“I did not write much about us, because I had nothing cheerful to tell you; and as I am not clever at disguising things, I feared I should make you uneasy, knowing that you were not well.  I am in terrible anxiety about Kromitzki, and should like to have your advice.  Chwastowski showed me his son’s letter, in which he says that Kromitzki’s affairs are in a deplorable state, and that he is threatened with legal prosecution.  Everybody has deceived him.  He suddenly received orders to deliver a great quantity of goods, and as the appointed term was very short, he had no time to look into things and see whether everything was as it should be.  It turned out that all the goods were bad,—­imitations, and second and third rate quality.  They were rejected; and in addition Kromitzki is threatened with a trial for defrauding the agency.  God grant that we may be able to prevent this, especially as he is innocent.  Ruin does not matter, provided there be no disgrace.  I am altogether at a loss what to do and how to save him.  I do not like to risk the money I intended Aniela to have, and yet we must not let it come to a trial.  Tell me what to do, Leon; for you are wise and will know what is expedient in these matters.  I have not told Celina anything about it, nor Aniela,—­and I am very anxious about Aniela.  I cannot understand what is the matter with her.  Celina is the worthiest of women, but she always had exaggerated ideas about modesty, and has brought up Aniela in the same way.  I do not doubt that Aniela will be the best of mothers, but now I am quite angry with her.  A married woman ought to be prepared for consequences, and Aniela seems to be in despair, as if it were a disgrace.  Nearly every day I see traces of tears in her eyes.  It torments me to see her looking so thin and pale, with those dark rings under her eyes and ready to burst into tears at the slightest provocation; and there is always an expression of pain and humiliation in her face.  I have never in my life seen a young woman so distressed at her situation.  I tried persuasion and I tried scolding,—­all in vain.  Perhaps I love her too much, and in my old age am losing my former energy; but then she is such an affectionate creature!  If you only knew how she asks after you day by day, whether a letter has arrived and if you were well, when you will be going, and how long you mean to stop at Berlin.  She knows I like to speak about you, and she makes me talk for hours.  God give her strength to bear all the troubles that are awaiting her.  I am really so concerned about her health that I positively dare not give her any hint about her husband’s position.  But sooner or later it must come to her ears.  I have not said anything to Celina either, because she is troubled about Aniela, and cannot understand why she should take her position so tragically.”