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Telimena concluded by saying:-

"I have had the care of her; I am of her kin, Zosia's only

guardian. No one but me shall ever plan her happiness!"

"But what if she finds happiness in this marriage?" said the

Judge, raising his eyes; "what if she likes young Thaddeus?"

"What if she likes him? That's a pear on a willow tree! Like him

or not-much I care for that! To be sure Zosia will not be a

wealthy match, but yet she is not a common village girl, a simple

gentleman's daughter; her ancestors were called, 'Your Grace';

she is the child of a wojewoda; her mother was a Horeszko: she

will get a husband! I have taken such pains with her education-if

only she has not degenerated into savagery here!"

The Judge listened with attention, looking her in the eye; he was

apparently mollified, for he said cheerfully enough:-