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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of On the Field of Glory, by Henryk Sienkiewicz
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: On the Field of Glory
+       An Historical Novel of the Time of King John Sobieski
+
+Author: Henryk Sienkiewicz
+
+Translator: Jeremiah Curtin
+
+Release Date: September 12, 2011 [EBook #37406]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON THE FIELD OF GLORY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+   1. Page scan source:
+      http://www.archive.org/details/onfieldofgloryhi00sieniala
+
+   2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe].
+
+
+
+
+
+                         ON THE FIELD OF GLORY
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                              THE WORKS OF
+                           HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
+
+                  TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL POLISH
+                          BY JEREMIAH CURTIN.
+
+                               *   *   *
+
+                         _The Zagloba Romances_
+
+      With Fire and Sword. 1 vol.
+      The Deluge. 2 vols.
+      Pan Michael. 1 vol.
+
+                               *   *   *
+
+      Quo Vadis. 1 vol.
+      The Knights of the Cross. 2 vols.
+      Children of the Soil. 1 vol.
+      Hania, and Other Stories. 1 vol.
+      Sielanka, and Other Stories. 1 vol.
+      In Vain. 1 vol.
+      Life and Death and Other Legends and Stories. 1 vol.
+      On The Field Of Glory. 1 vol.
+
+                               *   *   *
+
+      Without Dogma. (Translated by Isa Young.) 1 vol.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                            ON THE FIELD OF
+                                 GLORY
+
+
+                          AN HISTORICAL NOVEL
+                   OF THE TIME OF KING JOHN SOBIESKI
+
+
+                                   BY
+                           HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
+      _Author of "Quo Vadis," "With Fire and Sword," "The Deluge,"
+                      "Knights of the Cross" etc_.
+
+
+
+                 TRANSLATED FROM THE POLISH ORIGINAL BY
+                            JEREMIAH CURTIN
+
+
+
+
+                                 BOSTON
+                       LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY
+                                  1906
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                           _Copyright, 1906_,
+                           By Jeremiah Curtin
+                               *   *   *
+                         _All rights reserved_
+
+
+
+                        Published January, 1906
+
+
+
+
+                THE UNIVERSITY PRESS, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A.
+
+
+
+
+
+                                   TO
+                       SIR THOMAS G. SHAUGHNESSY,
+              PRESIDENT OF THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILROAD.
+
+                               *   *   *
+
+My Dear Sir Thomas:
+
+Railroads are to nations what arteries and veins are to each
+individual. Every part of a nation enjoys common life with every other
+through railroads. Books bring remote ages to the present, and assemble
+the thoughts of mankind and of God in one divine company. I find great
+pleasure on railroads in the day and the night, at all seasons. You
+enjoy books with a keen and true judgment. Let me inscribe to you,
+therefore, this volume.
+
+                                                  Jeremiah Curtin.
+
+
+
+
+                              INTRODUCTORY
+
+
+The book before us gives pictures of Polish character and life on the
+eve of the second great siege of Vienna.
+
+Twice was that city beleaguered by Turkey. The first siege was
+commanded by Solyman, that Sultan who was surnamed Magnificent by
+western nations; to Turks he was known as the Lord of his Age and the
+Lawgiver.
+
+The first siege was repelled by the bravery of the garrison, by the
+heroism of Count Salm its commander, by the terrible weather of 1529,
+and also through turbulence of the Janissary forces. The second siege
+was crushed in 1683 by Sobieski's wise strategy, the splendid impetus
+of the Poles, and the firmness of the allies.
+
+Had the Polish king not appeared the Sultan would have triumphed, hence
+Sobieski and his men are hailed ever since as the saviours of Vienna.
+
+The enthusiasm of the time for Sobieski and his force was tremendous.
+
+"There was a man sent from God whose name was John," this was the
+Gospel read at the Thanksgiving Mass in Saint Stephen's, the cathedral,
+the noble old church of that rescued and jubilant city. Some Poles went
+to Rome after that to get relics; the Pope gave this answer: "Take
+earth steeped in blood from the field where your countrymen fell at
+Vienna."
+
+Many times have men here in America asked me: Are the Poles really held
+by such an intensity of passion? if they are, why does it seize them,
+whence does it come, what is the source and the cause of it? I reply to
+these questions as best I am able, and truthfully: It comes from the
+soul of the Slavs in some part, and in some part from history. The
+Poles have as a race their original gift to begin with; this gift, or
+race element, has met in its varied career certain peoples, ideas, and
+principles. The result of this meeting is this: that the Polish part of
+the Slav world holds touching itself an unconquerable ideal. It has
+absorbed, as it thinks, certain principles from which it could not now
+separate.
+
+The Poles could not if they would, and would not if they could, be
+dissevered from that which, as they state, they have worked out in
+history, that which no power on earth can now take from them, and to
+which they are bound with the faith of a martyr.
+
+Through ideas and principles, that is, truths gained in their
+experience as a people, and which in them are incarnate and living, the
+Poles feel predestined to triumph, time, of course, being given.
+
+What are these ideas and principles? men ask of me often. Combined all
+in one they mean the victory and supremacy of Poland. They have been
+worked out during centuries, I answer, of Polish experience with
+Germany, with Russia, with Rome and Byzantium, with Turks and with
+Tartars. But beyond all do they come as the fruit of collisions with
+Germany and Russia, and as the outcome of teachings from Rome and the
+stern opposition of Byzantium. Through this great host of enemies and
+allies, and their own special character, came that incisive dramatic
+career which at last met a failure so crushingly manifest.
+
+The inward result and the spiritual harvest to be reaped from this
+awful catastrophe are evident only through what is revealed in the
+conduct, the deeds, and the words of the people who had to wade through
+the dreadful defeat and digest the experience.
+
+Polish character in most of its main traits was developed completely
+even earlier than the days of Sobieski, and the men who appeared then
+in action differ little from those of the present, hence the pictures
+in this volume are perfectly true and of far-reaching interest in our
+time.
+
+                                                  JEREMIAH CURTIN.
+
+January, 1906.
+
+
+
+
+
+                         ON THE FIELD OF GLORY
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER I
+
+
+The winter of 1682-83 was a season of such rigor that even very old
+people could not remember one like it. During the autumn rain fell
+continually, and in the middle of November the first frost appeared,
+which confined waters and put a glass bark upon trees of the forest.
+Icicles fastened on pines and broke many branches. In the first days of
+December the birds, after frequent biting frosts, flew into villages
+and towns, and even wild beasts came out of dense forests and drew near
+the houses of people. About Saint Damasius' day the heavens became
+clouded, and then snow appeared; ten days did it fall without ceasing.
+It covered the country to a height of two ells; it hid forest roads, it
+hid fences, and even cottage windows. Men opened pathways with shovels
+through snow-drifts to go to their granaries and stables; and when the
+snow stopped at last, a splitting frost came, from which forest trees
+gave out sounds that seemed gunshots.
+
+Peasants, who at that time had to go to the woodlands for fuel, went in
+parties to defend themselves, and were careful that night should not
+find them at a distance from the village. After sunset no man dared
+leave his own doorstep unless with a fork or a bill-hook, and dogs gave
+out, until daylight, short frightened yelps, as they do always when
+barking at wolves which are near them.
+
+During just such a night and in such a fierce frost a great equipage on
+runners pushed along a forest road carefully; it was drawn by four
+horses and surrounded by attendants. In front, on a strong beast, rode
+a man with a pole and a small iron pot on the end of it; in this pot
+pitch was burning, not to make the road visible, for there was
+moonlight, but to frighten away wolves from the party. On the box of
+the equipage sat a driver, and on a saddled horse a postilion, and at
+each side rode two men armed with muskets and slingshots.
+
+The party moved forward very slowly, since the road was little beaten
+and in places the snow-drifts, especially at turnings, rose like waves
+on the roadway.
+
+This slowness disturbed Pan Gideon Pangovski, who, relying on his
+numerous attendants and their weapons, had determined to travel, though
+in Radom men had warned him of the danger, and all the more seriously
+since in going to Belchantska he would have to pass the Kozenitse
+forests.
+
+Those immense forests began at that period a good way before Yedlina,
+and continued far beyond Kozenitse to the Vistula, and toward the other
+side of the Stenjytsa, and northward to Rytchivol.
+
+It had seemed to Pan Gideon that, if he left Radom before midday, he
+would reach home very easily at sunset. Meanwhile he had been forced in
+a number of places to open the road close to fences; some hours were
+lost at this labor, so that he came to Yedlina about twilight. Men
+there gave the warning that he would better remain for the night in the
+village; but since at the blacksmith's a pitch light had been found to
+burn before the carriage, Pan Gideon commanded to continue the journey.
+
+And now night had surprised him in the wilderness.
+
+It was difficult to go faster because of increasing snowdrifts; hence
+Pan Gideon was more and more disquieted and at last fell to swearing,
+but in Latin, lest he frighten the two ladies who were with him, Pains
+Vinnitski his relative and his ward Panna Anulka Sieninski.
+
+Panna Anulka was young and high-hearted, in no degree timid. On the
+contrary, she drew aside the leather curtain at the window, and,
+commanding the horseman at the side not to stop the view to her, looked
+at the drifts very joyfully, and at the pine trunks with long strips of
+snow on them over which played reddish gleams from the pitch pot, which
+with the moonlight made moving figures very pleasant to her eyesight.
+Then rounding her lips to the form of a bird bill she began to whistle,
+her breath became visible and was rosier than firelight, this too
+amused her.
+
+But Pani Vinnitski, who was old and quite timid, fell to complaining.
+
+Why leave Radom, or at least why not pass the night in Yedlina since
+they had been warned of the danger? All this through some person's
+stubbornness. To Belchantska there was a long piece of road yet, and
+all in a forest, hence wolves would meet them undoubtedly, unless
+Raphael, the Archangel and patron of travellers, would pity them in
+their wandering, but alas, of this they were quite undeserving.
+
+When he heard this opinion, Pan Gideon became thoroughly impatient. To
+speak of being lost in the wilderness was all that was needed to upset
+him.
+
+The road for that matter was straight, and as for wolves, well, they
+would or would not come. He had good attendants, and besides, a wolf is
+not anxious to meet with a warrior--not only because he fears him far
+more than a common man, but also because of the love which the
+quick-witted beast has for warriors.
+
+The wolf understands well that no dweller in towns and no peasant will
+give him food gratis; the warrior alone is the man who feeds wolves,
+and at times in abundance, hence it is not without reason that men have
+called war "the wolf's harvest."
+
+But still Pan Gideon speaking thus, and praising the wolves in some
+small degree, was not quite convinced of their affection; hence he was
+thinking whether or not to command an attendant to slip from his horse
+and sit next the young lady. In such case he himself would defend one
+door of the carriage, and that attendant the other, while the freed
+horse would either rush off ahead or escape in the rear, and thus draw
+the wolves after him.
+
+But the time to do this had not come, as it seemed to Pan Gideon.
+Meanwhile he placed near his ward on the front seat, a knife and two
+pistols; these he wished to have near him since he had only his right
+hand for service.
+
+They advanced some furlongs farther in quiet, and the road was growing
+wider. Pan Gideon, who knew the way perfectly, drew breath as if
+relieved somewhat.
+
+"The Malikov field is not far," said he.
+
+In every case he hoped for more safety in that open space than in the
+forest.
+
+But just then the attendant in front turned his horse suddenly, and,
+rushing to the carriage, spoke hurriedly to the driver and to others,
+who answered abruptly, as men do when there is no time for loitering.
+
+"What is it?" asked Pan Gideon.
+
+"Some noise in the field."
+
+"Is it wolves?"
+
+"Some outcry. God knows what!"
+
+Pan Gideon was on the point of commanding the horseman with the torch
+to spring forward and see what was happening, when he remembered that
+in cases like this it was better not to be without fire and to keep all
+his people together, and, further, that defence in the open is easier
+than in a forest, so he commanded to move on with the equipage.
+
+But after a while the horseman reappeared at the window.
+
+"Wild boars," said he.
+
+"Wild boars!"
+
+"A terrible grunting is heard on the right of the road."
+
+"Praise God for that!"
+
+"But perhaps wolves have attacked them."
+
+"Praise God for that also! We shall pass unmolested. Move on!"
+
+In fact the guess of the attendant proved accurate. When they had
+driven out to the field they saw, at a distance of two or three
+bow-shots on the right near the road, a dense crowd of wild boars, and
+a circle of wolves moving nimbly around them. A terrible grunting, not
+of fear but of rage, was given out with growing vigor. When the sleigh
+reached the middle of the plain, the men, watching from the horses,
+observed that the wolves had not dared yet to rush at the wild boars;
+they only pressed on them more and more eagerly.
+
+The boars had arranged themselves in a round compact body, the young in
+the middle, the old and the strong on the outside, thus, as it were,
+forming a moving and terrible fortress, which gleamed with white tusks
+and was impervious to attack or to terror.
+
+Between the garland of wolves and that wall of tusks and snouts a
+white, snowy ring was clearly visible, since the whole field was in
+moonlight.
+
+Some of the wolves sprang up to the boars, but they sprang back very
+quickly, as if frightened by the clash of the tusks and the more
+terrible outbursts of grunting. If the wolves had closed in battle with
+the boars the struggle would have then held them completely, and the
+sleigh might have passed without notice; but since this had not
+happened, there was fear lest they might stop that dreadful onset and
+try then another one.
+
+Indeed after a while a few dropped away from the pack and ran toward
+the party, after them followed others. But the sight of armed men
+confused them; some began to follow the sleigh, others stopped a few
+tens of steps from it, or ran around with mad speed, as if to urge
+themselves on to the equipage.
+
+The attendants wished to fire, but Pan Gideon forbade them, lest
+gunshots might bring the whole pack to his people.
+
+Meanwhile the horses, though accustomed to wolves, began to push to one
+side and turn their heads to their flanks with loud snorting, but soon
+something worse happened, and this raised the danger a hundredfold.
+
+The young horse which the torchbearer was riding reared suddenly once,
+and a second time, and then rushed madly sidewise.
+
+The rider, knowing that were he to fall he would be torn to bits the
+next moment, seized hold of his saddle-bow, but dropped his pot the
+same instant; the light sank in the snow deeply; the flame threw out
+sparks and was extinguished. The light of the moon was alone on that
+plain then.
+
+The driver, a Russ from Pomorani, began to pray; the Mazovian
+attendants fell to cursing.
+
+Emboldened by darkness, the wolves pressed on with more insolence, and
+from the direction of the wild boars some fresh ones ran up to them. A
+few came rather near, with snapping teeth, and the hair standing
+straight on their shoulders. Their eyes were all bloodshot, and a
+greenish light flashed from them.
+
+A moment had come which was really terrible.
+
+"Shall we shoot?" inquired one of the escort.
+
+"Frighten them with shouts," said Pan Gideon.
+
+Thereupon rose with keenness, "A-hu! a-hu!" The horses gained courage,
+and the wolves, impressed by the voices of men, withdrew some tens of
+paces.
+
+Then a still greater wonder was manifest.
+
+All at once forest echoes from behind repeated the shouts of the
+attendants, but with rising force, ever louder and louder, as it were
+outbursts of wild laughter; and some moments later a crowd of dark
+horsemen appeared at both sides of the carriage and shot past with all
+the speed of their beasts toward the wild boars and the wolves which
+encircled them.
+
+In the twinkle of an eye neither wolves nor boars held the snow plain;
+they had scattered as if a whirlwind had struck them. Gunshots were
+heard, also shouts, and again those strange outbursts of laughter. Pan
+Gideon's attendants rushed after the horsemen, so that there remained
+at the sleigh only the postilion and the driver.
+
+Inside the sleigh there was such mighty amazement that no one dared
+move a lip for some moments.
+
+"But the word became flesh!" called out Pani Vinnitski, at last. "That
+must be help from above us."
+
+"May it be blessed, whencesoever it came. Our plight was growing evil,"
+said Pan Gideon.
+
+"God sent those young knights!" said Panna Anulka, who wished to add
+her word.
+
+It would have been difficult to divine how this maiden could have seen
+that those men were knights and young, in addition, for they shot past
+like a whirlwind; but no person asked for her reasons, since the older
+man and woman were occupied overmuch with what was happening before
+them.
+
+Meanwhile, on the plain the sounds of pursuit were heard yet for the
+space of some Our Fathers, and not very far from the sleigh was a wolf
+with its back broken, evidently by a sling-shot. The beast was on its
+haunches and howling so dreadfully that every one shivered.
+
+The man on the leading horse slipped down to kill the beast, for the
+horses were plunging with such violence that the sleigh-pole was
+cracking.
+
+After a time the horsemen seemed black again on the snow field. They
+came in a crowd, without order, in a mist, for though the night was
+cold and the air very clear, the horses had been driven unsparingly,
+and were smoking like chimneys.
+
+The horsemen approached with loud laughter and singing, and when they
+had drawn near, one of them shot up to the sleigh, and asked in glad,
+resonant accents,--
+
+"Who is travelling?"
+
+"Pangovski from Belchantska. Whom am I to thank for this rescue?"
+
+"Stanislav Tsyprianovitch of Yedlinka!"
+
+"The Bukoyemskis!"
+
+"Thanks to your mightinesses. God sent you in season. Thanks!"
+
+"Thanks!" repeated a youthful voice.
+
+"Glory to God that it was in season!" continued Pan Stanislav, removing
+his fur cap.
+
+"From whom did ye hear of us?"
+
+"No one informed us, but as the wolves are now running in packs, we
+rode out to save people; since a person of such note has been found,
+our delight is the greater, and the greater our service to God," said
+Pan Stanislav, politely.
+
+But one of the Bukoyemskis now added,--
+
+"Not counting the wolf skins."
+
+"A beautiful deed and a real knightly work," said Pan Gideon. "God
+grant us to give thanks for it as promptly as possible. I think, too,
+that desire for human flesh has left those wolves now, and that we
+shall reach home without danger."
+
+"That is by no means so certain. Wolves might be enticed again easily
+and make a new onrush."
+
+"There is no help against that; but we will not surrender!"
+
+"There is help, namely this: to attend you to the mansion. It may
+happen that we shall save some one else as we travel."
+
+"I dared not ask for that, but since such is your kindness, let it be
+as you say, for the ladies here will feel safer."
+
+"I have no fear as we are, but from all my soul I am grateful!" said
+Panna Anulka.
+
+Pan Gideon gave the order and they moved forward, but they had gone
+only a few tens of paces when the cracked sleigh-pole was broken and
+the equipage halted.
+
+New delays.
+
+The attendants had ropes and fell to mending the broken parts
+straightway, but it was unknown whether such a patched work would not
+come apart after some furlongs.
+
+Pan Stanislav hesitated somewhat, and then said, removing his fur cap a
+second time,--
+
+"To Yedlinka through the fields it is nearer than to Belchantska. Honor
+our house then, your mightiness, and spend the night under our roof
+tree. No man can tell what might meet us in that forest, or whether
+even now we may not be too few to resist all the wolves that will rush
+to the roadway. We will bring home the sleigh in some fashion, and the
+shorter the road is the easier our problem. It is true that the honor
+surpasses the service, but the case being one of sore need a man may
+not cherish pride over carefully."
+
+Pan Gideon did not answer those words at the moment, for he felt
+reproach in them. He called to mind that when two years before Pan
+Serafin Tsyprianovitch had made him a visit, he received the man
+graciously, it is true, but with a known haughtiness, and did not pay
+back the visit. Pan Gideon had acted in that way since Pan Serafin's
+family was noble only two generations, he was a "homo novus," an
+Armenian by origin. His grandfather had bought and sold brocades in
+Kamenyets. Yakob, the son of that merchant, had served in the artillery
+under the famous Hodkievitch, and at Hotsim had rendered such service
+that, through the power of Pan Stanislav Lyubomirski, he had been
+ennobled, and then received Yedlinka for a lifetime. That life estate
+was made afterward the property of Pan Serafin, his heir, in return for
+a loan given the Commonwealth during Swedish encounters. The young man
+who had come to the road with such genuine assistance was the son of
+Pan Serafin.
+
+Pan Gideon felt this reproof all the more, since the words "cherish
+pride over carefully" had been uttered by Pan Stanislav with studied
+emphasis and rather haughtily. But just that knightly courage pleased
+the old noble, and since it would have been hard to refuse the
+assistance, and since the road to his own house was in truth long and
+dangerous, he said to Pan Stanislav,--
+
+"Unless you had assisted us the wolves would perhaps be gnawing our
+bones at this moment; let me pay with good-will for your kindness.
+Forward then, forward!"
+
+The sleigh was now mended. The pole had been broken as if an axe had
+gone through it, so they tied one end of each rope to a runner, the
+other to a collar, and moved on in a large gladsome company, amid
+shouts from attendants and songs from the Bukoyemskis.
+
+It was no great distance to Yedlinka, which was rather a forest farm
+than a village. Soon there opened in front of the wayfarers a large
+field some tens of furlongs in area, or rather a broad clearing
+enclosed on four sides by a pine wood, and on this plain a certain
+number of houses, the roofs of which, covered with straw, were gleaming
+and sparkling in moonlight.
+
+Beyond peasant cottages, and near them, Pan Serafin's outbuildings were
+visible stretching in a circle around the edge of a courtyard, in which
+stood the mansion, which was much disproportioned. The pile had been
+reconstructed by its latest owners, and from being a small house, in
+which dwelt on a time the king's foresters, it had become large, even
+too large, for such a small forest clearing. From its windows a bright
+light was shining, which gave a rosy hue to the snow near the walls of
+the mansion, to the bushes in front of it, and to the wellsweep which
+stood on the right of the entrance.
+
+It was clear that Pan Serafin was expecting his son, and perhaps also
+guests from the road, who might come with him, for barely had the
+sleigh reached the gate when servants rushed out with torches, and
+after the servants came the master himself in a coat made of mink skin,
+and wearing a weasel-skin cap, which he removed promptly at sight of
+the equipage.
+
+"What welcome guest has the Lord sent to our wilderness?" inquired he,
+descending the steps at the entrance.
+
+Pan Stanislav kissed his father's hand, and told whom he had brought
+with him.
+
+"I have long wished," said Pan Gideon, as he stepped from the carriage,
+"to do that to which grievous need has constrained me this evening,
+hence I bless the more ardently this chance which agrees with my wish
+so exactly."
+
+"Various things happen to men, but this chance is for me now so happy,
+that with delight I beg you to enter my chambers."
+
+Pan Serafin bowed for the second time, and gave his arm then to Pani
+Vinnitski; the whole company entered behind him.
+
+The guests were seized straightway by that feeling of contentment which
+is felt always by travellers when they come out of darkness and cold
+into lighted, warm chambers. In the first, and the other apartments,
+fires were blazing in broad porcelain chimneys, and servants began to
+light here and there gleaming tapers.
+
+Pan Gideon looked around with a certain astonishment, for the usual
+houses of nobles were far from that wealth which struck the eye in Pan
+Serafin's mansion.
+
+By the light of the fires and the tapers and candles he could see in
+each apartment a furnishing such as might not be met with in many a
+castle: carved chests and bureaus and armchairs from Italy, clocks here
+and there, Venetian glass, precious bronze candlesticks, weapons from
+the Orient, which were inlaid with turquoise and hanging from wall
+mats. On the floors soft Crimean rugs, and on two long walls were
+pieces of tapestry which would have adorned the halls of any magnate.
+
+"These came to them from trade," thought Pan Gideon, with well-defined
+anger, "and now they can turn up their noses and boast of wealth won
+not by weapons."
+
+But Pan Serafin's heartiness and real hospitality disarmed the old
+noble, and when he heard, somewhat later, the clatter of dishes in the
+dining-hall near them, he was perfectly mollified.
+
+To warm the guests who had come out of cold they brought heated, spiced
+wine immediately. They began then to discuss the recent peril. Pan
+Gideon had great praise for Pan Stanislav, who, instead of sitting in a
+warm room at home, had saved people on the highroad without regarding
+the terrible frost, and the toil, and the danger.
+
+"Of a truth," said he, "thus, in old days, did those famous knights
+act, who, wandering through the world, saved men from cannibals,
+dragons, and various other vile monsters."
+
+"If any man of them saved such a marvellous princess as this one,"
+added Stanislav, "he was as happy at that time as we are this minute."
+
+"No man ever saved a more wonderful maiden! True, as God is dear to me!
+He has told the whole truth!" cried the four Bukoyemskis with
+enthusiasm.
+
+Panna Anulka smiled in so lovely a fashion that two charming dimples
+appeared in her cheeks, and she dropped her eyelids.
+
+But the compliment seemed over bold to Pan Gideon, for his ward, though
+an orphan without property, was descended from magnates, hence he
+changed the conversation.
+
+"But have your graces," asked he, "been moving long on the road in this
+fashion?"
+
+"Since the great snows fell, and we shall keep on till the frost
+stops," said Stanislav.
+
+"And have ye killed many wolves?"
+
+"Enough to give overcoats to all of us."
+
+Here the Bukoyemskis laughed as loud as if four horses were neighing,
+and when they had quieted a little, Mateush, the eldest one added,--
+
+"His Grace the King will be proud of his foresters."
+
+"True," said Pan Gideon. "And I have heard that ye are head foresters
+in the king's wilderness in these parts. But do not the Bukoyemskis
+originate in the Ukraine?"
+
+"We are of those Bukoyemskis."
+
+"Indeed--indeed--of good stock, the Yelo-Bukoyemskis are connected there
+with even great houses."
+
+"And with St. Peter!" added Lukash.
+
+"Eh!" said Pan Gideon. And he began to look around with suspicion and
+sternly at the brothers to see if they were not trying to jest with
+him. But their faces were clear, and they nodded with earnest
+conviction, confirming in this way the words of their brother. Pan
+Gideon was astonished immensely, and repeated: "Relatives of Saint
+Peter? But how is that?"
+
+"Through the Pregonovskis."
+
+"Indeed! And the Pregonovskis?"
+
+"Through the Usviats."
+
+"And the Usviats through some one else," said the old noble, with a
+smile, "and so on to the birth of Christ, the Lord. So! It is a great
+thing to have relatives in a senate down here, but what must it be to
+have kinsmen in the heavenly assembly--promotion is certain in that
+case. But how have ye wandered to our wilderness from the Ukraine, for
+men have told me that ye are some years in this neighborhood?"
+
+"About three. Rebellions have long since levelled everything in the
+Ukraine, and boundaries have vanished. We would not serve Pagans in
+partisan warfare, so we served first in the army and then became
+tenants till Pan Malchinski, our relative, made us chief foresters in
+this place."
+
+"Yes," said Pan Serafin, "I wondered that we found ourselves side by
+side in this wilderness, for we are not of this country, but the
+changing fortunes of men have transported us hither. The inheritance of
+your mightiness," here he turned to Pan Gideon, "is also, as I know, in
+Rus near the castle of Pomorani."
+
+Pan Gideon quivered at this, as if some one had struck an open wound in
+his body.
+
+"I had property there, and I have it there still," said he, "but those
+places to me are abhorrent, for misfortunes alone struck me there, just
+like thunderbolts."
+
+"The will of God," said Pan Serafin.
+
+"It is vain to revolt against that; still, life in those regions is
+difficult."
+
+"Your grace, as is known, has served long in the army."
+
+"Till I lost my arm. I avenged my country's wrongs, and my own there.
+And if the Lord Jesus will pardon one sin for each head that I took
+from a pagan, hell, as I trust, will never be seen by me."
+
+"Of course not, of course not! Service is a merit, and so is suffering.
+Best of all is it to cast gloomy thoughts from us."
+
+"Gladly would I be rid of them, still, they do not leave me. But
+enough! I am a cripple at present, and this lady's guardian. I have
+removed in old age to a silent region which the enemy never visits. I
+live, as you know, in Belchantska."
+
+"That is well, and I have acted in like manner," added Pan Serafin.
+"Young men, though it is quiet now on the borders, hurry off to Tartar
+trails in the hope of adventure, but it is ghastly and woful in places
+where each man is mourning for some one."
+
+Pan Gideon put his hand to his forehead where he held it rather long,
+till at length he said sadly,--
+
+"Only a peasant or a magnate can live in the Ukraine. When an onrush of
+pagans strikes that country the peasant flees to a forest and can live
+for some months in it like a wild beast; the magnate can live, for he
+has troops and strong castles of his own to protect him. But even
+then--the Jolkievskis lived in those regions and perished, the
+Danilovitches lived there and perished. Of the Sobieskis, the brother
+of our gracious King Yan perished also. And how many others! One of the
+Vishnievetskis squirmed on a hook in Stambul till he died there. Prince
+Koretski was beaten to death with iron rods. The Kalinovskis are
+gone,--and before them the Herburts and the Yaglovetskis paid their
+blood tribute. How many of the Sieninskis have died at various periods,
+and once they possessed almost the whole country--what a graveyard!
+Were I to recount all the names I could not finish till morning. And
+were I to give the names, not of magnates alone but of nobles, a month
+would not suffice me."
+
+"True! true! So that a man wonders why the Lord God has thus multiplied
+those Turks and Tartars. So many of them have been killed that when an
+earthtiller works in the springtime his ploughshare bites at every step
+on the skull of a pagan. Dear God! Even our present king has crushed
+them to death in such numbers that their blood would form a large
+river, and still they are coming."
+
+These words had truth in them. The Commonwealth, rent by disorder and
+unruliness, could not have strong armies sufficient to end in one
+mighty struggle the Tartar-Turk avalanche. For that matter, all Europe
+could not command such an army. Still, the Commonwealth was inhabited
+by men of great daring, who would not yield their throats willingly to
+the knife of the eastern attacker. On the contrary, to that terrible
+region bristling with grave-mounds, and reeking with blood at the
+borders, Red Russia, Podolia, and the Ukraine, new waves of Polish
+settlers followed each after the other; these not only stirred up
+fertile lands, but their own craving for endless wars, battles, and
+adventures.
+
+"The Poles," wrote an old chronicler, "go to Russia for skirmishes with
+Tartars."[1]
+
+So from Mazovia went peasants; daring nobles went also, for each one of
+whom it was shameful "to die in his bed like a peasant." And there grew
+up in those red lands mighty magnates, who, not satisfied with action
+even there, went frequently much farther--to Wallachia, or the Crimea,
+seeking victory, power, death, salvation, and glory.
+
+It was even said that the Poles did not wish one great war that would
+end the whole question. Though this was not true, still, continual
+disturbance was dear to that daring generation--but the invader on his
+part paid with blood dearly for his venture.
+
+Neither the Dobrudja nor Belgorod lands, nor the Crimean reed barrens
+could support their wild Tartar denizens, hence hunger drove them to
+the border where rich booty was waiting, but death was waiting also,
+very often.
+
+The flames of fire lighted up invasions unknown yet to history. Single
+regiments cut into bits with their sabres and trampled into dust under
+horsehoofs detachments surpassing them tenfold in number. Only
+swiftness beyond reckoning could save the invaders; in general when a
+Tartar band was overtaken by troops of the Commonwealth it was lost
+beyond rescue.
+
+There were expeditions, especially the smaller ones, from which not one
+man went back to the Crimea. Terrible in their time both to Turks and
+to Tartars were Pretvits and Hmieletski; knights of less note,
+Volodyovski, Pelka, and the elder Rushits, wrote their names down with
+blood in men's memories. These for some years, or some tens of years,
+at that time, were resting in their graves and in glory; but even of
+the mighty ones none had drawn so much blood from the followers of
+Islam as the king reigning then, Yan Sobieski.
+
+At Podhaitsi, Kalush, Hotsim, and Lvoff there were lying till that time
+unburied such piles of pagan bones that broad fields beneath them were
+as white as if snow-covered. At last on all hordes there was terror.
+The borders drew breath then, and when the insatiable Turk began to
+seek lighter conquests the whole tortured Commonwealth breathed with
+more freedom.
+
+There remained only painful remembrances.
+
+Far away from Pan Serafin's dwelling, and next to the castle of
+Pomorani, stood a tall cross on a hill, and two lances upon it. Twenty
+and some years before that Pan Gideon had placed this cross on the site
+of his fire-consumed mansion, hence, as he thought of that cross and of
+all those lives dear to him which had been lost in that region, the
+heart whined in the old man from anguish.
+
+But since he was stern to himself and to others, and would not shed
+tears before strangers, and could not endure paltry pity from any man,
+he would not speak longer of his misfortunes, and fell to inquiring of
+his host how he lived in that forest inheritance.
+
+"Here," said Pan Serafin, "is stillness, oh, stillness! When the forest
+is not sounding, and the wolves are not howling, thou canst almost hear
+snow fall. There is calmness, there is fire in the chimney and a
+pitcher of heated wine in the evening--old age needs nothing further."
+
+"True. But your son?"
+
+"A young bird leaves the nest sometimes. And here certain trees whisper
+that a great war with the pagan is approaching."
+
+"To that war even gray falcons will hasten. Were it not for this, I
+should fly with the others."
+
+Here Pan Gideon shook his coat sleeve, in which there was only a bit of
+his arm near the shoulder.
+
+And Pan Serafin poured out heated wine to him.
+
+"To the success of Christian weapons!"
+
+"God grant it! Drink to the bottom."
+
+Stanislav entertained at the same time Pani Vinnitski, Panna Anulka,
+and the four Bukoyemskis with a pitcher of wine which steamed quite as
+actively as the other. The ladies touched the glasses however with
+their lips very sparingly, but the Bukoyemskis needed no urging, hence
+the world seemed to them more joyous each moment, and Panna Anulka more
+beautiful, so, unable to find words to express their delight, they
+began to look at one another with amazement and panting; then each
+nudged another with his elbow. Mateush at last found expression,--
+
+"We are not to wonder that the wolves wished to try the bones and the
+body of this lady, for even a wild beast knows a real tid-bit!"
+
+Marek, Lukash, and Yan, the three remaining Bukoyemskis slapped their
+thighs then in ecstasy.
+
+"He has hit the nail on the head, he has! A tid-bit! Nothing short of
+it!"
+
+"A Saint Martin's cake!"
+
+On hearing this Panna Anulka laid one hand on the other, and, feigning
+terror, said to Stanislav,--
+
+"Oh, help me, for I see that these gentlemen only saved me from the
+wolves to eat me themselves."
+
+"Gracious maiden," said Stanislav, joyfully, "Pan Mateush said that we
+were not to wonder at the wolves, but I say I do not wonder at the
+Bukoyemskis."
+
+"What shall I do then, except to ask who will save me?"
+
+"Trifle not with sacred subjects!" cried Pani Vinnitski.
+
+"Well, but these gentlemen are ready to eat me and also auntie. Are
+they not?"
+
+This question remained for some time without answer. Moreover, it was
+easy to note from the faces of the brothers that they had much less
+desire for the additional eating. But Lukash, who had quicker wit than
+his brothers, now added, "Let Mateush speak; he is the eldest."
+
+Mateush was somewhat bothered, and answered, "Who knows what will meet
+him to-morrow?"
+
+"A good remark," said Stanislav, "but to what do you apply it?"
+
+"How to what?"
+
+"Why, nothing. I only ask, why mention to-morrow?"
+
+"But knowest thou that love is worse than a wolf, for a man may kill a
+wolf, but to kill love is beyond him."
+
+"I know, but that again is another question."
+
+"But if there be wit enough, a question is nothing."
+
+"In that case may God give us wit."
+
+Panna Anulka hid her laughter behind her palm; after her laughed
+Stanislav, and then the Bukoyemskis. Further word-play was stopped by a
+servant announcing the supper.
+
+Pan Serafin gave his arm to Pani Vinnitski; after them went Pan Gideon;
+Stanislav conducted Panna Anulka.
+
+"A dispute with Pan Bukoyemski is difficult," said the young lady, made
+gladsome.
+
+"For his reasons are like wilful horses, each goes its own way; but he
+has told two truths which are hard of denial."
+
+"What is the first one?"
+
+"That no man knows what will meet him on the morrow, just as yesterday
+I did not know, for example, that to-day I should see you."
+
+"And the other?"
+
+"That a man can kill a wolf, but to kill love is beyond him. This also
+is a great truth."
+
+Stanislav sighed; the young lady lowered her shady eyelashes and was
+silent. Only after a while, when they were sitting at the table, did
+she say to him,--
+
+"But you will come, gentlemen, soon to my guardian's, so that he may
+show you some gratitude for saving us and for your hospitality also?"
+
+The gloomy feelings of Pan Gideon brightened notably at supper, and
+when the host in splendid phrases proposed first the health of the
+ladies and that of the honored guest afterward, the old noble answered
+very cordially, thanking for the rescue from difficult straits, and
+giving assurance of never-ending gratitude.
+
+After that they conversed of public questions, of the king, of the Diet
+which was to meet the May following of the war with which the Turkish
+Sultan was threatening the German Empire, and for which that Knight of
+Malta, Pan Lyubomirski, was bringing in volunteers.
+
+The four brothers listened with no slight curiosity, because every Pole
+was received with open arms among Germans; since the Turks despised
+German cavalry, while Polish horsemen roused proper terror.
+
+Pan Gideon blamed Lyubomirski's pride somewhat, since he spoke of
+German counts thuswise: "Ten of them could find place in one glove of
+mine;" still, he praised the man's knightliness, boundless daring, and
+great skill in warfare.
+
+On hearing this, Lukash Bukoyemski declared for himself and his
+brothers that in spring they would hasten to Lyubomirski, but while the
+frost raged they would kill wolves, and avenge the young lady, as
+behooved them.
+
+"For, though we are not to wonder at the wolves," said Mateush, "when
+one thinks that such a pure dove might have been turned into wolf's
+meat the heart flies to the throat from pure anger, and at the same
+time it is hard to keep tears down. What a pity that wolf skins are so
+low-priced,--the Jews give barely one thaler for three of them!--but it
+is hard to keep our tears down, and even better to give way to them,
+for whoso could not compassionate innocence and virtue would be a
+savage, whom no man should name as a knight and a noble."
+
+In fact, he gave way to his tears then, as did his three brothers;
+though wolves in the worst case could threaten only the life, not the
+virtue of the lady, still the eloquence of Lukash so moved his three
+brothers that their hearts became soft as warmed wax while they
+listened. They wished to shoot in the air from their pistols in honor
+of the young lady; but the host opposed, saying that he had a sick
+forester in the mansion, a man of great merit, who needed silence.
+
+Pan Gideon, who supposed this to be some reduced relative of Pan
+Serafin, or in the worst case a village noble, inquired touching him,
+through politeness; but on learning that he was a serving-man and a
+peasant he shrugged his shoulders and looked with displeased and
+wondering eyes at Pan Serafin.
+
+"Oh yes!" said he. "I forgot what people say of your marvellous
+kindness."
+
+"God grant," answered Pan Serafin, "that they say nothing worse of me.
+I have to thank this man for much; and may every one meet such a
+person, for he knows herbs very thoroughly and can give aid in every
+illness."
+
+"I wonder, since he cures others so ably, that he has not cured himself
+thus far. Send him my relative, Pani Vinnitski,--she knows many
+simples, and presses them on people; but meanwhile permit us to think
+of retiring, for the road has fatigued me most cruelly, and the wine
+has touched me also a trifle, just as it has the Bukoyemskis."
+
+In fact, the heads of the Bukoyemskis were steaming, while the eyes of
+those brothers were mist-covered and tender; so when Pan Stanislav
+conducted them to another building, where they were to pass the night
+together, they followed him with most uncertain tread on frozen snow,
+which squeaked under them. They wondered why the moon, instead of
+shining in the heavens, was perched on the roof of a barn and was
+smiling.
+
+But Panna Anulka had dropped into their hearts so profoundly that they
+wished to speak more of her.
+
+Pan Stanislav, who felt no great wish for sleep, directed to bring a
+thick-bellied bottle; then they sat near the broad chimney, and, by the
+bright light of the torch, drank in silence at first, listening only to
+the crickets in the chamber. At last Mateush filled his breast well
+with air and blew with such force at the chimney that the flame bent
+before him.
+
+"O Jesus! My dear brothers," cried he, "weep, for a sad fate has met
+me."
+
+"What fate? Speak, do not hide thy condition!"
+
+"It is this. I am so in love that the knees are weakening under me!"
+
+"And I? Dost think that I am not in love?" shouted Marek.
+
+"And I?" screamed out Lukash.
+
+"And I," ended Yan.
+
+Mateush wanted to give them an answer of some kind, but could not at
+first, for a hiccough had seized him. He only stared with great
+wonderment, and looked as if he saw them for the first time in life at
+that moment. Then rage was depicted on his countenance.
+
+"How is this, O sons of a such a one?" cried he, "ye wish to block the
+road to your eldest brother, and deprive him of happiness?"
+
+"O indeed!" answered Marek, "what does this mean? Is Panna Anulka an
+entail of some kind, that only the eldest brother can get her? We are
+sons of one father and mother, so if thou call us sons of a such a one,
+thou art blaming thy father and mother. Each man is free to love as he
+chooses."
+
+"Free, but woe to you, for ye are all bound to me in obedience."
+
+"Must we all our lives serve a horseskull? Hei?"
+
+"O pagan, thou art barking like a dog!"
+
+"Thou art thyself doing that. Jacob was younger than Esau, and Joseph
+was younger than all his brothers, so thou art blaming the Scriptures,
+and barking against true religion."
+
+Pushed to the wall by these arguments, Mateush could not find an answer
+with promptness, and when Yan made some remark touching Cain, the first
+brother, he lost his head utterly. Anger rose in him higher and higher,
+till at last he began with his right hand to search for the sabre which
+he had not there with him. It is unknown to what it would have come had
+not Yan, who for some time had been pressing a finger to his forehead,
+as if wrestling with an idea, cried out in a great voice, and
+suddenly,--
+
+"I am the youngest brother, I am Joseph, so Panna Anulka is for me.
+undisputedly."
+
+The others turned to him straightway. From their eyes were shooting
+fire sparks, in their faces was indignation.
+
+"What? For thee? For thee! thou goose egg! thou straw scarecrow, thou
+horse strangler, thou dry slipper--thou drunkard! For thee?"
+
+"Shut thy mouth, it is written in the Scriptures."
+
+"What Scriptures, thou dunce?"
+
+"All the same--but it is there. Ye are drunk, not I."
+
+But at this moment Pan Stanislav happened in among them.
+
+"Ah, is it not a shame for you," said he, "being nobles and brothers to
+raise such a quarrel? Is this the way to nourish love among brothers?
+But about what are ye fighting? Is Panna Anulka a mushroom that the
+first man who finds her in the forest can put her in his basket? It is
+the custom among pelicans, and they are not nobles, or even people, to
+yield everything through family affection, and when they fail to find
+fish they feed one another with blood from their own bodies. Think of
+your dead parents; they are shedding tears up there now over this
+quarrelling among sons whom they surely advised to act differently from
+this when they blessed them. For those parents heavenly food is now
+tasteless, and they dare not raise their eyes to the Evangelists whose
+names they gave you in holy baptism."
+
+Thus spoke Pan Stanislav and though at first he wished to laugh he was
+touched as he spoke by his own words, for he too had drunk somewhat
+because of the company at dinner. At last the Bukoyemskis were greatly
+moved by his speech, and all four of them ended in tears, while Mateush
+the eldest one cried to them,--
+
+"Oh kill me, for God's sake, but call me not Cain!"
+
+Thereupon Yan, who had mentioned Cain, threw himself into the arms of
+Mateush.
+
+"Oh, brother," cried he, "give me to the hangman for doing so."
+
+"Forgive me, or I shall burst open from sorrow," cried Marek.
+
+"I have barked like a dog against the commandment," said Lukash.
+
+And they fell to embracing one another, but Mateush freed himself
+finally from his brothers, sat on a bench very suddenly, unbuttoned his
+coat, threw open his shirt, and, baring his breast, exclaimed in broken
+accents,--
+
+"Here ye have me! here, like a pelican!"
+
+Thereupon they sobbed the more loudly.
+
+"A pelican! a genuine pelican! As God is dear to me,--a pelican!"
+
+"Take Panna Anulka."
+
+"She is thine! Take her, thou," said the brothers.
+
+"Let the youngest man have her."
+
+"Never! Impossible!"
+
+"Devil take her!"
+
+"Devil take her!"
+
+"We don't want her!"
+
+Hereupon Marek struck his thighs with his palms till the chamber
+resounded.
+
+"I know what's to be done," cried he.
+
+"What dost thou know? Speak, do not hide it!"
+
+"Let Stanislav have her!"
+
+When they heard this the other three sprang from their benches. Marek's
+idea struck them to the heart so completely that they surrounded Pan
+Stanislav.
+
+"Take her, Stashko!"
+
+"It will please us most of all."
+
+"If thou love us!"
+
+"Do this to please us!"
+
+"May God bless you!" cried Mateush; and he raised his eyes heavenward,
+as he stretched his hands over Stanislav.
+
+Stanislav blushed, and he stood there astonished, repeating,--
+
+"Fear God's wounds!"
+
+But his heart quivered at the thought, for having passed two whole
+years with his father amid the dense forests, and seeing few people, he
+had not met for a legion of days such a marvellous maiden. He had seen
+some one like her in Brejani, for he had been sent by his father to
+gain elegance at the court there and a knowledge of government. But he
+was a lad then, and time had effaced those remote recollections. And
+now he saw in the midst of those forests unexpectedly just such a
+beautiful flower as the other one, and men said to him straightway: "Oh
+take it!" In view of this he was dreadfully shamefaced and answered,--
+
+"Fear God! How could ye or I get her?"
+
+But they, as is usual with men who are tipsy, saw no obstacle to
+anything and insisted.
+
+"No man of us will be jealous," said Marek, "take her! We must go to
+the war whatever happens; we have had watching enough in this forest.
+Thirty thalers for the whole God-given year. It does not buy drink for
+us, and what is there left then for clothing? We sold our saddle
+beasts, and now we hunt wolves with thy horses and outfits--A hard lot
+for orphans. Better perish in war--But take her thou, if thou love us!"
+
+"Take her!" cried out Mateush, "but we will go to Rakuz, to
+Lyubomirski, to help the Germans in shelling out pagans."
+
+"Take her immediately."
+
+"Take her to-morrow! To the church with her straightway!"
+
+But Stanislav had recovered from astonishment and was as sober as if he
+had not touched a drop since the morning.
+
+"Oh, stop, what are ye saying? Just as if only your will or mine were
+all that is needed! But what will she say and what will Pan Gideon say?
+Pan Gideon is self-willed and haughty. Even though the young lady grew
+friendly in time, he might prefer to see her sow rue than be the wife
+of any poor devil like me, or like any one of you brothers."
+
+"Oh pshaw!" exclaimed Yan. "Is Pan Gideon the Castellan of Cracow, or
+grand hetman? If he is too high for us let him beware how he thrusts up
+his nose in our presence. Are the Bukoyemskis too small to be his
+gossips?"
+
+"Ah, never mind! He is old, the time of his death is not distant, let
+him have a care lest he be stopped by Saint Peter in heaven's gateway.
+Oh take our part! holy Peter, and say this to him: 'Thou didst not know
+during life, thou son of a such a one, how to respect my blood
+relatives; kiss now the dog's snout for thy conduct.' Let that be said
+after death to Pan Gideon. But meanwhile we will not let him belittle
+us in his lifetime."
+
+"How! because we have no fortune must we be despised and treated like
+peasants?"
+
+"Is that the pay for our blood, for our wounds, for our service to the
+country?"
+
+"O my brothers, ye orphans of God! many an injustice has met you, but
+one more grievous than this no man has ever yet put on us."
+
+"That is true, that is true!" exclaimed Lukash and Marek and Yan in sad
+accents.
+
+And tears of grief flowed down their faces afresh and abundantly, but
+when they had wept out their fill they fell to storming, for it seemed
+to them that such an offence to men of birth should not be forgotten.
+
+Lukash, the most impulsive of all the four brothers, was the first to
+make mention of this matter.
+
+"It is difficult to challenge him to sabres," said he, "for he has lost
+an arm and is old, but if he has contemned us, we must have
+satisfaction. What are we to do? Think of this!"
+
+"My feet have been frozen to-night," said Lukash, "and are burning
+tremendously. But for this, I could think out a remedy."
+
+"My feet are not burning, but my head is on fire," added Marek.
+
+"From that which is empty thou wilt never pour anything."
+
+"Gland is blamed always by Katchan!" said Mateush.
+
+"Ye give a quarrel instead of an answer!" cried Lukash. But Stanislav
+interrupted;--
+
+"An answer?" said he, "but to whom?"
+
+"To Pan Gideon."
+
+"An answer to what?"
+
+"To what? How 'to what'?"
+
+They looked at one another, with no small astonishment, and then turned
+to Lukash,--
+
+"What dost thou wish of us?"
+
+"But what do ye wish of me?"
+
+"Adjourn this assembly till daylight," said Stanislav. "The fire here
+is dying, midnight is past now a long time. The beds are all ready at
+the walls there, and rest is ours honestly, for we have worked in the
+frost very faithfully."
+
+The fire had gone out; it was dark in the chamber, so the advice of the
+host had power to convince the four brothers. Conversation continued
+some little time yet, but with decreasing intensity. Somewhat later a
+whispered "Our Father" was heard, at one moment louder, at another one
+lower, interrupted now and then with deep sighing.
+
+The coals in the chimney began to grow dark and be covered with ashes;
+at moments something squeaked near the fire, and the crickets chirped
+sadly in the corners, as if mourning for the light which had left them.
+Next the sound of boots cast from feet to the floor, after that a short
+interval of silence, and then immense snoring from the four sleeping
+brothers.
+
+But Stanislav could not sleep, all his thoughts whirled about Panna
+Anulka, like active bees about blossoms.
+
+How could a man sleep with such a buzzing in his cranium! He closed his
+lids, it is true, once and a second time, but finding that useless he
+pondered.
+
+"I will see if there is light in her chamber," thought he, finally.
+
+And he passed through the doorway.
+
+There was no light in her windows, but the gleam of the moon quivered
+on the uneven panes as on wrinkled water. The world was silent, and
+sleeping so soundly that even the snow seemed to slumber in the bath of
+greenish moonlight.
+
+"Dost thou know that I am dreaming of thee?" asked Stanislav in a
+whisper, as he looked at the silent window.
+
+The elder Tsyprianovitch, Pan Serafin, in accordance with his inborn
+hospitality, and his habit, spared neither persuasion nor pressing to
+detain his guests longer in Yedlinka. He even knelt before Pani
+Vinnitski, an act which did not come easily because of his gout, which,
+though moderate so far, was somewhat annoying. All that, however,
+availed not. Pan Gideon insisted on going before midday, and at last,
+since there was no answer to the statement that he was looking for
+guests at his mansion, Pan Serafin had to yield, and they started that
+clear frosty forenoon of wonderful weather. The snow on the fields, and
+on tree branches, seemed covered with myriads of fire sparks, which so
+glittered in the sunlight that the eye could barely suffer the gleams
+shooting back from the earth and the forest. The horses moved at a
+vigorous trot till their flanks panted; the sleigh runners whistled
+along the snow road; the carriage curtains were pushed back on both
+sides, and now at one window and now at the other appeared the rosy
+face of the young lady with gladsome eyes and a nose which the frost
+had reddened somewhat, a charming framed picture.
+
+She advanced like a queen, for the carriage was encircled by a "life
+guard" made up of the Bukoyemskis and Pan Stanislav. The four brothers
+were riding strong beasts from the Yedlinka stables (they had sold or
+pledged not only their horses but the best of their sabres). They
+rushed on now at the side, sometimes forcing their horses to rear, and
+sometimes urging them on with such impetus that balls torn from the
+frozen snow by their hoofs shot away whistling through the air like
+stone missiles.
+
+Perhaps Pan Gideon was not greatly charmed with these body-guards, for
+during the advance he begged the cavaliers not to give themselves
+trouble, since the road in the daytime was safe, and of robbers in the
+forest no report had arisen; but when they had insisted on conducting
+the ladies, nothing was left him but to pay for politeness with
+politeness, and invite them to Belchantska. Pan Gideon had a promise
+also from Pan Serafin to visit him, but only after some days, since it
+was difficult for an old man to tear himself free of his household
+abruptly.
+
+For the men, this journey passed quickly in wonders of horsemanship,
+and for Panna Anulka in appearing at the windows. The first halt to
+give rest to their horses was half-way on the road, at a forest inn
+which bore the ill omened name "Robbery." Next the inn stood a shed and
+the shop of a blacksmith. In front of his shop the blacksmith was
+shoeing some horses. At the side of the inn were seen sleighs owned by
+peasants; to these were attached lean, rough-coated sorry little beasts
+covered over completely with hoar frost; their tails were between their
+hind-legs, and bags of oats were tied under their noses.
+
+People crowded out of the inn to look at the carriage surrounded by
+cavaliers and remained at a distance. These were not land tillers but
+potters, who made their pots at Kozenitse in the summer and took them
+in sleighs to sell during winter in the villages; but they appeared
+more especially at festivals through the country. These people,
+thinking that some man of great dignity must be travelling in a
+carriage with such an escort, took their caps off in spite of the
+weather and looked with curiosity at the party.
+
+The warmly dressed travellers did not leave the equipage. The
+attendants remained mounted, but a page took wine in a decanter to the
+inn to be heated. Meanwhile Pan Gideon beckoned "the bark shoes" to
+come to him, and then he fell to inquiring whence they came, whither
+they were going, and was there no danger from wild beasts in any place.
+
+"Of course there is," answered an old town-dweller, "but we travel
+during daylight and in company. We are waiting here for friends from
+Prityk and other places. Perhaps too some earth tillers will come, and
+if fifteen or twenty sleighs appear, we will move on at night. Unless
+they come we will not start, though we take clubs with us."
+
+"But has no accident happened about here?"
+
+"The wolves ate a Jew during daylight. He was taking geese, as it
+seems, for on the road were found bones of a horse and a man,--besides,
+there were goose feathers. People knew by his cap that the man was a
+Jew. But early this morning some man came hither on foot, a young
+noble, who passed the whole night on a pine tree. He says that his
+horse dropped down dead, and there before his eyes the wolves ate the
+beast up. This man grew so stiff on the tree that he had barely
+strength to speak to us, and now he is sleeping."
+
+"What is his name? Did he tell whence he came?"
+
+"No. He just drank some hot beer and fell on a bench as if lifeless."
+
+Pan Gideon turned then to the horsemen,--
+
+"Have ye heard that?"
+
+"We have."
+
+"We must rouse the man, and make inquiries. He has no horse, how could
+we leave him alone here? My page could sit on the second front carriage
+horse, and give up his own. They say that the man is a noble. Perhaps
+he is here from a distance."
+
+"He must be in a hurry," said Pan Stanislav, "since he was travelling
+at night, and besides without company. I will rouse him and make
+inquiry."
+
+But his plan proved superfluous, since at that moment the page returned
+from the inn with a tray on which mugs of hot wine were steaming.
+
+"I beg to tell your grace that Pan Tachevski is here," began he on
+reaching the carriage.
+
+"Pan Tachevski? What the devil is he doing in this place?"
+
+"Pan Tachevski!" repeated Panna Anulka.
+
+"He is making ready, and will come out this minute," said the page. "He
+almost knocked the tray from my hand when he heard of your coming--"
+
+"But who spoke of the tray to thee?"
+
+The page became silent immediately, as if power of speech had deserted
+him.
+
+Pan Gideon seized a goblet of wine, took one and a second draught, and
+said then to Pan Stanislav, as if with a certain repulsion,--
+
+"He is an acquaintance of ours, and in some sense a neighbor from
+Charny-- Well--rather giddy and unreliable--of those Tachevskis who
+long ago were, as some people say, of some note in the province."
+
+Further explanations were stopped by Tachevski, who, coming out
+hurriedly, walked with firm stride toward the carriage, but on his face
+was a certain hesitation. He was a young noble of medium stature. He
+had splendid dark eyes, and was as lean as a splinter. His head was
+covered with a Hungarian cap, recalling, one might say, the time of
+King Bátory; he wore a gray coat lined with sheepskin, and long,
+yellow, Swedish boots reaching up to his body. No one wore such boots
+then in Poland. They had been taken during war in the days of Yan
+Kazimir, that was evident, and brought now through need from the
+storehouse by Tachevski. While approaching, he looked first at Pan
+Gideon, then at the young lady, and smiled, showing white, perfect
+teeth, but his smile was rather gloomy, his face showed embarrassment
+and even a trace of confusion.
+
+"I rejoice beyond measure," said he, as he stood at the carriage and
+removed his cap gracefully, "to see, in good health, Pani Vinnitski and
+Panna Sieninski, with your grace, my benefactor, for the road is now
+dangerous; this I have learned from experience."
+
+"Cover your head, or your ears will be frozen," said Pan Gideon,
+abruptly. "I thank you for the attention, but why are you wandering
+through the wilderness?"
+
+Tachevski looked quickly at the young lady, as if to inquire: "Thou
+knowst why, dost thou not?" but seeing her eyes downcast, and noting
+also that she was biting a ribbon of her hood for occupation, he
+answered in a voice of some harshness,--
+
+"Well, the fancy struck me to gaze at the moon above pine trees."
+
+"A pretty fancy. But did the wolves kill thy horse?"
+
+"They only ate him, for I myself drove his life out."
+
+"We know. And thou wert roosting, like a crow, all the night in a pine
+tree."
+
+Here the Bukoyemskis burst into such mighty laughter that their horses
+were put on their haunches. Tachevski turned and measured them one
+after another, with glances which were ice cold and as sharp as a sword
+edge.
+
+"Not like a crow," said he then to Pan Gideon, "but like a horseless
+noble, at which condition it is granted you, my benefactor, to laugh,
+but it may be unhealthy for another to do so."
+
+"Oho! oho! oho!" repeated the Bukoyemskis, urging toward him their
+horses. Their faces grew dark in one moment, and their mustaches
+quivered. Again Tachevski measured them, and raised his head higher.
+
+But Pan Gideon spoke with a voice as severe and commanding as if he had
+power over all of them.
+
+"No quarrels here, I beg! This is Pan Tachevski," said he after a
+while, with more mildness, turning to the cavaliers, "and this is Pan
+Tsyprianovitch, and each of the other four nobles is a Pan Bukoyemski,
+to whom I may say we owe our lives, for wolves met us yesterday. These
+gentlemen came to our aid unexpectedly, and God knows in season."
+
+"In season," repeated Panna Anulka, with emphasis, pouting a little,
+and looking at Pan Stanislav bewitchingly.
+
+Tachevski's cheeks flushed, but on his face there appeared as it were
+humiliation, his eyes became mist-covered, and, with immense sadness in
+his accents, he said,--
+
+"In season, for they were in company, and happy because on good horses,
+but wolf teeth at that time were cutting old Voloshyn, and my last
+friend had vanished. But--" even here he looked with greater good-will
+at the Bukoyemskis--"may your hands be sacred, for ye have done that
+which with my whole soul I wished to do, but God did not let me."
+
+Panna Anulka seemed changeable, like all women, perhaps too she was
+sorry for Tachevski, since her eyes became pleasant and twinkling, her
+lids opened and closed very quickly, and she asked with a different
+voice altogether,--
+
+"Old Voloshyn? My God, I loved him so much and he knew me. My God!"
+
+Tachevski looked at her straightway with thankfulness.
+
+"He knew you, gracious lady, he knew you."
+
+"Grieve not, Pan Yatsek, grieve not so cruelly."
+
+"I grieved before this, but on horseback. I shall grieve now on foot.
+God reward you, however, for the kind words."
+
+"But mount now the mouse-colored horse," said Pan Gideon. "The page
+will ride the off leader, or sit behind the carriage. There is an extra
+burka at the saddle, put it on, for thou hast been freezing all night,
+and the cold is increasing."
+
+"No," said Tachevski, "I am warm. I left my shuba behind, since I felt
+no need of it."
+
+"Well, for the road!"
+
+They started. Yatsek Tachevski taking his place near the left carriage
+window, Stanislav Tsyprianovitch at the right, so the young lady
+sitting in front might without turning her head look freely at the one
+and the other.
+
+But the Bukoyemskis were not glad to see Yatsek. They were angry that
+he had taken a place at the side of the carriage, so, bringing their
+horses together till their heads almost touched, they talked with one
+another and counselled,--
+
+"He looked at us insolently," said Mateush. "As God is in heaven he
+wants to insult us."
+
+"Just now he turned his horse's tail to us. What do ye say to that?"
+
+"Well, he could not turn the horse's head, for horses do not travel
+tail forward like crawfish. But that he is making up to that young lady
+is certain," put in Marek.
+
+"Thou hast taken in the situation correctly. See how he bends and leans
+forward. If his stirrup strap breaks he will fall."
+
+"He will not fall, the son of a such a one, for the saddle straps are
+strong, and he is a firm rider."
+
+"Bend thyself, bend till we break thee!"
+
+"Just look how he smiles at her!"
+
+"Well, brothers, are we to permit this? Never, as God lives! The girl
+is not for us, that may be, but does he remember what we did
+yesterday?"
+
+"Of course! He must divine that, for he is cunning, and now he is
+making up to her to spite us."
+
+"And in contempt for our poverty and orphanhood."
+
+"Oh! upon my word a great magnate--on another man's horse."
+
+"Well, for that matter we are not riding our own beasts."
+
+"One horse remains to us anyhow, so if three sit at home the fourth man
+may ride to the war if he wishes; but that fellow has not even a
+saddle, for the wolves have made bits of it."
+
+"Besides, he sticks his nose up. What has he against us? Just tell me."
+
+"Well, ask him."
+
+"Shall I do it right away?"
+
+"Eight away, but politely, so as not to offend old Pan Gideon. Only
+after he has answered can we challenge."
+
+"And then we shall have him!"
+
+"Which of us is to do this?"
+
+"I, of course, for I am the eldest," said Mateush. "I will rub the
+icicle from my mustache, and then at him!"
+
+"But remember well what he says to thee."
+
+"I will repeat every word, like the Lord's prayer."
+
+Thereupon the eldest Bukoyemski set to rubbing off with his glove the
+ice from his mustache, and then urging his horse to the horse of Pan
+Yatsek he called,--
+
+"My dear Sir?"
+
+"What?" inquired Yatsek, turning his head from the carriage
+unwillingly.
+
+"What have you against us?"
+
+Yatsek looked at him with astonishment, and answered,--
+
+"Nothing!" then, shrugging his shoulders, he turned again to the
+carriage.
+
+Mateush rode on some time in silence considering whether to return and
+report to his brothers or speak further. The second course seemed to
+him better, so he continued,--
+
+"If thou think to do anything, I say that thou wilt do what thou hast
+said to me. Nothing!"
+
+On Yatsek's face was an expression of constraint and annoyance. He
+understood that they were seeking a quarrel, for which at that moment
+he had not the least wish whatever. But he found need of some answer,
+and that of such kind as to end the conversation, so he asked,--
+
+"Well, thy brothers over there, are they also--"
+
+"Of course! but what is 'also'?"
+
+"Think it out thyself and do not interrupt now my more agreeable
+occupation."
+
+Mateush rode along the side of the carriage ten or fifteen steps
+farther. At last he turned his horse.
+
+"What did he tell thee? Speak out!" said the brothers.
+
+"There was no success."
+
+"Because thou didst not know how to handle him," said Lukash. "Thou
+shouldst have tickled his horse in the belly with thy stirrup, or,
+since thou knowst his name, have said: 'Yatsek, here is a platsek (a
+cake) for thee!'"
+
+"Or said this to him: 'The wolves ate thy horse, buy a he goat in
+Prityk.'"
+
+"That is not lost, but what did it mean when he said: 'Are thy brothers
+also?'"
+
+"Maybe he wanted to ask if we were fools also."
+
+"Of course! As God is dear to me!" cried Marek. "He could not think
+otherwise. But what now?"
+
+"His death, or ours. As God lives, what he says is open heresy. We must
+tell Stashko."
+
+"Tell nothing, for since we give up the young lady to Stashko, Stashko
+must challenge him, and here the great point is that we challenge
+first."
+
+"When? At Pan Gideon's a challenge is not proper. But here is
+Belchantska."
+
+In fact Belchantska was not distant. On the edge of the forest stood
+the cross of Pan Gideon's establishment, with a tin Saviour hanging
+between two spears; on the right, where the road turned round a pine
+wood, broad meadows were visible, with a line of alders on the edge of
+a river, and beyond the alders on the bank opposite and higher, were
+the leafless tops of tall trees, and smoke rising from cottages. Soon
+the retinue was moving past cottages, and when it had gone beyond
+fences and buildings Pan Gideon's dwelling was before the eyes of the
+horsemen,--a broad court surrounded by an old and decayed picket fence
+which in places was leaning.
+
+From times the most ancient no enemy had appeared in that region, so no
+one had thought defence needful for the dwelling. In the broad court
+there were two dovecotes. On one side were the quarters for servants,
+on the other the storehouse, provision rooms, and a big cheese house
+made of planks and small timbers. Before the mansion and around the
+court were pillars with iron rings for the halters of horses; on each
+pillar a cap of frozen snow was fixed firmly. The mansion was old and
+broad, with a low roof of straw. In the court hunting dogs were rushing
+around, and among them a tame stork with a broken wing was walking
+securely; the bird as it seemed had left its warm room a little earlier
+to get exercise and air in the cold courtyard.
+
+At the mansion the people were waiting for the company, since Pan
+Gideon had sent a man forward with notice. The same man came out now to
+meet them and, bowing down, said to Pan Gideon,--
+
+"Pan Grothus, the starosta of Raygrod, has come."
+
+"In God's name!" cried Pan Gideon. "Has he been waiting long for me?"
+
+"Not an hour. He wished to go, but I told him that you were coming and
+in sight very nearly."
+
+"Thou didst speak well." Then he turned to the guests,--
+
+"I beg you, gentlemen, Pan Grothus is a relative through my wife. He is
+returning, it is evident, to Warsaw from his brother's, for he is a
+deputy to the Diet. Please enter."
+
+After a time they were all in the dining-room in presence of the
+starosta of Raygrod, whose head almost grazed the ceiling, for in
+stature he surpassed the Bukoyemskis, and the rooms were exceedingly
+low in that mansion. Pan Grothus was a showy noble with an expression
+of wisdom, and the face and bald head of a statesman. A sword scar on
+his forehead just over the nose and between his two eyebrows seemed a
+firm wrinkle, giving his face a stern, and, as it were, angry aspect.
+But he smiled at Pan Gideon with pleasantness, and opened his arms to
+him, saying,--
+
+"Well, I, a guest, am now welcoming the host to his own mansion."
+
+"A guest, a dear guest," cried Pan Gideon. "God give thee health for
+having come to me, lord brother. What dost thou hear over there now in
+Warsaw?"
+
+"Good news of private matters, of public also, for war is now coming."
+
+"War? How is that? Are we making it?"
+
+"Not yet, but in March a treaty will be signed with the Emperor, then
+war will be certain."
+
+Though even before the New Year there had been whispers of war with the
+Sultan, and there were those who considered it inevitable, the
+confirmation of these rumors from the lips of a person so notable, and
+intimately acquainted with politics as Pan Grothus, imposed on Pan
+Gideon and the guests in his mansion very greatly. Barely had the host,
+therefore, presented them to the starosta, when a conversation followed
+touching war, touching Tököli and the bloody struggles throughout
+Hungary, from which, as from an immense conflagration, there was light
+over all parts of Austria and Poland. That was to be a mighty struggle,
+before which the Roman Cæsar and all German lands were then trembling.
+Pan Grothus, skilled much in public matters, declared that the Porte
+would move half of Asia and all Africa, and appear with such strength
+as the world had not seen up to that day. But these previsions did not
+injure good-humor in any one. On the contrary they were listened to
+with rapture by young men, who were wearied by long peace at home, and
+to whom war presented fields of glory, service, and even profit.
+
+When Mateush Bukoyemski heard the words of the starosta he so struck
+his knee with his palm that the sound was heard throughout the mansion.
+
+"Half Asia, and what in addition?" asked he. "O pshaw! Is that
+something new for us?"
+
+"Nothing new, thou speakest truth!" said the host, whose face, usually
+gloomy, was lighted up now with sudden gladness. "If that question is
+settled, the call to arms will be issued immediately, and the levies
+will begin without loitering."
+
+"God grant this! God grant it at the earliest! Think now of that old
+Deviantkievich at Hotsim, blind of both eyes. His sons aimed his lance
+in the charge, and he struck on the Janissaries as well as any other
+man. But I have no sons."
+
+"Well, lord brother, if there be any one who can stay at home
+rightfully you are that person," said the starosta. "It is bad not to
+have a son in the war, worse not to have an eye, but worst of all not
+to have an arm."
+
+"I accustomed both hands to the sabre," said Pan Gideon, "and in my
+teeth I can hold the bridle. Moreover, I should like to fall fighting
+on the field against pagans, not because the happiness of my life has
+been broken--not from revenge--no--but for this reason, speaking
+sincerely: I am old, I have seen much, I have meditated deeply, I have
+seen among men so much hatred, so much selfishness, so much disorder in
+this Commonwealth, I have seen our self-will, our disobedience and
+breaking of Diets, so much lawlessness of all sorts, that I say this
+here now to you. Many times in desperation have I asked the Lord God:
+Why, O Lord, hast thou created our Commonwealth, and created this
+people? I ask without answer and it is only when the pagan sea swells,
+when that vile dragon opens its jaws to devour Christianity and
+mankind, when, as you say, the Roman Cæsar and all German lands are
+shivering in front of this avalanche, that I learn why God created us
+and imposed on us this duty. The Turks themselves know this. Other men
+may tremble, but we will not, as we have not trembled thus far; so let
+our blood flow to the very last drop, and let mine be mixed with the
+rest of it. Amen."
+
+The eyes of Pan Gideon were glittering and he was moved very deeply,
+but still he let no tears fall from his eyes; it may be because he had
+cried them out so much earlier, and it may be because he was harsh to
+himself and to others. But Pan Grothus put his arm around his neck and
+then he kissed him on both cheeks.
+
+"True, true," said he. "There is much evil among us, and only with
+blood may our ransom from evil be effected. That service, that watching
+which God has given us, was predestined to our people. And the time is
+approaching in which we shall prove this. That is our real position.
+There are tidings that the avalanche of pagans will turn on Vienna;
+when it does we will go there and before the whole world show that we
+are purely Christ's warriors, created in defence of the cross, and the
+faith of the Saviour. Other nations, who till now have lived without
+care behind our shoulders, will see in the clear day of heaven how our
+task is accomplished, and with God's will, while the earth stands, our
+service and our glory will not leave us."
+
+At these words enthusiasm seized the young men. The Bukoyemskis sprang
+up from their chairs, and called in loud voices,--
+
+"God grant it! When will the levies be? God grant it!"
+
+"The souls are tearing out of us," said Stanislav. "We are ready this
+minute."
+
+Yatsek was the only man silent, and his face did not brighten. That
+news which filled all hearts with pleasure was for him a source of keen
+suffering and bitterness. His thoughts and his eyes ran to Panna Anulka
+who was passing along near the dining-room joyously, and with
+measureless complaint and reproach they spoke thus to her,--
+
+"Had it not been for thee I should have gone to some magnate, and
+though I might not have found fortune, I should have a horse and good
+arms in every case, and should go now with a regiment to find death, or
+else glory. Thy beauty, thy glances, those pleasant words, which at
+times thou didst throw like small alms at me, have brought about this,
+that I am here on those last little fields of mine, well-nigh expiring
+from hunger. Because of thee I have not seen the great world. I have
+not gained any polish. In what have I offended that thou hast enslaved
+me, as it were, soul and body? And in truth I would rather perish than
+be without seeing thee for a twelvemonth. I have lost my last horse in
+hurrying to save thee, and now, in return for this, thou art laughing
+with another, and glancing at him most bewitchingly. But what shall I
+do? War is coming. Am I to be a serving man, or be disgraced among foot
+soldiers? What have I done that toward me thou art merciless?"
+
+In this fashion did Yatsek Tachevski complain, he a man who felt his
+misery all the more keenly that he was a noble of great knightly
+family, though terribly impoverished. And though it was not true that
+Panna Anulka had never had mercy on him, it was true that for her sake
+he had never gone out to the great world, but had remained with only
+two serfs on poor pasture land where the first wants of life were
+beyond him. He was seventeen years of age, and she thirteen, when he
+fell in love with her beyond memory, and for five years he had loved
+the girl each year increasingly, and each year with more gloominess,
+for hopelessly. Pan Gideon had received him with welcome at first, as
+the scion of a great knightly family to which in former days had
+belonged in those regions whole countrysides; but afterward, when he
+noted how matters were tending, he began to be harsh to him, and at
+times even cruel. He did not close the house against the man, it is
+true, but he kept him away from the young lady, since he had for her
+views and hopes of another kind altogether. Panna Anulka noting her
+power over Yatsek amused herself with him just as a young girl does
+with flowers in a meadow. At times she bends over one, at times she
+plucks one, at times she weaves one into her tresses, later she throws
+it away, and later thinks nothing of flowers, whatever, and still later
+on she searches out new ones.
+
+Yatsek had never mentioned his love to the young lady, but she knew of
+it perfectly, though she feigned not to know, and in general not to
+wish to know of anything which happened within him. She wondered at
+him, wondered how he pleased her. Once, when they were chasing some
+bees, she fell under his cloak and fondled up to his heart for a
+moment, but for two days she would not forgive him because of this. At
+times she treated him almost contemptuously, and when it seemed to him
+that all had been ended forever, she, with one sweet look, one hearty
+word filled him with endless delight, and with hope beyond limit. If at
+times, because of a wedding, or a name's day, or a hunt in the
+neighborhood, he did not come for some days she was lonely, but when he
+did come she took revenge on him for her loneliness, and tormented him
+long for it. He passed his worst moments when there were guests at the
+mansion, and there happened among them some young man who was clever
+and good-looking. Then Yatsek thought that in her heart there was not
+even the simplest compassion. Such were his thoughts now because of Pan
+Stanislav and all that Pan Grothus had told of the coming war added
+bitterness to his cup, which was then overflowing.
+
+Self-control in Pan Gideon's mansion was habitual with Yatsek, still,
+he could hardly sit to the end of the supper as he heard the words of
+the lady and Pan Stanislav. He saw, unhappy victim, that the other man
+pleased her, for he was in fact an adroit and agreeable young fellow,
+and far from being stupid. The talk at table turned always on the
+levies. Stanislav, learning from Pan Grothus that perhaps the levies
+would be made under him in those regions, turned to the lady on a
+sudden, and asked,--
+
+"What regiment do you prefer?"
+
+"The hussars," said she, looking at his shoulders.
+
+"Because of the wings?"
+
+"Yes. Once I saw hussars and thought them a heavenly army. I dreamt of
+them afterward two nights in succession."
+
+"I know not whether I shall dream when a hussar, but I know that I
+shall dream of you earlier, and of wings also."
+
+"Why is that?"
+
+"I should dream of a real angel."
+
+Panna Anulka dropped her eyes till a shade fell on her rosy cheeks from
+her eyelids.
+
+"Be a hussar," said she, after an interval.
+
+Yatsek gritted his teeth, drew his palm over his moistened forehead,
+and during the supper he did not get word or look from the lady. Only
+when they had risen from the table did a sweet, beloved voice sound at
+his ear.
+
+"But will you go to this war with the others?"
+
+"To die! to die!" answered Yatsek.
+
+And in that answer there was such a genuine, true groan of anguish that
+the voice was heard again, as if in sympathy,--
+
+"Why sadden us?"
+
+"No one will weep for me."
+
+"How know you that?" said the voice now a third time.
+
+Then she slipped away to the other guests as swiftly as a dream vision,
+and bloomed, like a rose, at the other end of the drawing-room.
+
+Meanwhile, the two elder men sat after the meal over goblets of mead,
+and when they had discussed public questions sufficiently they began to
+chat about private ones. Pan Grothus followed Panna Anulka with tender
+eyes for a time, and then said to Pan Gideon,--
+
+"That is a brilliant spot over there. Just look at those young people
+who are flying like moths round a candle. But that is no wonder, for
+were we not in years we too should be flying."
+
+Pan Gideon waved his hand in displeasure.
+
+"Swarms they are,--rustics, homespuns, nothing better."
+
+"How so? Tachevski is not a homespun."
+
+"No, but he is poor. The Bukoyemskis are not homespuns; they even
+declare that they are kinsmen of Saint Peter, which may help them in
+heaven, but on earth they are nothing but foresters in the king's
+wilderness."
+
+Pan Grothus wondered at the relationship of the Bukoyemskis no less
+than had Pan Gideon when he heard of it the first time, so he fell to
+inquiring in detail, till at last he laughed heartily, and added,--
+
+"Saint Peter was a great apostle, and I have no wish to detract from
+his honor; all the more, since feeling old, I shall soon need his
+influence. But between you and me, there is not much in this kinship to
+boast of--no, he was merely a fisherman. If you speak of Joseph, who
+came from King David,--well, you may talk to me."
+
+"I say only that there is no one here fit for the girl, either among
+those whom you see now under my roof, or in the whole neighborhood."
+
+"But he who is sitting near Pani Vinnitski seems a nice gentleman."
+
+"Tsyprianovitch? Yes, he is; but Armenian by origin and of a family
+noble only three generations."
+
+"Then why invite them? Cupid is traitorous, and before there is time to
+turn once the pudding may be cooked for you."
+
+Pan Gideon, who, in presenting the young men had stated how much he
+owed them, explained now in detail about the wolves and the assistance,
+because of which he was forced to invite the young rescuers to his
+mansion through gratitude simply.
+
+"True, true," said Pan Grothus, "but in his own way Amor may cook the
+pudding before you have noticed it. This girl's blood is not water."
+
+"Ai! she is a slippery weasel," said Pan Gideon. "She can and will
+bite, but she will twist out besides from between a man's fingers, and
+no common person could catch her. Great blood has this inborn quality
+that it yields not, but rules and regulates. I am not of those who are
+led by the nose very easily, still, I yield to her often. It is true,
+that I owe much to the Sieninskis, but even if I did not there would be
+only slight difference. When she stands before me and puts a tress from
+one shoulder to the other, inclines her head to me, and glances, she
+gets what she wishes most frequently. And more than once do I think,
+what a blessing of God, what an honor, that the last child, the last
+heiress of such a famed family, is under my roof tree. Of course you
+know of the Sieninskis--once all Podolia was theirs. In truth, the
+Sobieskis, the Daniloviches, the Jolkevskis grew great through them. It
+is the duty of His Grace the King to remember this, all the more since
+now almost nothing remains of those great possessions; and the girl, if
+she has any property, will have only that which remains after me to
+her."
+
+"But what will your relatives say in this matter?"
+
+"There are only distant Pangovskis, who will not prove kinship. But
+often my peace is destroyed by the thought that after me may come
+quarrels, with lawsuits and wrangling, as is common in this country.
+The relatives of my late wife are for me the great question. From my
+wife comes a part of my property, namely: the lands with this mansion."
+
+"I shall not appear with a lawsuit," said Pan Grothus, "but I would not
+guarantee as to others."
+
+"That is it! That is it! I have been thinking of late to visit Warsaw
+and beg the king to be a guardian to this orphan, but his head is full
+now of other questions."
+
+"If you had a son it would be a simple matter to give the girl to him."
+
+Pan Gideon gazed at the starosta with a look so full of pain that the
+other stopped speaking. Both men were silent for a long time, till Pan
+Gideon said with emotion,--
+
+"To you I might say, my lord brother, with Virgil, _infandum jubes
+renovare dolorem_ (thou commandest me to call up unspeakable sorrow).
+That marriage would be simple--and I will tell you that had it not been
+for this simple method I should have died long ago perhaps. My son
+while in childhood was stolen by the Tartars. People have returned more
+than once from captivity among pagans when the memory of them had
+perished. Whole years have I looked for a miracle--whole years have I
+lived in the hope of it. To-day even, when I drink something I think to
+myself we, perhaps now! God is greater than human imagining. But those
+moments of hope are very shortlived, while the pain is enduring and
+daily. No! Why deceive myself? My blood will not be mingled with that
+of the Sieninskis, and, if relatives rend what I have into fragments,
+this last child of the family to which I owe everything, will be
+without bread to nourish her."
+
+Both drank in silence again. Pan Grothus was thinking how to milden the
+pain which he had roused in Pan Gideon unwittingly, and how to console
+the man in suffering. At last an idea occurred to him which he
+considered very happy. "Ai!" exclaimed he, "there is a way to do
+everything, and you, my lord brother, can secure bread for the girl
+without trouble."
+
+"How?" asked Pan Gideon, with a certain disquiet.
+
+"Does it not happen often that old men take as wives even girls not
+full grown yet? An example in history is Konietspolski the grand
+hetman, who married a green girl, though he was older than you are. It
+is true also, that, having taken too many youth-giving medicines, he
+died the first night after marriage, but neither Pan Makovski,
+pocillator of Radom, nor Pan Rudnitski lost their lives, though both
+had passed seventy. Besides, you are sturdy. Should the Lord again
+bless you, well, so much the better; if not, you would leave in
+sufficiency and quiet the young widow, who might choose then the
+husband that pleased her."
+
+Whether such an idea had ever come to Pan Gideon we may not determine;
+it suffices, that, after these words of Pan Grothus, he was greatly
+confused, and, with a hand trembling somewhat, poured mead to the
+starosta till it flowed over the goblet, and the generous liquor
+dropped down to the floor after passing the table.
+
+"Let us drink to the success of Christian arms!" said he.
+
+"That in its time," said Pan Grothus, following the course of his own
+thoughts still further; "and dwell in your own way on what I have said
+to you, for I have struck, as I think, the true point of the question."
+
+"But why? What reason is there? Drink some more--"
+
+Further words were interrupted by the movement of chairs at the larger
+table. Pani Vinnitski and Panna Anulka wished to retire to their
+chamber. The voice of the young lady, as resonant as a bell made of
+silver, repeated: "Good-night, good-night;" then she courtesied
+prettily to Pan Grothus, kissed the hand of Pan Gideon, touched his
+shoulder with her nose and her forehead cat fashion, and vanished. Pan
+Stanislav, the Bukoyemskis, and Yatsek went out soon after the ladies.
+The two older men only remained in the dining-room and conversed long
+in it, for Pan Gideon commanded to bring still better mead in another
+decanter.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER II
+
+
+Whether by chance or a trick of the young lady is unknown to us; it
+suffices, however, that the four Bukoyemskis received a large chamber
+in an outbuilding, and Pan Stanislav with Yatsek a smaller one near it.
+This confused the two men no little, and then, so as not to speak to
+each other, they began straightway the litany and continued it longer
+than was usual. But when they had finished there followed a silence
+which annoyed both of them, for though their feelings toward each other
+were unfriendly, they felt that they might not betray them, and that
+they should for a time, and especially at the house of Pan Gideon, show
+politeness.
+
+Yatsek ungirded his sabre, drew it out of the scabbard, looked at the
+edge by the light of the chimney, and fell to rubbing the blade with
+his handkerchief.
+
+"After frost," said he half to himself, half to Stanislav, "a sabre
+sweats in a warm chamber, and rust appears on it straightway."
+
+"And last night it must have frozen solidly," said Stanislav.
+
+He spoke without evil intention, and only because it occurred to him
+that Tachevski had been in a splitting frost all the night previous;
+but Yatsek placed the point of his blade on the floor, and looked
+quickly into the eyes of the other man.
+
+"Are you referring to this,--that I sat on a pine tree?"
+
+"Yes," replied Stanislav, with simplicity; "of course there was no
+stove there."
+
+"But what would you have done in my position?"
+
+Stanislav wished to answer "the same that you did," but the question
+was put to him sharply, so he answered,--
+
+"Why break my head over that, since I was not in it?"
+
+Anger flashed for an instant on the face of Pan Yatsek, but to restrain
+himself he began to blow on the sabre and rub the blade with still
+greater industry. At last he returned it to the scabbard, and added,--
+
+"God sends adventures and accidents."
+
+And his eyes, which one moment earlier had been gleaming, were covered
+again with the usual sadness, for just then he remembered his one
+friend, the horse, which those wolves had torn to pieces.
+
+Meanwhile the door opened and the four Bukoyemskis walked into the
+chamber.
+
+"The frost has weakened, and the snow sends up steam," said Mateush.
+
+"There will be fog," added Yan.
+
+And then they took note of Yatsek, whom they had not seen the first
+moment.
+
+"Oh art thou in such company?" asked Lukash, as he turned to Stanislav.
+
+All four brothers put their hands on their hips and cast challenging
+glances at Yatsek.
+
+Yatsek seized a chair and, pushing it to the middle of the chamber,
+turned to the Bukoyemskis with a sudden movement; then he sat astride
+of the chair, as on horseback, rested his elbows on the back of it,
+raised his head, and answered with equally challenging glances. Thus
+were they opposed then; he, with feet stretching widely apart in his
+Swedish boots, they, shoulder to shoulder, quarrelsome, threatening,
+enormous.
+
+Stanislav saw that it was coming to a quarrel, but he wished to laugh
+at the same time. Thinking that he could hinder a collision at any
+instant he let them gaze at one another.
+
+"Eh, what a bold fellow," thought he of Yatsek, "nothing confuses him."
+
+The silence continued, at once unendurable and ridiculous. Yatsek
+himself felt this, also, for he was the first man to break it.
+
+"Sit down, young sirs," said he, "not only do I invite, but I beg you."
+
+The Bukoyemskis looked at one another with astonishment, this new turn
+confused them.
+
+"How is this? What is it? Of what is he thinking?"
+
+"I beg you, I beg you," repeated Yatsek, and he pointed to benches.
+
+"We stay as we are, for it pleases us, dost understand?"
+
+"Too much ceremony."
+
+"What ceremony?" cried Lukash. "Dost thou claim to be a senator, or a
+bishop, thou--thou Pompeius!"
+
+Yatsek did not move from the chair, but his back began to quiver as if
+from sudden laughter.
+
+"But why call me Pompeius?" inquired he.
+
+"Because the name fits thee."
+
+"But it may be because thou art a fool," replied Yatsek.
+
+"Strike, whoso believes in God!" shouted Yan.
+
+Evidently Yatsek had had talk enough also, for something seemed to
+snatch him from the chair on a sudden, and he sprang like a cat toward
+the brothers.
+
+"Listen, ye road-blockers," said he with a voice cold as steel, "what
+do ye want of me?"
+
+"Blood!" cried Mateush.
+
+"Thou wilt not squirm away from us this time!" shouted Marek. "Come out
+at once," said he, grasping toward his side for a sabre.
+
+But Stanislav pushed in quickly between them.
+
+"I will not permit," cried he. "This is another man's dwelling."
+
+"True," added Yatsek, "this is another man's dwelling, and I will not
+injure Pan Gideon. I will not cut you up under his roof, but I will
+find you to-morrow."
+
+"We will find thee to-morrow!" roared Mateush.
+
+"Ye have sought conflicts and raised pretexts all day, why, I cannot
+tell, for I have not known you, nor have ye known me, but ye must
+answer for this, and because ye have insulted me I would meet not four
+men but ten like you."
+
+"Oho! oho! One will suffice thee. It is clear," cried out Yan, "that
+thou hast not heard of the Bukoyemskis."
+
+"I have spoken of four," said Yatsek, turning on a sudden to Stanislav,
+"but perhaps you will join with these cavaliers?"
+
+Stanislav bowed politely.
+
+"Since you make the inquiry--"
+
+"But we first, and according to seniority," said the Bukoyemskis. "We
+will not withdraw from that. We have settled it, and will cut down any
+man who interferes with us."
+
+Yatsek looked quickly at the brothers, and in one moment divined, as he
+thought, the arrangement, and he paled somewhat.
+
+"So that is it!" said he again to Stanislav; "thou hast hirelings, and
+art standing behind them. By my faith the method seems certain, and
+very safe, but whether it is noble and knightly is another point. In
+what a company do I find myself?"
+
+On hearing this opinion which disgraced him, Stanislav, though he had a
+mild spirit by nature, felt the blood rush to his visage. The veins
+swelled on his forehead, lightning flashed from his eyes, his teeth
+were gritting terribly, and he grasped the hilt of his sabre.
+
+"Come out! Come out this instant!" cried he in a voice choked with
+anger.
+
+Sabres flashed; it was bright in the chamber, for light fell on the
+steel blades from a torch in the chimney. But three of the Bukoyemskis
+sprang between the opponents and stood in a line there, the fourth
+caught Stanislav by the shoulders.
+
+"By the dear God, restrain thyself, Stashko! We are ahead of thee!"
+
+"We are ahead of thee!" cried the three others.
+
+"Unhand me!" screamed Stanislav, hoarsely.
+
+"We are ahead!"
+
+"Unhand me!"
+
+"Hold Stashko, ye, and I will settle with this man while ye are holding
+him," shouted Mateush; and seizing Yatsek he dragged him aside to begin
+at him straightway, but Yatsek with presence of mind pulled himself
+free of Mateush, and sheathed his sword, saying,--
+
+"I choose the man who is to fight first and the time. So I tell you
+to-morrow, and in Vyrambki, not here."
+
+"Oh thou wilt not sneak away from us! Now! now!"
+
+But Yatsek crossed his arms on his breast. "Ha, if ye wish without
+fighting to kill me under the roof of our host, let me know it."
+
+At this rage seized the brothers; they stamped the floor with their
+boot-heels, pulled their mustaches, and panted like wild bears. But
+since they feared infamy no man of them had the daring to rush at
+Tachevski.
+
+"To-morrow, I tell you! Say to Pan Gideon that ye are going to visit
+me, and inquire for the road to Vyrambki. Beyond the brook stands a
+crucifix since the time of the pestilence. There I will wait for you at
+midday to-morrow, and there, with God's help I will finish you!"
+
+He uttered the last words as if with sorrow, then he opened the door
+and walked out of the chamber. In the yard the dogs ran around Yatsek,
+and knowing him well, fondled up to him. He turned without thinking
+toward the posts near the windows, as if looking for his horse there;
+then, remembering that that horse was no longer alive, he sighed, and,
+feeling the cool breath of air, repeated in spirit,--
+
+"The wind is blowing always in the eyes of the poor man. I will walk
+home."
+
+Meanwhile, Stanislav was wringing his hands from fierce pain and anger,
+while saying to the Bukoyemskis, with terrible bitterness,--
+
+"Who asked you to do this? My worst enemy could not have hurt me more
+than have you with your service."
+
+They pitied him immensely, and fell to embracing him, one after the
+other.
+
+"Stashko," said Mateush. "They sent us a decanter for the night; give
+thyself comfort for God's sake."
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER III
+
+
+The world was still gray when Father Voynovski was clattering along
+through deep snow with a lantern to the doves, partridges, and rabbits
+which he kept in his granary in a special enclosure. A tame fox with
+bells on her neck followed his footsteps; at his side went a Spitz dog
+and a porcupine. Winter sleep did not deaden the latter in the warm
+room of the priest's house. The beasts and their master, when they had
+crossed the yard slowly, stopped under the out-jutting straw eaves of
+the granary, from which long icicles were hanging. The lantern swayed,
+the key was heard in the lock, the bolt whined, the door squeaked
+louder than the key, and the old man went in with his animals. After a
+while he took his seat on a block, placed his lantern on a second
+block, and put between his knees a linen bag holding grain and also
+cabbage leaves. He began then to yawn aloud and to empty the bag on the
+floor there in front of him.
+
+Before he had finished three rabbits advanced from dark corners jumping
+toward him; next were seen the eyes of doves, glittering and bead-like
+in the light of the lantern; then rust-colored partridges, moving their
+heads on lithe necks as they came on in close company. Being the most
+resolute, the pigeons fell straightway to hammering the floor with
+their bills, while the partridges moved with more caution, looking now
+at the falling grain, now at the priest, and now at the she fox; with
+her they had been acquainted a long time, since, taken as chicks the
+past summer and reared from being little, they saw the beast daily.
+
+The priest kept on throwing grain, muttering morning prayer as he did
+so: "_Pater noster, qui es in coelis, sanctificetur nomen_--" Here he
+stopped and turned to the fox, and she, while touching his side,
+trembled as if a fever were shaking her.
+
+"Ah, the skin on thee trembles as soon as thou seest them. It is the
+same every day. Learn to keep down thy inborn appetite, for thou hast
+good food at all seasons and sufferest no hunger. Where did I stop?"
+Here he closed his eyes as if waiting for an answer, and since he did
+not have it he began at the first words: "_Pater noster, qui es in
+coelis, sanctificetur nomen Tuum, adveniat regnum Tuum_."
+
+And again he halted.
+
+"Ah, thou art squirming," said he, putting his hand on the back of the
+she fox. "There is such a vile nature in thee, that not only must thou
+eat, but commit murder also. Catch her, Filus, by the tail, and bite
+her if she does any injury--_Adveniat regnum Tuum_--Oh such a daughter!
+Thou wouldst say, I know, that men are glad too, to eat partridges; but
+know this, that a man gives them peace during fast days, while in thee
+the soul of that vile Luther is sitting, for thou wouldst eat meat on
+good Friday--_Fiat voluntas Tua_--_Trus! trus! trus!_--_sicut in
+coelo_--here are both one with the other!--_et in terra_." And thus
+speaking he threw the cabbage and then the grain, scolding the doves
+somewhat that, though spring was not near yet, they walked around one
+another frequently, cooing and strutting.
+
+At last, when he had emptied the bag he rose, raised the lantern, and
+was preparing to go, when Yatsek appeared on the threshold.
+
+"Ah, Yatsus!" cried the priest, "art thou here--what art thou doing so
+early?"
+
+Yatsek kissed the priest's hand, and answered,--
+
+"I have come to confession, my benefactor, and at early mass I should
+like to approach the Lord's table."
+
+"To confession? That is well, but what has so urged thee? Tell, but
+right off, for this is not without reason."
+
+"I will tell truly. I must fight a duel this day, and since in fighting
+with five men an accident is more likely than with one, I should like
+to clear my soul of offences."
+
+"With five men? God's wounds! But what didst thou do to them?"
+
+"It is just this: that I did nothing. They sought a quarrel, and they
+have challenged me."
+
+"Who are they?"
+
+"The Bukoyemskis, who are foresters, and Tsyprianovitch from Yedlinka."
+
+"I know them. Come to the house and tell how it happened."
+
+They went out of the granary, but when half-way to the house the priest
+stopped on a sudden, looked into Tachevski's eyes quickly, and said,--
+
+"Hear me, Yatsek, there is a woman in this quarrel."
+
+The other smiled; with some melancholy.
+
+"There is, and there is not," said he, "for really, she is the
+question, but she is innocent."
+
+"Ah, ha! innocent! they are all innocent. But dost thou know what
+Ecclesiastes says of women?"
+
+"I do not remember, benefactor."
+
+"Neither do I remember all, but what I have forgotten I will read in
+the house to thee. '_Inveni amariorem morte mulierem, quae laqueus_
+(says he) _venatorum est et sagena cor ejus_.' (I have found woman more
+bitter than death. Her heart is a trap and a snare). And farther on he
+adds something, but at the end he says: '_Qui placet Deo, effugiet
+illam, qui autem peccator est, capietur ab illa_.' (Whoso is pleasing
+to God will escape her, but whoso is a sinner will be caught by her.) I
+have warned thee not one time but ten not to loiter in that mansion and
+now the blow strikes thee."
+
+"Eh, it is easier for you to warn than for me not to visit," answered
+Yatsek, with a sigh.
+
+"Nothing good will meet thee in that house."
+
+"True," said the young man, quietly.
+
+And they went on in silence, but the priest with a face of anxiety, for
+with his whole soul he loved Yatsek. When his father had died of the
+pestilence, the young man was left in the world without any near
+relative, without property, having only a very few serfs in Vyrambki.
+The old priest cared for him tenderly. He could not give the youth
+property, for he with the soul of an angel distributed to the needy all
+that his poor parish gave him; still, he helped Yatsek in secret, and
+besides, he watched over him, taught him, not only what was in books,
+but the whole art of knighthood. For in his day that priest had been a
+famed warrior, a comrade and friend of the glorious Pan Michael. He had
+been with Charnyetski, he had gone through the whole Swedish conflict,
+and only when all had been finished did he put on the robe of a cleric,
+because of a ghastly misfortune. He loved Yatsek, in whom he valued,
+not simply the son of a famed knightly family, but a serious, lofty
+soul, just such as his own was. So he was grieved over the man's
+immense poverty, and that ill-fated love which had seized him. Because
+of this love, the young man, instead of seeking bread and fame in the
+great world of action, was wasting himself and leading a half peasant
+life in that dark little corner. Hence he felt a determined dislike for
+the house of Pan Gideon, taking it ill of Pan Gideon himself that he
+was so cruel to his people. As to Father Voynovski, those "worms of the
+earth"[2] were as dear as the apple of his eye to him, but besides them
+he loved also everything living, as well those pets which he scolded,
+as birds, fish, and even the frogs which croak and sing in the
+sun-warmed waters during summer.
+
+There walked, however, in that robe of a priest, not only an angel but,
+besides, an ex-warrior; hence when he learned that his Yatsek must
+fight with five enemies he thought only of this: how that young man
+would prosper, and would he come out of the struggle undefeated?
+
+"Thou wilt not yield?" asked he, halting at the threshold, "for I have
+taught thee what I knew myself, and what Pan Michael showed me."
+
+"I should not like to let them slash me to death," replied Yatsek, with
+modesty, "for a great war with the Turks is approaching."
+
+At this the eyes of the old man flashed up like stars. In one moment he
+seized Yatsek by the button loop of his coat and fell to inquiring,--
+
+"Praised be the name of the Lord! How dost thou know this? Who told
+thee?"
+
+"Pan Grothus, the starosta," answered the young man.
+
+Long did the conversation of Yatsek continue with the priest, long was
+his confession till Mass time, and when at last after Mass they were
+both in the house and had sat down to heated beer at the table, the
+mind of the old man was haunted continually by thoughts of that war
+with the pagan. Therefore he fell to complaining of the corruption of
+manners and the decay of devotion in the Commonwealth.
+
+"My God!" said he, "the field of salvation and glory is open to men,
+but they prefer private quarrels and the slaughter of one another.
+Though ye have the chance to give your own blood in defence of the
+cross and the faith, ye are willing to spill the blood of a brother.
+For whom? for what reason? For personal squabbles, or women, or similar
+society nonsense. I know this vice to be inveterate in the
+Commonwealth, and _mea culpa_, for in time of vain sinful youth I
+myself was a slave to it. In winter camps, when the armies think mainly
+of idleness and drinking, there is no day without duels; but in fact
+the church forbids duels, and punishes for fighting them. Duelling is
+sinful at all times, and before a Turkish war the sin is the greater,
+for then every sabre is needed, and every sabre serves God and
+religion. Therefore our king, who is a defender of the faith, detests
+duels, and in the field in the face of the enemy, when martial law
+dictates, they are punished severely."
+
+"But the king in his youth fought more than one, and more than two
+duels," said Yatsek. "Moreover, what can I do, revered Father? I did
+not challenge. They called me out. Can I fail to meet them?"
+
+"Thou canst not, and therefore my soul is confounded. Ah, God will be
+on the side of the innocent."
+
+Yatsek began to take farewell, for midday was not more than two hours
+from him, and a road of some length was before him.
+
+"Wait," said the priest. "I will not let thee leave in this fashion. I
+will have my man make the sleigh ready, put straw in it, and go to the
+meeting-place. For if at Pan Gideon's they knew nothing of the duel,
+they will send no assistance, and how will it be if one of them, or if
+thou, be wounded severely? Hast thought of this?"
+
+"I have not, and they have not thought, that is certain."
+
+"Ah, seest thou! I will go too. I will not be on the field, I will stay
+at thy house in Vyrambki. I will take with me the sacrament, and a boy
+with a bell too, for who knows what may happen? It is not proper for a
+priest to witness such actions, but except that, I should be there with
+great willingness, were it only to freshen thy courage."
+
+Yatsek looked at him with eyes as mild as a maiden's. "God reward,"
+said he, "but I shall not lose courage, for even if I had to lay down
+my life--"
+
+"Better be silent," broke in the priest. "Art thou not sorry not to be
+nearing the Turk--and not to be meeting a death of more glory?"
+
+"I am, my benefactor, but I shall try that those man-eaters do not gulp
+me down at one effort."
+
+Father Voynovski thought a moment and added,--
+
+"But if I were to go to the field and explain the reward which would
+meet them in heaven, were they to die at the hands of the pagan,
+perhaps they would give up the duel."
+
+"God prevent!" exclaimed Yatsek. "They would think that I sent thee.
+God prevent! Better that I go to them straightway than listen to such
+speeches."
+
+"I am powerless," said the priest. "Let us go."
+
+He summoned his servant and ordered him to attach the horse with all
+haste to the sleigh; then he and Yatsek went out to assist the man. But
+when the priest saw the horse on which Yatsek had come, he pushed back
+in amazement.
+
+"In the name of the Father and the Son, where didst thou find such a
+poor little creature?"
+
+And indeed at the fence stood a sorry small nag, with shaggy head
+drooping low, and cheeks with long hair hanging down from them. The
+beast was not greatly larger than a she goat.
+
+"I borrowed it from a peasant. See, how I might go to the Turkish war!"
