A new epoch of resuscitated happiness for the widow, of dying hope for Gustav, emerged gradually, urged on by the rude hand of necessity,--an epoch born of tears, chance, and pain.
"I may not, I may not be long in peace!" thought he. "But happen what may, I will not bring him here a second time."
Every one will divine easily what was hidden under a reflection of that sort. Gustav judged that he would be able to stifle himself by work,--he was more and more wearied; happy moments he had only in sleep.
Once he dreamed that he was at Helena's knees and kissing her hands; he felt distinctly her dear palms on his heart. Then in the dream excitement of passion he found her lips with his lips, and almost suffered from excess of delight.
He saw her daily,--he was so near to her and always so distant.
He grew thinner and more emaciated; in his eyes shone feverish gleams of unbending will. That fever exhausted him, but kept him on his feet.
"I am curious to know what will come of this," muttered he through his parched lips.
But there was one side almost sublime in this gloomy exertion of suffering. Gustav was not dreaming. He took life as it was, not as it might be. In spite of the sad condition of his health, he knew how to work, and worked more than ever. To come from Pani Helena and sit down to toil needed no common strength,--such victories he won over his own nature daily. He gathered about him a number of the most capable men, and as it were to compare them with the assemblies at Vasilkevich's, he organized a circle laboring only scientifically. He and two fellow-students were writing a grammar of the Lettish languages; in spite of continual disputes with his co-workers, he stood at the head of this labor, and what he stole from suffering he gave to it.
Nothing could be more irritating than the relations of these students.
At last Gustav on returning one day from Pani Helena's found Yosef's effects packed. Yosef himself was occupied in arranging his books and linen.
Both were silent till all was ready; then Yosef said,--
Gustav reached him his hand without saying a word. They parted coldly.
"Ho! What is this?" inquired he. "Art thou moving?"
"Thou knowest my relations with Gustav, judge thyself if I can live with him longer."