Further discussion was interrupted by the arrival of Dolhanski who, observing Gronski, approached him, although he disliked to meet Swidwicki.
"How are you?" he said, "My ladies took a trip to Czestochowo; so I am free. Will you permit me to be seated with you?"
"Certainly, certainly. Why, these are your last days."
"It would be worth while even for that reason to drink a little bottle," observed Swidwicki, "particularly as it is, besides, my birthday."
"If the calendar was a wine-cellar and the dates in it bottles, then your birthday would occur every day," answered Gronski.
"I swear to you upon everything at which I jeer, that, contrary to my habit and inclination, this time I speak the truth."
Saying this, he nodded to the waiter and ordered him to bring two bottles, calculating that afterwards more would be forthcoming. In the meantime Dolhanski said:
"I met Krzycki to-day. He looks poorly; somehow not himself, and he told me that he does not live with you but in a hotel. Did you by chance quarrel?"
"No. But he moved away from me and Pani Krzycki from Pani Otocka's."
"There is some kind of epidemic," exclaimed Swidwicki, "for my cutthroat is leaving me."
"Perhaps something has passed between Krzycki and Miss Anney," said Dolhanski. "I supposed that they were getting quite intimate. Did they part--or what?"
"A marchpane, that Englishwoman," interrupted Swidwicki; "but her maid has more electricity in her."
Gronski hesitated for a while; after which he said:
"No, they have not parted, but something has occurred. I do not know why I should make a secret of that which, sooner or later, you will find out. It has developed that Miss Anney is not the born, but adopted, child of the rich English manufacturer, lately deceased, Mr. Anney, and of his late wife."
"Well, if the adoption gives her all the rights, and particularly the right of inheritance, is it not all the same to Krzycki?"
"The adoption gives her all rights; nevertheless it is not entirely the same to Krzycki, for it appears that Miss Anney is the daughter of a blacksmith of Rzeslewo and is named Hanka Skibianka."
"Ha!" cried Swidwicki, "Perdita has been found but not the king's daughter. What does the pretty Florizel say to this?"