acquaintances who will hide you."
"I have, I have! But the police have their eyes upon all my acquaintances. Every night there is a search. For the last two nights I slept in a printing establishment, but today they discovered the printing press."
A moment of silence followed.
After which Laskowicz again spoke in a gloomy voice:
"There is now no help for me. I will deliver these flowers and go wherever my eyes will take me."
But in the heart of the girl suddenly there awoke a great pity for him.
Before that she was indifferent to him. At present she only saw in him a Polish student hunted, like a mad dog, by people whom she of old despised.
Therefore on her energetic and obstinate countenance, inflexible determination was depicted.
"Come what may, I will not desert you," she said, knitting her dark brows.
Laskowicz was suddenly seized with a desire to kiss her hand and would have done so if they were not on the street. He was moved not only by the hope of escape, but also by the fact that this girl, who hardly knew him, who did not belong to his camp, was ready to expose herself to the greatest dangers in order to come to his aid.
"What can the little lady do? Where will she hide me?" he asked quietly.
But she walked on with brows knitted by the strain of continuous thinking, and finally said:
"I know. Let us go."
He shifted the flower-pot to the left hand. "I must tell you," he said with lowered voice, "that the least punishment for concealing me is Siberia. I must tell you that! And I might cause your destruction, but in the first moments--the little lady understands--the instinct of preservation--there was no time for reflection."
The little lady did not very well understand what the instinct of preservation was, but instead understood something else. This was that if she brought him, as she intended, to Gronski"s, she would expose to danger not only Gronski but also Krzycki.
And under the influence of this thought she stood as if stupefied.
"In such a case, I do not know what I can do," she said.
"Ah, you see, little lady," answered the student, as if in sorrow, while she, on her part, again began to rack her brains. It never occurred to her to conduct Laskowicz to Miss Anney"s or Pani Otocka"s.
She felt that here masculine help was necessary and that it was imperative to find some one who would not fear and for whom she, herself, did not care. Therefore she mentally reviewed the whole array of Miss Anney"s and Pani Otocka"s acquaintances.--Pan Dolhanski?
No!--He might be afraid or else send them to the devil and sneer at them. Dr. Szremski? He had probably left the city. Ah, were it not for this "young lord" she would conduct this poor fellow to Pan Gronski, for even if he did not receive him, at the worst he would give good advice, or would direct them to somebody. And suddenly it came to her mind that if Siberia threatened the person who concealed Laskowicz, Pan Gronski would not direct them to anybody; but if he could, he would direct them to only one man, whom she also knew. And on this thought, she dusted her dress with her hands and, turning to Laskowicz, said:
"I know now! Let us try."
After which, standing for a while, she continued:
"Let us enter this house, here, at once. You will wait with the flowers in the hallway and I will deliver the letter upstairs and return. Do not fear anything, for the doorkeeper here knows me and he is a good man. After that I may lead you somewhere."
Saying this, she entered the gate and, leaving Laskowicz below, rang, after a moment, Gronski"s bell.
Gronski, rising that day earlier than usual, was already dressed and sat with Krzycki having tea. When Pauly handed him the letter, he read it and, laughing, showed it to Ladislaus; after which he rose and went to his writing desk to write an answer. During this time Ladislaus began to question her about the health of his mother and the younger ladies.
"I thank you, the ladies are well, but my lady has already gone down town."
"So early? And is not your lady afraid to go alone about the city?"
"My lady went with me and bought flowers for Panna Marynia and after that she went to church."
"To what church did she go?"
"I do not know."
Panna Pauly knew well, but she was hurt by his asking her about her mistress; while he, conjecturing this, ceased to question her further, for he had previously resolved to converse with her as little as possible.
So, silence--a little embarra.s.sing--ensued between them, and continued until Gronski returned with the letter.
"Here is the answer," he said; "let the little lady bow for us to the ladies and say that to-day we both will be there, for Pan Krzycki"s imprisonment is now ended."
"I thank you," replied Pauly, "but I have yet a favor,--I would like to learn the address of Pan Swidwicki?"
Gronski looked at her with astonishment.
"Did the ladies request you to ask?"