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And yet these men are esteemed among us, for we respect in them

their family, their good name, or their office-but a local

office, conferred by the votes of their fellow-citizens, and not

by the influence of any one set in authority."

"If that is your opinion, brother," interrupted Telimena, "so

much the better; send him out as a traveller."

"You see, sister," said the Judge, mournfully scratching his

head, "I should like to do so very much, but what if I have new

perplexities! Brother Jacek has not abandoned the oversight of

his son, and has just sent down upon me that Bernardine Robak,

who has arrived from across the Vistula, a friend of my brother,

who knows all his plans. And so the fates have already uttered

their decree as to Thaddeus, and will have him marry, but marry

Zosia,53 your ward; the young couple will receive, besides my own

fortune, a dowry in ready money by the generosity of Jacek. You

know that he is rich, and that through his favour I possess

almost all my own estate; thus he has the right to give

directions. Pray think this over, in order that it may be

accomplished with the least possible trouble; we must make them

acquainted.