On the Bright Shore
at the thought that Pani Elzen mentioned the betrothal as a fixed fact, and that he would have to announce it to every one; but the proximity of Pani Elzen, her beauty and her charms, so acted on him that he grew serene and took courage.
The lunch was eaten with Romulus, Remus, and Kresovich, who, during a whole hour, said not one word. After black coffee, Pani Elzen permitted her boys to go toward Rocca Brune under guidance of their tutor; then she asked Svirski,—
"Which do you prefer, to ride or to walk?"
"If you are not tired, I would rather walk," answered he.
"Very well. I am not tired at all. But where shall we go? Would you look at the pigeon-shooting?"
"Willingly, but we shall not be alone there. De Sinten and young Kladzki will be sure to exercise after lunch."
"Yes; but they will not trouble us. When pigeons are the question, these two young men grow deaf and blind to all else that hap-
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