+
+And he laughed painfully.
+
+To this the priest answered,--
+
+"No matter on what thou goest, if thou come home on a Turkish
+war-horse, and may God give thee this, Yatsus; but meanwhile put the
+saddle on my beast, for thou canst not go on this poor little wretch to
+those nobles."
+
+They arranged everything then, and moved forward,--the priest with the
+church boy and bell and a driver for the sleigh, and Yatsek on
+horseback. The day was monotonous and misty in some sort; for a thaw
+had settled down and snow covered the frozen ground deeply, but its
+surface had softened considerably, so that horsehoofs sank without
+noise and sleigh-runners moved along the road quietly. Not far beyond
+Yedlina they met loads of wood and peasants walking near them; these
+people knelt at the sound of the bell, thinking that the priest was
+going with the Lord God to a dying man. Then began fields lying next to
+the forest,--fields white and empty; these were covered with haze.
+Flocks of crows were flying over them. Nearer the forest the haze
+became denser and denser, descended, filled all the space, and
+stretched upward. When they had advanced somewhat farther, the two men
+heard cawing, but the crows were invisible. The bushes at the roadside
+were ghostlike. The world had lost its usual sharp outlines, and was
+changed into some kind of region deceitful, uncertain,--delusive and
+blurred in near places, but entirely unknown in the distance.
+
+Yatsek advanced along the silent snow, thinking over the battle
+awaiting him, but thinking more over Panna Anulka; and half to himself
+and half to her he soliloquized in spirit: "My love for thee has been
+always unchangeable, but I have no joy in my heart from it. Eh! in
+truth I had little joy earlier from other things. But now, if I could
+even embrace thy dear feet for one instant, or hear a good word from
+thee, or even know that thou art sorry if evil befalls me-- All between
+me and thee is like that haze there before me, and thou thyself art as
+if out beyond the haze. I see nothing, and know not what will be, nor
+what will meet me, nor what will happen."
+
+And Yatsek felt that deep sadness was besieging his spirit, just as
+dampness was besieging his garments.
+
+"But I prefer that all should be ended, and quickly," said he, sighing.
+
+Father Voynovski was attacked also by thoughts far from gladsome, and
+said in his own mind,--
+
+"The poor boy has grieved to the utmost. He has not used his youth, he
+has gnawed himself through this ill-fated love of his, and now those
+Bukoyemskis will cut him to pieces. The other day at Kozenitse they
+hacked Pan Korybski after the festival. And even though they should not
+cut up Yatsek, nothing useful can come of this duel. My God! this lad
+is pure gold; and he is the last sprout from a great trunk of
+knightliness. He is the last drop of nourishing blood in his family. If
+he could only save himself this time! In God is my hope that he has not
+forgotten those two blows, one a feint under the arm with a side
+spring, the other with a whirl through the cheek. Yatsek!"
+
+But Yatsek did not hear, for he had ridden ahead, and the call from the
+old man was not repeated. On the contrary, he was troubled very
+seriously on remembering that a priest who was going with the Sacrament
+should not think of such subjects. He fell then to repenting and
+imploring the Lord God for pardon.
+
+Still, he was more and more grieved in his spirit. He was mastered by
+an evil foreboding and felt almost certain that that strange duel
+without seconds would end in the worst manner possible for Yatsek.
+
+Meanwhile they reached the crossroad which lay on the right toward
+Vyrambki, and on the left toward Pan Gideon's. The driver stopped as
+had been commanded. Yatsek approached the sleigh then and dismounted.
+
+"I will go on foot to the crucifix, for I should not know what to do
+with this horse while the sleigh is taking you to my house and coming
+back to me. They are there now, it may be."
+
+"It is not noon yet, though near it," said the priest, and his voice
+was changed somewhat. "But what a haze! Ye will have to grope in this
+duel."
+
+"We can see well enough!"
+
+The cawing of crows and of daws was heard then above them a second
+time.
+
+"Yatsek!"
+
+"I am listening."
+
+"Since thou hast come to this conflict, remember the Knights of
+Tachevo."
+
+"They will not be ashamed of me, father, they will not."
+
+And the priest remarked that Yatsek's face had grown pitiless, his eyes
+had their usual sadness, but the maiden mildness had gone from them.
+
+"That is well. Kneel down now," said he. "I will bless thee, and make
+thou the sign of the cross on thyself before opening the struggle."
+
+Then he made the sign of the cross on Yatsek's head as he knelt on the
+snow there.
+
+The young man tied the horse behind the sleigh at the side of the poor
+little nag of the peasant, kissed the priest's hand, and walked off
+toward that crucifix at the place of the duel.
+
+"Come back to me in health!" cried the priest after Yatsek.
+
+At the cross there was no one. Yatsek passed around the figure
+repeatedly, then sat on a stone at the foot of the crucifix and waited.
+
+Round about immense silence was brooding; only great tear-like drops,
+formed of dense haze, and falling from the arms of the crucifix, struck
+with low sound the soft snow bank. That quiet, filled with a certain
+sadness, and that hazy desert, filled with a new wave of sorrow the
+heart of the young man. He felt lonely to a point never known to him
+earlier. "Indeed I am as much alone in the world as that stick there,"
+said he to himself, "and thus shall I be till death comes to me." And
+he waved his hand. "Well, let it end some time!"
+
+With growing bitterness he thought that his opponents were not in a
+hurry, because they were joyous. They were sitting at Pan Gideon's
+conversing with "her," and they could look at "her" as much as might
+please them.
+
+But he was mistaken, for they too were hastening. After a while the
+sound of loud talking came up to him, and in the white haze quivered
+the four immense forms of the Bukoyemskis, and a fifth one,--that of
+Pan Stanislav, somewhat smaller.
+
+They talked in loud voices, for they were quarrelling about this: who
+should fight first with Tachevski. For that matter the Bukoyemskis were
+always disputing among themselves about something, but this time their
+dispute struck Stanislav, who was trying to show them that he, as the
+most deeply offended, should in that fight be the first man. All grew
+silent, however, in view of the cross, and of Yatsek standing under it.
+They removed their caps, whether out of respect for the Passion of
+Christ, or in greeting to their enemy, may be left undecided.
+
+Yatsek inclined to them in silence, and drew his weapon, but the heart
+in his breast beat unquietly at the first moment, for they were in
+every case five against one, and besides, the Bukoyemskis had simply a
+terrible aspect,--big fellows, broad shouldered, with broomlike
+mustaches, on which the fog had settled down in blue dewdrops; their
+brows were forbidding, and in their faces was a kind of brooding and
+murderous enjoyment, as if this chance to spill blood caused them
+gladness.
+
+"Why do I place this sound head of mine under the Evangelists?" thought
+Yatsek. But at that moment of alarm, indignation at those roysterers
+seized him,--those men whom he hardly knew, whom he had never injured,
+but who, God knew for what reason, had fastened to him, and had come
+now to destroy him if possible.
+
+So in spirit he said to them: "Wait a while, O ye road-blockers! Ye
+have brought your lives hither!"
+
+His cheeks took on color, and his teeth gritted fiercely. They,
+meanwhile, stripped their coats off and rolled up the sleeves of their
+jupans. This they did without need all together, but they did it since
+each thought that he was to open the duel.
+
+At last they all stood in a row with drawn sabres, and Yatsek, stepping
+towards them, halted, and they looked at one another in silence.
+
+Pan Stanislav interrupted them,--
+
+"I will serve you first."
+
+"No! I first, I first!" repeated all the Bukoyemskis in a chorus.
+
+And when Stanislav pushed forward they seized him by the elbows.
+
+Again a quarrel began, in which Stanislav reviled them as outlaws. They
+jeered at him as a dandy, among themselves the term "dogbrother" was
+frequent. Yatsek was shocked at this, and added,--
+
+"I have never seen cavaliers of this kind." And he put his sabre into
+the scabbard.
+
+"Choose, or I will go!" said he, with a loud voice, and firmly.
+
+"Choose, thou!" cried Stanislav, hoping that on him would the choice
+fall.
+
+Mateush began shouting that he would not permit any small
+whipper-snapper to manage them, and he shouted so that his front teeth,
+which, being very long, like the teeth of a rabbit, were shining
+beneath his mustaches; but he grew silent when Yatsek, drawing his
+sabre, again indicated him with the edge of it, and added, "I choose
+thee."
+
+The remaining brothers and Stanislav drew back at once, seeing that
+they would never agree, in another way, but their faces grew gloomy,
+for, knowing the strength of Mateush they felt almost certain that no
+work would be left them when he had finished.
+
+"Begin!" called out Stanislav.
+
+Tachevski felt at the first blow the strength of his enemy, for in his
+own grasp the sabre blade quivered. He warded the blow off, however,
+and warded off, also, the second one.
+
+"He has less skill than strength," thought Tachevski, after the third
+blow. Then, crouching somewhat, for a better spring, he pressed on with
+impetus.
+
+The other three, inclining downward the points of their sabres, stood
+open-mouthed, following the course of the struggle. They saw now that
+Tachevski too "knew things," and that with him it would not be easy.
+Soon they thought that he knew things very accurately, and alarm seized
+the brothers, for, despite endless bickering they loved one another
+immensely. The cry, "Ha!" was rent from the breast, now of one, and now
+of another, as each keener blow struck.
+
+Meanwhile the blows became quicker and quicker; at last they were
+lightning-like.
+
+The spectators saw clearly that Tachevski was gaining more confidence.
+He was calm, but he sprang around like a wild-cat and his eyes shot out
+ominous flashes.
+
+"It is bad!" thought Stanislav.
+
+That moment a cry was heard. Mateush's sabre fell. He raised both hands
+to his head and dropped to the earth, his face in one instant being
+blood-covered.
+
+At sight of that the three younger brothers bellowed like bulls, and in
+the twinkle of an eye rushed with rage at Tachevski, not intending, of
+course, to attack him together, but because each wished to be first in
+avenging Mateush.
+
+And they perhaps would have swept Tachevski apart on their sabres if
+Stanislav, springing in to assist him, had not cried with all the power
+in his bosom,--
+
+"Shame! Away! Murderers, not nobles! Shame! Away! or you must deal with
+me, murderers! Away!" And he slashed at the brothers till they came to
+their senses. But at this time Mateush had risen on his hands and
+turned toward them a face which was as if a mask made of blood had just
+covered it. Yan, seizing him by the armpits, seated him on the snow.
+Lukash hurried also to give him assistance.
+
+But Tachevski pushed up to Marek, who was gritting his teeth, and
+repeated in a quick voice, as if fearing lest the common attack might
+repeat itself,--
+
+"If you please! If you please!"
+
+And the sabres were clanking a second time ominously. But with Marek,
+who was as much stronger than his enemy as he was less dexterous,
+Tachevski had short work. Marek used his great sabre like a flail, so
+that Yatsek at the third blow struck his right shoulder-blade, cut
+through the bone, and disarmed him.
+
+Now Lukash and Yan understood that a very ugly task was before them,
+and that the slender young man was a wasp in reality,--a wasp which it
+would have been wise not to irritate. But with increased passion, they
+stood now against him to a struggle which ended as badly for them as it
+had for their elders. Lukash, cut through his cheek to the gums, fell
+with impetus, and, besides, struck a stone which the deep snow had
+hidden; while from Yan, the most dexterous of the brothers, his sabre,
+together with one of his fingers, fell to the ground at the end of some
+minutes.
+
+Yatsek, without a scratch, gazed at his work, as it were, with
+astonishment, and those sparks which a moment before had been
+glittering in his eyeballs began now to quench gradually. With his left
+hand he straightened his cap, which during the struggle had slipped
+somewhat over his right ear, then he removed it, breathed deeply once
+and a second time, turned to the cross, and said, half to himself and
+half to Stanislav,--
+
+"God knows that I am innocent."
+
+"Now it is my turn," said Stanislav. "But you are panting, perhaps you
+would rest; meanwhile I will put their cloaks on my comrades, lest this
+damp cold may chill them ere help comes."
+
+"Help is near," said Tachevski. "Over there in the mist is a sleigh
+sent by Father Voynovski, and he himself is at my house. Permit me. I
+will go for the sleigh in which those gentlemen will feel easier than
+here on this snow field."
+
+And he started while Stanislav went to cover the Bukoyemskis who were
+sitting arm to arm in the snow, except Yan, the least wounded. Yan on
+his knees was in front of Mateush, holding up his own right hand lest
+blood might flow from the finger stump too freely; in his left he held
+snow with which he was washing the face of his brother.
+
+"How are ye?" asked Stanislav.
+
+"Ah, he has bitten us, the son of a such a one!" said Lukash, and he
+spat blood abundantly; "but we will avenge ourselves."
+
+"I cannot move my arm at all, for he cut the bone," added Marek. "Eh,
+the dog! Eh!"
+
+"And Mateush is cut over the brows!" called out Yan; "the wound should
+be covered with bread and spider-web but I will staunch the blood with
+snow for the present."
+
+"If my eyes were not filled with blood," said Mateush, "I would--"
+
+But he could not finish since blood loss had weakened him, and he was
+interrupted by Lukash who had been borne away suddenly by anger.
+
+"But he is cunning, the dog blood! He stings like a gnat, though he
+looks like a maiden."
+
+"It is just that cunning," said Yan, "which I cannot pardon."
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by the snorting of horses. The
+sleigh appeared in the haze dimly, and next it was there at the side of
+the brothers. Out of the sleigh sprang Tachevski, who commanded the
+driver to step down and help them.
+
+The man looked at the Bukoyemskis, took in the whole case with a
+glance, and said not a word, but on his face was reflected, as it
+seemed, disappointment, and, turning toward the horses, he crossed
+himself. Then the three men fell to raising the wounded. The brothers
+protested against the assistance of Yatsek, but he stopped them.
+
+"If ye gentlemen had wounded me, would ye leave me unassisted? This is
+the service of a noble which one may not meet with neglect or refusal."
+
+They were silent, for he won them by these words--somewhat, and after a
+while they were lying upon straw in the broad sleigh more comfortably,
+and soon they were warmer.
+
+"Whither shall I go?" asked the driver.
+
+"Wait. Thou wilt take still another," answered Stanislav, and turning
+to Yatsek, he said to him,--
+
+"Well, gracious sir, it is our time!"
+
+"Oh, it is better to drop this," said Yatsek, regarding him with a look
+almost friendly. "That God there knows why this has happened, and you
+took my part when these gentlemen together attacked me. Why should you
+and I fight a duel?"
+
+"We must and will fight," replied Stanislav, coldly. "You have insulted
+me, and, even if you had not, my name is in question at present--do you
+understand? Though I were to lose life, though this were to be my last
+hour--we must fight."
+
+"Let it be so! but against my will," said Tachevski.
+
+And they began. Stanislav, had more skill than the brothers, but he was
+weaker than any of them. It was clear that he had been taught by better
+masters, and that his practice had not been confined to inns and
+markets. He pressed forward quickly, he parried with readiness and
+knowledge. Yatsek, in whose heart there was no hatred, and who would
+have stopped at the lesson given the Bukoyemskis, began to praise him.
+
+"With you," said he, "the work is quite different. Your hand was
+trained by no common swordsman."
+
+"Too bad that you did not train it!" said Stanislav.
+
+And he was doubly rejoiced, first at the praise, and then because he
+had given answer, for only the most famed among swordsmen could let
+himself speak in time of a duel, and polite conversation was considered
+moreover as the acme of courtesy. All this increased Stanislav in his
+own eyes. Hence he pressed forward again with good feeling. But after
+some fresh blows he was forced to acknowledge in spirit that Tachevski
+surpassed him. Yatsek defended himself as it seemed with unwillingness
+but very easily, and in general he acted as though engaged not in
+fighting, but in fencing for exercise. Clearly, he wished to convince
+himself as to what Stanislav knew, and as to how much better he was
+than the brothers, and when he had done this with accuracy he felt at
+last sure of his own case.
+
+Stanislav noted this also, hence delight left him, and he struck with
+more passion. Tachevski then twisted himself as if he had had enough of
+amusement, gave the "feigned" blow, pressed on and sprang aside after a
+moment.
+
+"Thou hast got it!" said he.
+
+Stanislav felt, as it were, a cold sting in the arm, but he answered,--
+
+"Go on. That is nothing!"
+
+And he cut again, that same moment the point of Yatsek's sabre laid his
+lower lip open and cut the skin under it. Yatsek sprang aside now a
+second time.
+
+"Thou art bleeding!" said he.
+
+"That is nothing!"
+
+"Glory to God if 'tis nothing! But I have had plenty, and here is my
+hand for you. You have acted like a genuine cavalier."
+
+Stanislav greatly roused, but pleased also at these words, stood for a
+moment, as if undecided whether to make peace or fight longer. At last
+he sheathed his sabre and gave his hand then to Yatsek.
+
+"Let it be so. In truth, as it seems, I am bleeding."
+
+He touched his chin with his left hand and looked at the blood with
+much wonder. It had colored his palm and his fingers abundantly.
+
+"Hold snow on the wound to keep it from swelling," said Yatsek, "and go
+to the sleigh now."
+
+So speaking he took Stanislav by the arm and conducted him to the
+Bukoyemskis, who looked at him silently, somewhat astonished, but also
+confounded. Yatsek roused real respect in them, not only as a master
+with the sabre, but as a man of "lofty manners," such manners precisely
+as they themselves needed.
+
+So after a while this inquiry was made of Stanislav by Mateush,--
+
+"How is it with thee, O Stashko?"
+
+"Well. I might go on foot," was the answer, "but I choose the sleigh,
+the journey will be quicker."
+
+Yatsek sat toward them sidewise, and cried to the driver,--
+
+"To Vyrambki."
+
+"Whither?" asked Stanislav.
+
+"To my house. You will not have much comfort, but it is difficult
+otherwise. At Pan Gideon's you would frighten the women, and Father
+Voynovski is at my house. He dresses wounds to perfection and he will
+care for you. You can send for your horses, and then do what may please
+you. I will ask the priest also to go to Pan Gideon and tell him with
+caution what has happened." Here Yatsek fell to thinking and soon after
+he added,--
+
+"Oho! the trouble has not come yet, but now we shall see it. God knows
+that you, gentlemen, insisted on this duel."
+
+"True! we insisted," said Stanislav. "I will declare that and these
+gentlemen also will testify."
+
+"I will testify, though my shoulder pains terribly," said Marek,
+groaning. "Oi! but you have given us a holiday. May the bullets strike
+you!"
+
+It was not far to Vyrambki. Soon they entered the enclosure, and met
+the priest wading in snow, for he, alarmed about what might happen,
+could not stay in the house any longer, and had set out to meet them.
+
+Yatsek sprang from the sleigh when he saw him. Father Voynovski pushed
+forward quickly to meet him, and saw his friend sound and uninjured.
+
+"Well," cried he, "what has happened?"
+
+"I bring you these gentlemen," said Yatsek.
+
+The face of the old man grew bright for a moment, but became serious
+straightway, when he saw the Bukoyemskis and Stanislav blood-bedaubed.
+
+"All five!" cried he, clasping his hands.
+
+"There are five!"
+
+"An offence against heaven! Gentlemen, how is it with you?" asked he,
+turning to the wounded men.
+
+They touched their caps to him, except Marek, who, since the cutting of
+his shoulder-blade, could move neither his left nor his right hand. He
+merely groaned, saying,--
+
+"He has peppered us well. We cannot deny it."
+
+"That is nothing," said the others.
+
+"We hope in God that it is nothing," answered Father Voynovski. "Come
+to the house now as quickly as possible! I will care for you this
+minute. Move on with the sleigh," said he.
+
+And then he himself followed promptly with Yatsek. But after a while he
+stopped on the roadway. Joy shone, in his face again. He embraced
+Yatsek's neck on a sudden.
+
+"Let me press thee, O Yatsek," cried he. "Thou hast brought in a sleigh
+load of enemies, like so many wheat sheaves."
+
+Yatsek kissed his hand then, and answered,--
+
+"They would have it so, my benefactor."
+
+The priest put his hand on the head of the young man again, as if
+wishing to bless him, but all at once he restrained himself, because
+gladness in this case was not befitting his habit, so he looked more
+severe, and continued,--
+
+"Think not that I praise thee. It was thy luck that they themselves
+wished this, but still, it is a scandal."
+
+They drove into the courtyard. Yatsek sprang to the sleigh so that he
+might, with the driver and the single house-servant, help out the
+wounded men. But they stepped out themselves, except Marek, whose arms
+they supported and soon they were all in Yatsek's dwelling. Straw had
+been spread there already, and even Yatsek's own bed had been covered
+with a white, slightly worn horse skin. At the head a felt roll served
+as pillow. On the table near the window was bread kneaded with
+spider-web, excellent for blood stopping. There were also choice
+balsams which the priest had for healing.
+
+The old man took off his soutane and went to dressing the wounds with
+the skill of a veteran who had seen thousands of wounded men, and who
+from long practice knew how to handle wounds better than many a
+surgeon. His work went on quickly, for, except Marek, the men had
+suffered slightly.
+
+Marek's shoulder-blade needed considerably longer work, but when at
+last it was dressed the priest wiped his bloody hands, and then rested.
+
+"Well," said he, "thanks to the Lord Jesus, it has passed without
+grievous accident. This also is certain, that you feel better,
+gentlemen, all of you."
+
+"One would like a drink!" said Mateush.
+
+"It would not hurt! Give command, Yatsek, to bring water."
+
+Mateush rose up on the straw. "How water?" asked he in a voice of
+emotion.
+
+Marek, who was lying face downward on Yatsek's bed groaning, called out
+quickly,--
+
+"The revered father must wash his hands, of course."
+
+Hereupon Yatsek looked with real despair at the priest, who laughed and
+then added,--
+
+"They are soldiers! Wine is permitted, but in small quantity."
+
+Yatsek drew him by the sleeve to the alcove.
+
+"Benefactor," whispered he, "what can I do? The pantry is empty, and so
+is the cellar. Time after time I must tighten my girdle. What can I
+give them?"
+
+"There is something here, there is something!" said the old man. "When
+leaving home I made arrangements, and brought a little with me. Should
+that not suffice I will get more at the brewery in Yedlina--for myself,
+of course, for myself. Command to give them one glass at the moment to
+calm them after the encounter."
+
+When he heard this Yatsek set to work quickly, and soon the Bukoyemskis
+were comforting one another. Their good feeling for Yatsek increased
+every moment.
+
+"We fought, for that happens to every man," said Mateush, "but right
+away I thought thee a dignified cavalier."
+
+"Not true; it was I who thought so first," put in Lukash.
+
+"Thou think? Hast thou ever been able to think?"
+
+"I think just now that thou art a blockhead, so I am able to
+think,--but my mouth pains me."
+
+Thus they were quarrelling already. But that moment a mounted man
+darkened the window.
+
+"Some one has come!" exclaimed Father Voynovski.
+
+Yatsek went to see who it was, and returned quickly, with troubled
+visage.
+
+"Pan Gideon has sent a man," said he, "with notice that he is waiting
+for us at dinner."
+
+"Let him eat it alone!" replied Yan Bukoyemski.
+
+"What shall we say to him?" inquired Yatsek, looking at Father
+Voynovski.
+
+"Tell him the truth," said the old man--"but better, I will tell it
+myself."
+
+He went out to the messenger.
+
+"Tell Pan Gideon," said he, "that neither Pan Tsyprianovitch nor the
+Bukoyemskis can come, for they have been wounded in a duel to which
+they challenged Pan Tachevski; but do not forget to tell him that they
+are not badly wounded. Now hurry!"
+
+The man rushed away with every foot which his horse had, and the priest
+fell to quieting Yatsek, who was greatly excited. He did not fear to
+meet five men in battle, but he feared greatly Pan Gideon, and still
+more what Panna Anulka would say and would think of him.
+
+"Well, it has happened," continued the priest, "but let them learn at
+the earliest that it was not through thy fault."
+
+"Will you testify, gentlemen?" inquired Yatsek, turning to the wounded
+men.
+
+"Though we are dry, we will testify," answered Mateush.
+
+Still, Yatsek's alarm increased more and more, and soon after, when a
+sleigh with Pan Gideon and Pan Grothus stopped at the porch, the heart
+died in him utterly. He sprang out, however, to greet and bow down to
+the knees of Pan Gideon; but the latter did not even glance at Yatsek,
+just as though he had not seen the man, and with a gloomy stern face he
+strode into the chamber. He inclined to the priest with respect but
+with coldness, for since the day that the old man had reproached him
+from the altar for excessive severity toward peasants, the stubborn old
+noble was unable to forgive him; so now, after that cold salute, he
+turned to the wounded men straightway, and gazed at them a moment.
+
+"Gracious gentlemen," said he, "after what has just happened, I should
+not pass the threshold of this building, be sure of that, did I not
+wish to show how cruelly I am wounded by that wrong which you have
+suffered. See how my hospitality has ended! See how in my house my
+rescuers have been recompensed. But I say this, that whoso has wronged
+you has wronged me, whoso has spilt your blood has done worse than
+spill mine, for the man who challenged you under my roof has insulted
+me--"
+
+Here Mateush interrupted him suddenly,--
+
+"We challenged him, not he us!"
+
+"That is true, gracious benefactor," said Stanislav. "There is no blame
+to this cavalier in all that has happened, but to us, for which we beg
+your grace's pardon submissively."
+
+"It would have been well for the judge to examine the witnesses before
+he passed sentence," said Father Voynovski, with seriousness.
+
+Lukash, too, wished to say something, but since his cheek was cut to
+the gum and his gum to the teeth, the pain was acute when his chin
+moved, so he only put his palm on the plaster which was drying, and
+said with one side of his mouth,--
+
+"May the devils take the sentence and my jaw with it also."
+
+Pan Gideon was confused in some measure by these voices, still, he had
+no thought of yielding. On the contrary, he looked around with stern
+glance, as if wishing in that way to express silent blame for defenders
+of Yatsek.
+
+"It is not for me to offer pardon to my rescuers. No blame touches you,
+gentlemen. On the contrary, I know and understand all this matter, for
+I see that you were insulted on purpose. Indeed, that same jealousy,
+which on a dying horse failed to ride living wolves down, increased
+later on the desire for vengeance. I was not alone in seeing how that
+'cavalier,' whom you defend so magnanimously, gave occasion and did
+everything from the earliest moment of meeting to force you to that
+action. But the fault is mine more than any man's, since I was mild
+with him, and did not tell the man to find for himself at a fair or a
+dram shop more fitting society."
+
+When Yatsek heard this his face grew as pale as linen. As to the
+priest, the blood rose to his forehead.
+
+"He was challenged! What was he to do? Be ashamed of yourself!"
+exclaimed Father Voynovski.
+
+But Pan Gideon looked down at him and answered,--
+
+"Those are worldly questions, in which the laity are as experienced,
+and more so, than the clergy, but I will answer your question, so that
+no one here should accuse me of injustice. 'What was he to do?' As a
+younger to an older man, as a guest to his host, as a man who ate my
+bread so many times when he had none of his own to eat, he should first
+of all have informed me of the question. And I with my dignity of a
+host would have settled it, and not have let matters come to this: that
+my rescuers, and such worthy gentlemen, are lying here in their own
+blood on straw in this hut as in a hog pen."
+
+"You would have thought me a coward!" cried Yatsek, trembling as in a
+fever.
+
+Pan Gideon did not answer a word, and feigned, as he had from the
+first, not to see him. Instead of answering he turned then to
+Stanislav, and continued,--
+
+"I, with Pan Grothus the starosta, will go to your father in Yedlinka
+this instant, to express our condolence. I doubt not that he will
+accept my hospitality, hence I invite you with your comrades here
+present to return to my mansion. I also remind you that you are here by
+chance merely, and that at the moment you are really my guests, to whom
+I wish with all my heart to show gratitude. Your father, Pan
+Tsyprianovitch, cannot visit the man who has wounded you, and under my
+roof you will have greater comfort, and will not die of hunger, which
+might happen very easily in this place."
+
+Stanislav was troubled greatly and delayed for a while to give answer,
+both out of regard for Yatsek, and because that, being a very decent
+young man, he was concerned about propriety; meanwhile his lip and
+chin, which had swollen beneath the plaster, deformed him very
+sensibly.
+
+"We have felt neither hunger nor thirst here," said he, "as has been
+shown already; but in truth we are guests of your grace, and my father,
+not knowing how things have happened, might hesitate to come to us. But
+how am I to appear before those ladies, your grace's relatives, with a
+face which could rouse only abhorrence?"
+
+Then his face twisted, for his lip pained him from long speaking, and
+his features, in fact, were not beautiful at the moment.
+
+"Be not troubled. Those ladies feel disgust, but not toward your
+wounds, after the healing of which your former good-looks will return
+to you. Three sleighs will come here with servants immediately, and in
+my house good beds are waiting. Meanwhile, farewell, since it is time
+for me and Pan Grothus to set out for Yedlinka--With the forehead!"
+
+And he bowed once to the five nobles. To Father Voynovski he bowed
+specially, but he made no inclination whatever to Yatsek. When near the
+door the priest approached him.
+
+"You have too little justice and too little tenderness," said he.
+
+"I acknowledge sins only at confession," retorted Pan Gideon, and he
+passed through the doorway. After him went the starosta, Pan Grothus.
+
+Yatsek had been a whole hour as if tortured. His face changed, and at
+moments he knew not whether to fall at the feet of Pan Gideon with a
+prayer for forgiveness, or spring at his throat and avenge the
+humiliation through which he was passing. But he remembered that he was
+in his own house, that before him was standing the guardian of Panna
+Anulka; hence, as the two men walked out he moved after them, not
+giving an account to himself of his action, but because of custom which
+commanded to conduct guests, and in some kind of blind hope that
+perhaps even at parting the stubborn Pan Gideon would bow to him. But
+this hope failed him also; only Pan Grothus, a kindly man, as was
+evident, and of good wit pressed his hand at the entrance, and
+whispered, "Despair not, his first rage will pass, cavalier, and all
+will arrange itself."
+
+Yatsek did not think thus, and he would have been sure that his case
+was lost utterly had he known that Pan Gideon, though indignant,
+feigned anger far more than he felt it.
+
+Stanislav and the Bukoyemskis were his rescuers, but Yatsek had not
+killed them, and a duel of itself was too common to rouse such
+unmerciful hatred. But Pan Gideon, from the moment that the starosta
+had told him how aged men marry and sometimes have children, looked
+with other eyes upon Panna Anulka. That which perhaps had never
+occurred to him earlier, seemed all at once possible and also alluring.
+At thought of the charms of that maiden, marvellous as a rose, the soul
+warmed in him, and still more powerfully did pride play in the old
+noble. So then, the race of Pangovski might flourish afresh and bloom
+up again; and besides, born from such a patrician as Panna Anulka, not
+only related to all the great houses in the Commonwealth, but herself
+the last sprout of a race from whose wealth rose in greater part the
+Sobieskis, Jolkievskis, Daniloviches, and many others. There was a
+whirl in Pan Gideon's brain at the thought of this, and he felt that
+not only he but the Commonwealth was concerned in Pangovskis of that
+kind. So straightway fear rose in him lest it should happen that the
+lady might love some one else, and give her hand to another man. One
+more important than himself in that region, he had not discovered;
+there were younger men, however. But who? Pan Stanislav? Yes! He was
+young, of good looks, very rich, but noble in the third generation,
+descended from ennobled Armenians. That such a _homo novus_ should
+indeed strive for Panna Anulka could not find place in the head of Pan
+Gideon in any shape. It was laughable to think of the Bukoyemskis,
+though good nobles and claiming kindred with Saint Peter. There
+remained then Tachevski alone, a real "Lazarus," it is true, as poor as
+a church mouse, but from an ancient stock of great knights; from
+Tachevo who had the Kovala escutcheon, one of whom was a real giant,
+and had taken part in the dreadful defeat of the Germans at Tannenberg;
+he had been famous not only in the Commonwealth but at foreign courts
+also. Only a Tachevski could compare with the Sieninskis. Besides, he
+was young, daring, handsome, and melancholy; this last often moves the
+heart in a woman. He was also at home in Belchantska, and seemed a
+friend, nay, a brother to the lady. Hence, Pan Gideon fell now to
+recalling various cases, as, for instance, disputes and poutings among
+the young people, then their reconciliations and friendship, then
+various words and glances, sadness and rejoicing in common, and
+laughter. Things which a short time before he had thought scarcely
+worthy of notice seemed now suspicious. Yes! danger could threaten only
+from that side. The old noble thought, also, that Panna Anulka might,
+in part at least, be the cause of the duel, and he was terrified.
+Hence, to anticipate the danger, he tried to present to the young lady
+in the strongest light possible, all the dishonor of Yatsek's late
+action, and to rouse in her due anger; and then by feigning greater
+rage than he felt, or than the case called for, to burn all the bridges
+between his own mansion and Vyrambki, and, when he had humiliated
+Yatsek without mercy, to close the doors of the house to him forever.
+
+And he was reaching his object. Yatsek walked back from the porch, took
+a seat at the table, thrust his fingers through his hair, supported his
+elbows, and was as silent as if pain had taken speech from him. Father
+Voynovski approached and put his hand on his shoulder.
+
+"Yatsus, suffer what thou must," said he, "but a foot of thine should
+never enter that mansion hereafter."
+
+"It never will," replied Yatsek, in a dull voice.
+
+"But yield not to pain. Remember who thou art."
+
+The young man set his teeth.
+
+"I remember, but for that very reason pain burns me!"
+
+"No one here applauds Pan Gideon for his action," said Stanislav. "It
+is one thing to censure, and another to trample a man's honor."
+
+Hereupon the Bukoyemskis were moving, and Mateush, whom speech troubled
+least, added promptly,--
+
+"Under his roof I will say nothing, but when I recover and meet him on
+the road, or at a neighbor's, I will tell him to kiss a dog's snout
+that same minute."
+
+"O, yei!" said Marek. "To insult such a cavalier! The hour will come
+when that will not be forgiven him."
+
+Meanwhile three sleighs with sofas and three servants, besides drivers,
+appeared to convey the wounded men to Belchantska. Because of regard
+for the expected arrival of Pan Serafin, Yatsek dared not detain them,
+and because also of this: that they were really the guests of Pan
+Gideon. As to the men, they would not have remained after hearing of
+Yatsek's great poverty lest they might burden him. They took farewell
+and gave thanks for his hospitality with a heartiness as great as if
+there had never been a quarrel between them.
+
+But when Stanislav was taking his seat in the last sleigh Yatsek sprang
+forward on a sudden,--
+
+"I will go with you," said he. "I cannot endure to do otherwise! I
+cannot endure! Before Pan Gideon returns I must--for the last time--"
+
+Father Voynovski, since he knew Yatsek, knew that words would be
+useless; still, he drew him aside and began to expostulate,--
+
+"Yatsek! O Yatsek! a woman again. God grant that a still greater wrong
+may not meet thee. O Yatsek, remember the words of Ecclesiastes: 'In a
+thousand I found one man, among all I found not one woman.' Take pity
+on thyself and remember this."
+
+But these words were as peas against a battlement. In a moment Yatsek
+was sitting in the sleigh at the side of Stanislav, and they started.
+
+Meanwhile the east wind had broken the mist and driven it to the
+wilderness; then the bright sun from a blue sky looked at them.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER IV
+
+
+Pan Gideon had not invented when he spoke of the "abhorrence" which at
+his house both women felt for the conqueror. Yatsek convinced himself
+of this from one glance at them. Pani Vinnitski met him with an
+offended face, and snatched her hand away when he wished to kiss it in
+greeting; and the young lady, without compassion for his suffering and
+embarrassment, did not answer his greeting. She was occupied with
+Stanislav, sparing neither tender looks nor anxious questions; she
+pushed her care so far that when he rose from the armchair in the
+dining-room to go to the chamber set apart for the wounded she
+supported him by the arm, and though he opposed and excused himself she
+conducted him to the threshold.
+
+"For thee there is nothing in this house. All is lost!" cried despair
+and also jealousy in Yatsek's heart at sight of this action. Toward him
+that maiden had shown changing humors, and with one kindly word had
+given usually ten that were cold, when not biting, hence his pain was
+the keener, that till then he had not supposed that she could be kind,
+sweet, and angel-like to a man whom she loved really. That Panna Anulka
+loved Stanislav the ill-fated Yatsek had no doubt whatever. He would
+have endured not only such a wound as that given Stanislav, but would
+have shed all his blood with delight, if she would speak even once in
+her life to him with such a voice, and look with such eyes at him as
+she had looked then at Stanislav. Hence, besides pain, an immeasurable
+sorrow now seized him. This sent a torrent of tears toward his
+eyeballs, and if those tears did not gush out and flow down his cheeks,
+they flooded his heart and pervaded his being. Thus did Yatsek feel his
+whole breast fill with tears, and, to give the last blow at this
+juncture, never had Panna Anulka seemed to him so beautiful beyond
+measure as at that moment, with her pale face and her crown of golden
+hair slightly dishevelled from emotion. "She is an angel, but not for
+thee," complained the sorrow within him; "wonderful, but another will
+take her!" And he would have fallen at her feet and confessed all his
+suffering and devotion, but at the same time he felt that just after
+that which had happened it would not be proper to do so, and that if he
+did not control himself and stifle the struggle in his spirit he would
+tell her something quite different from that which he wanted, and sink
+himself utterly in her estimation.
+
+Meanwhile Pani Vinnitski, as an elderly person and one skilled in
+medicine, entered the chamber with Stanislav, while the young lady
+turned back from the threshold. Yatsek, understanding that he must use
+the opportunity approached her.
+
+"I should like a word with you," said he, struggling to control
+himself, and with a trembling voice which, as it were, belonged to
+another.
+
+She looked at him with cold astonishment.
+
+"What do you wish?"
+
+Yatsek's face was lighted with a smile of such pain that it was almost
+like that of a martyr.
+
+"What I wish for myself will not come to me, though I were to give my
+own soul's salvation to get it," said he, shaking his head; "but for
+one thing I beg you: do not accuse me, cherish no offence against me,
+have some compassion, for I am not of wood nor of iron."
+
+"I have no word to say," replied she, "and there is no time for
+talking."
+
+"Ah! there is always some time to say a kind word to the man for whom
+this world is grievous."
+
+"Is it because you have wounded my rescuers?"
+
+"The blame is not mine, as God stands by the innocent! The messenger
+who came for those gentlemen to Vyrambki should have declared what
+Father Voynovski told him to tell here; namely, that I did not
+challenge them. Did you know that they were the challengers?"
+
+"I did. The attendant, being a simple man, did not repeat, it is true,
+every word which the priest sent; he merely cried out that 'the young
+lord of Vyrambki had slashed them to pieces;' then Pan Gideon, on
+returning from Vyrambki, ran in from the road and explained what had
+happened."
+
+Pan Gideon feared lest the news that Yatsek had been challenged might
+reach the young lady from other lips and weaken her anger, hence he
+wished above all to describe the affair in his own way, not delaying to
+add that Yatsek by venomous insults had forced them to challenge him.
+He reckoned on this: that Panna Anulka, taking things woman fashion,
+would be on the side of the men who had suffered most.
+
+Still, it seemed to Yatsek that the beloved eyes looked on him less
+severely, so he repeated the question,--
+
+"Did you know this position?"
+
+"I knew," replied she, "but I remember that which you should not have
+forgotten if you had even a trifling regard for me,--that I owe my life
+to those gentlemen. And I have learnt from my guardian that you forced
+them to challenge you."
+
+"I, not have regard for you? Let God, who looks into men's hearts,
+judge that statement."
+
+All on a sudden her eyes blinked time after time; then she shook her
+head till a tress fell to the opposite shoulder, and she said,--
+
+"Is that true?"
+
+"True, true!" continued he, in a panting and deeply sad voice. "I
+should have let men cut me down, it seems, so as not to annoy you. The
+blood which was dearest to you would not have been shed then. But there
+is no help now for the omission. There is no help now for anything!
+Your guardian told you that I forced those gentlemen to challenge me. I
+leave that too to God's judgment. But did your guardian tell you that
+he himself had insulted me beyond mercy and measure beneath my own roof
+tree? I have come now to you because I knew that I should not find him
+here. I have come to satisfy my unhappy eyes with the last look at you.
+I know that this is all one to you, but I thought that even in that
+case--"
+
+Here Yatsek halted, for tears stopped his utterance. Parma Anulka's
+mouth began also to quiver and to take on more and more the shape of a
+horseshoe, and only haughtiness joined to timidity, the timidity of a
+maiden, struggled in her with emotion. But perhaps she was restrained
+by this also: that she wished to get from Yatsek a still more
+complaining confession, and perhaps because she did not believe that he
+would go from her and never come back again. More than once there had
+been misunderstandings between them, more than once had Pan Gideon
+offended him greatly, and still, after brief exhibitions of anger,
+there had followed silent or spoken explanations and all had gone on
+again in the old way.
+
+"So it will be this time also," thought Panna Anulka.
+
+For her it was sweet to listen to Yatsek and to see that great love
+which, though it dared not express itself in determinate utterance, was
+still beaming from him with a submission which was matched only by its
+mightiness. Hence she yearned to hear him speak with her the longest
+time possible with that wondrous voice, and to lay at her feet for the
+longest time possible that young, loving, pained heart of his.
+
+But he, inexperienced in love matters and blind as are all who love
+really, could not take note of this, and did not know what was
+happening within her. He looked on her silence as hardened
+indifference, and bitterness was gradually drowning his spirit. The
+calmness with which he had spoken at first began now to desert him, his
+eyes took on another light, drops of cold sweat came out on his
+temples: something was tearing and breaking the soul in him. He was
+seized by despair of such kind that when a man lies in the grip of it
+he reckons with nothing, and is ready with his own hands to tear his
+own wounded heart open. He spoke yet as it were calmly, but his voice
+had a new sound, it was firmer, though hoarser.
+
+"Is this the case," asked he, "and is there not one word from thee?"
+
+Panna Anulka shrugged her shoulders in silence.
+
+"The priest told me the truth when he warned that here a still greater
+wrong was in store for me."
+
+"In what have I wronged thee?" asked she, bitterly, pained by the
+sudden change which she saw in him.
+
+But he waded on farther in blindness.
+
+"Had I not seen how thou didst treat this Pan Stanislav, I should think
+that thou hadst no heart in thy bosom. Thou hast a heart, but for him,
+not for me. He glanced at thee, and that was sufficient."
+
+Then Yatsek grasped the hair of his head with both hands on a sudden.
+
+"Would to God that I had cut him to pieces!"
+
+A flame flashed, as it were, through Panna Anulka; her cheeks
+crimsoned, anger blazed in her eyes as well at herself as at Yatsek;
+because a moment before she had been ready for weeping, her heart was
+seized now by indignation, deep and sudden.
+
+"You, sir, have lost your senses!" cried she, raising her head and
+shaking back the tress from her shoulder.
+
+She was on the point of rushing away, but that brought Yatsek to utter
+desperation; he seized her hands and detained her.
+
+"Not thou art to go. I am the person to go," said he, with set teeth.
+"And before going I say this to thee: though for years I have loved
+thee more than health, more than life, and more than my own soul, I
+will never come back to thee. I will gnaw my own hands off in torture,
+but, so help me, God, I will never come back to thee!"
+
+Then, forgetting his worn Hungarian cap on the floor there, he sprang
+to the doorway, and in an instant she saw him through the window,
+hurrying away along the garden by which the road to Vyrambki was
+shorter,--and he vanished.
+
+Panna Anulka stood for a time as if a thunderbolt had struck her. Her
+thoughts had scattered like a flock of birds in every direction; she
+knew not what had happened. But when thoughts returned to her all
+feeling of offence was extinguished, and in her ears were sounding only
+the words: "I loved thee more than health, more than life, more than my
+own soul, but I will never come back to thee!" She felt now that in
+truth he would never come back, just because he had loved her so
+tremendously. Why had she not given him even one kind word for which,
+before anger had swept the man off, he had begged as if for alms, or a
+morsel of bread to give strength on a journey? And now endless grief
+and fear seized her. He had rushed off in pain and in madness. He may
+fall on the road somewhere. He may in despair work on himself something
+evil, and one heartfelt word might have healed and cured everything.
+Let him hear her voice even. He must go, beyond the garden, through the
+meadow to the river. He will hear her there yet before he vanishes.
+
+And rushing from the house she ran to the garden. Deep snow lay on the
+middle path, but his tracks there were evident. She ran in them. She
+sank at times to her knees, and on the road lost her rosary, her
+handkerchief, and her workbag with thread in it, and, panting, she
+reached the garden gate finally.
+
+"Pan Yatsek! Pan Yatsek!" cried she.
+
+But the field beyond the garden was empty. Besides, that same wind
+which had blown the morning haze off, made a great sound among the
+branches of apple and pear trees; her weak voice was lost in that sound
+altogether. Then, not regarding the cold nor her light, indoor
+clothing, she sat on a bench near the gate and fell to crying. Tears as
+large as pearls dropped down her cheeks and she, having nothing else
+now with which to remove them, brushed those tears away with that tress
+on her shoulder.
+
+"He will not come back."
+
+Meanwhile the wind sounded louder and louder, shaking wet snow from the
+dark branches.
+
+When Yatsek rushed into his house like a whirlwind, without cap and
+with dishevelled hair, the priest divined clearly enough what had
+happened.
+
+"I foretold this," said he. "God give thee aid, O my Yatsek; but I ask
+nothing till thou hast come to thy mind and art quiet."
+
+"Ended! All is ended!" said Yatsek.
+
+And he walked up and down in the chamber, like a wild beast in
+confinement.
+
+The priest said no word, interrupted him in nothing, and only after
+long waiting did he rise, put his arms around Yatsek's shoulders, kiss
+his head, and lead him by the hand to an alcove.
+
+The old man knelt before a small crucifix which was hanging over the
+bed there, and when the sufferer had knelt at his side the priest
+prayed as follows:
+
+"O Lord, Thou knowest what pain is, for Thou didst endure it on the
+cross for the offences of mankind.
+
+"Hence I bring my bleeding heart to Thee, and at Thy feet which are
+pierced I implore Thee for mercy.
+
+"I cry not to Thee: 'take this pain from me,' but I cry 'give me
+strength to endure it.'
+
+"For I, O Lord, am a soldier submissive to Thy order, and I desire much
+to serve Thee, and the Commonwealth, my mother-- But how can I do this
+when my heart is faint and my right hand is weakened?
+
+"Because of this make me forget myself and make me think only of Thy
+glory, and the rescue of my mother, for those things are of far greater
+moment than the pain of a pitiful worm, such as I am.
+
+"And strengthen me, O Lord, in my saddle, so that through lofty deeds
+against pagans I may reach a glorious death, and also heaven.
+
+"By Thy crown of thorns, hear me!
+
+"By the wound in Thy side, hear me!
+
+"By Thy hands and feet pierced with nails, hear me!"
+
+Then they knelt for a long time, but at the middle of the prayer it was
+evident that the pain in Yatsek's breast had broken, for on a sudden he
+covered his face with both hands and fell to sobbing. When they had
+risen and gone to the adjoining chamber Father Voynovski sighed deeply.
+
+"My Yatsek," said he, "I saw much of life in my years of a warrior,
+during which sorrow greater than thine met me. I have no thought to
+speak touching this to thee. I will say only that in a time of most
+terrible anguish I composed this very prayer and to it owe deliverance.
+I have repeated it frequently in misfortune since that day, and always
+with solace; we have repeated it now for this reason. And how dost thou
+feel? Art thou not freed in some measure? Pray tell me!"
+
+"I feel pain, but it burns less severely."
+
+"Ah, seest thou! Now drink some wine. I will tell thee, or rather I
+will show thee, something which should give thee comfort. Look!"
+
+And bending his head down he showed beneath his white hair a dreadful
+scar, which passed across his whole crown from one side to the other.
+
+"From that," said he, "I came very near dying. The wound pained me
+awfully, but the scar gives no trouble. In like manner, Yatsek, thy
+wound will cease to pain when a scar takes the place of it. Tell me now
+what has happened to thee."
+
+Yatsek began, but met failure. It was not in his nature to invent, or
+increase, or exaggerate, so now he himself wondered over this: that all
+which had torn him with such torture seemed less cruel in the
+narrative. But Father Voynovski, clearly a man of experience, and
+knowing the world, heard him out to the end, and then added,--
+
+"It is difficult, I understand that, to describe looks or even gestures
+which may be altogether contemptuous and insulting. Often even one
+look, or one wave of the hand, has led men to duels and to bloodshed.
+The main point is this: thou hast told the young lady that thou wilt
+not go back to her. Youth is giddy, and when guided by sadness it
+changes as the moon in the sky does. And love too is like that
+mendacious moon, which when it seems to decrease is just growing and
+swelling toward its fulness. How is it then, hast thou the true wish of
+doing what thy words tell me?"
+
+"So help me, God, I have told my whole wish, and if thou desire I will
+repeat the same in an oath on that cross there."
+
+"And what dost thou think to do?"
+
+"To go into the world."
+
+"I have been hoping for that. I have desired it this long time. I have
+known what detained thee, but go now. When thou hast broken thy fetters
+go into the world. Thou wilt wait for no good thing in this place, no
+good thing has met thee here, or will meet thee here ever. To thee the
+life here has been ruin. It was a happiness that I was near by and
+trained thee in Latin, and in working with thy sword even somewhat;
+without these two kinds of knowledge thou wouldst have dropped down to
+be a peasant. Thank me not, Yatsus, for that was pure devotion on my
+part. I shall be sad here without thee, but I am not in question. Thou
+wilt go into the world. That, as I understand, means that thou wilt
+join the army. That road is the straightest and the most honorable,
+also, especially since war with the pagan is approaching. The pen and
+the chancellery are more certain, men tell us, than promotion from the
+sabre, but they are less fitted for blood such as thine is."
+
+"I have not thought of another service," said Yatsek, "but I shall not
+join the infantry, and I cannot in any way reach the higher banners,
+for I am in terrible poverty--"
+
+"A noble who has Latin on his tongue and a sabre in his fist will make
+his way always," interrupted the priest; "but there is no need of
+talking, thou must have good horses. We must think over this carefully.
+Now I will tell thee something of which I have never yet spoken. I hold
+for thee ten ruddy ducats which thy late mother left with me--and her
+letter, in which she begs not to give thee this money, lest it be spent
+ere the time comes. Only in sudden need may I give it when either
+the ferry or the wagon is awaiting thee--when some dilemma presents
+itself--well, the dilemma is here at this moment! Thou hadst an
+honorable, a holy, and an unhappy mother, for when that woman was dying
+there was great need in her dwelling, and she took from her own mouth
+that which she left with me."
+
+"God give eternal rest to her," said Yatsek. "Let those ten ducats be
+used for masses to benefit her soul, and Vyrambki I will sell even for
+a trifle."
+
+Father Voynovski grew very tender at these words; a tear glistened in
+his eye, and again he put his arms around Yatsek.
+
+"There is honest blood in thee," said he, "but thou art not free to
+reject this gift from thy mother, even for the purpose which thou hast
+mentioned. Masses will not be lacking in her case, be sure of that,
+though in truth she has no great need of them; but to other souls
+suffering in purgatory they will be of service. As to Vyrambki it would
+be better to mortgage it; though a noble has but the smallest estate,
+how differently do people esteem him from one who is landless."
+
+"But I am in a hurry. I should like to go even to-day."
+
+"To-day thou wilt not go, though the sooner the better. I must write
+for thee letters to my comrades and friends. We must talk also with the
+brewers in Yedlina who have money and also good horses, so that no
+armored warrior may have a better outfit. In my house there are some
+old arms and some sabres, not so much ornamented as tested on Swedish
+and Turkish shoulders."
+
+Here the priest looked through the window and said,--
+
+"But the sleigh is waiting, and a traveller should start when his
+sleigh comes."
+
+An expression of pain now shot over the face of the young man; he
+kissed the priest's hand and added,--
+
+"I have one other prayer, my benefactor and father; let me go with you
+now and live in your house till I leave this region. Those roofs are
+visible from this dwelling. They are too near me."
+
+"Of course! I wished to propose this; thou hast taken the words from my
+lips. There is no work for thee here, and I shall be glad from my soul
+to have thee under my roof tree. Be of good cheer, O my Yatsus. The
+world does not end in Belchantska, but stands open widely before thee.
+God alone knows how far thou wilt ride when once thou art on horseback.
+War is awaiting thee! Glory is awaiting thee! and that which pains thee
+to-day will be healed at another time. I see now how the wings are
+growing out at thy shoulders. Fly then, O bird of the Lord, for to that
+wert thou predestined and created."
+
+And joy like a sunray lighted up the honest face of the old man. He
+struck his thigh with his palm, soldier fashion.
+
+"Now take thy cap and we will go."
+
+But small things stand often in the way of important ones, and the
+comic is mixed with the tragic. Yatsek glanced round the room; then he
+gazed with concern at the priest, and repeated,--
+
+"My cap!"
+
+"Well! Thou wilt not go bareheaded--"
+
+"How could I?"
+
+"Where is it?"
+
+"But suppose it remained at Belchantska?"
+
+"There are thy love tricks, old woman! What wilt thou do?"
+
+"What shall I do? I might get a cap from my man, but I could not go in
+the cap of a peasant."
+
+"Thou canst not go in a peasant's cap, but send thy man to
+Belchantska."
+
+"I would not for anything."
+
+The priest was becoming impatient.
+
+"Plague take it! War, glory, the wide world--these are all waiting for
+the man, but his cap is gone!"
+
+"There is an old hat in the bottom of a trunk which my father took from
+a Swedish officer at Tremeshno--"
+
+"Take it, and let us go."
+
+Yatsek vanished and returned a little later wearing the yellow hat of a
+Swedish horseman, which was too large for him. Amused by the sight of
+it, the priest caught at his left side as if seeking his sabre.
+
+"It is well," said he, "that it is not a Turkish turban. But this is a
+real carnival!"
+
+Yatsek smiled in reply, and then added,--
+
+"There are some stones in the buckle; they may be of value."
+
+Then they took seats in the sleigh and moved forward. Immediately
+beyond the enclosure Belchantska and the mansion were as visible
+through leafless alders as something on one's hand. The priest looked
+carefully at Yatsek, who merely drew the big Swedish hat over his eyes
+and did not look, though something besides his Hungarian cap had been
+left in the mansion.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER V
+
+
+"He will not come back! All is lost!" exclaimed Panna Anulka to herself
+at the first moment.
+
+And a marvellous thing! There were five men in that mansion, one of
+whom was young and presentable; and besides Pan Grothus, the starosta,
+Pan Serafin was expected. In a word, rarely had there been so many
+guests at Belchantska. Meanwhile it seemed to the young lady that a
+vacuum had surrounded her suddenly, and that some immense want had come
+with it; that the mansion was empty, the garden empty, and that she
+herself was as much alone as if in an unoccupied steppe land, and that
+she would continue to be thus forever.
+
+Hence her heart was as straitened with merciless sorrow as if she had
+lost one who was nearest of all to her. She felt sure that Yatsek would
+not return, all the more since her guardian had offended him mortally;
+still, she could not imagine how it would be without him, without
+his face, his laughter, his words, his glances. What would happen
+to-morrow, after to-morrow, next week, next month? For what would she
+rise from her bed every morning? Why would she arrange her tresses? For
+whom would she dress and curl her hair? For what was she now to live?
+
+And she had a feeling as if her heart had been a candle which some one
+had quenched by blowing it out on a sudden. There was nothing save
+darkness and a vacuum.
+
+But when she entered the room and saw that Hungarian cap on the floor,
+all those indefinite feelings gave way to an enormous and simple
+yearning for Yatsek. Her heart grew warm in her again, and she began to
+call him by name. Therewith a certain gleam of hope flew through her
+spirit. Raising the cap she pressed it to her bosom unwittingly; then
+she put it in her sleeve and began to think thuswise: "He will not come
+as hitherto daily, but before the return of Pan Grothus and my guardian
+from Yedlinka, he must come for his cap, so I shall see him and say
+that he was unjust and cruel, and that he should not have done what he
+has done."
+
+But she was not sincere with herself, for she wished to say more, to
+find some warm, heartfelt word which would join again the threads newly
+broken between them. If this could happen, if they could meet without
+anger in the church, or at odd times in the houses of neighbors, means
+would be found in the future to turn everything to profit. What methods
+there might be to do this, and what the profit could be, she did not
+stop to consider at the moment, for beyond all she was thinking how to
+see Yatsek at the earliest.
+
+Meanwhile Pani Vinnitski came out of the chamber in which the wounded
+men were then lying, and on seeing the excited face and reddened eyes
+of the young woman she began thus to quiet her.
+
+"Fear not, no harm will come to them. Only one of the Bukoyemskis is
+struck a little seriously, but no harm will happen even to that one.
+The others are injured slightly. Father Voynovski dressed their wounds
+with such skill that there is no need to change anything. The men too
+are cheerful and in perfect spirits."
+
+"Thanks be to God!"
+
+"But has Yatsek gone? What did he want here?"
+
+"He brought the wounded men hither--"
+
+"I know, but who would have expected this of him?"
+
+"They themselves challenged him."
+
+"They do not deny that, but he beat all five of them, one after
+another. One might have thought that a clucking hen could have beaten
+him."
+
+"Aunt does not know the man," answered Panna Anulka, with a certain
+pride in her expression.
+
+But in the voice of Pani Vinnitski there was as much admiration as
+blame; for, born in regions exposed to Tartar inroads at all times, she
+had learned from childhood to count daring and skill at the sabre as
+the highest virtues of manhood. So, when the earliest alarm touching
+the five guests had vanished, she began to look somewhat differently at
+that duel.
+
+"Still," continued she, "I must confess that they are worthy gentlemen,
+for not only do they cherish no hatred against him, but they praise
+him, especially Pan Stanislav. 'That man is a born soldier,' said he.
+And they were angry every man of them at Pan Gideon, who exceeded the
+measure, they say, at Vyrambki."
+
+"But aunt did not receive Yatsek better."
+
+"He got the reception which he merited. But didst thou receive him
+well?"
+
+"I?"
+
+"Yes, thou. I saw how thou didst frown at him."
+
+"My dear aunt--"
+
+Here the girl stopped suddenly, for she felt that unless she did so,
+she would burst into weeping. Because of this conversation Yatsek had
+grown in her eyes. He had fought alone against such trained men, had
+conquered them all, overcome them. He had told her, it is true, that he
+hunted wild boars with a spear, but peasants at the edge of the
+wilderness go against them with clubs, so that amazes no one. But to
+finish five knightly nobles a man must be better and more valiant and
+skilful than they. It seemed to Panna Anulka simply a marvel that a man
+who had such mild and sad eyes could be so terrible in battle. To her
+alone had he yielded; from her alone had he suffered everything; to her
+alone had he been mild and pliant. Why was this? Because he had loved
+her beyond his health, beyond happiness, beyond his own soul's
+salvation. He had confessed that to her an hour earlier. And yearning
+for him rushed like an immense wave to her heart again. Still, she felt
+that something between them had changed, and that if she should see him
+anew, and see him afterward often, she would not permit herself to play
+with him again as she had played up to that day, now casting him into
+the abyss, now cheering him, giving him hope, now thrusting him away,
+now attracting him; she felt that do what she might she would look on
+him with greater respect, and would be more submissive and cautious.
+
+At moments, however, a voice was heard in her saying that he had acted
+too peevishly, that he had uttered words more offensive and bitter than
+she had; but that voice became weaker and weaker, and the wish for
+reconciliation was growing.
+
+"If he would only return before those men came from Yedlinka!"
+
+Meanwhile an hour passed, then two and three hours. Still, there was no
+sign from Yatsek. Next it occurred to her that the hour was too late,
+that he would not come, he would send some one to get the cap. After
+that she determined to send it to Yatsek with a letter, in which she
+would explain what was weighing her heart down. And since his messenger
+might come any moment she, to prepare all things in season, shut
+herself up in her small maiden chamber and went at the letter.
+
+"May God pardon thee for the suffering and sadness in which thou hast
+left me, for if thou couldst see my heart thou wouldst not have done
+what thou hast done. Therefore, I send not only thy cap, but a kind
+word, so that thou shouldst be happy and forget--"
+
+Here she saw that she was not writing her own thoughts at all, or her
+wishes, so, drawing her pen through the words, she fell to writing a
+new letter with more emotion and feeling:
+
+"I send thy cap, for I know that I shall not see thee in this house
+hereafter, and that thou wilt not weep for any one here, least of all
+for such an orphan as I am; but neither shall I weep because of thy
+injustice, though it is sad beyond description--"
+
+But reality showed these words to be false, since sudden tears put
+blots on the paper. How send a proof of this kind, especially if he had
+thrown her out of his heart altogether? After a while it occurred to
+her that it might be better not to write of his injustice, and of his
+peevish procedure, since, if she did, he would be ready for still
+greater stubbornness. Thus thinking, she looked for a third sheet of
+paper, but there was no more in her chamber.
+
+Now she was helpless, for if she borrowed paper of Pani Vinnitski she
+could not avoid questions impossible of answer; then she felt that she
+was losing her head, and that in no case could she write to Yatsek that
+which she wanted to tell him; hence she grew disconsolate and sought,
+as women do usually, solace in suffering; she gave a free course to her
+tears again.
+
+Meanwhile night was in front of the entrance, and sleighbells were
+tinkling--Pan Gideon and his two guests were coming. The servants were
+lighting the candles in every chamber, for the gloom was increasing.
+The young lady brushed aside every tear and entered the drawing-room
+with, a certain timidity; she feared that all would see straightway
+that she had been weeping, and have, God knows what suspicions,--they
+might even torment her with questions. But in the drawing-room there
+were none save Pan Gideon and Pan Grothus. For Pan Serafin she asked
+straightway, wishing to turn attention from her own person.
+
+"He has gone to his son and the Bukoyemskis," said Pan Gideon, "but I
+pacified him on the road by showing that nothing evil had happened."
+
+Then he looked at her carefully, but his face, gloomy at most times,
+and his gray, severe eyes were bright with a sort of exceptional
+kindness. Approaching, he placed his hand on the bright head of the
+maiden.
+
+"There is no need for thee to be troubled," said he. "In a couple of
+days they will be well, every man of them. We need say no more. We owe
+them gratitude, it is true, and hence I was anxious about them, but
+really, they are strangers to us, and of rather lowly condition."
+
+"Lowly condition?" repeated she, as an echo, and merely to say
+something.
+
+"Why, yes, for the Bukoyemskis have nothing whatever, and Pan Stanislav
+is a _homo novus_. For that matter, what are they to me! They will go
+their way, and the same quiet will be in this house as has been here
+hitherto."
+
+Panna Anulka thought to herself that there would be great quiet indeed,
+for there would be only three in the mansion; but she gave no
+expression to that thought.
+
+"I will busy myself with the supper," said she.
+
+"Go, housewife, go!" said Pan Gideon. "Because of thee there is joy in
+the household, and profit--and have a silver service brought on," added
+he, "to show this Pan Serafin that good plate is found not alone among
+newly made noble Armenians."
+
+Panna Anulka hurried to the servants' apartments. She wished before
+supper to finish another affair most important for her, so she summoned
+a serving-lad, and said to him,--
+
+"Listen, Voitushko; run to Vyrambki and tell Pan Tachevski that the
+young lady sends this cap, and bows very much to him. Here is a coin
+for thee, and repeat what thou art to tell him."
+
+"The young lady sends the cap and bows to him."
+
+"Not that she bows, but that she bows very much to him--dost
+understand?"
+
+"I understand."
+
+"Then stir! And take an overcoat, for the frost bites in the
+night-time. Let the dogs go with thee, too--that she bows very much,
+remember. And come back at once--unless Pan Tachevski gives an answer."
+
+Having finished that affair she withdrew to the kitchen to busy herself
+at the supper which was then almost ready since they had been expecting
+guests with Pan Gideon. Then, after she had dressed and arranged her
+hair, she entered the dining-hall.
+
+Pan Sarafin greeted her kindly, for her beauty and youth had pleased
+his heart greatly at Yedlinka. Since he had been put quite at rest
+touching Stanislav, when they were seated at the table he began to
+speak with her joyously, endeavoring, even with jests, to scatter that
+shade of seriousness which he saw on her forehead, and the cause of
+which he attributed specially to the duel.
+
+But for her the supper was not to end without incident, since
+immediately after the second course Voitushko stood at the door of the
+dining-hall and cried out, as he blew his chilled fingers,--
+
+"I beg the young lady's attention. I left the cap, but Pan Tachevski is
+not in Vyrambki, for he drove away with Father Voynovski."
+
+Pan Gideon on hearing these words was astonished; he frowned, and fixed
+his iron eyes on the serving-lad.
+
+"What is this?" asked he. "What cap? Who sent thee to Vyrambki?"
+
+"The young lady," answered the lad with timidity.
+
+"I sent him," said Panna Anulka.
+
+And seeing that all eyes were turned on her she was dreadfully
+embarrassed, but the elusive wit of a woman soon came to her
+assistance.
+
+"Pan Yatsek attended the wounded men hither," said she; "but since
+auntie and I received him with harshness he was angry and flew away
+home without his cap, so I sent the cap after him."
+
+"Indeed, we did not receive him very charmingly," added Pani Vinnitski.
+
+Pan Gideon drew breath and his face took on a less dreadful expression.
+
+"Ye did well," remarked he. "I myself would have sent the cap, for of
+course he has not a second one."
+
+But the honest and clever Pan Serafin took the part of Yatsek.
+
+"My son," said he, "has no feeling against him. He and the other
+gentlemen forced Pan Tachevski to the duel; when it was over he took
+them to his house, dressed their wounds, and entertained them. The
+Bukoyemskis say the same, adding that he is an artist at the sabre,
+who, had he had the wish, might have cut them up in grand fashion. Ha!
+they wanted to teach him a lesson, and themselves found a teacher. If
+it is true that His Grace the King is moving against the Turks, such a
+man as Tachevski will be useful."
+
+Pan Gideon was not glad to hear these words, and added: "Father
+Voynovski taught him those sword tricks."
+
+"I have seen Father Voynovski only once, at a festival," said Pan
+Serafin, "but I heard much of him in my days of campaigning. At the
+festival other priests laughed at him; they said that his house was
+like the ark, that he cares for all beasts just as Noah did. I know,
+however, that his sabre was renowned, and that his virtue is famous. If
+Pan Tachevski has learned sword-practice from him, I should wish my
+son, when he recovers, not to seek friendship elsewhere."
+
+"They say that the Diet will strive at once to strengthen the army,"
+said Pan Gideon, wishing to change the conversation.
+
+"True, all will work at that," said Pan Grothus.
+
+And the conversation continued on the war. But after supper Panna
+Anulka chose the right moment, and, approaching Pan Serafin, raised her
+blue eyes to him.
+
+"You are very kind," said she.
+
+"Why do you say that?" asked Pan Serafin.
+
+"You took the part of Pan Yatsek."
+
+"Whose part?" inquired the old man.
+
+"Pan Tachevski's. His name is Yatsek."
+
+"But you blamed him severely. Why did you blame him?"
+
+"My guardian blamed him still more severely. I confess to you, however,
+that we did not act justly, and I think that some reparation is due
+him."
+
+"He would surely be glad to receive it from your hands," said Pan
+Serafin.
+
+The young lady shook her golden head in sign of disagreement.
+
+"Oh no!" replied she, smiling sadly, "he is angry with us, and
+forever."
+
+Pan Serafin glanced at her with a genuine fatherly kindness.
+
+"Who in the world, charming flower, could be angry forever with you?"
+
+"Oh! Pan Yatsek could--but as to reparation this is the best reparation
+in his case: declare to Pan Yatsek that you feel no offence toward him,
+and that you believe in his innocence. After that my guardian will be
+forced to do him some justice, and justice from us is due to Pan
+Yatsek."
+
+"I see that you have not been so very bitter against him, since you are
+now taking his part with such interest."
+
+"I do so because I feel reproaches of conscience, and I wish no
+injustice to any man, besides, he is alone in the world, and is in
+great, very great, poverty."
+
+"I will tell you," answered Pan Serafin, "that in my own mind I have
+decided as follows: your guardian, as a hospitable neighbor, has
+declared that he will not let me go till my son has recovered; but both
+my son and the Bukoyemskis might go home even to-morrow. Still, before
+I leave here I will visit most surely Pan Yatsek and Father Voynovski,
+not through any kindness, but because I understand that I owe them this
+courtesy. I do not say that I am bad, still, I think that if any one in
+this case is really good you are the person. Do not contradict me!"
+
+She did contradict, for she felt that for her it was not a question
+merely of justice to Yatsek, but of other affairs, of which Pan
+Serafin, who knew not her maiden calculations, could know nothing.
+Her heart, however, rose toward him with gratitude, and when saying
+good-night she kissed his hand, for which Pan Gideon was angry.
+
+"He is only of the second generation; before that his people were
+merchants. Remember who thou art!" said the old noble.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER VI
+
+
+Two days later Yatsek went to Radom with the ten ducats to dress
+himself decently before the journey. Father Voynovski remained at home
+brooding over this problem: "Whence am I to get money enough for the
+equipment of a warrior, for a wagon, for horses, a saddle-horse, and an
+attendant, all of which Yatsek must have if he cares for respect, and
+does not wish men to consider him nobody?"
+
+Especially did it become Yatsek to appear in that form, since he bore a
+great, famous name, though somewhat forgotten in the Commonwealth.
+
+A certain day Father Voynovski sat down at his small table, wrinkled
+his brows till his white hair fell over his forehead, and began then to
+reckon how much would be needed. His "animalia," that is, the dog
+Filus, the tame fox, and a badger, were rolling balls near his feet;
+but he gave them no attention whatever, so tremendously was he occupied
+and troubled, for the "reckoning" refused to come out in any way, and
+failed every moment. It failed not merely in details, but in the main
+principles. The old man rubbed his forehead more and more violently and
+at last he spoke audibly.
+
+"He took ten ducats with him. Very well; of that, beyond doubt, he will
+bring nothing back. Let us count farther: from Kondrat, the brewer,
+five as a loan, from Slonka, three. From Dudu six Prussian thalers and
+a borrowed saddle-horse, to be paid for in barley if there is a
+harvest. Total, eight golden ducats, six thalers, and twenty ducats of
+mine--too little! Even if I should give him the Wallachian as an
+attendant, that would be, counting his own mount, two horses; and for a
+wagon two more are needed--and for Yatsek at least two more. It is
+impossible to go with fewer, for, if one horse should die he must have
+another. And a uniform for his man, and supplies for the wagon, kettles
+and cover and camp chest--tfu! He could only join the dragoons with
+such money."
+
+Then he turned to the animals which were raising a considerable uproar.
+
+"Be quiet, ye traitors, or your hides will be sold to Jew hucksters!"
+
+And again talk began:
+
+"Yatsek is right, he will have to sell Vyrambki. Still, if he does, he
+will have nothing to answer when any one asks him: 'Whence dost thou
+come?' 'Whence?' 'From Wind.' 'Which Wind?' 'Wind in the Field.'
+Immediately every one will slight such a person. It would be better to
+mortgage the place if a man could be found to give money. Pan Gideon
+would be the most suitable person, but Yatsek would not hear of Pan
+Gideon, and I myself would not talk with him on the subject--My God!
+People are mistaken when they say: 'poor as a church mouse!' A man is
+often much poorer. A church mouse has Saint Stephen;[3] he lives in
+comfort, and has his wax at all seasons. O Lord Jesus, who multiplied
+loaves and fishes, multiply these few ruddy ducats, and these few
+thalers, for to thee, O Lord, nothing will be diminished, and Thou wilt
+help the last of the Tachevskis."
+
+Then it occurred to him that the Prussian thalers, since they came from
+a Lutheran country, could rouse only abhorrence in heaven; as to the
+ducats he hesitated whether to put them under Christ's feet for the
+night would he find them there multiplied in the morning? He did not
+feel worthy of a miracle, and even he struck himself a number of times
+on the breast in repentance for his insolent idea. He could not dwell
+on this longer, however, for some one had come to the front of his
+dwelling.
+
+After a while the door opened and a tall, gray haired man entered. He
+had black eyes and a wise, kindly countenance. The man bowed on the
+threshold.
+
+"I am Tsyprianovitch of Yedlinka," said he.
+
+"Yes. I saw you in Prityk, at the festival, but only at a distance, for
+the throng there was great," said the priest, approaching his guest
+with vivaciousness. "I greet you on my lowly threshold with gladness."
+
+"I have come hither with gladness," answered Pan Serafin. "It is an
+important and pleasant duty to salute a knight so renowned, and a
+priest who is so saintly."
+
+Then he kissed the old man on the shoulder and the hand, though the
+priest warded off these acts, saying,--
+
+"Ho, what saintliness! These beasts here may have before God greater
+merit than I have."
+
+But Pan Serafin spoke so sincerely and with such simplicity that he won
+the priest straightway. They began at once, therefore, to speak
+pleasant words which were heartfelt.
+
+"I know your son," said the priest; "he is a cavalier of worth
+and noble manners. In comparison, those Bukoyemskis seem simply
+serving-men. I will say to you that Yatsek Tachevski has conceived such
+a love for Pan Stanislav that he praises him always."
+
+"And my Stashko treats him in like manner. It happens frequently that
+men fight and later on love each other. None of us feel offence toward
+Pan Tachevski, nay, we should like to conclude with him real
+friendship. I have just been at his house in Vyrambki, expecting to
+find him. I wished to invite to Yedlinka you, my benefactor, and Pan
+Tachevski."
+
+"Yatsek is in Radom, but he will return and would be glad, doubtless,
+to serve you-- But have you seen, your grace, how they treated him at
+Pan Gideon's?"
+
+"They have seen that themselves," said Pan Serafin, "and are sorry, not
+Pan Gideon, however, but the women."
+
+"There are few men so stubborn as Pan Gideon, and he incurs a serious
+account before the Lord sometimes for this reason--as for the
+women--God be with them-- Let them go, what is the use in hiding this:
+that one of them caused the duel?"
+
+"I divined that before my son told me. But the cause is innocent."
+
+"They are all innocent-- Do you know what Ecclesiastes says of women?"
+
+Pan Serafin did not know, so the priest took down the Vulgate and read
+an extract from Ecclesiastes.
+
+"What do you think of that?" asked he.
+
+"There are women even of that kind."
+
+"Yatsek is going into the world for no other cause, and I am far from
+dissuading him. On the contrary, I advise him to go."
+
+"Do you? Is he going soon? The war will come only next summer."
+
+"Do you know that to a certainty?"
+
+"I do, for I inquired and I inquired because I cannot keep my own son
+from it."
+
+"No, because he is a noble. Yatsek is going immediately, for, to tell
+the truth, it is painful for him to remain here."
+
+"I understand, I understand everything. Haste is the best cure in such
+a case."
+
+"He will stay only as long as may be needed to mortgage Vyrambki, or
+sell it. It is only a small strip of land. I advise Yatsek not to sell
+but to mortgage. Though he may never come back, he can sign himself
+always as from it, and that is more decent for a man of his name and
+his origin."
+
+"Must he sell or mortgage in every case?"
+
+"He must. The man is poor, quite poor. You know how much it costs to go
+to a war, and he cannot serve in a common dragoon regiment."
+
+Pan Serafin thought a while, and said,--
+
+"My benefactor, perhaps I would take a mortgage on Vyrambki."
+
+Father Voynovski blushed as does a maiden when a young man confesses on
+a sudden that for which she is yearning beyond all things; but the
+blush flew over his face as swiftly as summer lightning through the sky
+of evening; then he looked at Pan Serafin, and asked,--
+
+"Why do you take it?"
+
+Pan Serafin answered with all the sincerity of an honest spirit:
+
+"I want it since I wish, without loss to myself, to render an honorable
+young man a service, for which I shall gain his gratitude. And, Father
+benefactor, I have still another idea. I will send my one son to that
+regiment in which Pan Yatsek is to serve, and I think that my Stashko
+will find in him a good friend and comrade. You know how important a
+comrade is and what a true friend at one's side means in camp where a
+quarrel comes easily, and in war where death comes still more easily.
+God has not, in my case been sparing of fortune, and He has given me
+only one son. Pan Yatsek is brave, sober, a master at the sabre, as has
+been shown--and he is virtuous, for you have reared him. Let him and my
+son be like Orestes and Pylades--that is my reckoning."
+
+Father Voynovski opened his arms to him widely.
+
+"God himself sent you! For Yatsek I answer as I do for myself. He is a
+golden fellow, and his heart is as grateful as wheat land. God sent
+you! My dear boy can now show himself as befits the Tachevski
+escutcheon, and most important of all, he can, after seeing the wide
+world, forget altogether that girl for whom he has thrown away so many
+years, and suffered such anguish."
+
+"Has he loved her then from of old?"
+
+"Well, to tell the truth, he has loved her since childhood. Even now he
+says nothing, he sets his teeth, but he squirms like an eel beneath a
+knife edge. Let him go at the earliest, for nothing could or can come
+from this love of his."
+
+A moment of silence followed, then the old man continued,--
+
+"But we must speak of these matters more accurately. How much can you
+lend on Vyrambki? It is a poor piece of land."
+
+"Even one hundred ducats."
+
+"Fear God, your grace!"
+
+"But why? If Pan Yatsek ever pays me it will be all the same how much I
+lend him. If he does not pay I shall get my own also, for though the
+land about here is poor, that new soil must be good beyond the forest.
+To-day I will take my son and the Bukoyemskis to Yedlinka, and you will
+do us the favor to come as soon as Pan Yatsek returns to you from
+Radom. The money will be ready."
+
+"Your grace came from heaven with your golden heart and your money,"
+said Father Voynovski.
+
+Then he commanded to bring mead which he poured out himself, and they
+drank with much pleasure as men do who have joy at their heart strings.
+With the third glass the priest became serious.
+
+"For the assistance, for the good word, for the honesty, let me pay,"
+said he, "even with good advice."
+
+"I am listening."
+
+"Do not settle your son in Vyrambki. The young lady is beautiful beyond
+every description. She may also be honorable, I say naught against
+that; but she is a Sieninski, not she alone, but Pan Gideon is so proud
+of this that if any man, no matter who, were to ask for her, even
+Yakobus our king's son, he would not seem too high to Pan Gideon. Guard
+your son, do not let him break his young heart on that pride, or wound
+himself mortally like Yatsek. Out of pure and well-wishing friendship
+do I say this, desiring to pay for your kindness with kindness."
+
+Pan Serafin drew his palm across his forehead as he answered,--
+
+"They dropped down on us at Yedlinka as from the clouds because of what
+happened on the journey. I went once to Pan Gideon's on a neighborly
+visit, but he did not return it. Noting his pride and its origin I have
+not sought his acquaintance or friendship. What has come came of
+itself. I will not settle my son in Vyrambki, nor let him be foolish at
+Pan Gideon's mansion. We are not such an ancient nobility as the
+Sieninskis, nor perhaps as Pan Gideon, but our nobility grew out of
+war, out of that which gives pain, as Charnyetski described it. We
+shall be able to preserve our own dignity--my son is not less keen on
+that point than I am. It is hard for a young man to guard against
+Cupid, but I will tell you, my benefactor, what Stashko told me when
+recently at Pan Gideon's. I inquired touching Panna Anulka. 'I would
+rather,' said he, 'not pluck an apple than spring too high after it,
+for if I should not reach the fruit, shame would come of my effort.'"
+
+"Ah! he has a good thought in his head!" exclaimed Father Voynovski.
+
+"He has been thus from his boyhood," added Pan Serafin with a certain
+proud feeling. "He told me also, that when he had learnt what the girl
+had been to Tachevski, and what he had passed through because of her,
+he would not cross the road of so worthy a cavalier. No, my benefactor,
+I do not take a mortgage on Vyrambki to have my son near Pan Gideon's.
+May God guard my Stanislav, and preserve him from evil."
+
+"Amen! I believe you as if an angel were speaking. And now let some
+third man take the girl, even one of the Bukoyemskis, who boast of such
+kinsfolk."
+
+Pan Serafin smiled, drank out his mead, took farewell, and departed.
+
+Father Voynovski went to the church to thank God for that unexpected
+assistance, and then he waited for Yatsek impatiently.
+
+When at last Yatsek came, the old man ran out to the yard and seized
+him by the shoulders.
+
+"Yatsek," exclaimed he, "thou canst give ten ducats for a crupper. Thou
+hast one hundred ducats, as it were, on the table, and Vyrambki remains
+to thee."
+
+Yatsek fixed on Father Voynovski eyes that were sunken from
+sleeplessness and suffering, and asked, with astonishment,--
+
+"What has happened?"
+
+"A really good thing, since it came from the heart of an honest man."
+
+Father Voynovski noted with the greatest consolation that Yatsek in
+spite of his terrible suffering, and all his heart tortures, received,
+as it were, a new spirit on learning of the agreement with Pan Serafin.
+For some days he spoke and thought only of horses, wagons, outfit, and
+servants, so that it seemed as though there was no place for aught else
+in him.
+
+"Here is thy medicine, thy balsam; here are thy remedies," repeated the
+priest to himself; "for if a man entrapped by a woman and never so
+unhappy were going to the army he would have to be careful not to buy a
+horse that had heaves or was spavined; he would have to choose sabres,
+and fit on his armor, try his lance once and a second time, and,
+turning from the woman to more fitting objects, find relief for his
+heart in them."
+
+And he remembered how, when young, he himself had sought in war either
+death or forgetfulness. But since war had not begun yet, death was
+still distant from Yatsek in every case; meantime he was filled with
+his journey, and with questions bound up in it.
+
+There was plenty to do. Pan Serafin and his son came again to the
+priest with whom Yatsek was living. Then all went to the city together
+to draw up the mortgage. There, also, they found a part of Yatsek's
+outfit; the remainder, the experienced and clear-headed priest advised
+to search out in Warsaw or Cracow. This beginning of work took up some
+days, during which young Stanislav, whose slight wound was almost
+healed, gave earnest assistance to Yatsek, with whom he contracted a
+more and more intimate acquaintance and friendship. The old men were
+pleased at this, for both held it extremely important. The honest Pan
+Serafin even began to be sorry that Yatsek was going so promptly, and
+to persuade the priest not to hasten his departure.
+
+"I understand," said he, "I understand well, my benefactor, why you
+wish to send him away at the earliest; but in truth I must tell you
+that I think no ill of that Panna Anulka. It is true that immediately
+after the duel she did not receive Pan Yatsek very nicely, but remember
+that she and Pani Vinnitski were snatched from the jaws of the wolves
+by my son and the Bukoyemskis. What wonder, then, that, at sight of the
+blood and the wounds of those gentlemen, she was seized with an anger,
+which Pan Gideon roused in her purposely, as I know. Pan Gideon is a
+stubborn man, truly; but when I was there the poor girl came to me
+perfectly penitent. 'I see,' said she, 'that we did not act justly, and
+that some reparation is due to Pan Yatsek.' Her eyes became moist
+immediately, and pity seized me, because that face of hers is comely
+beyond measure. Besides, she has an honest soul and despises
+injustice."
+
+"By the dear God! let not Yatsek hear of this; for his heart would rush
+straightway to death again, and barely has he begun to breathe now in
+freedom. He ran away from Pan Gideon's bareheaded; he swore that he
+would never go back to that mansion, and God guard him from doing so.
+Women, your grace, are like will-o'-the-wisps which move at night over
+swamp lands at Yedlinka. If you chase one it flees, if you flee it
+pursues you. That is the way of it!"
+
+"That is a wise statement, which I must drive into Stashko," said Pan
+Serafin.
+
+"Let Yatsek go at the earliest. I have written letters already to
+various acquaintances, and to dignitaries whom I knew before they were
+dignitaries, and to warriors the most famous. In those letters your
+son, too, is recommended as a worthy cavalier; and when his turn comes
+to go he shall have letters also, though he may not need them, since
+Yatsek will prepare the way for him. Let the two serve together."
+
+"From my whole soul I thank you, my benefactor. Yes! let them serve
+together, and may their friendship last till their lives end. You have
+mentioned the regiment of Alexander, the king's son, which is under
+Zbierhovski. That is a splendid regiment,--perhaps the first among the
+hussars,--so I should like Stashko to join it; but he said to me: 'The
+light-horse for six days in the week, and the hussars, as it were, only
+on Sunday.'"
+
+"That is true generally," answered the priest. "Hussars are not sent on
+scouting expeditions, and it is rare also that they go skirmishing, as
+it is not fitting that such men should meet all kinds of faces; but
+when their turn comes, they so press on and trample that others do not
+spill so much blood in six days as they do on their Sunday. But then,
+war, not the warriors, command; hence sometimes it happens that hussars
+perform every-day labor."
+
+"You, my benefactor, know that beyond any man."
+
+Father Voynovski closed his eyes for a moment, as if wishing to recall
+the past more in detail; then he raised them, looked at the mead,
+swallowed one mouthful, then a second, and said,--
+
+"So it was when toward the end of the Swedish war we went to punish
+that traitor, the Elector, for his treaties with Carolus. Pan
+Lyubomirski, the marshal, took fire and sword to the outskirts of
+Berlin. I was then in his own regiment, in which Viktor was lieutenant
+commander. The Brandenburger[4] met us as best he was able, now with
+infantry, now with general militia in which were German nobles; and I
+tell you that at last, on our side, the arms of the hussars and the
+Cossacks of the household seemed almost as if moving on hinges."
+
+"Was it such difficult work then?"
+
+"It was not difficult, for at the mere sight of us muskets and spears
+trembled in the hands of those poor fellows as tree branches tremble
+when the wind blows around them; but there was work daily from morning
+till twilight. Whether a man thrusts his spear into a breast or a back,
+it is labor. Ah! but that was a lovely campaign! for, as people said,
+it was active, and in my life I have never seen so many men's backs and
+so many horse rumps as in that time. Even Luther was weeping in hell,
+for we ravaged one half of Brandenburg thoroughly."
+
+"It is pleasant to remember that treason came to just punishment."
+
+"Of course it is pleasant. The Elector appeared then and begged peace
+of Lyubomirski. I did not see him, but later on soldiers told me that
+the marshal walked along the square with his hands on his hips while
+the Elector tripped after him like a whip-lash. The Elector bowed so
+that he almost touched the ground with his wig, and seized the knees of
+the marshal. Nay! they even said that he kissed him wherever it
+happened; but I give no great faith to that statement, though the
+marshal, who had a haughty heart, loved to bend down the enemy; but he
+was a polite man in every case, and would not permit things of that
+kind."
+
+"God grant that it may happen with the Turks this time as it did then
+with the Elector."
+
+"My experience, though not lofty, is long, and I will say to you
+sincerely that it will go, I think, as well or still better. The
+marshal was a warrior of experience and especially a lucky one, but
+still, we could not compare Lyubomirski with His Grace the King
+reigning actually."
+
+Then they mentioned all the victories of Sobieski and the battles in
+which they themselves had taken part. And so they drank to the health
+of the king, and rejoiced, knowing that with him as a leader the young
+men would see real war; not only that, but, since the war was to be
+against the ancient enemy of the cross, they would win immense glory.
+
+In truth no one knew accurately anything yet about the question. It was
+not known whether the Turkish power would turn first on the
+Commonwealth or the Empire. The question of a treaty with Austria was
+to be raised at the Diet. But in provincial diets and the meetings of
+nobles men spoke of war only. Statesmen who had been in Warsaw, and at
+the court, foretold it with conviction, and besides, the whole people
+had been seized by a feeling that it must come--a feeling almost
+stronger than certainty, and brought out as well by the former deeds of
+the king as by the general desire and the destiny of the nation.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER VII
+
+
+On the road to Radom Father Voynovski had invited Pan Serafin and
+Stanislav to his house for a rest, after which he and Yatsek were to
+visit them at Yedlinka. During this visit three of the Bukoyemskis
+appeared, unexpectedly. Marek, whose shoulder-blade had been cut, could
+not move yet, but Mateush, Lukash, and Yan came to bow down before the
+old man and thank him for his care of them when wounded. Yan had lost a
+little finger, and the older brothers had big scars, one man on his
+cheek, the other on his forehead, but their wounds had then healed and
+they were as healthy as mushrooms.
+
+Two days before they went on a hunt to the forest, smoked out a sleepy
+she-bear, speared her, and took her cub which they brought as a gift to
+Father Voynovski, whose fondness for wild beasts was known by all
+people.
+
+The priest whom they had pleased as "innocent boys" was amused with
+them and the little bear very greatly. He shed tears from laughter when
+the cub seized a glass filled with mead for a guest, and began to roar
+in heaven-piercing notes to rouse proper terror, and thus save the
+booty.
+
+On seeing that no one wished the mead, the bear stood on its hind-legs
+and drank out the cup in man fashion. This roused still greater
+pleasure in the audience. The priest was amused keenly, and added,--
+
+"I will not make this cub my butler or beekeeper."
+
+"Ha!" cried Stanislav, laughing, "the beast was a short time at school
+with the Bukoyemskis, but learned more in one day from them than it
+would all its life in the forest."
+
+"Not true," put in Lukash, "for this beast has by nature such wit that
+it knows what is good without learning. Barely had we brought the cub
+from the forest when it gulped down as much vodka (whiskey) right off
+as if it had drunk the stuff every morning with its mother, and then
+gave a whack on the snout to a dog, as if saying 'This for thee--don't
+sniff at me'--after that it went off and slept soundly."
+
+"Thank you, gentlemen. I will have real pleasure from this bear," said
+the priest, "but I will not make the creature my butler or beekeeper,
+for though knowing drinks well, it would stay too near them."
+
+"Bears can do more than one thing. Father Glominski at Prityk has a
+bear which pumps the organ they say. But some people are scandalized,
+for at times he roars, especially when any one punches him."
+
+"Well, there is no cause for scandal in that," replied Father
+Voynovski; "birds build nests in churches and sing to the glory of God;
+no one is scandalized. Every beast serves God, and the Saviour was born
+in a stable."
+
+"They say, besides," added Mateush, "that the Lord Jesus turned a
+miller into a bear, so maybe there is a human soul in him."
+
+"In that case you killed the miller's wife, and must answer," said Pan
+Serafin. "His Grace the King is very jealous of his bears and does not
+keep foresters to kill them."
+
+When they heard this the three brothers grew anxious, but it was only
+after long thinking that Mateush, who wished to say something in
+self-defence, answered,--
+
+"Pshaw! are we not nobles? The Bukoyemskis are as good as the
+Sobieskis."
+
+But a happy thought came to Lukash, and his face brightened.
+
+"We gave our knightly word," said he, "not to shoot bears, and we shoot
+no bears; we spear them."
+
+"His Grace the King is not thinking of bears at the present," said Yan;
+"and besides, no one will tell him. Let any forester here say a word.
+It is a pity, however, that we boasted in presence of Pan Gideon and
+Pan Grothus, for Pan Grothus has just gone to Warsaw, and as he sees
+the king often, he may mention this accidentally."
+
+"But when did ye see Pan Gideon?" asked the priest.
+
+"Yesterday. He was conducting Pan Grothus; You know, benefactor, the
+inn called Mordovnia? They stopped there to let their beasts rest. Pan
+Gideon asked about many things, and he talked also of Yatsek."
+
+"About me?" inquired Yatsek.
+
+"Yes. 'Is it true,' asked he, 'that Tachevski is going to the army?'
+'True,' we answered.
+
+"'But when?'
+
+"'Soon, we think.'
+
+"Then Pan Gideon said again: 'That is well. Of course he will join the
+infantry?'
+
+"At that we all became angry, and Mateush said. 'Do not say that, your
+grace, for Yatsek is our friend now, and we must be on his side.' And
+as we began to pant, he restrained himself. 'I do not mention this out
+of any ill-will, but I know that Vyrambki is not an estate of the
+crown,'" said he.
+
+"An estate, or not, what is that to him?" cried the priest. "He need
+not trouble his head with it!"
+
+But it was clear that Pan Gideon thought otherwise, and did trouble his
+head about Yatsek; for an hour later the youth who brought in a
+decanter of mead brought a sealed letter also.
+
+"There is a messenger to your grace from Pan Gideon," said he.
+
+Father Voynovski took the letter, broke the seal, opened it, struck the
+paper with the back of his hand, and, approaching the window, began to
+read.
+
+Yatsek grew pale from emotion; he looked at the letter as at a rainbow,
+for he divined that there must be mention of him in it. Thoughts flew
+through his head as swallows fly. "Well," thought he, "the old man is
+penitent; here is his excuse. It must be so and even cannot be
+otherwise. Pan Gideon has no more cause now to be angry than those men
+who suffered in the duel, so his conscience has spoken. He has
+recognized the injustice of his conduct. He understands how grievously
+he injured an innocent person, and he desires to correct the
+injustice."
+
+Yatsek's heart began to beat like a hammer. "Oh! I will go to the war,"
+said he in his soul--"not for me is happiness over there. Though I
+forgive her I cannot forget. But to see once more, before going, that
+beloved Anulka, who is so cruel, to have a good look once again at her,
+to hear her voice anew. O Gracious God, refuse not this blessing!"
+
+And his thoughts flew with still greater swiftness than swallows; but
+before they had stopped flying something took place which no man there
+had expected: on a sudden Father Voynovski crushed the letter in his
+hand and grasped toward his left side as if seeking a sabre. His face
+filled with blood, his neck swelled, and his eyes shot forth lightning.
+He was simply so terrible that Pan Serafin, his son, and the
+Bukoyemskis looked at him with amazement, as if he had been turned into
+some other person through magic.
+
+Deep silence reigned in the chamber.
+
+Meanwhile the priest bent toward the window, as if gazing at some
+object outside it, then he turned away looked first at the walls and
+then at his guests. It was clear that he had been struggling with
+himself and had come to his mind again, for his face had grown pale,
+and the flame was now dim in his eyeballs.
+
+"Gracious gentlemen," said he, "that man is not merely passionate, but
+evil altogether. To say in excitement more than justice permits befalls
+every man, but to continue committing injustice and trampling on those
+who are offended is not the deed of a noble, or a Catholic." Then,
+stooping, he raised the crumpled letter and turned to Tachevski.
+
+"Yatsek, if there is still in thy heart any splinter, take this knife
+and cut it out thoroughly. Read, poor boy, read aloud, it is not for
+thee to be ashamed, but for him who wrote this letter. Let these
+gentlemen learn what kind of man is Pan Gideon."
+
+Yatsek seized the letter with trembling hands, opened it and read:
+
+
+"My very gracious Priest, Pastor, Benefactor, Etc., Etc.,--Having
+learned that Tachevski of Vyrambki, who has frequented my house, is to
+join the army during these days, I, in memory of the bread with which I
+nourished his poverty, and for the services in which sometimes I was
+able to use him, send the man a horse, and a ducat to shoe the beast,
+with the advice not to waste the money on other and needless objects.
+
+"Offering at the same time to you my willing and earnest services, I
+inscribe myself, etc., etc."
+
+
+Yatsek grew so very pale after reading the letter that the men present
+had fears for him, especially the priest who was not sure that that
+pallor might not be the herald of some outburst of madness, for he knew
+how terrible was that young man in his anger, though usually so mild.
+He began therefore at once to restrain him.
+
+"Pan Gideon is old, and has lost one arm," said he quickly, "thou canst
+not challenge him!"
+
+But Yatsek did not burst out, for at the first moment immeasurable and
+painful amazement conquered all other feelings.
+
+"I cannot challenge him," repeated he, as an echo, "but why does he
+continue to trample me?"
+
+Thereupon Pan Serafin rose, took both Yatsek's hands, shook them
+firmly, kissed him on the forehead, and added,--
+
+"Pan Gideon has injured, not thee, but himself, and if thou drop
+revenge every man will wonder all the more at thy noble soul which
+deserves the high blood in thee."
+
+"Those are wise words!" cried the priest, "and thou must deserve them."
+
+Pan Stanislav now embraced Yatsek.
+
+"In truth," said he, "I love thee more and more."
+
+This turn of affairs was not at all pleasing to the Bukoyemskis, who
+had not ceased to grit their teeth from the moment of hearing the
+letter. Following Stanislav they embraced Yatsek also.
+
+"No matter how things are," said Lukash at last, "I should do
+differently in Yatsek's place."
+
+"How?" asked the two brothers with curiosity.
+
+"That is just it. I don't know how, but I should think out something,
+and would not yield my position."
+
+"Since thou knowst not do not talk."
+
+"But ye, do ye know anything?"
+
+"Be quiet!" said the priest. "Be sure I shall not leave the letter
+unanswered. Still, to drop revenge is a Christian and a Catholic
+action."
+
+"Oh but! Even you, father, snatched for a sabre the first moment."
+
+"Because I carried a sabre too long. _Mea Culpa!_ Still, as I have
+said, this fact comes in also. Pan Gideon is old, he has only one arm;
+iron rules are not in place here. And I tell you, gentlemen, that for
+this very reason I am disgusted to the last degree with this raging old
+fellow who makes use of his impunity so unjustly."
+
+"Still, it will be too narrow for him in our neighborhood," said Yan
+Bukoyemski. "Our heads for this: that not a living foot will go under
+that roof of his."
+
+"Meanwhile an answer is needed," said Father Voynovski, "and
+immediately."
+
+For a time yet they considered as to who should write,--Yatsek, at whom
+the letter was aimed, or the priest to whom it was directed. Yatsek
+settled the question by saying,--
+
+"For me that whole house and all people in it are as if dead, and it is
+well for them that in my soul this is settled."
+
+"It is well that the bridges are burnt!" said the priest; as he sought
+pen and paper.
+
+"It is well that the bridges are burnt," repeated Yan Bukoyemski, "but
+it would be better that the mansion rose in smoke! This was our way in
+the Ukraine: when some strange man came in and knew not how to live
+with us, we cut him to pieces and up in smoke went his property."
+
+No one turned attention to these words save Pan Serafin, who waved his
+hands with impatience, and answered,--
+
+"You, gentlemen, came in here from the Ukraine, I, from Lvoff, and Pan
+Gideon from Pomorani; according to your wit Pan Tachevski might count
+us all as intruders; but know this, that the Commonwealth is a great
+mansion occupied by a family of nobles, and a noble is at home in every
+corner."
+
+Silence followed, except that from the alcove came the squeaking of a
+pen and words in an undertone which the priest was dictating to
+himself. Yatsek rested his forehead on his palms and sat motionless for
+some time; all at once he straightened himself, looked at those
+present, and said,--
+
+"There is something in this beyond my understanding."
+
+"We do not understand, either," added Lukash, "but if thou wilt pour
+out more mead we will drink it."
+
+Yatsek poured into the glasses mechanically, following at the same time
+the course of his own thoughts.
+
+"Pan Gideon," said he, "might be offended because the duel began at his
+mansion, though such things happen everywhere; but now he knows that I
+did not challenge, he knows that he offended me under my own roof
+unjustly, he knows that with you I am now in agreement, and that I
+shall not appear at his house again,--still he pursues me, still he is
+trying to trample me."
+
+"True, there is some kind of special animosity in this," said Pan
+Serafin.
+
+"Ha! then there is as you think something in it?"
+
+"In what?" asked the priest, who had come out with a letter now
+written, and heard the last sentence.
+
+"In this special hatred against me."
+
+The priest looked at a shelf on which among other books was the Holy
+Bible, and said,--
+
+"That which I will say to thee now I said long ago: there is a woman in
+it." Here he turned to those present. "Have I repeated to you,
+gentlemen, what Ecclesiastes says about woman?"
+
+But he could not finish, for Yatsek sprang up as if burnt by living
+fire. He thrust his fingers through his hair and almost screamed, for
+immense pain had seized him.
+
+"Still more do I fail to understand; for if any one in the world--if to
+any one in the world--if there be any one of such kind--then with my
+whole soul--"
+
+But he could not say a word more, for the pain in his heart had gripped
+his throat as if in a vice of iron, and rose to his eyes as two bitter,
+burning tears, which flowed down his cheeks. The priest understood him
+then perfectly.
+
+"My Yatsek," advised he, "better burn out the wound, even with awful
+pain than let it fester. For this reason I do not spare thee. I, in my
+time, was a soldier of this world, and understand many things. I know
+that regret and remembrance, no matter how far a man travels, drag like
+dogs after him, and howl in the night-time. They give him no chance to
+sleep because of this howling. What must he do then? Kill those dogs
+straightway. Thou at this moment feelest that thou wouldst have given
+all thy blood over there; for which reason it seems to thee so
+marvellous and terrible that from that side alone vengeance pursues
+thee. The thing seems to thee impossible; but it is possible--for if
+thou hast wounded the pride and self-love of a woman, if she thought
+that thou wouldst whine and thou hast not whined when she beat thee,
+and thou didst not fawn in her presence, but hast tugged at thy chain
+and hast broken it, know that she will never and never forgive thee,
+and her hatred, more raging than that of any man living, will always
+pursue thee. Against this there is only one refuge: crush the love,
+even on thy own heart, and hurl it, like a broken bow, far from
+thee--that is thy one refuge!"
+
+Again there was a moment of silence. Pan Serafin nodded, confirming the
+priest, and, as a man of experience, he admired all the wisdom of his
+statement.
+
+"It is true," added Yatsek, "that I have tugged at the chain, and have
+broken it. So it is not Pan Gideon who pursues me!"
