I assured him that Aniela would do nothing of that kind.  I acknowledged he was right in the main, but this was an exceptional case, and general rules could not apply to it.  My argument that it was for Aniela’s sake seemed to convince him most; but I think he is doing it a little for my sake too; he seemed sorry, and said I looked very ill.  Besides, he cannot bear Kromitzki.  Sniatynski maintains that money speculations is the same as taking money out of somebody else’s pocket and put it in one’s own.  He takes many things amiss in Kromitzki, and says of him:  “If he had a higher or honester aim in view I could forgive him; but he tries to gain money for the mere sake of having it.”  Aniela’s marriage is almost as repugnant to him as to me, and his opinion is that she is preparing a wretched life for herself.  At my entreaties he promised to take the first train in the morning.

The day after both he and his wife will go to Ploszow, and if they do not find a chance of seeing Aniela alone, carry her off to Warsaw for a few hours.  He is going to tell Aniela how much I suffer, and that my life is in her hands.  He is able to do it.  He will speak to her with a certain authority, gently and persuasively; he will convince her that a woman, however wounded her heart may be, has no right to marry the man she does not love; that doing so she acts dishonestly, and is not true to herself; that, likewise, she has no right to throw over the man she loves, because in an access of jealousy he wrote a letter he repents of now from the veriest depths of his heart.

Towards the end Sniatynski said to me:—­

“I will do what you wish under one condition:  you must pledge me your word that in case my mission fails, you will not go to Ploszow and make a scene which the ladies might pay for with their health; you may write to Aniela if you wish, but you will not go, unless she gives you permission.”

What does he take me for?  I promised unreservedly, but his words increased my anxiety.  But I count upon Aniela’s heart and Sniatynski’s eloquence.  Ah! how he can speak!  He did not encourage my hopes, but I can see he is hopeful himself.  As a last resource he promised to get Aniela to delay the marriage for six months.  In that case the victory is ours, for Kromitzki will draw back.  I shall remember this day for a long time.  Sniatynski, when in presence of a real sorrow, can be as gentle as a woman, and he was anxious to spare my feelings.  Yet it costs me something to lay bare even before such a friend my madness,—­weak points,—­and put into his hands my whole fate, instead of fighting it out by myself.  But what does it all matter when Aniela is in question?

27 June.

Sniatynski left early.  I went with him to the station.  On the way I kept repeating various instructions as if he were an idiot.  He said teasingly that if he were successful in his mission, I would begin again philosophizing.  I felt a desire to shake him.  He went away with such a cheerful face I could swear he feels sure not to fail.