The Doll - Bolesaw Prus [252]
‘What has happened?’
‘We must wait for the horses,’ the Baron went on, ‘fortunately I sent a telegram at two o’clock in the morning, to announce your arrival. The day before yesterday I sent the Duchess a telegram from Warsaw, but the station master tells me I made an error and ordered the horses for tomorrow. Luckily, I sent a telegram today on route. They dispatched a courier with it at three, the Duchess will get the telegram by six, and at eight at the latest the horses will be here. Let us wait another hour, and in the meanwhile you must become acquainted with the neighbourhood. A very pretty place, sir.’
After breakfast they went on to the platform. The district looked flat and almost bare from here: a clump of trees was visible here and there, and brick buildings among them.
‘Are those manors?’ asked Wokulski.
‘Ah yes … there are many nobles in these parts. The land is wonderfully cultivated; you have lupin here, clover …’
‘I see no village,’ broke in Wokulski.
‘Because these are manorial lands, and you know the saying, sir: “Many ricks on the manor’s field; on the peasant’s — many people.”’
‘I have heard,’ said Wokulski suddenly, ‘that the Duchess has a large number of guests.’
‘Ah, my dear sir,’ cried the Baron, ‘on a fine Sunday it’s like being at a ball at one’s club: dozens of people drive over. Even today we ought to find a crowd of permanent guests. Well, in the first place, my fiancée is staying here. Then there is Mrs Wąsowska, a charming little widow, about thirty, with a great fortune. It seems to me that Starski is interested in her. Do you know Starski, sir? A disagreeable person, arrogant, rude … I’m surprised that a lady with intellect and taste, like Mrs Wąsowska, can take any pleasure in the company of such a frivolous creature …’
‘Who else?’ asked Wokulski.
‘There is also Fela Janocka, the cousin of my young lady: a very sweet child, she is about eighteen. And Ochocki …’
‘What is he doing here?’
‘When I left, he was spending entire days fishing. But as his tastes change so frequently, I am not at all sure that I shan’t see him next as a hunter … But what a noble young man, what knowledge! Well, and he has achieved a great deal: he has already produced several inventions.’
‘Yes, an unusual man,’ said Wokulski. ‘Who else is visiting with the Duchess?’
‘No one else, though Mr Łęcki and his daughter very often come down for a few days, or a week. A most distinguished person,’ the Baron went on, ‘full of rare qualities. Surely you know them? Happy is the man to whom she will give her hand and heart. What charm, sir — what intellect: indeed one can only respect her as a goddess! Don’t you think so, sir?’
Wokulski surveyed the landscape, unable to reply. Fortunately a servant ran up at this moment to tell the Baron the carriage had come. ‘Excellent!’ the Baron cried, and gave the man a few coins, ‘take our things, my good man, and let us, sir, be off. In two hours you’ll be making the acquaintance of my fiancée.’
XXV
Rural Diversions
FIFTEEN minutes passed before their things were packed into the carriage. Finally Wokulski and the Baron got in, the driver in yellow livery waved his whip in the air and the pair of fine grey horses set off at a steady canter.
‘Oh, I recommend Mrs Wąsowska to you,’ said the Baron, ‘she’s a jewel, not a woman, and so witty! She has no thoughts of marrying again, but loves being surrounded by admirers. It is hard, sir, not to adore her, but adoration is perilous. She is paying Starski back for all his frivolity. D’you know Starski, sir?’
‘I met him, once …’
‘A distinguished man, but disagreeable,’ said the Baron. ‘My fiancée has quite an antipathy for him. He affects her nerves so that the poor girl quite loses her good humour in his company. I am not surprised, for they are diametrically opposed characters: she is serious, he trivial — she full of feeling, even sentimental, he a cynic.’
As he listened to the Baron’s chatter, Wokulski surveyed the countryside which was slowly changing its looks. Half an hour from the station,