+
+"I know what I should do," said Lukash, on a sudden.
+
+"Tell, do not hide!" cried the other two.
+
+"Do ye know what the hare said?"
+
+"What hare? Art thou drunk?"
+
+"Why that hare at the boundary ridge."
+
+And, evidently encouraged, he stood up, put his hand on his hip and
+began to sing:
+
+
+                 "A hare was just sitting for pleasure,
+                  Just sitting at the boundary ridge.
+             But the hunters did not see him,
+                  Did not know
+                  That he was sitting lamenting
+                  And making his will
+                  At the boundary ridge."
+
+
+Here he turned to his brothers and asked them,--
+
+"Do ye know the will made by that hare at the boundary ridge?"
+
+"We know, but it is pleasant to hear it repeated."
+
+"Then listen.
+
+
+                 "Kiss me all ye horsemen and hunters,
+                  Kiss me at the boundary ridge.
+
+
+"This is what I would write to all at Belchantska if I were in Yatsek's
+position; and if he does not write it, may the first Janissary
+disembowel me if I do not write it in my own name and yours to Pan
+Gideon."
+
+"Oh, as God is dear to me, that is a capital idea!" cried Yan, much
+delighted.
+
+"It is to the point and full of fancy!"
+
+"Let Yatsek write that!"
+
+"No," said the priest, made impatient by the talk of the brothers. "I
+am writing, not Yatsek, and it would not become me to take your words."
+Here he turned to Pan Serafin and Stanislav and Yatsek. "The task was
+difficult, for I had to twist the horns of his malice and not abandon
+politeness, and also to show him that we understood whence the sting
+came. Listen, therefore, and if any one of you gentlemen has made a
+nice judgment I beg you to criticise this letter." And he began,--
+
+"Great mighty benefactor, and to me very dear Sir and Brother."
+
+Here he struck the letter with the back of his hand, and said,--
+
+"You will observe, gentlemen, that I do not call him 'my very
+gracious,' but 'my very dear.'"
+
+"He will have enough!" said Pan Serafin, "read on, my benefactor."
+
+"Then listen: 'It is known to all citizens of our Commonwealth that
+only those people know how to observe due politeness in every position
+who have lived from youth upward among polite people, or who, coming of
+great blood, have brought politeness into the world with them. Neither
+the one nor the other has come to your grace as a portion, while on the
+contrary the Mighty Lord Pan Yatsek Tachevski inherited from renowned
+ancestors both blood and a lordly spirit. He forgives you your peasant
+expressions and sends back your peasant gifts. Rustics keep inns in
+cities and also eating-houses on country roads for the entertainment of
+people. If you will send to the great Lord Pan Yatsek Tachevski the
+bill for such entertainment as he received at your house he will pay
+it, and add such gratuity as seems proper to his generous nature.'"
+
+"Oh, as God is dear to me!" exclaimed Pan Serafin, "Pan Gideon will
+have a rush of blood!"
+
+"Ha! it was necessary to bring down his pride, and at the same time to
+burn the bridges. Yatsek himself wanted that-- Now listen to what I
+write from myself to him: 'I have inclined Pan Tachevski to see that
+though the bow is yours, the poisoned arrow with which you wished to
+strike that worthy young gentleman was not in your own quiver. Since
+reason in men, and strength in their bones, weaken with years, and
+senile old age yields easily to suggestions from others, it deserves
+more indulgence. With this I end, adding as a priest and a servant of
+God, this: that the greater the age, the nearer life's end, the less
+should a man be a servant of hatred and haughtiness. On the contrary,
+he should think all the more of the salvation of his soul, a thing
+which I wish your grace. Amen. Herewith remaining, etc. I subscribe
+myself, etc.'"
+
+"All is written out accurately," said Pan Serafin; "nothing to be
+added, nothing taken away."
+
+"Ha!" said the priest, "do you think that he gets what he deserves?"
+
+"Oi! certain words burnt me."
+
+"And me," added Lukash. "It is sure that when a man hears such speeches
+he wants to drink, just as on a hot day."
+
+"Yatsek, attend to those gentlemen. I will seal the letter and send it
+away."
+
+So saying he took the ring from his finger and went to the alcove. But
+while sealing the letter some other thought came to his head, as it
+happened, for when he returned, he said,--
+
+"It is done. The affair is over. But do you not think it too cutting?
+The man is old, it may cost him his health. Wounds given by the pen are
+no less effective than those by the sword or the bullet."
+
+"True! true!" said Yatsek, and he gritted his teeth.
+
+But just this exclamation of pain decided the matter. Pan Serafin
+added,--
+
+"My revered benefactor, your scruples are honorable, but Pan Gideon had
+no scruples whatever; his letter struck straight at the heart, while
+yours strikes only at malice and pride. I think, therefore, that it
+ought to be sent."
+
+And the letter was sent. After that still more hurried preparations
+were made for Yatsek's departure.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER VIII
+
+
+But Tachevski's friends did not foresee that the priest's letter would
+be in a certain sense useful to Pan Gideon, and serve his home policy.
+He did not indeed receive it without anger. Yatsek, who so far had been
+merely an obstacle, became thenceforth, though not the author of the
+letter, an object of hatred. That hatred in the stubborn old heart of
+Pan Gideon bloomed like a poison flower, but his ingenious mind
+determined to use the priest's letter. In view of this he restrained
+his fierce rage, his face assumed a look of contemptuous pity, and he
+went with the answer to Anulka.
+
+"Thou hast paid toll, and art assaulted for doing so," said he. "I did
+not wish this, for I am a man of experience, and I know people; but
+when thou didst clasp thy hands and say that injustice had been done,
+that I had exceeded in sternness, and thou hadst been too severe to
+him, that he ought not to leave us in anger, I yielded. I sent him
+assistance in money. I sent him a horse. I wrote him a nice letter
+also. I thought he would come and bow down, give us thanks, take
+farewell as became a man who had spent so much time in this mansion;
+but see what he has sent me in answer!"
+
+At these words he drew the priest's letter from his girdle and gave it
+to the young lady. She began to read, and soon her dark brows met in
+anger, but when she reached the place where the priest declared that
+Pan Gideon wished to humiliate Yatsek, thanks to the suggestions of
+another, her hands trembled, her face became scarlet, then grew as pale
+as linen, and remained pale.
+
+Though Pan Gideon saw all this he feigned not to see it.
+
+"May God forgive them for what they attribute to me," said he, after a
+moment of silence. "He alone knows whether my ancestors are much below
+the Tachevskis, of whose greatness more fables than truth are related.
+What I cannot forgive is this: that they pay thee, my poor dear, for
+thy kindness of an angel, with such ingratitude."
+
+"It was not Pan Yatsek who wrote this, but Father Voynovski," answered
+Anulka, seizing, as it were, the last plank of salvation.
+
+The old noble sighed.
+
+"Dost thou believe, girl," inquired he, "that I love thee?"
+
+"I believe," answered she, bending and kissing his hand.
+
+"Though thou believe," said he, stroking her bright head with great
+tenderness, "thou knowest not clearly that thou art my whole
+consolation. Rarely do I permit myself words such as these, and rarely
+do I tell that which my heart feels, since former suffering is
+concealed in it. But thou shouldst understand that I have only thee in
+the world. I would increase hourly, not thy disappointment, pain, and
+trouble, but thy joy and happiness. I do not ask what began to bud in
+thy heart, but I will say this to thee: whether that was, as I think, a
+pure, sisterly feeling, or something more, that young man was unworthy.
+He has heaped on us ingratitude in return for our sincere friendship.
+My Anulka, thou wouldst deceive thyself wert thou to think that the
+priest wrote this letter without Yatsek's knowledge. They wrote it
+together and knowest why they replied with such insolence? As I have
+heard, Tachevski got money from that Armenian in Yedlinka. That is what
+he needs, and now since he has it he cares for naught else, and for no
+one any longer. This is the truth, and in thy soul thou must
+acknowledge that to think otherwise would be willing self-deception."
+
+"I see," answered Anulka.
+
+Pan Gideon meditated awhile as if he were dwelling on something.
+
+"People say," added he finally, "that it is a vice of old people to
+praise past times and lay blame on the present. But no, this is not a
+vice. The world is growing worse, people are becoming worse. In my day
+no man would have acted as has Tachevski. Dost thou know the first
+cause of this? That night on the tree, which exposed this lord cavalier
+to the ridicule of people. To hurry, as it were, to help some one and
+then climb a tree out of terror, may happen, but in such a case it is
+better not to boast of it, for the thing is ridiculous, ridiculous! I
+do not hold up the Bukoyemskis or Pan Stanislav as heroes: they are
+drunkards, road-blockers, gamblers--I know them! Our lives were less in
+their minds than were wolf skins. But there is lurking in this Yatsek
+such envy that he could not forgive them that chance aid which they
+gave us. Out of that rose the duel. May God punish me if I had not
+reason to be angry. Ha, they made friends after the duel, for it is
+clear that our cavalier understood that he could get money from Pan
+Serafin, so he preferred to turn his malice against this mansion.
+Pride, animosity, ingratitude, and greed, those are the things which he
+has manifested, and nothing better. He has injured me. Never mind. God
+forgive him! But why should he attack thee, my dear flower? A neighbor
+for long years, a guest for long years--daily visits. A gypsy in such a
+position would become faithful; a swallow grows used to its roof; a
+stork returns to its nest; but he spat on our house as soon as he felt
+in his purse the coin of the Armenian. No! No! No man in my day would
+have acted in that style."
+
+Anulka listened with her palms on her temples, and with eyes looking
+out before her in fixedness, so Pan Gideon stopped and looked at her
+once, and a second time.
+
+"Why dost thou forget thyself?" asked he.
+
+"I have not forgotten myself, but I am so sad that words have deserted
+me."
+
+And not finding words she found tears.
+
+Pan Gideon let her cry till she had finished.
+
+"It is better," said he at last, "to let that sadness pass off with
+tears than let it stay in the heart and be petrified. Ah, it is hard!
+Let him go, let him clink other men's coin, let him touch the mud with
+his saddle-cloth, let him strut as a lord, and court Warsaw harlots.
+But we will remain here, my girl. That is no great delight, it is true,
+but still it is a delight, if thou remember that no one in this house
+will deceive thee, no one here will offend thee, no one will break thy
+heart; that here thou wilt be always as an eye in the head of each
+person, that thy happiness will be the first question always, and also
+the last question of my life. Come--"
+
+He stretched his arms toward her, and she fell on his breast with
+emotion and gratitude, as she would on the breast of a father who was
+comforting her in a moment of suffering.
+
+Pan Gideon fell to stroking her bright head with the one hand that
+remained to him, and long did they sit there in silence. Meanwhile it
+was growing dark, the frosty window-panes glittered in the moonlight,
+and dogs made themselves heard here and there with prolonged barking.
+
+The warmth of the maiden's body penetrated to the heart of Pan Gideon
+which began to beat with more vigor, and since he feared to make a
+declaration too early, he would not expose himself then to temptation.
+
+"Stand up, child," said he. "Thou wilt not weep now?"
+
+"I will not," answered she, kissing his hand.
+
+"Seest thou! Ah, this is it! Remember always the place where thou hast
+a sure refuge, and where it will be calm for thee, and pleasant. Every
+young man is glad to race over the world like a tempest, but for me
+thou art the only one. Fix this well in mind. More than once, perhaps,
+hast thou thought, 'My guardian seems a savage wolf; he is glad to find
+some one to shout at, and he has no understanding of my young ideas;'
+but knowest thou of what this guardian has thought and is thinking at
+present? Often of his past happiness, often of that pain, which like an
+arrow is fixed in his heart--that is true, but besides that only of
+thee and thy future, only of this: to secure every good thing for thee.
+Pan Grothus and I talked whole hours of this. He laughed because, as he
+said, one thought alone remained with me. My one point was to secure to
+thee after my death even a sufficient and quiet morsel."
+
+"May God not grant me to wait for that!" cried she, bending again to
+the hand of Pan Gideon.
+
+And in her voice there was such sincerity that the stern face of the
+old noble was radiant with genuine joy for the moment.
+
+"Dost thou love me a little?"
+
+"Oh, guardian!"
+
+"God reward thee, child. My age is not yet so advanced, and my body,
+save for the wounds in my heart and my person, would be sufficiently
+stalwart. But as men say, death is ever sitting 'at the gate, and
+knocks at the door whensoever it pleases. Were it to knock here thou
+wouldst be alone in the world with Pani Vinnitski. Pan Grothus is a
+good man and wealthy; he would respect my testament and wishes at all
+times, but as to other relatives of my late wife--who knows what they
+would do? And this estate and this mansion I got with my wife. Her
+relatives might wish to resist, and raise lawsuits. There is need to
+have foresight in all things. Pan Grothus gave advice touching this
+case--true, it is effective--but strange, and therefore I will not
+speak to thee yet of it. I should like to see His Grace the King--to
+leave thee and my will to his guardianship, but the king is occupied
+now with the coming war and the Diet. Pan Grothus says that if there is
+war the troops will move first under the hetmans, and the king will
+join them at Cracow--perhaps then--perhaps we shall go together. But
+whatever happens, know this, my child; all that I have will be thine,
+though I should have to follow at last the advice of Pan Grothus.
+Yes!--even for one hour before death! Yes, so help me, God. For I am
+not a wind in the field, not a harebrain, not a purse emptier, not a
+Tachevski."
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER IX
+
+
+Panna Anulka returned to her room filled with gratitude toward her
+guardian, who up to that hour had never spoken to her with such
+kindness; and at the same time she was disenchanted, embittered, and
+disgusted with the world and with people. In the first moment she could
+not and knew not how to think calmly; she had only the feeling that a
+grievous wrong had been done her, a great injustice, and that an
+awfully keen disappointment had struck her.
+
+For her love, for her sorrow, for her yearning, for all that she had
+done to bind the broken threads together, her only reward was a hateful
+suspicion. And there was no remedy. She could not, of course, write to
+Yatsek a second time, to justify herself and explain the position. A
+blush of shame and humiliation covered her face at the mere thought of
+this. Besides, she was almost sure that Yatsek had gone. And next would
+come war; perhaps she would never behold him in life again; perhaps he
+would fall and die with the conviction that a perverse and wicked heart
+was in her bosom. All at once boundless sorrow seized her. Yatsek stood
+before her eyes as if living, with his embrowned face and those pensive
+eyes which more than once she had laughed at, as being the eyes of a
+maiden.
+
+The girl's thought flies like a swift swallow after the traveller, and
+calls to him: "Yatsek! I wish thee no evil! God sees my heart, Yatsek."
+Thus does she call to him, but he makes no answer; he rides on straight
+ahead. What does he think of her? He only frowns and spits from disgust
+as he travels.
+
+Again there are pearls on her eyelids. A certain weakness has come on
+her, a moment of resignation in which she says to herself: "Ah, this is
+difficult! May God forgive him, and go with him, and never mind me!"
+
+But her lips quiver like those of a child, her eyes look like those of
+a tortured bird, and somewhere off in a hidden corner of her soul,
+which is as pure as a tear, she blames God in the deepest secret for
+that which has met her.
+
+Then again she felt certain that Yatsek had never loved her, and she
+could not understand why he had not loved her, even a little.
+
+"My guardian spoke truly," said she.
+
+But later on came reflection.
+
+"No, that could not be."
+
+Immediately she recalled those words of Yatsek, which were fixed in her
+memory as in marble. "Not thou art to go, I am the person to go; but I
+say to thee: though for years I have loved thee more than health, more
+than life, more than my own soul, I will never come back to thee. I
+will gnaw my own hands off in torture, but, so help me, God, I will
+never come back to thee." And he was pale as a wall when he said this,
+and almost mad from pain and from anger. He had not come back, that was
+true! He had appeared no more, he had left her, he had renounced her,
+he had abandoned her, he had wronged her; with an unworthy suspicion he
+and the priest had composed the dreadful letter--all that was true, and
+her guardian was right in that. But that Yatsek had never loved her,
+that after he had found money he had departed with a light and joyful
+heart, that he thought of paying court to others, that he had ceased
+altogether to think of her,--this was incredible. Her guardian might
+think so in his carefulness, but the truth was quite different. He who
+has no love does not grow pale, does not set his teeth, does not gnaw
+his fists, does not rend his soul in anguish. Such being the case, the
+young lady thought the difference was only this, that instead of one
+two were now suffering, hence a certain consolation, and even a certain
+hope, entered her. The days and months which were to come seemed
+gloomier, it may be, but not so bitter. The words of the letter ceased
+to burn her like red-hot iron, for though she doubted not that Yatsek
+had assisted in the writing, it is one thing to act through sorrow and
+pain, and another through deliberate malice.
+
+So again great compassion for Yatsek took hold of her; so great was it,
+and especially so ardent, that it could not be simply compassion. Her
+thoughts began to weave, and turn into a certain golden thread, which
+was lost in the future, but which at the same time cast on her the
+glitter of a wedding.
+
+The war would soon end and also the separation. That cruel Yatsek would
+not return to Belchantska. Oh, no! a man so resolute as he when once he
+says a thing will adhere to it; but he will come back to those parts,
+and return to Vyrambki; he will live near by, and then that will happen
+which God wishes. He went away it may be with tears, it may be with
+pain, with wringing of hands--God comfort him! He will come home with a
+full heart, and with joy, and, especially after war, with great glory.
+
+Meanwhile she will be there quietly in Belchantska, where her guardian
+is so kind; she will explain to that guardian that Yatsek is not so bad
+as other young men--and farther on moved that golden thread which began
+to wind round her heart again.
+
+The goldfinch, in the Dantsic clock of the drawing-room, whistled out a
+late hour, but sleep flew from the young lady altogether.
+
+Lying now in her bed she fixed her clear eyes on the ceiling and
+considered what disposition to make of her troubles and sorrows. If
+Yatsek had gone it was only because he was running away from her, for
+according to what she had heard war was still far from them. Her
+guardian had not mentioned that young Stanislav and the Bukoyemskis
+were to go away also; it was proper to come to an understanding with
+them and learn something of Yatsek, and say some kind word which might
+reach him through them, even in distant camps, and in war time.
+
+She had not much hope that those gentlemen would come to Pan Gideon's,
+for it was known to her that they had gone over to Yatsek, and that for
+a certain time they had been looking with disfavor on Pan Gideon; but
+she relied on another thing.
+
+In some days there would be a festival of the Most Holy Lady; a great
+festival at the parish church of Prityk, where all the neighboring
+nobles assembled with their families. She would see Pan Stanislav and
+the Bukoyemskis, if not in front of the church then at dinner in the
+priest's house. On that day the priest received every one.
+
+She hoped too that in the throng she would be able to speak with them
+freely, and that she would not meet any hindrance from her guardian
+who, though not very kind toward those gentlemen recently, could not
+break with them in view of the service which they had shown him.
+
+To Prityk from Belchantska the road was rather long, and Pan Gideon,
+who did not like hurry, passed the night at Radom, or at Yedlina, if he
+chose the road through the latter place.
+
+This time because of the overflow they took the safer though longer
+road through Radom, and started one day before the festival--on wheels,
+not on runners, for winter had broken on a sudden, and thoroughly.
+After them moved two heavily laden wagons with servants, provisions, a
+bed and sofas for decent living at inns where they halted.
+
+The stars were still twinkling, and the sky had barely begun to grow
+pale in the east when they started. Pani Vinnitski led morning prayers
+in the dark. Pan Gideon and the young lady joined her with very drowsy
+voices, for the evening before they had gone to bed late because of
+preparations for the journey. Only beyond the village and the small
+forest, in which thousands of crows found their night rest, did the
+ruddy light shine on the equally ruddy face and drowsy eyes of the
+young lady. Her lips were fixed ready for yawning, but when the first
+sun-ray lighted the fields and the forest she shook herself out of the
+drowsiness and looked around with more sprightliness, for the clear
+morning filled her with a certain good hope, and a species of gladness.
+The calm, warm, coming day promised to be really wonderful. In the air
+appeared, as it were, the first note of early spring. After
+unparalleled snows and frosts came warm sunny days all at once, to the
+astonishment of people. Men had said that from the New Year it seemed
+as if some power had cut off the winter as it were with a knife-blade,
+and herdsmen foretold by the lowing of cattle, then restive in the
+stables, that the winter would not come back again. In fact, spring
+itself was then present. In furrows, in the forest, at the north side
+of woods and along streams, strips of snow still existed; but the sun
+was warming them from above, and from beneath were flowing out streams
+and currents, making in places broad overflows in which were reflected
+wet leafless trees, as in mirrors. The damp ridges of fields gleamed
+like belts of gold in the sun-rays. At times a strong wind rose, but so
+filled with gladsome warmth as if it came from out the sun's body
+directly, and flying over the fields wrinkled the waters, throwing down
+with its movement thousands of pearls from the slender dark twigs of
+the tree branches.
+
+Because of the thaws and road "stickiness," and also because of the
+weighty carriage which was drawn by six horses with no little effort,
+they moved very slowly. As the sun rose more and more the air grew so
+warm that Panna Sieninski untied the ribbons of her hood, which dropped
+to the back of her head, and unbuttoned her weasel-skin shuba.
+
+"Are you so warm?" inquired Pani Vinnitski.
+
+"Spring, Auntie! real spring!" was the answer.
+
+And she was so charming with her bright and somewhat dishevelled head
+pushed out from her hood, with laughing eyes and rosy face, that the
+stern eyes of Pan Gideon grew mild as he glanced at her. For a while he
+seemed as if looking at her then for the first time, and spoke as if
+half to himself,--
+
+"As God lives thou art at thy best also!"
+
+She smiled at him in answer.
+
+"Oh, how slowly we are moving," said she after a while. "The road is
+awful! Is it not true that on a long road one should wait till it dries
+somewhat?"
+
+Pan Gideon's face became serious, and he looked out of the carriage
+without giving an answer.
+
+"Yedlina!" said he, soon after.
+
+"Then perhaps one may go to the church?" inquired Pani Vinnitski.
+
+"We will not, first because the church is sure to be closed, for the
+priest has gone to Prityk, and second, because he has offended me
+greatly, and I will hide my hand if he approaches." Then he added: "I
+ask you, and thee also, Anulka, not to converse with him in any way."
+
+A moment of silence succeeded. Suddenly the tramping of horses was
+heard behind the carriage, and the sounds made as the beasts pulled
+their feet out of the mud; these resembled the firing of muskets,--then
+piercing words were heard on both sides of the carriage.
+
+"With the forehead! with the forehead!"
+
+That was from the Bukoyemskis.
+
+"With the forehead!" answered Pan Gideon.
+
+"Is your grace for Prityk?"
+
+"I go every year. I suppose your lordships are going also to the
+festival?"
+
+"You may lay a wager on that," replied Marek. "One must be purified
+from sin before war comes."
+
+"But is it not early yet?"
+
+"Why should it be too early?" asked Lukash. "All that has been sinned
+up to the moment will fall from one's shoulders, since that is the use
+of absolution; and as to sins incurred later, the priest absolves from
+those in presence of the enemy, _in partikulo mortis_."
+
+"You wish to say _in articulo_" corrected Pan Gideon.
+
+"All the same, if only repentance is real."
+
+"How do you understand repentance?" inquired the amused Pan Gideon.
+
+"How do I understand repentance? Father Vior, the last time, commanded
+that we give ourselves thirty stripes in discipline, and we gave fifty;
+for we thought: Well, since this pleases the Heavenly Powers, let them
+have all they want of it."
+
+At this even the serious Pani Vinnitski laughed and Panna Anulka hid
+her face in her sleeve as if warming her nose there.
+
+Lukash noticed, as did his brothers, that their answer had roused
+laughter, hence they were somewhat offended and silent; so for a time
+were heard only the rattling of chains on the carriage, the snorting of
+horses, the sound of mud under hoofs, and the croaking of crows.
+Immense flocks of these birds were sailing away in the sunlight from
+small places and villages to the pine woods.
+
+"Ah! they feel this very minute that there will be food even to wade
+in," said the youngest Bukoyemski, turning his eyes toward the crows.
+
+"Yes, war is their harvest," said Mateush.
+
+"They do not feel it yet, for war is far off," said Pan Gideon.
+
+"Far or near, it is certain!"
+
+"And how do you know?"
+
+"We all know what the talk was at the district diets, and what
+instructions will be given to the general Diet."
+
+"True, but it is not known if they were the same everywhere."
+
+"Pan Prylubski, who has travelled through a great part of the
+Commonwealth, says they were the same everywhere."
+
+"Who is Pan Prylubski?"
+
+"He comes from Olkuts, and makes levies for the bishop of Cracow."
+
+"But has the bishop commanded to make levies before the assembling of
+the Diet?"
+
+"You see, your grace, how it is! This is the best proof that war is
+certain. The bishop wants a splendid light cavalry regiment--well, Pan
+Prylubski came to these parts because he has heard of us somewhat."
+
+"Ho! ho! Your glory has gone far through the world. Are you going?"
+
+"Of course!"
+
+"All of you?"
+
+"Why should we not all go? It is a good thing during war to have a
+friend at one's side, and still better a brother."
+
+"Well, and Pan Stanislav?"
+
+"He and Pan Yatsek will serve in one regiment."
+
+Pan Gideon glanced quickly at the young lady sitting in front; a sudden
+flame rushed over her cheeks, and he inquired further,--
+
+"Are they so intimate already? Under whom will they serve?"
+
+"Under Pan Zbierhovski."
+
+"Of course in the dragoons?"
+
+"In God's name, what are you saying? That is the hussar regiment of
+Prince Alexander."
+
+"Is it possible! Is it possible! That is no common regiment--"
+
+"Pan Yatsek is no common man."
+
+Pan Gideon had it on his lips to say that such a stripling in the
+hussars would be a soldier, not an officer, but he held back the
+remark, fearing it might seem that his letter was not so polite, or his
+help so considerable as he had told Anulka, so he frowned and said,--
+
+"I have heard of the mortgage of Vyrambki; how much was given on it?"
+
+"More than you would have given," answered Marek, dryly.
+
+Pan Gideon's eyes glittered for a moment with savage anger, but he
+restrained himself a second time, for it occurred to him that further
+conversation might serve his purpose.
+
+"All the better," said he, "the cavalier must be satisfied."
+
+The Bukoyemskis, though slow-witted by nature, began to exaggerate, one
+more than the other, just to show Pan Gideon how little Tachevski cared
+for him and all in his mansion.
+
+"Of course!" called out Lukash, "when he went away he was almost wild
+from delight. He sang so that the candles at the inn toppled over. It
+is true, that we had drunk some at parting."
+
+Pan Gideon looked again at Panna Sieninski, and saw that her rosy face
+full of youth and life had become as it were petrified. Her hood had
+fallen off entirely, her eyes were closed as in sleep; only from the
+movement of her nostrils and the slight quivering of her chin could it
+be known that she was not sleeping, but listening, and listening
+intently. It was painful to look at her, but the merciless noble
+thought,--
+
+"If there is a splinter in thy heart yet will I pluck it out of thee!"
+And he said aloud,--
+
+"Just as I expected--"
+
+"What did you expect?"
+
+"That you gentlemen would be drunk at the parting, and that Pan
+Tachevski would go away singing. Of course, he who is seeking fortune
+must hurry, and if it smiles on him, perhaps he may catch it--"
+
+"Of course!" exclaimed Lukash.
+
+"Father Voynovski," added Marek, "gave Tachevski a letter to Pan
+Zbierhovski, who is his friend, and in Zbierhova the land is such that
+you can sow onions in any place,--and he has an only daughter, just
+fifteen years of age. So don't you bother about Tachevski; he will make
+his way without you, and without these sands around Radom!"
+
+"I do not bother myself about him," said Pan Gideon, dryly. "But
+perhaps you gentlemen are in a hurry to ride on? My carriage moves in
+this mud like a tortoise."
+
+"Well, here is to you with the forehead!"
+
+"With the forehead! with the forehead! I am the servant of your
+lordships!"
+
+"We are yours in the same way!"
+
+Having said this the brothers moved forward more speedily, but when
+they had ridden an arrow-shot from the carriage they reined in again
+and talked with animation.
+
+"Did ye see?" asked Lukash, "I said 'Of course!' twice, and twice I
+thrust a sword into his heart as it were; he almost burst out."
+
+"I did better," said Marek, "for I struck both the girl and the old
+man."
+
+"How? Tell us, do not hide!" called the brothers.
+
+"Did ye not hear?"
+
+"We heard, but do thou repeat."
+
+"I struck with what I said of Panna Zbierhovski. Ye saw how the girl
+became pale? I looked at her; she had her hand on her knee and she
+opened and closed it, opened and closed it, just like a cat before
+scratching. A man could see that anger was diving down into her."
+
+But Mateush reined in his horse, and he added,--
+
+"I was sorry for her--such a dear little flower--and do ye remember
+what old Pan Serafin said?"
+
+"What did he say?" inquired, with great curiosity, Lukash, Marek, and
+Yan, reining in their horses.
+
+Mateush looked at them a while through his protruding eyes, then said
+as if in sorrow,--
+
+"But if I have forgotten?"
+
+Meanwhile not only Pan Gideon, but Pani Vinnitski, who generally knew
+very little of what was happening around her, turned attention to the
+changed face of the young lady.
+
+"But what is the matter, Anulka? Art thou cold?"
+
+"No," answered the girl, with a sort of sleepy voice which seemed not
+her own. "Nothing is the matter, only the air affects me strangely--so
+strangely."
+
+Though her voice broke from moment to moment she had no tears in her
+eyes; on the contrary, in her dry pupils there glittered sparks
+peculiar, uncommon, and her face had grown older. Seeing this Pan
+Gideon said to himself,--
+
+"Would it not be better to strike while the iron is hot?"
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER X
+
+
+Many nobles appeared at the festival from near and even distant places.
+There were assembled the Kohanovskis, the Podgaiyetskis, the
+Silnitskis, the Potvorovskis, the Sulgostovskis, Tsyprianovitch with
+his son, the Bukoyemskis and many others. But the greatest interest was
+roused by the arrival of Prince Michael Chartoryski, the voevoda of
+Sandomir, who stopped at Prityk on his way to the Diet at Warsaw and,
+in waiting for the festival, had passed some days in devotion. All were
+glad of his presence, for he added splendor to the occasion, and at the
+same time it was possible to learn from him no little touching public
+questions. He spoke of the injustices which the Porte had committed
+against the Commonwealth in fixing the boundary of Podolia, and the
+raids which in defiance of treaties had ruined Russian lands recently.
+He declared war to be certain. He said that a treaty with the Emperor
+would be concluded beyond question, and that even adherents of France
+would not show it open opposition, since the French court, though
+unfriendly in general to the Empire, knew the peril in which the
+Commonwealth found itself. Whether the Turks would hurl themselves
+first against Cracow, or Vienna was unknown to Prince Michael, but it
+was known to him that the enemy were preparing "arms and men"
+at Adrianople, and in addition to the forces with Tököli at Koshytsi,
+nay those in all Hungary, thousands were assembling from Rumelia, from
+Asia, from regions on the Euphrates and the Tigris, from Africa, from
+the Red Sea to the waves of the measureless ocean.
+
+The nobles heard this news eagerly; the older men, who knew how
+gigantic was the power of the pagan, with anxiety in their faces, the
+younger men with knit brows, and with fire in their glances. But hope
+and enthusiasm were predominant, for fresh in their minds was the
+memory of Hotsim, where the king reigning actually, a hetman at that
+time, leading Polish forces, besieged a Turkish power greater than his
+own, bore it apart upon sabres, and trampled it with horsehoofs. They
+were comforted by the thought that the Turks, who rushed with
+irresistible daring on all troops of other nations, felt their hearts
+weaken when they had to stand eye to eye in the open field against that
+terrible "Lehistan" cavalry. Still greater hope and still higher
+enthusiasm were roused by the preaching of Father Voynovski. Pan Gideon
+was somewhat afraid lest in that sermon there might be some reference
+to sins, and certain points of blame which would touch him and his
+treatment of Yatsek, but there was nothing of that sort. War and the
+mission of the Commonwealth had swept the priest away heart and soul.
+"Christ," said he, "has chosen thee among all the nations, He has
+placed thee on guard before all the others, He has commanded thee to
+stand beneath His cross and defend, to thy last drop of blood and the
+last breath in thee, that faith which is the foundation of living. The
+field of glory lies open before thee, hence, though blood were to flow
+around thee on both sides, though arrows and darts were to stick in
+thee, rise, lion of God, shake thy mane, and thunder so that from that
+thunder the marrow will melt in the bones of the pagan, and crescents
+and horse-tails will fall, like a pine wood in front of a tempest."
+
+Thus did Father Voynovski speak to the knightly hearers before him,
+because he was an old soldier who had fought all his life and knew how
+it was on the battlefield. When he spoke of war it seemed to those
+present that they were looking on the canvases in the king's castle at
+Warsaw, on which various battles and Polish victories were presented as
+if real.
+
+"See, now," said he, "the regiments are starting. Their spears are
+lowered to a line with the middle of the horse-ears; they have bent
+forward in the saddle, there is a cry of fear among the pagans, and
+delight up in heaven. The Most Holy Mother runs to the window with all
+her might, crying: 'Oh come, dear Son, and see how the Poles are
+attacking!' The Lord Jesus with his holy cross blesses them. 'By God's
+wounds!' he cries, 'there they are, my nobles, my warriors. Their pay
+here is ready for them!' And the archangel, holy Michael, strikes his
+palms on his thighs and shouts: 'Into them, the dog-brothers! Strike!'
+That is how they rejoice up in heaven. And those down here cut and cut.
+Men, standards, horses roll over and over. They rush across the bellies
+of Janissaries, over captured cannon, and trampled crescents; they
+advance to glory, to reward, to an accomplished mission, to salvation,
+to immortality."
+
+When at last he finished with the words, "And Christ calls you, too; it
+is your time now to the field of glory!" there rose a shout in the
+church, and a clattering of sabres. At Mass, when during the Gospel
+every blade sounded in its scabbard, and steel glittered in the
+sunlight, it seemed to tender women that war had already begun; and
+they fell to sobbing, committing their fathers and husbands and
+brothers to the Most Holy Lady.
+
+The Bukoyemskis, whispering among themselves, made a vow to move
+immediately after the festival, and not to take to their lips, until
+Easter, water, milk, or even beer, but content themselves with drinks
+which keep up heat in the blood, and therefore valor.
+
+General enthusiasm was so great that even the cold, stern Pan Gideon
+did not resist it. He thought for a while that, though his left arm was
+missing, he might hold the reins in his teeth, and with his right hand
+take vengeance once more for the wrongs which he had suffered from
+cursed pagans, and besides gild anew his former services to the
+Commonwealth. But he made no vow, and left the whole matter for further
+meditation.
+
+Meanwhile the service was concluded in splendor. From the cemetery were
+fired cannon given by the Kohanovskis for important occasions. In the
+tower the swinging bells thundered. The tame bear in the choir pumped
+the organ with such vigor that the tin pipes almost flew from their
+settings. The church was filled with smoke from censers, and trembled
+from the voices of people. Mass was celebrated by the prelate
+Tvorkovski, from Radom,--a learned man, full of sentences, quotations,
+examples, and proverbs; at the same time he was gladsome, and knew the
+world thoroughly. For these reasons, men went to him for counsel in
+every question; and so did Pan Gideon, who went the more readily, as
+the prelate was a friend of his. On the eve of the festival, Pan Gideon
+was with him at confession; but when, besides the confession, he began
+to acknowledge his intentions, the object of which was Panna Anulka,
+the prelate deferred that to a later and special meeting, saying that
+he had barely time to hear the sins of common people. "On the way back
+from the festival," said he to Pan Gideon, "you can send home the women
+and stay with me at Radom, where, _procul negotiis_ (far from
+business), I can listen to you in freedom."
+
+And thus did they manage. Hence, a day later they sat down before a
+decanter of worthy Hungarian and a plate of roast almonds, which the
+prelate took with wine very willingly.
+
+"I am silent," said he; "and attentive--speak on!"
+
+Pan Gideon took a draught from the glass and looked from his iron eyes
+with some discontent at the prelate, because the latter had not eased
+his conversation by a proper beginning.
+
+"Hm! somehow it is not easy; I see that it is more difficult than I
+imagined."
+
+"Then I will help you. Did you wish to speak of some holy thing?"
+
+"Of a holy thing?"
+
+"Yes; which has two heads and four feet."
+
+"What sort of holy thing is that?" asked Pan Gideon, astonished.
+
+"I mention a riddle. Guess it."
+
+"My dear prelate, whoso has important affairs in his head has no time
+for riddles."
+
+"Pshaw! Think a while!"
+
+"Some holy thing with two heads and four feet?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"As God lives, I know not."
+
+"It is holy matrimony. Is that not so?"
+
+"True, as God is dear to me! Yes, yes, precisely on that subject do I
+wish to talk with you."
+
+"Then it is a question of Anulka Sieninski?"
+
+"Of her exactly. Do you see, my benefactor, she, of course, is not my
+relative, or if she is, the relationship is so distant that no one
+could prove it. But I have become attached to her, for I reared her,
+and I am bound in gratitude to her family, for what the Pangovskis had
+in Russia, just as the Jolkievskis, Danilovitches, and Sobieskis, they
+had from the Sieninskis, or through them. I should like to leave the
+orphan what I have, but in fact the fortune of the Pangovskis has
+vanished through Tartar attacks; there remains only the estate of my
+late wife. It is mine; she left it by will to me; but this place is
+full of her relatives. First of all is Pan Grothus, the starosta of
+Raigrod. I do not fear him, for he is rich beyond need, and a good man.
+For that matter it was he who gave me this idea, which before that had
+occurred, it is true, more than once to me; for the desire was at the
+bottom of my heart in a slumber, but he roused it. In addition to Pan
+Grothus are the Sulgostovskis, the Krepetskis, the Zabierzovskis. These
+look even to-day with ill-will at the young lady; but how would they
+look after my death? If I make a will and leave what I own to her they
+will go to the courts; there will be lawsuits dragging on from tribunal
+to tribunal. How could she, poor thing, help herself? I cannot leave
+her in such a condition. Attachment, compassion, and gratitude are
+strong links. I ask with a clear conscience if I am not bound to secure
+her even in such a way?"
+
+The prelate bit a nut in two and showed the second half to Pan Gideon.
+
+"Do you know why this nut pleases me? Because it is good! If it were
+decayed I would not eat it."
+
+"Then what?"
+
+"Then that Anulka pleases your taste, for she is an almond. Hai! and
+what an almond! If she were fifty years old it is certain that your
+conscience would not be so troubled concerning her future."
+
+Pan Gideon was confused at this, but the prelate continued,--
+
+"I do not take this ill of you, for, as you see, there must be a good
+reason for everything, and God has so arranged that every man prefers a
+young turnip to an old one. With wine it is different, therefore we
+agree willingly as to wine with the arrangement of Providence."
+
+"Yes, it is true. Except wine, what is young is better always; Pan
+Kohanovski wrote only humorously, that an old man, like an old oak, is
+better than a young one. This is the one question for me: if I leave
+property to her as my wife no one will dare move a finger; but if I
+leave it to her as a ward, there will be many lawsuits and quarrels,
+and perhaps armed attacks also. Who could protect her from the latter?
+Of course not Pani Vinnitski!"
+
+"That is undoubted."
+
+"But since I am neither a giddy nor an empty man, I did not wish to
+decide this alone, hence I have come to you to confirm me in the
+conviction that I am acting wisely, and that you will support me with
+clear counsel."
+
+The prelate thought a while, and then added,--
+
+"You see, that advice in a matter of this kind is difficult, and a man
+repeats more than once to himself with B[oe]tius, _Si tacuisses,
+philosophus mansisses_ (if thou remain silent, thou wilt be a
+philosopher); or with Job, 'Even a fool if he remain silent will be
+considered a wise man.' Your intention, in so far as it is roused by
+warm affection, is justified, and in so far also as it flows from care
+for the good of the girl, is even praiseworthy. But will not some
+injustice be done her, will there not be need to constrain her, or to
+lead her with threats to the altar? For I have heard that she and
+Yatsek Tachevski are in love. And truly, without beating about the
+bushes, I have more than once seen him a frequent guest at your
+mansion."
+
+"What have you seen?" inquired Pan Gideon, abruptly.
+
+"Nothing sinful, but signs through which intimacy and love are denoted.
+I saw more than once how they held each other's hands longer than was
+needed, how they followed each other with their eyes. I saw him once in
+a tree dropping cherries down into her apron, and how they so looked at
+each other that the cherries fell to the ground past one rim of the
+apron. I saw her when looking at flying storks lean on him, and
+then--women are always subtle--scold him for coming too near her. And
+what more did I see? Various things which prove secret wishes. You will
+say that this is nothing. Of course, nothing! But that she felt the
+will of God toward him as much, or more, than he toward her, only a
+blind man could help seeing, and I wonder that you did not see this. I
+wonder still more, if you did see it, that you did not stop it in view
+of your own intentions."
+
+Pan Gideon had seen and known this, but still the words of the prelate
+produced on him a terrible impression. It is one thing when some
+pain-causing secret is hidden in the heart, and quite another when a
+strange hand pushes into one's bosom and shakes up that secret. So now
+his face became purple, his eyes filled with blood, a great bunch of
+veins came out on his forehead, and he began to pant on a sudden, and
+to breathe so quickly that the prelate, in alarm, asked,--
+
+"What is the matter?"
+
+Pan Gideon answered, with a motion of the hand, that it was nothing,
+but he remained silent.
+
+"Drink some wine," cried the priest.
+
+He stretched out his arm and with trembling hand took the glass, raised
+it to his lips, drank, blew through his lips, and whispered,--
+
+"It darkened before my eyes just a trifle."
+
+"Because of what I told you?"
+
+"No. That for some time has occurred to me often, but now I am fatigued
+by the fast, by the journey, and by the spring, which is unexpected and
+early."
+
+"Then perhaps it would be better not to wait for May, but be bled
+immediately."
+
+"I will be bled, but I will rest a while now, and we will return later
+on to this business."
+
+A fairly long time passed before Pan Gideon recovered completely, but
+at last he recovered. The veins relaxed on his forehead, his heart
+began to beat evenly, and he continued,--
+
+"I will not say that strength fails me. Were I to squeeze with my one
+hand I could crush, as I think, this silver goblet very easily; but
+though strength and health are both in God's hand they are not
+identical."
+
+"Man's life is fragile!"
+
+"But just because of that, if something is to be done there is need to
+act quickly. You speak, my benefactor, of Pan Yatsek and that affection
+which the young people might feel for each other. I will say sincerely
+that I was not blind. I too saw what was happening, but only in recent
+days did I note it; for remember that till recently she was a green
+berry, which even now has barely ripened. He came every day, it is
+true, but because, perhaps, he had not much to eat in his own house;
+besides, I received him, as it were, through compassion. Father
+Voynovski trained him in Latin and at the sabre, and I gave him
+nourishment. That's the whole story. Only a year ago he reached
+manhood. I looked on them as children who were thinking of various
+plays and amusements. I considered it an ordinary occurrence. But that
+such a pauper should dare to think; and, besides, of whom?--of Panna
+Anulka! That, I confess, never came to my mind, and only in the last
+hours did I take note of anything."
+
+"Nonsense! A pauper is a pauper, but Tachevski--"
+
+"Of Hungerdeath! No, my benefactor, he who licks a stranger's saucepan
+should be asked only into dogs' company. When I saw what kind of man he
+was I looked at him more carefully, and know you what I found? This,
+that not merely was he a pauper and a giddy head, but a venomous
+reptile, ever ready to sting the hand feeding him. Thank God he is
+gone; but he has stung, not me alone, but that innocent maiden."
+
+"How is that?"
+
+Pan Gideon began to relate how it was, painting with such blackness the
+deeds of Tachevski that a hangman might have been called in immediately
+to take him.
+
+"Never fear, my benefactor," said he at last. "During our journey to
+Prityk the Bukoyemskis poured out in full to Anulka; ah, to the full so
+completely that it flowed over, and now the situation is such that
+never will the girl feel such abhorrence for any creature of God as for
+that whipper-snapper, that roysterer, that abortion."
+
+"Be moderate, or your blood will boil again."
+
+"True. And I did not wish to speak of him, but of this, that I have not
+in view any injustice to the girl, or any constraint. Persuasion is
+another thing, but even that should be used by a stranger, yet by a man
+who is at the same time her friend and mine,--a man known for wit and
+dignity, who can use noble phrases, move the heart and convince the
+reason. Hence my desire is to beg you, my special benefactor, to see to
+this. You will not refuse me; you will do this, not merely from
+friendship, you will do it because it is honorable and proper."
+
+"It is a question of her good and of yours, hence I will not refuse;
+but I should like to have time to decide how this may be accomplished
+most easily."
+
+"Then I will go at once to the barber and have myself bled, so as to go
+home clearer witted,--but do you make your plan. For you that will not
+be difficult, and on the other side there will be, as I think, no
+obstacle."
+
+"There can be only one obstacle, lord brother."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"Friendship should tell the truth, hence I speak freely. You are an
+honorable person, I know that, but rather stubborn. You have this
+reputation, and you have it because your dependants all fear you
+tremendously. Not only the peasants, concerning whom you have
+quarrelled with Father Voynovski, but your servants, attendants, and
+managers. Tachevski feared you, Pani Vinnitski fears you, the young
+lady fears you. Two matchmakers will appear according to custom. I will
+do what I can, but I will not guarantee that the other may not destroy
+all my labor."
+
+During one moment Pan Gideon's eyes flashed with anger, for he did not
+like to have the truth told in his presence; but amazement now
+conquered his anger, so he asked,--
+
+"Of what are you speaking? What other matchmaker is there?"
+
+"Fear," said the prelate.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XI
+
+
+They were unable to go that same day to Belchantska, for Pan Gideon
+weakened considerably after bleeding, and said that some rest was
+needed. Next morning, however, he felt brighter; he had grown young, as
+it were, and he approached his own mansion with good hope, though with
+a certain disquiet. Occupied with his own thoughts entirely, he spoke
+little along the way with the prelate, but when they were entering the
+village he felt his disquiet increasing.
+
+"This is a wonder to me," said he. "Ere this time I came home as a man
+who is master, and all others were concerned about this, with what face
+would I greet them; while now I am the anxious one, I ask myself how
+will they greet me."
+
+"Virgil has said," replied the prelate, "'_amor omnia vincit_' (love
+conquers everything), but he forgot to add, that it changes everything
+also. This Delilah will not shear your locks, for you are bald, but
+that I shall see you spinning at her feet, as Hercules spun at the feet
+of Omphale, is certain."
+
+"Ei! my nature is not of that kind. I have known always how to hold in
+my fists both servants and household."
+
+"So people say, but for this very reason it lies in the position that
+some one will take you in hand very thoroughly."
+
+"The hand is a dear one!" said Pan Gideon, with a joyousness which for
+him was unusual.
+
+They drove very slowly, for the mud in the village was terrible; since
+they had started from Radom not so soon after midday, night had fallen
+already. In the cottages at the two sides of the road light came from
+the windows and stretched in red lines to the cottages opposite. Here
+and there near the fence appeared some human form, that of a woman, or
+of a man who, seeing the travellers, bared his head and bowed as low as
+his girdle. It was clear from these bowings, which seemed excessive,
+that Pan Gideon held people in his fist, nay more, that he held them
+too firmly, and that Father Voynovski blamed him, not without reason,
+for tyranny. But the old noble felt in his bosom a softer heart than
+had ever been in it till that evening, so looking at those bent
+figures, and seeing the windows of those cottages leaning earthward, he
+said,--
+
+"I will grant some favor to those subjects whose part she takes
+always."
+
+"Oh, see to it that thou do so," said the prelate.
+
+And they were silent. Pan Gideon was occupied for a time with his own
+thoughts, then he added,--
+
+"I know that you need no advice in this matter; but you must explain to
+the lady what a benefaction is becoming ready for her, and that I think
+about her first of all; but in case of resistance, which I do not
+expect,--well, then even scold her in some degree."
+
+"You said that you did not wish to constrain her."
+
+"I said so, but it is one thing if I were to threaten, and another if
+some one else, who, besides, is a spiritual person, exposes her
+ingratitude."
+
+"Leave that task to me. I have undertaken it and will use my best
+efforts; but I will talk to the girl in the most tender way possible."
+
+"Very well, very well! But one word more. She feels great abhorrence
+for Tachevski, but should there be any mention of him it would be well
+to say something more against him."
+
+"If he has acted as you say, this will not be needed."
+
+"We are arriving. Well! In the name of the Father and the Son--"
+
+"And the Holy Ghost--Amen!"
+
+They arrived, but no one came out to meet them, for the wheels made no
+sound because of deep mud, and the dogs did not bark at the horses or
+at the men, whom they recognized. It was dark in the hall, for the
+servants were evidently sitting in the kitchen; and it happened that
+when Pan Gideon first called, "Is any one here?" no one came to him,
+and at the second call, in sharper tones, the young lady herself
+appeared.
+
+She came holding a light in her hand, but since she was in the gleam of
+it and they in the darkness she, not seeing them at once, remained near
+the threshold; and they did not speak for a moment since to begin with,
+it seemed a special sign to them, that she had come out before others,
+and second, because her beauty astonished them as much as if they had
+never beheld it till that moment.
+
+The fingers with which she grasped the candle seemed transparent and
+rosy; the gleam crept along her bosom, lighted her lips and her small
+face which looked somewhat drowsy and sad, perhaps because her eyes
+were in a deep shade while her forehead and the glorious bright hair,
+which was as a crown just above it, were still in full radiance. And
+she all in quiet and splendor stood there in the gloom like an angel
+created from ruddy brightness.
+
+"Oh, as God is dear to me, a vision!" said the prelate.
+
+Then Pan Gideon called,--
+
+"Anulka!"
+
+Leaving the light on a nitch of the chimney, she ran to them and gave
+greeting, joyously. Pan Gideon pressed her to his heart with much
+feeling, commanded her to rejoice at the arrival of a guest so
+distinguished, a man famous as a giver of counsel, and when after
+greeting they entered the dining-hall he asked,--
+
+"Is supper over?"
+
+"No. The servants were to bring it from the kitchen, and that is why no
+one was standing at the entrance."
+
+The prelate looked at the old noble, and asked,--
+
+"Then perhaps without waiting?"
+
+"No, no," answered Pan Gideon, "Pani Vinnitski will be here directly."
+
+Thereupon Pani Vinnitski made herself felt in reality, and fifteen
+minutes later they sat down to heated wine and fried eggs. The prelate
+ate and drank well, but at the end of the supper his face became
+serious, and he said, turning to Panna Anulka,--
+
+"My gracious young lady, God knows why people call me a counsellor and
+why they take advice of me, but since your guardian does so, I must
+speak with you on a certain task of importance which he has given my
+poor wit to accomplish."
+
+When Pan Gideon heard this, the veins swelled on his forehead; the
+young lady paled somewhat, and rose in disquiet, for, through some
+unknown reason, it seemed to her that the prelate would talk about
+Yatsek.
+
+"I beg you to another room," said he.
+
+And they left the dining-hall.
+
+Pan Gideon sighed deeply once and a second time; then he drummed on the
+table with his fingers, and feeling the need of talking down his
+internal emotion by words of some kind, he said to Pani Vinnitski,--
+
+"Have you noticed how all the relatives of my late wife hate Anulka?"
+
+"Especially the Krepetskis," answered Pani Vinnitski.
+
+"Ha! they almost grit their teeth when they see her; but soon they will
+grit them still harder."
+
+"How is that?"
+
+"You will learn in good season; but meanwhile we must find a bed for
+the prelate."
+
+After a time Pan Gideon was alone. Two servants came to remove the
+supper dishes, but he sent them away with a quick burst of anger, and
+there was silence in the dining-hall, only the great Dantsic clock
+repeated loudly and with importance: tik-tak! tik-tak! Pan Gideon
+placed his hand on his bald head and began to walk in the chamber. He
+approached the door beyond which the prelate was talking with Anulka,
+but he heard merely sounds in which he distinguished the voice but not
+the words of the prelate. So in turn he walked and halted. He went to
+the window, for it seemed to him that there he would breathe with more
+freedom. He looked for a while at the sky, with eyes from which
+expression had vanished,--that sky over which the wind was hurrying the
+torn clouds of spring, with light on their upper edges through which
+the pale moon seemed to rise higher and higher. As often as he rested
+an evil foreboding took hold of him. He looked through the window close
+to which black limbs of trees were wrestling back and forth with the
+wind, as if in torment; in the same way his thoughts were struggling
+back and forth, disordered, evil, resembling reproaches of conscience,
+and painful forebodings that some bad thing would happen, and that near
+punishment was waiting--but when it grew bright out of doors, again
+better hope entered him.
+
+Every one has a right to think of his own happiness--as to Yatsek
+Tachevski it was of little importance what such people do! What was the
+question at present? The happiness and calm future of a young girl; but
+besides this there smiled on him a little life in his old age--and this
+belongs to him. This only is real, the rest is wind, wind!
+
+And he felt again a turning of the head, and black spots danced before
+his vision, but that lasted very briefly. Then he approached the door
+behind which his fate was in the balance. Meanwhile the light on the
+table acquired a long wick and the chamber grew gloomy. At times the
+voice of the prelate became sharper, so that words would have reached
+the ear of Pan Gideon had it not been for that loud and continuous
+"tik-tak." It was easy to understand that such a conversation could not
+end quickly, still, Pan Gideon's alarm grew and grew, turning, as it
+were, into certain wonderful questions woven into the past, with
+memories not only of former misfortunes and pain, but also of former
+unextinguished transgressions, of former grievous sins, and of recent
+injustices inflicted not only on Tachevski, but on others.
+
+"Why and wherefore shouldst thou be happy?" asked his conscience.
+
+And he would have given at that moment he knew not how much if even
+Pani Vinnitski might return to the chamber, so that he should not be
+alone with those thoughts of his. But Pani Vinnitski was occupied
+somewhere with work in another part of the mansion, while in that
+dining-hall there was nothing but the clock with its "tik-tak!"
+
+"For what deed should God reward thee?" asked his conscience.
+
+Pan Gideon felt now that if that girl, who was at once like a flower
+and an angel, should fail him, there would be a darkness in his life
+which would last till the night of death should descend on him.
+
+With that the door opened on a sudden and Panna Sieninski came in from
+the next chamber. She was pale; there were tears in her eyes; and
+behind her was the prelate.
+
+"Art thou weeping?" asked Pan Gideon, with a hoarse, stifled voice.
+
+"From gratitude, guardian," cried she, stretching her hands to him.
+
+And she fell at his knees there.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XII
+
+
+That evening, or late at night, Pani Vinnitski appeared in the room of
+her relative, and, finding the young lady still dressed, she talked to
+her.
+
+"I cannot recover from amazement," said she; "sooner should I have
+looked for death than that such an idea should have come to the head of
+Pan Gideon."
+
+"Neither did I look for it."
+
+"How is it then? And is it so, really? I know not what to do, to be
+glad, or the opposite. We know that the prelate as a spiritual person
+has better judgment than the laity. He is right when he says that till
+death thou wilt have a roof over thy head, and that roof thy own, not
+another's. But Pan Gideon is old"--here she spoke lower--"art thou not
+a little afraid of him?"
+
+"It is all in the past; there is nothing to think of at present,"
+answered Anulka.
+
+"How dost thou say that?"
+
+"I say that I owe him gratitude for a refuge, and a morsel of bread,
+and that these are poorly paid for by my person which no one else cares
+for; but since he cares, that too, is a favor on his part."
+
+"He began long ago to wish for this," said the old woman mysteriously.
+"After he had talked to-day with thee he called me. I thought that
+there was something wrong with the supper, and that he would reproach
+me, but he said nothing. I saw that for some reason he was cheerful,
+and all at once he broke the news to me. My legs trembled under me.
+'What is the matter?' asked he. 'You are turned, like Lot's wife, to a
+pillar of salt,' said he. 'Is it because I have taken such a mushroom?'
+'No,' I answered, 'but because it is so unexpected.' 'With me,' said
+he, then, 'that is an old idea. Like a fish at the bottom of a river it
+was unknown till some one helped it to swim to the surface. And dost
+thou know who that was?' I felt sure that it was the prelate. 'Not at
+all,' said he, 'but Pan Grothus.'"
+
+A moment of silence followed.
+
+"But I thought Pan Yatsek--" said Anulka through her set teeth.
+
+"Why Yatsek?"
+
+"To show that he did not care for me."
+
+"Thou knowest that Yatsek has not seen Pan Gideon."
+
+Then Anulka began to repeat feverishly,--
+
+"Yes, I know! He had something else in his head! Let that go! I do not
+want to know anything. I do not, I do not! It is all finished, and
+finished forever."
+
+A dry, nervous weeping shook her bosom. After a moment she repeated
+again,--
+
+"It is finished beyond recall!" Then they knelt down to an "Our
+Father," which they repeated each evening in company.
+
+Next day Anulka appeared with a calm face, but something had changed in
+her, something remained unexpressed, something had shut itself up in
+her. She was not sad, but all at once, she had grown, as it were, some
+years older, and she had in her now a certain calm dignity, so that Pan
+Gideon, who hitherto had taken into account himself only, began without
+noting it, to consider her also. In general he was unable to command
+himself, and it seemed to him specially strange that he felt in some
+sense his dependence on Anulka. He began to fear those thoughts which
+she did not express, but which she might conceal in her spirit. He
+tried to forestall such, and put in place of them others, of the kind
+which he wanted. Even the silence of Pani Vinnitski was oppressive and
+seemed to him suspicious; so he worked out fantastic pictures, talked,
+joked, but there flashed up in his steel eyes at times certain gleams
+of impatience.
+
+Meanwhile news of his engagement had gone through the neighborhood. Of
+this engagement he now made no secret; on the contrary, he sent letters
+announcing it to Pan Serafin, and to his nearest neighbors; he wrote
+letters to the Kohanovskis, to the Podlodovskis, to the Sulgostovskis,
+to Pan Grothus, to the Krepetskis, and even to distant relatives of his
+late wife, with invitations to the betrothal, after which the marriage
+would be celebrated immediately.
+
+Pan Gideon would have preferred to get a dispensation from the banns
+even, but unfortunately it was the Lenten season, and he had to wait
+till after Easter. He took both women, therefore, to Radom where the
+young lady was to find her wedding outfit, and he to buy horses more
+showy than those which he had at that time in his stables.
+
+Reports came to him that among the relatives who had hoped to inherit
+everything not only after his late wife, but after him, there was as
+much movement as there is in a beehive; but this pleased him, since he
+hated them all from his innermost spirit, and was planning at all times
+to harm them. Those tidings of meetings, whispered conferences, and
+counsels shortened his visit to Radom. And when at last his stay there
+was ended, and the horses together with new harness were purchased, he
+returned on Easter eve to his mansion. Guests began to arrive almost at
+the same time, for the betrothal was to take place on the third day
+after Easter.
+
+First came the Krepetskis who were both the nearest relatives and
+nearest neighbors. The father was almost eighty years old, with the
+visage of a vulture, and renowned as a miser. He had three daughters:
+Tekla, the youngest, was pretty and pleasant; Agneshka and Johanna were
+not youthful, they were testy old maids with pimples on their cheeks at
+all seasons. He had a son, Martsian, nicknamed Pniak (stump) in the
+neighborhood. He bore the name justly, for at the first glance he
+seemed a great stump; he had a mighty chest, and broad shoulders. His
+bow-legs were so short that he was almost dwarflike, and his arms
+reached his kneepans. Some thought him a hunchback; he was not,
+however, but his head without a neck was fixed so closely to his body
+that his high shoulders reached his ears, very nearly. Out of that
+head peered prominent, lustful eyes, and his face was like that of a
+he-goat. A small beard which he wore as if in defiance of general
+custom, increased the resemblance.
+
+He did not serve as a warrior, for he had been ridiculed from service,
+for which reason he had had in his time many duels. There was uncommon
+strength in his stumpy body, and people feared him in all places, since
+he was a quarreller and a road-blocker, who, in every affair, was glad
+to seek pretexts; he was as irritable as a vicious beast, and wounded
+savagely in Radom one Krepetski, his cousin, a handsome and worthy
+young man who almost died of the injuries then inflicted. He felt
+respect only for Yatsek, whose skill at the sabre was known to him, and
+before the Bukoyemskis, one of whom, Lukash, threw him over a fence
+like a bundle of straw once in Yedlina. He had the deserved reputation
+of being a great profligate. Pan Gideon had driven him out of the
+mansion a few years before that, because he had looked too much in goat
+fashion at Panna Anulka, a little girl at that period. But since then
+some years had passed, and, as they had met later in Radom, and in
+neighboring houses, Pan Gideon invited him now with the family.
+
+Immediately after the Krepetskis came the Sulgostovskis, twin brothers,
+who so resembled each other that when they put on coats of like fashion
+no man could distinguish them; next came three remote Sulgostovskis
+from beyond Prityk--and then a numerous family formed of nine people,
+the handsome Zabierzovskis. From Yedlinka came Pan Serafin, but alone,
+since his son had gone to his regiment already; Pan Podlodovski, the
+starosta, once the agent of the great lord in Zamost; the Kohanovskis;
+the priest from Prityk; the prelate Tvorkovski from Radom, who was to
+bless the ring, and many small nobles from near and distant places,
+some even without invitation, with this idea, that a guest though quite
+unknown would be sure to find welcome, and that when there is a chance
+to eat and drink a man should not miss it.
+
+Belchantska was crowded with carriages and wagons, the stables were
+filled with horses, the outbuildings with servants of all sorts;
+everywhere in the mansion were colored coats, sabres, shaven foreheads;
+and with these went Latin, the twittering of women, farthingales,
+laces, and various ornaments. Maids were flying around with hot water,
+and tipsy servants with excellent wine in decanters. From morning until
+night-hours the kitchen was steaming like a tar pit. The windows of the
+mansion gleamed and flashed every evening, so that the whole place
+around there was radiant.
+
+And amid all this tumult Pan Gideon moved through the chambers, walked
+about and gave welcome, magnificent, important, grown young as it were
+for the second time, dressed in crimson, and wearing a sabre which
+glittered with jewels, a sabre which Panna Anulka had inherited; it was
+her only dowry from wealthy forefathers. If giddiness seized him he
+leaned on an armchair, and again he moved forward, showed honor to
+guests who were personages, and struck one heel against the other when
+greeting older ladies; but above all he followed with eyes which were
+more and more enamoured "his Anulka," who bloomed in that many-colored
+throng. Amid glances which were frequently ill-wishing, frequently
+jealous, and filled sometimes with venom, she was as fair as a lily,
+somewhat sad, or only conscious, it may be, of the weight of that fact
+which she had to encounter.
+
+Thus things continued till the evening of the third day, that is,
+Tuesday, when the mortars of the mansion thundered in the yard, thus
+announcing to the guests and the country that the solemn moment had
+come, the moment of betrothal.
+
+The guests ranged themselves then as a half-circle in the drawing-room,
+men and women in splendid costumes bright as a rainbow in the light of
+the candles. In front of them stood Pan Gideon and Panna Anulka.
+Silence settled down, and the eyes of all people were fixed on the
+bride, who with downcast eyes, with attention and dignity on her face,
+without a smile, but not sad, seemed as if drowsy.
+
+The prelate Tvorkovski in his surplice, having near him young Tekla
+Krepetski, who held a silver plate with rings on it, advanced from the
+half-circle and addressed those who were soon to be married. He spoke
+learnedly, long, and with eloquence, showing what were the _sponsalia
+de futuro_, and what great importance from the earliest days of
+Christianity was attached to betrothals. He quoted Tertullian, and the
+Council of Trent, and the opinion of various learned canonists, then
+turning to Pan Gideon and Panna Sieninski he explained to them how wise
+their decision was, what great benefaction they promised each other,
+and how their future happiness depended on themselves only.
+
+Those present listened with admiration, but also with impatience, for
+as relatives from whom their inheritance was slipping they looked on
+that marriage with repugnance. Pan Gideon, who from standing long had
+grown dizzy, began to rest on one leg and then on the other, and to
+give signs with his eyes to the prelate to finish; these signs he was
+not quick to notice, but at last he blessed the rings and put them on
+the fingers of the affianced.
+
+Then the mortars thundered again in the yard, and from the gallery in
+the dining-hall was heard a loud orchestra made up of five Radom Jews
+who played nicely. The guests came now in turn to congratulate, for the
+greater part with sourness and insincerely. The two Krepetski old maids
+simply jeered as they courtesied to their "Aunt," and Pan Martsian,
+when kissing her hands, recommended himself to her graces with such a
+goat glance that Pan Gideon ought to have driven him from the mansion a
+second time.
+
+But others, more remote relatives, being better and less greedy, gave
+sincere, cordial wishes. Now the door of the dining-hall was thrown
+open; Pan Gideon gave his arm to his betrothed, and after him moved the
+other couples amid the glitter and the quivering of flames caused by a
+sudden cold gust which had blown through the entrance. From the kitchen
+came the servants, half tipsy, with decanters of wine and an
+unreckonable number of dishes.
+
+From the opening of doors there was such cold air in the dining-hall
+that guests, while sitting down to the table, were seized the first
+moment with a shiver, while the flickering of candles made the whole
+hall, in spite of its elegant furnishing, seem dark and gloomy. But it
+was proper to hope that wine would soon warm the blood in all present,
+and wine was not spared by Pan Gideon. He was rather stingy in
+every-day life, but on exceptional occasions he liked so to show
+himself that people spoke long of him afterward. This happened now.
+Behind every guest an attendant was standing with a mossy and
+big-bellied bottle, while under the table were hidden a number of
+servants with bottles also, so that in case a guest could not find more
+to drink on the table he put down a goblet twixt his knees and they
+filled it immediately. Immense glasses for drinkers, great goblets,
+glittered in front of each man, but before ladies were smaller glasses,
+either French or Italian.
+
+The guests did not occupy the whole table, however, for Pan Gideon had
+commanded to set more plates than there were guests in the mansion. The
+prelate cast his eyes on those empty places and fell to praising the
+hospitality of the house and the master; at that moment he rose in his
+chair somewhat, wishing to arrange the folds of his soutane, hence
+those present supposed that he was going to offer the earliest toast,
+and were silent.
+
+"We are listening!" said a number of voices.
+
+"Oh, there is no reason," said the prelate, with joyousness. "There is
+no toast yet, though the time will come soon for it. I see some of you
+gentlemen rubbing your heads rather early, and the Kohanovskis are
+whispering as well as counting on their fingers. It is difficult to
+expect rhymes from any if not from the Kohanovskis. I wish to say only
+that it is an old Polish and praiseworthy custom to leave thus a place
+for a guest who is unexpected."
+
+"Oh," answered Pan Gideon, "as the house is lighted up some one may
+come from the darkness."
+
+"And perhaps some one is coming," said Kohanovski. "It may be Pan
+Grothus?"
+
+"No-- Pan Grothus has gone to the Diet. If a man comes he will be
+unexpected."
+
+"But the earth is soft, we shall not hear him."
+
+"Well, a dog is barking under the window, so some one is coming."
+
+"No one will drive in from that side, for the windows look into the
+garden."
+
+"But the dog is not barking, he is howling."
+
+That was the case really. The dog had barked once, twice, a third time,
+then the barking turned to a low, gloomy howling.
+
+Pan Gideon quivered despite himself, for he remembered how years and
+years earlier in another place, at his house, which stood five miles
+from Pomorani, in Russia, dogs had howled in the same way before a
+sudden onrush of Tartars.
+
+The thought came to Panna Anulka, that she had no cause to expect any
+one, and that should any man come to her from the darkness to that
+lighted mansion he would be late in his coming. But it seemed somehow
+strange to other guests, all the more as the first dog was joined by a
+second, and a double howl was heard now near that window. So they
+listened in disagreeable silence, which was broken only after a while
+by Martsian Krepetski,--
+
+"A guest at whom the dogs howl is nothing to us," said he.
+
+"Wine!" called Pan Gideon.
+
+But the glasses were full, hence there was no need to pour at that
+moment. Old Krepetski, father of Martsian, rose from his chair somewhat
+heavily, wishing to speak, as seemed evident. All turned their eyes to
+him. Old men began to surround their ears with their hands to hear
+better, but he only moved his lips after long waiting, his chin almost
+meeting his nose, for he was toothless.
+
+Meanwhile, notwithstanding the fact that the earth was soft from
+thawing, there came from the other side of the house, as it were, a
+dull clatter and it was heard rather long, long enough to go twice
+round the courtyard. Hence old Krepetski, who had raised his glass,
+held it a while, looked at the door, and then put the glass down again;
+other guests acted in like manner.
+
+"See who has come!" said Pan Gideon to his attendant.
+
+The youth rushed out, returned straightway, and answered,--
+
+"There is no one."
+
+"That is strange," said the prelate. "The sound was heard clearly."
+
+"We all heard it," said one of the twin Sulgostovskis.
+
+"And the dogs have stopped howling," said others.
+
+Then the door of the entrance, badly fastened by the servant, as was
+evident, opened of itself, and a new draught of air entered with such
+violence that it quenched from ten to twenty candles.
+
+"What is that?" "Shut the door!" "The candles are dying!" said a number
+of voices.
+
+But with the wind had rushed into the hall, as it were, some unknown
+terror. Pani Vinnitski, who was superstitious and timid, began then to
+cross herself audibly.
+
+"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost--"
+
+"Woman! be silent!" commanded Pan Gideon.
+
+Then turning to Panna Sieninski he kissed her hand.
+
+"A quenched candle cannot trouble my gladness," said he, "and God grant
+me to be as happy to the end of my days as I am at this moment. Is that
+not right, my Anulka?"
+
+"Yes, guardian," said she, bending toward his hand.
+
+"Amen!" ended the prelate, who rose to address them.
+
+"Gracious ladies and gentlemen, since that unexpected sound stopped, as
+is evident, Pan Krepetski's ideas let me be the earliest expounder of
+those feelings with which our hearts are warmed toward the future wife
+and her husband. Hence, ere we cry out _O Hymen, O Hymenaios_, before
+we, in Roman fashion, begin to call Thalassius, the beautiful youth who
+God grant may appear at the earliest, let us raise _ex imo_ this first
+toast to their prosperity and coming happiness: _Vivant, crescant,
+floreant_" (may they live, increase, flourish).
+
+"_Vivant! Vivant!_" thundered all guests.
+
+The Radom orchestra was heard that moment, and outside the windows the
+drivers fell to cracking their whips.
+
+Long did the shouts last, with the stamping of feet, the sounding of
+horns and the cracking of whips. The servants, too, raised a shout
+throughout the whole mansion, and in the dining-hall, amid endless
+cheers, rose great sounds of wine-gulping.
+
+"_Vivant, crescant, floreant!_"
+
+Silence came only when Pan Gideon stood up, raised his glass, and said
+in a loud voice,--
+
+"My guests and relatives, very gracious and most dear to my heart! I
+express with inadequate words my gratitude to all; I will first bow to
+you profoundly for that brotherly and neighborly good-feeling which you
+have shown me by meeting here under my poor roof in such numbers--"
+
+The words "under my poor roof" were pronounced with a kind of
+marvellously mild, and, as it were, submissive accents, then he sat
+down and bent his head, so that the forehead rested really on the
+table. And the guests wondered that a man usually so distant and so
+haughty should speak with such affection. They thought that great
+happiness melts even hearts the most obdurate, and, waiting for what he
+had to say further, they looked at his iron-gray head resting yet on
+the edge of the table.
+
+"Silence! We are listening!" said voices.
+
+And in fact deep silence had followed.
+
+But Pan Gideon was motionless.
+
+"What is the matter? What has happened? For God's sake! Speak on!"
+cried they.
+
+But Pan Gideon answered only with a terrible rattling; then his
+shoulders and arms began on a sudden to quiver.
+
+Panna Sieninski sprang from her chair pale as a wall, and cried in
+terrified accents,--
+
+"Guardian! guardian!"
+
+At the table were dismay and confusion; cries and questions rose
+everywhere. Guests surrounded Pan Gideon, the prelate seized his arms
+and brought him to the back of the chair, some began to throw water on
+him, others cried, "Take him to the bed and bleed him as quickly as
+possible." Some of the women were tearful; some ran, as if frantic,
+through the chambers with groans or with sharp lamentation. But Pan
+Gideon remained sitting, his head was thrown back, the veins in his
+forehead were distended like straps, his eyes were closed firmly, the
+hoarseness and rattling grew louder.
+
+The unexpected guest had come indeed out of darkness and entered the
+mansion, dreadful and merciless.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XIII
+
+
+The servants, at command of the prelate, bore the sick man to the other
+end of the mansion, to the "chancellery," which served Pan Gideon also
+as a bedroom. They sent immediately for the village blacksmith, who
+knew how to bleed, and bled men as well as animals. It appeared after a
+moment that he was in front of the mansion with a whole crowd gathered
+there for entertainment, but he was quite drunk, unluckily. Pani
+Vinnitski remembered that Father Voynovski had the fame of being an
+excellent physician, so a carriage was sent with all speed for him,
+though it seemed clear that every effort would fail, and that no rescue
+was possible for the sick man. That was in truth the position.
+
+Except Panna Anulka, Pani Vinnitski, the two Krepetskis, and Pan
+Zabierzovski, who occupied himself somewhat with medicine, the prelate
+admitted none to the chancellery, lest a throng might hinder recovery.
+All other guests, as well women as men, had gathered into the adjoining
+large chamber where beds for men had been provided. All were like a
+flock of frightened sheep, filled with fear, alarm, and curiosity.
+Watching the door, they waited for tidings, and some of them made
+remarks in undertones touching that terrible happening, and touching
+those omens which had announced it.
+
+"Did you notice how the lights quivered, and the flames were in some
+manner blackish? From this it is clear that Death had overshadowed
+them," said one of the Sulgostovskis, in a whisper.
+
+"Death was among us, and we did not know her."[5]
+
+"The dogs howled at her."
+
+"And that clatter! Perhaps that was just Death on her journey."
+
+"It is clear that God did not favor the marriage, which would have been
+an injustice to the family."
+
+Further whispering was stopped by the coming of Pani Vinnitski and
+Martsian.
+
+Pani Vinnitski hurried through the chamber, she was in haste to bring a
+reliquary which warded off evil spirits; but Martsian they surrounded
+immediately.
+
+"How is he?"
+
+Martsian shrugged his shoulders, raised them till his head seemed to be
+in his bosom, and answered,--
+
+"He is rattling yet."
+
+"Is there no hope?"
+
+"None."
+
+At that moment through the open door came distinctly the solemn words
+of the prelate,--
+
+"_Ego te absolve a peccatis tuis--et ab omnibus censuris, in nomine
+Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti_. Amen." (I absolve thee from thy
+sins, and from all blame, in the name of the Father and Son and Holy
+Ghost.)
+
+All knelt and began to pray. Pani Vinnitski passed between the kneeling
+people, holding with both hands the reliquary. Martsian followed and
+closed the door after him.
+
+But it was not closed long, for a quarter of an hour later Martsian
+appeared in it and said in his squeaking voice of a clarionet,--
+
+"He is dead!"
+
+Then with the words, "Eternal rest," they moved one after another to
+the chancellery, to cast a last look at the dead man.
+
+Meanwhile at the other end of the house, in the dining-hall, revolting
+scenes were enacted. The servants of the household had hated Pan Gideon
+as much as they had feared him; hence it seemed to them that with his
+death would come an hour of relief, delight, and impunity. To servants
+from outside an occasion was offered for revelry; so all servants, as
+well those of the house as others summoned in to assist them, tipsy
+more or less since midday, rushed now at the wine and the viands.
+Servants raised to their lips whole flasks of Dantsic liquor,
+Malmoisie, and Hungarian wine; others, more greedy for food, seized
+pieces of meat and cake. The snow-white tablecloth was stained in one
+twinkle with gravies. In the disturbance chairs were overturned on the
+floor and candlesticks on the table. Ornamented cut glasses fell from
+drunken hands to the floor with a crash and were broken. Quarrels and
+fights burst out here and there in the dining-hall. Some stole table
+ornaments directly. In one word, an orgy began, sounds of which flew to
+the other end of the mansion.
+
+Martsian Krepetski, and after him the two Sulgostovskis, young
+Zabierzovski and one more of the guests, rushed toward those outcries,
+and at sight of what was happening drew their sabres. At the first
+moment disturbance increased. The Sulgostovskis went no further than to
+strike with the flat of the weapons, but Martsian was seized by an
+access of fury. His staring eyes protruded still farther, his teeth
+glittered from under his mustaches, and he began to cut with the sabre
+edge whatever man met him. Some were covered with blood, others hid
+under the table; the remainder crowded in disordered flight through the
+door, and Martsian cut at this throng while he shouted,--
+
+"Dog brothers! Scoundrels! I am master in this place!"
+
+And he rushed after them to the entrance whence his shrieking voice was
+heard shouting,--
+
+"Clubs! rods!"
+
+And the guests stood in the hall, as in ruins, gazing with mortified
+look, and shaking their heads at the spectacle.
+
+"I have never seen such a sad sight," said one Sulgostovski.
+
+"A wonderful death, and wonderful happenings! Look at this it is just
+as if Tartars had raided the mansion."
+
+"Or evil spirits," added Zabierzovski. "A terrible night!"
+
+They commanded the servants hidden under the table to crawl forth and
+bring some order to the dining-hall. They came out, perfectly sobered
+from terror, and went to work nimbly.
+
+Meanwhile Martsian had returned. He was calmer, but his lips were still
+trembling from anger.
+
+"They will come to their minds!" said he, addressing those present.
+"But I thank you, gentlemen, for helping me to punish those ruffians.
+It will not be easier here for them than it was in the days of the dead
+man! My head upon that point."
+
+The Sulgostovskis looked at him quickly, and one said,--
+
+"You have not to thank us more than we you."
+
+"How is that?"
+
+"Why art thou qualifying to be the only judge here?" asked the other of
+the twins.
+
+Martsian, as if wishing to spring to their eyes, sprang upward on his
+short bow-legs straightway, and shouted,--
+
+"I have the right, the right!"
+
+"What right?"
+
+"A better right than yours."
+
+"How is that? Hast read the will?"
+
+"What is a will to me?" Here he blew on the palm of his hand; "that's
+what it is,--wind! To whom has he willed it--to his wife? But where is
+his wife? That is the question--we are next of kin here. We--the
+Krepetskis, not you."
+
+"But we will see about that. God kill thee!"
+
+"God kill thee! Clear out!"
+
+"Thou goat! Thou nasty cur! Why dost thou tell us to go? Better have a
+care of thy goat forehead!"
+
+"Are ye threatening?"
+
+Here Martsian shook his sabre and pushed up to the brothers. They too
+grasped at their weapons.
+
+But at that moment the offended voice of the prelate was heard there
+behind them,--
+
+"Gracious gentlemen, the dead man is not cold yet."
+
+The Sulgostovskis were terribly ashamed, and one of them said,--
+
+"Reverend prelate, we are not to blame; we have our own bread and do
+not desire that of others, but this serpent is beginning to sting, and
+wishes to drive people out of this mansion."
+
+"What people? Whom?"
+
+"Whomever he comes upon. To-day us, whom he has ordered away,
+to-morrow, perhaps, the orphan bride living under this roof here."
+
+"That is untrue! untrue!" cried Martsian.
+
+And, winding himself into a ball, he laughed sneeringly, rubbed his
+hands, bowed down and said with a certain envenomed sincerity,--
+
+"On the contrary, on the contrary! I invite all to the funeral and to
+the feast following after the interment. I beg most humbly; my father
+and I beg. And as to Panna Sieninski, she will find at all times a
+roof, and protection, and care at all times, at all times!"
+
+And he went on rubbing his hands very gleefully.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XIV
+
+
+Martsian had determined indeed to tell Panna Anulka that she must
+always consider Belchantska as her own, but he deferred this
+information till after the funeral; he wished first to talk with his
+father, who, because of the legal actions on which he had been working
+all his lifetime, was skilled in law, and was able to avoid in advance
+many troubles. Both were convinced that their cause was a good one; so
+the next day, just at the moment when men were placing Pan Gideon in
+his coffin, they shut themselves up in a side chamber and began with
+good courage to take counsel.
+
+"Providence is above us," said the old man, "nothing but Providence, to
+which Pan Gideon will answer seriously for the injustice which he
+intended to do us."
+
+"Well, let him answer," replied Martsian. "It is our happiness that he
+only intended and did not succeed, for now we will take everything. The
+Sulgostovskis have quarrelled with me already, but I will tear the
+souls out of those wretches before I let them have even one field of
+Belchantska."
+
+"Ha, the scoundrels! the sons of a such a one! God twist them! I have
+no fear of such people, I fear only a will. Hast thou asked the
+prelate? If any one knows of a will it is he."
+
+"I had no chance yesterday, for he attacked me when quarrelling with
+the Sulgostovskis and said to us: 'The dead man is not cold yet,' then
+he went for a coffin and a priest, and to-day there has been no
+opportunity."
+
+"But if Pan Gideon has willed all to that girl?"
+
+"He had not the right, for this estate belonged to his late wife, our
+nearest relative."
+
+"But a will has been mentioned, and there will be costs and going to
+tribunals, and God knows what more in addition."
+
+"Father is accustomed to lawsuits. But I have fixed in my head
+something of such sort that there will be no need of lawsuits;
+meanwhile _beatus qui tenet_" (happy is the man in possession); "for
+this reason I shall not leave Belchantska. I have sent for our servants
+already. Let the Sulgostovskis or the Zabierzovskis drive me out
+later."
+
+"But the girl, if it is willed to her?"
+
+"Who will take her side? She is as much alone in this world as a
+finger; she has no relatives, no friends--an ordinary orphan. Who will
+wish to expose his neck for her, lay himself open to quarrels, duels,
+expenses? How does she concern any one? Tachevski was in love with her,
+but Tachevski is gone, he may never come back, and if he should he has
+nothing; he knows as much as my horse about lawsuits. To tell the
+truth, the position is such that if not Pan Gideon, but her own father,
+had left her Belchantska, we might come in here and manage in our own
+way, under pretext of guarding the orphan. I think that Pan Gideon
+intended to make a will only in the contract of marriage, so either no
+will at all will be found, or if it be found it will be some old one
+with a clause for Panna Anulka from her guardian."
+
+"We can break such a will," said the old man, "my head on that! Though
+a lawsuit will not be avoided."
+
+"How so? I hear father's words, but I think it will be avoided."
+
+"If, for speaking between us, Pan Gideon's wife was weak-minded, if she
+left all to her husband he had the right to leave it to whomever he
+selected."
+
+Old Krepetski uttered the last words almost in a whisper, while looking
+around on all sides, though he knew that there was no one in the room
+except him and Martsian.
+
+"How could she leave it to him when she died suddenly?" asked Martsian.
+
+"It was dated the year after their marriage. It is clear that Pan
+Gideon wheedled her out of it, because they inhabited perilous places,
+and no man could know when the Tartars might howl out his requiem. They
+drew up wills to each other in the town at Pomorani; these wills were
+brought by Pan Gideon to this place. I thought to start lawsuits
+against him at that time, but saw that I could not do so successfully.
+Now it is different."
+
+"We shall succeed now without lawsuits."
+
+"If so, all the better; but we must be ready for action."
+
+"Ei! there is no need to be ready."
+
+"How, then?"
+
+"I will get on without father."
+
+Old Pan Krepetski, on hearing this, flashed into anger.
+
+"Thou wilt get on? What? How? But spoil not my labor. He will get on!
+But didst thou not advise me to leave the Silnitskis in peace touching
+Dranjkov? According to thee, there was no way to master them. No way?
+Why not? They had witnesses to swear to the land--a great thing! I made
+men put earth into their boots from my courtyard. Well, and what after
+that? They went to Silnitski's land, and took no false oath when each
+one of them testified: 'I swear that the land on which I am standing
+belongs to Krepetski.' Thou wouldst have thought a whole year, but
+never invented a reason of that kind. Thou wilt get on? Look at him!"
+
+And he began to move his toothless jaws angrily, as if he were chewing
+some substance; and his chin touched his nose, which was hooked like
+the beak of some bird of prey.
+
+"Pant out thy anger, my father, and listen," said Martsian. "Wherever
+it is a question of carrying on lawsuits I yield to thee always; but as
+to what concerns women, my experience is greater, and I trust in myself
+with more confidence."
+
+"Is it possible?"
+
+"Therefore, if it comes to a struggle with Parma Anulka it will not be
+before any tribunal."
+
+"What art thou working out?"
+
+"To divine is not difficult. Is this not my opportunity? Or wilt thou
+find another such girl in this region?"
+
+Martsian threw his head up and looked in the eyes of his father. The
+father looked at him, too, with a glance of inquiry, chewed with his
+gums, and then asked,--
+
+"How is it, pray tell me."
+
+"Why not tell? Since yesterday it is circling through my head."
+
+"Hm! Why not? Because she is as needy as Lazarus."
+
+"But I will come into Belchantska with songs, and unhindered. She is
+indigent, but the girl is of great blood. And remember the words of Pan
+Gideon, that if one were to look through the papers of the Sieninskis,
+it would be possible to drive from their land one-half of the
+inhabitants of a province. The Sobieskis grew great from them, hence
+there should be royal protection. The king himself ought to think of a
+provision. And the girl has pleased my eye this long time, for she is a
+dainty morsel--dainty! oh dainty!"
+
+And he sprang about on his short legs, licking his mustache as he did
+so; wherewith he looked so revolting that old Krepetski remarked to
+him,--
+
+"She will not want thee."
+
+"And she wanted old Pan Gideon. Are the girls few who have wanted me? A
+great many young men have gone to the army; so we may buy girls by the
+bundle, like shoe-nails. Old Pan Gideon knew why he sent me from the
+mansion. He would not have done so, had he himself not been looking at
+Panna Anulka."
+
+"But supposing that she will not want thee--then what?"
+
+Evil gleams shone from the eyes of Martsian.
+
+"Then," replied he, with emphasis, "it is possible so to act with a
+girl who has no protection, that she herself will beg thee to go to the
+church with her."
+
+The old man was frightened at these words.
+
+"Ah!" said he. "But dost thou not know that act to be criminal?"
+
+"I know that no one would take the part of Panna Anulka."
+
+"But I say to thee, have a care! As it is there are voices against
+thee. If a man win or lose a lawsuit for property he will not become
+infamous, but thy thought is of crime--dost understand me?"
+
+"Oh, it will not go to that unless she herself wants it. But do not
+hinder, only act as I tell thee. After the funeral let father take
+Tekla home with him, and if there is any excuse also old Pani
+Vinnitski. I will stay with the girls, with Agneshka and Johanna. They
+are reptiles, raging at any woman who is younger and comelier than they
+are. They began yesterday to point their stings at the orphan, but what
+will they do when living under one roof with her? They will stab, and
+bite, and insult her, refuse her the bread of compassion. I see this,
+as if I were reading it in a book, and it is all as water to my mill."
+
+"What wilt thou grind with it?"
+
+"What will I grind? This: that I will quarrel with those serpents. I
+will invent something against them; I will give one a slap in the face
+when it pleases me, then the orphan will kiss me on the hands, on the
+knees. 'I am thy defender, thy brother, thy true friend,' I will say to
+her, 'thou art here the real mistress.' And dost thou think, father,
+that the heart in her will not soften, that she will not fall in love
+with him who will be a shield and defence to her, who will wipe away
+her tears, who will watch day and night over her? And if in her sorrow
+and abandonment and tears she comes to some extraordinary confidence,
+so much the better! so much the better! so much the better!"
+
+Here Martsian rubbed his hands and so exhibited his goat eyes to his
+father that the old man had to spit in abhorrence. "Tfu! Pagan!"
+exclaimed he. "There is always one thing in thy mind."
+
+"Indeed ants walk on me when I look at her. It wasn't for nothing that
+Pan Gideon drove me from the mansion."
+
+A moment of silence now followed.
+
+"Then thou wilt tell Johanna and Agneshka to act as thou wishest?"
+
+"There is no need to say anything to them or to teach them; their
+nature suffices. Tekla alone is a dove, they are kites, the two
+others."
+
+Martsian had not deceived himself, his sisters had begun, each in her
+own way to take charge of Anulka. Tekla took her every little while in
+her arms and wept with her, Agneshka and Johanna solaced her, but in
+another fashion,--
+
+"What did not happen, did not happen," said Agneshka, "but be at rest,
+thou wilt not be our aunt, because the Lord was not willing, but no one
+here will harm thee, or grudge thee a morsel."
+
+"And no one will drive thee to work," said the other, "for we know that
+thou art not used to it; when thou hast recovered, if thou thyself
+wish, then that is different; in every case wait till thy sorrow is
+over, for indeed great misfortune has struck thee. Thou wert to be
+mistress here, thou wert to have thy husband, and now except us thou
+hast no one. But believe that though we are not relatives we will be to
+thee as if relatives. Be reconciled to the will of God. The Lord has
+tried thee, but for that cause he pardons thee other sins. For if thou,
+perhaps, hast trusted too much in thy beauty, or didst desire wealth
+and rich clothing (we are all sinful for that matter, therefore I only
+say this), that will be accounted to thee against other sins."
+
+"Amen," said Agneshka. "Give to the church for the soul of the dead man
+some ornament, or some little jewel, for thou hast no need of bridal
+robes now, and we will ask father to permit thee to do this."
+
+Then they looked with sharp eyes at the robes on the table, and at the
+chests in which lay the trousseau. Such a desire at last seized them to
+see what was hidden that Johanna burst out with these words,--
+
+"Perhaps we might help thee in selecting?"
+
+And both rushed at the chests, boxes, and bundles, in which were still
+lying unpacked the robes brought from Radom, and out with them, to be
+opened and examined before the light, and under the light, and then the
+two girls began to try them on their own persons.
+
+Panna Anulka sat, as if stunned, in the arms of the dear Tekla, seeing
+nothing, knowing nothing of what they were doing to her and around her.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XV
+
+
+As a betrothed she had felt as if something in her life had grown
+black, as if something had been quenched, had been cut off and ended;
+hence that betrothal had not roused in her heart any gladness. She had
+only consented to the marriage because such was the will of Pan Gideon,
+and because of her gratitude for care, and still more because, after
+Yatsek's departure, there remained in her heart only bitterness and
+sorrow, with this painful thought, that save her guardian she had no
+one, and that without him she would be a lost orphan, wandering among
+enemies and strangers. But all on a sudden a thunderbolt had struck
+that hearth at which she was to sit with some kind of peace, though a
+sad one, now the only man in this world who to her was important had
+vanished. It was not strange, then, that the thunderbolt had stunned
+her, that all thoughts were confused in her head, while in her heart
+sorrow for that only near soul had been fused into one with a feeling
+of amazement and terror.
+
+So the words of the elder sisters, who had begun straightway to pilfer
+her dresses, struck her ears just like sounds without meaning. Then
+Martsian came, bowed, rubbed his hands, jumped around her; but she
+understood him no more than she did all the others, who, according to
+custom, approached her with phrases of sympathy, which were more
+elaborate the less they were heartfelt. It was only when Pan Serafin
+put his hand on her head in the style of a father and said: "God will
+be over thee, my orphan," that something moved in her suddenly, and
+then tears rushed to her eyelids. Now for the first time the thought
+came to her that she was as a poor little leaf given over to the will
+of the whirlwind.
+
+Meanwhile began ceremonies, which, since Pan Gideon had been a man of
+position in his neighborhood, lasted ten days, in accordance with
+custom. At the betrothal, with few exceptions, invited guests only were
+present, but to the funeral came all near and distant neighbors, hence
+the mansion was swarming. Receptions, speeches, processions, and
+returns from the church followed one after the other.
+
+During the first days exclusive attention was given to the incomplete
+widow; but later, when people beheld the Krepetskis in possession and
+saw that they alone appeared in the mansion as masters, they ceased to
+regard the young lady, and toward the end of the funeral solemnities no
+one paid more heed to her than to any house visitor.
+
+Pan Serafin alone had a thought for her. He was moved by her tears and
+touched by her misfortune. The servants had begun to whisper that the
+Krepetski old maids had swept off her whole trousseau, and the old lord
+had hidden in his box her "little jewels," and that in the house they
+were already beginning to browbeat the "young lady." When these reports
+went to Pan Serafin they moved his kind heart, and he resolved to see
+Father Voynovski.
+
+But that kindly man was prejudiced much against Panna Anulka because of
+Yatsek, so at the very beginning he answered,--
+
+"I am sorry for her, the poor lady, for she is in need, but in what can
+I help her? That, speaking between us, God punished her for Yatsek is
+certain."
+
+"But Yatsek is gone, as is Stanislav, and she is here simply an
+orphan."
+
+"Of course he is gone, but how did he go? You saw him going, but I went
+with him farther, and I tell you that the poor boy had his teeth set,
+and the heart in him was bleeding, so that he could not utter a
+syllable. Oh! he loved that girl as people loved only in the old time;
+they know not to-day how to love in that manner."
+
+"Still he was able to move his hands," said Pan Serafin, "for I heard
+that just beyond Radom he had a quarrel and cut up a passing noble, or
+even two of them."
+
+"Ah, because he has a girl's face every road-blocker thinks that he can
+get on with him cheaply. Some drunken fellows sought a quarrel. What
+was he to do? I blame in him that method; I blame it, but remember,
+your grace, that a man with a heart torn by love is like a lion seeking
+to devour some one."
+
+"True; but as to the girl. Ah, my benefactor, God knows if she is as
+much to blame as we imagine."
+
+"Woman is insidious."
+
+"Insidious or not, but when I heard that Pan Gideon wished to marry her
+it occurred to me straightway that he roused up everything, for it must
+have been all-important for him to get rid of Yatsek forever."
+
+"No," said the priest, shaking his head. "We remarked immediately from
+the letter that it was written at her instigation. I remember that
+perfectly, and I could repeat to your grace every word of it."
+
+"I, too, remember, but we could not know what Pan Gideon had told her,
+and how he described Yatsek's deeds to the lady. The Bukoyemskis, for
+example, confessed to me, that meeting her and Pan Gideon while
+travelling to Prityk they said purposely, that Yatsek went away after
+great stirrup cups, laughing, gladsome, and uncommonly curious about
+the daughter of Pan Zbierhovski to whom you had given him a letter."
+
+"Here they lied! And what for?"
+
+"Well, they lied to show the girl and Pan Gideon that Yatsek had no
+thought for them. But note this, your grace, if the Bukoyemskis spoke
+thus out of friendship for Yatsek, what must Pan Gideon have said out
+of hatred."
+
+"It is sure that he did not spare Yatsek. Still, even if she were less
+to blame than we imagine, tell me what of that? Yatsek has gone, and
+perhaps will never come back to us, for I know that he will spare his
+life less than Pan Gideon spared his reputation."
+
+"Yatsek would have gone in every case," answered Pan Serafin.
+
+"And if he does not return I will not tear the soutane on my body. A
+death in defence of the country and fighting Mohammedan vileness is a
+worthy end for a Christian knight, and a worthy end for a great family.
+But I will add one thing: I should have preferred to see him go without
+that painful dart which is sticking in him."
+
+"Neither had my only son special happiness in life; he too went, and
+perhaps will not return to me."
+
+They grew thoughtful, for their souls were filled with love for those
+young men.
+
+Tvorkovski, the prelate, came upon them while thoughtful, and learned
+that they had been talking of Panna Sieninski.
+
+"I will tell you, gentlemen," said he, "but let this be a secret. Pan
+Gideon left no will, the Krepetskis have a right to the property. I
+know that he had the wish to provide for his wife and leave all to her,
+but he was not able. Do not mention this before the Krepetskis."
+
+"But have you said nothing?"
+
+"Why should I? Those are hard people, and with me the question is that
+they should not be too hard toward the orphan, hence I withheld
+information, and then told them this: 'Not only does God sometimes try
+a man, but one man tries another.' When they heard this they were
+disquieted greatly, and fell to inquiring: 'How is it? Does your grace
+know anything?' 'What has to be shown will be shown,' remarked I, 'but
+remember one thing. Pan Gideon had the right to will what he owned to
+whatever person pleased him.'"
+
+Here the prelate laughed, and, putting his hands behind his violet
+girdle, continued,--
+
+"I say, gentlemen, that the legs trembled under old Krepetski when he
+heard this; he began to contradict. 'Oh,' said he, 'that is impossible!
+he had not the right. Neither God nor men would agree to that.'
+
+"I looked at him severely, and said: 'If you think of God, you do well,
+for at your age it is proper to have His mercy in mind, and not turn to
+earthly tribunals, for it may happen very easily that you will not have
+time to await a decision.' He was frightened then terribly, and I
+added: 'And be kind to the orphan, lest God punish you sooner than you
+imagine.'"
+
+Hereupon Father Voynovski, whose compassionate heart was moved at the
+fate of the maiden, embraced the wise prelate.
+
+"Benefactor," cried he, "with such a head you ought to be chancellor. I
+understand! I understand! You said nothing, you did not miss the truth,
+and you have frightened the Krepetskis, who think that perhaps there is
+a will, nay, that it is even in your possession; they must count with
+this, and be moderate toward the orphan."
+
+The prelate, pleased with the praise, rapped his head with his
+knuckles.
+
+"Not quite like a nut with holes in it?" asked he.
+
+"Ho, there is so much reason there that it finds room with difficulty."
+
+"If God wish, it will burst, but meanwhile, I think that I have saved
+the orphan really. I must confess, however, that the Krepetskis spoke
+of her with greater humanity and with more kindness than I had
+expected. The women, it is true, have taken some trifles, but the old
+man declared that he would have them given back to the young lady."
+
+"Though the Krepetskis were the worst among men," said Pan Serafin,
+"they would not dare to rob an orphan over whom the eyes of such a wise
+and good priest are so watchful. But, my very reverend benefactor, I
+wish to mention another thing. I wish to beg you to show me this favor;
+come now to Yedlinka, let me have the honor of entertaining under my
+roof such a notable personage, with whom conversation is like the honey
+of wisdom and politeness. Father Voynovski has promised already to
+visit me, and we will talk, the three of us, concerning public and
+private matters."
+
+"I know what hospitality yours is," answered the prelate, with
+affability, "to refuse would be real suffering, and since Lent, the
+time of self-subjection is past, I will go for a pleasant day to you,
+willingly. Let us take farewell of the Krepetskis, but first of the
+orphan, so that they shall see the esteem in which we hold her."
+
+They went, and finding Anulka alone, spoke kind, heartfelt words, which
+gave her consolation and courage. Pan Serafin stroked her bright head,
+just as would a mother who desires to comfort a sorrowing child; the
+prelate did the same, and the honest Father Voynovski was so moved by
+her thin face and her beauty in its sadness, which reminded him of a
+flower of the field cut down too early by a scythe-stroke, that he too
+pressed her temples, and having a mind always thinking of Yatsek, he
+said half to himself, half to her,--"How can one wonder at Yatsek,
+since this picture was before him. But those Bukoyemskis lied, when
+they said that he went away gladly."
+
+When Anulka heard these words, she put her lips to his hand on a
+sudden, and for a long time she could not withdraw them. The sobbing,
+which came from her heart, shook her bosom; and they left her in an
+immense, irrepressible onrush of weeping.
+
+An hour later they were in Yedlinka, where good news was awaiting them.
+A man had arrived bringing a letter from Stanislav, in which he stated
+that he and Yatsek had joined the hussars of Prince Alexander; that
+they were well, and Yatsek, though pensive at all times, had gained a
+little cheerfulness, and was not so forgetful as during the first days.
+Besides words of filial love, there was in the letter one bit of news
+which astonished Pan Serafin: "If thou, my father, my most beloved and
+great mighty benefactor, see the Bukoyemskis on their return be not
+astonished, and save them with kindness, for they have been met by most
+marvellous accidents, and I cannot help them. If they were not to go to
+the war they would die, I think, from sorrow, which even now has almost
+killed them."
+
+In the course of the following months Pan Serafin visited Belchantska
+repeatedly, wishing to learn what was happening to Anulka. This was not
+caused by any personal motive, for Stanislav was not in love with the
+young lady, and she had broken altogether with Yatsek; he acted mainly
+from kindness, and a little from curiosity, for he wished to discover
+in what way, and how far the girl had aided in breaking the bonds of
+attachment between herself and Yatsek. He met opposition, however. The
+Krepetskis respected his wealth, hence they received him politely; but
+theirs was a wonderfully watchful hospitality, so continuous and active
+that Pan Serafin could not find himself alone with the girl for one
+instant.
+
+He understood that they did not wish him to ask her how she was
+treated, and that set him to thinking, though he did not find that she
+was either ill treated, or made to serve greatly. He saw her, it is
+true, once and a second time cleaning with a crust of bread white satin
+shoes of such size that they could not be for her own feet, and darning
+stockings in the evening, but the Krepetski girls did the same, hence
+there could not be in this any plan to humiliate the orphan by labor.
+The old maids were at times as biting and stinging as nettles, but Pan
+Serafin remarked soon that such was their nature, and that they could
+not restrain themselves always from gnawing even at Martsian, whom
+still they feared so much that when either one had thrust out her sting
+half its length a look from him made her draw it back quickly. Martsian
+himself was polite and agreeable to Anulka, though without forwardness,
+and after the departure of old Krepetski and Tekla he became still more
+agreeable.
