And Basia, as if confirming Zagloba’s words, said at once in a low voice, “I beg your forgiveness most earnestly.”
Pan Adam caught her hands that moment and fell to kissing them. “For God’s sake, do not take it to heart! I am not some kind of barbarian. It is for me to beg pardon for having dared to interrupt your amusement. We soldiers ourselves are fond of jokes. Mea culpa! I will kiss those hands again, and if I have to kiss them till you forgive me, then, for God’s sake, do not forgive me till evening!”
“Oh, he is a polite cavalier. You see, Basia!” said Pani Makovetski.
“I see!” answered Basia.
“It is all over now,” cried Pan Adam.
When he said this he straightened himself, and with great resolution reached to his mustache from habit, but suddenly remembered himself and burst out
