that through his favour I possess almost all my own
estate; thus he has the right to give directions. Pray think this over, in
order that it may be accomplished with the least possible trouble; we must
make them acquainted. To be sure, they are very young, especially little
Zosia, but that is no matter; it is time at last to release Zosia from
confinement, for at all events she is growing up and is no longer a
child."

Telimena, amazed and almost panic-stricken, raised herself gradually and
knelt on the shawl; at first she listened with attention, then with a
gesture she opposed him, waving her hand vigorously over her ear, as if
she were driving off the unpleasant words like gnats, back into the mouth
of the speaker.

"Ha! ha! that is a new idea! Whether that is good or bad for Thaddeus,"
she said angrily, "you may judge for yourself, my dear sir. I don't care
anything about Thaddeus, plan for him yourselves; make him a steward, or
put him in a tavern; let him be a bar-tender, or bring game for your table
from the woods; do with him whatever you wish! But as for Zosia! What have
you men to do with Zosia? I control her hand; I alone. That Jacek provided
money for Zosia's education, and that he has assigned her a small yearly
allowance, and has deigned to promise more, does not mean that he has
bought her. Besides you both know, and it is pretty generally known too,
that your generosity for us is not without its reasons; the Soplicas owe
something to the family of the Horeszkos."

To this part of her speech the Judge listened with indescribable confusion
and grief and with evident repugnance. As though fearing what she might
say further, he bowed his head, made a gesture of assent, and flushed
deeply.

Telimena concluded by saying:--

"I have had the care of her; I am of her kin, Zosia's only guardian. No
one but me shall ever plan her happiness!"

"But what if she finds happiness in this marriage?" said the Judge,
raising his eyes; "what if she likes young Thaddeus?"

"What if she likes him? That's a pear on a willow tree! Like him or
not--much I care for that! To be sure Zosia will not be a wealthy match,
but yet she is not a common village girl, a simple gentleman's daughter;
her ancestors were called, 'Your Grace'; she is the child of a wojewoda;
her mother was a Horeszko: she will get a husband! I have taken such pains
with her education--if only she has not degenerated into savagery here!"

The Judge list