“I see this journey does not suit you in the least,” I said.

Thereupon, egoist that he is, feeling things only in so far as they concern himself, he began to grumble at his mother-in-law.

“Of course it does not suit me,” he said; “and between ourselves I do not see the necessity of it.  There is a limit to everything, even to a daughter’s affection for her mother.  Once married, a woman ought to understand that her first duty is toward her husband.  Besides, a mother-in-law who is always there, either in the same room or in the next, is a nuisance, and prevents a young married couple from drawing near to each other, and living exclusively for themselves.  I do not say but that love for one’s parents is a good thing, if not carried too far and made an impediment in one’s life.”

Once embarked upon that theme he gave expression to very commonplace and mean sentiments, which irritated me all the more that from his point of view there was certainly some truth in what he said.

“There is no help for it,” he concluded; “I made a bargain, and must stick to it.”

“Then you mean to go with them to Gastein?”

“Yes; I have some personal interest in the journey.  I want to enter into closer relation with my wife’s family and gain your confidence.  We will speak of that later on.  I am free for a month or six weeks.  I left Lucian Chwastowski in charge of the business, and he is, as the English say, a ‘solid’ man.  Besides, when one has a wife like Aniela one wants to stop with her a little while,—­you understand, eh?”

Saying this he laughed, showing his yellow, decayed teeth, and clapped me on the knee.  A cold shiver penetrated to my very brain.  I felt myself growing pale.  I rose and turned away from the light to hide my face, then made a powerful effort to collect myself and asked “When do you intend going to Ploszow?”

“To-morrow, to-morrow.”

“Good-night.”

“Good-night,” he replied, his eyeglass dropping once more.  He put out both hands, adding:  “I am tremendously glad to have the opportunity to get more acquainted with you.  I always liked you, and I am sure we shall understand each other.”

We understand each other!  How intensely stupid the man is!  But the more stupid he is, the more horrible to me is the thought that Aniela belongs to him, is simply a thing of his!  I did not even try to undress that night.  I never had seen so clearly that there may be situations where words come to an end, the power of reasoning ceases, even the power of feeling one’s calamity,—­to which there seems to be no limit.  A truly magnificent life which is given unto us!  It is enough to say that those former occasions when Aniela trampled upon my feelings, and when I thought I had reached the height of misery, appear now to me as times of great happiness.  If then, if even now, the Evil One promised me in exchange for my soul that everything