+
+This departure was not pleasing to Pan Serafin, though it was simple
+enough that they could not leave an old man, who was somewhat disabled
+in walking, without the care of a woman, and since they had two houses
+they had divided the family. Pan Serafin would have preferred that
+Tekla remain with the orphan, but when on an occasion he hinted
+remotely that the ages of the two maidens made them company for each
+other, the elder sister met his words in the worst manner possible,--
+
+"Anulka has shown the world," said Johanna, "that age does not trouble
+her. Our late uncle and Pani Vinnitski have proved this--so we are not
+too old for her."
+
+"We are as much older than she, as Tekla is younger, and I do not know
+as we are that much," added the second sister; "besides our heads must
+manage this household."
+
+But Martsian broke into the conversation,--
+
+"Tekla's service," said he, "is dearest to father. He loves her beyond
+any one, at which we cannot wonder. We thought to send Panna Anulka
+with them, but she is accustomed to this house, so I think she will
+feel more at home in it. As to our care, I will do what I can to make
+it not too disagreeable."
+
+Then, with feet clattering, he approached the young lady, and tried to
+kiss her hand, which she drew away quickly, as if frightened. Pan
+Serafin thought that it was not proper to remove Pani Vinnitski, but he
+kept to himself that idea, not wishing to interfere in questions beyond
+his authority. He noted more than once that on Anulka's face fear as
+well as sadness was evident, but at this he was not greatly astonished,
+for her fate was in fact very grievous. An orphan, without a kindred
+soul near her, without her own roof above her head, she was forced to
+live on the favor of people who to her were repulsive, and who had an
+evil fame generally, she was forced to suffer pain over the vanished
+and brighter past, and to be in dread of the present. And though a
+person may be in suffering to the utmost, that person will have some
+solace if he, or she, may cherish hope of a better future. But she had
+no chance for hope, and she had none. To-morrow must be for her as
+to-day and the endless years to come, with the same drag of orphanhood,
+loneliness, and living on the bread of a stranger's favor.
+
+Pan Serafin spoke of this often with Father Voynovski, whom he saw
+almost daily, since it was pleasant for them to talk about their young
+heroes. Father Voynovski, however, shrugged his shoulders with sympathy
+and magnified the keenness of the prelate who, by hanging the threat of
+a will like a Damocles sword above the Krepetskis, had protected the
+orphan, at least from evil treatment.
+
+"Such a keen man!" said he. "Now you have him, and now he has slipped
+from you. Sometimes I think that perhaps he has not told the whole
+truth to us, and that there is a will in his hands, and that he will
+bring it out unexpectedly."
+
+"That has occurred to me also, but why should he hide it?"
+
+"I know not; perhaps to test human nature. I think only of this: Pan
+Gideon was a clear-sighted man, and it cannot find place in my head
+that he should not have made long ago some provision."
+
+But after a time the ideas of both men were turned in a different
+direction, for the Bukoyemskis arrived, or rather walked in from Radom.
+
+They appeared at Yedlinka one evening, with sabres, it is true, but
+with not very sound boots, and with torn coats on their bodies. They
+had such woe-be-gone faces that, if Pan Serafin had not for some time
+been expecting them, he would have been terribly frightened, and would
+have thought that news of his son's death had come with them.
+
+The four brothers embraced his knees, and kissed his hands straightway;
+he, looking at their misery, dropped his arms at his sides in
+amazement.
+
+"Stashko wrote," said he, "that it had gone ill with you, but this is
+terrible!"
+
+"We have sinned, benefactor!" answered Marek, beating his breast.
+
+The other brothers repeated his words.
+
+"We have sinned, we have sinned, we have sinned!"
+
+"Tell me how, and in what. How is Stashko? He has written me that he
+saved you. What happened?"
+
+"Stashko is well, benefactor; he and Pan Yatsek are as bright as two
+suns."
+
+"Glory to God! glory to God! Thanks for the good news. Have you no
+letter?"
+
+"He wrote, but did not give us the letter. It might be lost," said he.
+
+"Are you not hungry? Oh, what a condition! It is as if I had four men
+risen from the dead now before me."
+
+"We are not hungry, for entertainment is ready at the house of every
+noble--but we are unfortunate."
+
+"Sit down. Drink something warm, but while the servants are heating it
+tell me what happened. Where have you been?"
+
+"In Warsaw," said Mateush, "but that is a vile city."
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"It is swarming with gamblers and drunkards, and on Long Street and in
+the Old City at every step there is a tavern."
+
+"Well, what?"
+
+"One son of a such a one persuaded Lukash to play dice with him. Would
+to God that the pagans had impaled the wicked scoundrel on a stake ere
+that happened."
+
+"And he cheated?"
+
+"He won all that Lukash had, and then all that we had. Desperation took
+hold of us, and we wanted to win the coin back, but he won further our
+horse with a saddle and with pistols in the holsters. Then, I say to
+your grace, that Lukash wished to stab himself. What was to be done?
+How were we to help comforting a brother? We sold the second horse, so
+that Lukash might have a companion to walk with him."
+
+"I understand what happened," remarked Pan Serafin.
+
+"When we became sober there was still keener suffering; two horses were
+gone, and we had greater need of consolation."
+
+"So ye consoled yourselves till the fourth horse was gone?"
+
+"Till the fourth horse. We sinned, we sinned!" repeated the contrite
+brothers.
+
+"But was that the end?" continued Pan Serafin.
+
+"How the end, our father and special benefactor? We met a deceiver, one
+Poradski, who scoffed at us. 'So this is the way they shear fools!'
+says he. 'I will take you,' says he, 'as my serving men, for I am
+making the levy for a regiment.' Lukash cried out that the man was
+exposing us to ridicule, and when he would not stop Lukash slashed him
+on the snout with a sabre. Poradski's friends sprang to help him, and
+we to help Lukash, and we cut till the marshal's guard whirled in and
+went at us. And we yielded only when the others fell to shouting:
+'Gracious gentlemen, they are attacking freedom, and injuring the
+Commonwealth in our persons.' That is how it happened, and God blessed
+us immediately, for we wounded eight attendants in a flash, and three
+of these mortally; the others were at our feet,--there were five of
+them."
+
+Pan Serafin seized his head, and Marek continued,--
+
+"Yes! Now we know all; God helped us till people shouted that the fight
+was near the king's palace, and a crime,--that we should die for it. We
+were frightened and ran. They tried to seize us, but when we, in old
+fashion, cut one on the face and another on the neck, they fled in a
+hurry. Stanislav saved us with the horses of his attendants, but even
+then we had to work hard to bring our heads with us; we were hunted to
+Senkotsin; if the horses had been slow our case would have ended. Our
+names were not known; that was lucky, and there will be no accusation
+against us."
+
+Long silence followed.
+
+"Where are those horses which Stanislav gave you?" asked Pan Serafin.
+
+The brothers began their confession a third time,--
+
+"We have sinned, benefactor, we have sinned!"
+
+Pan Serafin walked with long strides through the chamber.
+
+"Now I understand," said he, "why ye did not bring Stashko's letter. He
+wrote me that various sad things had happened you, and he predicted
+your return, thinking that ye would need money for horses and outfits,
+but how ye would end was unknown to him."
+
+"So it is, benefactor," said Yan.
+
+Men now brought in heated wine, to which the brothers betook themselves
+with great willingness, for they were road weary. Still they were
+frightened by the silence of Pan Serafin, who was striding up and down
+in the chamber, his face severe and gloomy. So again Marek spoke to
+him,--
+
+"Your grace, my benefactor, has asked about Stanislav's horses. Two of
+them foundered before we reached Groyets, for we galloped all the way
+in a terrible windstorm; we sold them for a trifle to Jew wagoners, for
+the beasts were no good after foundering. And we had not a coin to keep
+the souls in us; since we left in such a hurry Pan Stanislav had no
+time to assist us. Then strengthened a little we rode farther, two men
+on each animal. But your grace will understand this. We met then some
+noble on the road, and immediately he seized his side, laughing. 'What
+kind of Jerusalem nobles are these?' asked he. And we from such
+terrible scornfulness were ready for anything. So we had endless
+encounters and fights till we came to Bialobregi, where for dear peace
+we sold the last two of our crowbaits; then, when people wondered at
+our travelling on foot we replied that we were making that journey
+through a vow of devotion. So forgive us now like a father, for there
+are not more ill-fated men in this world, as I think, than we
+brothers."
+
+"It is true! it is true!" exclaimed Mateush and Lukash; while Yan, the
+youngest, moved by remembrance of past suffering, and wine, raised his
+voice, and cried,--
+
+"We are orphans of the Lord! What is left now in this world to us?"
+
+"Nothing but brotherly love," put in Marek.
+
+And they fell to embracing one another, shedding bitter tears as they
+did so; then all drew up to Pan Serafin, but Marek seized his knees
+before the others.
+
+"Oh, father," said he, "our first-born protector, be not angry. Lend us
+once more for the levy, and from plunder, God grant, we will give it
+back faithfully; if you lend not--it is well also, but be not angry,
+only forgive us! Forgive us through that great friendship which we
+cherish for Stashko; for I tell you, let any man harm even one of
+Stashko's fingers, we will bear that man apart on our sabres! Is this
+not true, dearest brothers?--on our sabres?"
+
+"Give him hither, the son of a such a one!" cried Mateush, Lukash, and
+Yan.
+
+Pan Serafin halted before them, put his hand on his forehead, and
+answered in these words,--
+
+"I am angry, it is true! but less angry than grief-stricken; for when I
+think that in this Commonwealth there are many such men as ye, the
+heart in me is straitened, and I ask myself: Will this mother of ours
+have the power with such children to meet the attacks which are
+threatening her? Ye wish to implore me, and ye expect my forgiveness.
+By the living God! it is not a question here of me, and not of my
+horses, but of something a hundred times greater, a question of the
+public weal, and the future of this Commonwealth; and of this, that ye
+do not understand the position, that even such a thought has not come
+to you; and since there are thousands such as ye are, the greater is
+the sorrow and the keener the anxiety, the more dreadful the
+desperation both of me and each honest son of this country--"
+
+"For God's sake, benefactor! How have we sinned against the country?"
+
+"How? By lawlessness, license, by riot and drunkenness. Oh! With us,
+people treat such things over lightly, and do not see how the
+pestilence is spreading, how the walls of this lordly building are
+weakened, and our heads are endangered by the ceiling. War is
+approaching; it is not known yet whether the foe will turn his power
+against us directly--but, ye Christian soldiers, what is the best that
+ye are doing? The trumpet is calling you to battle, but in your heads
+there is nothing save wine and lawlessness. With a glad heart ye cut
+down the guardians of that law which gives order of some kind. Who
+established those laws? Nobles. Who trampled them? Nobles! How can this
+country move to the field of glory, if this advance post of
+Christianity is inhabited not by warriors but drunkards, not by
+citizens but roysterers and rioters?"
+
+Here Pan Serafin stopped and, pressing his hand to his forehead, walked
+again with great steps through the chamber. The brothers glanced at one
+another in amazement and confusion, for they had not thought to hear
+from him anything of that sort.
+
+But he sighed deeply and continued,--
+
+"Ye were called out against pagans, and ye spill the blood of
+Christians; ye were summoned in defence of this country, and ye have
+gone out as its enemies, for it is evident that the greater the
+disorder in a fortress, the weaker is the fortress. Fortunately there
+are still honest children of this mother, but of men such as ye there
+are, as I have said, many legions; for here not freedom, but riot is
+nourishing, not obedience, but impunity, not stern discipline, but
+wantonness, not love of country, but self-seeking; for here diets are
+broken, here the treasury is plundered, disorder increases, and civil
+wars like unbridled horses trample the country; hence drunken heads are
+fixing its fortunes; here is oppression of peasants, and from high to
+low lawlessness so that my heart bleeds, and I fear defeat, with God's
+anger as the consequence."
+
+"In God's name must we hang ourselves?" cried Lukash.
+
+Pan Serafin measured the chamber a number of times with his steps yet,
+and spoke on, as if it were to himself, and not to the Bukoyemskis,--
+
+"Through the length and the breadth of this Commonwealth there is
+one immense feast, and on the wall an unknown hand is now writing:
+'Mane--Tekel--Fares.' Wine is flowing, but blood and tears also are
+flowing. I am not the only person who sees this, I am not the only man
+predicting evil, but it is vain to put a light before the sightless, or
+sing songs to those who have no hearing."
+
+Silence followed. The four brothers stared now at one another, and now
+at Pan Serafin with increasing confusion; at last Lukash said in a low
+voice to the other three,--
+
+"May I split, if I understand anything!"
+
+"And may I split!"
+
+"And may I!"
+
+"If we could drink a couple of times--"
+
+"Quiet, do not mention it--"
+
+"Let us go home."
+
+"Let us go."
+
+"With the forehead to your grace, our benefactor!" said Marek, pushing
+out in front and bending down to the knees of Pan Serafin.
+
+"But whither?"
+
+"To Lesnichovka. God help us."
+
+"And I will help you," said Pan Serafin; "but such grief seized me that
+I had to pour it out. Go upstairs, gentlemen,--rest; later on ye will
+learn my decision."
+
+An hour later he commanded to drive to Father Voynovski's. The priest
+was scandalized no little by the deeds of the Bukoyemskis, but at
+moments he could not restrain himself from laughter, for having served
+many years in the army he recalled various happenings which had met him
+and his comrades. But he could not forgive the brothers for drinking
+away the horses.
+
+"A soldier will often run riot," said he, "but to drink away his horse!
+that is treason to the service. I will tell the Bukoyemskis that I
+should have been glad if martial law had taken the heads from their
+shoulders, and that certainly would have given an example to rioters,
+but I confess to you that I should have been sorry, for all four are
+splendid fellows. I know from of old what men are, and I can say in
+advance what each is good for. As to the Bukoyemskis, it will be
+unhealthy for those pagans who strike breast to breast with them in
+battle. What do you think to do with them?"
+
+"I will not leave them without rescue, but I think if I were to send
+them off alone the same kind of thing might meet them a second time."
+
+"True!" said the priest.
+
+"Hence it has occurred to me to go with them, and give them straight
+into the hands of the captain. Once with the flag and under discipline,
+they can grant themselves nothing."
+
+"True, this is a splendid idea! Take them to Cracow; there the
+regiments will assemble. As I live I will go with you! Thus we shall
+see our boys, and come back with more pleasantness."
+
+At this Pan Serafin laughed, and said,--
+
+"Your grace will come back alone."
+
+"How is that?"
+
+"I am going myself to the war."
+
+"Do you wish to serve again in the army?" asked Father Voynovski, in
+astonishment.
+
+"Yes, and no; for it is one thing to go to the army and make a career
+out of service, and another to go on a single expedition. Of course, I
+am old, but older than I have gone to the ranks more than once in reply
+to Gradiva's trumpet. I have sent my only son, that is true, but it is
+not possible to yield up too much for the country. Thus did my fathers
+think, therefore, that Mother showed them the greatest honor at her
+disposal. Hence my last copper coin, and my last drop of blood are now
+ready to be sacrificed for her sake! Should it come to die--think, your
+grace, what nobler death, what greater happiness could meet me? A man
+must die once, and is there not greater pleasure in dying on the field
+of glory, at the side of one's son, than in bed; to die from a sabre or
+a bullet than from sickness; in addition fighting against pagans for
+the faith and the country?"
+
+Then Pan Serafin, moved by his own words, opened his arms and
+repeated,--
+
+"God grant this! God grant this!"
+
+Then Father Voynovski took him in his arms, and pressing him, said,--
+
+"God grant that in this Commonwealth there be as many men like you as
+possible; there are not many as honorable, more honorable there are
+none whatever. It is true that it becomes a noble better to die on the
+field than in bed, and in old times every man held that idea, but
+to-day worse times have come on us. The country and the faith are one
+immense altar, and a man is a morsel of myrrh, predestined for burning
+to the glory of that altar. Yes, times are worse at the present. Then
+war is nothing new to you?"
+
+Pan Serafin felt his breast, and continued,--
+
+"I have here a few wounds from sabres and shots of the old time."
+
+"It would be pleasanter for me to defend the flag," said Father
+Voynovski, "than listen to old women's sins in this neighborhood. And
+more than one of them tells me such nonsense, just as if she had come
+to shake out fleas at confession. When a man commits sin he has at
+least something to speak about, and all the more if he is a soldier!
+When I took this robe of a priest I became a chaplain in the regiment
+of Pan Modlishevski. Ah, I remember that well. Between one absolution
+of sins and another there was sometimes a shooting in the teeth, or
+blades were drawn. Ah, there was great need of chaplains in that time.
+I should like now to go, but my parish is large, and there is a tempest
+of work in it; the vicar is wilful but worst of all is a wound from a
+gunshot, which I received long ago, and which does not let me stay more
+than an hour in the saddle."
+
+"I should be happy to have a comrade," said Pan Serafin, "but I
+understand that even without that wound your grace could not leave the
+parish."
+
+"Well, I shall see. In a couple of days I will ride and learn how long
+I can stay in the saddle. Something may have straightened out in me.
+But who will look to the management at Yedlinka?"
+
+"I have a forester, a simple man, but so honest that he might almost be
+canonized."
+
+"I know; that one who is followed by wild beasts. Some say that he is a
+wizard; you know better, however. But he is old and sickly."
+
+"I wish to take also that Vilchopolski who on a time served Pan Gideon.
+Perhaps you remember him? a young noble who lost one foot, but he is
+vigorous and daring. Krepetski removed him because he was too
+independent. He came to me two days ago offering his service, and
+to-day I will agree with him surely. Pan Gideon did not like him, since
+the man would not let any one blow on his pudding, but Pan Gideon
+praised his activity and faithfulness."
+
+"What is to be heard in Belchantska?"
+
+"I have not been there for some time. It is clear that Vilchopolski
+does not praise the Krepetskis, but I had no chance to inquire about
+everything in detail."
+
+"I will look in there to-morrow, though they are not over glad to
+behold me, and then I will return to rub the ears of the Bukoyemskis. I
+will command them to come to confession, and for penance the whips will
+be moving. Let them give one another fifty lashes; that will be good
+for them."
+
+"It will, that is certain. But now I must take farewell of your grace
+because of Vilchopolski."
+
+Then Pan Serafin shortened his belt-strap, so that his sabre might not
+be in the way when he was entering the wagon. A moment later he was on
+the road moving toward Yedlinka, thinking meanwhile of his expedition,
+and smiling at the thought that he would work stirrup to stirrup with
+his one son, against pagans. After he had passed Belchantska he saw two
+horses under packs, and a trunk-laden wagon which Vilchopolski was
+driving. He commanded the young man to sit over into his wagon, and
+then he inquired,--
+
+"Are you leaving Belchantska already?"
+
+Vilchopolski pointed to the trunks, and wishing to prove that though he
+served he was not without learning, he said,--
+
+"See, your grace, _omnia mea mecum porto_" (I am taking all my things
+with me).
+
+"Then was there such a hurry?"
+
+"There was not a hurry, but there was need; therefore I accept all your
+grace's conditions with pleasure, and in case you go away, as you have
+mentioned, I will guard your house and possessions with faithfulness."
+
+Pan Serafin was pleased with the answer and the daring, firm face of
+the young man; so, after a moment of meditation, he added,--
+
+"Of faithfulness I have no doubt, for I know that you are a noble, but
+inexperience I fear, and incautiousness. In Yedlinka one must sit like
+a stone, and watch day and night, because it is almost in the
+wilderness, and in great forests there is no lack of bandits, who at
+times attack houses."
+
+"I do not wish an attack upon Yedlinka, but for myself I should like
+it, to convince your grace that courage and alertness would not be
+lacking on my part."
+
+"You look as though you had both," said Pan Serafin.
+
+He was silent a while, and then continued,--
+
+"There is one other thing of importance of which to forewarn you. Pan
+Gideon is in God's hands at the present, and touching the dead nothing
+save that which is good may be mentioned; but it is known that he was
+hard to his people. Father Voynovski blamed him for this, and there was
+variance between them. The sweat of the peasant was not spared in
+Belchantska; trials were short and punishment grievous. We will be
+outspoken--there was oppression, and his agents were too cruel with
+people. This is not my case, be sure of that; there must be discipline,
+but paternal. I look on excessive severity as a great sin against God
+and the country. Fix it well in your mind that a man is not curds, and
+it is not allowable to press him too cruelly. I do not wring out
+people's tears--and I remember that before God all are equal."
+
+A moment of silence followed. Vilchopolski seized Pan Serafin's hand
+and put his lips to it.
+
+"I see that you understand me," said Pan Serafin.
+
+"I understand, your grace; and I answer, More than a hundred times I
+wanted to say to Pan Gideon: 'Find another manager;' more than a
+hundred times I wanted to go from his service, but--well, I could not
+do so."
+
+"Why was that? Is there a lack of work in the world?"
+
+Vilchopolski was confused and spoke as if fear had seized hold of him.
+
+"It did not happen--I could not go--day after day I loitered. Besides,
+there was severity, and there was not."
+
+"How was that?"
+
+"The people were driven to work, it is true, no one could prevent that;
+but as to flogging, I will say briefly that instead of whips straw
+ropes were used on them."
+
+"Who was so merciful--you?"
+
+"No. But I chose to obey the will of an angel, not that of a devil."
+
+"I understand, but tell me whose will?"
+
+"Panna Anulka's."
+
+"Ah! so it was she?"
+
+"Really an angel. She too was in dread of Pan Gideon, who in recent
+times only began to regard what she told him. But all loved her so much
+that each man exposed himself to Pan Gideon's anger rather than refuse
+what she asked of him."
+
+"May God bless her for that! So you all conspired against Pan Gideon?"
+
+"Yes, your grace."
+
+"And it was not discovered?"
+
+"It was discovered once, but I did not betray the young lady. Pan
+Gideon flogged me himself, for I declared to him that if any other man
+flogged, or if he flogged me except on a carpet, I, a noble, would let
+his house up in smoke, and shoot him besides that. And it would have
+been done as I promised, even had I to join forest bandits in
+consequence."
+
+"You please me for this," said Pan Serafin.
+
+"More than once I found it difficult to stay with Pan Gideon,"
+continued Vilchopolski; "but in the house there was simply one of God's
+cherubim, and so, though a man might wish to go, he would stay there.
+After that, as the young lady grew up Pan Gideon gave her more
+consideration, and recently he gave thought to no one save Panna
+Anulka. He knew often that she commanded to give wheat to the poor from
+the granary, then, as I have said, she had straw used instead of whips;
+besides, she had labor remitted; he affected not to notice it. At last
+he was so much ashamed that she had no need to do anything in secret.
+She was a real protector of people, and for that reason may God, as you
+have said, bless and save her."
+
+"Why do you say 'save'?" inquired Pan Serafin.
+
+"Because it is worse for her now than it has been."
+
+"Have the fear of God! What is the danger?"
+
+"The two women are terrible. Young Krepetski himself restrains them
+apparently, but I know why he does this; but let him be careful, some
+one may shoot him down like a dog if he is not."
+
+It was deep night then, but very clear, for the full moon was shining,
+and by the light of it Pan Serafin saw that the eyes of the young man
+were glittering like wolf eyes.
+
+"What dost thou know of him?" asked Pan Serafin, with curiosity.
+
+"I know that he removed me not merely for my independence, but because
+I watched and listened carefully to what people in the house said. I
+went away because I had to go, but Belchantska is not far from
+Yedlinka, and in case of need--"
+
+Here he was silent, and on the road was heard only the sound of the
+pines as they were moved by the night wind.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XVI
+
+
+AT Belchantska it was not only evil for the young woman, but worse and
+worse daily. A good deal of time had passed since that moment in which
+old Pan Gideon had noticed that Martsian gazed at the young girl with
+too much of a "goat's look," and had driven him from the mansion. Later
+on, Martsian saw her at church, and sometimes at the houses of
+neighbors, and always her beauty of springtime roused fresh desires in
+him. Now when he was living under one roof with her, when he saw her
+daily, he fell in love in his own way, that is, with the beastlike
+desire, and that feeling of which he was alone capable. A change had
+taken place in his wishes. His first intent had been to bring the girl
+to shame, and then marry her only in case that a will should be found
+in her favor. Now he was ready to go with her to the altar, if he could
+in any case have and possess her forever. Reason, which when urged by
+desire becomes its obedient assistant, told him, moreover, that a young
+lady bearing the name of Sieninski was, although dowerless, a match of
+great moment. But even if reason had told him the opposite, Martsian
+would not have listened, for as each day appeared he lost some part of
+his self-mastery. He burnt, he raged, and if up to that time he had
+restrained himself from violence it was only because desire, even the
+most urgent, craves and yearns for a willing surrender, and is charmed
+with the thought of mutuality in which it sees the highest pleasure,
+and deceives itself even when there is no cause whatever for doing so.
+
+Thus Krepetski deceived himself, and thus he pampered his wishes with
+pictures of that blissful moment in which the young lady would herself,
+radiant and willing, incline to his embraces. But he dreaded to lose
+should he risk all on the hazard of a trial, and when he put to himself
+in spirit this question, What would follow? fear seized him in presence
+of himself, and in presence of the terror which would threaten him; for
+the laws of the Commonwealth guarding the honor of woman were pitiless,
+and around him were sabres of nobles by the hundred, which would flash
+above his head most unfailingly. But he felt also that the hour might
+come in which he would care for nothing, since in his insolent, wild
+spirit there was hidden a craving for battle, and a hunger for peril;
+so not without a certain charm for him was the picture of a great
+throng of nobles besieging Belchantska--the flame of conflagration
+above him, and a red executioner standing, axe in hand, somewhere off
+in the mist of a distant city.
+
+And thus desire, dread, and also a longing for battle struggled like
+three whirlwinds within him. At the same time, wishing to give exit to
+that storm, and to cool that flood which was seething in his person as
+water in a caldron, he grew mad, wallowed in riot throughout village
+inns, rode down his horses, fell upon people, and drank to kill in
+every dramshop of Radom, Prityk, and Yedlina. He collected around him a
+company of road-blockers, who did not go to the war because of evil
+fame, or of poverty. He paid these men and tyrannized over them; he did
+this thinking that such a mob might be useful in the future, but he did
+not admit any man of them to confidence, and never mentioned in their
+presence the name of the young lady. Once when a certain Vysh, from
+some Vyshkov of unknown situation, mentioned her in rude, obscene
+fashion, Martsian slashed the fellow on his snout and drew blood from
+him.
+
+Martsian galloped home at breakneck speed, and usually about daylight.
+But that mad riding sobered him thoroughly. He dropped down in his
+clothes to the horse skin which covered his bed, and slept like a stone
+for some hours on it; when he rose he put on his best garments, went
+then to the women, and strove to please the young lady, whom his eyes
+did not leave for one moment, he meanwhile rousing desire, while his
+glances crawled over her person. And more than once, when he was alone
+with Anulka, his lips were pushed forward, his arms of monstrous
+length quivered as if powerless against his wish to seize hold of
+her; his voice became stifled, his words became insolent, vague,
+and double-meaning; through them circled both flattery and an
+ill-restrained threatening.
+
+But Anulka feared him simply as she would have feared a tamed wolf, or
+a bear, and with difficulty did she hide the repulsion with which the
+sight of him filled her. For in spite of the parrot-like colors in
+which he arrayed himself, in spite of the shining jewels at his neck,
+and the costly flageolet which he never let slip from his fingers, he
+looked worse each day, and more repulsive. Sleepless nights, rioting,
+drinking, and flaming desires had placed on him their impress. He grew
+thin, his shoulders drooped, through this his arms, long by nature,
+seemed longer, so that his hands reached below his knees and were
+beyond human proportions. His gigantic trunk was like a knotty section
+of a tree trunk, and his short bow-legs bent still more from mad
+riding. Moreover, the skin of his face took on a kind of green pallor,
+and because of his sunken cheeks, his protruding eyes and pouting lips
+were pushed forward phenomenally. He became simply dreadful to look at,
+especially when he laughed, for from his eyeballs when lighted with
+laughter looked out a kind of nervous, unrestrained threat and malice.
+But the feeling of her misfortune, deep sadness, and unhappiness
+produced in Anulka a dignity of which she had not a trace somewhat
+earlier. This dignity imposed on Krepetski. Once she had been a
+twittering maiden, active all day as a water-mill; now she had learned
+to be silent, and her eyes had a fixity of expression. So, though her
+heart trembled often from fear of Krepetski, she restrained him by her
+calm glance and her silence. He drew back then as if fearing to offend
+such a majesty. It is true that she seemed to him still more desirable,
+but also more difficult of access. She, however, feeling that from him
+immense danger was threatening, and later on being perfectly convinced
+of this, strove to avoid him, to be alone with him the shortest time
+possible, to turn away conversation from things which might facilitate
+confession, and finally she had the boldness sometimes to indicate that
+she was not by any means abandoned and left to the favor or ill-will of
+fortune, as it might seem to him.
+
+She avoided even memories of Yatsek, understanding that after what had
+passed between them he could not be then, and would not be ever a
+defence to her. She felt besides that every word touching him would
+rouse hatred and anger in Martsian. But having noted that the
+Krepetskis were careful of the prelate, and looked as if with secret
+dread on him, she let it be understood frequently that she was under
+his special protection, which rose from a secret agreement which, in
+view of every contingency, Pan Gideon had concluded. The prelate, who
+from time to time came to Belchantska, aided her notably, for he turned
+to the Krepetskis with pleasure, since he was studying mankind; he
+expressed himself with mystery, and quoted subtle phrases in Latin; he
+reminded Martsian of various things which that young man might
+interpret as suited him.
+
+But a great point was this: The servants and the whole village loved
+the "young lady." People considered the Krepetskis as intruders, and
+her as the genuine inheritor. All feared Martsian, except Vilchopolski.
+But even after the removal of that young noble, the unseen care of the
+people went, as it were, with Anulka, and Martsian understood that the
+fear which he roused had its limit, beyond which for him would begin
+real danger. He understood also that Vilchopolski, whose eyes had a
+daring expression, would not go far from Belchantska, and that if the
+young lady should be in need of defence he would not draw back before
+anything; hence he confessed to himself that she was not really so
+deserted by every one as at first he had thought, and as on a time he
+had told his old father.
+
+"Who will take her part? No one!" said he, when the old man commanded
+him to remember the terrible punishments which the laws threatened for
+an attempt on the honor of a woman.
+
+At last he understood that there were such defenders. That raised one
+more obstacle, but obstacles and perils were only an incitement to a
+nature like Martsian's. He deceived himself yet, thinking that he would
+move the young lady and make her love him; but there came moments in
+which he saw, as clearly as a thing on the palm, that he was quite
+powerless; and then he raged, as said the comrades of his revels, and
+had it not been for a certain dull, but strong and irresistible
+foreboding that if he attacked the girl he should lose her forever, he
+would long ere that have set free the wild beast within him.
+
+And in just those times did he drink without measure and memory.
+
+Meanwhile relations in the house had become unendurable, seasoned with
+bitterness and poison. The Krepetski old maids hated Anulka, not only
+because she was younger than they and more beautiful, but because
+people loved her, and because Martsian took her part for every reason,
+and even for no reason. They flamed up at last with implacable hatred
+toward their brother; but seeing that Anulka never complained, they
+tortured her all the more stubbornly. Once Agneshka burnt her with a
+red-hot shovel, as if by accident. Martsian, hearing of this through
+the servants, went to ask pardon of the young lady, and beg her to seek
+his protection at all times; but he pushed up to her with such
+insistence, and fell to kissing her hand with such greed and so
+disgustingly, that she fled from him, unable to repress her abhorrence.
+Thereupon he broke into a rage and beat his sister so viciously that
+for two days she feigned illness.
+
+The two "heiresses" as they were called at the mansion did not spare
+biting words on the young lady, or open inventions and humiliations,
+taking vengeance in this way for all they were forced to endure from
+their brother. But out of hatred for Martsian they warned her against
+him, censuring her at the same time for yielding to his wishes, for
+they saw that with nothing could they wound and offend her so painfully
+as with this implication. The house became a hell for her, and every
+hour in it a torment.
+
+Hatred toward those people, who themselves hated one another, was
+poisoning even her heart. She began to think of a cloister, but she
+kept the thought in her bosom, for she knew that they would not let her
+enter one, and that by unfettering Martsian's anger she would expose
+herself to great peril. Alarm and fear of danger dwelt in her
+continually, and produced the desire of death, a desire which she had
+never felt previously. Meanwhile each day added to her cup new drops of
+bitterness. Once, early in the morning, Agneshka surprised Martsian
+looking through the keyhole of the orphan's chamber. He withdrew
+gritting his teeth and threatening with his fist, but the "heiress"
+called her sister immediately, and the two, finding the girl still
+undressed, began to torment her, as usual.
+
+"Thou didst know that he was standing there," said the elder, "for the
+floor squeaks outside the door, and there is a noise when any one
+stands near it; but to thee, as is clear, his presence was agreeable."
+
+"Bah! he licked his lips before dainties, and she did not hide them,"
+interrupted Agneshka. "Hast thou no fear of God, shameless creature?"
+
+"Such a one should be put before the church at a pillory."
+
+"And expelled from the mansion."
+
+"Sodom and Gomorrah!"
+
+"Tfu!"
+
+"And when will the need be to send to Radom for a woman?"
+
+"What sort of a name wilt thou give it?"
+
+"Tfu! thou dish-rag!"
+
+And they spat on her.
+
+The heart stormed up in the hapless maiden, for the measure was passed
+then.
+
+"Be off!" cried she, pointing to the door.
+
+But her face grew pale as linen, and darkness fell on her eyes; for a
+moment it seemed to her that she was flying into some gulf without
+bottom, then she lost consciousness, feeling, and memory. On recovering
+she found herself wet from water which had been poured on her, and her
+breast pinched in places. The faces of the old maids bending over her
+showed fear, but after a while they felt reassured when they saw that
+she was conscious.
+
+"Complain, complain!" said Johanna. "Thy paramour will defend thee."
+
+"And thou wilt thank him in thy own way."
+
+Setting her teeth Anulka answered no syllable.
+
+But Martsian divined all that must have happened upstairs, for some
+hours later from the chancellery, where he had shut himself in with his
+sisters, came howls from which the whole mansion was terrified.
+
+In the afternoon, when old Krepetski came, the two sisters fell with a
+scream to his knees imploring him to remove them from that den of
+profligacy and torture. But he to the same degree that he loved his
+youngest daughter hated the elder ones; so he not only took no pity on
+the ill-fated hags, but he called for sticks, and compelled them to
+stay there.
+
+The only being in that terrible house in whom Johanna and Agneshka, if
+they had wished to be friendly and kind, might have found compassion,
+sympathy, and even protection, was Panna Anulka. But they preferred to
+torment the poor girl, and gloat over her, for, with the exception of
+Tekla, that was a family in which each member did all in his or her
+power to poison the life and increase the misfortune of the others.
+
+But Panna Anulka feared the love of Martsian more than the hatred of
+his sisters. And he thrust himself more and more on her, pushed himself
+forward more and more shamelessly, was more and more insistent, and
+gazed at her more and more greedily. It had become clear that he was
+ceasing to command himself, that wild desire was tearing him as a
+whirlwind tears a tree, and that he might give way at any moment.
+
+In fact that moment came soon.
+
+Once, after warm weather had grown settled, Anulka went at daybreak to
+bathe in the shady river; before undressing she saw Martsian's face on
+the opposite bank sticking out from thick bushes. That instant she
+rushed away breathlessly. He pursued her, but trying to spring over the
+water he failed and fell into it; he was barely able to climb out, and
+went home drenched to the very last thread of his clothing. Before
+dinner he had beaten a number of servants till the blood came; during
+dinner he said not a word to any person. Only at the end of the meal
+did he turn to his sisters,--
+
+"Leave me alone," said he, "with Panna Anulka; I have to talk with her
+on matters of importance."
+
+The sisters, on hearing this, looked at each other significantly, and
+the young lady grew pale from amazement; though he had long tried to
+seize every moment in which he might be alone with her, he had never
+let himself ask for such a moment openly.
+
+When the sisters had gone he rose, looked beyond one door and another,
+to convince himself that no one was listening, then he drew up to
+Anulka.
+
+"Give me your hand," said he, "and be reconciled."
+
+She drew back both hands unconsciously, and pushed away from him.
+
+Martsian's wish for calmness was evident, but he sprang forward twice
+on his bow-legs, for he could never abandon that habit, and said, with
+a voice full of effort,--
+
+"You are unwilling! But to-day I came very near drowning for your sake.
+I beg your pardon for that fright, but it was not caused by any bad
+reason. Mad dogs began yesterday to run between Vyrambki and this
+mansion, and I took a gun to make sure of your safety."
+
+Anulka's knees trembled under her a little, but she said with good
+presence of mind and with calmness,--
+
+"I want no protection which would bring only shame to me."
+
+"I should like to defend you, not merely now, but till death and at all
+times! Not offending God, but with His blessing. Dost understand me?"
+
+A moment of silence followed this question. Through the open window
+came the sound of cutting wood, made by an old lame man attached to the
+kitchen.
+
+"I do not understand."
+
+"Because thou hast no wish to understand," replied Martsian. "Thou
+seest this long time that I cannot live without thee. Thou art as
+needful to me as this air is for breathing. To me thou art wonderful,
+and dear above all things. I cannot exist--without thee I shall burn up
+and vanish! If I had not restrained myself I should have grabbed thee
+long ago as a hawk grabs a dove. It grows dry in my throat without
+thee, as it does without water--everything in me quivers toward thee. I
+cannot sleep, I cannot live--see here even now--"
+
+And he stopped, for his teeth were chattering as if in a fever. He had
+a spasm, he caught at the arms of the chair with his bony fingers, as
+if fearing to fall, and panted some time very loudly. Then he
+continued,--
+
+"Thou lackest fortune--that is nothing! I have enough. I need not
+fortune, but thee. Dost thou wish to be mistress in this mansion? Thou
+wert to marry Pan Gideon; I am not worse, as I think, than Pan Gideon.
+But do not say no! do not, by the living God, do not say it, for I
+cannot tell what will happen. Thou art wonderful! thou, my--!"
+
+He knelt quickly, embraced her knees with his two hands, and pressed
+them toward his bosom. But, beyond even her own expectation, Anulka's
+fear vanished without a trace in that terrible moment. The knightly
+blood began to act in her; readiness for battle to the last breath
+was roused in the woman. Her hands pushed back with all force his
+sweat-covered forehead, which was nestling up toward her knees at that
+moment.
+
+"No! no! I would rather die a thousand deaths! No!"
+
+He rose up, pallid, his hair erect, his mustache quivering. Beneath the
+mustache were glittering his long decayed teeth, and for a time he was
+filled with cold rage as he stood there; but still he controlled
+himself, still presence of mind did not desert him entirely. But when
+Anulka pushed toward the door on a sudden, he stopped the way to her.
+
+"Is this true?" inquired he, with a hoarse voice. "Thou wilt not have
+me? Wilt thou repeat that once more to me, to my eyes? Wilt thou not
+have me?"
+
+"I will not! And do not threaten, for I feel no fear."
+
+"I do not threaten thee, but I want to take thee as wife, nay more, I
+beg thee bethink thyself! By the living God, bethink thyself!"
+
+"In what am I to bethink myself? I am free, I have my will, and I say
+before your eyes: Never!"
+
+He approached her, so nearly that his face pushed up to hers, and he
+continued,--
+
+"Then perhaps instead of being mistress, thou dost choose to carry wood
+to the kitchen? Or dost thou not wish it? How will it be, O noble lady!
+To which of thy estates wilt thou go from this mansion? And if thou
+stay, whose bread wilt thou eat here; on whose kindness wilt thou live?
+In whose power wilt thou find thyself? Whose bed, whose chamber is that
+in which thou art sleeping? What will happen if I command to remove the
+door fastenings? And dost thou ask in what thou art to bethink thyself?
+In this: which thou art to choose!--marriage, or no marriage!"
+
+"Ruffian!" screamed Panna Anulka.
+
+But now happened something unheard of. Seized with sudden fury,
+Krepetski bellowed with a voice that was not human, and seizing the
+girl by the hair he began with a certain wild and beastly relish to
+beat her without mercy or memory. The longer he had mastered himself up
+to that time, the more did his madness seem wild then, and terrible; at
+that moment beyond doubt he would have killed the young lady had it not
+been that to her cries for assistance servants burst into the chamber.
+First that man cutting wood at the kitchen broke in with an axe through
+the window, after him came kitchen servants, the two sisters, the
+butler, and two of Pan Gideon's old servitors.
+
+The butler was a noble from a distant village in Mazovia, moreover, a
+man of rare strength, though rather aged; he caught Martsian's arms
+from behind, and drew them so mightily that the elbows almost met at
+his shoulders.
+
+"This is not permitted, your grace!" exclaimed he. "It is infamous!"
+
+"Let me go!" roared Krepetski.
+
+But the iron hands held him as in vices, and a serious, low voice was
+heard near his ear,--
+
+"I will break your bones unless you restrain yourself!"
+
+Meanwhile the sisters led, or rather carried the young lady from the
+chamber.
+
+"Come to the chancellery to rest," said the butler. "I advise your
+grace earnestly."
+
+And he pushed the man before him as he would a child, while Martsian,
+with chattering teeth, moved on with his short legs, crying for a
+halter and the hangman; but he could not resist, for a moment later he
+had grown so weak all at once, from the outburst, that he was unable
+even to stand unassisted. So, when the butler in the chancellery threw
+him on the horse skin with which the bed was covered, Martsian did not
+even try to rise; he lay there panting with heaving sides, like a horse
+after over-exertion.
+
+"Something to drink!" shouted he.
+
+The butler opened the door, called a boy, and, whispering some words,
+gave him keys: the lad returned with a pint glass and a demijohn of
+brandy.
+
+The butler filled the glass to the brim, sniffed at it, and said
+approaching Martsian,--
+
+"Drink, your grace."
+
+Krepetski seized it with both hands, but they trembled so that liquor
+dropped on his breast; then the butler raised him, put the glass to his
+lips, and inclined it.
+
+He drank and drank, holding the glass greedily when the butler tried to
+remove it from his mouth. At last he drank all, and fell backward.
+
+"It may be too much," said the butler, "but you had become very weak
+when I gave it."
+
+Though Martsian wished to say something, he merely hissed in the air,
+like a man who has burnt his mouth with too hot a liquid.
+
+"Eh," said the butler, "you owe me a good gift, for I have shown no
+petty service. God preserve us, if anything is done--in such an affair
+it is the axe and the executioner, not to mention this, that misfortune
+might happen here any minute. The people love that young lady beyond
+measure. And it will be difficult to hide what has been done from the
+prelate, though I will tell all to be silent. How do you feel?"
+
+Martsian looked at him with staring eyes and open mouth as he panted.
+Once and a second time he tried to say something, then hiccoughing
+seized him, his eyes grew expressionless, he closed his lids on a
+sudden, and then began a rattling in his throat as if the man were
+dying.
+
+"Sleep, or die, dirty dog!" growled the butler as he looked at him. And
+he went from the room to the outbuildings. Half an hour later he
+returned and knocked at the young lady's chamber. Finding the two
+sisters with her he said to them,--
+
+"Ladies, perhaps you would look in a moment at the chancellery, for the
+young lord has grown very feeble. But if he sleeps it is better not to
+wake him."
+
+Then when alone with Panna Anulka he inclined to her knees, and said,--
+
+"Young lady, there is need to flee from this mansion. All is ready."
+
+And she, though broken and barely able to stand on her feet, sprang up
+in one instant.
+
+"It is well, and I am ready! Save me!"
+
+"I will conduct you to a wagon which is waiting beyond the river.
+To-night I will bring your clothing. Pan Krepetski is as drunk as Bela,
+and will lie like a dead man till morning. Only take a cloak, and let
+us go. No one will stop us; have no fear on that point."
+
+"God reward! God reward!" repeated she, feverishly.
+
+They went out through the garden to that gate by which Yatsek used to
+enter from Vyrambki. On the way the butler said to her,--
+
+"Long ago Vilchopolski arranged with the servants that if an attack
+upon you were attempted, they would set fire to the granary. Pan
+Krepetski would be forced to the fire, and you would have time to
+escape through the garden to a place beyond the river, where a man was
+to wait with a wagon. But it is better not to burn anything. To set
+fire is a crime, no matter what happens. Krepetski will be like a stone
+until morning, so no pursuit threatens you."
+
+"Where are we going?"
+
+"To Pan Serafin's; defence there is easy. Vilchopolski is there. So are
+the Bukoyemskis and other foresters. Krepetski will try to take you
+back, but will fail. And later on Pan Serafin will conduct you to
+Radom, or farther. That will be settled with the priests. Here is the
+wagon! Fear no pursuit. It is not far to Yedlinka, and God gives a
+wonderful evening. I will bring your clothing to-night. If they try to
+stop me I will not mind them. May the Most Holy Mother, the guardian
+and protectress of orphans conduct you!"
+
+And taking her by the hand like a child, he seated her in the wagon.
+
+"Move on!" cried he to the driver.
+
+It was growing dark in the world, and the twilight of evening was
+quenching, but from the remnant of its rays the stars in the clear sky
+were rosy. The calm evening was filled with the odors of the earth, of
+leaves, and of blossoming alders, while nightingales were filling with
+their song, as with a warm rain of spring, the garden, the trees, and
+the whole region.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XVII
+
+
+That evening Pan Serafin was sitting on a bench in the front of his
+mansion, entertaining Father Voynovski, who had come after evening
+prayers to see him, and the four Bukoyemskis, who were stopping then
+permanently at Yedlinka. Before them on a table, with legs crossed like
+the letter X, stood a pitcher of mead and some glasses. They, while
+listening to the murmur of the forest, were drinking from time to time
+and conversing of the war, raising their eyes to the heavens in which
+the sickle of the moon was shining clearly.
+
+"Thanks to your grace, our benefactor, we shall be ready soon for the
+road," said Mateush Bukoyemski. "What has happened is passed. Even
+saints have their failings; then how must it be with frail men, who
+without the grace of God can do nothing? But when I look at that moon,
+which forms the Turkish standard, my fist is stung as if mosquitoes
+were biting. Well, God grant a man to gratify his hands at the
+earliest."
+
+The youngest Bukoyemski fell to thinking.
+
+"Why is it, my reverend benefactor," asked he at last, "that Turks
+cherish some kind of worship for the moon, and bear it on their
+standards?"
+
+"But have not dogs some devotion toward the moon also?" asked the
+priest.
+
+"Of course, but why should the Turks have it?"
+
+"Just because they are dog-brothers."
+
+"Well, as God is dear to me, that explains all," said the young man,
+looking at the moon then in wonderment.
+
+"But the moon is not to blame," said the host, "and it is delightful to
+gaze at it when in the calm of night it paints all the trees with its
+beams, as if some one had coated them with silver. I love greatly to
+sit by myself on such a night, gaze at the sky, and marvel at the Lord
+God's almightiness."
+
+"Yes, at such times the soul flies on wings, as it were, to its
+Creator," said Father Voynovski. "God in his mercy created the moon as
+well as the sun, and what an immense benefaction. As to the sun, well,
+everything is visible in the daytime, but if there were no moon people
+would break their necks in the night if they travelled, not to mention
+this, that in perfect darkness devilish wickedness would be greater by
+far than it is at the present."
+
+They were silent for a while and passed over the peaceful sky with
+their eyes; the priest took a pinch of snuff then, and added,--
+
+"Fix this in your memories, gentlemen, that a kind Providence thinks
+not only of the needs, but the comfort of people."
+
+The rattle of wheels, which in the night stillness reached their ears
+very clearly, interrupted the conversation. Pan Serafin rose from his
+seat.
+
+"God is bringing some guest," said he, "for the whole household is
+here. I am curious to know who it may be."
+
+"Surely some one with news from our lads," added Father Voynovski.
+
+All rose, and thereupon a wagon drawn by two horses entered in through
+the gateway.
+
+"Some woman is on the seat," called out Lukash.
+
+"That is true."
+
+The wagon passed through half the courtyard and stopped at the
+entrance. Pan Serafin looked at the face of the woman, recognized it in
+the wonderful moonlight, and cried,--
+
+"Panna Anulka!"
+
+And he almost lifted her in his arms from the wagon, then she bent at
+once to his knees, and burst into weeping.
+
+"An orphan!" cried she, "who begs for rescue and a refuge!"
+
+Then she nestled up to his knees, embraced them with still greater
+vigor, and sobbed more complainingly. Such great astonishment seized
+every man there, that for a time no one uttered a syllable; at last Pan
+Serafin raised the orphan and pressed her to his heart.
+
+"While there is breath in my nostrils," cried he, "I will be to thee a
+father. But tell me what has happened? Have they driven thee from
+Belchantska?"
+
+"Krepetski has beaten me, and threatened me with infamy," answered she,
+in a voice barely audible.
+
+Father Voynovski, who was there very near her, heard this answer.
+
+"Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews!" exclaimed he, seizing his white
+hair with both hands.
+
+The four Bukoyemskis gazed with open mouths, and eyes bursting from
+their sockets, but understood nothing. Their hearts were moved at once,
+it is true, by the weeping of the orphan, but they considered that
+Panna Anulka had wrought foul injustice on Yatsek. They remembered also
+the teaching of Father Voynovski, that woman is the cause of all evil.
+So they looked at one another inquiringly, as if hoping that some clear
+idea would come, if not to one, to another of them. At last words came
+to Marek.
+
+"Well, now, here is Krepetski for you. But in every case that Martsian
+will get from us a----, or won't he?"
+
+And he seized at his left side, and, following his example, the other
+three brothers began to feel for the hilts of their sabres.
+
+Meanwhile, Pan Serafin had led in the young lady and committed her to
+Pani Dzvonkovski, his housekeeper, a woman of sensitive heart and
+irrepressible eloquence, and explained to her that she was to concern
+herself with this the most notable guest that had come to them. He said
+that the housekeeper was to yield up her own bedroom to the lady, light
+the house, make a fire in the kitchen, find calming medicines and
+plasters for the blue spots, prepare heated wine and various dainties.
+He advised the young lady herself to lie down in bed until all was
+given her, and to rest, deferring detailed discourse till the morrow.
+
+But she desired to open her heart straightway to those gentlemen with
+whom she had sought rescue. She wanted to cast out immediately from her
+soul all that anguish which had been collecting so long in it, and that
+misfortune, shame, humiliation, and torture in which she had been
+living at Belchantska. So, shutting herself up with Father Voynovski
+and Pan Serafin, she spoke as if to a confessor and a father. She told
+them everything, both her sorrow for Yatsek, and that she had consented
+to marry her guardian only because she thought Yatsek had contemned
+her, and because she had heard from the Bukoyemskis that Yatsek was to
+marry Parma Zbierhovski. Finally, she explained what her life had been
+in Belchantska,--or rather, what her sufferings had been there; she
+explained the torturing malice of the two sisters, the ghastly advances
+of Martsian, and the happenings of that day which were the cause of her
+flight from the mansion.
+
+And they seized their own heads while they listened. The hand of Father
+Voynovski, an old soldier, went to his left side involuntarily, in the
+manner of the Bukoyemskis, though for many a day he had not carried a
+weapon; but the worthy Pan Serafin put his palms on the temples of the
+maiden, and said to her,--
+
+"Let him try to take thee. I had an only son, but now God has given me
+a daughter."
+
+Father Voynovski, who had been struck most by what she had said
+touching Yatsek, remembering all that had happened, could not take in
+the position immediately. Hence he thought and thought, smoothed with
+his palm the whole length of his crown which was milk-white, and then
+he asked finally,--
+
+"Didst thou know of that letter which Pan Gideon wrote to Yatsek?"
+
+"I begged him to write it."
+
+"Then I understand nothing. Why didst thou do so?"
+
+"Because I wanted Yatsek to return to us."
+
+"How return?" cried the priest, with real anger. "The letter was such
+that just because of it Yatsek went away to the ends of the earth
+broken-hearted, to forget, and cast out of him that love which thou, my
+young lady, didst trample."
+
+Her eyes blinked from amazement, and she put her hands together, as if
+praying.
+
+"My guardian told me that he had written the letter of a father. O Holy
+Mother! What was there in it?"
+
+"Insults, contempt, a trampling upon the man's poverty and his honor.
+Dost understand?"
+
+Then from the gill's breast was rent a shriek of such pain and
+sincerity that the honest heart of the priest quivered in him. He
+approached her, removed the hands with which she had covered her face,
+and asked,--
+
+"Then didst thou not know of this?"
+
+"I did not--I did not!"
+
+"And thou didst wish Yatsek to return to thee?
+
+"I did!"
+
+"In God's name! Why was that?"
+
+Tears as large as pearls began again to drop from her closed lashes in
+abundance, and quickly; her face was red from maiden shame, she caught
+for air with her open lips, the heart was throbbing in her as in a
+captured bird, and at last after great effort, she whispered,--
+
+"Because--I love him!"
+
+"My child, is that possible!" cried out Father Voynovski.
+
+But the voice broke in his breast, for tears were choking him also. He
+was seized at the same instant by delight and immense compassion for
+the girl, and astonishment that "a woman" in this case was not the
+cause of all evil, but an innocent lamb on which so much suffering had
+fallen God knew for what reason. He caught her in his arms, pressed her
+to his heart. "My child! my child!" repeated he, time after time.
+
+The Bukoyemskis, meanwhile, had betaken themselves, with the glasses
+and pitcher, to the dining-room; had emptied the pitcher
+conscientiously to the bottom, and were waiting for the priest and Pan
+Serafin, in the hope that with their coming supper would be put on the
+table.
+
+They returned at last with moistened eyes and with emotion on their
+faces. Pan Serafin breathed deeply once, and a second time, then he
+said,--
+
+"Pani Dzvonkovski is putting the poor thing to bed. Indeed, a
+man is unwilling to believe his own ears. We too, are to blame; but
+Krepetski,--what he has done is simply infamous and disgraceful. We may
+not let him go without punishment."
+
+"On the contrary," answered Marek, "we will talk about this with that
+'stump.' Oh-ho!"
+
+Then he turned to Father Voynovski,--
+
+"I am very sorry for her, but still, I think that God punished her for
+Yatsek. Is that not true?"
+
+"Thou art a fool!" called out Father Voynovski.
+
+"But how is that? Why?"
+
+The old man, whose breast was full of pity, fell to talking quickly and
+passionately of the innocence and suffering of the girl, as if wishing
+in that way to make up for the injustice which he had permitted
+regarding her; but after a time all discussion was interrupted by the
+coming of Pani Dzvonkovski, who burst into the room like a bomb into a
+fortress.
+
+Her face was as flooded with tears as if it had been dipped in a full
+bucket, and right on the threshold she fell to crying, with arms
+stretched out before her,--
+
+"People, whoso believes in God! Vengeance, justice! As God lives! her
+dear shoulders are all in blue lumps, those shoulders once white as
+wafers--hair torn out by the handful, golden hair! my dearest dove! my
+innocent lamb! my precious little flower!"
+
+On hearing this, Mateush Bukoyemski, already excited by the narrative
+of Father Voynovski, bellowed out at one moment, the next he was
+accompanied by Marek, Lukash, and Yan till the servants rushed into the
+dining-hall and the dogs began to bark at the entrance. But
+Vilchopolski, who a moment later returned from his night review of
+haystacks, met now another humor of the brothers. Their hair was on
+end, their eyes were staring with rage, their right hands were grasping
+at their sabre hilts.
+
+"Blood!" shouted Lukash.
+
+"Give him hither, the son of a such a one!"
+
+"Kill him!"
+
+"On sabres with him!"
+
+And they moved toward the door as one man; but Pan Serafin sprang to
+the entrance and stopped them.
+
+"Halt!" cried he. "Martsian deserves not the sabre, but the headsman!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XVIII
+
+
+And he had to speak long in pacifying the angry brothers. He explained
+to them that were they to cut down Krepetski at once it would be the
+act not of nobles but assassins.
+
+"There is need first of all," said he, "to visit our neighbors, to come
+to an understanding with Father Tvorkovski, to have the support of the
+clergy and the nobles, to obtain the testimony of the servants at
+Belchantska, then to take the case before a tribunal, and only when the
+sentence is passed to stand behind it with weapons. If," continued he,
+"ye were to bear Martsian apart on your sabres immediately, his father
+would not fail to report in all places that ye did so through agreement
+with Panna Anulka; by this her reputation might suffer, and the old man
+would summon you, and, instead of going to the war, ye would have to
+drag around through tribunals, for, not being under the authority of
+the hetman as yet, ye would not escape a civil summons. That is how
+this matter stands at the moment."
+
+"How so?" inquired Yan, with sorrow; "then we are to let the wrong done
+this dove go unpunished?"
+
+"But do ye think," said the priest, "that life will be pleasant for
+Krepetski when infamy is hanging over him, or the axe of the headsman,
+and in addition when general contempt is surrounding him? That is a
+worse torment than a quick death would be, and I should not wish, for
+all the silver in Olkuts, to be in his skin at this moment."
+
+"But if he will wriggle out?" inquired Marek. "His father is an old
+trickster, who has won more than one lawsuit."
+
+"If he wriggles out, Yatsek on returning will whisper a word in his
+ear."
+
+"Ye do not know Yatsek yet! He has the eyes of a maiden, but it is
+safer to take her young cubs from a she-bear than to pain him
+unjustly."
+
+Hereupon Vilchopolski till then only listening spoke in gloomy
+accents,--
+
+"Pan Krepetski has written his own sentence, whether he awaits the
+return of Pan Tachevski or not-- But there is another point; he will
+try, with armed hand, to get back the young lady, and then--"
+
+"Then we shall see!" interrupted Pan Serafin. "But let him only try!
+That is something quite different!"
+
+And he shook his sabre, threateningly, while the Bukoyemskis began to
+grit their teeth straightway.
+
+"Let him try! let him try!" said they.
+
+"But, gentlemen," said Vilchopolski, "you are going to the war."
+
+"We will arrange then in another way," replied Father Voynovski.
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the butler. He
+had brought trunks filled with the wardrobe of Panna Sieninski which,
+as he said, he did only with difficulty. The Krepetski sisters tried to
+prevent him, and even wished to wake Martsian, and keep the trunks in
+the mansion, but they could not wake him; and the butler persuaded them
+that they should not act thus, both in view of their own good and that
+of their brother, otherwise an action would be brought against them for
+robbery, and they would be summoned for damages before a tribunal. As
+women who do not know law they were frightened and yielded. The butler
+thought that Martsian would try surely to get back the young lady, but
+he did not think that the man would use violence immediately.
+
+"He will be restrained from that," said the butler, "by his father, who
+understands well the significance of _raptus puellae_. He knows nothing
+yet of what has happened, but from here I will go to him directly and
+explain the whole matter, for two reasons. First, so that he may
+restrain Martsian, and second, because I do not wish to be in
+Belchantska to-morrow when Martsian wakes and learns that I have helped
+the young lady in fleeing. He would rush on me surely, and then to one
+of us something ugly might happen."
+
+Pan Serafin and Father Voynovski praised the man's prudence and,
+finding that he was a well-wishing person, and experienced, a man who
+had eaten bread from more than one oven, and to whom law itself was no
+novelty, begged him to aid in examining the question. There were two
+councils then, one of these being formed of the four Bukoyemskis.
+
+Pan Serafin, knowing how to restrain them most easily from murderous
+intentions, and detain them at home, sent a large demijohn of good mead
+to the brothers; this they were glad to besiege at the moment, and
+began to drink one to another. Their hearts were moved, and they
+remembered involuntarily the night when Panna Anulka crossed for the
+first time the threshold of that house there in Yedlinka. They recalled
+how they had fallen in love with her straightway, how through her they
+had quarrelled, and then in one voice adjudged her to Stanislav, and
+thus made an offering of their passion to friendship.
+
+At last Mateush drank his mead, put his head on his palm, sighed, and
+continued,--
+
+"Yatsek was sitting that night on a tree like a squirrel. Who could
+have thought then that he was just the man to whom the Lord God had
+given her?"
+
+"And commanded us to continue in our orphanhood," added Marek.
+
+"Do ye remember," asked Lukash, "how the rooms were all bright from her
+presence? They would not have been brighter from a hundred burning
+candles. And she at one time stood up, at another sat down, and a third
+time she laughed. And when she looked at a man it was as warm in his
+bosom as if he had drunk heated wine that same instant. Let us take a
+glass now on our terrible sadness."
+
+They drank again; then Mateush struck a blow with his fist on the
+table, and shouted,--
+
+"Ei! if she had not loved that Yatsek so!"
+
+"Then what?" asked Yan, angrily, "dost think that she would fall in
+love with thee right away? Look at him--my dandy!"
+
+"Well thou art no beauty!" retorted Mateush.
+
+And they looked at each other with ill-feeling. But Lukash, though
+given greatly to quarrels, began now to pacify his brothers.
+
+"Not for thee, not for thee, not for any of us," said he. "Another will
+get her and take her to the altar."
+
+"For us there is nothing but sorrow and weeping," blurted out Marek.
+
+"Then at least we will love one another. No one in this world loves us!
+No one!"
+
+"No one! no one!" repeated they all in succession, mingling their wine
+with their tears as they said so.
+
+"But she is sleeping up there!" added Yan on a sudden.
+
+"She is sleeping, the poor little thing," responded Lukash; "she is
+lying down like a flower cut by the scythe, like a lamb torn by a
+villainous wolf. My born brothers! is there no man here who will take
+even a pull at the wild beast?"
+
+"It cannot be but there is!" cried out Mateush, Marek, and Yan. And
+again they grew indignant, and the more they drank the oftener they
+gritted their teeth, first one, then another, or one of them struck his
+fist on the table.
+
+"I have an idea!" said the youngest on a sudden.
+
+"Tell it! Have God in thy heart!"
+
+"Here it is. We have promised Pan Serafin not to cut up that 'stump.'
+Have we not promised?"
+
+"We have, but tell what thou hast to say; ask no questions."
+
+"Though we have promised we must take revenge for our young lady. Old
+Krepetski will come here, as they said, to see if Pan Serafin will not
+give back the young lady. But we know that he will not give her, do we
+not?"
+
+"He will not! he will not!"
+
+"But think ye not this way: Martsian will hurry to meet his father on
+the road back, to see and inquire if he has succeeded."
+
+"As God is in heaven, he will do so."
+
+"On the road, half-way between Belchantska and Yedlinka, is a tar pit
+near the roadside. If we should wait at that tar pit for Martsian--?"
+
+"Well, but what for?"
+
+"Psh! quiet!"
+
+"Psh!"
+
+And they began to look around through the room, though they knew that
+save themselves there was not a living soul in it, and then they
+whispered. They whispered long, now louder, now lower. At last their
+faces grew radiant, they finished their wine at one draught, embraced
+one another, and in silence went out of the room one after the other,
+in goose fashion.
+
+They saddled their horses without the least noise, and each led his
+beast by the bit from the courtyard. When they had gone through the
+gate they mounted and rode stirrup by stirrup to the roadway where Yan,
+though the youngest, took command and said then to his brothers,--
+
+"Now I with Marek will go to the tar pit, and do ye bring that cask
+before daybreak."
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XIX
+
+
+Old Krepetski, as had been foreseen by the butler, went to Yedlinka
+after midday on the morrow, but beyond all expectation he appeared
+there with so kindly a face, and so gladsome, that Pan Serafin, who had
+the habit of dozing after dinner, and felt somewhat drowsy, became wide
+awake with astonishment at sight of him. Almost at the threshold the
+old fox began to mention neighborly friendship and say what delight his
+old age would find in more frequent and mutual visits; he gave thanks
+for the kindly reception, and only after finishing these courtesies did
+he come to the real question.
+
+"Benefactor and neighbor," said he, "I have come with the salute which
+was due you, but also, as you must have divined, with a request which,
+in view of my age, you, I trust, will give ear to most kindly."
+
+"I will yield gladly to every proper wish which you may utter," said
+Pan Serafin.
+
+The old man began to rub his hands.
+
+"I knew that! I knew it beforehand," said he. "What a thing it is to
+deal with a man who has real wisdom; one comes to an agreement
+immediately. I said to my son 'Leave that to me! the moment,' said I,
+'that thou hast to do with Pan Serafin all will go well, for there is
+not another man, not merely so wise, but so honorable in this region.'"
+
+"You praise me too greatly."
+
+"No, no, I say too little. But let us come to the question."
+
+"Let us."
+
+Old Krepetski was silent for a while, as if seeking expressions. He
+merely moved his jaws, so that his chin met his nose. At last he
+laughed joyously, put his hand on Pan Serafin's knee, and continued,--
+
+"My benefactor, you see our goldfinch has flown from the cage."
+
+"I know. Because the cat frightened it."
+
+"Is there not pleasure in talking with such people?" cried the old man,
+rubbing his hands. "Oh, that is wit! The prelate Tvorkovski would burst
+with envy, as God is dear to me!"
+
+"I am listening."
+
+"Well, to the question, and straight from the bridge. We should like to
+take back that goldfinch."
+
+"Why should you not?"
+
+Pan Krepetski moved his chin toward his nose once, and a second time.
+He was alarmed; the affair went too easily; but he clapped his hands,
+and cried with feigned joyousness,--
+
+"Well, now the affair is finished! Would to God that such men as you
+were born everywhere!"
+
+"It is finished so far as I am concerned," said Pan Serafin. "Only
+there is need to ask that little bird whether she wants to go back
+again; besides she cannot go back to-day, for your son has so throttled
+her that she is barely breathing."
+
+"Is she sick?"
+
+"Sick; she is lying in bed."
+
+"But is she not pretending?"
+
+Pan Serafin's face grew dark in a moment.
+
+"My gracious sir," said he, "let us talk seriously. Your son Martsian
+has acted unworthily with Panna Anulka, not in human fashion, and not
+as a noble; he has acted altogether with infamy. Before God and man you
+have offended grievously to give an orphan into hands such as his, and
+intrust her to a tyrant so shameless."
+
+"There is not a bit of truth in what she says," cried the old man.
+
+"Why not? You know not what she has said, and still you deny. It is not
+she who is speaking; blue lumps and marks of blows speak for her, marks
+which my housekeeper saw on her young body. As to Martsian, all the
+servants in Belchantska have seen his approaches and his cruelty, and
+are ready to testify when needed. In my house is Vilchopolski who is
+going to-day to Radom to tell the prelate Tvorkovski what has
+happened."
+
+"But you have promised to give me the girl."
+
+"No, I only said that I would not detain her. If she wants to go back,
+very well! If she wishes to stay with me, very well also! But attempt
+not to bring me to refuse my roof and a morsel of bread to an orphan
+who is grievously offended."
+
+Old Krepetski's jaws moved time after time. For a while he was silent,
+and then began,--
+
+"You are right, and you are wrong. To refuse a shelter and bread to an
+orphan would be unworthy, but as a wise man consider that it is one
+thing not to refuse hospitality, and something different to stand with
+rebellion against the authority of a father. I love Tekla, my youngest
+daughter, sincerely, but it happens sometimes that I give her a push.
+Well, what then? If she, after being punished by me, should flee to
+you, would you not permit me to take her, or would you refer me to her
+pleasure? Think of this--what sort of order would there be in the
+world, if women had their will? A married woman, even when old, must
+hearken to her husband, and yield to him; but what must it be in the
+case of an immature girl, as against the commands of her father, or
+guardian?"
+
+"Panna Anulka is not your daughter, nor even your relative."
+
+"But we inherited the guardianship over her from Pan Gideon. If Pan
+Gideon had punished the girl, you, of course, would not have had a word
+against him; but it is the same thing touching me and my son, to whom I
+have committed the management of Belchantska. Some one must manage,
+some one must have authority to punish. Difficult to do without that. I
+do not deny that Martsian, as a man, young and impulsive, exceeded the
+measure, perhaps, especially since he was met with ingratitude. But
+that is my affair! I will examine, judge, and punish; but I will take
+the girl back, and I think, with your permission, that even the king
+himself would have no right to raise any hindrance."
+
+"You speak as in a tribunal," said Pan Serafin. "I do not deny that you
+have appearances on your side; but appearance is one thing, and the
+real truth another. I do not wish to hinder you in anything, but I tell
+you honestly what the opinion of people is, and with that opinion I
+advise you to reckon. For you it is not a question of Panna Anulka, nor
+of guardianship over her, but you suspect that there may be a will in
+the hands of the prelate, with a provision for the young lady,
+therefore you are afraid that Belchantska might slip from you together
+with Panna Anulka. Not long ago I heard one of the neighbors speak in
+this way: 'Were it not for that uncertainty the Krepetskis would be the
+first to drive the orphan from the house, for those people have not God
+in their hearts.' It is very disagreeable for me and repulsive to say
+such things in my house to you, but you ought to know them."
+
+Flames of anger gleamed in the eyes of the old man, but he controlled
+himself, and said with a voice which was quiet, though somewhat
+broken,--
+
+"The malice of people! Low malice, nothing more, and stupidity besides
+that. How could it be? We would then drive from the house a young lady
+whom Martsian wants to marry? By the dear God, think over this! The two
+things do not hold together."
+
+"They talk in this way: 'If it shall appear that Belchantska is hers
+then Martsian will marry her, but if the place is not hers he will
+simply disgrace her.' I am not any man's conscience, so I merely repeat
+what people say, but with this addition of my own, that your son
+threatened shame to the girl. I know that surely, and you, who know
+Martsian and his vile desires, know it also."
+
+"I know one and another thing, but I know not what you wish to say."
+
+"What I wish to say? This, which I have said to you already. If Panna
+Anulka agrees to return to you I have no right to oppose her or you,
+but if she is not willing, I will not expel her from this house, for I
+have given my word not to do so."
+
+"The question is not that you should expel her, but that you should
+permit me to take her, just as you would permit me if one of my own
+daughters were with you. This only I beg, that you stand not in my
+way."
+
+"Then I will tell you clearly. I will permit no violence in my house! I
+am master, and you, who have just mentioned the king, should understand
+that on this point the king himself could not oppose me."
+
+On hearing this Pan Krepetski balled his fists, so that his palms were
+pierced by his finger-nails.
+
+"Violence? That is just what I fear. I, if ever I have had to act
+against people (and who has not had to deal with the malice of men?),
+have acted against them through the law, always, not through violence.
+But what the proverb says is not true, that the apple falls near its
+tree.--It falls far away sometimes. I, for your good and safety,
+desired to settle this question in peacefulness. You are undefended in
+the forest, while Martsian--it is grievous for a father to say this of
+a son--has not taken after me in any way. I am ashamed to confess it,
+but I am not able to answer for him. The whole district is in dread of
+his passionateness, and justly, for he is ready to disregard everything
+and he has about fifty sabres at his order. You, on the other hand, are
+unarmed. I repeat it, you live in the forest, and I advise you to
+reckon with this situation. I am alarmed myself at it."
+
+Hereupon Pan Serafin rose, walked up to Krepetski, and gazed into his
+eyes.
+
+"Do you wish to frighten me?" inquired he.
+
+"I am afraid myself," repeated the old man.
+
+But their further conversation was interrupted by sudden shouts in the
+courtyard from the direction of the granary and the kitchen, so they
+sprang to the open window, and at the first moment were petrified with
+amazement. There between two fences ran with tremendous speed toward
+the gate and the courtyard some kind of rare monster, unlike any
+creature on earth, and behind it on excited horses dashed the four
+Bukoyemskis, shouting and cutting the air with their whip-lashes. The
+monster rushed into the yard, and behind it came the brothers, like
+hell hunters, and continued their chasing.
+
+"Jesus, Mary!" cried out Pan Serafin.
+
+He ran to the porch, and after him ran old Krepetski.
+
+Only there could they see with more clearness. The monster seemed like
+a giant bird, but also like a horse and a rider, for it ran on four
+legs with a certain form sitting on it. But the rider and the beast
+were so covered with feathers that their heads seemed two bundles.
+
+It was impossible to see clearly, for the steed rushed like a wind
+round the courtyard. The Bukoyemskis followed closely, and did not
+spare blows, by which feathers were torn away and fell to the ground,
+or circled in the air as do snowflakes.
+
+Meanwhile the monster roared like a wounded bear, and so did the
+brothers. Pan Serafin's voice and that of his visitor were lost in the
+general tumult, though all the power in their lungs was used then in
+shouting.
+
+"Stop! By God's wounds, will ye stop!"
+
+But the four brothers urged on, as if seized by insanity--and they had
+rushed five times round the yard when from the kitchen, and the
+stables, and barns, and granaries, and outhouses a great crowd of
+servants ran in, who hearing the cry "Stop!" repeated as if in
+desperation by Pan Serafin, plunged forward and, seizing bits and
+bridles, strove to stop the horses.
+
+At last the horses of the four brothers were brought to a standstill,
+but with the feathery steed there was very great trouble. Without a
+bridle, beaten, terrified, the beast reared at sight of the servants,
+or sprang to one side with the suddenness of lightning. They stopped it
+only at the fence when preparing to spring over. One of the men grasped
+its forelock, another caught its nostrils, a number seized its mane; it
+could not jump with such a burden, and fell to its knees. The beast
+sprang up quickly, it is true, but did not try to rush away; it only
+trembled throughout its whole body.
+
+They removed the rider, who, as it seemed then, had not been thrown
+because his feet were bound firmly beneath the beast's belly. They
+pulled the feathers from his head, and under the feathers appeared a
+visage covered so thickly with tar that no man there recognized the
+features.
+
+The rider gave faint signs of life, and only when taken to the porch
+did old Krepetski and Pan Serafin see who it was and cry out
+"Martsian!" with amazement.
+
+"This is that vile scoundrel!" said Mateush. "We have punished him not
+a little, and have hunted him in here, so that Panna Sieninski may know
+that tender souls have not gone from this world yet."
+
+Pan Serafin seized his head with his hands, and shouted,--
+
+"The devil take you and your tender souls! Ye are nothing but bandits!"
+
+Then, turning to Pani Dzvonkovski who had run up with the others and
+was crossing herself, he cried,--
+
+"Pour vodka into his mouth. Let him regain consciousness, and be taken
+to bed."
+
+There was hurry and disorder. Some ran to make the bed ready, others
+for hot water, still others for vodka; a number began to pull the
+feathers off Martsian, in which they were aided by his father, who was
+gritting his teeth, and repeating,--
+
+"Is he alive? Is he dead? He is alive! Vengeance! Oh Vengeance!"
+
+Then he sprang up on a sudden, jumped forward, and thrusting up to the
+very eyes of Pan Serafin, fingers, bent now like talons, he shouted,--
+
+"You were in the conspiracy! You have killed my son--you Armenian
+assassin!"
+
+Pan Serafin grew very pale, and seized his sabre, but almost at the
+same instant he remembered that he was the host, and Krepetski a
+visitor, so he dropped the hilt, and raised two fingers immediately.
+
+"By that God who is above us," said he, "I swear that I knew
+nothing--and I am ready to swear on the cross in addition--Amen!"
+
+"We are witnesses that he knew nothing!" cried Marek Bukoyemski.
+
+"God has punished," said Pan Serafin; "for you threatened me, as a
+defenceless old man, with the passion of your son. Here is his passion
+for you!"
+
+"A criminal offence!" bellowed the old man. "The headsman against you,
+and your heads under the sword edge! Vengeance! Justice!"
+
+"See what ye have done!" said Pan Serafin, as he turned to the
+Bukoyemskis.
+
+"I said it was better to run away at once," answered Lukash.
+
+Pani Dzvonkovski now came with Dantsic liquor, and fell to pouring it
+from the bottle into the open mouth of the sufferer. Martsian coughed,
+and opened his eyes the next minute. His father knelt down to him.
+
+"Art alive? Art alive?" asked he in a wild joyful outburst.
+
+But the son could not answer yet, and was like a great owl, which,
+struck with a bullet, has fallen on its back and lies there, with
+outstretched wings, panting. Still consciousness was coming to him, and
+with it memory. His glance passed from the face of his father to that
+of Pan Serafin, and then to the Bukoyemskis. Thereupon it grew so
+terrible that if there had been the least place for fear in the hearts
+of the brothers, a shiver would have passed from foot to head through
+their bodies.
+
+But they only went nearer to Martsian, like four bulls which are ready
+to rush with, their horns at an enemy, and Mateush inquired,--
+
+"Well? Was that too little?"
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XX
+
+
+A few hours later on old Krepetski took his son to Belchantska, though
+the young man was unable to stand, and did not know clearly what was
+happening. First of all the servants had washed him with great trouble,
+and had put on him fresh linen, but after this had been done such
+weakness came upon Martsian, that he fainted repeatedly, and thanks
+only to the angelica and pimpernel bitters which Pani Dzvonkovski now
+gave him was he brought back to consciousness. Pan Serafin advised to
+place him in bed and defer the departure till recovery was perfect, but
+Pan Krepetski, whose old heart was raging, did not wish to owe
+gratitude to a man against whom he was planning a lawsuit for harboring
+the young lady; hence he had them put hay in a wagon, and, placing a
+rug, instead of a bed, under Martsian he moved toward Belchantska,
+hurling threats at the Bukoyemskis and also Pan Serafin. While
+threatening vengeance he was forced to accept Pan Serafin's assistance,
+and borrow from him hay, clothing, and linen, but, blinded by anger, he
+took no note of the strange situation. Pan Serafin himself had no mind
+whatever for laughter; since the act of the four brothers disturbed and
+concerned him very greatly.
+
+At this juncture came Father Voynovski who had been summoned by letter.
+The Bukoyemskis, now greatly confused, were sitting in the office, not
+showing their noses, hence Pan Serafin had to tell all that had
+happened. The priest struck the skirt of his soutane from time to time
+as he listened, but he was not so grieved as Pan Serafin had expected.
+
+"If Martsian dies," said he at length, "then woe to the Bukoyemskis,
+but if, as I think, he squirms out of it, I suppose that they will take
+private vengeance and not raise a lawsuit."
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"Because it is unpleasant to be ridiculed by the country. At the same
+time his conduct toward Panna Anulka would be discovered. That would
+give him no enviable reputation. His life is not laudable, hence he
+should avoid the chance of letting witnesses tell in public what they
+know of him."
+
+"That may be true," said Pan Serafin, "but it is difficult to forgive
+the Bukoyemskis tricks of such a character."
+
+The priest waved his hand.
+
+"The Bukoyemskis are the Bukoyemskis."
+
+"How?" asked Pan Serafin, with astonishment. "I thought that your grace
+would be more offended."
+
+"My gracious sir," said the old man, "you have served in the army, but
+I have served longer, and have seen so many soldiers' tricks during my
+time that nothing common can surprise me. It is bad that such things
+happen. I blame the Bukoyemskis, but I have seen worse things,
+especially as in this case the question was of an orphan. I will go
+still farther and say sincerely, that I should grieve more if
+Martsian's deeds had gone unpunished. Think, we are old, but if we were
+young our hearts too would boil up over deeds such as his are. That is
+why I cannot blame the Bukoyemskis altogether."
+
+"True, true, but still Martsian may not live until morning."
+
+"That is in the hands of God; but you say he is not wounded?"
+
+"He is not, but he is all one blue spot, and faints continually."
+
+"Oh, he will get out of that; he fainted from fatigue. But I must go to
+the Bukoyemskis and inquire how it happened."
+
+The brothers received him with rapture, for they hoped that he would
+take their part with Pan Serafin. They began to quarrel at once as to
+who should tell the tale, and stopped only when the priest gave Mateush
+the primacy.
+
+Mateush resumed his voice and spoke as follows,--
+
+"Father benefactor, God saw our innocence! For, when we learned from
+Pani Dzvonkovski how that poor little orphan had blue lumps all over
+her body, we came into this room in such grief that had it not been for
+the mead which Pan Serafin sent us in a pitcher, our hearts would have
+burst perhaps. And I say to your grace, we drank and shed tears--we
+drank and shed tears. And we had this in mind too, that she was no
+common girl, but a young lady descended from senators. It is known to
+you, for example, that the higher blood a horse has, the thinner his
+skin is; slash a common drudge with a whip, he will hardly feel it, but
+strike a noble steed, and immediately a welt will come out on him.
+Think, Father benefactor, what a thin, tender skin such a dear little
+girl must have on her shoulders, and all over her body, just like a
+wafer--say yourself--"
+
+"What do I know of her skin?" cried Father Voynovski, in anger. "Tell
+me better, how did ye plaster up Martsian."
+
+"We promised Pan Serafin on oath not to cut him in pieces, but we knew
+that old Krepetski would come here, and we guessed immediately that
+Martsian would gallop out to meet him. So, according to arrangement,
+two of us took down to the tar pit before daylight a great salt-barrel
+filled with feathers, which we got from the wife of a forester. We
+picked out at the place a cask of thick tar, and waited at the hut near
+that tar pit. We look--old Krepetski is riding along--that is no harm,
+let him ride! We wait, we wait till we are tired of waiting; then we
+think about going to Belchantska. That moment a boy from the tar pit
+tells us that Martsian is coming up the road. We ride out and halt
+there in front of him. 'With the forehead! With the forehead!' 'But
+whither?' 'Straight ahead,' says he, 'by the woods.' 'But to whose
+harm?' 'To harm or to profit,' says he, 'get ye out of this!' And then
+to the sabre. But we seized him by the neck. 'Oh! this cannot be!'
+cried he. In a flash we had him down from the horse, which Yan took by
+the bridle. He fell to screaming, to kicking, to biting, to gnawing,
+but we, like a lightning flash, took him to the barrels which stood one
+near the other, and said, 'Oh! thou son of such an one! thou wilt
+injure orphans, threaten young ladies with infamy, disregard lofty
+blood, beat an orphan on the shoulders, and think that no one will take
+the part of thy victim; learn now that there are tender hearts in the
+country.' And that moment we thrust him into the tar, head downward. We
+raise him out, and again in with him. 'Learn that there are feeling
+souls!' said we.--And in with him then among the feathers!--'Learn now
+that there is chivalrous daring!' And again with him into the tar
+barrel. 'Learn to know the Bukoyemskis!' And again with him into the
+feathers! We wanted to give him another dose, but the tar boiler
+shouted that he would smother; and indeed he was thickly coated, so
+that neither his nose nor his eyes were visible to any one; we put him
+then on the saddle and tied his feet firmly under the animal's belly
+lest he fly from his position. We painted the horse, and scattered
+feathers over him also, then lashing this rather wild beast with whips,
+after we had taken off his bridle, we drove him ahead of us."
+
+"And ye drove him up here?"
+
+"As a strange beast, for we wished to console the young lady even a
+little, and show her our brotherly affection."
+
+"Ye gave her a lovely consolation. When she saw him through the window,
+the fright nearly killed her."
+
+"When she recovers she will think of us gratefully. Orphans always like
+to feel guardianship over them."
+
+"Ye have done her more harm than service. Who knows if the Krepetskis
+will not take her away again?"
+
+"How is that? By the dear God! will we let them?"
+
+"But who will defend the girl when ye are in prison?"
+
+When they heard this the brothers were greatly concerned, and looked
+with anxious eyes at one another. But Lukash at last struck his
+forehead. "We will not be imprisoned," said he, "for first we will go
+to the army; but if it comes to that, if there is a question of Panna
+Anulka's safety, help will be found."
+
+"Found! Of course it will," cried out Marek.
+
+"What help?" inquired Father Voynovski.
+
+"We will challenge Martsian as soon as he recovers. He will not go
+alive out of our hands."
+
+"But if he dies now?"
+
+"Then God will help us."
+
+"But ye will pay with your lives!"
+
+"Before that we will shell out the Turks, and the Lord Jesus will
+reward us for that service. Only let your grace take our part with Pan
+Serafin; for if Stanislav had been here he would have been with us
+while giving this bath to that Martsian."
+
+"But would not Yatsek give it?" inquired Mateush.
+
+"Yatsek will give him a better bath!" cried the priest, as if
+unwittingly.
+
+Further converse was stopped by the coming of Pan Serafin, who appeared
+with a ready and weighty decision.
+
+"I have been thinking of what we should do," said he, very seriously.
+"And does your grace know what I have decided? It is this, that we
+should all go to Cracow with Panna Anulka. I know not if we shall see
+our boys in that city, for no one knows where the regiments will be
+quartered, or what will be the order of their marching. But we should
+place the girl under protection of the king or the queen; or, if that
+is not done, secure her in some cloister for a season. I have also
+determined, as you know, to take the field in my old age and serve with
+my son, or, if such be God's will, to die with him. During our absence
+the girl would not be safe, even in Radom, under the protection of the
+prelate Tvorkovski. These gentlemen"--here he pointed to the
+Bukoyemskis "need to be under the hetman immediately. It is unknown
+what might happen should they stay here. I have acquaintances at
+court,--Pan Matchynski, Pan Gninski, Pan Grothus,--and shall get their
+influence for the orphan, as I think. That done I will find
+Zbierhovski's regiment, and go straight to my son where I shall see
+Yatsek also. What think you of this, my benefactor?"
+
+"As God lives," cried Father Voynovski, "this is a splendid idea! And I
+will go with you--and I will go with you to Yatsek. And as to Panna
+Anulka, oh, all will be well! The Sobieskis owe a great debt to the
+Sieninskis. She will be out of danger in Cracow and nearer; for I am
+certain that Yatsek has not forgotten her. And when the war ends that
+will happen which God wishes. Give me a substitute here in my parish
+from Radom, and I will be with you!"
+
+"All together!" roared the Bukoyemskis with rapture "to Cracow!"
+
+"And the field of glory!" cried Father Voynovski.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXI
+
+
+Consultations now followed touching the expedition; for not only were
+there no voices against it, but Father Voynovski was searching for a
+vicar in Radom. This plan, however, was an old one, modified by adding
+to it the person of Panna Anulka, who would be taken to Cracow and
+secured from the Krepetskis through protection from the king or the
+cloister. Pan Serafin saw that the king, occupied as he was with the
+war, would have no time to talk about private questions; but there
+remained the queen, to whom access might be easy through notable
+dignitaries, related for the greater part to the Sieninskis and the
+Tachevskis.
+
+There was fear also that the Krepetskis might attack Yedlinka when Pan
+Serafin and the Bukoyemskis had gone, and seize on rich property in
+furniture and silver. But Vilchopolski guaranteed that with the
+servants and the foresters he would defend the place and not let the
+Krepetskis touch anything. Pan Serafin, however, took the silver to
+Radom and left it in the Bernardine cloister, where he had placed money
+before that in large sums, not wishing to keep it at home near the edge
+of great forests.
+
+Meanwhile, he kept an attentive ear toward Belchantska for much
+depended on that place. If Martsian died the Bukoyemskis would have to
+give a grave answer; if he recovered hope existed that there would not
+be even a lawsuit, since it was difficult to admit that the Krepetskis
+would expose themselves willingly to ridicule. Pan Serafin considered
+it as more likely that the old man would not leave him at peace
+touching Panna Anulka but he thought that if the orphan were in the
+care of the king the kernel of a lawsuit would be lost to the
+Krepetskis.
+
+He learned, through the butler, that the old man had gone to Radom and
+Lublin, and remained rather long in those places.
+
+For the first week Martsian suffered grievously, and there was fear
+that the tar which he had swallowed might choke him, or stop his
+intestines. But the second week he grew better. He did not, it is true,
+leave the bed, for he had not strength to stand unassisted, his bones
+pained him greatly, and he was mortally weary; but he began to curse
+the Bukoyemskis, and to take keen delight in projects of vengeance. In
+fact, after two weeks had passed, his "revellers from Radom" began to
+visit him, various gallows-birds with sabres held up by hempen cords,
+men with holes in their boots, and gaunt stomachs, thirsty and hungry
+at all hours. Meanwhile he counselled with these, and was plotting not
+only against the Bukoyemskis and Pan Serafin, but against the young
+lady, of whom he could not think without gnashing of teeth; and he
+developed such monstrous inventions against her, that his father
+forewarned him, that they were of criminal nature.
+
+The echo of those plots and threats went to Yedlinka, and produced
+various impressions on different people. Pan Serafin, a man of much
+courage, but prudent, was somewhat alarmed by them, especially when he
+remembered that this enmity of wicked and dangerous people would strike
+his son also. Father Voynovski, who had hotter blood in his veins, was
+keenly indignant, and prophesied that the Krepetskis would meet a vile
+ending. At the same time, though entirely won over to Anulka, he turned
+from time to time to Pan Serafin, and then to the Bukoyemskis.
+
+"Who caused the Trojan war? A woman! Who causes quarrels and battles at
+all times? A woman! And it is the same now! Innocent or guilty, a
+woman!"
+
+But the Bukoyemskis cared little for the danger which threatened every
+one from Martsian, and even promised themselves various amusements
+because of it. They were warned, however, seriously from many sides.
+The Sulgostovskis, the Silnitskis, the Kohanovskis, and others, all
+greatly indignant at Martsian, came, one after the other, with tidings
+to Yedlinka. They said that he was gathering a party, and even bandits
+of the forest. They offered assistance, but the brothers wished no
+assistance. Lukash, who spoke most frequently in the name of the other
+three replied thus to Rafal Silnitski, who implored them to be
+careful,--
+
+"There is no harm in thinking before war of our arms, and also of
+methods in which, from disuse, we have grown somewhat rusty, straighten
+ourselves out, and have practice. Belchantska is no fortress, so let
+Martsian see to his own safety, for who knows what may strike him. But
+if he wishes to nourish us with ingratitude, let him try it!"
+
+Pan Silnitski looked with astonishment at Lukash, and asked,--
+
+"Nourish with ingratitude? But, as I think, he owes you no gratitude."
+Lukash was sincerely indignant.
+
+"How not owe? Could we not have cut him to pieces? Who gave him life?
+Pani Krepetski once, but a second time our moderation; if he is going
+to count on it always, tell him that he is mistaken."
+
+"And tell him that he will see Panna Anulka as much as he will see his
+own ears," added Marek.
+
+"Why should he not see her, then?" finished Yan. "It is not difficult
+for a man to see his own ears if they are cut from him."
+
+The conversation then ended. The brothers repeated it to Panna Anulka
+to calm her, which was superfluous, for the lady was not timid by
+nature. Her fear, too, of the Krepetskis, and especially of Martsian,
+was measured by her conviction that no danger threatened her in
+Yedlinka. When, on the day after her arrival at Pan Serafin's, she saw
+through the window Martsian in feathers, looking like some filthy
+beast, urged on with whips by the Bukoyemskis, in the first moment of
+her dreadful surprise, which was mixed with amazement and even
+compassion, she conceived so much confidence in the power of the
+brothers, that she could not even imagine how any one could avoid
+fearing them. Martsian passed for a terrible person and a fighter, and
+see what they did with him. It is true that Yatsek in his time had cut
+up all those brothers, but Yatsek in her eyes had grown now beyond
+common estimate altogether, and in general he appeared to her before
+the last parting from a side so mysterious that she did not know with
+what measure to esteem him. The remarks which were made about him by
+the Bukoyemskis themselves, and Pan Serafin, with the words of the
+priest, who spoke of him oftenest, confirmed in her only wonder for
+that friend of her childhood, who had been so near to her once, but was
+now so remote and so different. These accounts fixed in her that
+longing, and that still sweeter feeling toward Yatsek, which, confessed
+to the priest in a moment of excitement, she concealed again in the
+depth of her heart, as a pearl is concealed in a mussel shell.
+
+With all this she had in her soul a conviction, unshaken by anything,
+that she must meet him, and that she would meet him even in the near
+future. She had torn herself from the house of the Krepetskis; she felt
+above her the powerful hands of well-wishing people; hence that
+certainty became the joy and the root of her existence. It restored to
+her health with contentment, and she bloomed afresh, as a flower blooms
+in springtime. That Yedlinka mansion which had been hitherto so serious
+was now bright from her presence. She had taken possession of Pani
+Dzvonkovski, of Pan Serafin, and the Bukoyemskis. The whole house was
+filled with her, and wherever she showed her little confident nose and
+her young, gladsome eyes, delight and smiles followed. But she feared
+Father Voynovski a little, since it seemed to her that he held in his
+hand her fate and also Yatsek's. Hence she looked upon him with a
+certain submissiveness. But with his compassionate heart, which in
+general was as wax for all God's creation, he loved her sincerely, and
+besides, when he learned to know her more closely, he esteemed her pure
+spirit increasingly, though at times he called her a jaybird and a
+squirrel, because, as he said, she was this moment here and the next in
+another place.
+
+After that first confession they spoke no further of Yatsek, just as if
+they had agreed not to do so; both felt it too delicate a matter. Pan
+Serafin made no mention of Yatsek to her in the presence of people, but
+when no one was with them he was not ceremonious on that point; and
+once, when she asked if he would meet his son quickly in Cracow, he
+answered with a question,--
+
+"And would you not like to meet some one there also?"
+
+He thought that she would wind out of it jestingly, but to her bright
+face came a shade of sadness, and she answered then seriously,--
+
+"I should be glad to beg pardon, as soon as is possible, of any one
+whom I have injured."
+
+He looked at her with some emotion, but after a while it was clear that
+another idea had come to him, for he stroked her bright face, and then
+added,--
+
+"Ei! thou hast the wherewithal to reward so that the king himself could
+not reward better."
+
+When she heard this she lowered her eyes in his presence, and was
+wonderful as she stood there and blushed like the dawn of the morning.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXII
+
+
+Preparations for starting went forward briskly. Attendants were chosen
+with care, strong men and sober. Arms, horses, wagons, and brichkas
+were ready. Observing ways of the period, they had not forgotten dogs,
+which in time of marching went under the wagons and at places of rest
+were used to hunt hares and foxes. The multitude of supplies and the
+preparations astonished the lady, who had not supposed that campaigning
+demanded such details, and, thinking this trouble taken perhaps for her
+safety, she inquired of Pan Serafin touching the matter. He, as a
+prudent man, and one of experience, replied thus to her,--
+
+"It is certain that we have thy person in mind, for, as I think, we
+shall not leave here without meeting some violence from Martsian. Thou
+hast heard that he has summoned his roysterers with whom he is
+bargaining and drinking. We should be disgraced were we to let any man
+snatch thee away from us. What will be, will be, but though we had to
+fall one on another, we must take thee to Cracow uninjured." Then she
+kissed his hand, saying that she was not worthy to cause them this
+peril; but he waved his hand simply.
+
+"We should not dare to appear before men," said he, "unless we did
+this, and matters moreover are such that each coincides with the other.
+It is not enough to set out for a war, one must prepare for it wisely.
+Thou art astonished that we have three or four horses each man of us,
+as well as attendants, but thou must know that in war horses are the
+main question; many of them die on the way, crossing rivers and
+marshes, or from various camp accidents. And then what? If thou buy in
+haste a new horse, with faults and bad habits, that beast will fail at
+the critical moment. Though my son and Tachevski took a good party and
+excellent horses, we have foreseen every accident, and take each a new
+saddle beast. Father Voynovski, unrivalled in knowledge of horses,
+bought cheaply from old Pan Podlodovski such a Turkish steed for Pan
+Yatsek that the hetman himself would not refuse to appear on him."
+
+"Which horse is for your son?" inquired the young lady.
+
+Pan Serafin looked at her, and shook his head smiling.
+
+"Well, Father Voynovski is right in his judgment of woman. 'That evil,'
+said he, 'will be sly, even if it be the most honest.' Thou askest
+which horse is for Stanislav. Well, I answer in this way. Yatsek's
+horse is that sorrel with a star on his forehead, and a white left hind
+fetlock."
+
+"You annoy me!" exclaimed the young lady.
+
+And spitting like a cat at him, she turned, and then vanished. But that
+same day the pith of small loaves of bread and some salt disappeared
+from the dishes, and Lukash the next day beheld something curious. At
+the well in the courtyard the sorrel horse had his nose in the white
+hands of the lady, and when he was led later on to the stable he looked
+back at her time after time expressing with short neighs his yearning.
+Lukash could not learn at the time the cause of this "confidence," for
+he was intent on loading a wagon, so it was some time after midday that
+he approached the young lady, and said, with eyes glowing from
+emotion,--
+
+"Have you noticed one thing?"
+
+"What?" inquired Panna Anulka.
+
+"That even a beast knows a real dainty."
+
+She forgot that he had seen her in the morning, and noting that look in
+his eyes raised her beautiful brows with astonishment.
+
+"What have you in mind?" asked she.
+
+"What?" repeated Lukash, "Yatsek's horse!"
+
+"Oh, a horse!"
+
+Then she burst into laughter and ran from the porch to her chamber.
+
+He stood there astonished, and a little confused, understanding neither
+why she had run from him, nor what had roused her sudden laughter.
+
+Another week passed, and preparations were then almost finished, but
+somehow Pan Serafin was not urgent for the journey. He deferred it from
+day to day, improved various details, complained of heat, and at last
+drooped in spirits. Anulka was eager to be on the road. The Bukoyemskis
+were growing uneasy, and at length Father Voynovski agreed that farther
+delay was a loss of time without reason. But Pan Serafin met their
+impatience with these words,--
+
+"I have news that the king has not gone yet to Cracow, and will not go
+quickly. Meantime the troops are to meet there, but only in part, and
+no one knows the day of this meeting. I ordered Stanislav to send me a
+man every month, with a letter giving details as to where regiments are
+quartered, whither they are to march, and under whose orders. Seven
+weeks have passed without tidings. A letter may come to me now any
+moment, hence my delay; and I am alarmed somewhat. Think not that we
+must find our young men at Cracow, in every case. On the contrary, it
+may happen that they will not be there at any time."
+
+"How is that?" inquired Anulka, disquieted.
+
+"This, that regiments do not need to march through Cracow. Wherever a
+regiment is it can move thence as directly as the stroke of a sickle,
+but where Pan Zbierhovski may be at the moment I know not. He may have
+been sent to the boundary of Silesia, or to the army of the grand
+hetman who is coming from Russia. Regiments are hurried from place to
+place very often, just to train them in marching. In the course of
+seven weeks various commands may have come of which Stanislav should
+have informed me, but he has not done so. Hence I am anxious, for it is
+well known that in camps there are frequent disputes and also duels.
+Perhaps something has happened. But even if all is in order, we ought
+to know where the regiment is, and what is its starting point."
+
+All became gloomy at these words, save Father Voynovski.
+
+"A regiment is not a needle," said he "nor is it a button, which if
+torn from a coat is found with much difficulty. Be not concerned over
+this. We shall learn of them in Cracow more quickly than we could here
+in Yedlinka."
+
+"But on the road we may miss the letter."
+
+"Leave a command to send it on after us. That is the right way.
+Meanwhile in Cracow we will find the safest place possible for the
+lady, and then our minds will be free when we start for the second
+time."
+
+"Reason! Reason!"
+
+"This is my advice then. If no letter comes ere to-morrow we will start
+in the cool of the evening for Radom--then farther, to Kieltse,
+Yendreyov, and Miehov."
+
+"Perhaps the day after during daylight we could reach Radom, so as not
+to pass in the night through those forests, and thus avoid an ambush if
+the Krepetskis should make one."
+
+"An ambush is nothing! Better go in the cool!" said Mateush. "If they
+attack they will do so as well in the day as at night, and now at night
+things are visible."
+
+Then he rubbed his hands gleefully. The three others followed his
+example.
+
+But Father Voynovski thought otherwise. He had great doubts touching a
+road attack.
+
+"Martsian might perhaps venture, but the old man is too prudent; he
+knows too well what such a deed signifies and how much, more than once,
+men have suffered for violence to women. Besides against the power of
+our party Martsian could not reckon on victory, while in every event he
+could reckon on vengeance from Yatsek and Stanislav."
+
+The delight of the Bukoyemskis was spoiled by the priest, but they were
+soothed by Vilchopolski, who struck the floor with his wooden leg,
+shook his head, and opposed, saying,--
+
+"Though up to Radom and even to Kieltse and Miehov you meet no
+adventure, I advise you to neglect no precaution till you touch the
+gates of Cracow; along the road there are woods everywhere, and I, as a
+man knowing Martsian best of all, am convinced that that devil is now
+planning an ambush."
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXIII
+
+
+At last came the day of departure. The party moved out of Yedlinka at
+daylight, with beautiful weather, and with horses and men in good
+number. Besides the iron and leather-covered carriage intended for the
+ladies and the priest, in case his old gun-wound should annoy him on
+horseback too greatly, there were three well-laden wagons drawn each by
+four horses. At each wagon were three men, including the driver. Behind
+Pan Serafin six mounted attendants, in turquoise-colored livery, led
+reserve horses. The priest had two men, each Bukoyemski had two also,
+besides a forester who guarded the trunk-laden wagons, altogether
+thirty-four persons well armed with muskets and sabres. It is true that
+in case of attack some could not aid in defending, since they would
+have to guard wagons and horses, but even in that case the Bukoyemskis
+felt sure that they could go through the world with those attendants,
+and that it would not be healthy for a party three or four times their
+number to attack them. Their hearts were swelling with a delight so
+enormous that hardly could they stay in their saddles. They had fought
+manfully in their time against Tartars and Cossacks, but those were
+common, small wars, and later on, when they settled in the wilderness,
+their youth had passed merely in inspecting inclosures, in a ceaseless
+watch over foresters, in killing bears when it was their duty to
+preserve them, and in drunken frolics at Kozenitse and Radom and
+Prityk. But now, for the first time, when each put his stirrup near the
+stirrup of his brother, when they were going to a war against the
+immense might of Turkey, they felt that this was their true
+destination, that their past life had been vain and wretched, and that
+now had begun in reality the deeds and achievements for which God the
+Father had created Polish nobles, God the Son redeemed them, and the
+Holy Ghost made them sacred. They could not think this out clearly, or
+express it in phrases, for in those things they had never been
+powerful, but they wished to fire off their guns then in ecstasy. Their
+advance seemed too slow to them. They wished to let out their horses
+and rush like a whirlwind, fly toward that great destination, to that
+great battle of the Poles with the pagans, to that triumph through
+Polish hands of the cross above the crescent, to a splendid death, and
+to glory for the ages. They felt loftier in some way, purer, more
+honorable, and in their nobility still more ennobled.
