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"You see, my dear, that ever since our Thaddeus has been our

guest, I have been not a little disquieted. I am childless and

old; this good lad, who is really my only comfort in the world,

is the future heir of my fortune. By the grace of heaven I shall

leave him no bad portion of gentleman's bread; it is time too

that we think over his future and his settlement. But now, my

dear, pray observe my distress! You know that Jacek, my brother,

Thaddeus's father, is a strange man, whose intentions are hard to

penetrate. He refuses to return home; God knows where he is

hiding; he will not even let us inform his son that he is alive,

and yet he continually gives us directions in regard to him. At

first he wanted to send him to the legions; I was fearfully

distressed. Later, however, he agreed that he might remain at

home and marry. He would easily find a wife; I have a match in

mind for him.