The Doll - Bolesaw Prus [186]
‘Don’t you recognise it?’ Miss Flora replied, with a glance at the envelope, ‘Baroness Krzeszowska’s …’
A flush of anger mounted into Izabela’s face: ‘Ah, so it is,’ she exclaimed, throwing the letter down on the table, ‘please send it back, Flora, and write on the envelope ‘Not Read’ — what does she want, hateful woman …?’
‘You can easily find out,’ Flora murmured.
‘No, no, no! I don’t want any letters from that insufferable creature. Some new chicanery, no doubt, for she writes nothing else … Still, see what she says. This is the last time I accept her scrawls …’
Flora opened the envelope slowly and began reading. Gradually her curiosity gave way to amazement, then to embarrassment: ‘I ought not to read this,’ she murmured, handing the letter to Izabela.
Dear Izabela, (wrote the Baroness)
I admit my behaviour hitherto may have earned your dislike and brought down upon me the rage of Merciful God, who looks after you so carefully. So I withdraw every thing, humble myself before you, dear Madam, and beg your forgiveness. For is it not proof of Heaven’s favour to you that you have been sent Wokulski? A man as mortal as any has become the instrument of the Supreme Hand to punish me and reward you. Not only did he wound my husband in a duel (may God forgive all the wickedness he has committed towards me) but he has also purchased the house in which my beloved child passed away, and is probably demanding huge rents. You are a witness not only of my defeat, but you have also made twenty thousand roubles more than the house was worth.
In return for my repentance, dear Madam, pray persuade Mr Wokulski (who is angry with me, I know not why) to renew my lease and not to drive me out (by exaggerated demands) from the house where my only daughter expired. But this must be cautiously done, since Mr Wokulski does not wish — for reasons unknown to me — that anyone should speak of his purchase. For instead of buying the house himself (like an honest man) he put up the usurer Szlangbaum and also — in order to pay twenty thousand roubles above my offer — brought false bidders to the auction. Why did he behave in this mysterious fashion? You, my dear, must know that better than I, since it is you who are supposed to have invested your small capital with him. It is small, but with God’s help (which is so clearly watching over you) and the well-known resourcefulness of Mr Wokulski, it will certainly bring in interest to compensate you for the bitterness of your position hitherto.
Recommending myself to your kindness, dear Izabela, and our mutual relations to the sure justice of Heaven, I remain, yours truly, though despised, and your humble servant, Krzeszowska.
As she read, Izabela went as pale as the paper. She rose from the table, crumpled the letter and raised her hand as if to hurl it into someone’s face. Suddenly, seized by fear, she wanted to flee away or to call someone; but at that moment she recollected herself and went to her father.
Mr Łęcki was lying on the sofa in his slippers and dressing-gown, reading the Courier. He greeted his daughter very affectionately, and when she had sat down, looked at her in an attentive manner and said: ‘Is the light bad in this room, or does it seem to me that my child is out of humour?’
‘I am somewhat agitated.’
‘So I observe, but it is from the heat. And today you ought,’ he added, threatening her with a smile, ‘today you must look nice, you mischievous thing, for young Kazio, so your aunt told me yesterday, is to visit …’
Izabela said nothing, her father went on: ‘It’s true that the lad is rather spoiled with everlasting gadding about the world, somewhat in debt too — but he’s young, handsome, healthy and wild about you. Joanna hopes the Duchess will keep him in the country a few weeks, and the rest is up to you. And it might not be a bad thing, you know. A good name … his fortune will somehow be put together from various sources … And