+
+They had scarcely a thought then for Martsian and his rioting company,
+or for barriers and engagements on the roadway. All that seemed to them
+now something trivial, vain, and unworthy of attention. And if whole
+legions had stood in their way, they would have shot over them like a
+tempest, they would have ridden across them just in passing, put them
+under the bellies of their horses, and rushed along farther. Their
+native leonine impulses were roused, and warlike, knightly blood had
+begun to play in them with such vigor that if command had been given
+those four men to charge the whole bodyguard of the Sultan, they would
+not have hesitated one instant.
+
+But similar feelings, and founded, moreover, on old recollections,
+filled the hearts of Pan Serafin and Father Voynovski. The priest had
+passed the flower of his life on the field with a lance in his hand, or
+a sabre. He remembered whole series of reverses and victories, he
+remembered the dreadful rebellion of Hmelnitski, Joltevody, Korsun,
+Pilavtse, Zbaraj the renowned, and the giant battle of Berestechko. He
+remembered the Swedish war, with its never-ending record of struggles
+and the attack of Rakotsi. He had been in Denmark, for a triumphing
+people, not satisfied with crushing and driving out Sweden, had sent in
+pursuit of it Charnyetski's invincible regiments to the borders of a
+distant ocean; he had helped to defeat Dolgoruki and Hovanski; he had
+known the noblest knights and greatest men of the period; he had been a
+pupil of Pan Michael the immortal; he had been enamoured of slaughter,
+storms, battles, and bloodshed, but all that had lasted only till
+personal misfortune had broken his spirit, and he took on himself holy
+orders. From that day he changed altogether, and when, turning to
+people in front of the altar, he said to them: "Peace be with you;" he
+believed himself uttering Christ's own commandment, and that every war,
+as opposed to that commandment, "is abhorrent" to Heaven, a sin against
+mercy, a stain on Christian nations. But a war against Turks was the
+one case which he excepted. "God," said he, "put the Polish people on
+horseback, and turned their breasts eastward; by that same act He
+showed them His will and their calling. He knew why He chose us for
+that position, and put others behind our shoulders; hence, if we wish
+to fulfil His command and our mission with worthiness, we must face
+that vile sea, and break its waves with our bosoms."
+
+Father Voynovski judged, therefore, that God had placed on the throne
+purposely a sovereign who, when hetman, had shed pagan blood in such
+quantity, that his hands might give the last blow to the enemy, and
+avert ruin from Christians at once and forever. It seemed to him that
+just then had appeared the great day of destination, the day to
+accomplish God's purpose; hence he considered that war as a sacred way
+of the cross, and was charmed at the thought, that age, toil, and
+wounds had not pressed him to the earth so completely, that he might
+not take part in it.
+
+He would be able yet to wave a flag, he, the old soldier of Christ,
+would spur on his horse, and spring with a cross in his hand to the
+thickest of the battle, with the certainty in his heart that behind him
+and that cross a thousand sabres would bite on the skulls of the pagans
+and a thousand lances would enter their bodies.
+
+Finally thoughts flew to his head which were personal, and more in
+accord with his earlier disposition. He could hold the cross in his
+left, but in the right hand a sabre. As a priest he could not do this
+against Christians, but against Turks it was proper! Oh, proper! Now he
+would show young men for the first time how pagan lights should be
+extinguished, how pagan champions must be mowed down and cut to pieces;
+he would show of what kind were the warriors of his day. Nay! on more
+fields than one men had marvelled at his prowess. It may happen now
+that even the king will be astounded! And this thought at that moment
+so filled him with rapture that he failed in his rosary: "Hail
+Mary--slay! kill!--full of grace--at them!--The Lord is with Thee--cut
+them down!" Till at last he recovered. "Tfu! to the evil one with
+this--glory is smoke. Has insanity seized me? _non nobis, non nobis sed
+nomini tuo_" (not to us, not to us, but to Thy name) and he passed the
+beads through his fingers more attentively.
+
+Pan Serafin was repeating also his litany of the morning, but from time
+to time he looked now at the priest, now at the young lady, now at the
+Bukoyemskis, who were riding at the side of the carriage, now at the
+trees and the dew-covered grassy openings between them. At last, when
+he had finished the final "Hail, Mary!" he turned to the old man, and
+said, sighing deeply,--
+
+"Your grace seems to be in rather good spirits?"
+
+"And also your grace," said Father Voynovski.
+
+"Yes, that is true. Until a man starts, he is bustling and hurrying and
+in trouble; only when the wind blows around him in the field is it
+light at his heartstrings. I remember how when, ten years ago, we were
+marching to Hotsim, there was a wonderful willingness in every warrior,
+so that though the action took place in the harsh weather of November,
+more than one threw his coat off because of the warmth which came out
+of his heart then. Well, God, who gave such a victory that time, will
+give it undoubtedly now, for the leader is the same, and the vigor and
+valor of the men not inferior. I know nations splendidly, Swedes,
+French, even Germans, but against Turks there is no one superior to our
+men."
+
+"I have heard how his grace the king said the same," replied Father
+Voynovski. "'The Germans,' said he, 'stand under fire patiently, though
+they blink when attacking, but,' said he, 'if I can bring mine up nose
+to nose I am satisfied, for they will sweep everything before them as
+can no other cavalry in existence.' And this is true. The Lord Jesus
+has gifted us richly with this power, not only the nobles, but the
+peasants. For instance, our field infantry, when they spit on their
+palms and advance with their muskets, the best of the Janissaries
+cannot in any way equal them. I have seen both more than once in the
+struggle."
+
+"If God has preserved in health Yatsek and Stashko, I am glad that
+their earliest campaign will be made against Turkish warriors. But how
+does your grace think, against whom will the Turks turn their main
+forces?"
+
+"Against the emperor, as it seems, for they are warring against him,
+and helping rebellion in Hungary. But the Turks have two or three
+armies, hence it is unknown where we shall meet them decisively. For
+this cause, beyond doubt, no main camp has been organized, and
+regiments move from one place to another, as reports come. The
+regiments under Pan Yablonovski are now at Trembovla; others are
+concentrating on Cracow; others as happens to each of them. I know not
+where the voevoda of Volynia is quartered at present, nor where
+Zbierhovski's command is. At moments I think that my son has not
+written this long time because his regiment may be moving toward these
+parts."
+
+"If he is commanded to Cracow, he must march near us, surely. That,
+however, depends upon where he was earlier and whence he is starting at
+present. We may get news at Radom. Is not our first night halt at
+Radom?"
+
+"It is. I should wish too that the prelate Tvorkovski saw Panna Anulka
+and gave her final counsels. He will furnish us letters to help her in
+Cracow."
+
+The conversation stopped for a time; then Pan Serafin raised his eyes
+again to Father Voynovski.
+
+"But," asked he, "what will happen, think you, should she meet Yatsek
+in Cracow?"
+
+"I know not. In every case that will take place which God wishes.
+Yatsek might win a fortune by marriage, while she is as poor as a
+Turkish saint--but wealth alone is mere nonsense, the splendor of a
+family is the great point in this case."
+
+"Panna Anulka is of high lineage, and she is like gold--besides we know
+well that they are love-stricken, mortally."
+
+"Of course, mortally, mortally."
+
+The priest did not speak very willingly on this point, that was clear,
+for he turned the conversation to other subjects.
+
+"Well," said he, "but let us think of this, that a robber is watching
+for that golden maiden. Do you remember Vilchopolski's words?"
+
+Pan Serafin looked at the depth of the forest on all sides.
+
+"Yes. But the Krepetskis will not dare," said he. "They will not dare!
+Our party is fairly large, and your grace sees the calmness of
+everything around us. I wish the girl to be in that carriage for
+safety, but she begged to be on horseback--she has no fear of
+anything."
+
+"Well, she has good blood. But I note that she masters you thoroughly."
+
+"And you, too, somewhat," answered Pan Serafin. "But as to me I confess
+right away; when she begs for a thing she knows how to move her eyes in
+such fashion that you must yield where you stand. Women have various
+methods, but have you noticed that she has that sort of blinking before
+which a man drops his arms. Near Belchantska I will tell her to enter
+the carriage, but so far she wishes absolutely to be on horseback,
+because, as she says, it is healthier."
+
+"In such weather it is surely healthier."
+
+"Look how rosy the girl is, just like a euphorbia laurel."
+
+"What is her rosiness to me?" replied Father Voynovski. "But in truth
+the dear day is lovely."
+
+In fact the weather was really wonderful, and the morning fresh and
+dewy. Single drops on the needlelike pine leaves glittered with the
+rainbow-like colors of diamonds. The forest interior was brightened by
+hazel trees filled with the sun rays of morning. Farther in, orioles
+were twittering with joyousness. Roundabout was the odor of pine, the
+whole earth seemed rejoicing, and the blue air was cloudless.
+
+Thus pushing forward, they reached the same tar pit at which Martsian
+had been seized by the brothers. But the fear that some ambush might be
+there lurking proved groundless. Near the well were two tar-laden
+wagons, nothing more. To these, which belonged to peasants, were
+attached two wretched little horses, whose heads were sunk in bags of
+oats to their foreheads; the drivers, each near the side of his horse,
+were eating cheese and bread, but at sight of the showy party they put
+away these provisions; when asked if they had seen armed men, they
+answered that since morning a mounted man had been waiting, but that
+shortly before, on seeing this party from a distance, he had rushed
+away with all the speed of his beast in the opposite direction. The
+news alarmed Pan Serafin. It seemed to him that this horseman had been
+sent as a scout by Krepetski; and he redoubled his watchfulness. He
+commanded two attendants to ride at both sides and examine the forest;
+he sent two others ahead with this order: "If ye see an armed group
+fire your muskets, and return with all haste to the wagons." An hour
+passed, however, without a report from them. The party pushed forward
+slowly, watching in front and at both sides with carefulness, but it
+was quiet in the forest, except that the orioles twittered, while here
+and there was heard the hammering of those little smiths of the forest,
+the hard-working woodpeckers.
+
+At last they reached a wide plain, but before going out on it Pan
+Serafin and the priest directed Anulka to sit in the carriage, since
+they had to pass now not far from Belchantska, the trees of which, and
+even the mansion between them, were visible to the eye without glasses.
+The young lady looked on that house with emotion, for in it she had
+passed very many of the best, and the bitterest, days of her existence.
+She had wished to look first of all at Vyrambki, but the Belchantska
+lindens so covered it that the dwelling was not to be seen from the
+carriage. It occurred to Anulka that she might never again in her life
+see those places, so she sighed quietly and became sorrowful.
+
+The Bukoyemskis looked challengingly and quickly at the mansion, the
+village, and the neighborhood, but great quiet reigned in those places.
+Along broad fallow lands, which were flooded in sunlight, were grazing
+cows and sheep, guarded by dogs, and crowds of children. Here and there
+flocks of geese seemed white spots, and had it not been for summer
+heat, one might have thought from afar that they were bits of snow
+lying on the hill slopes; for the rest the region seemed empty.
+
+Pan Serafin, who lacked not the daring of a cavalier, wished to show
+the Krepetskis how little he cared for them, and directed to make the
+first halt at that place, and give rest to the horses. So the party
+stopped; on one side were fields of wheat waving under the wind and
+rustling gently; on the other was the silence of the plain broken only
+by the snorting of horses.
+
+"Health! health!" said the attendants in answer to the snorting.
+
+But that calm was not to the taste of the youngest Bukoyemski, who
+turned toward the mansion and cried to the absent Krepetskis, while he
+beckoned with his hand an invitation.
+
+"But come out here, ye sons of a such a one! O Stump, show thy dog
+snout; we will soon put a cross on it with our sabres!"
+
+Then he bent toward the carriage.
+
+"Your ladyship," said he, "that Martsian and his company are not in a
+hurry to attack us, neither he nor his bandits from the wilderness."
+
+"But do bandits attack?" asked the lady.
+
+"Oh-ho! they do, but not us. And there are many of them in the
+wilderness of Kozenitse, and in the forest toward Cracow. If his Grace
+the King would grant pardon, enough would be found of those bandits
+right here in this neighborhood to make two good regiments."
+
+"I should rather meet bandits than Pan Martsian's company, of which
+people tell in Belchantska such terrible stories. I have not heard of
+bandits attacking a mansion."
+
+"They do not, for a bandit has the same kind of sense that a wolf has.
+Consider, young lady, that a wolf never kills sheep or horned cattle in
+the neighborhood where his lair is."
+
+"He speaks truth," said the other brothers.
+
+Yan, glad of this praise, explained further.
+
+"The bandit attacks no village or mansion near his hiding place. For if
+neighboring people should pursue, they, knowing the forests and secret
+spots in them, would hunt him out the more easily. So bandits go to a
+distance, and plunder houses or fall upon travellers in great or small
+parties."
+
+"Have they no fear?"
+
+"They have no fear of God. Why should they fear men?"
+
+But Panna Anulka had turned her mind elsewhere, so, when Pan Serafin
+came to the carriage, she began to blink and implore him.
+
+"Why should I stay in the carriage when no attack threatens? May I not
+go on horseback?"
+
+"Why?" asked Pan Serafin. "The sun is high. It would burn your face.
+There is one who would not like that."
+
+Thereupon she withdrew on a sudden to the depth of the carriage, and
+Pan Serafin turned to the brothers,--
+
+"Have I not told her the truth?"
+
+But not being quick-witted, they missed the point of the answer.
+
+"Who would not like?" inquired they. "Who?"
+
+Pan Serafin shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"The prince bishop of Cracow, the German emperor, and the king of
+France," answered he.
+
+He gave the sign then, and all started.
+
+They passed Belchantska, and advanced again among tilled fields, fallow
+land, meadows, and broad wind-swept spaces which were bordered on the
+horizon by a blue rim of forest. At Yedlina they stopped for a second
+rest, during which the brewers, the citizens, and the peasants took
+farewell of Father Voynovski--and before evening they stopped for their
+first night rest at Radom.
+
+Martsian had not given the least sign of life. They learned that he had
+passed the day previous in Radom, and had drunk with his company, but
+had gone home for the night; hence the priest and Pan Serafin breathed
+with more freedom, judging that no danger threatened them now on the
+journey.
+
+The prelate Tvorkovski furnished letters to Father Hatski, to Gninski,
+the vice-chancellor who, as they knew, was enrolling a whole regiment
+for the coming war at his own cost, and one also to Pan Matchynski. He
+was rejoiced to see Panna Anulka and Father Voynovski, for whom he felt
+a great friendship, and Pan Serafin, in whom he prized a skilled
+Latinist, who understood every quotation and maxim. He, too, had heard
+of Martsian's threats, but had lent no great weight to them, judging
+that if an attack had been planned it would have been made in the wilds
+of Kozenitse, more favorable for that kind of deed than the forests
+between Radom and Kieltse.
+
+"Martsian will not attack you," said he to Pan Serafin, "and his father
+will not bring an action, for he would meet me; he knows that I have
+other weapons against him besides the church censure."
+
+The prelate entertained them all day, and let them start only toward
+evening. Since danger seemed set aside most decidedly, Pan Serafin
+agreed to night travel, all the more since great heat was beginning.
+The first five miles, however, they passed during daylight. On the
+river Oronka, which here and there formed morasses, began again, in
+those days, extensive pine forests, which surrounded Oronsk, Sucha,
+Krogulha, and extended as far as Shydlovets, and beyond, toward
+Mrochkov and Bzin, down to Kieltse. They moved slowly, for in some
+places the old road lay among sandy hillocks and holes, while in others
+it sank very notably and became a muddy, stick-covered ridgeway. This
+ridge lay in a quagmire through which a man could pass neither with
+wagon nor horse, nor go on foot at any season, unless during very dry
+summers. These places enjoyed no good repute, but for this Pan Serafin
+and his party cared little; they were confident of their strength, and
+glad to move in cool air when heat did not trouble men, or flies annoy
+horses.
+
+A clear and pleasant night came down quickly, with a full moon which
+appeared above the pine woods, enormous and ruddy, decreasing and
+growing pale as it rose, till in time it was white, and sailed like a
+silver swan through the dark blue of the night sky. The wind ceased,
+and the motionless pine wood was buried in a stillness broken only by
+the voices of gnats flying in from broad pools, and by the playing of
+landrails in the grass of the neighboring meadows.
+
+Father Voynovski intoned: "Hail, O Wise Lady! and Mansions dear to
+God," to which the four bass voices of the Bukoyemskis and Pan Serafin
+answered immediately: "Adorned by the golden table and seven columns."
+Panna Anulka joined the chorus, after her the attendants, and soon that
+pious hymn was resounding through the forest. But when they had
+finished all the "Hours," and repeated all the "Hail, Marys!" silence
+set in again. The priest, the brothers, and Pan Serafin conversed for
+some time yet in lowered voices; then they began to doze, and at last
+fell asleep soundly.
+
+They did not hear either the "Vio! Vio!" of the drivers, or the
+snorting of horses, or the explosive sound made when hoofs were drawn
+out of mud on that long ridge way which lay in the sticky and
+reed-covered quagmire. The party came to the ridge somewhat before
+midnight. The shouts of attendants, who were advancing in front, first
+roused the sleepers.
+
+"Stop! stop!"
+
+All opened their eyes. The Bukoyemskis straightened in their saddles
+and sprang ahead promptly.
+
+"But what is the matter?"
+
+"The road is barred. There is a ditch across it, and beyond the ditch a
+breastwork."
+
+The sabres of the brothers came biting from their scabbards and gleamed
+in the moonlight.
+
+"To arms! an ambuscade!"
+
+Pan Serafin found himself at the obstruction in one moment, and
+understood that there was no chance of being mistaken: a broad ditch
+had been dug across the ridgeway. Beyond the ditch lay whole pine trees
+which, with their branches sticking up, formed a great breastwork. The
+men who stopped the road in that fashion had evidently intended to let
+the party in on the ridge, from which there was no escape on either
+side, and attack in the rear then.
+
+"To your guns! to muskets!" thundered Father Voynovski. "They are
+coming!"
+
+In fact about a hundred yards in the rear certain dark, square forms,
+strange, quite unlike men, appeared on the ridge, and ran toward the
+wagons very quickly.
+
+"Fire!" commanded the priest.
+
+A report was heard, and brilliant flashes rent the night gloom. Only
+one form rolled to the earth, but the other men ran the more swiftly
+toward the wagons, and after them denser groups made their appearance.
+
+Instructed by whole years of war, the priest divined straightway that
+those men were carrying bundles before them, straw, reeds, or willows,
+and that was why the first discharge had effected so little.
+
+"Fire! In order! four at a time!--and at their knees!" cried he.
+
+Two attendants held guns charged with slugs. These men took their
+places with others, and spat at the knees of the attackers. A cry of
+pain was heard promptly, and this time the whole front rank of bundles
+tumbled down to the mud on the ridgeway, but the next rank of men
+sprang over those who were prostrate, and came still nearer the wagons.
+
+"Fire!" was commanded a third time.
+
+Again came a salvo, with more effect this time, for the onrush was
+stopped, and disorder appeared among the attackers.
+
+The priest acquired courage, for he knew that the attackers had
+outwitted themselves in the choice of position. It is true that not a
+living soul would escape in case they should triumph, and the bandits
+had this in view specially; but, not having men to hem in the party on
+all sides, they were forced to attack only over the ridgeway, hence in
+a thin body, which again lightened defence beyond common, so that five
+or six valiant warriors might ward off attack until daylight.
+
+The attackers, too, began to use muskets, but caused no great damage,
+clearly because of poor weapons. Their first fire struck only a horse
+and one attendant. The Bukoyemskis begged to charge the enemy,
+guaranteeing to sweep right and left into the quagmire any men whom
+they might not crush in the mud of the roadway. But the priest, who
+kept their strength for the last, would not send them; he commanded the
+brothers, however, as excellent marksmen, to roast the attackers from a
+distance, and Pan Serafin commanded to watch the ditch sharply, and the
+breastwork.
+
+"If they attack us from that side," said he, "they may do something,
+but they will not get us cheaply."
+
+Then he hastened for a moment to the carriage where the ladies were
+praying without great fear, though audibly.
+
+"Oh, this is nothing!" said he. "Have no fear!"
+
+"I have no fear," answered Panna Anulka. "But I should like to be on
+horseback."
+
+Shots drowned further words. The attackers, confused for a moment,
+pressed along the ridge now, with wonderful and simply blind daring,
+since it was clear that they would not effect much on that side.
+
+"Hm!" thought the priest. "Were it not for the women, we might charge
+them."
+
+And he had begun to think of sending the four brothers with four other
+good warriors, when he looked at both flanks and trembled.
+
+On the two sides of that quagmire appeared crowds of men, who,
+springing from hillock to hillock, or along sheaves of reeds, which had
+been fixed in soft places on purpose, were running toward the wagons.
+
+The priest turned to them, in the shortest time possible, two ranks of
+attendants, but he understood in a flash the extent of his peril. His
+party was surrounded on three sides. The attendants were, it is true,
+chosen men, who had been more than once in sharp struggles, but they
+were insufficient in number, especially as some had to guard extra
+horses. Hence it was evident that after the first fire, inadequate
+because of so many attackers, there would be a hand-to-hand struggle
+before guns could be loaded a second time, and the side which proved
+weaker would be forced to go down in that trial.
+
+Only one plan remained, to retreat by the ridgeway, that is, leave the
+wagons, command the Bukoyemskis to sweep all before them, and push on
+behind the four brothers, keeping the women among the horses in the
+centre. So when they had fired at both sides again, the priest ordered
+the women to mount, and arranged all for the onrush. In the first rank
+were the four brothers, behind them six attendants, then Panna Anulka
+and Pani Dzvonkovski, at the side the priest and Pan Serafin, behind
+them eight attendants, four in a rank. After the charge and retreat
+from the ridgeway he intended to reach the first village, collect all
+the peasants, return then and rescue the wagons.
+
+Still he stopped for a moment, and only when the attackers were little
+more than twenty yards distant, and when on a sudden wild sounds were
+heard beyond the breastwork, did he shout the order,--
+
+"Strike!"
+
+"Strike!" roared the Bukoyemskis, and they moved like a hurricane which
+destroys all things before it. When they had ridden to the enemy the
+horses rose on their haunches and plunged into the dense crowd of
+robbers, trampling some, pushing others to the quagmire, overthrowing
+whole lines of people. The brothers cut with sabres unsparingly, and
+without stopping. There was great shouting, and splashing of bodies as
+men fell into the water near the ridgeway, but the four dreadful
+horsemen pushed forward; their arms moving like those of a windmill to
+which a gale gives dreadful impetus. Some attackers sprang willingly
+into the water to save themselves; others put forks and bill-hooks
+against the onrushing brothers. Clubs and spears were raised also; but
+again the horses reared, and, breaking everything before them, swept on
+like a whirlwind in a young forest.
+
+Had not the road been so narrow, and those who were slashed had all
+escape barred to them, and those behind not pushed on those in front,
+the Bukoyemskis would have passed the whole ridgeway. But since more
+than one of the bandits preferred battle to drowning, resistance
+continued, and, besides, it became still more stubborn. The hearts of
+the robbers were raging. They began to fight then not merely for
+plunder, or seizing some person, but from venom. At moments when shouts
+ceased, the gritting of teeth became audible and curses rose loudly.
+The rush of the Bukoyemskis was arrested. It came to their minds at
+that moment that they would have to die, perhaps. And when, on a
+sudden, they heard still farther out there the tramping of horses, and
+loud shouts were raised in all parts of the thicket surrounding the
+quagmire, they felt sure that the moment of death was approaching.
+Hence they smashed terribly; they would not sell their lives cheaply in
+any case.
+
+But now something marvellous happened. Many voices were heard all at
+once shouting: "Strike!" Sabres gleamed in the moonlight. Certain
+horsemen fell to cutting and hewing in the rear of the robbers, who,
+because of this sudden attack, were seized in one instant with terror.
+Escape in the rear was now closed to them; nothing remained but escape
+at either side of the roadway. Only some, therefore, offered a
+desperate resistance. The more numerous sprang like ducks to the turfy
+quagmire on both sides. The quagmire broke under them; then grasping
+grass, clumps, and reeds, they clung to hillocks, or lay on their
+bellies not to sink the first moment.
+
+Only a small company, armed with scythes fixed to poles, defended
+themselves for some time yet with madness. Because of this many
+horsemen were wounded. But at last even this handful, seeing that for
+them there was no rescue whatever, threw down their weapons, fell on
+their knees, and begged mercy. They were taken alive to be witnesses.
+
+Meanwhile horsemen from both sides stood facing one another, and raised
+their voices.
+
+"Halt! halt! Who are ye?"
+
+"But who are ye?"
+
+"Tsyprianovitch of Yedlinka."
+
+"For God's sake! these are our people!"
+
+And two riders pushed from the ranks quickly. One inclined to Pan
+Serafin, seized his hand straightway, and covered it with kisses; the
+other rushed to the priest's shoulder.
+
+"Stanislav!" cried Pan Serafin.
+
+"Yatsek!" shouted the priest.
+
+The greetings and embraces continued till speech came to Pan Serafin,--
+
+"For God's sake, whence come ye?"
+
+"Our regiment was marching to Cracow. Yatsek and I had permission to
+visit you at Yedlinka. Meanwhile we learned at Radom, while halting for
+food there, that thou, father, and the priest, and the Bukoyemskis had
+set out an hour earlier by the highroad toward Kieltse."
+
+"Did the prelate tell thee?"
+
+"No! We did not see him. Radom Jews told us; we did not go then to
+Yedlinka, but moved on at once lest we might miss you. At midnight we
+heard firing, so we all rushed to give aid, thinking that bandits had
+fallen upon travellers. It did not occur to us that ye were the
+persons. God be thanked, God be thanked, that we came up in season!"
+
+"Not bandits attacked us, but the Krepetskis. It is a question of Panna
+Anulka, who is with us."
+
+"As God lives!" exclaimed Stanislav. "Then I think that his soul will
+leave Yatsek."
+
+"I wrote to thee about her, but it is evident that my letter did not
+reach thee."
+
+"No, for we are marching these three weeks. I have not written of late
+because I had to come hither."
+
+Shouts from the Bukoyemskis, the attendants, and the warriors stopped
+further converse. At that moment also attendants ran up with lighted
+torches. A supply had been taken by Pan Serafin that he might have
+wherewith to give light during darkness. It was as clear on the road as
+in daylight, and in those bright gleams Yatsek saw the gray horse on
+which Panna Anulka was sitting.
+
+He grew dumb at sight of her.
+
+"Yes, she is with us," said Father Voynovski, seeing his astonishment.
+
+Then Yatsek urged his horse forward, and halted before her. He
+uncovered his head, and remained there lost as he looked at her. His
+face was as white as chalk, his breath had almost left him, and he was
+speechless.
+
+After a moment the cap fell to the earth from his fingers, his head
+dropped to the mane of the horse, and his eyes closed.
+
+"But he is wounded!" cried Lukash Bukoyemski.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXIV
+
+
+Yatsek was really wounded. One of those robbers, who defended
+themselves to the utmost, cut him, with a scythe in the left shoulder,
+and since he and the men marched without mail, the very end of the iron
+had cut into his arm rather deeply from the shoulder to the elbow. The
+wound was not over grievous, but it bled quite profusely; because of
+this the young man had then fainted. The experienced Father Voynovski
+commanded to put him in a wagon, and, when the wound had been dressed,
+he left him in care of the women. Yatsek opened his eyes somewhat
+later, and began again to look, as at a rainbow, into the face of Panna
+Anulka, which was there bending over him.
+
+Meanwhile the attendants filled the ditch and removed all obstructions.
+The wagons and the men passed to the dry road beyond, where they halted
+to bring the train into order, take some rest, and question the
+prisoners. From Tachevski the priest went to the Bukoyemskis to see if
+they had suffered. But they had not. The horses were torn and even
+stabbed with forks, but not seriously; the men themselves were in
+excellent humor, for all were admiring their valor, since they had
+crushed before war, more opponents than had many others during years of
+campaigning.
+
+"Now, gentlemen, ye may join Pan Zbierhovski," said the hussars here
+and there. "From of old it is known, and God grant that men will see
+soon, that our regiment is the first even among hussars. Pan
+Zbierhovski admits no common men, or any man easily, but he will accept
+you with gladness, and we shall be charmed from our hearts to find you
+in our company."
+
+The Bukoyemskis knew that this might not be, for they could not have
+the attendants, or the outfit demanded in such a high regiment, but
+they listened to those speeches with rapture, and when cups went the
+round, they let no man surpass them.
+
+When that part was ended, the captured bandits were seized by their
+heads, and led from the mud to Zbierhovski and the priest and Pan
+Serafin. No bandit had escaped, for with a detachment of twelve hundred
+there were men to surround the whole quagmire and both ends of the
+ridgeway. The appearance of the prisoners astonished Pan Serafin. He
+had thought to find Martsian among them, as he had told Stanislav, and
+Martsian's Radom outcasts also; meanwhile he saw before him a ragged
+rabble reeking with turf and bespattered with mud of the ridgeway, a
+company made up, like all bodies of that kind, of deserters from the
+infantry, of runaway servants and serfs, in a word, of all kinds of
+wicked, wild scoundrels working at robbery in remote places and
+forests. Many such parties were raging, especially in the wooded region
+of Sandomir, and since they were strengthened by men who were eager for
+anything, men who if captured were threatened with terrible punishment,
+their attacks were uncommonly daring, and they fought savage battles.
+
+The search through the quagmire continued for a time yet, then Pan
+Serafin turned to Zbierhovski.
+
+"Gracious colonel," said he. "These are highway robbers. We thought
+them quite different. This was an attack of common bandits. We thank
+you, and all your men with grateful hearts for effective assistance,
+without which, as is possible, we should not have seen the sun rise
+this morning."
+
+"These night marches are good," said Zbierhovski, and he smiled while
+he was speaking. "The heat does not trouble, and it is possible to
+serve others. Do you wish to examine these captives immediately?"
+
+"Since I have looked at them closely already, it is not needed. The
+court in the town will examine them, and the headsman will guide them."
+
+At this a tall, bony fellow, with a gloomy face, and light hair pushed
+out from the captives and said, as he bent to Pan Serafin's stirrup.
+
+"Great mighty lord, spare our lives, and we will tell truth. We are
+common bandits, but the attack was not common."
+
+The priest and Pan Serafin, on hearing this, looked at each other with
+roused curiosity.
+
+"Who art thou?" asked the priest.
+
+"I am a chief. There were two of us, for this party was formed of two
+bands, but the other man fell. Give me pardon, and I will tell
+everything."
+
+Father Voynovski stopped for a moment.
+
+"We cannot save you from justice," said he, "but for you it is better
+in every case to tell truth, than be forced to declare it under
+torture. Besides, if ye confess, God's judgment and man's will be more
+lenient."
+
+The bandit looked at his companions, uncertain whether to speak or be
+silent. Meanwhile the priest added,--
+
+"And if ye tell the whole truth, we can intercede with the king, and
+commend you to his mercy. He accepts offenders in the infantry, and
+recommends mercy now to judges."
+
+"In that case," said the man, "I will tell everything. My name is Obuh;
+the leader of the other band was Kos, and a noble engaged us to fall on
+your graces."
+
+"But do ye know the name of that noble?"
+
+"I did not know him, for I am from distant places, but Kos knew him,
+and said his name was Vysh."
+
+The priest and Pan Serafin looked at each other with astonishment.
+
+"Vysh,[6] didst thou say?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"But was there no one with him?"
+
+"There was another, a lean, thin, young man."
+
+"Not they," said Pan Serafin to the priest in a whisper.
+
+"But they may have been Martsian's company."
+
+Then he said aloud to the man,--
+
+"What did they tell you to do?"
+
+"This: 'Do what ye like with the people,' said they; 'the wagons and
+plunder are yours; but in the company there is a young lady whom ye are
+to take and bring by roundabout ways between Radom and Zvolenie to
+Polichna. Beyond Polichna a party will attack you and take the lady. Ye
+will pretend to defend her, but not so as to harm our men. Ye will get
+a thaler apiece for this, besides what ye find in the wagons.'"
+
+"That is as if on one's palm," said the priest.
+
+"Then did only those two talk with Kos and thee?"
+
+"Later, a third person came in the night with them; he gave us a ducat
+apiece to bind the agreement. Though the place was as dark as in a
+cellar, one of our men who had been a serf of his recognized that third
+person as Pan Krepetski."
+
+"Ha! that is he!" cried Pan Serafin.
+
+"And is that man here, or has he fallen?" inquired Father Voynovski.
+
+"I am here!" called out a voice from some distance.
+
+"Come nearer. Didst thou recognize Pan Krepetski? But how, since it was
+so dark, that thou couldst hit a man on the snout without knowing it?"
+
+"Because I know him from childhood. I knew him by his bow-legs and his
+head, which sits, as it were, in a hole between his shoulders, and by
+his voice."
+
+"Did he speak to you?"
+
+"He spoke with us, and afterward I heard him speak to those who came
+with him."
+
+"What did he say to them?"
+
+"He said this: 'If I could have trusted money with you, I should not
+have come, even if the night were still darker.'"
+
+"And wilt thou testify to this before the mayor in the town, or the
+starosta?"
+
+"I will."
+
+"When he heard this, Pan Zbierhovski turned to his attendants and
+said,--
+
+"Guard this man with special care, for me."
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXV
+
+
+They began now to counsel. The advice of the Bukoyemskis was to
+disguise some peasant woman in the dress of a lady, put her on
+horseback, give her attendants and soldiers dressed up as bandits, and
+go to the place designated by Martsian, and, when he made the attack as
+agreed upon, surround him immediately, and either wreak vengeance
+there, or take him to Cracow and deliver him to justice. They offered
+to go themselves, with great willingness, to carry out the plan, and
+swore that they would throw Martsian in fetters at the feet of Panna
+Anulka.
+
+This proposal pleased all at the first moment, but when they examined
+it more carefully the execution seemed needless and difficult. Pan
+Zbierhovski might rescue from danger people whom he met on his march,
+but he had not the right to send soldiers on private expeditions, and
+he had no wish either to do so. On the other hand, since there was a
+bandit who knew and was ready to indicate to the courts the chief
+author of the ambush, it was possible to bring that same author to
+account any moment, and to have issued against him a sentence of
+infamy. For this reason both Pan Serafin and Father Voynovski grew
+convinced that there would be time for that after the war, since there
+was no fear that the Krepetskis, who owned large estates, would flee
+and abandon them. This did not please the Bukoyemskis, however, for
+they desired keenly to finish the question. They even declared that
+since that was the decision, they would go themselves with their
+attendants for Martsian. But Pan Serafin would not permit this, and
+they were stopped finally by Yatsek, who implored them by all that was
+sacred to leave Krepetski to him, and him only.
+
+"I," said he, "will not act through courts against Martsian, but after
+all that I have heard from you here, if I do not fall in the war, as
+God is in heaven, I will find the man, and it will be shown whether
+infamy would not be pleasanter and easier also than that which will
+meet him."
+
+And his "maiden" eyes glittered so fiercely that though the Bukoyemskis
+were unterrified warriors a shiver went through them. They knew in what
+a strange manner passion and mildness were intertwined in the spirit of
+Yatsek, together with an ominous remembrance of injustice.
+
+He said then repeatedly: "Woe to him!--Woe to him!" and again he grew
+pale from his blood loss. Day had come already, and the morning light
+had tinted the world in green and rose colors; that light sparkled in
+the dewdrops, on the grass and the reeds, and the tree leaves and the
+needles of dwarf pines here and there on the edge of the quagmire. Pan
+Zbierhovski had commanded to bury the bodies of the fallen bandits,
+which was done very quickly, for the turf opened under spades easily,
+and when no trace of battle was left on that roadway, the march was
+continued toward Shydlovets.
+
+Pan Serafin advised the young lady to sit again in the carriage, where
+she might have a good sleep before they reached the next halting place,
+but she declared so decisively that she would not desert Yatsek that
+even Father Voynovski did not try to remove her. So they went together,
+only two besides the driver, for sleep was so torturing Pani
+Dzvonkovski, that after a while they transferred her to the carriage.
+
+Yatsek was lying face upward on bundles of hay arranged lengthwise in
+one side of the wagon, while she sat on the other, bending every little
+while toward his wounded shoulder, and watching to see if blood might
+not come through the bandages. At times she put a leather bottle of old
+wine to the mouth of the wounded man. This wine acted well to all
+seeming, for after a while he was wearied of lying, and had the driver
+draw out the bundle on which his feet were then resting.
+
+"I prefer to ride sitting," said he, "since I feel all my strength
+now."
+
+"But the wound, will that not pain you more if you are sitting?"
+
+Yatsek turned his eyes to her rosy face, and said in a sad and low
+voice, "I will give the same answer as that knight long ago when King
+Lokietek saw him pierced with spears by the Knights of the Cross, on a
+battlefield. 'Is thy pain great?' asked the king. The knight showed his
+wounds then. 'These pain least of all,' said he in answer."
+
+Panna Sieninski dropped her eyes. "But what pains you more?" inquired
+she in a whisper.
+
+"A yearning heart, and separation, and the memory of wrongs inflicted."
+
+For a while silence continued, but the hearts began to throb in both
+with power which increased every moment, for they knew that the time
+had come then in which they could and should confess everything which
+each had against the other.
+
+"It is true," said she, "I did you an injustice, when, after the duel,
+I received you with angry face, and inhumanly. But that was the only
+time, and, though God alone knows how much I regretted that afterward,
+still I say it is my fault! and from my whole soul I implore you."
+Yatsek put his sound hand to his forehead.
+
+"Not that," answered he, "was the thorn, not that the great anguish!"
+
+"I know it was not that, but the letter from Pan Gideon. How could you
+suspect me of knowing the contents of the letter, or having suggested
+them?"
+
+And she began to tell, with a broken voice, how it happened: how she
+had implored Pan Gideon to make a step toward being reconciled: how he
+had promised to write a heartfelt and fatherly letter, but he wrote
+entirely the opposite. Of this she learned only later from Father
+Voynovski, and from this it was shown that Pan Gideon having other
+plans, simply wanted to separate them from each other forever.
+
+At the same time, since her words were a confession, and also a renewal
+of painful and bitter memories, her eyes were dimmed with tears, and
+from constraint and shame a deep blush came out on her cheeks from one
+instant to another.
+
+"Did Father Voynovski," asked she at last, "not write to you that I
+knew nothing, and that I could not even understand why I received for
+my sincere feelings a recompense of that kind?"
+
+"Father Voynovski," answered Yatsek, "only wrote me that you were going
+to marry Pan Gideon."
+
+"But did he not write that I consented to do so only through orphanhood
+and pain and desertion, and out of gratitude to my guardian? For I knew
+not then how he had treated you; I only knew that I was despised and
+forgotten."
+
+When he heard this Yatsek closed his eyes and began to speak with great
+sadness.
+
+"Forgotten? Is that God's truth? I was in Warsaw, I was at the king's
+court, I went through the country with my regiment, but whatever I did,
+and wherever I travelled, not for one moment didst thou go from my
+heart and my memory. Thou didst follow me as his shadow a man. And
+during nights without sleep, in suffering and in pain, which came
+simply from torture, many a time have I called to thee: 'Take pity,
+have mercy! grant to forget thee!' But thou didst not leave me at any
+time, either in the day, or the night, or in the field, or under a
+house roof, until at last I understood that only then could I tear thee
+from my heart when I had torn the heart itself from my bosom."
+
+Here he stopped, for his voice was choked from emotion; but after a
+time he continued,--
+
+"So after that often and often I said in my prayers: 'O God, grant me
+death, for Thou seest that it is impossible for me to attain her, and
+impossible for me to be without her!' And that was before I had hoped
+for the favor of seeing thee in life again--thou, the only one in the
+world--thou, beloved!"
+
+As he said this he bent toward her and touched her arm with his temple.
+
+"Thou," whispered he, "art as that blood which gives life to me, as
+that sun in the heavens. The mercy of God is upon me, that I see thee
+once more-- O beloved! beloved!"
+
+And it seemed to her that Yatsek was singing some marvellous song at
+that moment. Her eyes were filled with a wave of tears then, and a wave
+of happiness flooded her heart. Again there was silence between them;
+but she wept long with such a sweet weeping as she had never known in
+her life till that morning.
+
+"Yatsek," said she at last, "why have we so tormented each other?"
+
+"God has rewarded us a hundred fold," said he in answer.
+
+And for the third time there was silence between them; only the wagon
+squeaked on, pushing forward slowly over the ruts of the roadway.
+Beyond the forest they came out onto great fields bathed in sunlight;
+on those fields wheat was rustling, dotted richly with red poppies and
+blue star thistles. There was great calm in that region. Above fields
+on which the grain had been reaped, here and there skylarks were
+soaring, lost in song, motionless; on the edges of the fields sickles
+glittered in the distance; from the remoter green pastures came the
+cries and songs of men herding cattle. And to both it seemed that the
+wheat was rustling because of them; that the poppies and star thistles
+were blooming because of them; that, the larks were singing because of
+them; that the calls of the herdsmen were uttered because of them; that
+all the sunny peace of those fields and all those voices were simply
+repeating their ecstasy and happiness.
+
+They were roused from this oblivion by Father Voynovski, who had pushed
+up unnoticed to the wagon.
+
+"How art thou, Yatsus?" asked he.
+
+Yatsek trembled and looked with shining eyes at him, as if just roused
+from slumber.
+
+"What is it, benefactor?"
+
+"How art thou?"
+
+"Eh! it will not be better in paradise!"
+
+The priest looked seriously first at him, then at the young lady.
+
+"Is that true?" asked he.
+
+And he galloped off to the company. But the delightful reality embraced
+them anew. They began to look on each other, and sink in the eyes of
+each other.
+
+"O, thou not-to-be-looked-at-sufficiently!" said Yatsek.
+
+But she lowered her eyes, smiled at the corners of her mouth till
+dimples appeared in her rosy cheeks, and asked in a whisper,--
+
+"But is not Panna Zbierhovski more beautiful?"
+
+Yatsek looked at her with amazement.
+
+"What, Panna Zbierhovski?"
+
+She made no answer; she simply laughed in her fist, with a laugh as
+resonant as a silver bell.
+
+Meanwhile, when the priest had galloped to the company, the men, who
+loved Yatsek, fell to inquiring,--
+
+"Well, how is it there? How is our wounded man?"
+
+"He is no longer in this world!" replied Father Voynovski.
+
+"As God lives! What has happened? How is he not in the world?"
+
+"He is not, for he says that he is in paradise--a woman!!!"
+
+The Bukoyemskis, as men who understand without metaphor all that is
+said to them, did not cease to look at the priest with astonishment
+and, removing their caps, were just ready to say, "eternal rest," when
+a general outbreak of laughter interrupted their pious thoughts and
+intention. But in that laughter of the company there was sincere
+good-will and sympathy for Yatsek. Some of the men had learned from Pan
+Stanislav how sensitive that cavalier was, and all divined how he must
+have suffered, hence the words of the priest delighted them greatly.
+Voices were heard at once, therefore: "God knows! we have seen how he
+fought with his feelings, how he answered questions at random, how he
+left buckles unfastened, how he forgot himself when eating or drinking,
+how he turned his eyes to the moon during night hours."
+
+"Those are infallible signs of unfortunate love," added some. "It is
+true," put in others, "that he is now as if in paradise, for if no
+wounds give more pain than those caused by Love, there is no sweeter
+thing than mutuality."
+
+These and similar remarks were made by Yatsek's comrades. Some of them,
+having learned of the hardships which the lady had passed through, and
+how shamefully Krepetski had treated her, fell to shaking their sabres,
+and crying; "Give him hither!" Some became sensitive over the maiden,
+some, having learned how Martsian had been handled by the Bukoyemskis,
+raised to the skies the native valor and wit of those brothers. But
+after a while universal attention was centred again on the lovers:
+"Well," cried out all, "let us shout to their health and good fortune
+_et felices rerum successus!_" and immediately a noisy throng moved
+toward the wagon on horseback. In one moment almost the whole regiment
+had surrounded Pan Yatsek and Panna Anulka. Loud voices thundered:
+"_Vivant! floreant!_" others cried before the time: "_Crescite et
+multiplicamini!_" Whether Panna Anulka was really frightened by those
+cries, or rather as an "insidious woman," she only feigned terror
+father Voynovski himself could not have decided. It is enough that,
+sheltering her bright head at the unwounded shoulder of Yatsek, she
+asked with shamefaced confusion,--
+
+"What is this, Yatsek? what are they doing?"
+
+He surrounded her with his sound arm, and said,--
+
+"People are giving thee, dearest flower, and I am taking thee."
+
+"After the war?"
+
+"Before the war."
+
+"In God's name, why so hurried?"
+
+But it was evident that Yatsek had not heard this query for instead of
+replying, he said to her,--
+
+"Let us bow to the dear comrades for this good-will, and thank them."
+
+Hence they bowed toward both sides, which roused still greater
+enthusiasm. Seeing the blushing face of the maiden, which was as
+beautiful as the morning dawn, the warriors struck their thighs with
+their palms from admiration.
+
+"By the dear God!" cried they. "One might be dazzled!"
+
+"An angel would be enamoured; what can a sinful man do?"
+
+"It is no wonder that he was withering with sorrow."
+
+And again hundreds of voices thundered more powerfully,--
+
+"_Vivant! crescant! floreant!_"
+
+Amid those shouts, and in clouds of golden dust they entered
+Shydlovets. At the first moment the inhabitants were frightened, and,
+leaving in front of their houses the workshops in which they were
+cutting out whetstones from sandrock, they ran to their chambers. But,
+learning soon that those were the shouts of a betrothal, and not of
+anger, they rushed in a crowd to the street and followed the soldiers.
+A throng of horses and men was formed straightway. The kettledrums of
+the horsemen were beaten, the trumpets and crooked horns sounded.
+Gladness became universal. Even the Jews, who through fear had stayed
+longer in the houses, shouted: "_Vivait!_"[7] though they knew not well
+what the question was.
+
+But Tachevski said to Panna Anulka,--
+
+"Before the war, before the war, even though death were to come one
+hour later."
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXVI
+
+
+"How is that?" inquired Father Voynovski, at the dinner which his
+comrades gave Yatsek. "We are going in five or six days; thou mightst
+die in the war; is it worth while to marry before a campaign, instead
+of waiting for the happy end of it, and then marrying at your leisure?"
+
+His comrades, when they heard these prudent words, burst into laughter;
+some of them held their sides, others cried in a chorus,--"Oh! it is
+worth while, benefactor! and just for this reason that he may die is it
+worth while all the more."
+
+The priest was a little angry, but when the three hundred best men, not
+excepting Pan Stanislav insisted, and Yatsek would not hear of delay,
+it had to be as he wanted. Renewed relations with the court, and the
+favor of the king and queen facilitated the affair very greatly. The
+queen declared that the coming Pani Tachevski would be under her
+protection till the war ended, and the king himself promised to be at
+the marriage, and to think of a fitting dowry when his mind was less
+occupied. He remembered that many lands of the Sieninskis had passed to
+the Sobieskis, and how his ancestors had grown strong from them, hence
+he felt under obligations to the orphan, who, besides, had attracted
+him by her beauty, and also roused his compassion by her harsh fate,
+and the evils which she had suffered.
+
+Pan Matchynski, a friend from of old, to Father Voynovski, and also a
+friend of the king, promised to remind him of the young lady, but after
+the war; for at that time when on the shoulders of Yan III the fate of
+all Europe was resting, and of all Christianity, it was not permitted
+to trouble him with private interests. Father Voynovski was comforted
+with this promise as much as if Yatsek had then received a good "crown
+estate," for all knew that word from Pan Matchynski was as sure of
+fulfilment as had been the words of Zavisha. To speak strictly, he was
+the author of all the good which had met Panna Sieninski in Cracow; he
+mentioned Father Voynovski to the king and queen; finally he won for
+the young lady the queen, who, though capricious in her likings, and
+fickle, began from the first moment to show her special favor and
+friendship, which seemed even almost too sudden.
+
+A dispensation from banns was received easily through protection of the
+court, and the favor of the bishop of Cracow. Even earlier, Pan Serafin
+had obtained for the young couple handsome lodgings from a Cracow
+merchant, whose ancestors and those of Pan Serafin had done business in
+their day, when the latter were living in Lvoff, and importing brocades
+from the Orient. That was a beautiful lodging, and, because of the
+multitude of civil and military dignitaries in the city, so good a one
+could not be obtained by many a voevoda. Stanislav had determined that
+Yatsek should pass those few days before the campaign as it were in a
+genuine heaven, and he ornamented those lodgings unusually with fresh
+flowers and tapestry; other comrades helped him with zeal, each
+lending, the best of what he had, rugs, tapestry, carpets, and such
+like costly articles, which in wealthy hussar regiments were taken in
+campaigns even.
+
+In one word, all showed the young couple the greatest good-will, and
+helped them as each one was able and with what he commanded, except the
+four Bukoyemskis. They, in the first days after coming to Cracow, went
+sometimes twice in a day to Stanislav and to Yatsek, and to merchants
+at the inns with whom officers from the regiment of Prince Alexander
+drank not infrequently, but afterward the four brothers vanished as if
+they had fallen into water. Father Voynovski thought that they were
+drinking in the suburbs, where servants had seen them one evening, and
+where mead and wine were cheaper than in the city, but immediately
+after that all report of them vanished. This angered the priest as well
+as the Tsyprianovitches, for the brothers were bound to Pan Serafin in
+gratitude; this they should not have forgotten. "They may be good
+soldiers," said the priest, "but they are giddy heads in whose
+sedateness we cannot put confidence. Of course they have found some
+wild company in which they pass time more pleasantly than with any of
+us."
+
+This judgment proved inaccurate, however, for on the eve of Yatsek's
+marriage, when his quarters were filled with acquaintances who had come
+with good wishes and presents, the four brothers appeared in their very
+best garments. Their faces were calm, serious, and full of
+mysteriousness.
+
+"What has happened to you?" asked Pan Serafin.
+
+"We have been tracking a wild beast!" replied Lukash.
+
+"Quiet!" said Mateush, giving him a punch in the side, "Do not tell
+till the time comes."
+
+Then he looked at the priest, at Pan Serafin and his son, and turning
+finally to Yatsek, began to clear his throat, like a man who intends to
+speak in some detail.
+
+"Well, begin right away!" urged his brothers.
+
+But he looked at them with staring eyes, and inquired,--
+
+"How was it?"
+
+"How? Hast thou forgotten?"
+
+"It has broken in me."
+
+"Wait--I know," cried Yan. "It began: 'Our most worthy--' Go on!"
+
+"Our most worthy Pilate," began Mateush.
+
+"Why 'Pilate'?" interrupted the priest. "Perhaps it is Pylades?"
+
+"Benefactor thou hast hit the nail on the head," cried Yan. "As I live,
+it is Pylades."
+
+"Our worthy Pylades!" began Mateush, now reassured, "though not the
+iron Boristhenes, but the gold-bearing Tagus itself were to flow in our
+native region, we, being exiled through attacks of barbarians, should
+have nothing but our hearts glowing with friendship to offer thee,
+neither could we honor this day as it merits by any thank-offering--"
+
+"Thou speakest as if cracking nuts," cried out Lukash excitedly.
+
+But Mateush kept on repeating: "As it merits,--as it merits--" He
+stopped, looked at his brothers, calling with his eyes for rescue, but
+they had forgotten entirely that which was to come later.
+
+The Bukoyemskis began now to frown, and the audience to titter. Seeing
+this Pan Serafin resolved to assist them.
+
+"Who composed this speech for you?" asked he.
+
+"Pan Gromyka, of Pan Shumlanski's regiment," said Mateush.
+
+"There it is. A strange horse is more likely to balk and rear than your
+own beast; so now embrace Yatsek and tell him what ye have to say."
+
+"Surely that is the best way."
+
+And they embraced Yatsek one after another. Then Mateush
+continued,--"Yatsus! we know that thou art no Pilate, and thou knowest
+that after losing Kieff regions we are poor fellows, in short we are
+naked. Here is all that we can give, and accept with thankful heart
+even this."
+
+Then they handed him some object wound up in a piece of red satin, and
+at that moment the three younger brothers repeated, with feeling,--
+
+"Accept it, Yatsus, accept! Accept!"
+
+"I accept, and God repay you," answered Yatsek.
+
+Thus speaking, he put the object on the table, and began to unroll the
+satin. All at once he started back, and cried,--
+
+"As God lives, it is the ear of a man!"
+
+"But dost thou know whose ear? Martsian Krepetski's!" thundered the
+brothers.
+
+"Ah!"
+
+All present were so tremendously astonished that silence followed
+immediately.
+
+"Tfu!" cried Father Voynovski, at last.
+
+And measuring the brothers, one after the other, with a stern glance,
+he began at the eldest,--
+
+"Are ye Turks to bring in the ears of beaten enemies? Ye are a shame to
+this Christian army and all nobles. If Krepetski deserved death a
+hundred times, if he were even a heretic, or out and out a pagan, it
+would still be an inexpressible shame to commit such an action. Oh, ye
+have delighted Yatsek, so that he spits from his mouth that which comes
+into it. But I tell you that for such a deed ye are to expect not
+gratitude but contempt, and shame also; for there is no regiment in all
+the cavalry, or even a regiment in the infantry, which would accept
+such barbarians as comrades."
+
+At this Mateush stepped out in front of his brothers, and, flaming with
+rage, said,--
+
+"Here is gratitude for you, here is reward, here is the justice of
+people, and a judgment. If any layman were to utter this judgment I
+should cut one ear from him, and also the other to go with it, but
+since a clerical person speaks thus, let the Lord Jesus judge him, and
+take the side of the innocent! Your Grace asks: 'Are ye Turks?' but I
+ask: Do you think that we cut off the ear of a dead man? My born
+brothers, ye innocent orphans, to what have ye come, that they make
+Turks of you, enemies of the faith! To what?"
+
+Here his voice quivered, for his grief had exceeded his auger. The
+three brothers, roused by the unjust judgment, began to cry out with
+equal sorrow,--
+
+"They make Turks of us!"
+
+"Enemies of the faith!"
+
+"Vile pagans!"
+
+"Then tell, in the name of misfortune, how it was," said the priest.
+
+"Lukash cut off Martsian's ear in a duel."
+
+"Whence did Krepetski come hither?"
+
+"He rode into Cracow. He was here five days. He rode in behind us."
+
+"Let one speak. Speak thou, but to the point."
+
+Here the priest turned to Yan, the youngest.
+
+"An acquaintance of ours from the regiment of the Bishop of Sandomir,"
+began Yan, "told us by chance, three days ago, that he had seen in a
+wineshop on Kazamir street a certain wonder. 'A noble,' says he, 'as
+thick as a tree stump, with a great head so thrust into his body that
+his shoulders come up to his ears, on short crooked legs,' says he,
+'and he drinks like a dragon. A viler monkey I have not seen in my
+life,' says he. And we, since the Lord Jesus has given us this gift
+from birth, take everything in at a twinkle, we look at one another
+that instant: Well, is not that Krepetski? Then we said to the man,
+'Take us to that wineshop.' 'I will take you.' And he took us. It was
+dark, but we looked till we saw something black in one corner behind a
+table. Lukash walked up to it, and made sparks fly before the very eyes
+of him who was hiding there. 'Krepetski,' cries he, and grabs him by
+the shoulder. We to our sabres. Krepetski sprang away, but saw that
+there was no escape, for we were between him and the doorway. Did he
+not jump then? He jumped up time after time as a cock does. 'What,'
+says he, 'do ye think that I am afraid? Only come at me one by one, not
+in a crowd, unless ye are murderers, not nobles.'"
+
+"The scoundrel!" interrupted the priest.
+
+"What did he try to do with us? That is what Lukash asked him. 'Oh!'
+said Lukash, 'thou son of such a mother, thou didst hire a whole
+regiment of cut-throats against us. It would be well,' said he, 'to
+give thee to the headsman, but this is the shorter way!' Then he
+presses on, and they fall to cutting. After the third or fourth blow,
+his head leans to one side. I look--and there is an ear on the floor.
+Mateush raises it immediately, and cries,--'Leave the other to us, do
+not cut it. This,' said he 'will be for Yatsek, and the other for Panna
+Anulka.' But Martsian dropped his sabre, for his blood had begun to
+flow terribly, and he fainted. We poured water on his head, and wine
+into his mouth, thinking that he would revive and meet the next one of
+us; but that could not be. He recovered consciousness, it is true, and
+said: 'Since ye have sought justice yourselves, ye are not free to seek
+any other,' and he fainted again. We went away then, sorry not to have
+the other ear. Lukash said that he could have killed the man, but he
+spared him for us, and especially for Yatsek. And I do not know if any
+one could act more politely, for it is no sin to crush such vermin as
+Martsian, but it is clear that politeness does not pay now-a-days,
+since we have to suffer for showing it."
+
+"True! He speaks justly!" said the other brothers.
+
+"Well," said the priest, "if the matter stands thus it is different,
+but still the gift is unsavory."
+
+The brothers looked with amazement one at another.
+
+"Why say unsavory?" asked Marek. "You do not think we brought it for
+Yatsek to eat, do you?"
+
+"I thank you from my soul for your good wishes," said Tachevski. "I
+think that ye did not bring it to me to be stored away."
+
+"It has grown a little green--it might be smoke-dried."
+
+"Let a man bury it at once," said the priest with severity; "it is the
+ear of a Christian in every case."
+
+"In Kieff we have seen better treatment," growled out Mateush.
+
+"Krepetski came hither undoubtedly," remarked Yatsek, "to make a new
+attack on Anulka."
+
+"He will not take her away from the king's palace," said the prudent
+Pan Serafin, "but he did not come for that, if I think correctly. His
+attack failed, so I suppose he only wanted to learn whether we know
+that he arranged it, and if we have complained of him. Perhaps old
+Krepetski did not know of his son's undertaking; but perhaps he did
+know; if he did, then both must be greatly alarmed, and I am not at all
+surprised that Martsian came here to investigate."
+
+"Well," said Stanislav, laughing, "he has no luck with the Bukoyemskis,
+indeed he has not."
+
+"Let him go," said Tachevski. "To-day I am ready to forgive him."
+
+The Bukoyemskis and Stanislav, who knew the stubbornness of the young
+cavalier, looked at him with astonishment, and he, as if answering
+them, added,--
+
+"For Anulka will be mine immediately, and to-morrow I shall be a
+Christian knight and defender of the faith, a man whose heart should be
+free of all hate and personalities."
+
+"God bless thee for that!" cried the priest.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXVII
+
+
+At last the long-wished-for day of his happiness came to Tachevski. In
+Cracow a report had gone out among the citizens, and was repeated with
+wonder, that in the army was a knight who would marry on one day and
+mount his horse the day following. When the report went out also that
+the king and queen would be at the marriage, crowds began from early
+morning to assemble in the church and outside it. At length the crowd
+was so great that the king's men had to bring order to the square so
+that the marriage guests might have a free passage. Tachevski's
+comrades assembled to a man; this they did out of good-will and
+friendship, and also because it was dear to each one of them to be seen
+in a company where the king himself would be present, and to belong, as
+it were, to his private society. Many dignitaries appeared also, even
+men who had never heard of Tachevski, for it was known that the queen
+favored the marriage, and at the court much depended on her inclination
+and favor.
+
+To some of the lords it was not less wonderful than to the citizens
+that the king should find time to be at the marriage of a simple
+officer, while on that king's shoulders the fate of the whole world was
+then resting, and day after day couriers from foreign lands were flying
+in on foaming horses; hence some considered this as coming from the
+kindness of the monarch and his wish to win the army, while others made
+suppositions that there existed some near bond of kinship, difficult to
+be acknowledged; others ridiculed these suppositions, stating justly
+that in such a case the queen, who had so little condescension for the
+failings of cavaliers that the king more than once had been forced to
+make explanations, would not have been so anxious for the union of the
+lovers.
+
+People remembered little of the Sieninskis, so to avoid every calumny
+and gossip the king declared that the Sobieskis owed much to that
+family. Then people of society were concerned with Panna Anulka, and,
+as is usual at courts, at one time they pitied, at another time they
+were moved by her sufferings, and next they lauded her virtue and
+comeliness. Reports of her beauty spread widely even among citizens,
+but when at last they saw her no one was disappointed.
+
+She came to the church with the queen, hence all glances went first to
+that lofty lady whose charms were still brilliant, like the bright sun
+before evening; but when they were turned to the bride, all men among
+dignitaries, the military, the nobles, and citizens whispered, and even
+loud voices were heard.
+
+"Wonderful, wonderful! That man owes much to his eyes, who has beheld
+once in life such a woman."
+
+And this was true. Not always in those times was a maiden dressed in
+white for her marriage, but the young ladies and the assistants arrayed
+Anulka in white, for such was her wish, and that was the color of her
+finest robe also. So in white, with a green wreath on her golden hair,
+and with a face confused a trifle, and pale, with downcast eyes, she,
+silent, and slender, looked like a snowy swan, or simply like a white
+lily. Even Yatsek himself, to whom she seemed in some sort a new
+person, was astonished at sight of her. "In God's name!" said he to
+himself, "how can I approach her? She is a genuine queen, or entirely
+an angel with whom it is sinful to speak unless kneeling." And he was
+almost awestruck. But when at last he and she knelt side by side before
+the altar, and heard the voice of Father Voynovski full of emotion, as
+he began with the words: "I knew you both as little children," and
+joined their hands with his stole, when he heard his own low voice: "I
+take thee as wife," and the hymn, _Veni Creator_ burst forth a moment
+later, it seemed to Yatsek that happiness would burst his bosom, and
+that all the easier since he was not wearing his armor. He had loved
+this woman from childhood, and he knew that he loved her, but now, for
+the first time, he understood how he loved her without measure or
+limit. And again he began to say to himself: I must die, for if a man
+during life were to have so much happiness, what more could there be
+for him in heaven? But he thought that before he died he must thank
+God; and all at once there flew before the eyes of his soul Turkish
+warriors in legions, beards, turbans, sashes, crooked sabres, horsetail
+standards. So from his heart was rent the shout to God: "I will thank
+to the full, to the full!" And he felt, that for those enemies of the
+cross and the faith, he would become a destroying lion. That vision
+lasted only one twinkle, then his breast was filled with a boundless
+wave of love and rapture.
+
+Meanwhile the ceremony was ended, the retinue moved to the dwelling
+prepared for the young couple by Stanislav, and ornamented by his
+comrades in the regiment. For one moment only could Yatsek press to his
+heart the young Pani Tachevski, for straightway both ran to meet the
+king and queen, who had come from the church to them. Two high
+armchairs had been fixed for the royal pair at the table, so, after the
+blessing, during which the young people knelt before majesty, Yatsek
+begged the gracious lord and lady to the wedding feast, but the king
+had to give a refusal.
+
+"Dear comrade," said he, "I should be glad to talk with thee, and still
+more with thee, my relative," here he turned to Pani Tachevski, "and
+discuss the coming dowry. I will remain a moment and drink a health to
+you, but I may not sit down, for I have so much on my head, that every
+hour now is precious."
+
+"We believe that!" cried a number of voices.
+
+Tachevski seized the feet of the king, who took a filled goblet from
+the table.
+
+"Gracious gentlemen!" said he, "the health of the young couple!"
+
+A shout was heard: "_Vivant! crescant, floreant!_" Then the king again
+spoke,--
+
+"Enjoy your happiness quickly," said he to Tachevski, "for it deserves
+that, and it will not be long. Thou shouldst remain here a few days,
+but then thou must follow on quickly for we shall not wait for thee."
+
+"It is easier for her to hold out without thee, than Vienna without
+us," said Pan Marek Matchynski, smiling at Yatsek.
+
+"But Lyubomirski is shelling out the Turks there," said one of the
+hussars.
+
+"I have good news from our men," said the king. "This I have commanded
+Matchynski to bring, to be read to you, and gladden the hearts of our
+warriors. It is what the Duke of Lorraine, commander-in-chief for the
+emperor, writes me of the battle near Presburg."
+
+And he read somewhat slowly, for he read to the nobles in Polish, and
+the letter was in the French language.
+
+"'The emperor's cavalry advanced with effect and enthusiasm, but the
+action was ended by the Poles who left no work to the Germans. I cannot
+find words sufficient to praise the strength, valor, and bearing of the
+officers and soldiers led by Pan Lyubomirski.[8]
+
+"'The battle,' writes the Duke of Lorraine, 'was a great one, and our
+glory not small.'"
+
+"We will show that we are not worse," cried the warriors.
+
+"I believe and am confident, but we must hasten, for later letters
+portend evil. Vienna is barely able to breathe, and all Christianity
+has its eyes on us. Shall we be there in season?"
+
+"Few regiments have remained here, the main forces are at the Tarnovski
+Heights waiting, as I have heard, under the hetmans," said Father
+Voynovski, "but though our hands are needed at Vienna, they are not
+needed so much as a leader like your Royal Grace."
+
+Sobieski smiled at this and answered,--
+
+"That, word for word, is what the Duke of Lorraine writes. So,
+gentlemen, keep the bridles in hand, for any hour I may order the
+sounding of trumpets."
+
+"When, gracious lord?" called a number of voices.
+
+The king grew impressive in a moment.
+
+"I will send off to-morrow those regiments which are still with me,"
+then he glanced quickly at Tachevski, as if testing him. "Since her
+grace the queen will go to the Heights with us to see the review there,
+thou, unless thou ask of us an entirely new office, may remain here, if
+thou engage to overtake us exactly."
+
+Yatsek, putting his arm around his wife, pushed one step toward the
+king with her.
+
+"Gracious lord," said he, "if the German empire, or even the kingdom of
+France were offered me in exchange for this lady, God, who sees my
+whole heart, knows that I would not accept either, and that I would not
+give her for any treasure in existence. But God forbid that I should
+abandon my service, or lose an opportunity, or neglect a war for
+religion, or desert my own leader for the sake of private happiness. If
+I did I should despise myself, and she, for I know her, would also
+despise me. O gracious lord, if ill luck or misfortune were to bar the
+road and I could not join thee I should burn up from shame and from
+anguish." Here tears dimmed his eyes, blushes came to his cheeks, and,
+in a voice trembling from emotion, he added: "To-day I blasphemed
+before the altar, for I said: 'O God, I will thank to the full, to the
+full for this.'--But only with my life, with my blood, with my labor
+could I return thanks for the happiness which has met me. For this very
+reason I shall ask no new office, and when thou shalt move, gracious
+leader and king, I will not delay even one day behind thee. I will go
+at the same hour, though I were to fall on the morrow." And he knelt at
+the feet of Sobieski, who, bending forward, embraced his head and then
+answered,--
+
+"Give me more of such men, and the Polish name will go through the
+world thundering."
+
+Father Voynovski had tears in his eyes, the Bukoyemskis were weeping
+like beavers. Emotion and enthusiasm seized every man present.
+
+"On the pagans, for the faith!" roared many voices. And then began
+rattling of sabres. But when it had grown somewhat quiet Pani Tachevski
+bent to the ear of her husband and, with pale lips, whispered into
+it,--
+
+"O Yatsek, wonder not at my tears, for if thou go I may never see thee
+hereafter--but go!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+
+Still they remained two days together. The court, it is true, set out
+the day following, but the queen, with all her court ladies, and a
+multitude of lay and church dignitaries, followed the king to Tarnovski
+Heights where the camp was and where a great review had been ordered.
+The retinue being numerous moved slowly and hence to overtake it was
+easy. The subsequent advance of the forces, with the king at the head
+of them, from the boundary to Vienna astonished the world by its
+swiftness, especially since the king hastened on and arrived before the
+main army, but to Tarnovski Heights the queen dragged on six days, with
+her retinue. In two days the Tachevskis came up with the escort. Pani
+Tachevski took her seat then in a court carriage, and Yatsek hurried on
+to the camp for the night, to join there his regiment. For the royal
+pair the time of separation was approaching. On August 22 the king took
+solemn farewell of his beloved "Marysienka." In the early morning he
+mounted and marshalled before her the army; next he moved at the head
+of it to Glivitsi.
+
+People noted that although he always took farewell of the queen with
+great sorrow, since he loved her as the apple of his eye, and was
+pained by even a short absence, his face this time was radiant. So the
+church and lay dignitaries took courage. They knew how tremendous was a
+war with that enemy, who besides had never advanced with such forces.
+"The Turks have moved three parts of the world, it is true," said they
+to themselves, "but if our lord, their greatest crusher and destroyer,
+goes with such delight to this struggle, we have no cause for anxiety
+touching it." And hope filled their bosoms, the sight of the warriors
+increased it still more, and changed it to perfect confidence in
+victory. The army, with all the camp followers seemed very
+considerable. As far as the eye reached the sun shone on helmets, on
+armor, on sabres, on barrels of muskets and cannon. The glitter was so
+bright that eyes were dazzled by the excess of it. Rainbow-hued ensigns
+and banners played in the blue air, above the army. The rolling of
+drums throughout the foot regiments was mingled with responses from
+trumpets, crooked horns, and kettledrums, and also the hellish noise of
+a Janissary orchestra, and the neighing of horses.
+
+At first the train moved toward one side, to afford a free way to all
+movements of the army, and only then the review began really. The royal
+carriage halted on a plain not too high, a little to the right of the
+road by which the regiments were to pass while advancing. In the first
+carriage sat the queen wearing plumes, laces, and velvets glittering
+with jewels. She was beautiful and imposing, with the full majesty in
+her face of a woman who possesses all in life that the most daring
+designs can imagine, for she had a crown, and the unspeakable love of
+the most glorious of contemporary monarchs. She, in common with those
+dignitaries in the suite of the king, felt most certain that when her
+husband was on horseback for action, he would be followed, as he had
+been followed at all times, by destruction and triumph. And she felt
+that at the moment the eyes of all the world from Tsargrad to Rome,
+Madrid, and Paris, were turned on him that all Christianity was
+stretching out hands to him, and that only in those iron arms of his
+warriors did people see rescue. Hence her heart rose with the pride of
+a woman. "Our might is increasing, and glory will raise us above all
+other kings," said she in spirit; and therefore, though her husband was
+leading barely twenty and some thousands of men against countless hosts
+of Osmanli, her breast was filled with delight and no cloud of alarm or
+distrust darkened then her white forehead. "Look at the victor, look at
+your father, the king," said she to her children, who, as little birds
+fill a nest, filled the carriage--"when he returns, the world will
+kneel to him in thanksgiving."
+
+In other carriages were visible the charming features of youthful court
+ladies, the mitres of bishops, and the dignified, stern faces of
+senators, who remained at home to manage the government in place of His
+Majesty. The king himself was with the army, but all could see him very
+clearly on the height at some distance, among hetmans and generals,
+where he produced the impression of a giant on horseback. The army was
+to pass a little lower, before his feet, as it seemed to spectators.
+
+First there moved forward, with a deep, rolling sound and the biting of
+chain-links, Pan Kantski's artillery; after it went foot regiments with
+a musket on the shoulder of each man, under officers with sabres on
+straps, and carrying long canes with which they kept all ranks in
+order. Those regiments marched four abreast and seemed moving
+fortresses, their step preserved time and was thundering. Each regiment
+when passing the carriage of Her Majesty gave a loud shout to salute
+her, and lowered its ensign in homage. Among them were some with a
+costlier outfit than others, and showing a form beyond common in
+dignity, but the most showy regiment of all was made up of Kashubians
+in blue coats and yellow belts for ammunition. These Kashubians, large
+and strong fellows, were so carefully chosen that each seemed a brother
+to the next man; the heavy muskets moved in the mighty hands of those
+warriors as would walking-sticks. At the sound of the fife they halted
+before the king as one person, and presented arms with such accuracy
+that he smiled with delight, and the dignitaries said to one another:
+"Eh! To strike upon these men will not be healthy for even the Sultan's
+own body-guard. Those are real lions, not people!"
+
+But immediately after them moved squadrons of light-horse. One might
+have thought them real centaurs to such a degree had each man and horse
+become one single entity. These were undegenerate sons of those
+horsemen who in their day had trampled all Germany, cleaving apart with
+their sabres and with horse hoofs whole regiments, nay, entire armies
+of Luther's adherents. The heaviest foreign cavalry, if only equal in
+number could not oppose them, and the lightest could not escape from
+them by fleeing. The king himself had said of those men when at Hotsim:
+"If they are led to the enemy they will cut down all in front of them,
+as a mower cuts grass at his labor." And though at this moment they
+advanced past the carriages slowly, each person, even one quite
+unknowing in warfare, divined very quickly that at the right moment
+nothing save a hurricane could surpass them in swiftness, power to
+whirl, strike down, and overthrow. Crooked trumpets and drums went on
+thundering in front of them, while they marched forward, squadron after
+squadron, with drawn sabres which seemed flaming swords in the
+quivering sunlight. When they had passed the court carriages they
+advanced like a wave starting suddenly, going first at a trot which
+turned soon to a gallop, and, when they had outlined a great giant
+circle, they passed again, and this time they rushed like a tempest and
+near the queen's carriage; but while they were doing this they shouted,
+"Slay! Kill!" and in extended right hands held their sabres pointed
+forward as if in attacking, on horses whose nostrils were distended to
+the utmost, with waving manes, as if wild from the impetus of their
+onrush. And they passed thus a second time, and then at the third turn
+they, without breaking ranks, stood still on a sudden. They did this so
+accurately, so evenly, and with such agreement that foreigners, of whom
+at that court there were many, and especially those who saw then for
+the first time Polish cavalry in action, gazed at one another with
+amazement, as if each man were questioning his own eyesight.
+
+When they had vanished the field glittered with dragoons everywhere and
+bloomed like a blossom. Some of those regiments had appeared under Pan
+Yablonovski, some had been assembled by magnates, and one by the king,
+from his own private fortune; this was commanded by Pan de Maligny, Her
+Majesty's brother.
+
+In the dragoons served common folk for the greater part, but men
+trained to riding from childhood, experienced in fighting of various
+sorts, stubborn under fire, less terrible at close quarters than
+nobles, but disciplined and most enduring of military labor.
+
+But the greatest delight for the eyes and the spirit began only when
+the hussars started forward. They moved on in calmness as was proper
+for regiments of such value; their lances pointing upward seemed a
+forest, and at the points, moved by the light breeze, was a rainbow
+cloud of streamers. Their horses were heavier than those in other
+squadrons; their steel armor was inlaid with gold; on their shoulders
+were wings, in which the feathers, even when moving slowly, made that
+sound heard in forests among branches. The great dignity, and, as it
+were, the pride which issued forth from them, made so deep an
+impression that the queen and court ladies, the senators, and above
+all, foreign visitors, rose in their carriages to see them more
+accurately. There was something tremendous in that march, for it came
+to the mind of each man unwittingly, that when an avalanche of iron
+like that should rush forward it would crush, grind, and drive apart
+all things in front of it, and that there was no human strength which
+could stop it. And this was undoubted. Not so distant at that time was
+the day when three thousand such horsemen had rubbed into dust Swedish
+legions five times their own number; still less remote was that other
+day when one squadron of the same kind had passed, like a spirit of
+destruction, through the whole army of Karl Gustav; and quite recent
+was the day when at Hotsim those same hussars under that same king
+there present had trampled in the earth Turkish guards formed of
+Janissaries, as easily as standing wheat in the open. Many of the men
+who had shared in that shattering of the enemy at Hotsim were serving
+then under the banners of that day, and these warriors, proud, calm,
+and confident, were starting now toward the walls of a foreign capital
+to reap a new harvest.
+
+Terror and strength seemed the soul of that body. An afternoon breeze
+rose behind them on a sudden, whistled in their streamers, blew forward
+the waving manes of their horses, and made so mighty a sound in the
+wings at the shoulders of each mounted warrior, that the horses from
+Spain which drew the court carriages rose on their haunches. The
+squadrons approached to a line twenty yards from the carriages, turned
+to one side and marched past in squadrons. Then it was that Pani
+Tachevski saw her husband for the last time before the expedition. He
+rode in the second rank at the edge of the squadron, all in iron and
+winged armor, the ear pieces of his helmet hid his cheeks altogether.
+His large golden bay Turkish stallion bore him on easily despite the
+weighty armor, throwing his head upward, rattling his bit, and
+snorting loudly, as if in good omen for the rider. Yatsek turned his
+iron-covered head toward his wife, and moved his lips as if whispering,
+but though no distinct word reached her ears she divined that he was
+giving her the last "Fare thee well!" and such an impulse of yearning
+and love seized her heart that if she could have, at the cost of her
+life, changed at that moment to a swallow she would have perched on his
+shoulder, or on the flag of his lance point, and gone with him; she
+would not have stopped for one twinkle to calculate.
+
+"Fare thee well, Yatsek! God guard thee!" cried she, stretching her
+hands to him. And her eyes were tear-bedewed while he rode past in
+solemnity, gleaming in the sunlight, and, as it were, rendered sacred
+by the service imposed on him.
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+Behind this the regiment of Prince Alexander came up and marched past
+still others, equally terrible and equally brilliant Then other
+regiments described a great circle and halted on the plain almost in
+the places from which they had started in the time of reviewing, but
+now in marching order.
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+From the carriages on the height the eye could embrace all the
+regiments very nearly. Far away and near by were seen crimson uniforms,
+glittering armor, the flashing of swords, the upturned forest of
+lances, the broad cloud of streamers, and above them great banners like
+giant blossoms. From the regiments standing nearer, the breeze brought
+the odor of horse sweat, and the shouts of commanders, the shrill note
+of fifes, and the deep sound of kettledrums. But in those shouts, in
+those sounds, in that delight and that eagerness for battle, there was
+something triumphant. A perfect confidence in the victory of the cross
+above the crescent,--that confidence was flowing through every heart in
+those legions.
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+The king remained yet for a moment at the carriage of Her Majesty, but
+when a blessing had been given him with a cross and with relics by the
+bishop of Cracow, he rushed at a gallop to the army. The air was rent
+suddenly by the keen sound of trumpets, while masses of foot and of
+cavalry stirred, began slowly to lengthen, and finally those masses
+moved, all of them, westward. In advance were the banners of the light
+horse, behind them hussars; the dragoons closed the movement.
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+The prince bishop of Cracow raised with both hands the cross, holding
+relics as high above his head as was possible:
+
+"O God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, have mercy on Thy people!"
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+Just then more than twenty thousand breasts raised the anthem which Pan
+Kohovski had composed for that moment:
+
+
+                 "For Thee, O pure Lady,
+                  O Mother Immaculate,
+                  We go to defend Christ,
+                    Our Lord.
+
+                 "For thee, O dear country,
+                  For you, O white eagles,
+                  We will crush every enemy.
+                    ON THE FIELD OF GLORY."
+
+
+
+                               FOOTNOTES:
+
+[Footnote 1: Kromer.]
+
+[Footnote 2: His pets.]
+
+[Footnote 3: On Saint Stephen's day people used to cast various kinds
+of grain at the priest at the altar in memory of the stoning of that
+saint.]
+
+[Footnote 4: The Elector just mentioned, _i. e_., the Elector of
+Brandenburg.]
+
+[Footnote 4: The Elector just mentioned, _i. e_., the Elector of
+Brandenburg.]
+
+[Footnote 5: Among the Poles and Slavs generally death is represented
+as a woman.]
+
+[Footnote 6: This man is mentioned on page 224.]
+
+[Footnote 7: Jewish pronunciation of _vivant_.]
+
+[Footnote 8: Carolus Dux Lotharingiae Joanni III, Poloniae Regi, etc.
+Julius 31, 1683.]
+
+
+
+
+
+                         _THE ZAGLOBA ROMANCES_
+                _by Henryk Sienkiewicz. Translated from_
+                    _the Polish by Jeremiah Curtin_.
+
+                          WITH FIRE AND SWORD
+
+An Historical Novel of Poland and Russia. Illustrated. Crown 8vo.
+$1.50.
+
+The first of the famous trilogy of historical romances of Poland,
+Russia, and Sweden. Their publication has been received as an event in
+literature. Charles Dudley Warner, in _Harper's Magazine_, affirms that
+the Polish author has in Zagloba _given a new creation to literature_.
+
+_A capital story_. The only modern romance with which it can be
+compared for fire, sprightliness, rapidity of action, swift changes,
+and absorbing interest is "The Three Musketeers" of Dumas.--_New York
+Tribune_.
+
+
+                               THE DELUGE
+
+An Historical Novel of Poland, Sweden, and Russia. A Sequel to "With
+Fire and Sword." With map. 2 vols. Crown 8vo. $3.00.
+
+Marvellous in its grand descriptions.--_Chicago Inter-Ocean_.
+
+Has the humor of a Cervantes and the grim vigor of Defoe.--_Boston
+Gazette_.
+
+
+                              PAN MICHAEL
+
+An Historical Novel of Poland, Russia, and the Ukraine. A Sequel to
+"With Fire and Sword" and "The Deluge." Crown 8vo. $1.50.
+
+The interest of the trilogy, both historical and romantic, is
+splendidly sustained.--_The Dial_, Chicago.
+
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+                  LITTLE, BROWN, & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS
+                         BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
+
+
+
+
+
+                               QUO VADIS
+
+A Narrative of the Time of Nero. By Henryk Sienkiewicz. Translated from
+the Polish by Jeremiah Curtin. Illustrated. Crown 8vo. $1.50.
+
+One of the greatest books of our day.--_The Bookman_.
+
+The book is like a grand historical pageant.--_Literary World_.
+
+Of intense interest to the whole Christian civilization.--_Chicago
+Tribune_.
+
+Interest never wanes; and the story is carried through its many phases
+of conflict and terror to a climax that enthralls.--_Chicago Record_.
+
+As a study of the introduction of the gospel of love into the pagan
+world typified by Rome, it is marvellously fine.--_Chicago Interior_.
+
+The picture here given of life in Rome under the last of the Caesars is
+one of unparalleled power and vividness.--_Boston Home Journal_.
+
+One of the most remarkable books of the decade. It burns upon the brain
+the struggles and triumphs of the early church.--_Boston Daily
+Advertiser_.
+
+It will become recognized by virtue of its own merits as the one heroic
+monument built by the modern novelist above the ruins of decadent Rome,
+and in honor of the blessed martyrs of the early Church.--_Brooklyn
+Eagle_.
+
+Our debt to Sienkiewicz is not less than our debt to his translator
+and friend, Jeremiah Curtin. The diversity of the language, the rapid
+flow of thought, the picturesque imagery of the descriptions are all
+his.--_Boston Transcript_.
+
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+                  LITTLE, BROWN, & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS
+                         BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
+
+
+
+
+
+                        THE KNIGHTS OF THE CROSS
+
+An Historical Romance of Poland and Germany. By Henryk Sienkiewicz.
+Translated from the Polish by Jeremiah Curtin. Illustrated. 2 vols.
+Crown 8vo. 2.00.
+
+The greatest work Sienkiewicz has given us.--_Buffalo Express_.
+
+It seems superior even to "Quo Vadis" in strength and realism.--_The
+Churchman_.
+
+The construction of the story is beyond praise. It is difficult
+to conceive of any one who will not pick the book up with
+eagerness.--_Chicago Evening Post_.
+
+There are some scenes in the book that for power and excitement
+remind one of the great encounter between Ursus and the bull in "Quo
+Vadis."--_Minneapolis Tribune_.
+
+Vivid, dramatic, and vigorous.... His imaginative power, his command of
+language, and the picturesque scenes he sets combine to fascinate the
+reader.--_Philadelphia Bulletin_.
+
+A book that holds your almost breathless attention as in a vise from
+the very beginning, for in it love and strife, the most thrilling of
+all worldly subjects, are described masterfully.--_The Boston Journal_.
+
+Another remarkable book. His descriptions are tremendously effective;
+one can almost hear the sound of the carnage; to the mind's eye the
+scene of battle is unfolded by a master artist.--_The Hartford
+Courant_.
+
+Thrillingly dramatic, full of strange local color and very faithful to
+its period, besides having that sense of the mysterious and weird that
+throbs in the Polish blood and infects alike their music and
+literature.--_The St. Paul Globe_.
+
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+                  LITTLE, BROWN, & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS
+                         BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
+
+
+
+
+
+                      _OTHER NOVELS AND ROMANCES_
+                _by Henryk Sienkiewicz. Translated from_
+                    _the Polish by Jeremiah Curtin_.
+
+
+                          CHILDREN OF THE SOIL
+
+Crown 8vo. $1.50.
+
+It must be reckoned among the finer fictions of our time, and shows its
+author to be almost as great a master in the field of the domestic
+novel as he had previously been shown to be in that of imaginative
+historical romances.--_The Dial_, Chicago.
+
+
+                        HANIA, AND OTHER STORIES
+
+With portrait. Crown 8vo. $1.50.
+
+At the highest level of the author's genius.--_The Outlook_.
+
+
+                       SIELANKA, A FOREST PICTURE
+
+And Other Stories. With frontispiece. Crown 8vo. $1.50.
+
+They exhibit the masterly genius of Sienkiewicz even better than his
+longer romances. They abound in fine character-drawings and beautiful
+descriptions.--_Chicago Inter-Ocean_.
+
+
+                        LIFE AND DEATH AND OTHER
+                          LEGENDS AND STORIES
+
+Illustrated. 16mo. Decorated cloth, $1.00.
+
+
+                             WITHOUT DOGMA
+
+A Novel of Modern Poland. (Translated from the Polish by Iza Young.)
+Crown 8vo. $1.50.
+
+A human document read in the light of a great imagination.--_Boston
+Beacon_.
+
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+                  LITTLE, BROWN, & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS
+                         BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's On the Field of Glory, by Henryk Sienkiewicz
+
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+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of On the Field of Glory, by Henryk Sienkiewicz
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: On the Field of Glory
+       An Historical Novel of the Time of King John Sobieski
+
+Author: Henryk Sienkiewicz
+
+Translator: Jeremiah Curtin
+
+Release Date: September 12, 2011 [EBook #37406]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON THE FIELD OF GLORY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<p class="hang1">Transcriber's Notes:<br>
+1. Page scan source:<br>
+http://www.archive.org/details/onfieldofgloryhi00sieniala</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h1>ON THE FIELD OF GLORY</h1>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<table cellpadding="20" style="border:4px solid black; width:50%; margin-left:25%">
+<tr><td>
+<h3>THE WORKS</h3>
+<h5>OF</h5>
+<h3>HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ.</h3>
+
+<h4>TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL POLISH<br>
+BY JEREMIAH CURTIN.</h4>
+
+<hr class="W10">
+
+<h3><i>The Zagloba Romances</i></h3>
+
+<p class="continue"><span class="sc">With Fire and Sword</span>. 1 vol.</p>
+
+<p class="continue"><span class="sc">The Deluge</span>. 2 vols.</p>
+
+<p class="continue"><span class="sc">Pan Michael</span>. 1 vol.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="W10">
+
+<p class="continue"><span class="sc">Quo Vadis</span>. 1 vol.</p>
+
+<p class="continue"><span class="sc">The Knights of the Cross</span>. 2 vols.</p>
+
+<p class="continue"><span class="sc">Children of the Soil</span>. 1 vol.</p>
+
+<p class="continue"><span class="sc">Hania, and Other Stories</span>. 1 vol.</p>
+
+<p class="continue"><span class="sc">Sielanka, and Other Stories</span>. 1 vol.</p>
+
+<p class="continue"><span class="sc">In Vain</span>. 1 vol.</p>
+
+<p class="continue"><span class="sc">Life and Death and Other Legends and Stories</span>. 1 vol.</p>
+
+<p class="continue"><span class="sc">On The Field Of Glory</span>. 1 vol.</p>
+
+
+<hr class="W10">
+
+<p class="hang1"><span class="sc">Without Dogma</span>. (Translated by Isa Young.) 1 vol.</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h1>ON THE FIELD OF
+GLORY</h1>
+<br>
+
+<h3>AN HISTORICAL NOVEL<br>
+OF THE TIME OF KING JOHN SOBIESKI</h3>
+<br>
+
+<h5>BY</h5>
+<h3>HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ</h3>
+<h5><i>Author of &quot;Quo Vadis,&quot; &quot;With Fire and Sword,&quot; &quot;The Deluge,&quot;<br>
+&quot;Knights of the Cross&quot; etc</i>.</h5>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h5>TRANSLATED FROM THE POLISH ORIGINAL BY</h5>
+<h4>JEREMIAH CURTIN</h4>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>BOSTON:<br>
+
+LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY.<br>
+
+1906.</h3>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<p class="center" style="margin-bottom:5pt"><i>Copyright, 1906</i>,<br>
+
+<span class="sc">By Jeremiah Curtin.</span></p>
+<hr style="width:5%; color: black">
+
+<p class="center" style="margin-top:5pt"><i>All rights reserved</i>.</p>
+
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<p class="center">Published January, 1906</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h5>THE UNIVERSITY PRESS, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A.</h5>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<p class="center">TO</p>
+
+<p class="center">SIR THOMAS G. SHAUGHNESSY,</p>
+<p class="center" style="font-size:90%">PRESIDENT OF THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILROAD.</p>
+
+<hr class="W10">
+
+<p class="continue"><span class="sc">My Dear Sir Thomas</span>:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Railroads are to nations what arteries and veins are to each
+individual. Every part of a nation enjoys common life with every other
+through railroads. Books bring remote ages to the present, and assemble
+the thoughts of mankind and of God in one divine company. I find great
+pleasure on railroads in the day and the night, at all seasons. You
+enjoy books with a keen and true judgment. Let me inscribe to you,
+therefore, this volume.</p>
+
+<p class="right"><span class="sc">Jeremiah Curtin</span>.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>INTRODUCTORY</h2>
+
+
+<p class="normal">The book before us gives pictures of Polish character and life on the
+eve of the second great siege of Vienna.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Twice was that city beleaguered by Turkey. The first siege was
+commanded by Solyman, that Sultan who was surnamed Magnificent by
+western nations; to Turks he was known as the Lord of his Age and the
+Lawgiver.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The first siege was repelled by the bravery of the garrison, by the
+heroism of Count Salm its commander, by the terrible weather of 1529,
+and also through turbulence of the Janissary forces. The second siege
+was crushed in 1683 by Sobieski's wise strategy, the splendid impetus
+of the Poles, and the firmness of the allies.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Had the Polish king not appeared the Sultan would have triumphed, hence
+Sobieski and his men are hailed ever since as the saviours of Vienna.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The enthusiasm of the time for Sobieski and his force was tremendous.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There was a man sent from God whose name was John,&quot; this was the
+Gospel read at the Thanksgiving Mass in Saint Stephen's, the cathedral,
+the noble old church of that rescued and jubilant city. Some Poles went
+to Rome after that to get relics; the Pope gave this answer: &quot;Take
+earth steeped in blood from the field where your countrymen fell at
+Vienna.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Many times have men here in America asked me: Are the Poles really held
+by such an intensity of passion? if they are, why does it seize them,
+whence does it come, what is the source and the cause of it? I reply to
+these questions as best I am able, and truthfully: It comes from the
+soul of the Slavs in some part, and in some part from history. The
+Poles have as a race their original gift to begin with; this gift, or
+race element, has met in its varied career certain peoples, ideas, and
+principles. The result of this meeting is this: that the Polish part of
+the Slav world holds touching itself an unconquerable ideal. It has
+absorbed, as it thinks, certain principles from which it could not now
+separate.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Poles could not if they would, and would not if they could, be
+dissevered from that which, as they state, they have worked out in
+history, that which no power on earth can now take from them, and to
+which they are bound with the faith of a martyr.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Through ideas and principles, that is, truths gained in their
+experience as a people, and which in them are incarnate and living, the
+Poles feel predestined to triumph, time, of course, being given.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">What are these ideas and principles? men ask of me often. Combined all
+in one they mean the victory and supremacy of Poland. They have been
+worked out during centuries, I answer, of Polish experience with
+Germany, with Russia, with Rome and Byzantium, with Turks and with
+Tartars. But beyond all do they come as the fruit of collisions with
+Germany and Russia, and as the outcome of teachings from Rome and the
+stern opposition of Byzantium. Through this great host of enemies and
+allies, and their own special character, came that incisive dramatic
+career which at last met a failure so crushingly manifest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The inward result and the spiritual harvest to be reaped from this
+awful catastrophe are evident only through what is revealed in the
+conduct, the deeds, and the words of the people who had to wade through
+the dreadful defeat and digest the experience.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Polish character in most of its main traits was developed completely
+even earlier than the days of Sobieski, and the men who appeared then
+in action differ little from those of the present, hence the pictures
+in this volume are perfectly true and of far-reaching interest in our
+time.</p>
+
+<p class="right">JEREMIAH CURTIN.</p>
+
+<p class="normal"><span class="sc">January, 1906</span>.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h1>ON THE FIELD OF GLORY</h1>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER I</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">The winter of 1682-83 was a season of such rigor that even very old
+people could not remember one like it. During the autumn rain fell
+continually, and in the middle of November the first frost appeared,
+which confined waters and put a glass bark upon trees of the forest.
+Icicles fastened on pines and broke many branches. In the first days of
+December the birds, after frequent biting frosts, flew into villages
+and towns, and even wild beasts came out of dense forests and drew near
+the houses of people. About Saint Damasius' day the heavens became
+clouded, and then snow appeared; ten days did it fall without ceasing.
+It covered the country to a height of two ells; it hid forest roads, it
+hid fences, and even cottage windows. Men opened pathways with shovels
+through snow-drifts to go to their granaries and stables; and when the
+snow stopped at last, a splitting frost came, from which forest trees
+gave out sounds that seemed gunshots.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Peasants, who at that time had to go to the woodlands for fuel, went in
+parties to defend themselves, and were careful that night should not
+find them at a distance from the village. After sunset no man dared
+leave his own doorstep unless with a fork or a bill-hook, and dogs gave
+out, until daylight, short frightened yelps, as they do always when
+barking at wolves which are near them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">During just such a night and in such a fierce frost a great equipage on
+runners pushed along a forest road carefully; it was drawn by four
+horses and surrounded by attendants. In front, on a strong beast, rode
+a man with a pole and a small iron pot on the end of it; in this pot
+pitch was burning, not to make the road visible, for there was
+moonlight, but to frighten away wolves from the party. On the box of
+the equipage sat a driver, and on a saddled horse a postilion, and at
+each side rode two men armed with muskets and slingshots.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The party moved forward very slowly, since the road was little beaten
+and in places the snow-drifts, especially at turnings, rose like waves
+on the roadway.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This slowness disturbed Pan Gideon Pangovski, who, relying on his
+numerous attendants and their weapons, had determined to travel, though
+in Radom men had warned him of the danger, and all the more seriously
+since in going to Belchantska he would have to pass the Kozenitse
+forests.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Those immense forests began at that period a good way before Yedlina,
+and continued far beyond Kozenitse to the Vistula, and toward the other
+side of the Stenjytsa, and northward to Rytchivol.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It had seemed to Pan Gideon that, if he left Radom before midday, he
+would reach home very easily at sunset. Meanwhile he had been forced in
+a number of places to open the road close to fences; some hours were
+lost at this labor, so that he came to Yedlina about twilight. Men
+there gave the warning that he would better remain for the night in the
+village; but since at the blacksmith's a pitch light had been found to
+burn before the carriage, Pan Gideon commanded to continue the journey.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And now night had surprised him in the wilderness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was difficult to go faster because of increasing snowdrifts; hence
+Pan Gideon was more and more disquieted and at last fell to swearing,
+but in Latin, lest he frighten the two ladies who were with him, Pains
+Vinnitski his relative and his ward Panna Anulka Sieninski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Panna Anulka was young and high-hearted, in no degree timid. On the
+contrary, she drew aside the leather curtain at the window, and,
+commanding the horseman at the side not to stop the view to her, looked
+at the drifts very joyfully, and at the pine trunks with long strips of
+snow on them over which played reddish gleams from the pitch pot, which
+with the moonlight made moving figures very pleasant to her eyesight.
+Then rounding her lips to the form of a bird bill she began to whistle,
+her breath became visible and was rosier than firelight, this too
+amused her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Pani Vinnitski, who was old and quite timid, fell to complaining.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Why leave Radom, or at least why not pass the night in Yedlina since
+they had been warned of the danger? All this through some person's
+stubbornness. To Belchantska there was a long piece of road yet, and
+all in a forest, hence wolves would meet them undoubtedly, unless
+Raphael, the Archangel and patron of travellers, would pity them in
+their wandering, but alas, of this they were quite undeserving.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When he heard this opinion, Pan Gideon became thoroughly impatient. To
+speak of being lost in the wilderness was all that was needed to upset
+him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The road for that matter was straight, and as for wolves, well, they
+would or would not come. He had good attendants, and besides, a wolf is
+not anxious to meet with a warrior--not only because he fears him far
+more than a common man, but also because of the love which the
+quick-witted beast has for warriors.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The wolf understands well that no dweller in towns and no peasant will
+give him food gratis; the warrior alone is the man who feeds wolves,
+and at times in abundance, hence it is not without reason that men have
+called war &quot;the wolf's harvest.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But still Pan Gideon speaking thus, and praising the wolves in some
+small degree, was not quite convinced of their affection; hence he was
+thinking whether or not to command an attendant to slip from his horse
+and sit next the young lady. In such case he himself would defend one
+door of the carriage, and that attendant the other, while the freed
+horse would either rush off ahead or escape in the rear, and thus draw
+the wolves after him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But the time to do this had not come, as it seemed to Pan Gideon.
