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"I beg the floor," called out the manager of Kleck, a spruce

young man, dressed in German costume. His name was Buchmann, but

he was a Pole, born in Poland; it was not quite certain that he

was of gentle birth, but of that they asked no questions, and

everybody respected Buchmann, because he was in service with a

great magnate, was a good patriot, and full of learning. From

foreign books he had learned the art of farming, and conducted

well the administration of his estate; on politics he had also

formed wise opinions; he knew how to write beautifully and how to

express himself with elegance: therefore all became silent when

he began to discourse.

"I beg the floor," he repeated; he twice cleared his throat,

bowed, and with tuneful lips thus proceeded:-