CHAPTER XVII
Malinka tried frequently to learn of Augustinovich the real cause of Yosef's absence.
"Why bind her hands?" asked she, speaking of Lula.
Augustinovich assured her that he did not wish to bind Lula’s hands, but afterward he was silent or lied.
On the other hand Yosef was convinced that the countess knew everything.
"I told her everything," said Augustinovich.
"But she? Do not hide from me!"
"Yosef?"
"What?"
"What is that to thee?"
Yosef gritted his teeth, but inquired no further. He was ashamed. He confessed to himself that those questions were an indulgence granted to weakness and to a former feeling. With consternation almost he saw that time had brought no relief. Oh, there were moments when he wished to cast away Helena and duty and conscience and go and sell even honor,