+Meanwhile he placed near his ward on the front seat, a knife and two
+pistols; these he wished to have near him since he had only his right
+hand for service.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They advanced some furlongs farther in quiet, and the road was growing
+wider. Pan Gideon, who knew the way perfectly, drew breath as if
+relieved somewhat.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The Malikov field is not far,&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In every case he hoped for more safety in that open space than in the
+forest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But just then the attendant in front turned his horse suddenly, and,
+rushing to the carriage, spoke hurriedly to the driver and to others,
+who answered abruptly, as men do when there is no time for loitering.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is it?&quot; asked Pan Gideon.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Some noise in the field.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is it wolves?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Some outcry. God knows what!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon was on the point of commanding the horseman with the torch
+to spring forward and see what was happening, when he remembered that
+in cases like this it was better not to be without fire and to keep all
+his people together, and, further, that defence in the open is easier
+than in a forest, so he commanded to move on with the equipage.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But after a while the horseman reappeared at the window.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Wild boars,&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Wild boars!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A terrible grunting is heard on the right of the road.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Praise God for that!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But perhaps wolves have attacked them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Praise God for that also! We shall pass unmolested. Move on!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In fact the guess of the attendant proved accurate. When they had
+driven out to the field they saw, at a distance of two or three
+bow-shots on the right near the road, a dense crowd of wild boars, and
+a circle of wolves moving nimbly around them. A terrible grunting, not
+of fear but of rage, was given out with growing vigor. When the sleigh
+reached the middle of the plain, the men, watching from the horses,
+observed that the wolves had not dared yet to rush at the wild boars;
+they only pressed on them more and more eagerly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The boars had arranged themselves in a round compact body, the young in
+the middle, the old and the strong on the outside, thus, as it were,
+forming a moving and terrible fortress, which gleamed with white tusks
+and was impervious to attack or to terror.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Between the garland of wolves and that wall of tusks and snouts a
+white, snowy ring was clearly visible, since the whole field was in
+moonlight.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Some of the wolves sprang up to the boars, but they sprang back very
+quickly, as if frightened by the clash of the tusks and the more
+terrible outbursts of grunting. If the wolves had closed in battle with
+the boars the struggle would have then held them completely, and the
+sleigh might have passed without notice; but since this had not
+happened, there was fear lest they might stop that dreadful onset and
+try then another one.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Indeed after a while a few dropped away from the pack and ran toward
+the party, after them followed others. But the sight of armed men
+confused them; some began to follow the sleigh, others stopped a few
+tens of steps from it, or ran around with mad speed, as if to urge
+themselves on to the equipage.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The attendants wished to fire, but Pan Gideon forbade them, lest
+gunshots might bring the whole pack to his people.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile the horses, though accustomed to wolves, began to push to one
+side and turn their heads to their flanks with loud snorting, but soon
+something worse happened, and this raised the danger a hundredfold.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The young horse which the torchbearer was riding reared suddenly once,
+and a second time, and then rushed madly sidewise.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The rider, knowing that were he to fall he would be torn to bits the
+next moment, seized hold of his saddle-bow, but dropped his pot the
+same instant; the light sank in the snow deeply; the flame threw out
+sparks and was extinguished. The light of the moon was alone on that
+plain then.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The driver, a Russ from Pomorani, began to pray; the Mazovian
+attendants fell to cursing.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Emboldened by darkness, the wolves pressed on with more insolence, and
+from the direction of the wild boars some fresh ones ran up to them. A
+few came rather near, with snapping teeth, and the hair standing
+straight on their shoulders. Their eyes were all bloodshot, and a
+greenish light flashed from them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A moment had come which was really terrible.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Shall we shoot?&quot; inquired one of the escort.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Frighten them with shouts,&quot; said Pan Gideon.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thereupon rose with keenness, &quot;A-hu! a-hu!&quot; The horses gained courage,
+and the wolves, impressed by the voices of men, withdrew some tens of
+paces.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then a still greater wonder was manifest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">All at once forest echoes from behind repeated the shouts of the
+attendants, but with rising force, ever louder and louder, as it were
+outbursts of wild laughter; and some moments later a crowd of dark
+horsemen appeared at both sides of the carriage and shot past with all
+the speed of their beasts toward the wild boars and the wolves which
+encircled them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the twinkle of an eye neither wolves nor boars held the snow plain;
+they had scattered as if a whirlwind had struck them. Gunshots were
+heard, also shouts, and again those strange outbursts of laughter. Pan
+Gideon's attendants rushed after the horsemen, so that there remained
+at the sleigh only the postilion and the driver.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Inside the sleigh there was such mighty amazement that no one dared
+move a lip for some moments.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But the word became flesh!&quot; called out Pani Vinnitski, at last. &quot;That
+must be help from above us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;May it be blessed, whencesoever it came. Our plight was growing evil,&quot;
+said Pan Gideon.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God sent those young knights!&quot; said Panna Anulka, who wished to add
+her word.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It would have been difficult to divine how this maiden could have seen
+that those men were knights and young, in addition, for they shot past
+like a whirlwind; but no person asked for her reasons, since the older
+man and woman were occupied overmuch with what was happening before
+them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile, on the plain the sounds of pursuit were heard yet for the
+space of some Our Fathers, and not very far from the sleigh was a wolf
+with its back broken, evidently by a sling-shot. The beast was on its
+haunches and howling so dreadfully that every one shivered.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The man on the leading horse slipped down to kill the beast, for the
+horses were plunging with such violence that the sleigh-pole was
+cracking.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After a time the horsemen seemed black again on the snow field. They
+came in a crowd, without order, in a mist, for though the night was
+cold and the air very clear, the horses had been driven unsparingly,
+and were smoking like chimneys.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The horsemen approached with loud laughter and singing, and when they
+had drawn near, one of them shot up to the sleigh, and asked in glad,
+resonant accents,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who is travelling?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pangovski from Belchantska. Whom am I to thank for this rescue?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Stanislav Tsyprianovitch of Yedlinka!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The Bukoyemskis!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thanks to your mightinesses. God sent you in season. Thanks!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thanks!&quot; repeated a youthful voice.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Glory to God that it was in season!&quot; continued Pan Stanislav, removing
+his fur cap.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;From whom did ye hear of us?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No one informed us, but as the wolves are now running in packs, we
+rode out to save people; since a person of such note has been found,
+our delight is the greater, and the greater our service to God,&quot; said
+Pan Stanislav, politely.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But one of the Bukoyemskis now added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not counting the wolf skins.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A beautiful deed and a real knightly work,&quot; said Pan Gideon. &quot;God
+grant us to give thanks for it as promptly as possible. I think, too,
+that desire for human flesh has left those wolves now, and that we
+shall reach home without danger.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is by no means so certain. Wolves might be enticed again easily
+and make a new onrush.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is no help against that; but we will not surrender!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is help, namely this: to attend you to the mansion. It may
+happen that we shall save some one else as we travel.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I dared not ask for that, but since such is your kindness, let it be
+as you say, for the ladies here will feel safer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have no fear as we are, but from all my soul I am grateful!&quot; said
+Panna Anulka.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon gave the order and they moved forward, but they had gone
+only a few tens of paces when the cracked sleigh-pole was broken and
+the equipage halted.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">New delays.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The attendants had ropes and fell to mending the broken parts
+straightway, but it was unknown whether such a patched work would not
+come apart after some furlongs.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Stanislav hesitated somewhat, and then said, removing his fur cap a
+second time,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To Yedlinka through the fields it is nearer than to Belchantska. Honor
+our house then, your mightiness, and spend the night under our roof
+tree. No man can tell what might meet us in that forest, or whether
+even now we may not be too few to resist all the wolves that will rush
+to the roadway. We will bring home the sleigh in some fashion, and the
+shorter the road is the easier our problem. It is true that the honor
+surpasses the service, but the case being one of sore need a man may
+not cherish pride over carefully.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon did not answer those words at the moment, for he felt
+reproach in them. He called to mind that when two years before Pan
+Serafin Tsyprianovitch had made him a visit, he received the man
+graciously, it is true, but with a known haughtiness, and did not pay
+back the visit. Pan Gideon had acted in that way since Pan Serafin's
+family was noble only two generations, he was a &quot;homo novus,&quot; an
+Armenian by origin. His grandfather had bought and sold brocades in
+Kamenyets. Yakob, the son of that merchant, had served in the artillery
+under the famous Hodkievitch, and at Hotsim had rendered such service
+that, through the power of Pan Stanislav Lyubomirski, he had been
+ennobled, and then received Yedlinka for a lifetime. That life estate
+was made afterward the property of Pan Serafin, his heir, in return for
+a loan given the Commonwealth during Swedish encounters. The young man
+who had come to the road with such genuine assistance was the son of
+Pan Serafin.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon felt this reproof all the more, since the words &quot;cherish
+pride over carefully&quot; had been uttered by Pan Stanislav with studied
+emphasis and rather haughtily. But just that knightly courage pleased
+the old noble, and since it would have been hard to refuse the
+assistance, and since the road to his own house was in truth long and
+dangerous, he said to Pan Stanislav,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Unless you had assisted us the wolves would perhaps be gnawing our
+bones at this moment; let me pay with good-will for your kindness.
+Forward then, forward!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The sleigh was now mended. The pole had been broken as if an axe had
+gone through it, so they tied one end of each rope to a runner, the
+other to a collar, and moved on in a large gladsome company, amid
+shouts from attendants and songs from the Bukoyemskis.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was no great distance to Yedlinka, which was rather a forest farm
+than a village. Soon there opened in front of the wayfarers a large
+field some tens of furlongs in area, or rather a broad clearing
+enclosed on four sides by a pine wood, and on this plain a certain
+number of houses, the roofs of which, covered with straw, were gleaming
+and sparkling in moonlight.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Beyond peasant cottages, and near them, Pan Serafin's outbuildings were
+visible stretching in a circle around the edge of a courtyard, in which
+stood the mansion, which was much disproportioned. The pile had been
+reconstructed by its latest owners, and from being a small house, in
+which dwelt on a time the king's foresters, it had become large, even
+too large, for such a small forest clearing. From its windows a bright
+light was shining, which gave a rosy hue to the snow near the walls of
+the mansion, to the bushes in front of it, and to the wellsweep which
+stood on the right of the entrance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was clear that Pan Serafin was expecting his son, and perhaps also
+guests from the road, who might come with him, for barely had the
+sleigh reached the gate when servants rushed out with torches, and
+after the servants came the master himself in a coat made of mink skin,
+and wearing a weasel-skin cap, which he removed promptly at sight of
+the equipage.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What welcome guest has the Lord sent to our wilderness?&quot; inquired he,
+descending the steps at the entrance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Stanislav kissed his father's hand, and told whom he had brought
+with him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have long wished,&quot; said Pan Gideon, as he stepped from the carriage,
+&quot;to do that to which grievous need has constrained me this evening,
+hence I bless the more ardently this chance which agrees with my wish
+so exactly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Various things happen to men, but this chance is for me now so happy,
+that with delight I beg you to enter my chambers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin bowed for the second time, and gave his arm then to Pani
+Vinnitski; the whole company entered behind him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The guests were seized straightway by that feeling of contentment which
+is felt always by travellers when they come out of darkness and cold
+into lighted, warm chambers. In the first, and the other apartments,
+fires were blazing in broad porcelain chimneys, and servants began to
+light here and there gleaming tapers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon looked around with a certain astonishment, for the usual
+houses of nobles were far from that wealth which struck the eye in Pan
+Serafin's mansion.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">By the light of the fires and the tapers and candles he could see in
+each apartment a furnishing such as might not be met with in many a
+castle: carved chests and bureaus and armchairs from Italy, clocks here
+and there, Venetian glass, precious bronze candlesticks, weapons from
+the Orient, which were inlaid with turquoise and hanging from wall
+mats. On the floors soft Crimean rugs, and on two long walls were
+pieces of tapestry which would have adorned the halls of any magnate.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;These came to them from trade,&quot; thought Pan Gideon, with well-defined
+anger, &quot;and now they can turn up their noses and boast of wealth won
+not by weapons.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Pan Serafin's heartiness and real hospitality disarmed the old
+noble, and when he heard, somewhat later, the clatter of dishes in the
+dining-hall near them, he was perfectly mollified.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">To warm the guests who had come out of cold they brought heated, spiced
+wine immediately. They began then to discuss the recent peril. Pan
+Gideon had great praise for Pan Stanislav, who, instead of sitting in a
+warm room at home, had saved people on the highroad without regarding
+the terrible frost, and the toil, and the danger.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of a truth,&quot; said he, &quot;thus, in old days, did those famous knights
+act, who, wandering through the world, saved men from cannibals,
+dragons, and various other vile monsters.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If any man of them saved such a marvellous princess as this one,&quot;
+added Stanislav, &quot;he was as happy at that time as we are this minute.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No man ever saved a more wonderful maiden! True, as God is dear to me!
+He has told the whole truth!&quot; cried the four Bukoyemskis with
+enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Panna Anulka smiled in so lovely a fashion that two charming dimples
+appeared in her cheeks, and she dropped her eyelids.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But the compliment seemed over bold to Pan Gideon, for his ward, though
+an orphan without property, was descended from magnates, hence he
+changed the conversation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But have your graces,&quot; asked he, &quot;been moving long on the road in this
+fashion?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Since the great snows fell, and we shall keep on till the frost
+stops,&quot; said Stanislav.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And have ye killed many wolves?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Enough to give overcoats to all of us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Here the Bukoyemskis laughed as loud as if four horses were neighing,
+and when they had quieted a little, Mateush, the eldest one added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;His Grace the King will be proud of his foresters.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True,&quot; said Pan Gideon. &quot;And I have heard that ye are head foresters
+in the king's wilderness in these parts. But do not the Bukoyemskis
+originate in the Ukraine?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We are of those Bukoyemskis.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed--indeed--of good stock, the Yelo-Bukoyemskis are connected there
+with even great houses.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And with St. Peter!&quot; added Lukash.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Eh!&quot; said Pan Gideon. And he began to look around with suspicion and
+sternly at the brothers to see if they were not trying to jest with
+him. But their faces were clear, and they nodded with earnest
+conviction, confirming in this way the words of their brother. Pan
+Gideon was astonished immensely, and repeated: &quot;Relatives of Saint
+Peter? But how is that?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Through the Pregonovskis.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed! And the Pregonovskis?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Through the Usviats.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And the Usviats through some one else,&quot; said the old noble, with a
+smile, &quot;and so on to the birth of Christ, the Lord. So! It is a great
+thing to have relatives in a senate down here, but what must it be to
+have kinsmen in the heavenly assembly--promotion is certain in that
+case. But how have ye wandered to our wilderness from the Ukraine, for
+men have told me that ye are some years in this neighborhood?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;About three. Rebellions have long since levelled everything in the
+Ukraine, and boundaries have vanished. We would not serve Pagans in
+partisan warfare, so we served first in the army and then became
+tenants till Pan Malchinski, our relative, made us chief foresters in
+this place.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes,&quot; said Pan Serafin, &quot;I wondered that we found ourselves side by
+side in this wilderness, for we are not of this country, but the
+changing fortunes of men have transported us hither. The inheritance of
+your mightiness,&quot; here he turned to Pan Gideon, &quot;is also, as I know, in
+Rus near the castle of Pomorani.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon quivered at this, as if some one had struck an open wound in
+his body.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I had property there, and I have it there still,&quot; said he, &quot;but those
+places to me are abhorrent, for misfortunes alone struck me there, just
+like thunderbolts.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The will of God,&quot; said Pan Serafin.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is vain to revolt against that; still, life in those regions is
+difficult.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Your grace, as is known, has served long in the army.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Till I lost my arm. I avenged my country's wrongs, and my own there.
+And if the Lord Jesus will pardon one sin for each head that I took
+from a pagan, hell, as I trust, will never be seen by me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course not, of course not! Service is a merit, and so is suffering.
+Best of all is it to cast gloomy thoughts from us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Gladly would I be rid of them, still, they do not leave me. But
+enough! I am a cripple at present, and this lady's guardian. I have
+removed in old age to a silent region which the enemy never visits. I
+live, as you know, in Belchantska.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is well, and I have acted in like manner,&quot; added Pan Serafin.
+&quot;Young men, though it is quiet now on the borders, hurry off to Tartar
+trails in the hope of adventure, but it is ghastly and woful in places
+where each man is mourning for some one.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon put his hand to his forehead where he held it rather long,
+till at length he said sadly,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Only a peasant or a magnate can live in the Ukraine. When an onrush of
+pagans strikes that country the peasant flees to a forest and can live
+for some months in it like a wild beast; the magnate can live, for he
+has troops and strong castles of his own to protect him. But even
+then--the Jolkievskis lived in those regions and perished, the
+Danilovitches lived there and perished. Of the Sobieskis, the brother
+of our gracious King Yan perished also. And how many others! One of the
+Vishnievetskis squirmed on a hook in Stambul till he died there. Prince
+Koretski was beaten to death with iron rods. The Kalinovskis are
+gone,--and before them the Herburts and the Yaglovetskis paid their
+blood tribute. How many of the Sieninskis have died at various periods,
+and once they possessed almost the whole country--what a graveyard!
+Were I to recount all the names I could not finish till morning. And
+were I to give the names, not of magnates alone but of nobles, a month
+would not suffice me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True! true! So that a man wonders why the Lord God has thus multiplied
+those Turks and Tartars. So many of them have been killed that when an
+earthtiller works in the springtime his ploughshare bites at every step
+on the skull of a pagan. Dear God! Even our present king has crushed
+them to death in such numbers that their blood would form a large
+river, and still they are coming.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">These words had truth in them. The Commonwealth, rent by disorder and
+unruliness, could not have strong armies sufficient to end in one
+mighty struggle the Tartar-Turk avalanche. For that matter, all Europe
+could not command such an army. Still, the Commonwealth was inhabited
+by men of great daring, who would not yield their throats willingly to
+the knife of the eastern attacker. On the contrary, to that terrible
+region bristling with grave-mounds, and reeking with blood at the
+borders, Red Russia, Podolia, and the Ukraine, new waves of Polish
+settlers followed each after the other; these not only stirred up
+fertile lands, but their own craving for endless wars, battles, and
+adventures.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The Poles,&quot; wrote an old chronicler, &quot;go to Russia for skirmishes with
+Tartars.&quot;<a name="div2Ref_01" href="#div2_01"><sup>[1]</sup></a></p>
+
+<p class="normal">So from Mazovia went peasants; daring nobles went also, for each one of
+whom it was shameful &quot;to die in his bed like a peasant.&quot; And there grew
+up in those red lands mighty magnates, who, not satisfied with action
+even there, went frequently much farther--to Wallachia, or the Crimea,
+seeking victory, power, death, salvation, and glory.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was even said that the Poles did not wish one great war that would
+end the whole question. Though this was not true, still, continual
+disturbance was dear to that daring generation--but the invader on his
+part paid with blood dearly for his venture.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Neither the Dobrudja nor Belgorod lands, nor the Crimean reed barrens
+could support their wild Tartar denizens, hence hunger drove them to
+the border where rich booty was waiting, but death was waiting also,
+very often.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The flames of fire lighted up invasions unknown yet to history. Single
+regiments cut into bits with their sabres and trampled into dust under
+horsehoofs detachments surpassing them tenfold in number. Only
+swiftness beyond reckoning could save the invaders; in general when a
+Tartar band was overtaken by troops of the Commonwealth it was lost
+beyond rescue.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There were expeditions, especially the smaller ones, from which not one
+man went back to the Crimea. Terrible in their time both to Turks and
+to Tartars were Pretvits and Hmieletski; knights of less note,
+Volodyovski, Pelka, and the elder Rushits, wrote their names down with
+blood in men's memories. These for some years, or some tens of years,
+at that time, were resting in their graves and in glory; but even of
+the mighty ones none had drawn so much blood from the followers of
+Islam as the king reigning then, Yan Sobieski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At Podhaitsi, Kalush, Hotsim, and Lvoff there were lying till that time
+unburied such piles of pagan bones that broad fields beneath them were
+as white as if snow-covered. At last on all hordes there was terror.
+The borders drew breath then, and when the insatiable Turk began to
+seek lighter conquests the whole tortured Commonwealth breathed with
+more freedom.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There remained only painful remembrances.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Far away from Pan Serafin's dwelling, and next to the castle of
+Pomorani, stood a tall cross on a hill, and two lances upon it. Twenty
+and some years before that Pan Gideon had placed this cross on the site
+of his fire-consumed mansion, hence, as he thought of that cross and of
+all those lives dear to him which had been lost in that region, the
+heart whined in the old man from anguish.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But since he was stern to himself and to others, and would not shed
+tears before strangers, and could not endure paltry pity from any man,
+he would not speak longer of his misfortunes, and fell to inquiring of
+his host how he lived in that forest inheritance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Here,&quot; said Pan Serafin, &quot;is stillness, oh, stillness! When the forest
+is not sounding, and the wolves are not howling, thou canst almost hear
+snow fall. There is calmness, there is fire in the chimney and a
+pitcher of heated wine in the evening--old age needs nothing further.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True. But your son?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A young bird leaves the nest sometimes. And here certain trees whisper
+that a great war with the pagan is approaching.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To that war even gray falcons will hasten. Were it not for this, I
+should fly with the others.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Here Pan Gideon shook his coat sleeve, in which there was only a bit of
+his arm near the shoulder.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And Pan Serafin poured out heated wine to him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To the success of Christian weapons!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God grant it! Drink to the bottom.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Stanislav entertained at the same time Pani Vinnitski, Panna Anulka,
+and the four Bukoyemskis with a pitcher of wine which steamed quite as
+actively as the other. The ladies touched the glasses however with
+their lips very sparingly, but the Bukoyemskis needed no urging, hence
+the world seemed to them more joyous each moment, and Panna Anulka more
+beautiful, so, unable to find words to express their delight, they
+began to look at one another with amazement and panting; then each
+nudged another with his elbow. Mateush at last found expression,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We are not to wonder that the wolves wished to try the bones and the
+body of this lady, for even a wild beast knows a real tid-bit!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Marek, Lukash, and Yan, the three remaining Bukoyemskis slapped their
+thighs then in ecstasy.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He has hit the nail on the head, he has! A tid-bit! Nothing short of
+it!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A Saint Martin's cake!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On hearing this Panna Anulka laid one hand on the other, and, feigning
+terror, said to Stanislav,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, help me, for I see that these gentlemen only saved me from the
+wolves to eat me themselves.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Gracious maiden,&quot; said Stanislav, joyfully, &quot;Pan Mateush said that we
+were not to wonder at the wolves, but I say I do not wonder at the
+Bukoyemskis.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What shall I do then, except to ask who will save me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Trifle not with sacred subjects!&quot; cried Pani Vinnitski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, but these gentlemen are ready to eat me and also auntie. Are
+they not?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This question remained for some time without answer. Moreover, it was
+easy to note from the faces of the brothers that they had much less
+desire for the additional eating. But Lukash, who had quicker wit than
+his brothers, now added, &quot;Let Mateush speak; he is the eldest.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Mateush was somewhat bothered, and answered, &quot;Who knows what will meet
+him to-morrow?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A good remark,&quot; said Stanislav, &quot;but to what do you apply it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How to what?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, nothing. I only ask, why mention to-morrow?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But knowest thou that love is worse than a wolf, for a man may kill a
+wolf, but to kill love is beyond him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know, but that again is another question.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But if there be wit enough, a question is nothing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In that case may God give us wit.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Panna Anulka hid her laughter behind her palm; after her laughed
+Stanislav, and then the Bukoyemskis. Further word-play was stopped by a
+servant announcing the supper.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin gave his arm to Pani Vinnitski; after them went Pan Gideon;
+Stanislav conducted Panna Anulka.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A dispute with Pan Bukoyemski is difficult,&quot; said the young lady, made
+gladsome.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For his reasons are like wilful horses, each goes its own way; but he
+has told two truths which are hard of denial.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is the first one?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That no man knows what will meet him on the morrow, just as yesterday
+I did not know, for example, that to-day I should see you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And the other?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That a man can kill a wolf, but to kill love is beyond him. This also
+is a great truth.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Stanislav sighed; the young lady lowered her shady eyelashes and was
+silent. Only after a while, when they were sitting at the table, did
+she say to him,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But you will come, gentlemen, soon to my guardian's, so that he may
+show you some gratitude for saving us and for your hospitality also?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The gloomy feelings of Pan Gideon brightened notably at supper, and
+when the host in splendid phrases proposed first the health of the
+ladies and that of the honored guest afterward, the old noble answered
+very cordially, thanking for the rescue from difficult straits, and
+giving assurance of never-ending gratitude.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After that they conversed of public questions, of the king, of the Diet
+which was to meet the May following of the war with which the Turkish
+Sultan was threatening the German Empire, and for which that Knight of
+Malta, Pan Lyubomirski, was bringing in volunteers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The four brothers listened with no slight curiosity, because every Pole
+was received with open arms among Germans; since the Turks despised
+German cavalry, while Polish horsemen roused proper terror.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon blamed Lyubomirski's pride somewhat, since he spoke of
+German counts thuswise: &quot;Ten of them could find place in one glove of
+mine;&quot; still, he praised the man's knightliness, boundless daring, and
+great skill in warfare.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On hearing this, Lukash Bukoyemski declared for himself and his
+brothers that in spring they would hasten to Lyubomirski, but while the
+frost raged they would kill wolves, and avenge the young lady, as
+behooved them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For, though we are not to wonder at the wolves,&quot; said Mateush, &quot;when
+one thinks that such a pure dove might have been turned into wolf's
+meat the heart flies to the throat from pure anger, and at the same
+time it is hard to keep tears down. What a pity that wolf skins are so
+low-priced,--the Jews give barely one thaler for three of them!--but it
+is hard to keep our tears down, and even better to give way to them,
+for whoso could not compassionate innocence and virtue would be a
+savage, whom no man should name as a knight and a noble.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In fact, he gave way to his tears then, as did his three brothers;
+though wolves in the worst case could threaten only the life, not the
+virtue of the lady, still the eloquence of Lukash so moved his three
+brothers that their hearts became soft as warmed wax while they
+listened. They wished to shoot in the air from their pistols in honor
+of the young lady; but the host opposed, saying that he had a sick
+forester in the mansion, a man of great merit, who needed silence.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon, who supposed this to be some reduced relative of Pan
+Serafin, or in the worst case a village noble, inquired touching him,
+through politeness; but on learning that he was a serving-man and a
+peasant he shrugged his shoulders and looked with displeased and
+wondering eyes at Pan Serafin.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh yes!&quot; said he. &quot;I forgot what people say of your marvellous
+kindness.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God grant,&quot; answered Pan Serafin, &quot;that they say nothing worse of me.
+I have to thank this man for much; and may every one meet such a
+person, for he knows herbs very thoroughly and can give aid in every
+illness.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I wonder, since he cures others so ably, that he has not cured himself
+thus far. Send him my relative, Pani Vinnitski,--she knows many
+simples, and presses them on people; but meanwhile permit us to think
+of retiring, for the road has fatigued me most cruelly, and the wine
+has touched me also a trifle, just as it has the Bukoyemskis.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In fact, the heads of the Bukoyemskis were steaming, while the eyes of
+those brothers were mist-covered and tender; so when Pan Stanislav
+conducted them to another building, where they were to pass the night
+together, they followed him with most uncertain tread on frozen snow,
+which squeaked under them. They wondered why the moon, instead of
+shining in the heavens, was perched on the roof of a barn and was
+smiling.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Panna Anulka had dropped into their hearts so profoundly that they
+wished to speak more of her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Stanislav, who felt no great wish for sleep, directed to bring a
+thick-bellied bottle; then they sat near the broad chimney, and, by the
+bright light of the torch, drank in silence at first, listening only to
+the crickets in the chamber. At last Mateush filled his breast well
+with air and blew with such force at the chimney that the flame bent
+before him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;O Jesus! My dear brothers,&quot; cried he, &quot;weep, for a sad fate has met
+me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What fate? Speak, do not hide thy condition!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is this. I am so in love that the knees are weakening under me!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And I? Dost think that I am not in love?&quot; shouted Marek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And I?&quot; screamed out Lukash.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And I,&quot; ended Yan.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Mateush wanted to give them an answer of some kind, but could not at
+first, for a hiccough had seized him. He only stared with great
+wonderment, and looked as if he saw them for the first time in life at
+that moment. Then rage was depicted on his countenance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How is this, O sons of a such a one?&quot; cried he, &quot;ye wish to block the
+road to your eldest brother, and deprive him of happiness?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;O indeed!&quot; answered Marek, &quot;what does this mean? Is Panna Anulka an
+entail of some kind, that only the eldest brother can get her? We are
+sons of one father and mother, so if thou call us sons of a such a one,
+thou art blaming thy father and mother. Each man is free to love as he
+chooses.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Free, but woe to you, for ye are all bound to me in obedience.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Must we all our lives serve a horseskull? Hei?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;O pagan, thou art barking like a dog!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thou art thyself doing that. Jacob was younger than Esau, and Joseph
+was younger than all his brothers, so thou art blaming the Scriptures,
+and barking against true religion.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pushed to the wall by these arguments, Mateush could not find an answer
+with promptness, and when Yan made some remark touching Cain, the first
+brother, he lost his head utterly. Anger rose in him higher and higher,
+till at last he began with his right hand to search for the sabre which
+he had not there with him. It is unknown to what it would have come had
+not Yan, who for some time had been pressing a finger to his forehead,
+as if wrestling with an idea, cried out in a great voice, and
+suddenly,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am the youngest brother, I am Joseph, so Panna Anulka is for me.
+undisputedly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The others turned to him straightway. From their eyes were shooting
+fire sparks, in their faces was indignation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What? For thee? For thee! thou goose egg! thou straw scarecrow, thou
+horse strangler, thou dry slipper--thou drunkard! For thee?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Shut thy mouth, it is written in the Scriptures.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What Scriptures, thou dunce?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;All the same--but it is there. Ye are drunk, not I.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But at this moment Pan Stanislav happened in among them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah, is it not a shame for you,&quot; said he, &quot;being nobles and brothers to
+raise such a quarrel? Is this the way to nourish love among brothers?
+But about what are ye fighting? Is Panna Anulka a mushroom that the
+first man who finds her in the forest can put her in his basket? It is
+the custom among pelicans, and they are not nobles, or even people, to
+yield everything through family affection, and when they fail to find
+fish they feed one another with blood from their own bodies. Think of
+your dead parents; they are shedding tears up there now over this
+quarrelling among sons whom they surely advised to act differently from
+this when they blessed them. For those parents heavenly food is now
+tasteless, and they dare not raise their eyes to the Evangelists whose
+names they gave you in holy baptism.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus spoke Pan Stanislav and though at first he wished to laugh he was
+touched as he spoke by his own words, for he too had drunk somewhat
+because of the company at dinner. At last the Bukoyemskis were greatly
+moved by his speech, and all four of them ended in tears, while Mateush
+the eldest one cried to them,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh kill me, for God's sake, but call me not Cain!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thereupon Yan, who had mentioned Cain, threw himself into the arms of
+Mateush.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, brother,&quot; cried he, &quot;give me to the hangman for doing so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Forgive me, or I shall burst open from sorrow,&quot; cried Marek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have barked like a dog against the commandment,&quot; said Lukash.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And they fell to embracing one another, but Mateush freed himself
+finally from his brothers, sat on a bench very suddenly, unbuttoned his
+coat, threw open his shirt, and, baring his breast, exclaimed in broken
+accents,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Here ye have me! here, like a pelican!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thereupon they sobbed the more loudly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A pelican! a genuine pelican! As God is dear to me,--a pelican!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Take Panna Anulka.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;She is thine! Take her, thou,&quot; said the brothers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let the youngest man have her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Never! Impossible!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Devil take her!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Devil take her!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We don't want her!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hereupon Marek struck his thighs with his palms till the chamber
+resounded.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know what's to be done,&quot; cried he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What dost thou know? Speak, do not hide it!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let Stanislav have her!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When they heard this the other three sprang from their benches. Marek's
+idea struck them to the heart so completely that they surrounded Pan
+Stanislav.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Take her, Stashko!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It will please us most of all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If thou love us!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do this to please us!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;May God bless you!&quot; cried Mateush; and he raised his eyes heavenward,
+as he stretched his hands over Stanislav.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Stanislav blushed, and he stood there astonished, repeating,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Fear God's wounds!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But his heart quivered at the thought, for having passed two whole
+years with his father amid the dense forests, and seeing few people, he
+had not met for a legion of days such a marvellous maiden. He had seen
+some one like her in Brejani, for he had been sent by his father to
+gain elegance at the court there and a knowledge of government. But he
+was a lad then, and time had effaced those remote recollections. And
+now he saw in the midst of those forests unexpectedly just such a
+beautiful flower as the other one, and men said to him straightway: &quot;Oh
+take it!&quot; In view of this he was dreadfully shamefaced and answered,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Fear God! How could ye or I get her?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But they, as is usual with men who are tipsy, saw no obstacle to
+anything and insisted.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No man of us will be jealous,&quot; said Marek, &quot;take her! We must go to
+the war whatever happens; we have had watching enough in this forest.
+Thirty thalers for the whole God-given year. It does not buy drink for
+us, and what is there left then for clothing? We sold our saddle
+beasts, and now we hunt wolves with thy horses and outfits--A hard lot
+for orphans. Better perish in war--But take her thou, if thou love us!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Take her!&quot; cried out Mateush, &quot;but we will go to Rakuz, to
+Lyubomirski, to help the Germans in shelling out pagans.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Take her immediately.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Take her to-morrow! To the church with her straightway!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Stanislav had recovered from astonishment and was as sober as if he
+had not touched a drop since the morning.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, stop, what are ye saying? Just as if only your will or mine were
+all that is needed! But what will she say and what will Pan Gideon say?
+Pan Gideon is self-willed and haughty. Even though the young lady grew
+friendly in time, he might prefer to see her sow rue than be the wife
+of any poor devil like me, or like any one of you brothers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh pshaw!&quot; exclaimed Yan. &quot;Is Pan Gideon the Castellan of Cracow, or
+grand hetman? If he is too high for us let him beware how he thrusts up
+his nose in our presence. Are the Bukoyemskis too small to be his
+gossips?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah, never mind! He is old, the time of his death is not distant, let
+him have a care lest he be stopped by Saint Peter in heaven's gateway.
+Oh take our part! holy Peter, and say this to him: 'Thou didst not know
+during life, thou son of a such a one, how to respect my blood
+relatives; kiss now the dog's snout for thy conduct.' Let that be said
+after death to Pan Gideon. But meanwhile we will not let him belittle
+us in his lifetime.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How! because we have no fortune must we be despised and treated like
+peasants?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is that the pay for our blood, for our wounds, for our service to the
+country?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;O my brothers, ye orphans of God! many an injustice has met you, but
+one more grievous than this no man has ever yet put on us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is true, that is true!&quot; exclaimed Lukash and Marek and Yan in sad
+accents.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And tears of grief flowed down their faces afresh and abundantly, but
+when they had wept out their fill they fell to storming, for it seemed
+to them that such an offence to men of birth should not be forgotten.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Lukash, the most impulsive of all the four brothers, was the first to
+make mention of this matter.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is difficult to challenge him to sabres,&quot; said he, &quot;for he has lost
+an arm and is old, but if he has contemned us, we must have
+satisfaction. What are we to do? Think of this!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My feet have been frozen to-night,&quot; said Lukash, &quot;and are burning
+tremendously. But for this, I could think out a remedy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My feet are not burning, but my head is on fire,&quot; added Marek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;From that which is empty thou wilt never pour anything.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Gland is blamed always by Katchan!&quot; said Mateush.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ye give a quarrel instead of an answer!&quot; cried Lukash. But Stanislav
+interrupted;--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;An answer?&quot; said he, &quot;but to whom?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To Pan Gideon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;An answer to what?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To what? How 'to what'?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They looked at one another, with no small astonishment, and then turned
+to Lukash,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What dost thou wish of us?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But what do ye wish of me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Adjourn this assembly till daylight,&quot; said Stanislav. &quot;The fire here
+is dying, midnight is past now a long time. The beds are all ready at
+the walls there, and rest is ours honestly, for we have worked in the
+frost very faithfully.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The fire had gone out; it was dark in the chamber, so the advice of the
+host had power to convince the four brothers. Conversation continued
+some little time yet, but with decreasing intensity. Somewhat later a
+whispered &quot;Our Father&quot; was heard, at one moment louder, at another one
+lower, interrupted now and then with deep sighing.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The coals in the chimney began to grow dark and be covered with ashes;
+at moments something squeaked near the fire, and the crickets chirped
+sadly in the corners, as if mourning for the light which had left them.
+Next the sound of boots cast from feet to the floor, after that a short
+interval of silence, and then immense snoring from the four sleeping
+brothers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Stanislav could not sleep, all his thoughts whirled about Panna
+Anulka, like active bees about blossoms.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">How could a man sleep with such a buzzing in his cranium! He closed his
+lids, it is true, once and a second time, but finding that useless he
+pondered.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will see if there is light in her chamber,&quot; thought he, finally.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he passed through the doorway.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was no light in her windows, but the gleam of the moon quivered
+on the uneven panes as on wrinkled water. The world was silent, and
+sleeping so soundly that even the snow seemed to slumber in the bath of
+greenish moonlight.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Dost thou know that I am dreaming of thee?&quot; asked Stanislav in a
+whisper, as he looked at the silent window.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The elder Tsyprianovitch, Pan Serafin, in accordance with his inborn
+hospitality, and his habit, spared neither persuasion nor pressing to
+detain his guests longer in Yedlinka. He even knelt before Pani
+Vinnitski, an act which did not come easily because of his gout, which,
+though moderate so far, was somewhat annoying. All that, however,
+availed not. Pan Gideon insisted on going before midday, and at last,
+since there was no answer to the statement that he was looking for
+guests at his mansion, Pan Serafin had to yield, and they started that
+clear frosty forenoon of wonderful weather. The snow on the fields, and
+on tree branches, seemed covered with myriads of fire sparks, which so
+glittered in the sunlight that the eye could barely suffer the gleams
+shooting back from the earth and the forest. The horses moved at a
+vigorous trot till their flanks panted; the sleigh runners whistled
+along the snow road; the carriage curtains were pushed back on both
+sides, and now at one window and now at the other appeared the rosy
+face of the young lady with gladsome eyes and a nose which the frost
+had reddened somewhat, a charming framed picture.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She advanced like a queen, for the carriage was encircled by a &quot;life
+guard&quot; made up of the Bukoyemskis and Pan Stanislav. The four brothers
+were riding strong beasts from the Yedlinka stables (they had sold or
+pledged not only their horses but the best of their sabres). They
+rushed on now at the side, sometimes forcing their horses to rear, and
+sometimes urging them on with such impetus that balls torn from the
+frozen snow by their hoofs shot away whistling through the air like
+stone missiles.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Perhaps Pan Gideon was not greatly charmed with these body-guards, for
+during the advance he begged the cavaliers not to give themselves
+trouble, since the road in the daytime was safe, and of robbers in the
+forest no report had arisen; but when they had insisted on conducting
+the ladies, nothing was left him but to pay for politeness with
+politeness, and invite them to Belchantska. Pan Gideon had a promise
+also from Pan Serafin to visit him, but only after some days, since it
+was difficult for an old man to tear himself free of his household
+abruptly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">For the men, this journey passed quickly in wonders of horsemanship,
+and for Panna Anulka in appearing at the windows. The first halt to
+give rest to their horses was half-way on the road, at a forest inn
+which bore the ill omened name &quot;Robbery.&quot; Next the inn stood a shed and
+the shop of a blacksmith. In front of his shop the blacksmith was
+shoeing some horses. At the side of the inn were seen sleighs owned by
+peasants; to these were attached lean, rough-coated sorry little beasts
+covered over completely with hoar frost; their tails were between their
+hind-legs, and bags of oats were tied under their noses.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">People crowded out of the inn to look at the carriage surrounded by
+cavaliers and remained at a distance. These were not land tillers but
+potters, who made their pots at Kozenitse in the summer and took them
+in sleighs to sell during winter in the villages; but they appeared
+more especially at festivals through the country. These people,
+thinking that some man of great dignity must be travelling in a
+carriage with such an escort, took their caps off in spite of the
+weather and looked with curiosity at the party.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The warmly dressed travellers did not leave the equipage. The
+attendants remained mounted, but a page took wine in a decanter to the
+inn to be heated. Meanwhile Pan Gideon beckoned &quot;the bark shoes&quot; to
+come to him, and then he fell to inquiring whence they came, whither
+they were going, and was there no danger from wild beasts in any place.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course there is,&quot; answered an old town-dweller, &quot;but we travel
+during daylight and in company. We are waiting here for friends from
+Prityk and other places. Perhaps too some earth tillers will come, and
+if fifteen or twenty sleighs appear, we will move on at night. Unless
+they come we will not start, though we take clubs with us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But has no accident happened about here?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The wolves ate a Jew during daylight. He was taking geese, as it
+seems, for on the road were found bones of a horse and a man,--besides,
+there were goose feathers. People knew by his cap that the man was a
+Jew. But early this morning some man came hither on foot, a young
+noble, who passed the whole night on a pine tree. He says that his
+horse dropped down dead, and there before his eyes the wolves ate the
+beast up. This man grew so stiff on the tree that he had barely
+strength to speak to us, and now he is sleeping.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is his name? Did he tell whence he came?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No. He just drank some hot beer and fell on a bench as if lifeless.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon turned then to the horsemen,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Have ye heard that?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We have.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We must rouse the man, and make inquiries. He has no horse, how could
+we leave him alone here? My page could sit on the second front carriage
+horse, and give up his own. They say that the man is a noble. Perhaps
+he is here from a distance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He must be in a hurry,&quot; said Pan Stanislav, &quot;since he was travelling
+at night, and besides without company. I will rouse him and make
+inquiry.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But his plan proved superfluous, since at that moment the page returned
+from the inn with a tray on which mugs of hot wine were steaming.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I beg to tell your grace that Pan Tachevski is here,&quot; began he on
+reaching the carriage.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pan Tachevski? What the devil is he doing in this place?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pan Tachevski!&quot; repeated Panna Anulka.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He is making ready, and will come out this minute,&quot; said the page. &quot;He
+almost knocked the tray from my hand when he heard of your coming--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But who spoke of the tray to thee?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The page became silent immediately, as if power of speech had deserted
+him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon seized a goblet of wine, took one and a second draught, and
+said then to Pan Stanislav, as if with a certain repulsion,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He is an acquaintance of ours, and in some sense a neighbor from
+Charny-- Well--rather giddy and unreliable--of those Tachevskis who
+long ago were, as some people say, of some note in the province.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Further explanations were stopped by Tachevski, who, coming out
+hurriedly, walked with firm stride toward the carriage, but on his face
+was a certain hesitation. He was a young noble of medium stature. He
+had splendid dark eyes, and was as lean as a splinter. His head was
+covered with a Hungarian cap, recalling, one might say, the time of
+King Bátory; he wore a gray coat lined with sheepskin, and long,
+yellow, Swedish boots reaching up to his body. No one wore such boots
+then in Poland. They had been taken during war in the days of Yan
+Kazimir, that was evident, and brought now through need from the
+storehouse by Tachevski. While approaching, he looked first at Pan
+Gideon, then at the young lady, and smiled, showing white, perfect
+teeth, but his smile was rather gloomy, his face showed embarrassment
+and even a trace of confusion.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I rejoice beyond measure,&quot; said he, as he stood at the carriage and
+removed his cap gracefully, &quot;to see, in good health, Pani Vinnitski and
+Panna Sieninski, with your grace, my benefactor, for the road is now
+dangerous; this I have learned from experience.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Cover your head, or your ears will be frozen,&quot; said Pan Gideon,
+abruptly. &quot;I thank you for the attention, but why are you wandering
+through the wilderness?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Tachevski looked quickly at the young lady, as if to inquire: &quot;Thou
+knowst why, dost thou not?&quot; but seeing her eyes downcast, and noting
+also that she was biting a ribbon of her hood for occupation, he
+answered in a voice of some harshness,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, the fancy struck me to gaze at the moon above pine trees.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A pretty fancy. But did the wolves kill thy horse?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They only ate him, for I myself drove his life out.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We know. And thou wert roosting, like a crow, all the night in a pine
+tree.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Here the Bukoyemskis burst into such mighty laughter that their horses
+were put on their haunches. Tachevski turned and measured them one
+after another, with glances which were ice cold and as sharp as a sword
+edge.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not like a crow,&quot; said he then to Pan Gideon, &quot;but like a horseless
+noble, at which condition it is granted you, my benefactor, to laugh,
+but it may be unhealthy for another to do so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oho! oho! oho!&quot; repeated the Bukoyemskis, urging toward him their
+horses. Their faces grew dark in one moment, and their mustaches
+quivered. Again Tachevski measured them, and raised his head higher.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Pan Gideon spoke with a voice as severe and commanding as if he had
+power over all of them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No quarrels here, I beg! This is Pan Tachevski,&quot; said he after a
+while, with more mildness, turning to the cavaliers, &quot;and this is Pan
+Tsyprianovitch, and each of the other four nobles is a Pan Bukoyemski,
+to whom I may say we owe our lives, for wolves met us yesterday. These
+gentlemen came to our aid unexpectedly, and God knows in season.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In season,&quot; repeated Panna Anulka, with emphasis, pouting a little,
+and looking at Pan Stanislav bewitchingly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Tachevski's cheeks flushed, but on his face there appeared as it were
+humiliation, his eyes became mist-covered, and, with immense sadness in
+his accents, he said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In season, for they were in company, and happy because on good horses,
+but wolf teeth at that time were cutting old Voloshyn, and my last
+friend had vanished. But--&quot; even here he looked with greater good-will
+at the Bukoyemskis--&quot;may your hands be sacred, for ye have done that
+which with my whole soul I wished to do, but God did not let me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Panna Anulka seemed changeable, like all women, perhaps too she was
+sorry for Tachevski, since her eyes became pleasant and twinkling, her
+lids opened and closed very quickly, and she asked with a different
+voice altogether,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Old Voloshyn? My God, I loved him so much and he knew me. My God!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Tachevski looked at her straightway with thankfulness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He knew you, gracious lady, he knew you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Grieve not, Pan Yatsek, grieve not so cruelly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I grieved before this, but on horseback. I shall grieve now on foot.
+God reward you, however, for the kind words.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But mount now the mouse-colored horse,&quot; said Pan Gideon. &quot;The page
+will ride the off leader, or sit behind the carriage. There is an extra
+burka at the saddle, put it on, for thou hast been freezing all night,
+and the cold is increasing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No,&quot; said Tachevski, &quot;I am warm. I left my shuba behind, since I felt
+no need of it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, for the road!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They started. Yatsek Tachevski taking his place near the left carriage
+window, Stanislav Tsyprianovitch at the right, so the young lady
+sitting in front might without turning her head look freely at the one
+and the other.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But the Bukoyemskis were not glad to see Yatsek. They were angry that
+he had taken a place at the side of the carriage, so, bringing their
+horses together till their heads almost touched, they talked with one
+another and counselled,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He looked at us insolently,&quot; said Mateush. &quot;As God is in heaven he
+wants to insult us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Just now he turned his horse's tail to us. What do ye say to that?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, he could not turn the horse's head, for horses do not travel
+tail forward like crawfish. But that he is making up to that young lady
+is certain,&quot; put in Marek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thou hast taken in the situation correctly. See how he bends and leans
+forward. If his stirrup strap breaks he will fall.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He will not fall, the son of a such a one, for the saddle straps are
+strong, and he is a firm rider.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Bend thyself, bend till we break thee!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Just look how he smiles at her!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, brothers, are we to permit this? Never, as God lives! The girl
+is not for us, that may be, but does he remember what we did
+yesterday?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course! He must divine that, for he is cunning, and now he is
+making up to her to spite us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And in contempt for our poverty and orphanhood.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh! upon my word a great magnate--on another man's horse.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, for that matter we are not riding our own beasts.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;One horse remains to us anyhow, so if three sit at home the fourth man
+may ride to the war if he wishes; but that fellow has not even a
+saddle, for the wolves have made bits of it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Besides, he sticks his nose up. What has he against us? Just tell me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, ask him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Shall I do it right away?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Eight away, but politely, so as not to offend old Pan Gideon. Only
+after he has answered can we challenge.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And then we shall have him!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Which of us is to do this?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I, of course, for I am the eldest,&quot; said Mateush. &quot;I will rub the
+icicle from my mustache, and then at him!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But remember well what he says to thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will repeat every word, like the Lord's prayer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thereupon the eldest Bukoyemski set to rubbing off with his glove the
+ice from his mustache, and then urging his horse to the horse of Pan
+Yatsek he called,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My dear Sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What?&quot; inquired Yatsek, turning his head from the carriage
+unwillingly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What have you against us?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek looked at him with astonishment, and answered,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nothing!&quot; then, shrugging his shoulders, he turned again to the
+carriage.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Mateush rode on some time in silence considering whether to return and
+report to his brothers or speak further. The second course seemed to
+him better, so he continued,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If thou think to do anything, I say that thou wilt do what thou hast
+said to me. Nothing!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On Yatsek's face was an expression of constraint and annoyance. He
+understood that they were seeking a quarrel, for which at that moment
+he had not the least wish whatever. But he found need of some answer,
+and that of such kind as to end the conversation, so he asked,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, thy brothers over there, are they also--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course! but what is 'also'?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Think it out thyself and do not interrupt now my more agreeable
+occupation.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Mateush rode along the side of the carriage ten or fifteen steps
+farther. At last he turned his horse.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What did he tell thee? Speak out!&quot; said the brothers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There was no success.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Because thou didst not know how to handle him,&quot; said Lukash. &quot;Thou
+shouldst have tickled his horse in the belly with thy stirrup, or,
+since thou knowst his name, have said: 'Yatsek, here is a platsek (a
+cake) for thee!'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Or said this to him: 'The wolves ate thy horse, buy a he goat in
+Prityk.'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is not lost, but what did it mean when he said: 'Are thy brothers
+also?'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Maybe he wanted to ask if we were fools also.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course! As God is dear to me!&quot; cried Marek. &quot;He could not think
+otherwise. But what now?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;His death, or ours. As God lives, what he says is open heresy. We must
+tell Stashko.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Tell nothing, for since we give up the young lady to Stashko, Stashko
+must challenge him, and here the great point is that we challenge
+first.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;When? At Pan Gideon's a challenge is not proper. But here is
+Belchantska.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In fact Belchantska was not distant. On the edge of the forest stood
+the cross of Pan Gideon's establishment, with a tin Saviour hanging
+between two spears; on the right, where the road turned round a pine
+wood, broad meadows were visible, with a line of alders on the edge of
+a river, and beyond the alders on the bank opposite and higher, were
+the leafless tops of tall trees, and smoke rising from cottages. Soon
+the retinue was moving past cottages, and when it had gone beyond
+fences and buildings Pan Gideon's dwelling was before the eyes of the
+horsemen,--a broad court surrounded by an old and decayed picket fence
+which in places was leaning.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">From times the most ancient no enemy had appeared in that region, so no
+one had thought defence needful for the dwelling. In the broad court
+there were two dovecotes. On one side were the quarters for servants,
+on the other the storehouse, provision rooms, and a big cheese house
+made of planks and small timbers. Before the mansion and around the
+court were pillars with iron rings for the halters of horses; on each
+pillar a cap of frozen snow was fixed firmly. The mansion was old and
+broad, with a low roof of straw. In the court hunting dogs were rushing
+around, and among them a tame stork with a broken wing was walking
+securely; the bird as it seemed had left its warm room a little earlier
+to get exercise and air in the cold courtyard.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At the mansion the people were waiting for the company, since Pan
+Gideon had sent a man forward with notice. The same man came out now to
+meet them and, bowing down, said to Pan Gideon,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pan Grothus, the starosta of Raygrod, has come.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In God's name!&quot; cried Pan Gideon. &quot;Has he been waiting long for me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not an hour. He wished to go, but I told him that you were coming and
+in sight very nearly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thou didst speak well.&quot; Then he turned to the guests,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I beg you, gentlemen, Pan Grothus is a relative through my wife. He is
+returning, it is evident, to Warsaw from his brother's, for he is a
+deputy to the Diet. Please enter.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After a time they were all in the dining-room in presence of the
+starosta of Raygrod, whose head almost grazed the ceiling, for in
+stature he surpassed the Bukoyemskis, and the rooms were exceedingly
+low in that mansion. Pan Grothus was a showy noble with an expression
+of wisdom, and the face and bald head of a statesman. A sword scar on
+his forehead just over the nose and between his two eyebrows seemed a
+firm wrinkle, giving his face a stern, and, as it were, angry aspect.
+But he smiled at Pan Gideon with pleasantness, and opened his arms to
+him, saying,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, I, a guest, am now welcoming the host to his own mansion.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A guest, a dear guest,&quot; cried Pan Gideon. &quot;God give thee health for
+having come to me, lord brother. What dost thou hear over there now in
+Warsaw?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Good news of private matters, of public also, for war is now coming.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;War? How is that? Are we making it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not yet, but in March a treaty will be signed with the Emperor, then
+war will be certain.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Though even before the New Year there had been whispers of war with the
+Sultan, and there were those who considered it inevitable, the
+confirmation of these rumors from the lips of a person so notable, and
+intimately acquainted with politics as Pan Grothus, imposed on Pan
+Gideon and the guests in his mansion very greatly. Barely had the host,
+therefore, presented them to the starosta, when a conversation followed
+touching war, touching Tököli and the bloody struggles throughout
+Hungary, from which, as from an immense conflagration, there was light
+over all parts of Austria and Poland. That was to be a mighty struggle,
+before which the Roman Cæsar and all German lands were then trembling.
+Pan Grothus, skilled much in public matters, declared that the Porte
+would move half of Asia and all Africa, and appear with such strength
+as the world had not seen up to that day. But these previsions did not
+injure good-humor in any one. On the contrary they were listened to
+with rapture by young men, who were wearied by long peace at home, and
+to whom war presented fields of glory, service, and even profit.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When Mateush Bukoyemski heard the words of the starosta he so struck
+his knee with his palm that the sound was heard throughout the mansion.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Half Asia, and what in addition?&quot; asked he. &quot;O pshaw! Is that
+something new for us?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nothing new, thou speakest truth!&quot; said the host, whose face, usually
+gloomy, was lighted up now with sudden gladness. &quot;If that question is
+settled, the call to arms will be issued immediately, and the levies
+will begin without loitering.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God grant this! God grant it at the earliest! Think now of that old
+Deviantkievich at Hotsim, blind of both eyes. His sons aimed his lance
+in the charge, and he struck on the Janissaries as well as any other
+man. But I have no sons.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, lord brother, if there be any one who can stay at home
+rightfully you are that person,&quot; said the starosta. &quot;It is bad not to
+have a son in the war, worse not to have an eye, but worst of all not
+to have an arm.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I accustomed both hands to the sabre,&quot; said Pan Gideon, &quot;and in my
+teeth I can hold the bridle. Moreover, I should like to fall fighting
+on the field against pagans, not because the happiness of my life has
+been broken--not from revenge--no--but for this reason, speaking
+sincerely: I am old, I have seen much, I have meditated deeply, I have
+seen among men so much hatred, so much selfishness, so much disorder in
+this Commonwealth, I have seen our self-will, our disobedience and
+breaking of Diets, so much lawlessness of all sorts, that I say this
+here now to you. Many times in desperation have I asked the Lord God:
+Why, O Lord, hast thou created our Commonwealth, and created this
+people? I ask without answer and it is only when the pagan sea swells,
+when that vile dragon opens its jaws to devour Christianity and
+mankind, when, as you say, the Roman Cæsar and all German lands are
+shivering in front of this avalanche, that I learn why God created us
+and imposed on us this duty. The Turks themselves know this. Other men
+may tremble, but we will not, as we have not trembled thus far; so let
+our blood flow to the very last drop, and let mine be mixed with the
+rest of it. Amen.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The eyes of Pan Gideon were glittering and he was moved very deeply,
+but still he let no tears fall from his eyes; it may be because he had
+cried them out so much earlier, and it may be because he was harsh to
+himself and to others. But Pan Grothus put his arm around his neck and
+then he kissed him on both cheeks.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True, true,&quot; said he. &quot;There is much evil among us, and only with
+blood may our ransom from evil be effected. That service, that watching
+which God has given us, was predestined to our people. And the time is
+approaching in which we shall prove this. That is our real position.
+There are tidings that the avalanche of pagans will turn on Vienna;
+when it does we will go there and before the whole world show that we
+are purely Christ's warriors, created in defence of the cross, and the
+faith of the Saviour. Other nations, who till now have lived without
+care behind our shoulders, will see in the clear day of heaven how our
+task is accomplished, and with God's will, while the earth stands, our
+service and our glory will not leave us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At these words enthusiasm seized the young men. The Bukoyemskis sprang
+up from their chairs, and called in loud voices,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God grant it! When will the levies be? God grant it!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The souls are tearing out of us,&quot; said Stanislav. &quot;We are ready this
+minute.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek was the only man silent, and his face did not brighten. That
+news which filled all hearts with pleasure was for him a source of keen
+suffering and bitterness. His thoughts and his eyes ran to Panna Anulka
+who was passing along near the dining-room joyously, and with
+measureless complaint and reproach they spoke thus to her,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Had it not been for thee I should have gone to some magnate, and
+though I might not have found fortune, I should have a horse and good
+arms in every case, and should go now with a regiment to find death, or
+else glory. Thy beauty, thy glances, those pleasant words, which at
+times thou didst throw like small alms at me, have brought about this,
+that I am here on those last little fields of mine, well-nigh expiring
+from hunger. Because of thee I have not seen the great world. I have
+not gained any polish. In what have I offended that thou hast enslaved
+me, as it were, soul and body? And in truth I would rather perish than
+be without seeing thee for a twelvemonth. I have lost my last horse in
+hurrying to save thee, and now, in return for this, thou art laughing
+with another, and glancing at him most bewitchingly. But what shall I
+do? War is coming. Am I to be a serving man, or be disgraced among foot
+soldiers? What have I done that toward me thou art merciless?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In this fashion did Yatsek Tachevski complain, he a man who felt his
+misery all the more keenly that he was a noble of great knightly
+family, though terribly impoverished. And though it was not true that
+Panna Anulka had never had mercy on him, it was true that for her sake
+he had never gone out to the great world, but had remained with only
+two serfs on poor pasture land where the first wants of life were
+beyond him. He was seventeen years of age, and she thirteen, when he
+fell in love with her beyond memory, and for five years he had loved
+the girl each year increasingly, and each year with more gloominess,
+for hopelessly. Pan Gideon had received him with welcome at first, as
+the scion of a great knightly family to which in former days had
+belonged in those regions whole countrysides; but afterward, when he
+noted how matters were tending, he began to be harsh to him, and at
+times even cruel. He did not close the house against the man, it is
+true, but he kept him away from the young lady, since he had for her
+views and hopes of another kind altogether. Panna Anulka noting her
+power over Yatsek amused herself with him just as a young girl does
+with flowers in a meadow. At times she bends over one, at times she
+plucks one, at times she weaves one into her tresses, later she throws
+it away, and later thinks nothing of flowers, whatever, and still later
+on she searches out new ones.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek had never mentioned his love to the young lady, but she knew of
+it perfectly, though she feigned not to know, and in general not to
+wish to know of anything which happened within him. She wondered at
+him, wondered how he pleased her. Once, when they were chasing some
+bees, she fell under his cloak and fondled up to his heart for a
+moment, but for two days she would not forgive him because of this. At
+times she treated him almost contemptuously, and when it seemed to him
+that all had been ended forever, she, with one sweet look, one hearty
+word filled him with endless delight, and with hope beyond limit. If at
+times, because of a wedding, or a name's day, or a hunt in the
+neighborhood, he did not come for some days she was lonely, but when he
+did come she took revenge on him for her loneliness, and tormented him
+long for it. He passed his worst moments when there were guests at the
+mansion, and there happened among them some young man who was clever
+and good-looking. Then Yatsek thought that in her heart there was not
+even the simplest compassion. Such were his thoughts now because of Pan
+Stanislav and all that Pan Grothus had told of the coming war added
+bitterness to his cup, which was then overflowing.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Self-control in Pan Gideon's mansion was habitual with Yatsek, still,
+he could hardly sit to the end of the supper as he heard the words of
+the lady and Pan Stanislav. He saw, unhappy victim, that the other man
+pleased her, for he was in fact an adroit and agreeable young fellow,
+and far from being stupid. The talk at table turned always on the
+levies. Stanislav, learning from Pan Grothus that perhaps the levies
+would be made under him in those regions, turned to the lady on a
+sudden, and asked,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What regiment do you prefer?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The hussars,&quot; said she, looking at his shoulders.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Because of the wings?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes. Once I saw hussars and thought them a heavenly army. I dreamt of
+them afterward two nights in succession.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know not whether I shall dream when a hussar, but I know that I
+shall dream of you earlier, and of wings also.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why is that?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I should dream of a real angel.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Panna Anulka dropped her eyes till a shade fell on her rosy cheeks from
+her eyelids.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Be a hussar,&quot; said she, after an interval.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek gritted his teeth, drew his palm over his moistened forehead,
+and during the supper he did not get word or look from the lady. Only
+when they had risen from the table did a sweet, beloved voice sound at
+his ear.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But will you go to this war with the others?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To die! to die!&quot; answered Yatsek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And in that answer there was such a genuine, true groan of anguish that
+the voice was heard again, as if in sympathy,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why sadden us?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No one will weep for me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How know you that?&quot; said the voice now a third time.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then she slipped away to the other guests as swiftly as a dream vision,
+and bloomed, like a rose, at the other end of the drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile, the two elder men sat after the meal over goblets of mead,
+and when they had discussed public questions sufficiently they began to
+chat about private ones. Pan Grothus followed Panna Anulka with tender
+eyes for a time, and then said to Pan Gideon,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is a brilliant spot over there. Just look at those young people
+who are flying like moths round a candle. But that is no wonder, for
+were we not in years we too should be flying.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon waved his hand in displeasure.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Swarms they are,--rustics, homespuns, nothing better.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How so? Tachevski is not a homespun.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, but he is poor. The Bukoyemskis are not homespuns; they even
+declare that they are kinsmen of Saint Peter, which may help them in
+heaven, but on earth they are nothing but foresters in the king's
+wilderness.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Grothus wondered at the relationship of the Bukoyemskis no less
+than had Pan Gideon when he heard of it the first time, so he fell to
+inquiring in detail, till at last he laughed heartily, and added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Saint Peter was a great apostle, and I have no wish to detract from
+his honor; all the more, since feeling old, I shall soon need his
+influence. But between you and me, there is not much in this kinship to
+boast of--no, he was merely a fisherman. If you speak of Joseph, who
+came from King David,--well, you may talk to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I say only that there is no one here fit for the girl, either among
+those whom you see now under my roof, or in the whole neighborhood.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But he who is sitting near Pani Vinnitski seems a nice gentleman.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Tsyprianovitch? Yes, he is; but Armenian by origin and of a family
+noble only three generations.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then why invite them? Cupid is traitorous, and before there is time to
+turn once the pudding may be cooked for you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon, who, in presenting the young men had stated how much he
+owed them, explained now in detail about the wolves and the assistance,
+because of which he was forced to invite the young rescuers to his
+mansion through gratitude simply.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True, true,&quot; said Pan Grothus, &quot;but in his own way Amor may cook the
+pudding before you have noticed it. This girl's blood is not water.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ai! she is a slippery weasel,&quot; said Pan Gideon. &quot;She can and will
+bite, but she will twist out besides from between a man's fingers, and
+no common person could catch her. Great blood has this inborn quality
+that it yields not, but rules and regulates. I am not of those who are
+led by the nose very easily, still, I yield to her often. It is true,
+that I owe much to the Sieninskis, but even if I did not there would be
+only slight difference. When she stands before me and puts a tress from
+one shoulder to the other, inclines her head to me, and glances, she
+gets what she wishes most frequently. And more than once do I think,
+what a blessing of God, what an honor, that the last child, the last
+heiress of such a famed family, is under my roof tree. Of course you
+know of the Sieninskis--once all Podolia was theirs. In truth, the
+Sobieskis, the Daniloviches, the Jolkevskis grew great through them. It
+is the duty of His Grace the King to remember this, all the more since
+now almost nothing remains of those great possessions; and the girl, if
+she has any property, will have only that which remains after me to
+her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But what will your relatives say in this matter?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There are only distant Pangovskis, who will not prove kinship. But
+often my peace is destroyed by the thought that after me may come
+quarrels, with lawsuits and wrangling, as is common in this country.
+The relatives of my late wife are for me the great question. From my
+wife comes a part of my property, namely: the lands with this mansion.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I shall not appear with a lawsuit,&quot; said Pan Grothus, &quot;but I would not
+guarantee as to others.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is it! That is it! I have been thinking of late to visit Warsaw
+and beg the king to be a guardian to this orphan, but his head is full
+now of other questions.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If you had a son it would be a simple matter to give the girl to him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon gazed at the starosta with a look so full of pain that the
+other stopped speaking. Both men were silent for a long time, till Pan
+Gideon said with emotion,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To you I might say, my lord brother, with Virgil, <i>infandum jubes
+renovare dolorem</i> (thou commandest me to call up unspeakable sorrow).
+That marriage would be simple--and I will tell you that had it not been
+for this simple method I should have died long ago perhaps. My son
+while in childhood was stolen by the Tartars. People have returned more
+than once from captivity among pagans when the memory of them had
+perished. Whole years have I looked for a miracle--whole years have I
+lived in the hope of it. To-day even, when I drink something I think to
+myself we, perhaps now! God is greater than human imagining. But those
+moments of hope are very shortlived, while the pain is enduring and
+daily. No! Why deceive myself? My blood will not be mingled with that
+of the Sieninskis, and, if relatives rend what I have into fragments,
+this last child of the family to which I owe everything, will be
+without bread to nourish her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Both drank in silence again. Pan Grothus was thinking how to milden the
+pain which he had roused in Pan Gideon unwittingly, and how to console
+the man in suffering. At last an idea occurred to him which he
+considered very happy. &quot;Ai!&quot; exclaimed he, &quot;there is a way to do
+everything, and you, my lord brother, can secure bread for the girl
+without trouble.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How?&quot; asked Pan Gideon, with a certain disquiet.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Does it not happen often that old men take as wives even girls not
+full grown yet? An example in history is Konietspolski the grand
+hetman, who married a green girl, though he was older than you are. It
+is true also, that, having taken too many youth-giving medicines, he
+died the first night after marriage, but neither Pan Makovski,
+pocillator of Radom, nor Pan Rudnitski lost their lives, though both
+had passed seventy. Besides, you are sturdy. Should the Lord again
+bless you, well, so much the better; if not, you would leave in
+sufficiency and quiet the young widow, who might choose then the
+husband that pleased her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Whether such an idea had ever come to Pan Gideon we may not determine;
+it suffices, that, after these words of Pan Grothus, he was greatly
+confused, and, with a hand trembling somewhat, poured mead to the
+starosta till it flowed over the goblet, and the generous liquor
+dropped down to the floor after passing the table.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let us drink to the success of Christian arms!&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That in its time,&quot; said Pan Grothus, following the course of his own
+thoughts still further; &quot;and dwell in your own way on what I have said
+to you, for I have struck, as I think, the true point of the question.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But why? What reason is there? Drink some more--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Further words were interrupted by the movement of chairs at the larger
+table. Pani Vinnitski and Panna Anulka wished to retire to their
+chamber. The voice of the young lady, as resonant as a bell made of
+silver, repeated: &quot;Good-night, good-night;&quot; then she courtesied
+prettily to Pan Grothus, kissed the hand of Pan Gideon, touched his
+shoulder with her nose and her forehead cat fashion, and vanished. Pan
+Stanislav, the Bukoyemskis, and Yatsek went out soon after the ladies.
+The two older men only remained in the dining-room and conversed long
+in it, for Pan Gideon commanded to bring still better mead in another
+decanter.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER II</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">Whether by chance or a trick of the young lady is unknown to us; it
+suffices, however, that the four Bukoyemskis received a large chamber
+in an outbuilding, and Pan Stanislav with Yatsek a smaller one near it.
+This confused the two men no little, and then, so as not to speak to
+each other, they began straightway the litany and continued it longer
+than was usual. But when they had finished there followed a silence
+which annoyed both of them, for though their feelings toward each other
+were unfriendly, they felt that they might not betray them, and that
+they should for a time, and especially at the house of Pan Gideon, show
+politeness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek ungirded his sabre, drew it out of the scabbard, looked at the
+edge by the light of the chimney, and fell to rubbing the blade with
+his handkerchief.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;After frost,&quot; said he half to himself, half to Stanislav, &quot;a sabre
+sweats in a warm chamber, and rust appears on it straightway.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And last night it must have frozen solidly,&quot; said Stanislav.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He spoke without evil intention, and only because it occurred to him
+that Tachevski had been in a splitting frost all the night previous;
+but Yatsek placed the point of his blade on the floor, and looked
+quickly into the eyes of the other man.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Are you referring to this,--that I sat on a pine tree?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes,&quot; replied Stanislav, with simplicity; &quot;of course there was no
+stove there.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But what would you have done in my position?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Stanislav wished to answer &quot;the same that you did,&quot; but the question
+was put to him sharply, so he answered,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why break my head over that, since I was not in it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Anger flashed for an instant on the face of Pan Yatsek, but to restrain
+himself he began to blow on the sabre and rub the blade with still
+greater industry. At last he returned it to the scabbard, and added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God sends adventures and accidents.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And his eyes, which one moment earlier had been gleaming, were covered
+again with the usual sadness, for just then he remembered his one
+friend, the horse, which those wolves had torn to pieces.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile the door opened and the four Bukoyemskis walked into the
+chamber.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The frost has weakened, and the snow sends up steam,&quot; said Mateush.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There will be fog,&quot; added Yan.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And then they took note of Yatsek, whom they had not seen the first
+moment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh art thou in such company?&quot; asked Lukash, as he turned to Stanislav.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">All four brothers put their hands on their hips and cast challenging
+glances at Yatsek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek seized a chair and, pushing it to the middle of the chamber,
+turned to the Bukoyemskis with a sudden movement; then he sat astride
+of the chair, as on horseback, rested his elbows on the back of it,
+raised his head, and answered with equally challenging glances. Thus
+were they opposed then; he, with feet stretching widely apart in his
+Swedish boots, they, shoulder to shoulder, quarrelsome, threatening,
+enormous.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Stanislav saw that it was coming to a quarrel, but he wished to laugh
+at the same time. Thinking that he could hinder a collision at any
+instant he let them gaze at one another.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Eh, what a bold fellow,&quot; thought he of Yatsek, &quot;nothing confuses him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The silence continued, at once unendurable and ridiculous. Yatsek
+himself felt this, also, for he was the first man to break it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sit down, young sirs,&quot; said he, &quot;not only do I invite, but I beg you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Bukoyemskis looked at one another with astonishment, this new turn
+confused them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How is this? What is it? Of what is he thinking?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I beg you, I beg you,&quot; repeated Yatsek, and he pointed to benches.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We stay as we are, for it pleases us, dost understand?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Too much ceremony.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What ceremony?&quot; cried Lukash. &quot;Dost thou claim to be a senator, or a
+bishop, thou--thou Pompeius!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek did not move from the chair, but his back began to quiver as if
+from sudden laughter.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But why call me Pompeius?&quot; inquired he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Because the name fits thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But it may be because thou art a fool,&quot; replied Yatsek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Strike, whoso believes in God!&quot; shouted Yan.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Evidently Yatsek had had talk enough also, for something seemed to
+snatch him from the chair on a sudden, and he sprang like a cat toward
+the brothers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Listen, ye road-blockers,&quot; said he with a voice cold as steel, &quot;what
+do ye want of me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Blood!&quot; cried Mateush.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thou wilt not squirm away from us this time!&quot; shouted Marek. &quot;Come out
+at once,&quot; said he, grasping toward his side for a sabre.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Stanislav pushed in quickly between them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will not permit,&quot; cried he. &quot;This is another man's dwelling.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True,&quot; added Yatsek, &quot;this is another man's dwelling, and I will not
+injure Pan Gideon. I will not cut you up under his roof, but I will
+find you to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We will find thee to-morrow!&quot; roared Mateush.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ye have sought conflicts and raised pretexts all day, why, I cannot
+tell, for I have not known you, nor have ye known me, but ye must
+answer for this, and because ye have insulted me I would meet not four
+men but ten like you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oho! oho! One will suffice thee. It is clear,&quot; cried out Yan, &quot;that
+thou hast not heard of the Bukoyemskis.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have spoken of four,&quot; said Yatsek, turning on a sudden to Stanislav,
+&quot;but perhaps you will join with these cavaliers?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Stanislav bowed politely.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Since you make the inquiry--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But we first, and according to seniority,&quot; said the Bukoyemskis. &quot;We
+will not withdraw from that. We have settled it, and will cut down any
+man who interferes with us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek looked quickly at the brothers, and in one moment divined, as he
+thought, the arrangement, and he paled somewhat.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So that is it!&quot; said he again to Stanislav; &quot;thou hast hirelings, and
+art standing behind them. By my faith the method seems certain, and
+very safe, but whether it is noble and knightly is another point. In
+what a company do I find myself?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On hearing this opinion which disgraced him, Stanislav, though he had a
+mild spirit by nature, felt the blood rush to his visage. The veins
+swelled on his forehead, lightning flashed from his eyes, his teeth
+were gritting terribly, and he grasped the hilt of his sabre.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come out! Come out this instant!&quot; cried he in a voice choked with
+anger.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Sabres flashed; it was bright in the chamber, for light fell on the
+steel blades from a torch in the chimney. But three of the Bukoyemskis
+sprang between the opponents and stood in a line there, the fourth
+caught Stanislav by the shoulders.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;By the dear God, restrain thyself, Stashko! We are ahead of thee!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We are ahead of thee!&quot; cried the three others.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Unhand me!&quot; screamed Stanislav, hoarsely.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We are ahead!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Unhand me!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hold Stashko, ye, and I will settle with this man while ye are holding
+him,&quot; shouted Mateush; and seizing Yatsek he dragged him aside to begin
+at him straightway, but Yatsek with presence of mind pulled himself
+free of Mateush, and sheathed his sword, saying,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I choose the man who is to fight first and the time. So I tell you
+to-morrow, and in Vyrambki, not here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh thou wilt not sneak away from us! Now! now!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Yatsek crossed his arms on his breast. &quot;Ha, if ye wish without
+fighting to kill me under the roof of our host, let me know it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At this rage seized the brothers; they stamped the floor with their
+boot-heels, pulled their mustaches, and panted like wild bears. But
+since they feared infamy no man of them had the daring to rush at
+Tachevski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To-morrow, I tell you! Say to Pan Gideon that ye are going to visit
+me, and inquire for the road to Vyrambki. Beyond the brook stands a
+crucifix since the time of the pestilence. There I will wait for you at
+midday to-morrow, and there, with God's help I will finish you!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He uttered the last words as if with sorrow, then he opened the door
+and walked out of the chamber. In the yard the dogs ran around Yatsek,
+and knowing him well, fondled up to him. He turned without thinking
+toward the posts near the windows, as if looking for his horse there;
+then, remembering that that horse was no longer alive, he sighed, and,
+feeling the cool breath of air, repeated in spirit,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The wind is blowing always in the eyes of the poor man. I will walk
+home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile, Stanislav was wringing his hands from fierce pain and anger,
+while saying to the Bukoyemskis, with terrible bitterness,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who asked you to do this? My worst enemy could not have hurt me more
+than have you with your service.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They pitied him immensely, and fell to embracing him, one after the
+other.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Stashko,&quot; said Mateush. &quot;They sent us a decanter for the night; give
+thyself comfort for God's sake.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER III</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">The world was still gray when Father Voynovski was clattering along
+through deep snow with a lantern to the doves, partridges, and rabbits
+which he kept in his granary in a special enclosure. A tame fox with
+bells on her neck followed his footsteps; at his side went a Spitz dog
+and a porcupine. Winter sleep did not deaden the latter in the warm
+room of the priest's house. The beasts and their master, when they had
+crossed the yard slowly, stopped under the out-jutting straw eaves of
+the granary, from which long icicles were hanging. The lantern swayed,
+the key was heard in the lock, the bolt whined, the door squeaked
+louder than the key, and the old man went in with his animals. After a
+while he took his seat on a block, placed his lantern on a second
+block, and put between his knees a linen bag holding grain and also
+cabbage leaves. He began then to yawn aloud and to empty the bag on the
+floor there in front of him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Before he had finished three rabbits advanced from dark corners jumping
+toward him; next were seen the eyes of doves, glittering and bead-like
+in the light of the lantern; then rust-colored partridges, moving their
+heads on lithe necks as they came on in close company. Being the most
+resolute, the pigeons fell straightway to hammering the floor with
+their bills, while the partridges moved with more caution, looking now
+at the falling grain, now at the priest, and now at the she fox; with
+her they had been acquainted a long time, since, taken as chicks the
+past summer and reared from being little, they saw the beast daily.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The priest kept on throwing grain, muttering morning prayer as he did
+so: &quot;<i>Pater noster, qui es in coelis, sanctificetur nomen</i>--&quot; Here he
+stopped and turned to the fox, and she, while touching his side,
+trembled as if a fever were shaking her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah, the skin on thee trembles as soon as thou seest them. It is the
+same every day. Learn to keep down thy inborn appetite, for thou hast
+good food at all seasons and sufferest no hunger. Where did I stop?&quot;
+Here he closed his eyes as if waiting for an answer, and since he did
+not have it he began at the first words: &quot;<i>Pater noster, qui es in
+coelis, sanctificetur nomen Tuum, adveniat regnum Tuum</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And again he halted.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah, thou art squirming,&quot; said he, putting his hand on the back of the
+she fox. &quot;There is such a vile nature in thee, that not only must thou
+eat, but commit murder also. Catch her, Filus, by the tail, and bite
+her if she does any injury--<i>Adveniat regnum Tuum</i>--Oh such a daughter!
+Thou wouldst say, I know, that men are glad too, to eat partridges; but
+know this, that a man gives them peace during fast days, while in thee
+the soul of that vile Luther is sitting, for thou wouldst eat meat on
+good Friday--<i>Fiat voluntas Tua</i>--<i>Trus! trus! trus!</i>--<i>sicut in
+coelo</i>--here are both one with the other!--<i>et in terra</i>.&quot; And thus
+speaking he threw the cabbage and then the grain, scolding the doves
+somewhat that, though spring was not near yet, they walked around one
+another frequently, cooing and strutting.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At last, when he had emptied the bag he rose, raised the lantern, and
+was preparing to go, when Yatsek appeared on the threshold.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah, Yatsus!&quot; cried the priest, &quot;art thou here--what art thou doing so
+early?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek kissed the priest's hand, and answered,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have come to confession, my benefactor, and at early mass I should
+like to approach the Lord's table.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To confession? That is well, but what has so urged thee? Tell, but
+right off, for this is not without reason.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will tell truly. I must fight a duel this day, and since in fighting
+with five men an accident is more likely than with one, I should like
+to clear my soul of offences.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;With five men? God's wounds! But what didst thou do to them?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is just this: that I did nothing. They sought a quarrel, and they
+have challenged me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who are they?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The Bukoyemskis, who are foresters, and Tsyprianovitch from Yedlinka.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know them. Come to the house and tell how it happened.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They went out of the granary, but when half-way to the house the priest
+stopped on a sudden, looked into Tachevski's eyes quickly, and said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hear me, Yatsek, there is a woman in this quarrel.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The other smiled; with some melancholy.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is, and there is not,&quot; said he, &quot;for really, she is the
+question, but she is innocent.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah, ha! innocent! they are all innocent. But dost thou know what
+Ecclesiastes says of women?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not remember, benefactor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Neither do I remember all, but what I have forgotten I will read in
+the house to thee. '<i>Inveni amariorem morte mulierem, quae laqueus</i>
+(says he) <i>venatorum est et sagena cor ejus</i>.' (I have found woman more
+bitter than death. Her heart is a trap and a snare). And farther on he
+adds something, but at the end he says: '<i>Qui placet Deo, effugiet
+illam, qui autem peccator est, capietur ab illa</i>.' (Whoso is pleasing
+to God will escape her, but whoso is a sinner will be caught by her.) I
+have warned thee not one time but ten not to loiter in that mansion and
+now the blow strikes thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Eh, it is easier for you to warn than for me not to visit,&quot; answered
+Yatsek, with a sigh.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nothing good will meet thee in that house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True,&quot; said the young man, quietly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And they went on in silence, but the priest with a face of anxiety, for
+with his whole soul he loved Yatsek. When his father had died of the
+pestilence, the young man was left in the world without any near
+relative, without property, having only a very few serfs in Vyrambki.
+The old priest cared for him tenderly. He could not give the youth
+property, for he with the soul of an angel distributed to the needy all
+that his poor parish gave him; still, he helped Yatsek in secret, and
+besides, he watched over him, taught him, not only what was in books,
+but the whole art of knighthood. For in his day that priest had been a
+famed warrior, a comrade and friend of the glorious Pan Michael. He had
+been with Charnyetski, he had gone through the whole Swedish conflict,
+and only when all had been finished did he put on the robe of a cleric,
+because of a ghastly misfortune. He loved Yatsek, in whom he valued,
+not simply the son of a famed knightly family, but a serious, lofty
+soul, just such as his own was. So he was grieved over the man's
+immense poverty, and that ill-fated love which had seized him. Because
+of this love, the young man, instead of seeking bread and fame in the
+great world of action, was wasting himself and leading a half peasant
+life in that dark little corner. Hence he felt a determined dislike for
+the house of Pan Gideon, taking it ill of Pan Gideon himself that he
+was so cruel to his people. As to Father Voynovski, those &quot;worms of the
+earth&quot;<a name="div2Ref_02" href="#div2_02"><sup>[2]</sup></a> were as dear as the apple of his eye to him, but besides them
+he loved also everything living, as well those pets which he scolded,
+as birds, fish, and even the frogs which croak and sing in the
+sun-warmed waters during summer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There walked, however, in that robe of a priest, not only an angel but,
+besides, an ex-warrior; hence when he learned that his Yatsek must
+fight with five enemies he thought only of this: how that young man
+would prosper, and would he come out of the struggle undefeated?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thou wilt not yield?&quot; asked he, halting at the threshold, &quot;for I have
+taught thee what I knew myself, and what Pan Michael showed me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I should not like to let them slash me to death,&quot; replied Yatsek, with
+modesty, &quot;for a great war with the Turks is approaching.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At this the eyes of the old man flashed up like stars. In one moment he
+seized Yatsek by the button loop of his coat and fell to inquiring,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Praised be the name of the Lord! How dost thou know this? Who told
+thee?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pan Grothus, the starosta,&quot; answered the young man.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Long did the conversation of Yatsek continue with the priest, long was
+his confession till Mass time, and when at last after Mass they were
+both in the house and had sat down to heated beer at the table, the
+mind of the old man was haunted continually by thoughts of that war
+with the pagan. Therefore he fell to complaining of the corruption of
+manners and the decay of devotion in the Commonwealth.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My God!&quot; said he, &quot;the field of salvation and glory is open to men,
+but they prefer private quarrels and the slaughter of one another.
+Though ye have the chance to give your own blood in defence of the
+cross and the faith, ye are willing to spill the blood of a brother.
+For whom? for what reason? For personal squabbles, or women, or similar
+society nonsense. I know this vice to be inveterate in the
+Commonwealth, and <i>mea culpa</i>, for in time of vain sinful youth I
+myself was a slave to it. In winter camps, when the armies think mainly
+of idleness and drinking, there is no day without duels; but in fact
+the church forbids duels, and punishes for fighting them. Duelling is
+sinful at all times, and before a Turkish war the sin is the greater,
+for then every sabre is needed, and every sabre serves God and
+religion. Therefore our king, who is a defender of the faith, detests
+duels, and in the field in the face of the enemy, when martial law
+dictates, they are punished severely.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But the king in his youth fought more than one, and more than two
+duels,&quot; said Yatsek. &quot;Moreover, what can I do, revered Father? I did
+not challenge. They called me out. Can I fail to meet them?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thou canst not, and therefore my soul is confounded. Ah, God will be
+on the side of the innocent.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek began to take farewell, for midday was not more than two hours
+from him, and a road of some length was before him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Wait,&quot; said the priest. &quot;I will not let thee leave in this fashion. I
+will have my man make the sleigh ready, put straw in it, and go to the
+meeting-place. For if at Pan Gideon's they knew nothing of the duel,
+they will send no assistance, and how will it be if one of them, or if
+thou, be wounded severely? Hast thought of this?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have not, and they have not thought, that is certain.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah, seest thou! I will go too. I will not be on the field, I will stay
+at thy house in Vyrambki. I will take with me the sacrament, and a boy
+with a bell too, for who knows what may happen? It is not proper for a
+priest to witness such actions, but except that, I should be there with
+great willingness, were it only to freshen thy courage.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek looked at him with eyes as mild as a maiden's. &quot;God reward,&quot;
+said he, &quot;but I shall not lose courage, for even if I had to lay down
+my life--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Better be silent,&quot; broke in the priest. &quot;Art thou not sorry not to be
+nearing the Turk--and not to be meeting a death of more glory?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am, my benefactor, but I shall try that those man-eaters do not gulp
+me down at one effort.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Father Voynovski thought a moment and added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But if I were to go to the field and explain the reward which would
+meet them in heaven, were they to die at the hands of the pagan,
+perhaps they would give up the duel.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God prevent!&quot; exclaimed Yatsek. &quot;They would think that I sent thee.
+God prevent! Better that I go to them straightway than listen to such
+speeches.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am powerless,&quot; said the priest. &quot;Let us go.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He summoned his servant and ordered him to attach the horse with all
+haste to the sleigh; then he and Yatsek went out to assist the man. But
+when the priest saw the horse on which Yatsek had come, he pushed back
+in amazement.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In the name of the Father and the Son, where didst thou find such a
+poor little creature?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And indeed at the fence stood a sorry small nag, with shaggy head
+drooping low, and cheeks with long hair hanging down from them. The
+beast was not greatly larger than a she goat.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I borrowed it from a peasant. See, how I might go to the Turkish war!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he laughed painfully.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">To this the priest answered,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No matter on what thou goest, if thou come home on a Turkish
+war-horse, and may God give thee this, Yatsus; but meanwhile put the
+saddle on my beast, for thou canst not go on this poor little wretch to
+those nobles.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They arranged everything then, and moved forward,--the priest with the
+church boy and bell and a driver for the sleigh, and Yatsek on
+horseback. The day was monotonous and misty in some sort; for a thaw
+had settled down and snow covered the frozen ground deeply, but its
+surface had softened considerably, so that horsehoofs sank without
+noise and sleigh-runners moved along the road quietly. Not far beyond
+Yedlina they met loads of wood and peasants walking near them; these
+people knelt at the sound of the bell, thinking that the priest was
+going with the Lord God to a dying man. Then began fields lying next to
+the forest,--fields white and empty; these were covered with haze.
+Flocks of crows were flying over them. Nearer the forest the haze
+became denser and denser, descended, filled all the space, and
+stretched upward. When they had advanced somewhat farther, the two men
+heard cawing, but the crows were invisible. The bushes at the roadside
+were ghostlike. The world had lost its usual sharp outlines, and was
+changed into some kind of region deceitful, uncertain,--delusive and
+blurred in near places, but entirely unknown in the distance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek advanced along the silent snow, thinking over the battle
+awaiting him, but thinking more over Panna Anulka; and half to himself
+and half to her he soliloquized in spirit: &quot;My love for thee has been
+always unchangeable, but I have no joy in my heart from it. Eh! in
+truth I had little joy earlier from other things. But now, if I could
+even embrace thy dear feet for one instant, or hear a good word from
+thee, or even know that thou art sorry if evil befalls me-- All between
+me and thee is like that haze there before me, and thou thyself art as
+if out beyond the haze. I see nothing, and know not what will be, nor
+what will meet me, nor what will happen.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And Yatsek felt that deep sadness was besieging his spirit, just as
+dampness was besieging his garments.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But I prefer that all should be ended, and quickly,&quot; said he, sighing.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Father Voynovski was attacked also by thoughts far from gladsome, and
+said in his own mind,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The poor boy has grieved to the utmost. He has not used his youth, he
+has gnawed himself through this ill-fated love of his, and now those
+Bukoyemskis will cut him to pieces. The other day at Kozenitse they
+hacked Pan Korybski after the festival. And even though they should not
+cut up Yatsek, nothing useful can come of this duel. My God! this lad
+is pure gold; and he is the last sprout from a great trunk of
+knightliness. He is the last drop of nourishing blood in his family. If
+he could only save himself this time! In God is my hope that he has not
+forgotten those two blows, one a feint under the arm with a side
+spring, the other with a whirl through the cheek. Yatsek!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Yatsek did not hear, for he had ridden ahead, and the call from the
+old man was not repeated. On the contrary, he was troubled very
+seriously on remembering that a priest who was going with the Sacrament
+should not think of such subjects. He fell then to repenting and
+imploring the Lord God for pardon.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Still, he was more and more grieved in his spirit. He was mastered by
+an evil foreboding and felt almost certain that that strange duel
+without seconds would end in the worst manner possible for Yatsek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile they reached the crossroad which lay on the right toward
+Vyrambki, and on the left toward Pan Gideon's. The driver stopped as
+had been commanded. Yatsek approached the sleigh then and dismounted.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will go on foot to the crucifix, for I should not know what to do
+with this horse while the sleigh is taking you to my house and coming
+back to me. They are there now, it may be.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is not noon yet, though near it,&quot; said the priest, and his voice
+was changed somewhat. &quot;But what a haze! Ye will have to grope in this
+duel.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We can see well enough!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The cawing of crows and of daws was heard then above them a second
+time.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yatsek!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am listening.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Since thou hast come to this conflict, remember the Knights of
+Tachevo.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They will not be ashamed of me, father, they will not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And the priest remarked that Yatsek's face had grown pitiless, his eyes
+had their usual sadness, but the maiden mildness had gone from them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is well. Kneel down now,&quot; said he. &quot;I will bless thee, and make
+thou the sign of the cross on thyself before opening the struggle.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then he made the sign of the cross on Yatsek's head as he knelt on the
+snow there.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The young man tied the horse behind the sleigh at the side of the poor
+little nag of the peasant, kissed the priest's hand, and walked off
+toward that crucifix at the place of the duel.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come back to me in health!&quot; cried the priest after Yatsek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At the cross there was no one. Yatsek passed around the figure
+repeatedly, then sat on a stone at the foot of the crucifix and waited.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Round about immense silence was brooding; only great tear-like drops,
+formed of dense haze, and falling from the arms of the crucifix, struck
+with low sound the soft snow bank. That quiet, filled with a certain
+sadness, and that hazy desert, filled with a new wave of sorrow the
+heart of the young man. He felt lonely to a point never known to him
+earlier. &quot;Indeed I am as much alone in the world as that stick there,&quot;
+said he to himself, &quot;and thus shall I be till death comes to me.&quot; And
+he waved his hand. &quot;Well, let it end some time!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With growing bitterness he thought that his opponents were not in a
+hurry, because they were joyous. They were sitting at Pan Gideon's
+conversing with &quot;her,&quot; and they could look at &quot;her&quot; as much as might
+please them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But he was mistaken, for they too were hastening. After a while the
+sound of loud talking came up to him, and in the white haze quivered
+the four immense forms of the Bukoyemskis, and a fifth one,--that of
+Pan Stanislav, somewhat smaller.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They talked in loud voices, for they were quarrelling about this: who
+should fight first with Tachevski. For that matter the Bukoyemskis were
+always disputing among themselves about something, but this time their
+dispute struck Stanislav, who was trying to show them that he, as the
+most deeply offended, should in that fight be the first man. All grew
+silent, however, in view of the cross, and of Yatsek standing under it.
+They removed their caps, whether out of respect for the Passion of
+Christ, or in greeting to their enemy, may be left undecided.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek inclined to them in silence, and drew his weapon, but the heart
+in his breast beat unquietly at the first moment, for they were in
+every case five against one, and besides, the Bukoyemskis had simply a
+terrible aspect,--big fellows, broad shouldered, with broomlike
+mustaches, on which the fog had settled down in blue dewdrops; their
+brows were forbidding, and in their faces was a kind of brooding and
+murderous enjoyment, as if this chance to spill blood caused them
+gladness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why do I place this sound head of mine under the Evangelists?&quot; thought
+Yatsek. But at that moment of alarm, indignation at those roysterers
+seized him,--those men whom he hardly knew, whom he had never injured,
+but who, God knew for what reason, had fastened to him, and had come
+now to destroy him if possible.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">So in spirit he said to them: &quot;Wait a while, O ye road-blockers! Ye
+have brought your lives hither!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His cheeks took on color, and his teeth gritted fiercely. They,
+meanwhile, stripped their coats off and rolled up the sleeves of their
+jupans. This they did without need all together, but they did it since
+each thought that he was to open the duel.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At last they all stood in a row with drawn sabres, and Yatsek, stepping
+towards them, halted, and they looked at one another in silence.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Stanislav interrupted them,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will serve you first.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No! I first, I first!&quot; repeated all the Bukoyemskis in a chorus.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And when Stanislav pushed forward they seized him by the elbows.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Again a quarrel began, in which Stanislav reviled them as outlaws. They
+jeered at him as a dandy, among themselves the term &quot;dogbrother&quot; was
+frequent. Yatsek was shocked at this, and added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have never seen cavaliers of this kind.&quot; And he put his sabre into
+the scabbard.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Choose, or I will go!&quot; said he, with a loud voice, and firmly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Choose, thou!&quot; cried Stanislav, hoping that on him would the choice
+fall.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Mateush began shouting that he would not permit any small
+whipper-snapper to manage them, and he shouted so that his front teeth,
+which, being very long, like the teeth of a rabbit, were shining
+beneath his mustaches; but he grew silent when Yatsek, drawing his
+sabre, again indicated him with the edge of it, and added, &quot;I choose
+thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The remaining brothers and Stanislav drew back at once, seeing that
+they would never agree, in another way, but their faces grew gloomy,
+for, knowing the strength of Mateush they felt almost certain that no
+work would be left them when he had finished.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Begin!&quot; called out Stanislav.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Tachevski felt at the first blow the strength of his enemy, for in his
+own grasp the sabre blade quivered. He warded the blow off, however,
+and warded off, also, the second one.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He has less skill than strength,&quot; thought Tachevski, after the third
+blow. Then, crouching somewhat, for a better spring, he pressed on with
+impetus.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The other three, inclining downward the points of their sabres, stood
+open-mouthed, following the course of the struggle. They saw now that
+Tachevski too &quot;knew things,&quot; and that with him it would not be easy.
+Soon they thought that he knew things very accurately, and alarm seized
+the brothers, for, despite endless bickering they loved one another
+immensely. The cry, &quot;Ha!&quot; was rent from the breast, now of one, and now
+of another, as each keener blow struck.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile the blows became quicker and quicker; at last they were
+lightning-like.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The spectators saw clearly that Tachevski was gaining more confidence.
+He was calm, but he sprang around like a wild-cat and his eyes shot out
+ominous flashes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is bad!&quot; thought Stanislav.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">That moment a cry was heard. Mateush's sabre fell. He raised both hands
+to his head and dropped to the earth, his face in one instant being
+blood-covered.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At sight of that the three younger brothers bellowed like bulls, and in
+the twinkle of an eye rushed with rage at Tachevski, not intending, of
+course, to attack him together, but because each wished to be first in
+avenging Mateush.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And they perhaps would have swept Tachevski apart on their sabres if
+Stanislav, springing in to assist him, had not cried with all the power
+in his bosom,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Shame! Away! Murderers, not nobles! Shame! Away! or you must deal with
+me, murderers! Away!&quot; And he slashed at the brothers till they came to
+their senses. But at this time Mateush had risen on his hands and
+turned toward them a face which was as if a mask made of blood had just
+covered it. Yan, seizing him by the armpits, seated him on the snow.
