CHAPTER XVIII
Days passed, still Yosef did not return to the countess, but Malinka said to Augustinovich,—
"Pelski may offer himself any day to Lula."
"And if he does not, she may offer herself to him," answered Augustinovich, with emphasis.
"Oh, that is not true, not true."
"We shall see."
"No, Pan Adam. Lula has much womanly pride, and if she should marry Pelski it would be only through that same pride, through anger at Yosefs indifference. Besides, to tell the truth, Pelski is the only man who loves her, for he is the only one who has remained on whom she can count."
"Ah! but evidently she likes to count on some one."
Malinka was angry.
"She counted once on Pan Yosef; she was deceived. How can you blame her, when he does not come—do you understand?—when he does not come?"
