I had begun to listen with the greatest interest, for now I saw clearly what had led to the estrangement between Kromitzki and Aniela.  My aunt continued:—­

“When I heard that I said:  ’Now you see how little sincerity there is in what you told me.  At first you said that you proposed the partnership in order that the family might derive the benefit of it, in preference to strangers, and now it turns out that you want it for your own sake.’  He is not wanting in cleverness, and therefore replied at once that in this kind of affairs the gain was on both sides, and that naturally it was a matter of concern to him to have as much capital at his disposition as he could get; for in this kind of business the larger the basis it rested upon, the more certain the profit.  ‘Besides that,’ he said, ’taking Aniela without any money I thought I might count upon the support of the family, at least in a case like this, when the help would turn out a clear gain to the family.’  He was very cross, especially when I told him he had not taken Aniela without anything, as it had always been my intention to give her the life interest of a certain sum.”

“You told him that?”

“Yes.  I told him all that was uppermost in my mind.  ‘I love Aniela,’ I said, ’as if she were my own child; and for that very reason, to make her safe, I will not leave her the principal, but a life interest.  The principal might be swallowed up in your speculations, which may turn out God knows how; and an annual income will give Aniela the means of a decent establishment.  The principal,’ I said, ’will go to your children, if you have any, after Aniela’s death; and that is all I intend to do,—­which of course does not exclude any smaller services I may be able to render you.’”

“And that ended the conversation?”

“Almost.  I saw he was very much upset.  I fancy he was especially angry because I promised a life interest to Aniela instead of a round sum down, as it shows how little I trust him.  When going away he said that for the future he would look for partners among strangers, as he could not meet with less good-will, and might find a better understanding of business matters.  I meekly accepted this reproach.  Yesterday he went for an excursion with the Belgians and came back discontented, I suppose he tried it on with them and met with a disappointment.  Do you know what I think, Leon?  His business is shaky, since he is so anxious to get partners.  And I may tell you that the thought troubles me; for if such be the case common-sense tells us not to have anything to do with his affairs; and yet the simplest family duty bids us to help him, if only for Aniela’s sake.  That is one reason why I was so anxious to talk it over with you.”

“His affairs are not in such a desperate state as you think, aunty.”  And I told her what I had heard from Chwastowski, and guessed long ago from Kromitzki’s manner, namely, that he was in want and looking about for capital.  I added that it was mainly to inquire about the state of his affairs that I had gone to Vienna.