+Lukash hurried also to give him assistance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Tachevski pushed up to Marek, who was gritting his teeth, and
+repeated in a quick voice, as if fearing lest the common attack might
+repeat itself,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If you please! If you please!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And the sabres were clanking a second time ominously. But with Marek,
+who was as much stronger than his enemy as he was less dexterous,
+Tachevski had short work. Marek used his great sabre like a flail, so
+that Yatsek at the third blow struck his right shoulder-blade, cut
+through the bone, and disarmed him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Now Lukash and Yan understood that a very ugly task was before them,
+and that the slender young man was a wasp in reality,--a wasp which it
+would have been wise not to irritate. But with increased passion, they
+stood now against him to a struggle which ended as badly for them as it
+had for their elders. Lukash, cut through his cheek to the gums, fell
+with impetus, and, besides, struck a stone which the deep snow had
+hidden; while from Yan, the most dexterous of the brothers, his sabre,
+together with one of his fingers, fell to the ground at the end of some
+minutes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek, without a scratch, gazed at his work, as it were, with
+astonishment, and those sparks which a moment before had been
+glittering in his eyeballs began now to quench gradually. With his left
+hand he straightened his cap, which during the struggle had slipped
+somewhat over his right ear, then he removed it, breathed deeply once
+and a second time, turned to the cross, and said, half to himself and
+half to Stanislav,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God knows that I am innocent.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now it is my turn,&quot; said Stanislav. &quot;But you are panting, perhaps you
+would rest; meanwhile I will put their cloaks on my comrades, lest this
+damp cold may chill them ere help comes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Help is near,&quot; said Tachevski. &quot;Over there in the mist is a sleigh
+sent by Father Voynovski, and he himself is at my house. Permit me. I
+will go for the sleigh in which those gentlemen will feel easier than
+here on this snow field.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he started while Stanislav went to cover the Bukoyemskis who were
+sitting arm to arm in the snow, except Yan, the least wounded. Yan on
+his knees was in front of Mateush, holding up his own right hand lest
+blood might flow from the finger stump too freely; in his left he held
+snow with which he was washing the face of his brother.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How are ye?&quot; asked Stanislav.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah, he has bitten us, the son of a such a one!&quot; said Lukash, and he
+spat blood abundantly; &quot;but we will avenge ourselves.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I cannot move my arm at all, for he cut the bone,&quot; added Marek. &quot;Eh,
+the dog! Eh!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And Mateush is cut over the brows!&quot; called out Yan; &quot;the wound should
+be covered with bread and spider-web but I will staunch the blood with
+snow for the present.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If my eyes were not filled with blood,&quot; said Mateush, &quot;I would--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But he could not finish since blood loss had weakened him, and he was
+interrupted by Lukash who had been borne away suddenly by anger.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But he is cunning, the dog blood! He stings like a gnat, though he
+looks like a maiden.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is just that cunning,&quot; said Yan, &quot;which I cannot pardon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Further conversation was interrupted by the snorting of horses. The
+sleigh appeared in the haze dimly, and next it was there at the side of
+the brothers. Out of the sleigh sprang Tachevski, who commanded the
+driver to step down and help them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The man looked at the Bukoyemskis, took in the whole case with a
+glance, and said not a word, but on his face was reflected, as it
+seemed, disappointment, and, turning toward the horses, he crossed
+himself. Then the three men fell to raising the wounded. The brothers
+protested against the assistance of Yatsek, but he stopped them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If ye gentlemen had wounded me, would ye leave me unassisted? This is
+the service of a noble which one may not meet with neglect or refusal.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They were silent, for he won them by these words--somewhat, and after a
+while they were lying upon straw in the broad sleigh more comfortably,
+and soon they were warmer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Whither shall I go?&quot; asked the driver.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Wait. Thou wilt take still another,&quot; answered Stanislav, and turning
+to Yatsek, he said to him,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, gracious sir, it is our time!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, it is better to drop this,&quot; said Yatsek, regarding him with a look
+almost friendly. &quot;That God there knows why this has happened, and you
+took my part when these gentlemen together attacked me. Why should you
+and I fight a duel?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We must and will fight,&quot; replied Stanislav, coldly. &quot;You have insulted
+me, and, even if you had not, my name is in question at present--do you
+understand? Though I were to lose life, though this were to be my last
+hour--we must fight.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let it be so! but against my will,&quot; said Tachevski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And they began. Stanislav, had more skill than the brothers, but he was
+weaker than any of them. It was clear that he had been taught by better
+masters, and that his practice had not been confined to inns and
+markets. He pressed forward quickly, he parried with readiness and
+knowledge. Yatsek, in whose heart there was no hatred, and who would
+have stopped at the lesson given the Bukoyemskis, began to praise him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;With you,&quot; said he, &quot;the work is quite different. Your hand was
+trained by no common swordsman.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Too bad that you did not train it!&quot; said Stanislav.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he was doubly rejoiced, first at the praise, and then because he
+had given answer, for only the most famed among swordsmen could let
+himself speak in time of a duel, and polite conversation was considered
+moreover as the acme of courtesy. All this increased Stanislav in his
+own eyes. Hence he pressed forward again with good feeling. But after
+some fresh blows he was forced to acknowledge in spirit that Tachevski
+surpassed him. Yatsek defended himself as it seemed with unwillingness
+but very easily, and in general he acted as though engaged not in
+fighting, but in fencing for exercise. Clearly, he wished to convince
+himself as to what Stanislav knew, and as to how much better he was
+than the brothers, and when he had done this with accuracy he felt at
+last sure of his own case.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Stanislav noted this also, hence delight left him, and he struck with
+more passion. Tachevski then twisted himself as if he had had enough of
+amusement, gave the &quot;feigned&quot; blow, pressed on and sprang aside after a
+moment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thou hast got it!&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Stanislav felt, as it were, a cold sting in the arm, but he answered,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Go on. That is nothing!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he cut again, that same moment the point of Yatsek's sabre laid his
+lower lip open and cut the skin under it. Yatsek sprang aside now a
+second time.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thou art bleeding!&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is nothing!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Glory to God if 'tis nothing! But I have had plenty, and here is my
+hand for you. You have acted like a genuine cavalier.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Stanislav greatly roused, but pleased also at these words, stood for a
+moment, as if undecided whether to make peace or fight longer. At last
+he sheathed his sabre and gave his hand then to Yatsek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let it be so. In truth, as it seems, I am bleeding.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He touched his chin with his left hand and looked at the blood with
+much wonder. It had colored his palm and his fingers abundantly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hold snow on the wound to keep it from swelling,&quot; said Yatsek, &quot;and go
+to the sleigh now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">So speaking he took Stanislav by the arm and conducted him to the
+Bukoyemskis, who looked at him silently, somewhat astonished, but also
+confounded. Yatsek roused real respect in them, not only as a master
+with the sabre, but as a man of &quot;lofty manners,&quot; such manners precisely
+as they themselves needed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">So after a while this inquiry was made of Stanislav by Mateush,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How is it with thee, O Stashko?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well. I might go on foot,&quot; was the answer, &quot;but I choose the sleigh,
+the journey will be quicker.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek sat toward them sidewise, and cried to the driver,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To Vyrambki.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Whither?&quot; asked Stanislav.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To my house. You will not have much comfort, but it is difficult
+otherwise. At Pan Gideon's you would frighten the women, and Father
+Voynovski is at my house. He dresses wounds to perfection and he will
+care for you. You can send for your horses, and then do what may please
+you. I will ask the priest also to go to Pan Gideon and tell him with
+caution what has happened.&quot; Here Yatsek fell to thinking and soon after
+he added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oho! the trouble has not come yet, but now we shall see it. God knows
+that you, gentlemen, insisted on this duel.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True! we insisted,&quot; said Stanislav. &quot;I will declare that and these
+gentlemen also will testify.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will testify, though my shoulder pains terribly,&quot; said Marek,
+groaning. &quot;Oi! but you have given us a holiday. May the bullets strike
+you!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was not far to Vyrambki. Soon they entered the enclosure, and met
+the priest wading in snow, for he, alarmed about what might happen,
+could not stay in the house any longer, and had set out to meet them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek sprang from the sleigh when he saw him. Father Voynovski pushed
+forward quickly to meet him, and saw his friend sound and uninjured.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well,&quot; cried he, &quot;what has happened?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I bring you these gentlemen,&quot; said Yatsek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The face of the old man grew bright for a moment, but became serious
+straightway, when he saw the Bukoyemskis and Stanislav blood-bedaubed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;All five!&quot; cried he, clasping his hands.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There are five!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;An offence against heaven! Gentlemen, how is it with you?&quot; asked he,
+turning to the wounded men.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They touched their caps to him, except Marek, who, since the cutting of
+his shoulder-blade, could move neither his left nor his right hand. He
+merely groaned, saying,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He has peppered us well. We cannot deny it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is nothing,&quot; said the others.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We hope in God that it is nothing,&quot; answered Father Voynovski. &quot;Come
+to the house now as quickly as possible! I will care for you this
+minute. Move on with the sleigh,&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And then he himself followed promptly with Yatsek. But after a while he
+stopped on the roadway. Joy shone, in his face again. He embraced
+Yatsek's neck on a sudden.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let me press thee, O Yatsek,&quot; cried he. &quot;Thou hast brought in a sleigh
+load of enemies, like so many wheat sheaves.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek kissed his hand then, and answered,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They would have it so, my benefactor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The priest put his hand on the head of the young man again, as if
+wishing to bless him, but all at once he restrained himself, because
+gladness in this case was not befitting his habit, so he looked more
+severe, and continued,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Think not that I praise thee. It was thy luck that they themselves
+wished this, but still, it is a scandal.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They drove into the courtyard. Yatsek sprang to the sleigh so that he
+might, with the driver and the single house-servant, help out the
+wounded men. But they stepped out themselves, except Marek, whose arms
+they supported and soon they were all in Yatsek's dwelling. Straw had
+been spread there already, and even Yatsek's own bed had been covered
+with a white, slightly worn horse skin. At the head a felt roll served
+as pillow. On the table near the window was bread kneaded with
+spider-web, excellent for blood stopping. There were also choice
+balsams which the priest had for healing.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The old man took off his soutane and went to dressing the wounds with
+the skill of a veteran who had seen thousands of wounded men, and who
+from long practice knew how to handle wounds better than many a
+surgeon. His work went on quickly, for, except Marek, the men had
+suffered slightly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Marek's shoulder-blade needed considerably longer work, but when at
+last it was dressed the priest wiped his bloody hands, and then rested.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well,&quot; said he, &quot;thanks to the Lord Jesus, it has passed without
+grievous accident. This also is certain, that you feel better,
+gentlemen, all of you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;One would like a drink!&quot; said Mateush.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It would not hurt! Give command, Yatsek, to bring water.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Mateush rose up on the straw. &quot;How water?&quot; asked he in a voice of
+emotion.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Marek, who was lying face downward on Yatsek's bed groaning, called out
+quickly,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The revered father must wash his hands, of course.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hereupon Yatsek looked with real despair at the priest, who laughed and
+then added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They are soldiers! Wine is permitted, but in small quantity.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek drew him by the sleeve to the alcove.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Benefactor,&quot; whispered he, &quot;what can I do? The pantry is empty, and so
+is the cellar. Time after time I must tighten my girdle. What can I
+give them?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is something here, there is something!&quot; said the old man. &quot;When
+leaving home I made arrangements, and brought a little with me. Should
+that not suffice I will get more at the brewery in Yedlina--for myself,
+of course, for myself. Command to give them one glass at the moment to
+calm them after the encounter.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When he heard this Yatsek set to work quickly, and soon the Bukoyemskis
+were comforting one another. Their good feeling for Yatsek increased
+every moment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We fought, for that happens to every man,&quot; said Mateush, &quot;but right
+away I thought thee a dignified cavalier.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not true; it was I who thought so first,&quot; put in Lukash.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thou think? Hast thou ever been able to think?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I think just now that thou art a blockhead, so I am able to
+think,--but my mouth pains me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus they were quarrelling already. But that moment a mounted man
+darkened the window.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Some one has come!&quot; exclaimed Father Voynovski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek went to see who it was, and returned quickly, with troubled
+visage.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pan Gideon has sent a man,&quot; said he, &quot;with notice that he is waiting
+for us at dinner.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let him eat it alone!&quot; replied Yan Bukoyemski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What shall we say to him?&quot; inquired Yatsek, looking at Father
+Voynovski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Tell him the truth,&quot; said the old man--&quot;but better, I will tell it
+myself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He went out to the messenger.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Tell Pan Gideon,&quot; said he, &quot;that neither Pan Tsyprianovitch nor the
+Bukoyemskis can come, for they have been wounded in a duel to which
+they challenged Pan Tachevski; but do not forget to tell him that they
+are not badly wounded. Now hurry!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The man rushed away with every foot which his horse had, and the priest
+fell to quieting Yatsek, who was greatly excited. He did not fear to
+meet five men in battle, but he feared greatly Pan Gideon, and still
+more what Panna Anulka would say and would think of him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, it has happened,&quot; continued the priest, &quot;but let them learn at
+the earliest that it was not through thy fault.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Will you testify, gentlemen?&quot; inquired Yatsek, turning to the wounded
+men.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Though we are dry, we will testify,&quot; answered Mateush.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Still, Yatsek's alarm increased more and more, and soon after, when a
+sleigh with Pan Gideon and Pan Grothus stopped at the porch, the heart
+died in him utterly. He sprang out, however, to greet and bow down to
+the knees of Pan Gideon; but the latter did not even glance at Yatsek,
+just as though he had not seen the man, and with a gloomy stern face he
+strode into the chamber. He inclined to the priest with respect but
+with coldness, for since the day that the old man had reproached him
+from the altar for excessive severity toward peasants, the stubborn old
+noble was unable to forgive him; so now, after that cold salute, he
+turned to the wounded men straightway, and gazed at them a moment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Gracious gentlemen,&quot; said he, &quot;after what has just happened, I should
+not pass the threshold of this building, be sure of that, did I not
+wish to show how cruelly I am wounded by that wrong which you have
+suffered. See how my hospitality has ended! See how in my house my
+rescuers have been recompensed. But I say this, that whoso has wronged
+you has wronged me, whoso has spilt your blood has done worse than
+spill mine, for the man who challenged you under my roof has insulted
+me--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Here Mateush interrupted him suddenly,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We challenged him, not he us!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is true, gracious benefactor,&quot; said Stanislav. &quot;There is no blame
+to this cavalier in all that has happened, but to us, for which we beg
+your grace's pardon submissively.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It would have been well for the judge to examine the witnesses before
+he passed sentence,&quot; said Father Voynovski, with seriousness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Lukash, too, wished to say something, but since his cheek was cut to
+the gum and his gum to the teeth, the pain was acute when his chin
+moved, so he only put his palm on the plaster which was drying, and
+said with one side of his mouth,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;May the devils take the sentence and my jaw with it also.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon was confused in some measure by these voices, still, he had
+no thought of yielding. On the contrary, he looked around with stern
+glance, as if wishing in that way to express silent blame for defenders
+of Yatsek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is not for me to offer pardon to my rescuers. No blame touches you,
+gentlemen. On the contrary, I know and understand all this matter, for
+I see that you were insulted on purpose. Indeed, that same jealousy,
+which on a dying horse failed to ride living wolves down, increased
+later on the desire for vengeance. I was not alone in seeing how that
+'cavalier,' whom you defend so magnanimously, gave occasion and did
+everything from the earliest moment of meeting to force you to that
+action. But the fault is mine more than any man's, since I was mild
+with him, and did not tell the man to find for himself at a fair or a
+dram shop more fitting society.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When Yatsek heard this his face grew as pale as linen. As to the
+priest, the blood rose to his forehead.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He was challenged! What was he to do? Be ashamed of yourself!&quot;
+exclaimed Father Voynovski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Pan Gideon looked down at him and answered,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Those are worldly questions, in which the laity are as experienced,
+and more so, than the clergy, but I will answer your question, so that
+no one here should accuse me of injustice. 'What was he to do?' As a
+younger to an older man, as a guest to his host, as a man who ate my
+bread so many times when he had none of his own to eat, he should first
+of all have informed me of the question. And I with my dignity of a
+host would have settled it, and not have let matters come to this: that
+my rescuers, and such worthy gentlemen, are lying here in their own
+blood on straw in this hut as in a hog pen.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You would have thought me a coward!&quot; cried Yatsek, trembling as in a
+fever.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon did not answer a word, and feigned, as he had from the
+first, not to see him. Instead of answering he turned then to
+Stanislav, and continued,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I, with Pan Grothus the starosta, will go to your father in Yedlinka
+this instant, to express our condolence. I doubt not that he will
+accept my hospitality, hence I invite you with your comrades here
+present to return to my mansion. I also remind you that you are here by
+chance merely, and that at the moment you are really my guests, to whom
+I wish with all my heart to show gratitude. Your father, Pan
+Tsyprianovitch, cannot visit the man who has wounded you, and under my
+roof you will have greater comfort, and will not die of hunger, which
+might happen very easily in this place.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Stanislav was troubled greatly and delayed for a while to give answer,
+both out of regard for Yatsek, and because that, being a very decent
+young man, he was concerned about propriety; meanwhile his lip and
+chin, which had swollen beneath the plaster, deformed him very
+sensibly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We have felt neither hunger nor thirst here,&quot; said he, &quot;as has been
+shown already; but in truth we are guests of your grace, and my father,
+not knowing how things have happened, might hesitate to come to us. But
+how am I to appear before those ladies, your grace's relatives, with a
+face which could rouse only abhorrence?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then his face twisted, for his lip pained him from long speaking, and
+his features, in fact, were not beautiful at the moment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Be not troubled. Those ladies feel disgust, but not toward your
+wounds, after the healing of which your former good-looks will return
+to you. Three sleighs will come here with servants immediately, and in
+my house good beds are waiting. Meanwhile, farewell, since it is time
+for me and Pan Grothus to set out for Yedlinka--With the forehead!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he bowed once to the five nobles. To Father Voynovski he bowed
+specially, but he made no inclination whatever to Yatsek. When near the
+door the priest approached him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You have too little justice and too little tenderness,&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I acknowledge sins only at confession,&quot; retorted Pan Gideon, and he
+passed through the doorway. After him went the starosta, Pan Grothus.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek had been a whole hour as if tortured. His face changed, and at
+moments he knew not whether to fall at the feet of Pan Gideon with a
+prayer for forgiveness, or spring at his throat and avenge the
+humiliation through which he was passing. But he remembered that he was
+in his own house, that before him was standing the guardian of Panna
+Anulka; hence, as the two men walked out he moved after them, not
+giving an account to himself of his action, but because of custom which
+commanded to conduct guests, and in some kind of blind hope that
+perhaps even at parting the stubborn Pan Gideon would bow to him. But
+this hope failed him also; only Pan Grothus, a kindly man, as was
+evident, and of good wit pressed his hand at the entrance, and
+whispered, &quot;Despair not, his first rage will pass, cavalier, and all
+will arrange itself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek did not think thus, and he would have been sure that his case
+was lost utterly had he known that Pan Gideon, though indignant,
+feigned anger far more than he felt it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Stanislav and the Bukoyemskis were his rescuers, but Yatsek had not
+killed them, and a duel of itself was too common to rouse such
+unmerciful hatred. But Pan Gideon, from the moment that the starosta
+had told him how aged men marry and sometimes have children, looked
+with other eyes upon Panna Anulka. That which perhaps had never
+occurred to him earlier, seemed all at once possible and also alluring.
+At thought of the charms of that maiden, marvellous as a rose, the soul
+warmed in him, and still more powerfully did pride play in the old
+noble. So then, the race of Pangovski might flourish afresh and bloom
+up again; and besides, born from such a patrician as Panna Anulka, not
+only related to all the great houses in the Commonwealth, but herself
+the last sprout of a race from whose wealth rose in greater part the
+Sobieskis, Jolkievskis, Daniloviches, and many others. There was a
+whirl in Pan Gideon's brain at the thought of this, and he felt that
+not only he but the Commonwealth was concerned in Pangovskis of that
+kind. So straightway fear rose in him lest it should happen that the
+lady might love some one else, and give her hand to another man. One
+more important than himself in that region, he had not discovered;
+there were younger men, however. But who? Pan Stanislav? Yes! He was
+young, of good looks, very rich, but noble in the third generation,
+descended from ennobled Armenians. That such a <i>homo novus</i> should
+indeed strive for Panna Anulka could not find place in the head of Pan
+Gideon in any shape. It was laughable to think of the Bukoyemskis,
+though good nobles and claiming kindred with Saint Peter. There
+remained then Tachevski alone, a real &quot;Lazarus,&quot; it is true, as poor as
+a church mouse, but from an ancient stock of great knights; from
+Tachevo who had the Kovala escutcheon, one of whom was a real giant,
+and had taken part in the dreadful defeat of the Germans at Tannenberg;
+he had been famous not only in the Commonwealth but at foreign courts
+also. Only a Tachevski could compare with the Sieninskis. Besides, he
+was young, daring, handsome, and melancholy; this last often moves the
+heart in a woman. He was also at home in Belchantska, and seemed a
+friend, nay, a brother to the lady. Hence, Pan Gideon fell now to
+recalling various cases, as, for instance, disputes and poutings among
+the young people, then their reconciliations and friendship, then
+various words and glances, sadness and rejoicing in common, and
+laughter. Things which a short time before he had thought scarcely
+worthy of notice seemed now suspicious. Yes! danger could threaten only
+from that side. The old noble thought, also, that Panna Anulka might,
+in part at least, be the cause of the duel, and he was terrified.
+Hence, to anticipate the danger, he tried to present to the young lady
+in the strongest light possible, all the dishonor of Yatsek's late
+action, and to rouse in her due anger; and then by feigning greater
+rage than he felt, or than the case called for, to burn all the bridges
+between his own mansion and Vyrambki, and, when he had humiliated
+Yatsek without mercy, to close the doors of the house to him forever.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he was reaching his object. Yatsek walked back from the porch, took
+a seat at the table, thrust his fingers through his hair, supported his
+elbows, and was as silent as if pain had taken speech from him. Father
+Voynovski approached and put his hand on his shoulder.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yatsus, suffer what thou must,&quot; said he, &quot;but a foot of thine should
+never enter that mansion hereafter.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It never will,&quot; replied Yatsek, in a dull voice.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But yield not to pain. Remember who thou art.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The young man set his teeth.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I remember, but for that very reason pain burns me!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No one here applauds Pan Gideon for his action,&quot; said Stanislav. &quot;It
+is one thing to censure, and another to trample a man's honor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hereupon the Bukoyemskis were moving, and Mateush, whom speech troubled
+least, added promptly,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Under his roof I will say nothing, but when I recover and meet him on
+the road, or at a neighbor's, I will tell him to kiss a dog's snout
+that same minute.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;O, yei!&quot; said Marek. &quot;To insult such a cavalier! The hour will come
+when that will not be forgiven him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile three sleighs with sofas and three servants, besides drivers,
+appeared to convey the wounded men to Belchantska. Because of regard
+for the expected arrival of Pan Serafin, Yatsek dared not detain them,
+and because also of this: that they were really the guests of Pan
+Gideon. As to the men, they would not have remained after hearing of
+Yatsek's great poverty lest they might burden him. They took farewell
+and gave thanks for his hospitality with a heartiness as great as if
+there had never been a quarrel between them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But when Stanislav was taking his seat in the last sleigh Yatsek sprang
+forward on a sudden,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will go with you,&quot; said he. &quot;I cannot endure to do otherwise! I
+cannot endure! Before Pan Gideon returns I must--for the last time--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Father Voynovski, since he knew Yatsek, knew that words would be
+useless; still, he drew him aside and began to expostulate,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yatsek! O Yatsek! a woman again. God grant that a still greater wrong
+may not meet thee. O Yatsek, remember the words of Ecclesiastes: 'In a
+thousand I found one man, among all I found not one woman.' Take pity
+on thyself and remember this.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But these words were as peas against a battlement. In a moment Yatsek
+was sitting in the sleigh at the side of Stanislav, and they started.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile the east wind had broken the mist and driven it to the
+wilderness; then the bright sun from a blue sky looked at them.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon had not invented when he spoke of the &quot;abhorrence&quot; which at
+his house both women felt for the conqueror. Yatsek convinced himself
+of this from one glance at them. Pani Vinnitski met him with an
+offended face, and snatched her hand away when he wished to kiss it in
+greeting; and the young lady, without compassion for his suffering and
+embarrassment, did not answer his greeting. She was occupied with
+Stanislav, sparing neither tender looks nor anxious questions; she
+pushed her care so far that when he rose from the armchair in the
+dining-room to go to the chamber set apart for the wounded she
+supported him by the arm, and though he opposed and excused himself she
+conducted him to the threshold.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For thee there is nothing in this house. All is lost!&quot; cried despair
+and also jealousy in Yatsek's heart at sight of this action. Toward him
+that maiden had shown changing humors, and with one kindly word had
+given usually ten that were cold, when not biting, hence his pain was
+the keener, that till then he had not supposed that she could be kind,
+sweet, and angel-like to a man whom she loved really. That Panna Anulka
+loved Stanislav the ill-fated Yatsek had no doubt whatever. He would
+have endured not only such a wound as that given Stanislav, but would
+have shed all his blood with delight, if she would speak even once in
+her life to him with such a voice, and look with such eyes at him as
+she had looked then at Stanislav. Hence, besides pain, an immeasurable
+sorrow now seized him. This sent a torrent of tears toward his
+eyeballs, and if those tears did not gush out and flow down his cheeks,
+they flooded his heart and pervaded his being. Thus did Yatsek feel his
+whole breast fill with tears, and, to give the last blow at this
+juncture, never had Panna Anulka seemed to him so beautiful beyond
+measure as at that moment, with her pale face and her crown of golden
+hair slightly dishevelled from emotion. &quot;She is an angel, but not for
+thee,&quot; complained the sorrow within him; &quot;wonderful, but another will
+take her!&quot; And he would have fallen at her feet and confessed all his
+suffering and devotion, but at the same time he felt that just after
+that which had happened it would not be proper to do so, and that if he
+did not control himself and stifle the struggle in his spirit he would
+tell her something quite different from that which he wanted, and sink
+himself utterly in her estimation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile Pani Vinnitski, as an elderly person and one skilled in
+medicine, entered the chamber with Stanislav, while the young lady
+turned back from the threshold. Yatsek, understanding that he must use
+the opportunity approached her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I should like a word with you,&quot; said he, struggling to control
+himself, and with a trembling voice which, as it were, belonged to
+another.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She looked at him with cold astonishment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What do you wish?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek's face was lighted with a smile of such pain that it was almost
+like that of a martyr.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What I wish for myself will not come to me, though I were to give my
+own soul's salvation to get it,&quot; said he, shaking his head; &quot;but for
+one thing I beg you: do not accuse me, cherish no offence against me,
+have some compassion, for I am not of wood nor of iron.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have no word to say,&quot; replied she, &quot;and there is no time for
+talking.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah! there is always some time to say a kind word to the man for whom
+this world is grievous.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is it because you have wounded my rescuers?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The blame is not mine, as God stands by the innocent! The messenger
+who came for those gentlemen to Vyrambki should have declared what
+Father Voynovski told him to tell here; namely, that I did not
+challenge them. Did you know that they were the challengers?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I did. The attendant, being a simple man, did not repeat, it is true,
+every word which the priest sent; he merely cried out that 'the young
+lord of Vyrambki had slashed them to pieces;' then Pan Gideon, on
+returning from Vyrambki, ran in from the road and explained what had
+happened.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon feared lest the news that Yatsek had been challenged might
+reach the young lady from other lips and weaken her anger, hence he
+wished above all to describe the affair in his own way, not delaying to
+add that Yatsek by venomous insults had forced them to challenge him.
+He reckoned on this: that Panna Anulka, taking things woman fashion,
+would be on the side of the men who had suffered most.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Still, it seemed to Yatsek that the beloved eyes looked on him less
+severely, so he repeated the question,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Did you know this position?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I knew,&quot; replied she, &quot;but I remember that which you should not have
+forgotten if you had even a trifling regard for me,--that I owe my life
+to those gentlemen. And I have learnt from my guardian that you forced
+them to challenge you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I, not have regard for you? Let God, who looks into men's hearts,
+judge that statement.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">All on a sudden her eyes blinked time after time; then she shook her
+head till a tress fell to the opposite shoulder, and she said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is that true?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True, true!&quot; continued he, in a panting and deeply sad voice. &quot;I
+should have let men cut me down, it seems, so as not to annoy you. The
+blood which was dearest to you would not have been shed then. But there
+is no help now for the omission. There is no help now for anything!
+Your guardian told you that I forced those gentlemen to challenge me. I
+leave that too to God's judgment. But did your guardian tell you that
+he himself had insulted me beyond mercy and measure beneath my own roof
+tree? I have come now to you because I knew that I should not find him
+here. I have come to satisfy my unhappy eyes with the last look at you.
+I know that this is all one to you, but I thought that even in that
+case--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Here Yatsek halted, for tears stopped his utterance. Parma Anulka's
+mouth began also to quiver and to take on more and more the shape of a
+horseshoe, and only haughtiness joined to timidity, the timidity of a
+maiden, struggled in her with emotion. But perhaps she was restrained
+by this also: that she wished to get from Yatsek a still more
+complaining confession, and perhaps because she did not believe that he
+would go from her and never come back again. More than once there had
+been misunderstandings between them, more than once had Pan Gideon
+offended him greatly, and still, after brief exhibitions of anger,
+there had followed silent or spoken explanations and all had gone on
+again in the old way.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So it will be this time also,&quot; thought Panna Anulka.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">For her it was sweet to listen to Yatsek and to see that great love
+which, though it dared not express itself in determinate utterance, was
+still beaming from him with a submission which was matched only by its
+mightiness. Hence she yearned to hear him speak with her the longest
+time possible with that wondrous voice, and to lay at her feet for the
+longest time possible that young, loving, pained heart of his.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But he, inexperienced in love matters and blind as are all who love
+really, could not take note of this, and did not know what was
+happening within her. He looked on her silence as hardened
+indifference, and bitterness was gradually drowning his spirit. The
+calmness with which he had spoken at first began now to desert him, his
+eyes took on another light, drops of cold sweat came out on his
+temples: something was tearing and breaking the soul in him. He was
+seized by despair of such kind that when a man lies in the grip of it
+he reckons with nothing, and is ready with his own hands to tear his
+own wounded heart open. He spoke yet as it were calmly, but his voice
+had a new sound, it was firmer, though hoarser.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is this the case,&quot; asked he, &quot;and is there not one word from thee?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Panna Anulka shrugged her shoulders in silence.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The priest told me the truth when he warned that here a still greater
+wrong was in store for me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In what have I wronged thee?&quot; asked she, bitterly, pained by the
+sudden change which she saw in him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But he waded on farther in blindness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Had I not seen how thou didst treat this Pan Stanislav, I should think
+that thou hadst no heart in thy bosom. Thou hast a heart, but for him,
+not for me. He glanced at thee, and that was sufficient.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then Yatsek grasped the hair of his head with both hands on a sudden.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Would to God that I had cut him to pieces!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A flame flashed, as it were, through Panna Anulka; her cheeks
+crimsoned, anger blazed in her eyes as well at herself as at Yatsek;
+because a moment before she had been ready for weeping, her heart was
+seized now by indignation, deep and sudden.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You, sir, have lost your senses!&quot; cried she, raising her head and
+shaking back the tress from her shoulder.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She was on the point of rushing away, but that brought Yatsek to utter
+desperation; he seized her hands and detained her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not thou art to go. I am the person to go,&quot; said he, with set teeth.
+&quot;And before going I say this to thee: though for years I have loved
+thee more than health, more than life, and more than my own soul, I
+will never come back to thee. I will gnaw my own hands off in torture,
+but, so help me, God, I will never come back to thee!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then, forgetting his worn Hungarian cap on the floor there, he sprang
+to the doorway, and in an instant she saw him through the window,
+hurrying away along the garden by which the road to Vyrambki was
+shorter,--and he vanished.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Panna Anulka stood for a time as if a thunderbolt had struck her. Her
+thoughts had scattered like a flock of birds in every direction; she
+knew not what had happened. But when thoughts returned to her all
+feeling of offence was extinguished, and in her ears were sounding only
+the words: &quot;I loved thee more than health, more than life, more than my
+own soul, but I will never come back to thee!&quot; She felt now that in
+truth he would never come back, just because he had loved her so
+tremendously. Why had she not given him even one kind word for which,
+before anger had swept the man off, he had begged as if for alms, or a
+morsel of bread to give strength on a journey? And now endless grief
+and fear seized her. He had rushed off in pain and in madness. He may
+fall on the road somewhere. He may in despair work on himself something
+evil, and one heartfelt word might have healed and cured everything.
+Let him hear her voice even. He must go, beyond the garden, through the
+meadow to the river. He will hear her there yet before he vanishes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And rushing from the house she ran to the garden. Deep snow lay on the
+middle path, but his tracks there were evident. She ran in them. She
+sank at times to her knees, and on the road lost her rosary, her
+handkerchief, and her workbag with thread in it, and, panting, she
+reached the garden gate finally.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pan Yatsek! Pan Yatsek!&quot; cried she.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But the field beyond the garden was empty. Besides, that same wind
+which had blown the morning haze off, made a great sound among the
+branches of apple and pear trees; her weak voice was lost in that sound
+altogether. Then, not regarding the cold nor her light, indoor
+clothing, she sat on a bench near the gate and fell to crying. Tears as
+large as pearls dropped down her cheeks and she, having nothing else
+now with which to remove them, brushed those tears away with that tress
+on her shoulder.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He will not come back.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile the wind sounded louder and louder, shaking wet snow from the
+dark branches.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When Yatsek rushed into his house like a whirlwind, without cap and
+with dishevelled hair, the priest divined clearly enough what had
+happened.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I foretold this,&quot; said he. &quot;God give thee aid, O my Yatsek; but I ask
+nothing till thou hast come to thy mind and art quiet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ended! All is ended!&quot; said Yatsek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he walked up and down in the chamber, like a wild beast in
+confinement.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The priest said no word, interrupted him in nothing, and only after
+long waiting did he rise, put his arms around Yatsek's shoulders, kiss
+his head, and lead him by the hand to an alcove.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The old man knelt before a small crucifix which was hanging over the
+bed there, and when the sufferer had knelt at his side the priest
+prayed as follows:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;O Lord, Thou knowest what pain is, for Thou didst endure it on the
+cross for the offences of mankind.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hence I bring my bleeding heart to Thee, and at Thy feet which are
+pierced I implore Thee for mercy.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I cry not to Thee: 'take this pain from me,' but I cry 'give me
+strength to endure it.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For I, O Lord, am a soldier submissive to Thy order, and I desire much
+to serve Thee, and the Commonwealth, my mother-- But how can I do this
+when my heart is faint and my right hand is weakened?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Because of this make me forget myself and make me think only of Thy
+glory, and the rescue of my mother, for those things are of far greater
+moment than the pain of a pitiful worm, such as I am.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And strengthen me, O Lord, in my saddle, so that through lofty deeds
+against pagans I may reach a glorious death, and also heaven.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;By Thy crown of thorns, hear me!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;By the wound in Thy side, hear me!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;By Thy hands and feet pierced with nails, hear me!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then they knelt for a long time, but at the middle of the prayer it was
+evident that the pain in Yatsek's breast had broken, for on a sudden he
+covered his face with both hands and fell to sobbing. When they had
+risen and gone to the adjoining chamber Father Voynovski sighed deeply.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My Yatsek,&quot; said he, &quot;I saw much of life in my years of a warrior,
+during which sorrow greater than thine met me. I have no thought to
+speak touching this to thee. I will say only that in a time of most
+terrible anguish I composed this very prayer and to it owe deliverance.
+I have repeated it frequently in misfortune since that day, and always
+with solace; we have repeated it now for this reason. And how dost thou
+feel? Art thou not freed in some measure? Pray tell me!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I feel pain, but it burns less severely.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah, seest thou! Now drink some wine. I will tell thee, or rather I
+will show thee, something which should give thee comfort. Look!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And bending his head down he showed beneath his white hair a dreadful
+scar, which passed across his whole crown from one side to the other.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;From that,&quot; said he, &quot;I came very near dying. The wound pained me
+awfully, but the scar gives no trouble. In like manner, Yatsek, thy
+wound will cease to pain when a scar takes the place of it. Tell me now
+what has happened to thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek began, but met failure. It was not in his nature to invent, or
+increase, or exaggerate, so now he himself wondered over this: that all
+which had torn him with such torture seemed less cruel in the
+narrative. But Father Voynovski, clearly a man of experience, and
+knowing the world, heard him out to the end, and then added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is difficult, I understand that, to describe looks or even gestures
+which may be altogether contemptuous and insulting. Often even one
+look, or one wave of the hand, has led men to duels and to bloodshed.
+The main point is this: thou hast told the young lady that thou wilt
+not go back to her. Youth is giddy, and when guided by sadness it
+changes as the moon in the sky does. And love too is like that
+mendacious moon, which when it seems to decrease is just growing and
+swelling toward its fulness. How is it then, hast thou the true wish of
+doing what thy words tell me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So help me, God, I have told my whole wish, and if thou desire I will
+repeat the same in an oath on that cross there.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And what dost thou think to do?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To go into the world.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have been hoping for that. I have desired it this long time. I have
+known what detained thee, but go now. When thou hast broken thy fetters
+go into the world. Thou wilt wait for no good thing in this place, no
+good thing has met thee here, or will meet thee here ever. To thee the
+life here has been ruin. It was a happiness that I was near by and
+trained thee in Latin, and in working with thy sword even somewhat;
+without these two kinds of knowledge thou wouldst have dropped down to
+be a peasant. Thank me not, Yatsus, for that was pure devotion on my
+part. I shall be sad here without thee, but I am not in question. Thou
+wilt go into the world. That, as I understand, means that thou wilt
+join the army. That road is the straightest and the most honorable,
+also, especially since war with the pagan is approaching. The pen and
+the chancellery are more certain, men tell us, than promotion from the
+sabre, but they are less fitted for blood such as thine is.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have not thought of another service,&quot; said Yatsek, &quot;but I shall not
+join the infantry, and I cannot in any way reach the higher banners,
+for I am in terrible poverty--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A noble who has Latin on his tongue and a sabre in his fist will make
+his way always,&quot; interrupted the priest; &quot;but there is no need of
+talking, thou must have good horses. We must think over this carefully.
+Now I will tell thee something of which I have never yet spoken. I hold
+for thee ten ruddy ducats which thy late mother left with me--and her
+letter, in which she begs not to give thee this money, lest it be spent
+ere the time comes. Only in sudden need may I give it when either
+the ferry or the wagon is awaiting thee--when some dilemma presents
+itself--well, the dilemma is here at this moment! Thou hadst an
+honorable, a holy, and an unhappy mother, for when that woman was dying
+there was great need in her dwelling, and she took from her own mouth
+that which she left with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God give eternal rest to her,&quot; said Yatsek. &quot;Let those ten ducats be
+used for masses to benefit her soul, and Vyrambki I will sell even for
+a trifle.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Father Voynovski grew very tender at these words; a tear glistened in
+his eye, and again he put his arms around Yatsek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is honest blood in thee,&quot; said he, &quot;but thou art not free to
+reject this gift from thy mother, even for the purpose which thou hast
+mentioned. Masses will not be lacking in her case, be sure of that,
+though in truth she has no great need of them; but to other souls
+suffering in purgatory they will be of service. As to Vyrambki it would
+be better to mortgage it; though a noble has but the smallest estate,
+how differently do people esteem him from one who is landless.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But I am in a hurry. I should like to go even to-day.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To-day thou wilt not go, though the sooner the better. I must write
+for thee letters to my comrades and friends. We must talk also with the
+brewers in Yedlina who have money and also good horses, so that no
+armored warrior may have a better outfit. In my house there are some
+old arms and some sabres, not so much ornamented as tested on Swedish
+and Turkish shoulders.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Here the priest looked through the window and said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But the sleigh is waiting, and a traveller should start when his
+sleigh comes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">An expression of pain now shot over the face of the young man; he
+kissed the priest's hand and added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have one other prayer, my benefactor and father; let me go with you
+now and live in your house till I leave this region. Those roofs are
+visible from this dwelling. They are too near me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course! I wished to propose this; thou hast taken the words from my
+lips. There is no work for thee here, and I shall be glad from my soul
+to have thee under my roof tree. Be of good cheer, O my Yatsus. The
+world does not end in Belchantska, but stands open widely before thee.
+God alone knows how far thou wilt ride when once thou art on horseback.
+War is awaiting thee! Glory is awaiting thee! and that which pains thee
+to-day will be healed at another time. I see now how the wings are
+growing out at thy shoulders. Fly then, O bird of the Lord, for to that
+wert thou predestined and created.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And joy like a sunray lighted up the honest face of the old man. He
+struck his thigh with his palm, soldier fashion.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now take thy cap and we will go.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But small things stand often in the way of important ones, and the
+comic is mixed with the tragic. Yatsek glanced round the room; then he
+gazed with concern at the priest, and repeated,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My cap!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well! Thou wilt not go bareheaded--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How could I?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Where is it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But suppose it remained at Belchantska?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There are thy love tricks, old woman! What wilt thou do?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What shall I do? I might get a cap from my man, but I could not go in
+the cap of a peasant.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thou canst not go in a peasant's cap, but send thy man to
+Belchantska.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I would not for anything.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The priest was becoming impatient.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Plague take it! War, glory, the wide world--these are all waiting for
+the man, but his cap is gone!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is an old hat in the bottom of a trunk which my father took from
+a Swedish officer at Tremeshno--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Take it, and let us go.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek vanished and returned a little later wearing the yellow hat of a
+Swedish horseman, which was too large for him. Amused by the sight of
+it, the priest caught at his left side as if seeking his sabre.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is well,&quot; said he, &quot;that it is not a Turkish turban. But this is a
+real carnival!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek smiled in reply, and then added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There are some stones in the buckle; they may be of value.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then they took seats in the sleigh and moved forward. Immediately
+beyond the enclosure Belchantska and the mansion were as visible
+through leafless alders as something on one's hand. The priest looked
+carefully at Yatsek, who merely drew the big Swedish hat over his eyes
+and did not look, though something besides his Hungarian cap had been
+left in the mansion.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER V</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He will not come back! All is lost!&quot; exclaimed Panna Anulka to herself
+at the first moment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And a marvellous thing! There were five men in that mansion, one of
+whom was young and presentable; and besides Pan Grothus, the starosta,
+Pan Serafin was expected. In a word, rarely had there been so many
+guests at Belchantska. Meanwhile it seemed to the young lady that a
+vacuum had surrounded her suddenly, and that some immense want had come
+with it; that the mansion was empty, the garden empty, and that she
+herself was as much alone as if in an unoccupied steppe land, and that
+she would continue to be thus forever.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hence her heart was as straitened with merciless sorrow as if she had
+lost one who was nearest of all to her. She felt sure that Yatsek would
+not return, all the more since her guardian had offended him mortally;
+still, she could not imagine how it would be without him, without
+his face, his laughter, his words, his glances. What would happen
+to-morrow, after to-morrow, next week, next month? For what would she
+rise from her bed every morning? Why would she arrange her tresses? For
+whom would she dress and curl her hair? For what was she now to live?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And she had a feeling as if her heart had been a candle which some one
+had quenched by blowing it out on a sudden. There was nothing save
+darkness and a vacuum.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But when she entered the room and saw that Hungarian cap on the floor,
+all those indefinite feelings gave way to an enormous and simple
+yearning for Yatsek. Her heart grew warm in her again, and she began to
+call him by name. Therewith a certain gleam of hope flew through her
+spirit. Raising the cap she pressed it to her bosom unwittingly; then
+she put it in her sleeve and began to think thuswise: &quot;He will not come
+as hitherto daily, but before the return of Pan Grothus and my guardian
+from Yedlinka, he must come for his cap, so I shall see him and say
+that he was unjust and cruel, and that he should not have done what he
+has done.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But she was not sincere with herself, for she wished to say more, to
+find some warm, heartfelt word which would join again the threads newly
+broken between them. If this could happen, if they could meet without
+anger in the church, or at odd times in the houses of neighbors, means
+would be found in the future to turn everything to profit. What methods
+there might be to do this, and what the profit could be, she did not
+stop to consider at the moment, for beyond all she was thinking how to
+see Yatsek at the earliest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile Pani Vinnitski came out of the chamber in which the wounded
+men were then lying, and on seeing the excited face and reddened eyes
+of the young woman she began thus to quiet her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Fear not, no harm will come to them. Only one of the Bukoyemskis is
+struck a little seriously, but no harm will happen even to that one.
+The others are injured slightly. Father Voynovski dressed their wounds
+with such skill that there is no need to change anything. The men too
+are cheerful and in perfect spirits.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thanks be to God!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But has Yatsek gone? What did he want here?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He brought the wounded men hither--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know, but who would have expected this of him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They themselves challenged him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They do not deny that, but he beat all five of them, one after
+another. One might have thought that a clucking hen could have beaten
+him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Aunt does not know the man,&quot; answered Panna Anulka, with a certain
+pride in her expression.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But in the voice of Pani Vinnitski there was as much admiration as
+blame; for, born in regions exposed to Tartar inroads at all times, she
+had learned from childhood to count daring and skill at the sabre as
+the highest virtues of manhood. So, when the earliest alarm touching
+the five guests had vanished, she began to look somewhat differently at
+that duel.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Still,&quot; continued she, &quot;I must confess that they are worthy gentlemen,
+for not only do they cherish no hatred against him, but they praise
+him, especially Pan Stanislav. 'That man is a born soldier,' said he.
+And they were angry every man of them at Pan Gideon, who exceeded the
+measure, they say, at Vyrambki.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But aunt did not receive Yatsek better.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He got the reception which he merited. But didst thou receive him
+well?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, thou. I saw how thou didst frown at him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My dear aunt--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Here the girl stopped suddenly, for she felt that unless she did so,
+she would burst into weeping. Because of this conversation Yatsek had
+grown in her eyes. He had fought alone against such trained men, had
+conquered them all, overcome them. He had told her, it is true, that he
+hunted wild boars with a spear, but peasants at the edge of the
+wilderness go against them with clubs, so that amazes no one. But to
+finish five knightly nobles a man must be better and more valiant and
+skilful than they. It seemed to Panna Anulka simply a marvel that a man
+who had such mild and sad eyes could be so terrible in battle. To her
+alone had he yielded; from her alone had he suffered everything; to her
+alone had he been mild and pliant. Why was this? Because he had loved
+her beyond his health, beyond happiness, beyond his own soul's
+salvation. He had confessed that to her an hour earlier. And yearning
+for him rushed like an immense wave to her heart again. Still, she felt
+that something between them had changed, and that if she should see him
+anew, and see him afterward often, she would not permit herself to play
+with him again as she had played up to that day, now casting him into
+the abyss, now cheering him, giving him hope, now thrusting him away,
+now attracting him; she felt that do what she might she would look on
+him with greater respect, and would be more submissive and cautious.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At moments, however, a voice was heard in her saying that he had acted
+too peevishly, that he had uttered words more offensive and bitter than
+she had; but that voice became weaker and weaker, and the wish for
+reconciliation was growing.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If he would only return before those men came from Yedlinka!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile an hour passed, then two and three hours. Still, there was no
+sign from Yatsek. Next it occurred to her that the hour was too late,
+that he would not come, he would send some one to get the cap. After
+that she determined to send it to Yatsek with a letter, in which she
+would explain what was weighing her heart down. And since his messenger
+might come any moment she, to prepare all things in season, shut
+herself up in her small maiden chamber and went at the letter.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;May God pardon thee for the suffering and sadness in which thou hast
+left me, for if thou couldst see my heart thou wouldst not have done
+what thou hast done. Therefore, I send not only thy cap, but a kind
+word, so that thou shouldst be happy and forget--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Here she saw that she was not writing her own thoughts at all, or her
+wishes, so, drawing her pen through the words, she fell to writing a
+new letter with more emotion and feeling:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I send thy cap, for I know that I shall not see thee in this house
+hereafter, and that thou wilt not weep for any one here, least of all
+for such an orphan as I am; but neither shall I weep because of thy
+injustice, though it is sad beyond description--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But reality showed these words to be false, since sudden tears put
+blots on the paper. How send a proof of this kind, especially if he had
+thrown her out of his heart altogether? After a while it occurred to
+her that it might be better not to write of his injustice, and of his
+peevish procedure, since, if she did, he would be ready for still
+greater stubbornness. Thus thinking, she looked for a third sheet of
+paper, but there was no more in her chamber.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Now she was helpless, for if she borrowed paper of Pani Vinnitski she
+could not avoid questions impossible of answer; then she felt that she
+was losing her head, and that in no case could she write to Yatsek that
+which she wanted to tell him; hence she grew disconsolate and sought,
+as women do usually, solace in suffering; she gave a free course to her
+tears again.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile night was in front of the entrance, and sleighbells were
+tinkling--Pan Gideon and his two guests were coming. The servants were
+lighting the candles in every chamber, for the gloom was increasing.
+The young lady brushed aside every tear and entered the drawing-room
+with, a certain timidity; she feared that all would see straightway
+that she had been weeping, and have, God knows what suspicions,--they
+might even torment her with questions. But in the drawing-room there
+were none save Pan Gideon and Pan Grothus. For Pan Serafin she asked
+straightway, wishing to turn attention from her own person.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He has gone to his son and the Bukoyemskis,&quot; said Pan Gideon, &quot;but I
+pacified him on the road by showing that nothing evil had happened.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then he looked at her carefully, but his face, gloomy at most times,
+and his gray, severe eyes were bright with a sort of exceptional
+kindness. Approaching, he placed his hand on the bright head of the
+maiden.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is no need for thee to be troubled,&quot; said he. &quot;In a couple of
+days they will be well, every man of them. We need say no more. We owe
+them gratitude, it is true, and hence I was anxious about them, but
+really, they are strangers to us, and of rather lowly condition.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Lowly condition?&quot; repeated she, as an echo, and merely to say
+something.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, yes, for the Bukoyemskis have nothing whatever, and Pan Stanislav
+is a <i>homo novus</i>. For that matter, what are they to me! They will go
+their way, and the same quiet will be in this house as has been here
+hitherto.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Panna Anulka thought to herself that there would be great quiet indeed,
+for there would be only three in the mansion; but she gave no
+expression to that thought.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will busy myself with the supper,&quot; said she.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Go, housewife, go!&quot; said Pan Gideon. &quot;Because of thee there is joy in
+the household, and profit--and have a silver service brought on,&quot; added
+he, &quot;to show this Pan Serafin that good plate is found not alone among
+newly made noble Armenians.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Panna Anulka hurried to the servants' apartments. She wished before
+supper to finish another affair most important for her, so she summoned
+a serving-lad, and said to him,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Listen, Voitushko; run to Vyrambki and tell Pan Tachevski that the
+young lady sends this cap, and bows very much to him. Here is a coin
+for thee, and repeat what thou art to tell him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The young lady sends the cap and bows to him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not that she bows, but that she bows very much to him--dost
+understand?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I understand.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then stir! And take an overcoat, for the frost bites in the
+night-time. Let the dogs go with thee, too--that she bows very much,
+remember. And come back at once--unless Pan Tachevski gives an answer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Having finished that affair she withdrew to the kitchen to busy herself
+at the supper which was then almost ready since they had been expecting
+guests with Pan Gideon. Then, after she had dressed and arranged her
+hair, she entered the dining-hall.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Sarafin greeted her kindly, for her beauty and youth had pleased
+his heart greatly at Yedlinka. Since he had been put quite at rest
+touching Stanislav, when they were seated at the table he began to
+speak with her joyously, endeavoring, even with jests, to scatter that
+shade of seriousness which he saw on her forehead, and the cause of
+which he attributed specially to the duel.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But for her the supper was not to end without incident, since
+immediately after the second course Voitushko stood at the door of the
+dining-hall and cried out, as he blew his chilled fingers,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I beg the young lady's attention. I left the cap, but Pan Tachevski is
+not in Vyrambki, for he drove away with Father Voynovski.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon on hearing these words was astonished; he frowned, and fixed
+his iron eyes on the serving-lad.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is this?&quot; asked he. &quot;What cap? Who sent thee to Vyrambki?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The young lady,&quot; answered the lad with timidity.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I sent him,&quot; said Panna Anulka.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And seeing that all eyes were turned on her she was dreadfully
+embarrassed, but the elusive wit of a woman soon came to her
+assistance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pan Yatsek attended the wounded men hither,&quot; said she; &quot;but since
+auntie and I received him with harshness he was angry and flew away
+home without his cap, so I sent the cap after him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed, we did not receive him very charmingly,&quot; added Pani Vinnitski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon drew breath and his face took on a less dreadful expression.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ye did well,&quot; remarked he. &quot;I myself would have sent the cap, for of
+course he has not a second one.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But the honest and clever Pan Serafin took the part of Yatsek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My son,&quot; said he, &quot;has no feeling against him. He and the other
+gentlemen forced Pan Tachevski to the duel; when it was over he took
+them to his house, dressed their wounds, and entertained them. The
+Bukoyemskis say the same, adding that he is an artist at the sabre,
+who, had he had the wish, might have cut them up in grand fashion. Ha!
+they wanted to teach him a lesson, and themselves found a teacher. If
+it is true that His Grace the King is moving against the Turks, such a
+man as Tachevski will be useful.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon was not glad to hear these words, and added: &quot;Father
+Voynovski taught him those sword tricks.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have seen Father Voynovski only once, at a festival,&quot; said Pan
+Serafin, &quot;but I heard much of him in my days of campaigning. At the
+festival other priests laughed at him; they said that his house was
+like the ark, that he cares for all beasts just as Noah did. I know,
+however, that his sabre was renowned, and that his virtue is famous. If
+Pan Tachevski has learned sword-practice from him, I should wish my
+son, when he recovers, not to seek friendship elsewhere.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They say that the Diet will strive at once to strengthen the army,&quot;
+said Pan Gideon, wishing to change the conversation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True, all will work at that,&quot; said Pan Grothus.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And the conversation continued on the war. But after supper Panna
+Anulka chose the right moment, and, approaching Pan Serafin, raised her
+blue eyes to him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are very kind,&quot; said she.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why do you say that?&quot; asked Pan Serafin.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You took the part of Pan Yatsek.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Whose part?&quot; inquired the old man.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pan Tachevski's. His name is Yatsek.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But you blamed him severely. Why did you blame him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My guardian blamed him still more severely. I confess to you, however,
+that we did not act justly, and I think that some reparation is due
+him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He would surely be glad to receive it from your hands,&quot; said Pan
+Serafin.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The young lady shook her golden head in sign of disagreement.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh no!&quot; replied she, smiling sadly, &quot;he is angry with us, and
+forever.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin glanced at her with a genuine fatherly kindness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who in the world, charming flower, could be angry forever with you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh! Pan Yatsek could--but as to reparation this is the best reparation
+in his case: declare to Pan Yatsek that you feel no offence toward him,
+and that you believe in his innocence. After that my guardian will be
+forced to do him some justice, and justice from us is due to Pan
+Yatsek.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I see that you have not been so very bitter against him, since you are
+now taking his part with such interest.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do so because I feel reproaches of conscience, and I wish no
+injustice to any man, besides, he is alone in the world, and is in
+great, very great, poverty.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will tell you,&quot; answered Pan Serafin, &quot;that in my own mind I have
+decided as follows: your guardian, as a hospitable neighbor, has
+declared that he will not let me go till my son has recovered; but both
+my son and the Bukoyemskis might go home even to-morrow. Still, before
+I leave here I will visit most surely Pan Yatsek and Father Voynovski,
+not through any kindness, but because I understand that I owe them this
+courtesy. I do not say that I am bad, still, I think that if any one in
+this case is really good you are the person. Do not contradict me!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She did contradict, for she felt that for her it was not a question
+merely of justice to Yatsek, but of other affairs, of which Pan
+Serafin, who knew not her maiden calculations, could know nothing.
+Her heart, however, rose toward him with gratitude, and when saying
+good-night she kissed his hand, for which Pan Gideon was angry.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He is only of the second generation; before that his people were
+merchants. Remember who thou art!&quot; said the old noble.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">Two days later Yatsek went to Radom with the ten ducats to dress
+himself decently before the journey. Father Voynovski remained at home
+brooding over this problem: &quot;Whence am I to get money enough for the
+equipment of a warrior, for a wagon, for horses, a saddle-horse, and an
+attendant, all of which Yatsek must have if he cares for respect, and
+does not wish men to consider him nobody?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Especially did it become Yatsek to appear in that form, since he bore a
+great, famous name, though somewhat forgotten in the Commonwealth.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A certain day Father Voynovski sat down at his small table, wrinkled
+his brows till his white hair fell over his forehead, and began then to
+reckon how much would be needed. His &quot;animalia,&quot; that is, the dog
+Filus, the tame fox, and a badger, were rolling balls near his feet;
+but he gave them no attention whatever, so tremendously was he occupied
+and troubled, for the &quot;reckoning&quot; refused to come out in any way, and
+failed every moment. It failed not merely in details, but in the main
+principles. The old man rubbed his forehead more and more violently and
+at last he spoke audibly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He took ten ducats with him. Very well; of that, beyond doubt, he will
+bring nothing back. Let us count farther: from Kondrat, the brewer,
+five as a loan, from Slonka, three. From Dudu six Prussian thalers and
+a borrowed saddle-horse, to be paid for in barley if there is a
+harvest. Total, eight golden ducats, six thalers, and twenty ducats of
+mine--too little! Even if I should give him the Wallachian as an
+attendant, that would be, counting his own mount, two horses; and for a
+wagon two more are needed--and for Yatsek at least two more. It is
+impossible to go with fewer, for, if one horse should die he must have
+another. And a uniform for his man, and supplies for the wagon, kettles
+and cover and camp chest--tfu! He could only join the dragoons with
+such money.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then he turned to the animals which were raising a considerable uproar.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Be quiet, ye traitors, or your hides will be sold to Jew hucksters!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And again talk began:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yatsek is right, he will have to sell Vyrambki. Still, if he does, he
+will have nothing to answer when any one asks him: 'Whence dost thou
+come?' 'Whence?' 'From Wind.' 'Which Wind?' 'Wind in the Field.'
+Immediately every one will slight such a person. It would be better to
+mortgage the place if a man could be found to give money. Pan Gideon
+would be the most suitable person, but Yatsek would not hear of Pan
+Gideon, and I myself would not talk with him on the subject--My God!
+People are mistaken when they say: 'poor as a church mouse!' A man is
+often much poorer. A church mouse has Saint Stephen;<a name="div2Ref_03" href="#div2_03"><sup>[3]</sup></a> he lives in
+comfort, and has his wax at all seasons. O Lord Jesus, who multiplied
+loaves and fishes, multiply these few ruddy ducats, and these few
+thalers, for to thee, O Lord, nothing will be diminished, and Thou wilt
+help the last of the Tachevskis.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then it occurred to him that the Prussian thalers, since they came from
+a Lutheran country, could rouse only abhorrence in heaven; as to the
+ducats he hesitated whether to put them under Christ's feet for the
+night would he find them there multiplied in the morning? He did not
+feel worthy of a miracle, and even he struck himself a number of times
+on the breast in repentance for his insolent idea. He could not dwell
+on this longer, however, for some one had come to the front of his
+dwelling.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After a while the door opened and a tall, gray haired man entered. He
+had black eyes and a wise, kindly countenance. The man bowed on the
+threshold.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am Tsyprianovitch of Yedlinka,&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes. I saw you in Prityk, at the festival, but only at a distance, for
+the throng there was great,&quot; said the priest, approaching his guest
+with vivaciousness. &quot;I greet you on my lowly threshold with gladness.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have come hither with gladness,&quot; answered Pan Serafin. &quot;It is an
+important and pleasant duty to salute a knight so renowned, and a
+priest who is so saintly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then he kissed the old man on the shoulder and the hand, though the
+priest warded off these acts, saying,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ho, what saintliness! These beasts here may have before God greater
+merit than I have.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Pan Serafin spoke so sincerely and with such simplicity that he won
+the priest straightway. They began at once, therefore, to speak
+pleasant words which were heartfelt.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know your son,&quot; said the priest; &quot;he is a cavalier of worth
+and noble manners. In comparison, those Bukoyemskis seem simply
+serving-men. I will say to you that Yatsek Tachevski has conceived such
+a love for Pan Stanislav that he praises him always.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And my Stashko treats him in like manner. It happens frequently that
+men fight and later on love each other. None of us feel offence toward
+Pan Tachevski, nay, we should like to conclude with him real
+friendship. I have just been at his house in Vyrambki, expecting to
+find him. I wished to invite to Yedlinka you, my benefactor, and Pan
+Tachevski.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yatsek is in Radom, but he will return and would be glad, doubtless,
+to serve you-- But have you seen, your grace, how they treated him at
+Pan Gideon's?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They have seen that themselves,&quot; said Pan Serafin, &quot;and are sorry, not
+Pan Gideon, however, but the women.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There are few men so stubborn as Pan Gideon, and he incurs a serious
+account before the Lord sometimes for this reason--as for the
+women--God be with them-- Let them go, what is the use in hiding this:
+that one of them caused the duel?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I divined that before my son told me. But the cause is innocent.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They are all innocent-- Do you know what Ecclesiastes says of women?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin did not know, so the priest took down the Vulgate and read
+an extract from Ecclesiastes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What do you think of that?&quot; asked he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There are women even of that kind.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yatsek is going into the world for no other cause, and I am far from
+dissuading him. On the contrary, I advise him to go.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you? Is he going soon? The war will come only next summer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you know that to a certainty?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do, for I inquired and I inquired because I cannot keep my own son
+from it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, because he is a noble. Yatsek is going immediately, for, to tell
+the truth, it is painful for him to remain here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I understand, I understand everything. Haste is the best cure in such
+a case.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He will stay only as long as may be needed to mortgage Vyrambki, or
+sell it. It is only a small strip of land. I advise Yatsek not to sell
+but to mortgage. Though he may never come back, he can sign himself
+always as from it, and that is more decent for a man of his name and
+his origin.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Must he sell or mortgage in every case?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He must. The man is poor, quite poor. You know how much it costs to go
+to a war, and he cannot serve in a common dragoon regiment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin thought a while, and said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My benefactor, perhaps I would take a mortgage on Vyrambki.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Father Voynovski blushed as does a maiden when a young man confesses on
+a sudden that for which she is yearning beyond all things; but the
+blush flew over his face as swiftly as summer lightning through the sky
+of evening; then he looked at Pan Serafin, and asked,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why do you take it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin answered with all the sincerity of an honest spirit:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I want it since I wish, without loss to myself, to render an honorable
+young man a service, for which I shall gain his gratitude. And, Father
+benefactor, I have still another idea. I will send my one son to that
+regiment in which Pan Yatsek is to serve, and I think that my Stashko
+will find in him a good friend and comrade. You know how important a
+comrade is and what a true friend at one's side means in camp where a
+quarrel comes easily, and in war where death comes still more easily.
+God has not, in my case been sparing of fortune, and He has given me
+only one son. Pan Yatsek is brave, sober, a master at the sabre, as has
+been shown--and he is virtuous, for you have reared him. Let him and my
+son be like Orestes and Pylades--that is my reckoning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Father Voynovski opened his arms to him widely.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God himself sent you! For Yatsek I answer as I do for myself. He is a
+golden fellow, and his heart is as grateful as wheat land. God sent
+you! My dear boy can now show himself as befits the Tachevski
+escutcheon, and most important of all, he can, after seeing the wide
+world, forget altogether that girl for whom he has thrown away so many
+years, and suffered such anguish.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Has he loved her then from of old?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, to tell the truth, he has loved her since childhood. Even now he
+says nothing, he sets his teeth, but he squirms like an eel beneath a
+knife edge. Let him go at the earliest, for nothing could or can come
+from this love of his.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A moment of silence followed, then the old man continued,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But we must speak of these matters more accurately. How much can you
+lend on Vyrambki? It is a poor piece of land.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Even one hundred ducats.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Fear God, your grace!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But why? If Pan Yatsek ever pays me it will be all the same how much I
+lend him. If he does not pay I shall get my own also, for though the
+land about here is poor, that new soil must be good beyond the forest.
+To-day I will take my son and the Bukoyemskis to Yedlinka, and you will
+do us the favor to come as soon as Pan Yatsek returns to you from
+Radom. The money will be ready.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Your grace came from heaven with your golden heart and your money,&quot;
+said Father Voynovski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then he commanded to bring mead which he poured out himself, and they
+drank with much pleasure as men do who have joy at their heart strings.
+With the third glass the priest became serious.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For the assistance, for the good word, for the honesty, let me pay,&quot;
+said he, &quot;even with good advice.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am listening.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do not settle your son in Vyrambki. The young lady is beautiful beyond
+every description. She may also be honorable, I say naught against
+that; but she is a Sieninski, not she alone, but Pan Gideon is so proud
+of this that if any man, no matter who, were to ask for her, even
+Yakobus our king's son, he would not seem too high to Pan Gideon. Guard
+your son, do not let him break his young heart on that pride, or wound
+himself mortally like Yatsek. Out of pure and well-wishing friendship
+do I say this, desiring to pay for your kindness with kindness.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin drew his palm across his forehead as he answered,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They dropped down on us at Yedlinka as from the clouds because of what
+happened on the journey. I went once to Pan Gideon's on a neighborly
+visit, but he did not return it. Noting his pride and its origin I have
+not sought his acquaintance or friendship. What has come came of
+itself. I will not settle my son in Vyrambki, nor let him be foolish at
+Pan Gideon's mansion. We are not such an ancient nobility as the
+Sieninskis, nor perhaps as Pan Gideon, but our nobility grew out of
+war, out of that which gives pain, as Charnyetski described it. We
+shall be able to preserve our own dignity--my son is not less keen on
+that point than I am. It is hard for a young man to guard against
+Cupid, but I will tell you, my benefactor, what Stashko told me when
+recently at Pan Gideon's. I inquired touching Panna Anulka. 'I would
+rather,' said he, 'not pluck an apple than spring too high after it,
+for if I should not reach the fruit, shame would come of my effort.'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah! he has a good thought in his head!&quot; exclaimed Father Voynovski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He has been thus from his boyhood,&quot; added Pan Serafin with a certain
+proud feeling. &quot;He told me also, that when he had learnt what the girl
+had been to Tachevski, and what he had passed through because of her,
+he would not cross the road of so worthy a cavalier. No, my benefactor,
+I do not take a mortgage on Vyrambki to have my son near Pan Gideon's.
+May God guard my Stanislav, and preserve him from evil.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Amen! I believe you as if an angel were speaking. And now let some
+third man take the girl, even one of the Bukoyemskis, who boast of such
+kinsfolk.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin smiled, drank out his mead, took farewell, and departed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Father Voynovski went to the church to thank God for that unexpected
+assistance, and then he waited for Yatsek impatiently.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When at last Yatsek came, the old man ran out to the yard and seized
+him by the shoulders.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yatsek,&quot; exclaimed he, &quot;thou canst give ten ducats for a crupper. Thou
+hast one hundred ducats, as it were, on the table, and Vyrambki remains
+to thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek fixed on Father Voynovski eyes that were sunken from
+sleeplessness and suffering, and asked, with astonishment,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What has happened?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A really good thing, since it came from the heart of an honest man.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Father Voynovski noted with the greatest consolation that Yatsek in
+spite of his terrible suffering, and all his heart tortures, received,
+as it were, a new spirit on learning of the agreement with Pan Serafin.
+For some days he spoke and thought only of horses, wagons, outfit, and
+servants, so that it seemed as though there was no place for aught else
+in him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Here is thy medicine, thy balsam; here are thy remedies,&quot; repeated the
+priest to himself; &quot;for if a man entrapped by a woman and never so
+unhappy were going to the army he would have to be careful not to buy a
+horse that had heaves or was spavined; he would have to choose sabres,
+and fit on his armor, try his lance once and a second time, and,
+turning from the woman to more fitting objects, find relief for his
+heart in them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he remembered how, when young, he himself had sought in war either
+death or forgetfulness. But since war had not begun yet, death was
+still distant from Yatsek in every case; meantime he was filled with
+his journey, and with questions bound up in it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was plenty to do. Pan Serafin and his son came again to the
+priest with whom Yatsek was living. Then all went to the city together
+to draw up the mortgage. There, also, they found a part of Yatsek's
+outfit; the remainder, the experienced and clear-headed priest advised
+to search out in Warsaw or Cracow. This beginning of work took up some
+days, during which young Stanislav, whose slight wound was almost
+healed, gave earnest assistance to Yatsek, with whom he contracted a
+more and more intimate acquaintance and friendship. The old men were
+pleased at this, for both held it extremely important. The honest Pan
+Serafin even began to be sorry that Yatsek was going so promptly, and
+to persuade the priest not to hasten his departure.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I understand,&quot; said he, &quot;I understand well, my benefactor, why you
+wish to send him away at the earliest; but in truth I must tell you
+that I think no ill of that Panna Anulka. It is true that immediately
+after the duel she did not receive Pan Yatsek very nicely, but remember
+that she and Pani Vinnitski were snatched from the jaws of the wolves
+by my son and the Bukoyemskis. What wonder, then, that, at sight of the
+blood and the wounds of those gentlemen, she was seized with an anger,
+which Pan Gideon roused in her purposely, as I know. Pan Gideon is a
+stubborn man, truly; but when I was there the poor girl came to me
+perfectly penitent. 'I see,' said she, 'that we did not act justly, and
+that some reparation is due to Pan Yatsek.' Her eyes became moist
+immediately, and pity seized me, because that face of hers is comely
+beyond measure. Besides, she has an honest soul and despises
+injustice.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;By the dear God! let not Yatsek hear of this; for his heart would rush
+straightway to death again, and barely has he begun to breathe now in
+freedom. He ran away from Pan Gideon's bareheaded; he swore that he
+would never go back to that mansion, and God guard him from doing so.
+Women, your grace, are like will-o'-the-wisps which move at night over
+swamp lands at Yedlinka. If you chase one it flees, if you flee it
+pursues you. That is the way of it!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is a wise statement, which I must drive into Stashko,&quot; said Pan
+Serafin.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let Yatsek go at the earliest. I have written letters already to
+various acquaintances, and to dignitaries whom I knew before they were
+dignitaries, and to warriors the most famous. In those letters your
+son, too, is recommended as a worthy cavalier; and when his turn comes
+to go he shall have letters also, though he may not need them, since
+Yatsek will prepare the way for him. Let the two serve together.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;From my whole soul I thank you, my benefactor. Yes! let them serve
+together, and may their friendship last till their lives end. You have
+mentioned the regiment of Alexander, the king's son, which is under
+Zbierhovski. That is a splendid regiment,--perhaps the first among the
+hussars,--so I should like Stashko to join it; but he said to me: 'The
+light-horse for six days in the week, and the hussars, as it were, only
+on Sunday.'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is true generally,&quot; answered the priest. &quot;Hussars are not sent on
+scouting expeditions, and it is rare also that they go skirmishing, as
+it is not fitting that such men should meet all kinds of faces; but
+when their turn comes, they so press on and trample that others do not
+spill so much blood in six days as they do on their Sunday. But then,
+war, not the warriors, command; hence sometimes it happens that hussars
+perform every-day labor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You, my benefactor, know that beyond any man.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Father Voynovski closed his eyes for a moment, as if wishing to recall
+the past more in detail; then he raised them, looked at the mead,
+swallowed one mouthful, then a second, and said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So it was when toward the end of the Swedish war we went to punish
+that traitor, the Elector, for his treaties with Carolus. Pan
+Lyubomirski, the marshal, took fire and sword to the outskirts of
+Berlin. I was then in his own regiment, in which Viktor was lieutenant
+commander. The Brandenburger<a name="div2Ref_04" href="#div2_04"><sup>[4]</sup></a> met us as best he was able, now with
+infantry, now with general militia in which were German nobles; and I
+tell you that at last, on our side, the arms of the hussars and the
+Cossacks of the household seemed almost as if moving on hinges.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Was it such difficult work then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It was not difficult, for at the mere sight of us muskets and spears
+trembled in the hands of those poor fellows as tree branches tremble
+when the wind blows around them; but there was work daily from morning
+till twilight. Whether a man thrusts his spear into a breast or a back,
+it is labor. Ah! but that was a lovely campaign! for, as people said,
+it was active, and in my life I have never seen so many men's backs and
+so many horse rumps as in that time. Even Luther was weeping in hell,
+for we ravaged one half of Brandenburg thoroughly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is pleasant to remember that treason came to just punishment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course it is pleasant. The Elector appeared then and begged peace
+of Lyubomirski. I did not see him, but later on soldiers told me that
+the marshal walked along the square with his hands on his hips while
+the Elector tripped after him like a whip-lash. The Elector bowed so
+that he almost touched the ground with his wig, and seized the knees of
+the marshal. Nay! they even said that he kissed him wherever it
+happened; but I give no great faith to that statement, though the
+marshal, who had a haughty heart, loved to bend down the enemy; but he
+was a polite man in every case, and would not permit things of that
+kind.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God grant that it may happen with the Turks this time as it did then
+with the Elector.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My experience, though not lofty, is long, and I will say to you
+sincerely that it will go, I think, as well or still better. The
+marshal was a warrior of experience and especially a lucky one, but
+still, we could not compare Lyubomirski with His Grace the King
+reigning actually.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then they mentioned all the victories of Sobieski and the battles in
+which they themselves had taken part. And so they drank to the health
+of the king, and rejoiced, knowing that with him as a leader the young
+men would see real war; not only that, but, since the war was to be
+against the ancient enemy of the cross, they would win immense glory.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In truth no one knew accurately anything yet about the question. It was
+not known whether the Turkish power would turn first on the
+Commonwealth or the Empire. The question of a treaty with Austria was
+to be raised at the Diet. But in provincial diets and the meetings of
+nobles men spoke of war only. Statesmen who had been in Warsaw, and at
+the court, foretold it with conviction, and besides, the whole people
+had been seized by a feeling that it must come--a feeling almost
+stronger than certainty, and brought out as well by the former deeds of
+the king as by the general desire and the destiny of the nation.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">On the road to Radom Father Voynovski had invited Pan Serafin and
+Stanislav to his house for a rest, after which he and Yatsek were to
+visit them at Yedlinka. During this visit three of the Bukoyemskis
+appeared, unexpectedly. Marek, whose shoulder-blade had been cut, could
+not move yet, but Mateush, Lukash, and Yan came to bow down before the
+old man and thank him for his care of them when wounded. Yan had lost a
+little finger, and the older brothers had big scars, one man on his
+cheek, the other on his forehead, but their wounds had then healed and
+they were as healthy as mushrooms.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Two days before they went on a hunt to the forest, smoked out a sleepy
+she-bear, speared her, and took her cub which they brought as a gift to
+Father Voynovski, whose fondness for wild beasts was known by all
+people.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The priest whom they had pleased as &quot;innocent boys&quot; was amused with
+them and the little bear very greatly. He shed tears from laughter when
+the cub seized a glass filled with mead for a guest, and began to roar
+in heaven-piercing notes to rouse proper terror, and thus save the
+booty.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On seeing that no one wished the mead, the bear stood on its hind-legs
+and drank out the cup in man fashion. This roused still greater
+pleasure in the audience. The priest was amused keenly, and added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will not make this cub my butler or beekeeper.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ha!&quot; cried Stanislav, laughing, &quot;the beast was a short time at school
+with the Bukoyemskis, but learned more in one day from them than it
+would all its life in the forest.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not true,&quot; put in Lukash, &quot;for this beast has by nature such wit that
+it knows what is good without learning. Barely had we brought the cub
+from the forest when it gulped down as much vodka (whiskey) right off
+as if it had drunk the stuff every morning with its mother, and then
+gave a whack on the snout to a dog, as if saying 'This for thee--don't
+sniff at me'--after that it went off and slept soundly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thank you, gentlemen. I will have real pleasure from this bear,&quot; said
+the priest, &quot;but I will not make the creature my butler or beekeeper,
+for though knowing drinks well, it would stay too near them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Bears can do more than one thing. Father Glominski at Prityk has a
+bear which pumps the organ they say. But some people are scandalized,
+for at times he roars, especially when any one punches him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, there is no cause for scandal in that,&quot; replied Father
+Voynovski; &quot;birds build nests in churches and sing to the glory of God;
+no one is scandalized. Every beast serves God, and the Saviour was born
+in a stable.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They say, besides,&quot; added Mateush, &quot;that the Lord Jesus turned a
+miller into a bear, so maybe there is a human soul in him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In that case you killed the miller's wife, and must answer,&quot; said Pan
+Serafin. &quot;His Grace the King is very jealous of his bears and does not
+keep foresters to kill them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When they heard this the three brothers grew anxious, but it was only
+after long thinking that Mateush, who wished to say something in
+self-defence, answered,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pshaw! are we not nobles? The Bukoyemskis are as good as the
+Sobieskis.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But a happy thought came to Lukash, and his face brightened.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We gave our knightly word,&quot; said he, &quot;not to shoot bears, and we shoot
+no bears; we spear them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;His Grace the King is not thinking of bears at the present,&quot; said Yan;
+&quot;and besides, no one will tell him. Let any forester here say a word.
+It is a pity, however, that we boasted in presence of Pan Gideon and
+Pan Grothus, for Pan Grothus has just gone to Warsaw, and as he sees
+the king often, he may mention this accidentally.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But when did ye see Pan Gideon?&quot; asked the priest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yesterday. He was conducting Pan Grothus; You know, benefactor, the
+inn called Mordovnia? They stopped there to let their beasts rest. Pan
+Gideon asked about many things, and he talked also of Yatsek.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;About me?&quot; inquired Yatsek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes. 'Is it true,' asked he, 'that Tachevski is going to the army?'
+'True,' we answered.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'But when?'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Soon, we think.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then Pan Gideon said again: 'That is well. Of course he will join the
+infantry?'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;At that we all became angry, and Mateush said. 'Do not say that, your
+grace, for Yatsek is our friend now, and we must be on his side.' And
+as we began to pant, he restrained himself. 'I do not mention this out
+of any ill-will, but I know that Vyrambki is not an estate of the
+crown,'&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;An estate, or not, what is that to him?&quot; cried the priest. &quot;He need
+not trouble his head with it!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But it was clear that Pan Gideon thought otherwise, and did trouble his
+head about Yatsek; for an hour later the youth who brought in a
+decanter of mead brought a sealed letter also.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is a messenger to your grace from Pan Gideon,&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Father Voynovski took the letter, broke the seal, opened it, struck the
+paper with the back of his hand, and, approaching the window, began to
+read.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek grew pale from emotion; he looked at the letter as at a rainbow,
+for he divined that there must be mention of him in it. Thoughts flew
+through his head as swallows fly. &quot;Well,&quot; thought he, &quot;the old man is
+penitent; here is his excuse. It must be so and even cannot be
+otherwise. Pan Gideon has no more cause now to be angry than those men
+who suffered in the duel, so his conscience has spoken. He has
+recognized the injustice of his conduct. He understands how grievously
+he injured an innocent person, and he desires to correct the
+injustice.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek's heart began to beat like a hammer. &quot;Oh! I will go to the war,&quot;
+said he in his soul--&quot;not for me is happiness over there. Though I
+forgive her I cannot forget. But to see once more, before going, that
+beloved Anulka, who is so cruel, to have a good look once again at her,
+to hear her voice anew. O Gracious God, refuse not this blessing!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And his thoughts flew with still greater swiftness than swallows; but
+before they had stopped flying something took place which no man there
+had expected: on a sudden Father Voynovski crushed the letter in his
+hand and grasped toward his left side as if seeking a sabre. His face
+filled with blood, his neck swelled, and his eyes shot forth lightning.
+He was simply so terrible that Pan Serafin, his son, and the
+Bukoyemskis looked at him with amazement, as if he had been turned into
+some other person through magic.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Deep silence reigned in the chamber.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile the priest bent toward the window, as if gazing at some
+object outside it, then he turned away looked first at the walls and
+then at his guests. It was clear that he had been struggling with
+himself and had come to his mind again, for his face had grown pale,
+and the flame was now dim in his eyeballs.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Gracious gentlemen,&quot; said he, &quot;that man is not merely passionate, but
+evil altogether. To say in excitement more than justice permits befalls
+every man, but to continue committing injustice and trampling on those
+who are offended is not the deed of a noble, or a Catholic.&quot; Then,
+stooping, he raised the crumpled letter and turned to Tachevski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yatsek, if there is still in thy heart any splinter, take this knife
+and cut it out thoroughly. Read, poor boy, read aloud, it is not for
+thee to be ashamed, but for him who wrote this letter. Let these
+gentlemen learn what kind of man is Pan Gideon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek seized the letter with trembling hands, opened it and read:</p>
+<div class="letter">
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<span class="sc">My very gracious Priest, Pastor, Benefactor, Etc., Etc.</span>,--Having
+learned that Tachevski of Vyrambki, who has frequented my house, is to
+join the army during these days, I, in memory of the bread with which I
+nourished his poverty, and for the services in which sometimes I was
+able to use him, send the man a horse, and a ducat to shoe the beast,
+with the advice not to waste the money on other and needless objects.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Offering at the same time to you my willing and earnest services, I
+inscribe myself, etc., etc.&quot;</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek grew so very pale after reading the letter that the men present
+had fears for him, especially the priest who was not sure that that
+pallor might not be the herald of some outburst of madness, for he knew
+how terrible was that young man in his anger, though usually so mild.
+He began therefore at once to restrain him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pan Gideon is old, and has lost one arm,&quot; said he quickly, &quot;thou canst
+not challenge him!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Yatsek did not burst out, for at the first moment immeasurable and
+painful amazement conquered all other feelings.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I cannot challenge him,&quot; repeated he, as an echo, &quot;but why does he
+continue to trample me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thereupon Pan Serafin rose, took both Yatsek's hands, shook them
+firmly, kissed him on the forehead, and added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pan Gideon has injured, not thee, but himself, and if thou drop
+revenge every man will wonder all the more at thy noble soul which
+deserves the high blood in thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Those are wise words!&quot; cried the priest, &quot;and thou must deserve them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Stanislav now embraced Yatsek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In truth,&quot; said he, &quot;I love thee more and more.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This turn of affairs was not at all pleasing to the Bukoyemskis, who
+had not ceased to grit their teeth from the moment of hearing the
+letter. Following Stanislav they embraced Yatsek also.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No matter how things are,&quot; said Lukash at last, &quot;I should do
+differently in Yatsek's place.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How?&quot; asked the two brothers with curiosity.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is just it. I don't know how, but I should think out something,
+and would not yield my position.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Since thou knowst not do not talk.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But ye, do ye know anything?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Be quiet!&quot; said the priest. &quot;Be sure I shall not leave the letter
+unanswered. Still, to drop revenge is a Christian and a Catholic
+action.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh but! Even you, father, snatched for a sabre the first moment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Because I carried a sabre too long. <i>Mea Culpa!</i> Still, as I have
+said, this fact comes in also. Pan Gideon is old, he has only one arm;
+iron rules are not in place here. And I tell you, gentlemen, that for
+this very reason I am disgusted to the last degree with this raging old
+fellow who makes use of his impunity so unjustly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Still, it will be too narrow for him in our neighborhood,&quot; said Yan
+Bukoyemski. &quot;Our heads for this: that not a living foot will go under
+that roof of his.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Meanwhile an answer is needed,&quot; said Father Voynovski, &quot;and
+immediately.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">For a time yet they considered as to who should write,--Yatsek, at whom
+the letter was aimed, or the priest to whom it was directed. Yatsek
+settled the question by saying,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For me that whole house and all people in it are as if dead, and it is
+well for them that in my soul this is settled.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is well that the bridges are burnt!&quot; said the priest; as he sought
+pen and paper.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is well that the bridges are burnt,&quot; repeated Yan Bukoyemski, &quot;but
+it would be better that the mansion rose in smoke! This was our way in
+the Ukraine: when some strange man came in and knew not how to live
+with us, we cut him to pieces and up in smoke went his property.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">No one turned attention to these words save Pan Serafin, who waved his
+hands with impatience, and answered,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You, gentlemen, came in here from the Ukraine, I, from Lvoff, and Pan
+Gideon from Pomorani; according to your wit Pan Tachevski might count
+us all as intruders; but know this, that the Commonwealth is a great
+mansion occupied by a family of nobles, and a noble is at home in every
+corner.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Silence followed, except that from the alcove came the squeaking of a
+pen and words in an undertone which the priest was dictating to
+himself. Yatsek rested his forehead on his palms and sat motionless for
+some time; all at once he straightened himself, looked at those
+present, and said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is something in this beyond my understanding.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We do not understand, either,&quot; added Lukash, &quot;but if thou wilt pour
+out more mead we will drink it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek poured into the glasses mechanically, following at the same time
+the course of his own thoughts.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pan Gideon,&quot; said he, &quot;might be offended because the duel began at his
+mansion, though such things happen everywhere; but now he knows that I
+did not challenge, he knows that he offended me under my own roof
+unjustly, he knows that with you I am now in agreement, and that I
+shall not appear at his house again,--still he pursues me, still he is
+trying to trample me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True, there is some kind of special animosity in this,&quot; said Pan
+Serafin.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ha! then there is as you think something in it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In what?&quot; asked the priest, who had come out with a letter now
+written, and heard the last sentence.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In this special hatred against me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The priest looked at a shelf on which among other books was the Holy
+Bible, and said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That which I will say to thee now I said long ago: there is a woman in
+it.&quot; Here he turned to those present. &quot;Have I repeated to you,
+gentlemen, what Ecclesiastes says about woman?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But he could not finish, for Yatsek sprang up as if burnt by living
+fire. He thrust his fingers through his hair and almost screamed, for
+immense pain had seized him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Still more do I fail to understand; for if any one in the world--if to
+any one in the world--if there be any one of such kind--then with my
+whole soul--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But he could not say a word more, for the pain in his heart had gripped
+his throat as if in a vice of iron, and rose to his eyes as two bitter,
+burning tears, which flowed down his cheeks. The priest understood him
+then perfectly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My Yatsek,&quot; advised he, &quot;better burn out the wound, even with awful
+pain than let it fester. For this reason I do not spare thee. I, in my
+time, was a soldier of this world, and understand many things. I know
+that regret and remembrance, no matter how far a man travels, drag like
+dogs after him, and howl in the night-time. They give him no chance to
+sleep because of this howling. What must he do then? Kill those dogs
+straightway. Thou at this moment feelest that thou wouldst have given
+all thy blood over there; for which reason it seems to thee so
+marvellous and terrible that from that side alone vengeance pursues
+thee. The thing seems to thee impossible; but it is possible--for if
+thou hast wounded the pride and self-love of a woman, if she thought
+that thou wouldst whine and thou hast not whined when she beat thee,
+and thou didst not fawn in her presence, but hast tugged at thy chain
+and hast broken it, know that she will never and never forgive thee,
+and her hatred, more raging than that of any man living, will always
+pursue thee. Against this there is only one refuge: crush the love,
+even on thy own heart, and hurl it, like a broken bow, far from
+thee--that is thy one refuge!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Again there was a moment of silence. Pan Serafin nodded, confirming the
+priest, and, as a man of experience, he admired all the wisdom of his
+statement.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is true,&quot; added Yatsek, &quot;that I have tugged at the chain, and have
+broken it. So it is not Pan Gideon who pursues me!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know what I should do,&quot; said Lukash, on a sudden.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Tell, do not hide!&quot; cried the other two.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do ye know what the hare said?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What hare? Art thou drunk?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why that hare at the boundary ridge.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And, evidently encouraged, he stood up, put his hand on his hip and
+began to sing:</p>
+<div class="poem2">
+<p class="t2" style="text-indent:-4px">
+&quot;A hare was just sitting for pleasure,<br>
+Just sitting at the boundary ridge.</p>
+<p class="t0">But the hunters did not see him,</p>
+<p class="t2">Did not know<br>
+That he was sitting lamenting<br>
+And making his will<br>
+At the boundary ridge.&quot;</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="normal">Here he turned to his brothers and asked them,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do ye know the will made by that hare at the boundary ridge?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We know, but it is pleasant to hear it repeated.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then listen.</p>
+<div class="poem2">
+<p class="t1" style="text-indent:-4px">
+&quot;Kiss me all ye horsemen and hunters,<br>
+Kiss me at the boundary ridge.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This is what I would write to all at Belchantska if I were in Yatsek's
+position; and if he does not write it, may the first Janissary
+disembowel me if I do not write it in my own name and yours to Pan
+Gideon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, as God is dear to me, that is a capital idea!&quot; cried Yan, much
+delighted.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is to the point and full of fancy!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let Yatsek write that!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No,&quot; said the priest, made impatient by the talk of the brothers. &quot;I
+am writing, not Yatsek, and it would not become me to take your words.&quot;
+Here he turned to Pan Serafin and Stanislav and Yatsek. &quot;The task was
+difficult, for I had to twist the horns of his malice and not abandon
+politeness, and also to show him that we understood whence the sting
+came. Listen, therefore, and if any one of you gentlemen has made a
+nice judgment I beg you to criticise this letter.&quot; And he began,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Great mighty benefactor, and to me very dear Sir and Brother.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Here he struck the letter with the back of his hand, and said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You will observe, gentlemen, that I do not call him 'my very
+gracious,' but 'my very dear.'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He will have enough!&quot; said Pan Serafin, &quot;read on, my benefactor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then listen: 'It is known to all citizens of our Commonwealth that
+only those people know how to observe due politeness in every position
+who have lived from youth upward among polite people, or who, coming of
+great blood, have brought politeness into the world with them. Neither
+the one nor the other has come to your grace as a portion, while on the
+contrary the Mighty Lord Pan Yatsek Tachevski inherited from renowned
+ancestors both blood and a lordly spirit. He forgives you your peasant
+expressions and sends back your peasant gifts. Rustics keep inns in
+cities and also eating-houses on country roads for the entertainment of
+people. If you will send to the great Lord Pan Yatsek Tachevski the
+bill for such entertainment as he received at your house he will pay
+it, and add such gratuity as seems proper to his generous nature.'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, as God is dear to me!&quot; exclaimed Pan Serafin, &quot;Pan Gideon will
+have a rush of blood!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ha! it was necessary to bring down his pride, and at the same time to
+burn the bridges. Yatsek himself wanted that-- Now listen to what I
+write from myself to him: 'I have inclined Pan Tachevski to see that
+though the bow is yours, the poisoned arrow with which you wished to
+strike that worthy young gentleman was not in your own quiver. Since
+reason in men, and strength in their bones, weaken with years, and
+senile old age yields easily to suggestions from others, it deserves
+more indulgence. With this I end, adding as a priest and a servant of
+God, this: that the greater the age, the nearer life's end, the less
+should a man be a servant of hatred and haughtiness. On the contrary,
+he should think all the more of the salvation of his soul, a thing
+which I wish your grace. Amen. Herewith remaining, etc. I subscribe
+myself, etc.'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;All is written out accurately,&quot; said Pan Serafin; &quot;nothing to be
+added, nothing taken away.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ha!&quot; said the priest, &quot;do you think that he gets what he deserves?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oi! certain words burnt me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And me,&quot; added Lukash. &quot;It is sure that when a man hears such speeches
+he wants to drink, just as on a hot day.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yatsek, attend to those gentlemen. I will seal the letter and send it
+away.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">So saying he took the ring from his finger and went to the alcove. But
+while sealing the letter some other thought came to his head, as it
+happened, for when he returned, he said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is done. The affair is over. But do you not think it too cutting?
+The man is old, it may cost him his health. Wounds given by the pen are
+no less effective than those by the sword or the bullet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True! true!&quot; said Yatsek, and he gritted his teeth.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But just this exclamation of pain decided the matter. Pan Serafin
+added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My revered benefactor, your scruples are honorable, but Pan Gideon had
+no scruples whatever; his letter struck straight at the heart, while
+yours strikes only at malice and pride. I think, therefore, that it
+ought to be sent.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And the letter was sent. After that still more hurried preparations
+were made for Yatsek's departure.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">But Tachevski's friends did not foresee that the priest's letter would
+be in a certain sense useful to Pan Gideon, and serve his home policy.
+He did not indeed receive it without anger. Yatsek, who so far had been
+merely an obstacle, became thenceforth, though not the author of the
+letter, an object of hatred. That hatred in the stubborn old heart of
+Pan Gideon bloomed like a poison flower, but his ingenious mind
+determined to use the priest's letter. In view of this he restrained
+his fierce rage, his face assumed a look of contemptuous pity, and he
+went with the answer to Anulka.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thou hast paid toll, and art assaulted for doing so,&quot; said he. &quot;I did
+not wish this, for I am a man of experience, and I know people; but
+when thou didst clasp thy hands and say that injustice had been done,
+that I had exceeded in sternness, and thou hadst been too severe to
+him, that he ought not to leave us in anger, I yielded. I sent him
+assistance in money. I sent him a horse. I wrote him a nice letter
+also. I thought he would come and bow down, give us thanks, take
+farewell as became a man who had spent so much time in this mansion;
+but see what he has sent me in answer!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At these words he drew the priest's letter from his girdle and gave it
+to the young lady. She began to read, and soon her dark brows met in
+anger, but when she reached the place where the priest declared that
+Pan Gideon wished to humiliate Yatsek, thanks to the suggestions of
+another, her hands trembled, her face became scarlet, then grew as pale
+as linen, and remained pale.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Though Pan Gideon saw all this he feigned not to see it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;May God forgive them for what they attribute to me,&quot; said he, after a
+moment of silence. &quot;He alone knows whether my ancestors are much below
+the Tachevskis, of whose greatness more fables than truth are related.
+What I cannot forgive is this: that they pay thee, my poor dear, for
+thy kindness of an angel, with such ingratitude.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It was not Pan Yatsek who wrote this, but Father Voynovski,&quot; answered
+Anulka, seizing, as it were, the last plank of salvation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The old noble sighed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Dost thou believe, girl,&quot; inquired he, &quot;that I love thee?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I believe,&quot; answered she, bending and kissing his hand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Though thou believe,&quot; said he, stroking her bright head with great
+tenderness, &quot;thou knowest not clearly that thou art my whole
+consolation. Rarely do I permit myself words such as these, and rarely
+do I tell that which my heart feels, since former suffering is
+concealed in it. But thou shouldst understand that I have only thee in
+the world. I would increase hourly, not thy disappointment, pain, and
+trouble, but thy joy and happiness. I do not ask what began to bud in
+thy heart, but I will say this to thee: whether that was, as I think, a
+pure, sisterly feeling, or something more, that young man was unworthy.
+He has heaped on us ingratitude in return for our sincere friendship.
+My Anulka, thou wouldst deceive thyself wert thou to think that the
+priest wrote this letter without Yatsek's knowledge. They wrote it
+together and knowest why they replied with such insolence? As I have
+heard, Tachevski got money from that Armenian in Yedlinka. That is what
+he needs, and now since he has it he cares for naught else, and for no
+one any longer. This is the truth, and in thy soul thou must
+acknowledge that to think otherwise would be willing self-deception.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I see,&quot; answered Anulka.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon meditated awhile as if he were dwelling on something.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;People say,&quot; added he finally, &quot;that it is a vice of old people to
+praise past times and lay blame on the present. But no, this is not a
+vice. The world is growing worse, people are becoming worse. In my day
+no man would have acted as has Tachevski. Dost thou know the first
+cause of this? That night on the tree, which exposed this lord cavalier
+to the ridicule of people. To hurry, as it were, to help some one and
+then climb a tree out of terror, may happen, but in such a case it is
+better not to boast of it, for the thing is ridiculous, ridiculous! I
+do not hold up the Bukoyemskis or Pan Stanislav as heroes: they are
+drunkards, road-blockers, gamblers--I know them! Our lives were less in
+their minds than were wolf skins. But there is lurking in this Yatsek
+such envy that he could not forgive them that chance aid which they
+gave us. Out of that rose the duel. May God punish me if I had not
+reason to be angry. Ha, they made friends after the duel, for it is
+clear that our cavalier understood that he could get money from Pan
+Serafin, so he preferred to turn his malice against this mansion.
+Pride, animosity, ingratitude, and greed, those are the things which he
+has manifested, and nothing better. He has injured me. Never mind. God
+forgive him! But why should he attack thee, my dear flower? A neighbor
+for long years, a guest for long years--daily visits. A gypsy in such a
+position would become faithful; a swallow grows used to its roof; a
+stork returns to its nest; but he spat on our house as soon as he felt
+in his purse the coin of the Armenian. No! No! No man in my day would
+have acted in that style.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Anulka listened with her palms on her temples, and with eyes looking
+out before her in fixedness, so Pan Gideon stopped and looked at her
+once, and a second time.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why dost thou forget thyself?&quot; asked he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have not forgotten myself, but I am so sad that words have deserted
+me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And not finding words she found tears.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon let her cry till she had finished.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is better,&quot; said he at last, &quot;to let that sadness pass off with
+tears than let it stay in the heart and be petrified. Ah, it is hard!
+Let him go, let him clink other men's coin, let him touch the mud with
+his saddle-cloth, let him strut as a lord, and court Warsaw harlots.
+But we will remain here, my girl. That is no great delight, it is true,
+but still it is a delight, if thou remember that no one in this house
+will deceive thee, no one here will offend thee, no one will break thy
+heart; that here thou wilt be always as an eye in the head of each
+person, that thy happiness will be the first question always, and also
+the last question of my life. Come--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He stretched his arms toward her, and she fell on his breast with
+emotion and gratitude, as she would on the breast of a father who was
+comforting her in a moment of suffering.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon fell to stroking her bright head with the one hand that
+remained to him, and long did they sit there in silence. Meanwhile it
+was growing dark, the frosty window-panes glittered in the moonlight,
+and dogs made themselves heard here and there with prolonged barking.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The warmth of the maiden's body penetrated to the heart of Pan Gideon
+which began to beat with more vigor, and since he feared to make a
+declaration too early, he would not expose himself then to temptation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Stand up, child,&quot; said he. &quot;Thou wilt not weep now?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will not,&quot; answered she, kissing his hand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Seest thou! Ah, this is it! Remember always the place where thou hast
+a sure refuge, and where it will be calm for thee, and pleasant. Every
+young man is glad to race over the world like a tempest, but for me
+thou art the only one. Fix this well in mind. More than once, perhaps,
+hast thou thought, 'My guardian seems a savage wolf; he is glad to find
+some one to shout at, and he has no understanding of my young ideas;'
+but knowest thou of what this guardian has thought and is thinking at
+present? Often of his past happiness, often of that pain, which like an
+arrow is fixed in his heart--that is true, but besides that only of
+thee and thy future, only of this: to secure every good thing for thee.
+Pan Grothus and I talked whole hours of this. He laughed because, as he
+said, one thought alone remained with me. My one point was to secure to
+thee after my death even a sufficient and quiet morsel.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;May God not grant me to wait for that!&quot; cried she, bending again to
+the hand of Pan Gideon.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And in her voice there was such sincerity that the stern face of the
+old noble was radiant with genuine joy for the moment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Dost thou love me a little?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, guardian!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God reward thee, child. My age is not yet so advanced, and my body,
+save for the wounds in my heart and my person, would be sufficiently
+stalwart. But as men say, death is ever sitting 'at the gate, and
+knocks at the door whensoever it pleases. Were it to knock here thou
+wouldst be alone in the world with Pani Vinnitski. Pan Grothus is a
+good man and wealthy; he would respect my testament and wishes at all
+times, but as to other relatives of my late wife--who knows what they
+would do? And this estate and this mansion I got with my wife. Her
+relatives might wish to resist, and raise lawsuits. There is need to
+have foresight in all things. Pan Grothus gave advice touching this
+case--true, it is effective--but strange, and therefore I will not
+speak to thee yet of it. I should like to see His Grace the King--to
+leave thee and my will to his guardianship, but the king is occupied
+now with the coming war and the Diet. Pan Grothus says that if there is
+war the troops will move first under the hetmans, and the king will
+join them at Cracow--perhaps then--perhaps we shall go together. But
+whatever happens, know this, my child; all that I have will be thine,
+though I should have to follow at last the advice of Pan Grothus.
+Yes!--even for one hour before death! Yes, so help me, God. For I am
+not a wind in the field, not a harebrain, not a purse emptier, not a
+Tachevski.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">Panna Anulka returned to her room filled with gratitude toward her
+guardian, who up to that hour had never spoken to her with such
+kindness; and at the same time she was disenchanted, embittered, and
+disgusted with the world and with people. In the first moment she could
+not and knew not how to think calmly; she had only the feeling that a
+grievous wrong had been done her, a great injustice, and that an
+awfully keen disappointment had struck her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">For her love, for her sorrow, for her yearning, for all that she had
+done to bind the broken threads together, her only reward was a hateful
+suspicion. And there was no remedy. She could not, of course, write to
+Yatsek a second time, to justify herself and explain the position. A
+blush of shame and humiliation covered her face at the mere thought of
+this. Besides, she was almost sure that Yatsek had gone. And next would
+come war; perhaps she would never behold him in life again; perhaps he
+would fall and die with the conviction that a perverse and wicked heart
+was in her bosom. All at once boundless sorrow seized her. Yatsek stood
+before her eyes as if living, with his embrowned face and those pensive
+eyes which more than once she had laughed at, as being the eyes of a
+maiden.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The girl's thought flies like a swift swallow after the traveller, and
+calls to him: &quot;Yatsek! I wish thee no evil! God sees my heart, Yatsek.&quot;
+Thus does she call to him, but he makes no answer; he rides on straight
+ahead. What does he think of her? He only frowns and spits from disgust
+as he travels.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Again there are pearls on her eyelids. A certain weakness has come on
+her, a moment of resignation in which she says to herself: &quot;Ah, this is
+difficult! May God forgive him, and go with him, and never mind me!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But her lips quiver like those of a child, her eyes look like those of
+a tortured bird, and somewhere off in a hidden corner of her soul,
+which is as pure as a tear, she blames God in the deepest secret for
+that which has met her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then again she felt certain that Yatsek had never loved her, and she
+could not understand why he had not loved her, even a little.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My guardian spoke truly,&quot; said she.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But later on came reflection.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, that could not be.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Immediately she recalled those words of Yatsek, which were fixed in her
+memory as in marble. &quot;Not thou art to go, I am the person to go; but I
+say to thee: though for years I have loved thee more than health, more
+than life, more than my own soul, I will never come back to thee. I
+will gnaw my own hands off in torture, but, so help me, God, I will
+never come back to thee.&quot; And he was pale as a wall when he said this,
+and almost mad from pain and from anger. He had not come back, that was
+true! He had appeared no more, he had left her, he had renounced her,
+he had abandoned her, he had wronged her; with an unworthy suspicion he
+and the priest had composed the dreadful letter--all that was true, and
+her guardian was right in that. But that Yatsek had never loved her,
+that after he had found money he had departed with a light and joyful
+heart, that he thought of paying court to others, that he had ceased
+altogether to think of her,--this was incredible. Her guardian might
+think so in his carefulness, but the truth was quite different. He who
+has no love does not grow pale, does not set his teeth, does not gnaw
+his fists, does not rend his soul in anguish. Such being the case, the
+young lady thought the difference was only this, that instead of one
+two were now suffering, hence a certain consolation, and even a certain
+hope, entered her. The days and months which were to come seemed
+gloomier, it may be, but not so bitter. The words of the letter ceased
+to burn her like red-hot iron, for though she doubted not that Yatsek
+had assisted in the writing, it is one thing to act through sorrow and
+pain, and another through deliberate malice.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">So again great compassion for Yatsek took hold of her; so great was it,
+and especially so ardent, that it could not be simply compassion. Her
+thoughts began to weave, and turn into a certain golden thread, which
+was lost in the future, but which at the same time cast on her the
+glitter of a wedding.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The war would soon end and also the separation. That cruel Yatsek would
+not return to Belchantska. Oh, no! a man so resolute as he when once he
+says a thing will adhere to it; but he will come back to those parts,
+and return to Vyrambki; he will live near by, and then that will happen
+which God wishes. He went away it may be with tears, it may be with
+pain, with wringing of hands--God comfort him! He will come home with a
+full heart, and with joy, and, especially after war, with great glory.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile she will be there quietly in Belchantska, where her guardian
+is so kind; she will explain to that guardian that Yatsek is not so bad
+as other young men--and farther on moved that golden thread which began
+to wind round her heart again.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The goldfinch, in the Dantsic clock of the drawing-room, whistled out a
+late hour, but sleep flew from the young lady altogether.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Lying now in her bed she fixed her clear eyes on the ceiling and
+considered what disposition to make of her troubles and sorrows. If
+Yatsek had gone it was only because he was running away from her, for
+according to what she had heard war was still far from them. Her
+guardian had not mentioned that young Stanislav and the Bukoyemskis
+were to go away also; it was proper to come to an understanding with
+them and learn something of Yatsek, and say some kind word which might
+reach him through them, even in distant camps, and in war time.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She had not much hope that those gentlemen would come to Pan Gideon's,
+for it was known to her that they had gone over to Yatsek, and that for
+a certain time they had been looking with disfavor on Pan Gideon; but
+she relied on another thing.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In some days there would be a festival of the Most Holy Lady; a great
+festival at the parish church of Prityk, where all the neighboring
+nobles assembled with their families. She would see Pan Stanislav and
+the Bukoyemskis, if not in front of the church then at dinner in the
+priest's house. On that day the priest received every one.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She hoped too that in the throng she would be able to speak with them
+freely, and that she would not meet any hindrance from her guardian
+who, though not very kind toward those gentlemen recently, could not
+break with them in view of the service which they had shown him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">To Prityk from Belchantska the road was rather long, and Pan Gideon,
+who did not like hurry, passed the night at Radom, or at Yedlina, if he
+chose the road through the latter place.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This time because of the overflow they took the safer though longer
+road through Radom, and started one day before the festival--on wheels,
+not on runners, for winter had broken on a sudden, and thoroughly.
+After them moved two heavily laden wagons with servants, provisions, a
+bed and sofas for decent living at inns where they halted.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The stars were still twinkling, and the sky had barely begun to grow
+pale in the east when they started. Pani Vinnitski led morning prayers
+in the dark. Pan Gideon and the young lady joined her with very drowsy
+voices, for the evening before they had gone to bed late because of
+preparations for the journey. Only beyond the village and the small
+forest, in which thousands of crows found their night rest, did the
+ruddy light shine on the equally ruddy face and drowsy eyes of the
+young lady. Her lips were fixed ready for yawning, but when the first
+sun-ray lighted the fields and the forest she shook herself out of the
+drowsiness and looked around with more sprightliness, for the clear
+morning filled her with a certain good hope, and a species of gladness.
+The calm, warm, coming day promised to be really wonderful. In the air
+appeared, as it were, the first note of early spring. After
+unparalleled snows and frosts came warm sunny days all at once, to the
+astonishment of people. Men had said that from the New Year it seemed
+as if some power had cut off the winter as it were with a knife-blade,
+and herdsmen foretold by the lowing of cattle, then restive in the
+stables, that the winter would not come back again. In fact, spring
+itself was then present. In furrows, in the forest, at the north side
+of woods and along streams, strips of snow still existed; but the sun
+was warming them from above, and from beneath were flowing out streams
+and currents, making in places broad overflows in which were reflected
+wet leafless trees, as in mirrors. The damp ridges of fields gleamed
+like belts of gold in the sun-rays. At times a strong wind rose, but so
+filled with gladsome warmth as if it came from out the sun's body
+directly, and flying over the fields wrinkled the waters, throwing down
+with its movement thousands of pearls from the slender dark twigs of
+the tree branches.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Because of the thaws and road &quot;stickiness,&quot; and also because of the
+weighty carriage which was drawn by six horses with no little effort,
+they moved very slowly. As the sun rose more and more the air grew so
+warm that Panna Sieninski untied the ribbons of her hood, which dropped
+to the back of her head, and unbuttoned her weasel-skin shuba.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Are you so warm?&quot; inquired Pani Vinnitski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Spring, Auntie! real spring!&quot; was the answer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And she was so charming with her bright and somewhat dishevelled head
+pushed out from her hood, with laughing eyes and rosy face, that the
+stern eyes of Pan Gideon grew mild as he glanced at her. For a while he
+seemed as if looking at her then for the first time, and spoke as if
+half to himself,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As God lives thou art at thy best also!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She smiled at him in answer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, how slowly we are moving,&quot; said she after a while. &quot;The road is
+awful! Is it not true that on a long road one should wait till it dries
+somewhat?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon's face became serious, and he looked out of the carriage
+without giving an answer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yedlina!&quot; said he, soon after.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then perhaps one may go to the church?&quot; inquired Pani Vinnitski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We will not, first because the church is sure to be closed, for the
+priest has gone to Prityk, and second, because he has offended me
+greatly, and I will hide my hand if he approaches.&quot; Then he added: &quot;I
+ask you, and thee also, Anulka, not to converse with him in any way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A moment of silence succeeded. Suddenly the tramping of horses was
+heard behind the carriage, and the sounds made as the beasts pulled
+their feet out of the mud; these resembled the firing of muskets,--then
+piercing words were heard on both sides of the carriage.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;With the forehead! with the forehead!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">That was from the Bukoyemskis.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;With the forehead!&quot; answered Pan Gideon.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is your grace for Prityk?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I go every year. I suppose your lordships are going also to the
+festival?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You may lay a wager on that,&quot; replied Marek. &quot;One must be purified
+from sin before war comes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But is it not early yet?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why should it be too early?&quot; asked Lukash. &quot;All that has been sinned
+up to the moment will fall from one's shoulders, since that is the use
+of absolution; and as to sins incurred later, the priest absolves from
+those in presence of the enemy, <i>in partikulo mortis</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You wish to say <i>in articulo</i>&quot; corrected Pan Gideon.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;All the same, if only repentance is real.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How do you understand repentance?&quot; inquired the amused Pan Gideon.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How do I understand repentance? Father Vior, the last time, commanded
+that we give ourselves thirty stripes in discipline, and we gave fifty;
+for we thought: Well, since this pleases the Heavenly Powers, let them
+have all they want of it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At this even the serious Pani Vinnitski laughed and Panna Anulka hid
+her face in her sleeve as if warming her nose there.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Lukash noticed, as did his brothers, that their answer had roused
+laughter, hence they were somewhat offended and silent; so for a time
+were heard only the rattling of chains on the carriage, the snorting of
+horses, the sound of mud under hoofs, and the croaking of crows.
