The Doll - Bolesaw Prus [34]
‘The letter …’ says the woman in black timidly, holding it out to Izabela.
‘I know what it says,’ Izabela interrupts. ‘Sit here with me for a while and, if it is not too much trouble, read me the letter.’
Flora shyly sits down, carefully takes a paper-knife from the bureau and slits the envelope very carefully. She replaces the paper-knife then puts down the envelope, unfolds the letter and reads a letter in French in a quiet and melodious voice:
Dear Bela, forgive me for referring to a matter which only you and your father have the right to decide. I know, my dear, that you are disposing of your dinner-service and the silver, since you told me so yourself. I also know that a purchaser has been found, who offers five thousand roubles. In my opinion this is not enough, though nowadays it will be difficult to expect more. After a conversation I have had with Mme Krzeszowska, however, I begin to fear lest these heirlooms may not have fallen into the wrong hands.
I should like to prevent this, so I propose to offer you three thousand roubles as a loan, with the dinner-service and silver as security. I think the things will be better in my possession, since your father is in such difficulties. You may have them again whenever you wish, and without repaying the debt, in the event of my death.
I do not insist, merely suggest this. Consider which will be the more convenient to you, and think above all of the consequences.
I know you well enough to understand you would be painfully hurt should you hear at some time in the future that our family heirlooms adorn the table of some banker, or form part of his daughter’s dowry.
A thousand kisses from
Joanna
P.S. Imagine how fortunate my orphanage has been! Yesterday in the celebrated Wokulski’s shop, I alluded to a small donation for the orphans. I hoped for ten roubles or so, but he — believe it or not! — gave me a thousand, one thousand roubles, and said he would not have ventured to give me a lesser sum. A few more like Wokulski, and I feel I might become a democrat in my old age!
Flora finished the letter but dared not raise her eyes. Finally she plucked up courage and looked: Izabela was seated on the chaise-longue, pale, her fists clenched.
‘What have you to say to that, Flora?’ she asked presently.
‘I think,’ said Flora quietly, ‘that your dear aunt makes her position very clear.’
‘How humiliating!’ Izabela whispered angrily, striking her hand on the chaise-longue.
‘It is humiliating to offer three thousand roubles when other people offer five. But I see no other cause for humiliation.’
‘How she treats us! We must be ruined already …’
‘Not at all, Bela,’ Flora interrupted, with animation. ‘This unkind letter proves we are not ruined. Aunt likes being unkind but also knows how to spare the unfortunate. If you were threatened by ruin, she would be a sensitive and kindly comforter.’
‘I would not thank her for it.’
‘You need have no fear. Tomorrow we shall obtain five thousand roubles with which we can keep going for six months … well, three months. A month or two …’
‘They will auction our house.’
‘That is merely a formality. You may profit by it, since nowadays a house is merely a burden. And you are to inherit a hundred thousand roubles from Aunt Hortensja. Moreover,’ Flora added presently, raising her eyebrows, ‘I am not at all sure but that your father may not still have a fortune. Everyone believes he has …’
Izabela leaned forward to seize Flora’s hand.
‘Flora,’ she said in a low voice, ‘why tell me such things? Do you regard me as a marriageable woman who sees and understands nothing? You think I don’t know’, she added, still more softly, ‘that for a month now you have been borrowing money for the housekeeping from Mikołaj? …’
‘Perhaps it is your father’s wish.’
‘And does he ask you to slip a few roubles into his purse every morning?’
Flora looked her in the eyes and shook her head.
‘You know too much,’ she replied, ‘but that is not the whole of the matter. For the last two