The Doll - Bolesaw Prus [102]
‘I am Maruszewicz,’ said the decayed young man with a charming smile, ‘forgive me for introducing myself in this informal manner, and at our first meeting, too—but I would like to ask you…’
‘I am at your service.’
The young man took Wokulski’s arm and led him to the window: ‘Allow me to place my cards on the table at once—it is the only way with men like yourself. I am not wealthy, but have good intentions and would like to find some occupation. You are forming a partnership, would it not be possible for me to work under your direction?’
Wokulski eyed him attentively. The proposal he had just heard did not, somehow, suit the decayed aspect and uncertain looks of the young man. Wokulski felt distaste, but said: ‘What can you do? What is your profession?’
‘Well, I have not yet chosen a profession, but I have great talents and can undertake anything.’
‘What wages do you expect?’
‘A thousand…two thousand roubles,’ the young man replied, embarrassed.
Wokulski shook his head involuntarily: ‘I doubt whether we shall have any posts suited to your requirements. However, please call on me one day…’
The round-shouldered Count began speaking from the middle of the room: ‘And so, gentlemen, we are agreed in principle to enter into the partnership proposed by Mr Wokulski. I therefore take pleasure in inviting those of you who wish to take part to come to my house tomorrow, at nine in the evening.’
‘I’ll be there, my dear Count, goodness me,’ the stout marshal exclaimed, ‘and will probably bring a few Lithuanians. But tell me please, why should we form a partnership? Why don’t the merchants?…’
‘If only,’ the Count replied, enthusiastically, ‘to prevent other people from saying we do nothing but stay at home and count our dividends.’
The Prince asked to be heard: ‘In any case,’ he said, ‘we have in mind two more partnerships—in the grain and the spirits trades…Anyone who does not wish to belong to one can join the other…Besides, let us invite Mr Wokulski to be kind enough to take part in our committee meetings.’
‘Oh dear me, yes,’ the would-be English Count interposed.
‘And to illuminate our problems with his own inimitable talent,’ the lawyer concluded.
‘I doubt whether I can be of any use to you, gentlemen,’ Wokulski replied, ‘I have certainly had dealings in grain and spirits, but under very different circumstances. I was concerned with large quantities and speed of delivery, not price. Besides, I am not familiar with the local grain trade.’
‘There will be specialists, my dear Mr Wokulski,’ the lawyer interrupted, ‘they will provide details which you need only be kind enough to put in order and illuminate with your own inimitable talents…’
‘Pray do so!’ the Count exclaimed, and they were echoed still more loudly by the gentry who hated the magnates.
It was almost five o’clock, and they began to take leave. At this moment, Wokulski saw Mr Łęcki approaching him from the other room, accompanied by the same young man he had seen in the company of Izabela at the Easter collection and at the Countess’s house.
‘Mr Wokulski, allow me’, said Łęcki, ‘to introduce Mr Julian Ochocki…Our cousin, you know…a trifle eccentric, but there…’
‘I have long wanted to meet you,’ said Ochocki, shaking hands.
Wokulski looked at him silently. The young man was not yet thirty, and was distinguished by his unusual appearance. He seemed to have the features of Napoleon, veiled by clouds of dreaminess.
‘Which way are you going?’ the young man asked Wokulski, ‘may I join you?’
‘Please do not trouble…’
‘Oh, I have plenty of time,’ the young man replied.
‘What does he want of me?’ Wokulski wondered, and said: ‘We might go in the direction of the Łazienki park, then?’
‘Certainly,’ Ochocki replied, ‘I’ll just say goodbye to the Prince and will catch up with you.’
Hardly had he gone, than the lawyer stepped up to Wokulski. ‘I congratulate you on a complete triumph,’