Hania sprang up to go away, but I seized her by the hand and detained her by force. I tried to be calm, but rage was throttling me, as if with pincers. I felt that I was losing self-control.
"Answer," said I, with repressed excitement, "or I shall not let thee go."
"Pan Henryk! what do you want? What do you say?"
"I say I say," whispered I, with set teeth, "that thou hast no shame in thy eyes. Hei?"
Hania sat down again on the sofa, helpless. I looked at her; she was pale as linen. But pity for the poor girl had fled from me. I grasped her hand, and squeezing its small fingers, continued,
"Hear me! I was at thy feet. I loved thee more than the whole world "
"Pan Henryk!"
"Be silent. I saw and heard everything. Thou art shameless, thou and he."
"My God! my God!"
"Thou art shameless. I would not have dared to kiss the hem of thy garment, and he kissed thee on the lips. Thou thyself didst draw him to thy kisses. Hania, I despise thee! I hate thee! I hate thee!"
The voice died in my breast. I began to breathe quickly and catch for air, which was lacking in my breast.
"Thou hast felt," said I, after a while, "that I will separate you. If I had to lose my life, I will separate you, even if I had to kill him, thee, and myself. What I said a moment ago is not true. He loves thee, he would not leave thee; but I will separate you."
"Of what are you talking with so much earnestness?" asked Pani d'Yves, who was sitting at the other end of the room.