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"Your goodness amazes me," said Thaddeus after a pause, "but

yet-the favour of my kind uncle will avail me nothing! Ah, my

hopes are vain, for Pani Telimena will not yield me Zosia!"

"We will ask her," said the Judge.

"No one can prevail upon her," interrupted Thaddeus hastily. "No,

I cannot wait, uncle; I must be on my way quickly, to-morrow.

Only give me your blessing, uncle; I have made all my

preparations, and am now leaving for the Grand Duchy."

The Judge, twirling his mustaches, gazed angrily at the lad:-