+Immense flocks of these birds were sailing away in the sunlight from
+small places and villages to the pine woods.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah! they feel this very minute that there will be food even to wade
+in,&quot; said the youngest Bukoyemski, turning his eyes toward the crows.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, war is their harvest,&quot; said Mateush.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They do not feel it yet, for war is far off,&quot; said Pan Gideon.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Far or near, it is certain!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And how do you know?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We all know what the talk was at the district diets, and what
+instructions will be given to the general Diet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True, but it is not known if they were the same everywhere.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pan Prylubski, who has travelled through a great part of the
+Commonwealth, says they were the same everywhere.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who is Pan Prylubski?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He comes from Olkuts, and makes levies for the bishop of Cracow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But has the bishop commanded to make levies before the assembling of
+the Diet?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You see, your grace, how it is! This is the best proof that war is
+certain. The bishop wants a splendid light cavalry regiment--well, Pan
+Prylubski came to these parts because he has heard of us somewhat.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ho! ho! Your glory has gone far through the world. Are you going?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;All of you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why should we not all go? It is a good thing during war to have a
+friend at one's side, and still better a brother.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, and Pan Stanislav?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He and Pan Yatsek will serve in one regiment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon glanced quickly at the young lady sitting in front; a sudden
+flame rushed over her cheeks, and he inquired further,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Are they so intimate already? Under whom will they serve?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Under Pan Zbierhovski.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course in the dragoons?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In God's name, what are you saying? That is the hussar regiment of
+Prince Alexander.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is it possible! Is it possible! That is no common regiment--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pan Yatsek is no common man.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon had it on his lips to say that such a stripling in the
+hussars would be a soldier, not an officer, but he held back the
+remark, fearing it might seem that his letter was not so polite, or his
+help so considerable as he had told Anulka, so he frowned and said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have heard of the mortgage of Vyrambki; how much was given on it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;More than you would have given,&quot; answered Marek, dryly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon's eyes glittered for a moment with savage anger, but he
+restrained himself a second time, for it occurred to him that further
+conversation might serve his purpose.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;All the better,&quot; said he, &quot;the cavalier must be satisfied.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Bukoyemskis, though slow-witted by nature, began to exaggerate, one
+more than the other, just to show Pan Gideon how little Tachevski cared
+for him and all in his mansion.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course!&quot; called out Lukash, &quot;when he went away he was almost wild
+from delight. He sang so that the candles at the inn toppled over. It
+is true, that we had drunk some at parting.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon looked again at Panna Sieninski, and saw that her rosy face
+full of youth and life had become as it were petrified. Her hood had
+fallen off entirely, her eyes were closed as in sleep; only from the
+movement of her nostrils and the slight quivering of her chin could it
+be known that she was not sleeping, but listening, and listening
+intently. It was painful to look at her, but the merciless noble
+thought,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If there is a splinter in thy heart yet will I pluck it out of thee!&quot;
+And he said aloud,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Just as I expected--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What did you expect?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That you gentlemen would be drunk at the parting, and that Pan
+Tachevski would go away singing. Of course, he who is seeking fortune
+must hurry, and if it smiles on him, perhaps he may catch it--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course!&quot; exclaimed Lukash.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Father Voynovski,&quot; added Marek, &quot;gave Tachevski a letter to Pan
+Zbierhovski, who is his friend, and in Zbierhova the land is such that
+you can sow onions in any place,--and he has an only daughter, just
+fifteen years of age. So don't you bother about Tachevski; he will make
+his way without you, and without these sands around Radom!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not bother myself about him,&quot; said Pan Gideon, dryly. &quot;But
+perhaps you gentlemen are in a hurry to ride on? My carriage moves in
+this mud like a tortoise.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, here is to you with the forehead!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;With the forehead! with the forehead! I am the servant of your
+lordships!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We are yours in the same way!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Having said this the brothers moved forward more speedily, but when
+they had ridden an arrow-shot from the carriage they reined in again
+and talked with animation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Did ye see?&quot; asked Lukash, &quot;I said 'Of course!' twice, and twice I
+thrust a sword into his heart as it were; he almost burst out.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I did better,&quot; said Marek, &quot;for I struck both the girl and the old
+man.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How? Tell us, do not hide!&quot; called the brothers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Did ye not hear?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We heard, but do thou repeat.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I struck with what I said of Panna Zbierhovski. Ye saw how the girl
+became pale? I looked at her; she had her hand on her knee and she
+opened and closed it, opened and closed it, just like a cat before
+scratching. A man could see that anger was diving down into her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Mateush reined in his horse, and he added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I was sorry for her--such a dear little flower--and do ye remember
+what old Pan Serafin said?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What did he say?&quot; inquired, with great curiosity, Lukash, Marek, and
+Yan, reining in their horses.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Mateush looked at them a while through his protruding eyes, then said
+as if in sorrow,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But if I have forgotten?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile not only Pan Gideon, but Pani Vinnitski, who generally knew
+very little of what was happening around her, turned attention to the
+changed face of the young lady.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But what is the matter, Anulka? Art thou cold?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No,&quot; answered the girl, with a sort of sleepy voice which seemed not
+her own. &quot;Nothing is the matter, only the air affects me strangely--so
+strangely.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Though her voice broke from moment to moment she had no tears in her
+eyes; on the contrary, in her dry pupils there glittered sparks
+peculiar, uncommon, and her face had grown older. Seeing this Pan
+Gideon said to himself,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Would it not be better to strike while the iron is hot?&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER X</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">Many nobles appeared at the festival from near and even distant places.
+There were assembled the Kohanovskis, the Podgaiyetskis, the
+Silnitskis, the Potvorovskis, the Sulgostovskis, Tsyprianovitch with
+his son, the Bukoyemskis and many others. But the greatest interest was
+roused by the arrival of Prince Michael Chartoryski, the voevoda of
+Sandomir, who stopped at Prityk on his way to the Diet at Warsaw and,
+in waiting for the festival, had passed some days in devotion. All were
+glad of his presence, for he added splendor to the occasion, and at the
+same time it was possible to learn from him no little touching public
+questions. He spoke of the injustices which the Porte had committed
+against the Commonwealth in fixing the boundary of Podolia, and the
+raids which in defiance of treaties had ruined Russian lands recently.
+He declared war to be certain. He said that a treaty with the Emperor
+would be concluded beyond question, and that even adherents of France
+would not show it open opposition, since the French court, though
+unfriendly in general to the Empire, knew the peril in which the
+Commonwealth found itself. Whether the Turks would hurl themselves
+first against Cracow, or Vienna was unknown to Prince Michael, but it
+was known to him that the enemy were preparing &quot;arms and men&quot;
+at Adrianople, and in addition to the forces with Tököli at Koshytsi,
+nay those in all Hungary, thousands were assembling from Rumelia, from
+Asia, from regions on the Euphrates and the Tigris, from Africa, from
+the Red Sea to the waves of the measureless ocean.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The nobles heard this news eagerly; the older men, who knew how
+gigantic was the power of the pagan, with anxiety in their faces, the
+younger men with knit brows, and with fire in their glances. But hope
+and enthusiasm were predominant, for fresh in their minds was the
+memory of Hotsim, where the king reigning actually, a hetman at that
+time, leading Polish forces, besieged a Turkish power greater than his
+own, bore it apart upon sabres, and trampled it with horsehoofs. They
+were comforted by the thought that the Turks, who rushed with
+irresistible daring on all troops of other nations, felt their hearts
+weaken when they had to stand eye to eye in the open field against that
+terrible &quot;Lehistan&quot; cavalry. Still greater hope and still higher
+enthusiasm were roused by the preaching of Father Voynovski. Pan Gideon
+was somewhat afraid lest in that sermon there might be some reference
+to sins, and certain points of blame which would touch him and his
+treatment of Yatsek, but there was nothing of that sort. War and the
+mission of the Commonwealth had swept the priest away heart and soul.
+&quot;Christ,&quot; said he, &quot;has chosen thee among all the nations, He has
+placed thee on guard before all the others, He has commanded thee to
+stand beneath His cross and defend, to thy last drop of blood and the
+last breath in thee, that faith which is the foundation of living. The
+field of glory lies open before thee, hence, though blood were to flow
+around thee on both sides, though arrows and darts were to stick in
+thee, rise, lion of God, shake thy mane, and thunder so that from that
+thunder the marrow will melt in the bones of the pagan, and crescents
+and horse-tails will fall, like a pine wood in front of a tempest.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus did Father Voynovski speak to the knightly hearers before him,
+because he was an old soldier who had fought all his life and knew how
+it was on the battlefield. When he spoke of war it seemed to those
+present that they were looking on the canvases in the king's castle at
+Warsaw, on which various battles and Polish victories were presented as
+if real.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;See, now,&quot; said he, &quot;the regiments are starting. Their spears are
+lowered to a line with the middle of the horse-ears; they have bent
+forward in the saddle, there is a cry of fear among the pagans, and
+delight up in heaven. The Most Holy Mother runs to the window with all
+her might, crying: 'Oh come, dear Son, and see how the Poles are
+attacking!' The Lord Jesus with his holy cross blesses them. 'By God's
+wounds!' he cries, 'there they are, my nobles, my warriors. Their pay
+here is ready for them!' And the archangel, holy Michael, strikes his
+palms on his thighs and shouts: 'Into them, the dog-brothers! Strike!'
+That is how they rejoice up in heaven. And those down here cut and cut.
+Men, standards, horses roll over and over. They rush across the bellies
+of Janissaries, over captured cannon, and trampled crescents; they
+advance to glory, to reward, to an accomplished mission, to salvation,
+to immortality.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When at last he finished with the words, &quot;And Christ calls you, too; it
+is your time now to the field of glory!&quot; there rose a shout in the
+church, and a clattering of sabres. At Mass, when during the Gospel
+every blade sounded in its scabbard, and steel glittered in the
+sunlight, it seemed to tender women that war had already begun; and
+they fell to sobbing, committing their fathers and husbands and
+brothers to the Most Holy Lady.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Bukoyemskis, whispering among themselves, made a vow to move
+immediately after the festival, and not to take to their lips, until
+Easter, water, milk, or even beer, but content themselves with drinks
+which keep up heat in the blood, and therefore valor.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">General enthusiasm was so great that even the cold, stern Pan Gideon
+did not resist it. He thought for a while that, though his left arm was
+missing, he might hold the reins in his teeth, and with his right hand
+take vengeance once more for the wrongs which he had suffered from
+cursed pagans, and besides gild anew his former services to the
+Commonwealth. But he made no vow, and left the whole matter for further
+meditation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile the service was concluded in splendor. From the cemetery were
+fired cannon given by the Kohanovskis for important occasions. In the
+tower the swinging bells thundered. The tame bear in the choir pumped
+the organ with such vigor that the tin pipes almost flew from their
+settings. The church was filled with smoke from censers, and trembled
+from the voices of people. Mass was celebrated by the prelate
+Tvorkovski, from Radom,--a learned man, full of sentences, quotations,
+examples, and proverbs; at the same time he was gladsome, and knew the
+world thoroughly. For these reasons, men went to him for counsel in
+every question; and so did Pan Gideon, who went the more readily, as
+the prelate was a friend of his. On the eve of the festival, Pan Gideon
+was with him at confession; but when, besides the confession, he began
+to acknowledge his intentions, the object of which was Panna Anulka,
+the prelate deferred that to a later and special meeting, saying that
+he had barely time to hear the sins of common people. &quot;On the way back
+from the festival,&quot; said he to Pan Gideon, &quot;you can send home the women
+and stay with me at Radom, where, <i>procul negotiis</i> (far from
+business), I can listen to you in freedom.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And thus did they manage. Hence, a day later they sat down before a
+decanter of worthy Hungarian and a plate of roast almonds, which the
+prelate took with wine very willingly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am silent,&quot; said he; &quot;and attentive--speak on!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon took a draught from the glass and looked from his iron eyes
+with some discontent at the prelate, because the latter had not eased
+his conversation by a proper beginning.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hm! somehow it is not easy; I see that it is more difficult than I
+imagined.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then I will help you. Did you wish to speak of some holy thing?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of a holy thing?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes; which has two heads and four feet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What sort of holy thing is that?&quot; asked Pan Gideon, astonished.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I mention a riddle. Guess it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My dear prelate, whoso has important affairs in his head has no time
+for riddles.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pshaw! Think a while!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Some holy thing with two heads and four feet?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As God lives, I know not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is holy matrimony. Is that not so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True, as God is dear to me! Yes, yes, precisely on that subject do I
+wish to talk with you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then it is a question of Anulka Sieninski?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of her exactly. Do you see, my benefactor, she, of course, is not my
+relative, or if she is, the relationship is so distant that no one
+could prove it. But I have become attached to her, for I reared her,
+and I am bound in gratitude to her family, for what the Pangovskis had
+in Russia, just as the Jolkievskis, Danilovitches, and Sobieskis, they
+had from the Sieninskis, or through them. I should like to leave the
+orphan what I have, but in fact the fortune of the Pangovskis has
+vanished through Tartar attacks; there remains only the estate of my
+late wife. It is mine; she left it by will to me; but this place is
+full of her relatives. First of all is Pan Grothus, the starosta of
+Raigrod. I do not fear him, for he is rich beyond need, and a good man.
+For that matter it was he who gave me this idea, which before that had
+occurred, it is true, more than once to me; for the desire was at the
+bottom of my heart in a slumber, but he roused it. In addition to Pan
+Grothus are the Sulgostovskis, the Krepetskis, the Zabierzovskis. These
+look even to-day with ill-will at the young lady; but how would they
+look after my death? If I make a will and leave what I own to her they
+will go to the courts; there will be lawsuits dragging on from tribunal
+to tribunal. How could she, poor thing, help herself? I cannot leave
+her in such a condition. Attachment, compassion, and gratitude are
+strong links. I ask with a clear conscience if I am not bound to secure
+her even in such a way?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The prelate bit a nut in two and showed the second half to Pan Gideon.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you know why this nut pleases me? Because it is good! If it were
+decayed I would not eat it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then what?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then that Anulka pleases your taste, for she is an almond. Hai! and
+what an almond! If she were fifty years old it is certain that your
+conscience would not be so troubled concerning her future.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon was confused at this, but the prelate continued,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not take this ill of you, for, as you see, there must be a good
+reason for everything, and God has so arranged that every man prefers a
+young turnip to an old one. With wine it is different, therefore we
+agree willingly as to wine with the arrangement of Providence.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, it is true. Except wine, what is young is better always; Pan
+Kohanovski wrote only humorously, that an old man, like an old oak, is
+better than a young one. This is the one question for me: if I leave
+property to her as my wife no one will dare move a finger; but if I
+leave it to her as a ward, there will be many lawsuits and quarrels,
+and perhaps armed attacks also. Who could protect her from the latter?
+Of course not Pani Vinnitski!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is undoubted.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But since I am neither a giddy nor an empty man, I did not wish to
+decide this alone, hence I have come to you to confirm me in the
+conviction that I am acting wisely, and that you will support me with
+clear counsel.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The prelate thought a while, and then added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You see, that advice in a matter of this kind is difficult, and a man
+repeats more than once to himself with B&#339;tius, <i>Si tacuisses,
+philosophus mansisses</i> (if thou remain silent, thou wilt be a
+philosopher); or with Job, 'Even a fool if he remain silent will be
+considered a wise man.' Your intention, in so far as it is roused by
+warm affection, is justified, and in so far also as it flows from care
+for the good of the girl, is even praiseworthy. But will not some
+injustice be done her, will there not be need to constrain her, or to
+lead her with threats to the altar? For I have heard that she and
+Yatsek Tachevski are in love. And truly, without beating about the
+bushes, I have more than once seen him a frequent guest at your
+mansion.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What have you seen?&quot; inquired Pan Gideon, abruptly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nothing sinful, but signs through which intimacy and love are denoted.
+I saw more than once how they held each other's hands longer than was
+needed, how they followed each other with their eyes. I saw him once in
+a tree dropping cherries down into her apron, and how they so looked at
+each other that the cherries fell to the ground past one rim of the
+apron. I saw her when looking at flying storks lean on him, and
+then--women are always subtle--scold him for coming too near her. And
+what more did I see? Various things which prove secret wishes. You will
+say that this is nothing. Of course, nothing! But that she felt the
+will of God toward him as much, or more, than he toward her, only a
+blind man could help seeing, and I wonder that you did not see this. I
+wonder still more, if you did see it, that you did not stop it in view
+of your own intentions.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon had seen and known this, but still the words of the prelate
+produced on him a terrible impression. It is one thing when some
+pain-causing secret is hidden in the heart, and quite another when a
+strange hand pushes into one's bosom and shakes up that secret. So now
+his face became purple, his eyes filled with blood, a great bunch of
+veins came out on his forehead, and he began to pant on a sudden, and
+to breathe so quickly that the prelate, in alarm, asked,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is the matter?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon answered, with a motion of the hand, that it was nothing,
+but he remained silent.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Drink some wine,&quot; cried the priest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He stretched out his arm and with trembling hand took the glass, raised
+it to his lips, drank, blew through his lips, and whispered,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It darkened before my eyes just a trifle.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Because of what I told you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No. That for some time has occurred to me often, but now I am fatigued
+by the fast, by the journey, and by the spring, which is unexpected and
+early.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then perhaps it would be better not to wait for May, but be bled
+immediately.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will be bled, but I will rest a while now, and we will return later
+on to this business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A fairly long time passed before Pan Gideon recovered completely, but
+at last he recovered. The veins relaxed on his forehead, his heart
+began to beat evenly, and he continued,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will not say that strength fails me. Were I to squeeze with my one
+hand I could crush, as I think, this silver goblet very easily; but
+though strength and health are both in God's hand they are not
+identical.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Man's life is fragile!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But just because of that, if something is to be done there is need to
+act quickly. You speak, my benefactor, of Pan Yatsek and that affection
+which the young people might feel for each other. I will say sincerely
+that I was not blind. I too saw what was happening, but only in recent
+days did I note it; for remember that till recently she was a green
+berry, which even now has barely ripened. He came every day, it is
+true, but because, perhaps, he had not much to eat in his own house;
+besides, I received him, as it were, through compassion. Father
+Voynovski trained him in Latin and at the sabre, and I gave him
+nourishment. That's the whole story. Only a year ago he reached
+manhood. I looked on them as children who were thinking of various
+plays and amusements. I considered it an ordinary occurrence. But that
+such a pauper should dare to think; and, besides, of whom?--of Panna
+Anulka! That, I confess, never came to my mind, and only in the last
+hours did I take note of anything.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nonsense! A pauper is a pauper, but Tachevski--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of Hungerdeath! No, my benefactor, he who licks a stranger's saucepan
+should be asked only into dogs' company. When I saw what kind of man he
+was I looked at him more carefully, and know you what I found? This,
+that not merely was he a pauper and a giddy head, but a venomous
+reptile, ever ready to sting the hand feeding him. Thank God he is
+gone; but he has stung, not me alone, but that innocent maiden.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How is that?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon began to relate how it was, painting with such blackness the
+deeds of Tachevski that a hangman might have been called in immediately
+to take him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Never fear, my benefactor,&quot; said he at last. &quot;During our journey to
+Prityk the Bukoyemskis poured out in full to Anulka; ah, to the full so
+completely that it flowed over, and now the situation is such that
+never will the girl feel such abhorrence for any creature of God as for
+that whipper-snapper, that roysterer, that abortion.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Be moderate, or your blood will boil again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True. And I did not wish to speak of him, but of this, that I have not
+in view any injustice to the girl, or any constraint. Persuasion is
+another thing, but even that should be used by a stranger, yet by a man
+who is at the same time her friend and mine,--a man known for wit and
+dignity, who can use noble phrases, move the heart and convince the
+reason. Hence my desire is to beg you, my special benefactor, to see to
+this. You will not refuse me; you will do this, not merely from
+friendship, you will do it because it is honorable and proper.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is a question of her good and of yours, hence I will not refuse;
+but I should like to have time to decide how this may be accomplished
+most easily.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then I will go at once to the barber and have myself bled, so as to go
+home clearer witted,--but do you make your plan. For you that will not
+be difficult, and on the other side there will be, as I think, no
+obstacle.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There can be only one obstacle, lord brother.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Friendship should tell the truth, hence I speak freely. You are an
+honorable person, I know that, but rather stubborn. You have this
+reputation, and you have it because your dependants all fear you
+tremendously. Not only the peasants, concerning whom you have
+quarrelled with Father Voynovski, but your servants, attendants, and
+managers. Tachevski feared you, Pani Vinnitski fears you, the young
+lady fears you. Two matchmakers will appear according to custom. I will
+do what I can, but I will not guarantee that the other may not destroy
+all my labor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">During one moment Pan Gideon's eyes flashed with anger, for he did not
+like to have the truth told in his presence; but amazement now
+conquered his anger, so he asked,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of what are you speaking? What other matchmaker is there?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Fear,&quot; said the prelate.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">They were unable to go that same day to Belchantska, for Pan Gideon
+weakened considerably after bleeding, and said that some rest was
+needed. Next morning, however, he felt brighter; he had grown young, as
+it were, and he approached his own mansion with good hope, though with
+a certain disquiet. Occupied with his own thoughts entirely, he spoke
+little along the way with the prelate, but when they were entering the
+village he felt his disquiet increasing.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This is a wonder to me,&quot; said he. &quot;Ere this time I came home as a man
+who is master, and all others were concerned about this, with what face
+would I greet them; while now I am the anxious one, I ask myself how
+will they greet me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Virgil has said,&quot; replied the prelate, &quot;'<i>amor omnia vincit</i>' (love
+conquers everything), but he forgot to add, that it changes everything
+also. This Delilah will not shear your locks, for you are bald, but
+that I shall see you spinning at her feet, as Hercules spun at the feet
+of Omphale, is certain.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ei! my nature is not of that kind. I have known always how to hold in
+my fists both servants and household.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So people say, but for this very reason it lies in the position that
+some one will take you in hand very thoroughly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The hand is a dear one!&quot; said Pan Gideon, with a joyousness which for
+him was unusual.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They drove very slowly, for the mud in the village was terrible; since
+they had started from Radom not so soon after midday, night had fallen
+already. In the cottages at the two sides of the road light came from
+the windows and stretched in red lines to the cottages opposite. Here
+and there near the fence appeared some human form, that of a woman, or
+of a man who, seeing the travellers, bared his head and bowed as low as
+his girdle. It was clear from these bowings, which seemed excessive,
+that Pan Gideon held people in his fist, nay more, that he held them
+too firmly, and that Father Voynovski blamed him, not without reason,
+for tyranny. But the old noble felt in his bosom a softer heart than
+had ever been in it till that evening, so looking at those bent
+figures, and seeing the windows of those cottages leaning earthward, he
+said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will grant some favor to those subjects whose part she takes
+always.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, see to it that thou do so,&quot; said the prelate.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And they were silent. Pan Gideon was occupied for a time with his own
+thoughts, then he added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know that you need no advice in this matter; but you must explain to
+the lady what a benefaction is becoming ready for her, and that I think
+about her first of all; but in case of resistance, which I do not
+expect,--well, then even scold her in some degree.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You said that you did not wish to constrain her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I said so, but it is one thing if I were to threaten, and another if
+some one else, who, besides, is a spiritual person, exposes her
+ingratitude.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Leave that task to me. I have undertaken it and will use my best
+efforts; but I will talk to the girl in the most tender way possible.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Very well, very well! But one word more. She feels great abhorrence
+for Tachevski, but should there be any mention of him it would be well
+to say something more against him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If he has acted as you say, this will not be needed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We are arriving. Well! In the name of the Father and the Son--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And the Holy Ghost--Amen!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They arrived, but no one came out to meet them, for the wheels made no
+sound because of deep mud, and the dogs did not bark at the horses or
+at the men, whom they recognized. It was dark in the hall, for the
+servants were evidently sitting in the kitchen; and it happened that
+when Pan Gideon first called, &quot;Is any one here?&quot; no one came to him,
+and at the second call, in sharper tones, the young lady herself
+appeared.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She came holding a light in her hand, but since she was in the gleam of
+it and they in the darkness she, not seeing them at once, remained near
+the threshold; and they did not speak for a moment since to begin with,
+it seemed a special sign to them, that she had come out before others,
+and second, because her beauty astonished them as much as if they had
+never beheld it till that moment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The fingers with which she grasped the candle seemed transparent and
+rosy; the gleam crept along her bosom, lighted her lips and her small
+face which looked somewhat drowsy and sad, perhaps because her eyes
+were in a deep shade while her forehead and the glorious bright hair,
+which was as a crown just above it, were still in full radiance. And
+she all in quiet and splendor stood there in the gloom like an angel
+created from ruddy brightness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, as God is dear to me, a vision!&quot; said the prelate.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then Pan Gideon called,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Anulka!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Leaving the light on a nitch of the chimney, she ran to them and gave
+greeting, joyously. Pan Gideon pressed her to his heart with much
+feeling, commanded her to rejoice at the arrival of a guest so
+distinguished, a man famous as a giver of counsel, and when after
+greeting they entered the dining-hall he asked,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is supper over?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No. The servants were to bring it from the kitchen, and that is why no
+one was standing at the entrance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The prelate looked at the old noble, and asked,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then perhaps without waiting?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, no,&quot; answered Pan Gideon, &quot;Pani Vinnitski will be here directly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thereupon Pani Vinnitski made herself felt in reality, and fifteen
+minutes later they sat down to heated wine and fried eggs. The prelate
+ate and drank well, but at the end of the supper his face became
+serious, and he said, turning to Panna Anulka,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My gracious young lady, God knows why people call me a counsellor and
+why they take advice of me, but since your guardian does so, I must
+speak with you on a certain task of importance which he has given my
+poor wit to accomplish.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When Pan Gideon heard this, the veins swelled on his forehead; the
+young lady paled somewhat, and rose in disquiet, for, through some
+unknown reason, it seemed to her that the prelate would talk about
+Yatsek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I beg you to another room,&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And they left the dining-hall.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon sighed deeply once and a second time; then he drummed on the
+table with his fingers, and feeling the need of talking down his
+internal emotion by words of some kind, he said to Pani Vinnitski,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Have you noticed how all the relatives of my late wife hate Anulka?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Especially the Krepetskis,&quot; answered Pani Vinnitski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ha! they almost grit their teeth when they see her; but soon they will
+grit them still harder.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How is that?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You will learn in good season; but meanwhile we must find a bed for
+the prelate.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After a time Pan Gideon was alone. Two servants came to remove the
+supper dishes, but he sent them away with a quick burst of anger, and
+there was silence in the dining-hall, only the great Dantsic clock
+repeated loudly and with importance: tik-tak! tik-tak! Pan Gideon
+placed his hand on his bald head and began to walk in the chamber. He
+approached the door beyond which the prelate was talking with Anulka,
+but he heard merely sounds in which he distinguished the voice but not
+the words of the prelate. So in turn he walked and halted. He went to
+the window, for it seemed to him that there he would breathe with more
+freedom. He looked for a while at the sky, with eyes from which
+expression had vanished,--that sky over which the wind was hurrying the
+torn clouds of spring, with light on their upper edges through which
+the pale moon seemed to rise higher and higher. As often as he rested
+an evil foreboding took hold of him. He looked through the window close
+to which black limbs of trees were wrestling back and forth with the
+wind, as if in torment; in the same way his thoughts were struggling
+back and forth, disordered, evil, resembling reproaches of conscience,
+and painful forebodings that some bad thing would happen, and that near
+punishment was waiting--but when it grew bright out of doors, again
+better hope entered him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Every one has a right to think of his own happiness--as to Yatsek
+Tachevski it was of little importance what such people do! What was the
+question at present? The happiness and calm future of a young girl; but
+besides this there smiled on him a little life in his old age--and this
+belongs to him. This only is real, the rest is wind, wind!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he felt again a turning of the head, and black spots danced before
+his vision, but that lasted very briefly. Then he approached the door
+behind which his fate was in the balance. Meanwhile the light on the
+table acquired a long wick and the chamber grew gloomy. At times the
+voice of the prelate became sharper, so that words would have reached
+the ear of Pan Gideon had it not been for that loud and continuous
+&quot;tik-tak.&quot; It was easy to understand that such a conversation could not
+end quickly, still, Pan Gideon's alarm grew and grew, turning, as it
+were, into certain wonderful questions woven into the past, with
+memories not only of former misfortunes and pain, but also of former
+unextinguished transgressions, of former grievous sins, and of recent
+injustices inflicted not only on Tachevski, but on others.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why and wherefore shouldst thou be happy?&quot; asked his conscience.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he would have given at that moment he knew not how much if even
+Pani Vinnitski might return to the chamber, so that he should not be
+alone with those thoughts of his. But Pani Vinnitski was occupied
+somewhere with work in another part of the mansion, while in that
+dining-hall there was nothing but the clock with its &quot;tik-tak!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For what deed should God reward thee?&quot; asked his conscience.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon felt now that if that girl, who was at once like a flower
+and an angel, should fail him, there would be a darkness in his life
+which would last till the night of death should descend on him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With that the door opened on a sudden and Panna Sieninski came in from
+the next chamber. She was pale; there were tears in her eyes; and
+behind her was the prelate.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Art thou weeping?&quot; asked Pan Gideon, with a hoarse, stifled voice.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;From gratitude, guardian,&quot; cried she, stretching her hands to him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And she fell at his knees there.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">That evening, or late at night, Pani Vinnitski appeared in the room of
+her relative, and, finding the young lady still dressed, she talked to
+her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I cannot recover from amazement,&quot; said she; &quot;sooner should I have
+looked for death than that such an idea should have come to the head of
+Pan Gideon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Neither did I look for it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How is it then? And is it so, really? I know not what to do, to be
+glad, or the opposite. We know that the prelate as a spiritual person
+has better judgment than the laity. He is right when he says that till
+death thou wilt have a roof over thy head, and that roof thy own, not
+another's. But Pan Gideon is old&quot;--here she spoke lower--&quot;art thou not
+a little afraid of him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is all in the past; there is nothing to think of at present,&quot;
+answered Anulka.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How dost thou say that?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I say that I owe him gratitude for a refuge, and a morsel of bread,
+and that these are poorly paid for by my person which no one else cares
+for; but since he cares, that too, is a favor on his part.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He began long ago to wish for this,&quot; said the old woman mysteriously.
+&quot;After he had talked to-day with thee he called me. I thought that
+there was something wrong with the supper, and that he would reproach
+me, but he said nothing. I saw that for some reason he was cheerful,
+and all at once he broke the news to me. My legs trembled under me.
+'What is the matter?' asked he. 'You are turned, like Lot's wife, to a
+pillar of salt,' said he. 'Is it because I have taken such a mushroom?'
+'No,' I answered, 'but because it is so unexpected.' 'With me,' said
+he, then, 'that is an old idea. Like a fish at the bottom of a river it
+was unknown till some one helped it to swim to the surface. And dost
+thou know who that was?' I felt sure that it was the prelate. 'Not at
+all,' said he, 'but Pan Grothus.'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A moment of silence followed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But I thought Pan Yatsek--&quot; said Anulka through her set teeth.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why Yatsek?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To show that he did not care for me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thou knowest that Yatsek has not seen Pan Gideon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then Anulka began to repeat feverishly,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, I know! He had something else in his head! Let that go! I do not
+want to know anything. I do not, I do not! It is all finished, and
+finished forever.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A dry, nervous weeping shook her bosom. After a moment she repeated
+again,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is finished beyond recall!&quot; Then they knelt down to an &quot;Our
+Father,&quot; which they repeated each evening in company.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Next day Anulka appeared with a calm face, but something had changed in
+her, something remained unexpressed, something had shut itself up in
+her. She was not sad, but all at once, she had grown, as it were, some
+years older, and she had in her now a certain calm dignity, so that Pan
+Gideon, who hitherto had taken into account himself only, began without
+noting it, to consider her also. In general he was unable to command
+himself, and it seemed to him specially strange that he felt in some
+sense his dependence on Anulka. He began to fear those thoughts which
+she did not express, but which she might conceal in her spirit. He
+tried to forestall such, and put in place of them others, of the kind
+which he wanted. Even the silence of Pani Vinnitski was oppressive and
+seemed to him suspicious; so he worked out fantastic pictures, talked,
+joked, but there flashed up in his steel eyes at times certain gleams
+of impatience.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile news of his engagement had gone through the neighborhood. Of
+this engagement he now made no secret; on the contrary, he sent letters
+announcing it to Pan Serafin, and to his nearest neighbors; he wrote
+letters to the Kohanovskis, to the Podlodovskis, to the Sulgostovskis,
+to Pan Grothus, to the Krepetskis, and even to distant relatives of his
+late wife, with invitations to the betrothal, after which the marriage
+would be celebrated immediately.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon would have preferred to get a dispensation from the banns
+even, but unfortunately it was the Lenten season, and he had to wait
+till after Easter. He took both women, therefore, to Radom where the
+young lady was to find her wedding outfit, and he to buy horses more
+showy than those which he had at that time in his stables.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Reports came to him that among the relatives who had hoped to inherit
+everything not only after his late wife, but after him, there was as
+much movement as there is in a beehive; but this pleased him, since he
+hated them all from his innermost spirit, and was planning at all times
+to harm them. Those tidings of meetings, whispered conferences, and
+counsels shortened his visit to Radom. And when at last his stay there
+was ended, and the horses together with new harness were purchased, he
+returned on Easter eve to his mansion. Guests began to arrive almost at
+the same time, for the betrothal was to take place on the third day
+after Easter.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">First came the Krepetskis who were both the nearest relatives and
+nearest neighbors. The father was almost eighty years old, with the
+visage of a vulture, and renowned as a miser. He had three daughters:
+Tekla, the youngest, was pretty and pleasant; Agneshka and Johanna were
+not youthful, they were testy old maids with pimples on their cheeks at
+all seasons. He had a son, Martsian, nicknamed Pniak (stump) in the
+neighborhood. He bore the name justly, for at the first glance he
+seemed a great stump; he had a mighty chest, and broad shoulders. His
+bow-legs were so short that he was almost dwarflike, and his arms
+reached his kneepans. Some thought him a hunchback; he was not,
+however, but his head without a neck was fixed so closely to his body
+that his high shoulders reached his ears, very nearly. Out of that
+head peered prominent, lustful eyes, and his face was like that of a
+he-goat. A small beard which he wore as if in defiance of general
+custom, increased the resemblance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He did not serve as a warrior, for he had been ridiculed from service,
+for which reason he had had in his time many duels. There was uncommon
+strength in his stumpy body, and people feared him in all places, since
+he was a quarreller and a road-blocker, who, in every affair, was glad
+to seek pretexts; he was as irritable as a vicious beast, and wounded
+savagely in Radom one Krepetski, his cousin, a handsome and worthy
+young man who almost died of the injuries then inflicted. He felt
+respect only for Yatsek, whose skill at the sabre was known to him, and
+before the Bukoyemskis, one of whom, Lukash, threw him over a fence
+like a bundle of straw once in Yedlina. He had the deserved reputation
+of being a great profligate. Pan Gideon had driven him out of the
+mansion a few years before that, because he had looked too much in goat
+fashion at Panna Anulka, a little girl at that period. But since then
+some years had passed, and, as they had met later in Radom, and in
+neighboring houses, Pan Gideon invited him now with the family.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Immediately after the Krepetskis came the Sulgostovskis, twin brothers,
+who so resembled each other that when they put on coats of like fashion
+no man could distinguish them; next came three remote Sulgostovskis
+from beyond Prityk--and then a numerous family formed of nine people,
+the handsome Zabierzovskis. From Yedlinka came Pan Serafin, but alone,
+since his son had gone to his regiment already; Pan Podlodovski, the
+starosta, once the agent of the great lord in Zamost; the Kohanovskis;
+the priest from Prityk; the prelate Tvorkovski from Radom, who was to
+bless the ring, and many small nobles from near and distant places,
+some even without invitation, with this idea, that a guest though quite
+unknown would be sure to find welcome, and that when there is a chance
+to eat and drink a man should not miss it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Belchantska was crowded with carriages and wagons, the stables were
+filled with horses, the outbuildings with servants of all sorts;
+everywhere in the mansion were colored coats, sabres, shaven foreheads;
+and with these went Latin, the twittering of women, farthingales,
+laces, and various ornaments. Maids were flying around with hot water,
+and tipsy servants with excellent wine in decanters. From morning until
+night-hours the kitchen was steaming like a tar pit. The windows of the
+mansion gleamed and flashed every evening, so that the whole place
+around there was radiant.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And amid all this tumult Pan Gideon moved through the chambers, walked
+about and gave welcome, magnificent, important, grown young as it were
+for the second time, dressed in crimson, and wearing a sabre which
+glittered with jewels, a sabre which Panna Anulka had inherited; it was
+her only dowry from wealthy forefathers. If giddiness seized him he
+leaned on an armchair, and again he moved forward, showed honor to
+guests who were personages, and struck one heel against the other when
+greeting older ladies; but above all he followed with eyes which were
+more and more enamoured &quot;his Anulka,&quot; who bloomed in that many-colored
+throng. Amid glances which were frequently ill-wishing, frequently
+jealous, and filled sometimes with venom, she was as fair as a lily,
+somewhat sad, or only conscious, it may be, of the weight of that fact
+which she had to encounter.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus things continued till the evening of the third day, that is,
+Tuesday, when the mortars of the mansion thundered in the yard, thus
+announcing to the guests and the country that the solemn moment had
+come, the moment of betrothal.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The guests ranged themselves then as a half-circle in the drawing-room,
+men and women in splendid costumes bright as a rainbow in the light of
+the candles. In front of them stood Pan Gideon and Panna Anulka.
+Silence settled down, and the eyes of all people were fixed on the
+bride, who with downcast eyes, with attention and dignity on her face,
+without a smile, but not sad, seemed as if drowsy.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The prelate Tvorkovski in his surplice, having near him young Tekla
+Krepetski, who held a silver plate with rings on it, advanced from the
+half-circle and addressed those who were soon to be married. He spoke
+learnedly, long, and with eloquence, showing what were the <i>sponsalia
+de futuro</i>, and what great importance from the earliest days of
+Christianity was attached to betrothals. He quoted Tertullian, and the
+Council of Trent, and the opinion of various learned canonists, then
+turning to Pan Gideon and Panna Sieninski he explained to them how wise
+their decision was, what great benefaction they promised each other,
+and how their future happiness depended on themselves only.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Those present listened with admiration, but also with impatience, for
+as relatives from whom their inheritance was slipping they looked on
+that marriage with repugnance. Pan Gideon, who from standing long had
+grown dizzy, began to rest on one leg and then on the other, and to
+give signs with his eyes to the prelate to finish; these signs he was
+not quick to notice, but at last he blessed the rings and put them on
+the fingers of the affianced.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then the mortars thundered again in the yard, and from the gallery in
+the dining-hall was heard a loud orchestra made up of five Radom Jews
+who played nicely. The guests came now in turn to congratulate, for the
+greater part with sourness and insincerely. The two Krepetski old maids
+simply jeered as they courtesied to their &quot;Aunt,&quot; and Pan Martsian,
+when kissing her hands, recommended himself to her graces with such a
+goat glance that Pan Gideon ought to have driven him from the mansion a
+second time.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But others, more remote relatives, being better and less greedy, gave
+sincere, cordial wishes. Now the door of the dining-hall was thrown
+open; Pan Gideon gave his arm to his betrothed, and after him moved the
+other couples amid the glitter and the quivering of flames caused by a
+sudden cold gust which had blown through the entrance. From the kitchen
+came the servants, half tipsy, with decanters of wine and an
+unreckonable number of dishes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">From the opening of doors there was such cold air in the dining-hall
+that guests, while sitting down to the table, were seized the first
+moment with a shiver, while the flickering of candles made the whole
+hall, in spite of its elegant furnishing, seem dark and gloomy. But it
+was proper to hope that wine would soon warm the blood in all present,
+and wine was not spared by Pan Gideon. He was rather stingy in
+every-day life, but on exceptional occasions he liked so to show
+himself that people spoke long of him afterward. This happened now.
+Behind every guest an attendant was standing with a mossy and
+big-bellied bottle, while under the table were hidden a number of
+servants with bottles also, so that in case a guest could not find more
+to drink on the table he put down a goblet twixt his knees and they
+filled it immediately. Immense glasses for drinkers, great goblets,
+glittered in front of each man, but before ladies were smaller glasses,
+either French or Italian.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The guests did not occupy the whole table, however, for Pan Gideon had
+commanded to set more plates than there were guests in the mansion. The
+prelate cast his eyes on those empty places and fell to praising the
+hospitality of the house and the master; at that moment he rose in his
+chair somewhat, wishing to arrange the folds of his soutane, hence
+those present supposed that he was going to offer the earliest toast,
+and were silent.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We are listening!&quot; said a number of voices.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, there is no reason,&quot; said the prelate, with joyousness. &quot;There is
+no toast yet, though the time will come soon for it. I see some of you
+gentlemen rubbing your heads rather early, and the Kohanovskis are
+whispering as well as counting on their fingers. It is difficult to
+expect rhymes from any if not from the Kohanovskis. I wish to say only
+that it is an old Polish and praiseworthy custom to leave thus a place
+for a guest who is unexpected.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh,&quot; answered Pan Gideon, &quot;as the house is lighted up some one may
+come from the darkness.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And perhaps some one is coming,&quot; said Kohanovski. &quot;It may be Pan
+Grothus?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No-- Pan Grothus has gone to the Diet. If a man comes he will be
+unexpected.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But the earth is soft, we shall not hear him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, a dog is barking under the window, so some one is coming.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No one will drive in from that side, for the windows look into the
+garden.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But the dog is not barking, he is howling.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">That was the case really. The dog had barked once, twice, a third time,
+then the barking turned to a low, gloomy howling.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Gideon quivered despite himself, for he remembered how years and
+years earlier in another place, at his house, which stood five miles
+from Pomorani, in Russia, dogs had howled in the same way before a
+sudden onrush of Tartars.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The thought came to Panna Anulka, that she had no cause to expect any
+one, and that should any man come to her from the darkness to that
+lighted mansion he would be late in his coming. But it seemed somehow
+strange to other guests, all the more as the first dog was joined by a
+second, and a double howl was heard now near that window. So they
+listened in disagreeable silence, which was broken only after a while
+by Martsian Krepetski,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A guest at whom the dogs howl is nothing to us,&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Wine!&quot; called Pan Gideon.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But the glasses were full, hence there was no need to pour at that
+moment. Old Krepetski, father of Martsian, rose from his chair somewhat
+heavily, wishing to speak, as seemed evident. All turned their eyes to
+him. Old men began to surround their ears with their hands to hear
+better, but he only moved his lips after long waiting, his chin almost
+meeting his nose, for he was toothless.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile, notwithstanding the fact that the earth was soft from
+thawing, there came from the other side of the house, as it were, a
+dull clatter and it was heard rather long, long enough to go twice
+round the courtyard. Hence old Krepetski, who had raised his glass,
+held it a while, looked at the door, and then put the glass down again;
+other guests acted in like manner.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;See who has come!&quot; said Pan Gideon to his attendant.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The youth rushed out, returned straightway, and answered,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is no one.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is strange,&quot; said the prelate. &quot;The sound was heard clearly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We all heard it,&quot; said one of the twin Sulgostovskis.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And the dogs have stopped howling,&quot; said others.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then the door of the entrance, badly fastened by the servant, as was
+evident, opened of itself, and a new draught of air entered with such
+violence that it quenched from ten to twenty candles.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is that?&quot; &quot;Shut the door!&quot; &quot;The candles are dying!&quot; said a number
+of voices.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But with the wind had rushed into the hall, as it were, some unknown
+terror. Pani Vinnitski, who was superstitious and timid, began then to
+cross herself audibly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Woman! be silent!&quot; commanded Pan Gideon.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then turning to Panna Sieninski he kissed her hand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A quenched candle cannot trouble my gladness,&quot; said he, &quot;and God grant
+me to be as happy to the end of my days as I am at this moment. Is that
+not right, my Anulka?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, guardian,&quot; said she, bending toward his hand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Amen!&quot; ended the prelate, who rose to address them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Gracious ladies and gentlemen, since that unexpected sound stopped, as
+is evident, Pan Krepetski's ideas let me be the earliest expounder of
+those feelings with which our hearts are warmed toward the future wife
+and her husband. Hence, ere we cry out <i>O Hymen, O Hymenaios</i>, before
+we, in Roman fashion, begin to call Thalassius, the beautiful youth who
+God grant may appear at the earliest, let us raise <i>ex imo</i> this first
+toast to their prosperity and coming happiness: <i>Vivant, crescant,
+floreant</i>&quot; (may they live, increase, flourish).</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>Vivant! Vivant!</i>&quot; thundered all guests.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Radom orchestra was heard that moment, and outside the windows the
+drivers fell to cracking their whips.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Long did the shouts last, with the stamping of feet, the sounding of
+horns and the cracking of whips. The servants, too, raised a shout
+throughout the whole mansion, and in the dining-hall, amid endless
+cheers, rose great sounds of wine-gulping.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>Vivant, crescant, floreant!</i>&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Silence came only when Pan Gideon stood up, raised his glass, and said
+in a loud voice,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My guests and relatives, very gracious and most dear to my heart! I
+express with inadequate words my gratitude to all; I will first bow to
+you profoundly for that brotherly and neighborly good-feeling which you
+have shown me by meeting here under my poor roof in such numbers--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The words &quot;under my poor roof&quot; were pronounced with a kind of
+marvellously mild, and, as it were, submissive accents, then he sat
+down and bent his head, so that the forehead rested really on the
+table. And the guests wondered that a man usually so distant and so
+haughty should speak with such affection. They thought that great
+happiness melts even hearts the most obdurate, and, waiting for what he
+had to say further, they looked at his iron-gray head resting yet on
+the edge of the table.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Silence! We are listening!&quot; said voices.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And in fact deep silence had followed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Pan Gideon was motionless.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is the matter? What has happened? For God's sake! Speak on!&quot;
+cried they.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Pan Gideon answered only with a terrible rattling; then his
+shoulders and arms began on a sudden to quiver.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Panna Sieninski sprang from her chair pale as a wall, and cried in
+terrified accents,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Guardian! guardian!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At the table were dismay and confusion; cries and questions rose
+everywhere. Guests surrounded Pan Gideon, the prelate seized his arms
+and brought him to the back of the chair, some began to throw water on
+him, others cried, &quot;Take him to the bed and bleed him as quickly as
+possible.&quot; Some of the women were tearful; some ran, as if frantic,
+through the chambers with groans or with sharp lamentation. But Pan
+Gideon remained sitting, his head was thrown back, the veins in his
+forehead were distended like straps, his eyes were closed firmly, the
+hoarseness and rattling grew louder.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The unexpected guest had come indeed out of darkness and entered the
+mansion, dreadful and merciless.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">The servants, at command of the prelate, bore the sick man to the other
+end of the mansion, to the &quot;chancellery,&quot; which served Pan Gideon also
+as a bedroom. They sent immediately for the village blacksmith, who
+knew how to bleed, and bled men as well as animals. It appeared after a
+moment that he was in front of the mansion with a whole crowd gathered
+there for entertainment, but he was quite drunk, unluckily. Pani
+Vinnitski remembered that Father Voynovski had the fame of being an
+excellent physician, so a carriage was sent with all speed for him,
+though it seemed clear that every effort would fail, and that no rescue
+was possible for the sick man. That was in truth the position.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Except Panna Anulka, Pani Vinnitski, the two Krepetskis, and Pan
+Zabierzovski, who occupied himself somewhat with medicine, the prelate
+admitted none to the chancellery, lest a throng might hinder recovery.
+All other guests, as well women as men, had gathered into the adjoining
+large chamber where beds for men had been provided. All were like a
+flock of frightened sheep, filled with fear, alarm, and curiosity.
+Watching the door, they waited for tidings, and some of them made
+remarks in undertones touching that terrible happening, and touching
+those omens which had announced it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Did you notice how the lights quivered, and the flames were in some
+manner blackish? From this it is clear that Death had overshadowed
+them,&quot; said one of the Sulgostovskis, in a whisper.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Death was among us, and we did not know her.&quot;<a name="div2Ref_05" href="#div2_05"><sup>[5]</sup></a></p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The dogs howled at her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And that clatter! Perhaps that was just Death on her journey.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is clear that God did not favor the marriage, which would have been
+an injustice to the family.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Further whispering was stopped by the coming of Pani Vinnitski and
+Martsian.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pani Vinnitski hurried through the chamber, she was in haste to bring a
+reliquary which warded off evil spirits; but Martsian they surrounded
+immediately.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How is he?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Martsian shrugged his shoulders, raised them till his head seemed to be
+in his bosom, and answered,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He is rattling yet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is there no hope?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;None.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At that moment through the open door came distinctly the solemn words
+of the prelate,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>Ego te absolve a peccatis tuis--et ab omnibus censuris, in nomine
+Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti</i>. Amen.&quot; (I absolve thee from thy
+sins, and from all blame, in the name of the Father and Son and Holy
+Ghost.)</p>
+
+<p class="normal">All knelt and began to pray. Pani Vinnitski passed between the kneeling
+people, holding with both hands the reliquary. Martsian followed and
+closed the door after him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But it was not closed long, for a quarter of an hour later Martsian
+appeared in it and said in his squeaking voice of a clarionet,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He is dead!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then with the words, &quot;Eternal rest,&quot; they moved one after another to
+the chancellery, to cast a last look at the dead man.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile at the other end of the house, in the dining-hall, revolting
+scenes were enacted. The servants of the household had hated Pan Gideon
+as much as they had feared him; hence it seemed to them that with his
+death would come an hour of relief, delight, and impunity. To servants
+from outside an occasion was offered for revelry; so all servants, as
+well those of the house as others summoned in to assist them, tipsy
+more or less since midday, rushed now at the wine and the viands.
+Servants raised to their lips whole flasks of Dantsic liquor,
+Malmoisie, and Hungarian wine; others, more greedy for food, seized
+pieces of meat and cake. The snow-white tablecloth was stained in one
+twinkle with gravies. In the disturbance chairs were overturned on the
+floor and candlesticks on the table. Ornamented cut glasses fell from
+drunken hands to the floor with a crash and were broken. Quarrels and
+fights burst out here and there in the dining-hall. Some stole table
+ornaments directly. In one word, an orgy began, sounds of which flew to
+the other end of the mansion.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Martsian Krepetski, and after him the two Sulgostovskis, young
+Zabierzovski and one more of the guests, rushed toward those outcries,
+and at sight of what was happening drew their sabres. At the first
+moment disturbance increased. The Sulgostovskis went no further than to
+strike with the flat of the weapons, but Martsian was seized by an
+access of fury. His staring eyes protruded still farther, his teeth
+glittered from under his mustaches, and he began to cut with the sabre
+edge whatever man met him. Some were covered with blood, others hid
+under the table; the remainder crowded in disordered flight through the
+door, and Martsian cut at this throng while he shouted,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Dog brothers! Scoundrels! I am master in this place!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he rushed after them to the entrance whence his shrieking voice was
+heard shouting,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Clubs! rods!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And the guests stood in the hall, as in ruins, gazing with mortified
+look, and shaking their heads at the spectacle.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have never seen such a sad sight,&quot; said one Sulgostovski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A wonderful death, and wonderful happenings! Look at this it is just
+as if Tartars had raided the mansion.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Or evil spirits,&quot; added Zabierzovski. &quot;A terrible night!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They commanded the servants hidden under the table to crawl forth and
+bring some order to the dining-hall. They came out, perfectly sobered
+from terror, and went to work nimbly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile Martsian had returned. He was calmer, but his lips were still
+trembling from anger.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They will come to their minds!&quot; said he, addressing those present.
+&quot;But I thank you, gentlemen, for helping me to punish those ruffians.
+It will not be easier here for them than it was in the days of the dead
+man! My head upon that point.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Sulgostovskis looked at him quickly, and one said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You have not to thank us more than we you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How is that?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why art thou qualifying to be the only judge here?&quot; asked the other of
+the twins.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Martsian, as if wishing to spring to their eyes, sprang upward on his
+short bow-legs straightway, and shouted,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have the right, the right!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What right?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A better right than yours.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How is that? Hast read the will?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is a will to me?&quot; Here he blew on the palm of his hand; &quot;that's
+what it is,--wind! To whom has he willed it--to his wife? But where is
+his wife? That is the question--we are next of kin here. We--the
+Krepetskis, not you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But we will see about that. God kill thee!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God kill thee! Clear out!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thou goat! Thou nasty cur! Why dost thou tell us to go? Better have a
+care of thy goat forehead!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Are ye threatening?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Here Martsian shook his sabre and pushed up to the brothers. They too
+grasped at their weapons.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But at that moment the offended voice of the prelate was heard there
+behind them,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Gracious gentlemen, the dead man is not cold yet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Sulgostovskis were terribly ashamed, and one of them said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Reverend prelate, we are not to blame; we have our own bread and do
+not desire that of others, but this serpent is beginning to sting, and
+wishes to drive people out of this mansion.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What people? Whom?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Whomever he comes upon. To-day us, whom he has ordered away,
+to-morrow, perhaps, the orphan bride living under this roof here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is untrue! untrue!&quot; cried Martsian.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And, winding himself into a ball, he laughed sneeringly, rubbed his
+hands, bowed down and said with a certain envenomed sincerity,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;On the contrary, on the contrary! I invite all to the funeral and to
+the feast following after the interment. I beg most humbly; my father
+and I beg. And as to Panna Sieninski, she will find at all times a
+roof, and protection, and care at all times, at all times!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he went on rubbing his hands very gleefully.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">Martsian had determined indeed to tell Panna Anulka that she must
+always consider Belchantska as her own, but he deferred this
+information till after the funeral; he wished first to talk with his
+father, who, because of the legal actions on which he had been working
+all his lifetime, was skilled in law, and was able to avoid in advance
+many troubles. Both were convinced that their cause was a good one; so
+the next day, just at the moment when men were placing Pan Gideon in
+his coffin, they shut themselves up in a side chamber and began with
+good courage to take counsel.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Providence is above us,&quot; said the old man, &quot;nothing but Providence, to
+which Pan Gideon will answer seriously for the injustice which he
+intended to do us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, let him answer,&quot; replied Martsian. &quot;It is our happiness that he
+only intended and did not succeed, for now we will take everything. The
+Sulgostovskis have quarrelled with me already, but I will tear the
+souls out of those wretches before I let them have even one field of
+Belchantska.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ha, the scoundrels! the sons of a such a one! God twist them! I have
+no fear of such people, I fear only a will. Hast thou asked the
+prelate? If any one knows of a will it is he.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I had no chance yesterday, for he attacked me when quarrelling with
+the Sulgostovskis and said to us: 'The dead man is not cold yet,' then
+he went for a coffin and a priest, and to-day there has been no
+opportunity.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But if Pan Gideon has willed all to that girl?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He had not the right, for this estate belonged to his late wife, our
+nearest relative.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But a will has been mentioned, and there will be costs and going to
+tribunals, and God knows what more in addition.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Father is accustomed to lawsuits. But I have fixed in my head
+something of such sort that there will be no need of lawsuits;
+meanwhile <i>beatus qui tenet</i>&quot; (happy is the man in possession); &quot;for
+this reason I shall not leave Belchantska. I have sent for our servants
+already. Let the Sulgostovskis or the Zabierzovskis drive me out
+later.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But the girl, if it is willed to her?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who will take her side? She is as much alone in this world as a
+finger; she has no relatives, no friends--an ordinary orphan. Who will
+wish to expose his neck for her, lay himself open to quarrels, duels,
+expenses? How does she concern any one? Tachevski was in love with her,
+but Tachevski is gone, he may never come back, and if he should he has
+nothing; he knows as much as my horse about lawsuits. To tell the
+truth, the position is such that if not Pan Gideon, but her own father,
+had left her Belchantska, we might come in here and manage in our own
+way, under pretext of guarding the orphan. I think that Pan Gideon
+intended to make a will only in the contract of marriage, so either no
+will at all will be found, or if it be found it will be some old one
+with a clause for Panna Anulka from her guardian.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We can break such a will,&quot; said the old man, &quot;my head on that! Though
+a lawsuit will not be avoided.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How so? I hear father's words, but I think it will be avoided.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If, for speaking between us, Pan Gideon's wife was weak-minded, if she
+left all to her husband he had the right to leave it to whomever he
+selected.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Old Krepetski uttered the last words almost in a whisper, while looking
+around on all sides, though he knew that there was no one in the room
+except him and Martsian.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How could she leave it to him when she died suddenly?&quot; asked Martsian.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It was dated the year after their marriage. It is clear that Pan
+Gideon wheedled her out of it, because they inhabited perilous places,
+and no man could know when the Tartars might howl out his requiem. They
+drew up wills to each other in the town at Pomorani; these wills were
+brought by Pan Gideon to this place. I thought to start lawsuits
+against him at that time, but saw that I could not do so successfully.
+Now it is different.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We shall succeed now without lawsuits.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If so, all the better; but we must be ready for action.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ei! there is no need to be ready.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How, then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will get on without father.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Old Pan Krepetski, on hearing this, flashed into anger.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thou wilt get on? What? How? But spoil not my labor. He will get on!
+But didst thou not advise me to leave the Silnitskis in peace touching
+Dranjkov? According to thee, there was no way to master them. No way?
+Why not? They had witnesses to swear to the land--a great thing! I made
+men put earth into their boots from my courtyard. Well, and what after
+that? They went to Silnitski's land, and took no false oath when each
+one of them testified: 'I swear that the land on which I am standing
+belongs to Krepetski.' Thou wouldst have thought a whole year, but
+never invented a reason of that kind. Thou wilt get on? Look at him!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he began to move his toothless jaws angrily, as if he were chewing
+some substance; and his chin touched his nose, which was hooked like
+the beak of some bird of prey.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pant out thy anger, my father, and listen,&quot; said Martsian. &quot;Wherever
+it is a question of carrying on lawsuits I yield to thee always; but as
+to what concerns women, my experience is greater, and I trust in myself
+with more confidence.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is it possible?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Therefore, if it comes to a struggle with Parma Anulka it will not be
+before any tribunal.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What art thou working out?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To divine is not difficult. Is this not my opportunity? Or wilt thou
+find another such girl in this region?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Martsian threw his head up and looked in the eyes of his father. The
+father looked at him, too, with a glance of inquiry, chewed with his
+gums, and then asked,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How is it, pray tell me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why not tell? Since yesterday it is circling through my head.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hm! Why not? Because she is as needy as Lazarus.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But I will come into Belchantska with songs, and unhindered. She is
+indigent, but the girl is of great blood. And remember the words of Pan
+Gideon, that if one were to look through the papers of the Sieninskis,
+it would be possible to drive from their land one-half of the
+inhabitants of a province. The Sobieskis grew great from them, hence
+there should be royal protection. The king himself ought to think of a
+provision. And the girl has pleased my eye this long time, for she is a
+dainty morsel--dainty! oh dainty!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he sprang about on his short legs, licking his mustache as he did
+so; wherewith he looked so revolting that old Krepetski remarked to
+him,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;She will not want thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And she wanted old Pan Gideon. Are the girls few who have wanted me? A
+great many young men have gone to the army; so we may buy girls by the
+bundle, like shoe-nails. Old Pan Gideon knew why he sent me from the
+mansion. He would not have done so, had he himself not been looking at
+Panna Anulka.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But supposing that she will not want thee--then what?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Evil gleams shone from the eyes of Martsian.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then,&quot; replied he, with emphasis, &quot;it is possible so to act with a
+girl who has no protection, that she herself will beg thee to go to the
+church with her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The old man was frightened at these words.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah!&quot; said he. &quot;But dost thou not know that act to be criminal?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know that no one would take the part of Panna Anulka.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But I say to thee, have a care! As it is there are voices against
+thee. If a man win or lose a lawsuit for property he will not become
+infamous, but thy thought is of crime--dost understand me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, it will not go to that unless she herself wants it. But do not
+hinder, only act as I tell thee. After the funeral let father take
+Tekla home with him, and if there is any excuse also old Pani
+Vinnitski. I will stay with the girls, with Agneshka and Johanna. They
+are reptiles, raging at any woman who is younger and comelier than they
+are. They began yesterday to point their stings at the orphan, but what
+will they do when living under one roof with her? They will stab, and
+bite, and insult her, refuse her the bread of compassion. I see this,
+as if I were reading it in a book, and it is all as water to my mill.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What wilt thou grind with it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What will I grind? This: that I will quarrel with those serpents. I
+will invent something against them; I will give one a slap in the face
+when it pleases me, then the orphan will kiss me on the hands, on the
+knees. 'I am thy defender, thy brother, thy true friend,' I will say to
+her, 'thou art here the real mistress.' And dost thou think, father,
+that the heart in her will not soften, that she will not fall in love
+with him who will be a shield and defence to her, who will wipe away
+her tears, who will watch day and night over her? And if in her sorrow
+and abandonment and tears she comes to some extraordinary confidence,
+so much the better! so much the better! so much the better!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Here Martsian rubbed his hands and so exhibited his goat eyes to his
+father that the old man had to spit in abhorrence. &quot;Tfu! Pagan!&quot;
+exclaimed he. &quot;There is always one thing in thy mind.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed ants walk on me when I look at her. It wasn't for nothing that
+Pan Gideon drove me from the mansion.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A moment of silence now followed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then thou wilt tell Johanna and Agneshka to act as thou wishest?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is no need to say anything to them or to teach them; their
+nature suffices. Tekla alone is a dove, they are kites, the two
+others.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Martsian had not deceived himself, his sisters had begun, each in her
+own way to take charge of Anulka. Tekla took her every little while in
+her arms and wept with her, Agneshka and Johanna solaced her, but in
+another fashion,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What did not happen, did not happen,&quot; said Agneshka, &quot;but be at rest,
+thou wilt not be our aunt, because the Lord was not willing, but no one
+here will harm thee, or grudge thee a morsel.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And no one will drive thee to work,&quot; said the other, &quot;for we know that
+thou art not used to it; when thou hast recovered, if thou thyself
+wish, then that is different; in every case wait till thy sorrow is
+over, for indeed great misfortune has struck thee. Thou wert to be
+mistress here, thou wert to have thy husband, and now except us thou
+hast no one. But believe that though we are not relatives we will be to
+thee as if relatives. Be reconciled to the will of God. The Lord has
+tried thee, but for that cause he pardons thee other sins. For if thou,
+perhaps, hast trusted too much in thy beauty, or didst desire wealth
+and rich clothing (we are all sinful for that matter, therefore I only
+say this), that will be accounted to thee against other sins.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Amen,&quot; said Agneshka. &quot;Give to the church for the soul of the dead man
+some ornament, or some little jewel, for thou hast no need of bridal
+robes now, and we will ask father to permit thee to do this.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then they looked with sharp eyes at the robes on the table, and at the
+chests in which lay the trousseau. Such a desire at last seized them to
+see what was hidden that Johanna burst out with these words,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Perhaps we might help thee in selecting?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And both rushed at the chests, boxes, and bundles, in which were still
+lying unpacked the robes brought from Radom, and out with them, to be
+opened and examined before the light, and under the light, and then the
+two girls began to try them on their own persons.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Panna Anulka sat, as if stunned, in the arms of the dear Tekla, seeing
+nothing, knowing nothing of what they were doing to her and around her.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">As a betrothed she had felt as if something in her life had grown
+black, as if something had been quenched, had been cut off and ended;
+hence that betrothal had not roused in her heart any gladness. She had
+only consented to the marriage because such was the will of Pan Gideon,
+and because of her gratitude for care, and still more because, after
+Yatsek's departure, there remained in her heart only bitterness and
+sorrow, with this painful thought, that save her guardian she had no
+one, and that without him she would be a lost orphan, wandering among
+enemies and strangers. But all on a sudden a thunderbolt had struck
+that hearth at which she was to sit with some kind of peace, though a
+sad one, now the only man in this world who to her was important had
+vanished. It was not strange, then, that the thunderbolt had stunned
+her, that all thoughts were confused in her head, while in her heart
+sorrow for that only near soul had been fused into one with a feeling
+of amazement and terror.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">So the words of the elder sisters, who had begun straightway to pilfer
+her dresses, struck her ears just like sounds without meaning. Then
+Martsian came, bowed, rubbed his hands, jumped around her; but she
+understood him no more than she did all the others, who, according to
+custom, approached her with phrases of sympathy, which were more
+elaborate the less they were heartfelt. It was only when Pan Serafin
+put his hand on her head in the style of a father and said: &quot;God will
+be over thee, my orphan,&quot; that something moved in her suddenly, and
+then tears rushed to her eyelids. Now for the first time the thought
+came to her that she was as a poor little leaf given over to the will
+of the whirlwind.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile began ceremonies, which, since Pan Gideon had been a man of
+position in his neighborhood, lasted ten days, in accordance with
+custom. At the betrothal, with few exceptions, invited guests only were
+present, but to the funeral came all near and distant neighbors, hence
+the mansion was swarming. Receptions, speeches, processions, and
+returns from the church followed one after the other.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">During the first days exclusive attention was given to the incomplete
+widow; but later, when people beheld the Krepetskis in possession and
+saw that they alone appeared in the mansion as masters, they ceased to
+regard the young lady, and toward the end of the funeral solemnities no
+one paid more heed to her than to any house visitor.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin alone had a thought for her. He was moved by her tears and
+touched by her misfortune. The servants had begun to whisper that the
+Krepetski old maids had swept off her whole trousseau, and the old lord
+had hidden in his box her &quot;little jewels,&quot; and that in the house they
+were already beginning to browbeat the &quot;young lady.&quot; When these reports
+went to Pan Serafin they moved his kind heart, and he resolved to see
+Father Voynovski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But that kindly man was prejudiced much against Panna Anulka because of
+Yatsek, so at the very beginning he answered,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am sorry for her, the poor lady, for she is in need, but in what can
+I help her? That, speaking between us, God punished her for Yatsek is
+certain.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But Yatsek is gone, as is Stanislav, and she is here simply an
+orphan.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course he is gone, but how did he go? You saw him going, but I went
+with him farther, and I tell you that the poor boy had his teeth set,
+and the heart in him was bleeding, so that he could not utter a
+syllable. Oh! he loved that girl as people loved only in the old time;
+they know not to-day how to love in that manner.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Still he was able to move his hands,&quot; said Pan Serafin, &quot;for I heard
+that just beyond Radom he had a quarrel and cut up a passing noble, or
+even two of them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah, because he has a girl's face every road-blocker thinks that he can
+get on with him cheaply. Some drunken fellows sought a quarrel. What
+was he to do? I blame in him that method; I blame it, but remember,
+your grace, that a man with a heart torn by love is like a lion seeking
+to devour some one.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True; but as to the girl. Ah, my benefactor, God knows if she is as
+much to blame as we imagine.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Woman is insidious.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Insidious or not, but when I heard that Pan Gideon wished to marry her
+it occurred to me straightway that he roused up everything, for it must
+have been all-important for him to get rid of Yatsek forever.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No,&quot; said the priest, shaking his head. &quot;We remarked immediately from
+the letter that it was written at her instigation. I remember that
+perfectly, and I could repeat to your grace every word of it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I, too, remember, but we could not know what Pan Gideon had told her,
+and how he described Yatsek's deeds to the lady. The Bukoyemskis, for
+example, confessed to me, that meeting her and Pan Gideon while
+travelling to Prityk they said purposely, that Yatsek went away after
+great stirrup cups, laughing, gladsome, and uncommonly curious about
+the daughter of Pan Zbierhovski to whom you had given him a letter.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Here they lied! And what for?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, they lied to show the girl and Pan Gideon that Yatsek had no
+thought for them. But note this, your grace, if the Bukoyemskis spoke
+thus out of friendship for Yatsek, what must Pan Gideon have said out
+of hatred.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is sure that he did not spare Yatsek. Still, even if she were less
+to blame than we imagine, tell me what of that? Yatsek has gone, and
+perhaps will never come back to us, for I know that he will spare his
+life less than Pan Gideon spared his reputation.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yatsek would have gone in every case,&quot; answered Pan Serafin.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And if he does not return I will not tear the soutane on my body. A
+death in defence of the country and fighting Mohammedan vileness is a
+worthy end for a Christian knight, and a worthy end for a great family.
+But I will add one thing: I should have preferred to see him go without
+that painful dart which is sticking in him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Neither had my only son special happiness in life; he too went, and
+perhaps will not return to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They grew thoughtful, for their souls were filled with love for those
+young men.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Tvorkovski, the prelate, came upon them while thoughtful, and learned
+that they had been talking of Panna Sieninski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will tell you, gentlemen,&quot; said he, &quot;but let this be a secret. Pan
+Gideon left no will, the Krepetskis have a right to the property. I
+know that he had the wish to provide for his wife and leave all to her,
+but he was not able. Do not mention this before the Krepetskis.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But have you said nothing?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why should I? Those are hard people, and with me the question is that
+they should not be too hard toward the orphan, hence I withheld
+information, and then told them this: 'Not only does God sometimes try
+a man, but one man tries another.' When they heard this they were
+disquieted greatly, and fell to inquiring: 'How is it? Does your grace
+know anything?' 'What has to be shown will be shown,' remarked I, 'but
+remember one thing. Pan Gideon had the right to will what he owned to
+whatever person pleased him.'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Here the prelate laughed, and, putting his hands behind his violet
+girdle, continued,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I say, gentlemen, that the legs trembled under old Krepetski when he
+heard this; he began to contradict. 'Oh,' said he, 'that is impossible!
+he had not the right. Neither God nor men would agree to that.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I looked at him severely, and said: 'If you think of God, you do well,
+for at your age it is proper to have His mercy in mind, and not turn to
+earthly tribunals, for it may happen very easily that you will not have
+time to await a decision.' He was frightened then terribly, and I
+added: 'And be kind to the orphan, lest God punish you sooner than you
+imagine.'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hereupon Father Voynovski, whose compassionate heart was moved at the
+fate of the maiden, embraced the wise prelate.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Benefactor,&quot; cried he, &quot;with such a head you ought to be chancellor. I
+understand! I understand! You said nothing, you did not miss the truth,
+and you have frightened the Krepetskis, who think that perhaps there is
+a will, nay, that it is even in your possession; they must count with
+this, and be moderate toward the orphan.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The prelate, pleased with the praise, rapped his head with his
+knuckles.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not quite like a nut with holes in it?&quot; asked he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ho, there is so much reason there that it finds room with difficulty.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If God wish, it will burst, but meanwhile, I think that I have saved
+the orphan really. I must confess, however, that the Krepetskis spoke
+of her with greater humanity and with more kindness than I had
+expected. The women, it is true, have taken some trifles, but the old
+man declared that he would have them given back to the young lady.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Though the Krepetskis were the worst among men,&quot; said Pan Serafin,
+&quot;they would not dare to rob an orphan over whom the eyes of such a wise
+and good priest are so watchful. But, my very reverend benefactor, I
+wish to mention another thing. I wish to beg you to show me this favor;
+come now to Yedlinka, let me have the honor of entertaining under my
+roof such a notable personage, with whom conversation is like the honey
+of wisdom and politeness. Father Voynovski has promised already to
+visit me, and we will talk, the three of us, concerning public and
+private matters.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know what hospitality yours is,&quot; answered the prelate, with
+affability, &quot;to refuse would be real suffering, and since Lent, the
+time of self-subjection is past, I will go for a pleasant day to you,
+willingly. Let us take farewell of the Krepetskis, but first of the
+orphan, so that they shall see the esteem in which we hold her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They went, and finding Anulka alone, spoke kind, heartfelt words, which
+gave her consolation and courage. Pan Serafin stroked her bright head,
+just as would a mother who desires to comfort a sorrowing child; the
+prelate did the same, and the honest Father Voynovski was so moved by
+her thin face and her beauty in its sadness, which reminded him of a
+flower of the field cut down too early by a scythe-stroke, that he too
+pressed her temples, and having a mind always thinking of Yatsek, he
+said half to himself, half to her,--&quot;How can one wonder at Yatsek,
+since this picture was before him. But those Bukoyemskis lied, when
+they said that he went away gladly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When Anulka heard these words, she put her lips to his hand on a
+sudden, and for a long time she could not withdraw them. The sobbing,
+which came from her heart, shook her bosom; and they left her in an
+immense, irrepressible onrush of weeping.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">An hour later they were in Yedlinka, where good news was awaiting them.
+A man had arrived bringing a letter from Stanislav, in which he stated
+that he and Yatsek had joined the hussars of Prince Alexander; that
+they were well, and Yatsek, though pensive at all times, had gained a
+little cheerfulness, and was not so forgetful as during the first days.
+Besides words of filial love, there was in the letter one bit of news
+which astonished Pan Serafin: &quot;If thou, my father, my most beloved and
+great mighty benefactor, see the Bukoyemskis on their return be not
+astonished, and save them with kindness, for they have been met by most
+marvellous accidents, and I cannot help them. If they were not to go to
+the war they would die, I think, from sorrow, which even now has almost
+killed them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the course of the following months Pan Serafin visited Belchantska
+repeatedly, wishing to learn what was happening to Anulka. This was not
+caused by any personal motive, for Stanislav was not in love with the
+young lady, and she had broken altogether with Yatsek; he acted mainly
+from kindness, and a little from curiosity, for he wished to discover
+in what way, and how far the girl had aided in breaking the bonds of
+attachment between herself and Yatsek. He met opposition, however. The
+Krepetskis respected his wealth, hence they received him politely; but
+theirs was a wonderfully watchful hospitality, so continuous and active
+that Pan Serafin could not find himself alone with the girl for one
+instant.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He understood that they did not wish him to ask her how she was
+treated, and that set him to thinking, though he did not find that she
+was either ill treated, or made to serve greatly. He saw her, it is
+true, once and a second time cleaning with a crust of bread white satin
+shoes of such size that they could not be for her own feet, and darning
+stockings in the evening, but the Krepetski girls did the same, hence
+there could not be in this any plan to humiliate the orphan by labor.
+The old maids were at times as biting and stinging as nettles, but Pan
+Serafin remarked soon that such was their nature, and that they could
+not restrain themselves always from gnawing even at Martsian, whom
+still they feared so much that when either one had thrust out her sting
+half its length a look from him made her draw it back quickly. Martsian
+himself was polite and agreeable to Anulka, though without forwardness,
+and after the departure of old Krepetski and Tekla he became still more
+agreeable.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This departure was not pleasing to Pan Serafin, though it was simple
+enough that they could not leave an old man, who was somewhat disabled
+in walking, without the care of a woman, and since they had two houses
+they had divided the family. Pan Serafin would have preferred that
+Tekla remain with the orphan, but when on an occasion he hinted
+remotely that the ages of the two maidens made them company for each
+other, the elder sister met his words in the worst manner possible,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Anulka has shown the world,&quot; said Johanna, &quot;that age does not trouble
+her. Our late uncle and Pani Vinnitski have proved this--so we are not
+too old for her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We are as much older than she, as Tekla is younger, and I do not know
+as we are that much,&quot; added the second sister; &quot;besides our heads must
+manage this household.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Martsian broke into the conversation,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Tekla's service,&quot; said he, &quot;is dearest to father. He loves her beyond
+any one, at which we cannot wonder. We thought to send Panna Anulka
+with them, but she is accustomed to this house, so I think she will
+feel more at home in it. As to our care, I will do what I can to make
+it not too disagreeable.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then, with feet clattering, he approached the young lady, and tried to
+kiss her hand, which she drew away quickly, as if frightened. Pan
+Serafin thought that it was not proper to remove Pani Vinnitski, but he
+kept to himself that idea, not wishing to interfere in questions beyond
+his authority. He noted more than once that on Anulka's face fear as
+well as sadness was evident, but at this he was not greatly astonished,
+for her fate was in fact very grievous. An orphan, without a kindred
+soul near her, without her own roof above her head, she was forced to
+live on the favor of people who to her were repulsive, and who had an
+evil fame generally, she was forced to suffer pain over the vanished
+and brighter past, and to be in dread of the present. And though a
+person may be in suffering to the utmost, that person will have some
+solace if he, or she, may cherish hope of a better future. But she had
+no chance for hope, and she had none. To-morrow must be for her as
+to-day and the endless years to come, with the same drag of orphanhood,
+loneliness, and living on the bread of a stranger's favor.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin spoke of this often with Father Voynovski, whom he saw
+almost daily, since it was pleasant for them to talk about their young
+heroes. Father Voynovski, however, shrugged his shoulders with sympathy
+and magnified the keenness of the prelate who, by hanging the threat of
+a will like a Damocles sword above the Krepetskis, had protected the
+orphan, at least from evil treatment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Such a keen man!&quot; said he. &quot;Now you have him, and now he has slipped
+from you. Sometimes I think that perhaps he has not told the whole
+truth to us, and that there is a will in his hands, and that he will
+bring it out unexpectedly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That has occurred to me also, but why should he hide it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know not; perhaps to test human nature. I think only of this: Pan
+Gideon was a clear-sighted man, and it cannot find place in my head
+that he should not have made long ago some provision.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But after a time the ideas of both men were turned in a different
+direction, for the Bukoyemskis arrived, or rather walked in from Radom.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They appeared at Yedlinka one evening, with sabres, it is true, but
+with not very sound boots, and with torn coats on their bodies. They
+had such woe-be-gone faces that, if Pan Serafin had not for some time
+been expecting them, he would have been terribly frightened, and would
+have thought that news of his son's death had come with them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The four brothers embraced his knees, and kissed his hands straightway;
+he, looking at their misery, dropped his arms at his sides in
+amazement.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Stashko wrote,&quot; said he, &quot;that it had gone ill with you, but this is
+terrible!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We have sinned, benefactor!&quot; answered Marek, beating his breast.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The other brothers repeated his words.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We have sinned, we have sinned, we have sinned!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Tell me how, and in what. How is Stashko? He has written me that he
+saved you. What happened?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Stashko is well, benefactor; he and Pan Yatsek are as bright as two
+suns.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Glory to God! glory to God! Thanks for the good news. Have you no
+letter?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He wrote, but did not give us the letter. It might be lost,&quot; said he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Are you not hungry? Oh, what a condition! It is as if I had four men
+risen from the dead now before me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We are not hungry, for entertainment is ready at the house of every
+noble--but we are unfortunate.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sit down. Drink something warm, but while the servants are heating it
+tell me what happened. Where have you been?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In Warsaw,&quot; said Mateush, &quot;but that is a vile city.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is swarming with gamblers and drunkards, and on Long Street and in
+the Old City at every step there is a tavern.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, what?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;One son of a such a one persuaded Lukash to play dice with him. Would
+to God that the pagans had impaled the wicked scoundrel on a stake ere
+that happened.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And he cheated?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He won all that Lukash had, and then all that we had. Desperation took
+hold of us, and we wanted to win the coin back, but he won further our
+horse with a saddle and with pistols in the holsters. Then, I say to
+your grace, that Lukash wished to stab himself. What was to be done?
+How were we to help comforting a brother? We sold the second horse, so
+that Lukash might have a companion to walk with him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I understand what happened,&quot; remarked Pan Serafin.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;When we became sober there was still keener suffering; two horses were
+gone, and we had greater need of consolation.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So ye consoled yourselves till the fourth horse was gone?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Till the fourth horse. We sinned, we sinned!&quot; repeated the contrite
+brothers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But was that the end?&quot; continued Pan Serafin.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How the end, our father and special benefactor? We met a deceiver, one
+Poradski, who scoffed at us. 'So this is the way they shear fools!'
+says he. 'I will take you,' says he, 'as my serving men, for I am
+making the levy for a regiment.' Lukash cried out that the man was
+exposing us to ridicule, and when he would not stop Lukash slashed him
+on the snout with a sabre. Poradski's friends sprang to help him, and
+we to help Lukash, and we cut till the marshal's guard whirled in and
+went at us. And we yielded only when the others fell to shouting:
+'Gracious gentlemen, they are attacking freedom, and injuring the
+Commonwealth in our persons.' That is how it happened, and God blessed
+us immediately, for we wounded eight attendants in a flash, and three
+of these mortally; the others were at our feet,--there were five of
+them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin seized his head, and Marek continued,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes! Now we know all; God helped us till people shouted that the fight
+was near the king's palace, and a crime,--that we should die for it. We
+were frightened and ran. They tried to seize us, but when we, in old
+fashion, cut one on the face and another on the neck, they fled in a
+hurry. Stanislav saved us with the horses of his attendants, but even
+then we had to work hard to bring our heads with us; we were hunted to
+Senkotsin; if the horses had been slow our case would have ended. Our
+names were not known; that was lucky, and there will be no accusation
+against us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Long silence followed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Where are those horses which Stanislav gave you?&quot; asked Pan Serafin.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The brothers began their confession a third time,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We have sinned, benefactor, we have sinned!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin walked with long strides through the chamber.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now I understand,&quot; said he, &quot;why ye did not bring Stashko's letter. He
+wrote me that various sad things had happened you, and he predicted
+your return, thinking that ye would need money for horses and outfits,
+but how ye would end was unknown to him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So it is, benefactor,&quot; said Yan.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Men now brought in heated wine, to which the brothers betook themselves
+with great willingness, for they were road weary. Still they were
+frightened by the silence of Pan Serafin, who was striding up and down
+in the chamber, his face severe and gloomy. So again Marek spoke to
+him,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Your grace, my benefactor, has asked about Stanislav's horses. Two of
+them foundered before we reached Groyets, for we galloped all the way
+in a terrible windstorm; we sold them for a trifle to Jew wagoners, for
+the beasts were no good after foundering. And we had not a coin to keep
+the souls in us; since we left in such a hurry Pan Stanislav had no
+time to assist us. Then strengthened a little we rode farther, two men
+on each animal. But your grace will understand this. We met then some
+noble on the road, and immediately he seized his side, laughing. 'What
+kind of Jerusalem nobles are these?' asked he. And we from such
+terrible scornfulness were ready for anything. So we had endless
+encounters and fights till we came to Bialobregi, where for dear peace
+we sold the last two of our crowbaits; then, when people wondered at
+our travelling on foot we replied that we were making that journey
+through a vow of devotion. So forgive us now like a father, for there
+are not more ill-fated men in this world, as I think, than we
+brothers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is true! it is true!&quot; exclaimed Mateush and Lukash; while Yan, the
+youngest, moved by remembrance of past suffering, and wine, raised his
+voice, and cried,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We are orphans of the Lord! What is left now in this world to us?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nothing but brotherly love,&quot; put in Marek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And they fell to embracing one another, shedding bitter tears as they
+did so; then all drew up to Pan Serafin, but Marek seized his knees
+before the others.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, father,&quot; said he, &quot;our first-born protector, be not angry. Lend us
+once more for the levy, and from plunder, God grant, we will give it
+back faithfully; if you lend not--it is well also, but be not angry,
+only forgive us! Forgive us through that great friendship which we
+cherish for Stashko; for I tell you, let any man harm even one of
+Stashko's fingers, we will bear that man apart on our sabres! Is this
+not true, dearest brothers?--on our sabres?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Give him hither, the son of a such a one!&quot; cried Mateush, Lukash, and
+Yan.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin halted before them, put his hand on his forehead, and
+answered in these words,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am angry, it is true! but less angry than grief-stricken; for when I
+think that in this Commonwealth there are many such men as ye, the
+heart in me is straitened, and I ask myself: Will this mother of ours
+have the power with such children to meet the attacks which are
+threatening her? Ye wish to implore me, and ye expect my forgiveness.
+By the living God! it is not a question here of me, and not of my
+horses, but of something a hundred times greater, a question of the
+public weal, and the future of this Commonwealth; and of this, that ye
+do not understand the position, that even such a thought has not come
+to you; and since there are thousands such as ye are, the greater is
+the sorrow and the keener the anxiety, the more dreadful the
+desperation both of me and each honest son of this country--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For God's sake, benefactor! How have we sinned against the country?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How? By lawlessness, license, by riot and drunkenness. Oh! With us,
+people treat such things over lightly, and do not see how the
+pestilence is spreading, how the walls of this lordly building are
+weakened, and our heads are endangered by the ceiling. War is
+approaching; it is not known yet whether the foe will turn his power
+against us directly--but, ye Christian soldiers, what is the best that
+ye are doing? The trumpet is calling you to battle, but in your heads
+there is nothing save wine and lawlessness. With a glad heart ye cut
+down the guardians of that law which gives order of some kind. Who
+established those laws? Nobles. Who trampled them? Nobles! How can this
+country move to the field of glory, if this advance post of
+Christianity is inhabited not by warriors but drunkards, not by
+citizens but roysterers and rioters?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Here Pan Serafin stopped and, pressing his hand to his forehead, walked
+again with great steps through the chamber. The brothers glanced at one
+another in amazement and confusion, for they had not thought to hear
+from him anything of that sort.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But he sighed deeply and continued,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ye were called out against pagans, and ye spill the blood of
+Christians; ye were summoned in defence of this country, and ye have
+gone out as its enemies, for it is evident that the greater the
+disorder in a fortress, the weaker is the fortress. Fortunately there
+are still honest children of this mother, but of men such as ye there
+are, as I have said, many legions; for here not freedom, but riot is
+nourishing, not obedience, but impunity, not stern discipline, but
+wantonness, not love of country, but self-seeking; for here diets are
+broken, here the treasury is plundered, disorder increases, and civil
+wars like unbridled horses trample the country; hence drunken heads are
+fixing its fortunes; here is oppression of peasants, and from high to
+low lawlessness so that my heart bleeds, and I fear defeat, with God's
+anger as the consequence.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In God's name must we hang ourselves?&quot; cried Lukash.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin measured the chamber a number of times with his steps yet,
+and spoke on, as if it were to himself, and not to the Bukoyemskis,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Through the length and the breadth of this Commonwealth there is
+one immense feast, and on the wall an unknown hand is now writing:
+'Mane--Tekel--Fares.' Wine is flowing, but blood and tears also are
+flowing. I am not the only person who sees this, I am not the only man
+predicting evil, but it is vain to put a light before the sightless, or
+sing songs to those who have no hearing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Silence followed. The four brothers stared now at one another, and now
+at Pan Serafin with increasing confusion; at last Lukash said in a low
+voice to the other three,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;May I split, if I understand anything!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And may I split!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And may I!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If we could drink a couple of times--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Quiet, do not mention it--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let us go home.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let us go.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;With the forehead to your grace, our benefactor!&quot; said Marek, pushing
+out in front and bending down to the knees of Pan Serafin.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But whither?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To Lesnichovka. God help us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And I will help you,&quot; said Pan Serafin; &quot;but such grief seized me that
+I had to pour it out. Go upstairs, gentlemen,--rest; later on ye will
+learn my decision.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">An hour later he commanded to drive to Father Voynovski's. The priest
+was scandalized no little by the deeds of the Bukoyemskis, but at
+moments he could not restrain himself from laughter, for having served
+many years in the army he recalled various happenings which had met him
+and his comrades. But he could not forgive the brothers for drinking
+away the horses.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A soldier will often run riot,&quot; said he, &quot;but to drink away his horse!
+that is treason to the service. I will tell the Bukoyemskis that I
+should have been glad if martial law had taken the heads from their
+shoulders, and that certainly would have given an example to rioters,
+but I confess to you that I should have been sorry, for all four are
+splendid fellows. I know from of old what men are, and I can say in
+advance what each is good for. As to the Bukoyemskis, it will be
+unhealthy for those pagans who strike breast to breast with them in
+battle. What do you think to do with them?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will not leave them without rescue, but I think if I were to send
+them off alone the same kind of thing might meet them a second time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True!&quot; said the priest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hence it has occurred to me to go with them, and give them straight
+into the hands of the captain. Once with the flag and under discipline,
+they can grant themselves nothing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True, this is a splendid idea! Take them to Cracow; there the
+regiments will assemble. As I live I will go with you! Thus we shall
+see our boys, and come back with more pleasantness.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At this Pan Serafin laughed, and said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Your grace will come back alone.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How is that?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am going myself to the war.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you wish to serve again in the army?&quot; asked Father Voynovski, in
+astonishment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, and no; for it is one thing to go to the army and make a career
+out of service, and another to go on a single expedition. Of course, I
+am old, but older than I have gone to the ranks more than once in reply
+to Gradiva's trumpet. I have sent my only son, that is true, but it is
+not possible to yield up too much for the country. Thus did my fathers
+think, therefore, that Mother showed them the greatest honor at her
+disposal. Hence my last copper coin, and my last drop of blood are now
+ready to be sacrificed for her sake! Should it come to die--think, your
+grace, what nobler death, what greater happiness could meet me? A man
+must die once, and is there not greater pleasure in dying on the field
+of glory, at the side of one's son, than in bed; to die from a sabre or
+a bullet than from sickness; in addition fighting against pagans for
+the faith and the country?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then Pan Serafin, moved by his own words, opened his arms and
+repeated,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God grant this! God grant this!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then Father Voynovski took him in his arms, and pressing him, said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God grant that in this Commonwealth there be as many men like you as
+possible; there are not many as honorable, more honorable there are
+none whatever. It is true that it becomes a noble better to die on the
+field than in bed, and in old times every man held that idea, but
+to-day worse times have come on us. The country and the faith are one
+immense altar, and a man is a morsel of myrrh, predestined for burning
+to the glory of that altar. Yes, times are worse at the present. Then
+war is nothing new to you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin felt his breast, and continued,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have here a few wounds from sabres and shots of the old time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It would be pleasanter for me to defend the flag,&quot; said Father
+Voynovski, &quot;than listen to old women's sins in this neighborhood. And
+more than one of them tells me such nonsense, just as if she had come
+to shake out fleas at confession. When a man commits sin he has at
+least something to speak about, and all the more if he is a soldier!
+When I took this robe of a priest I became a chaplain in the regiment
+of Pan Modlishevski. Ah, I remember that well. Between one absolution
+of sins and another there was sometimes a shooting in the teeth, or
+blades were drawn. Ah, there was great need of chaplains in that time.
+I should like now to go, but my parish is large, and there is a tempest
+of work in it; the vicar is wilful but worst of all is a wound from a
+gunshot, which I received long ago, and which does not let me stay more
+than an hour in the saddle.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I should be happy to have a comrade,&quot; said Pan Serafin, &quot;but I
+understand that even without that wound your grace could not leave the
+parish.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, I shall see. In a couple of days I will ride and learn how long
+I can stay in the saddle. Something may have straightened out in me.
+But who will look to the management at Yedlinka?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have a forester, a simple man, but so honest that he might almost be
+canonized.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know; that one who is followed by wild beasts. Some say that he is a
+wizard; you know better, however. But he is old and sickly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I wish to take also that Vilchopolski who on a time served Pan Gideon.
+Perhaps you remember him? a young noble who lost one foot, but he is
+vigorous and daring. Krepetski removed him because he was too
+independent. He came to me two days ago offering his service, and
+to-day I will agree with him surely. Pan Gideon did not like him, since
+the man would not let any one blow on his pudding, but Pan Gideon
+praised his activity and faithfulness.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is to be heard in Belchantska?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have not been there for some time. It is clear that Vilchopolski
+does not praise the Krepetskis, but I had no chance to inquire about
+everything in detail.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will look in there to-morrow, though they are not over glad to
+behold me, and then I will return to rub the ears of the Bukoyemskis. I
+will command them to come to confession, and for penance the whips will
+be moving. Let them give one another fifty lashes; that will be good
+for them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It will, that is certain. But now I must take farewell of your grace
+because of Vilchopolski.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then Pan Serafin shortened his belt-strap, so that his sabre might not
+be in the way when he was entering the wagon. A moment later he was on
+the road moving toward Yedlinka, thinking meanwhile of his expedition,
+and smiling at the thought that he would work stirrup to stirrup with
+his one son, against pagans. After he had passed Belchantska he saw two
+horses under packs, and a trunk-laden wagon which Vilchopolski was
+driving. He commanded the young man to sit over into his wagon, and
+then he inquired,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Are you leaving Belchantska already?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Vilchopolski pointed to the trunks, and wishing to prove that though he
+served he was not without learning, he said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;See, your grace, <i>omnia mea mecum porto</i>&quot; (I am taking all my things
+with me).</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then was there such a hurry?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There was not a hurry, but there was need; therefore I accept all your
+grace's conditions with pleasure, and in case you go away, as you have
+mentioned, I will guard your house and possessions with faithfulness.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin was pleased with the answer and the daring, firm face of
+the young man; so, after a moment of meditation, he added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of faithfulness I have no doubt, for I know that you are a noble, but
+inexperience I fear, and incautiousness. In Yedlinka one must sit like
+a stone, and watch day and night, because it is almost in the
+wilderness, and in great forests there is no lack of bandits, who at
+times attack houses.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not wish an attack upon Yedlinka, but for myself I should like
+it, to convince your grace that courage and alertness would not be
+lacking on my part.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You look as though you had both,&quot; said Pan Serafin.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He was silent a while, and then continued,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is one other thing of importance of which to forewarn you. Pan
+Gideon is in God's hands at the present, and touching the dead nothing
+save that which is good may be mentioned; but it is known that he was
+hard to his people. Father Voynovski blamed him for this, and there was
+variance between them. The sweat of the peasant was not spared in
+Belchantska; trials were short and punishment grievous. We will be
+outspoken--there was oppression, and his agents were too cruel with
+people. This is not my case, be sure of that; there must be discipline,
+but paternal. I look on excessive severity as a great sin against God
+and the country. Fix it well in your mind that a man is not curds, and
+it is not allowable to press him too cruelly. I do not wring out
+people's tears--and I remember that before God all are equal.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A moment of silence followed. Vilchopolski seized Pan Serafin's hand
+and put his lips to it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I see that you understand me,&quot; said Pan Serafin.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I understand, your grace; and I answer, More than a hundred times I
+wanted to say to Pan Gideon: 'Find another manager;' more than a
+hundred times I wanted to go from his service, but--well, I could not
+do so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why was that? Is there a lack of work in the world?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Vilchopolski was confused and spoke as if fear had seized hold of him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It did not happen--I could not go--day after day I loitered. Besides,
+there was severity, and there was not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How was that?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The people were driven to work, it is true, no one could prevent that;
+but as to flogging, I will say briefly that instead of whips straw
+ropes were used on them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who was so merciful--you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No. But I chose to obey the will of an angel, not that of a devil.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I understand, but tell me whose will?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Panna Anulka's.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah! so it was she?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Really an angel. She too was in dread of Pan Gideon, who in recent
+times only began to regard what she told him. But all loved her so much
+that each man exposed himself to Pan Gideon's anger rather than refuse
+what she asked of him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;May God bless her for that! So you all conspired against Pan Gideon?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, your grace.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And it was not discovered?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It was discovered once, but I did not betray the young lady. Pan
+Gideon flogged me himself, for I declared to him that if any other man
+flogged, or if he flogged me except on a carpet, I, a noble, would let
+his house up in smoke, and shoot him besides that. And it would have
+been done as I promised, even had I to join forest bandits in
+consequence.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You please me for this,&quot; said Pan Serafin.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;More than once I found it difficult to stay with Pan Gideon,&quot;
+continued Vilchopolski; &quot;but in the house there was simply one of God's
+cherubim, and so, though a man might wish to go, he would stay there.
+After that, as the young lady grew up Pan Gideon gave her more
+consideration, and recently he gave thought to no one save Panna
+Anulka. He knew often that she commanded to give wheat to the poor from
+the granary, then, as I have said, she had straw used instead of whips;
+besides, she had labor remitted; he affected not to notice it. At last
+he was so much ashamed that she had no need to do anything in secret.
+She was a real protector of people, and for that reason may God, as you
+have said, bless and save her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why do you say 'save'?&quot; inquired Pan Serafin.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Because it is worse for her now than it has been.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Have the fear of God! What is the danger?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The two women are terrible. Young Krepetski himself restrains them
+apparently, but I know why he does this; but let him be careful, some
+one may shoot him down like a dog if he is not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was deep night then, but very clear, for the full moon was shining,
+and by the light of it Pan Serafin saw that the eyes of the young man
+were glittering like wolf eyes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What dost thou know of him?&quot; asked Pan Serafin, with curiosity.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know that he removed me not merely for my independence, but because
+I watched and listened carefully to what people in the house said. I
+went away because I had to go, but Belchantska is not far from
+Yedlinka, and in case of need--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Here he was silent, and on the road was heard only the sound of the
+pines as they were moved by the night wind.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">AT Belchantska it was not only evil for the young woman, but worse and
+worse daily. A good deal of time had passed since that moment in which
+old Pan Gideon had noticed that Martsian gazed at the young girl with
+too much of a &quot;goat's look,&quot; and had driven him from the mansion. Later
+on, Martsian saw her at church, and sometimes at the houses of
+neighbors, and always her beauty of springtime roused fresh desires in
+him. Now when he was living under one roof with her, when he saw her
+daily, he fell in love in his own way, that is, with the beastlike
+desire, and that feeling of which he was alone capable. A change had
+taken place in his wishes. His first intent had been to bring the girl
+to shame, and then marry her only in case that a will should be found
+in her favor. Now he was ready to go with her to the altar, if he could
+in any case have and possess her forever. Reason, which when urged by
+desire becomes its obedient assistant, told him, moreover, that a young
+lady bearing the name of Sieninski was, although dowerless, a match of
+great moment. But even if reason had told him the opposite, Martsian
+would not have listened, for as each day appeared he lost some part of
+his self-mastery. He burnt, he raged, and if up to that time he had
+restrained himself from violence it was only because desire, even the
+most urgent, craves and yearns for a willing surrender, and is charmed
+with the thought of mutuality in which it sees the highest pleasure,
+and deceives itself even when there is no cause whatever for doing so.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus Krepetski deceived himself, and thus he pampered his wishes with
+pictures of that blissful moment in which the young lady would herself,
+radiant and willing, incline to his embraces. But he dreaded to lose
+should he risk all on the hazard of a trial, and when he put to himself
+in spirit this question, What would follow? fear seized him in presence
+of himself, and in presence of the terror which would threaten him; for
+the laws of the Commonwealth guarding the honor of woman were pitiless,
+and around him were sabres of nobles by the hundred, which would flash
+above his head most unfailingly. But he felt also that the hour might
+come in which he would care for nothing, since in his insolent, wild
+spirit there was hidden a craving for battle, and a hunger for peril;
+so not without a certain charm for him was the picture of a great
+throng of nobles besieging Belchantska--the flame of conflagration
+above him, and a red executioner standing, axe in hand, somewhere off
+in the mist of a distant city.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And thus desire, dread, and also a longing for battle struggled like
+three whirlwinds within him. At the same time, wishing to give exit to
+that storm, and to cool that flood which was seething in his person as
+water in a caldron, he grew mad, wallowed in riot throughout village
+inns, rode down his horses, fell upon people, and drank to kill in
+every dramshop of Radom, Prityk, and Yedlina. He collected around him a
+company of road-blockers, who did not go to the war because of evil
+fame, or of poverty. He paid these men and tyrannized over them; he did
+this thinking that such a mob might be useful in the future, but he did
+not admit any man of them to confidence, and never mentioned in their
+presence the name of the young lady. Once when a certain Vysh, from
+some Vyshkov of unknown situation, mentioned her in rude, obscene
+fashion, Martsian slashed the fellow on his snout and drew blood from
+him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Martsian galloped home at breakneck speed, and usually about daylight.
+But that mad riding sobered him thoroughly. He dropped down in his
+clothes to the horse skin which covered his bed, and slept like a stone
+for some hours on it; when he rose he put on his best garments, went
+then to the women, and strove to please the young lady, whom his eyes
+did not leave for one moment, he meanwhile rousing desire, while his
+glances crawled over her person. And more than once, when he was alone
+with Anulka, his lips were pushed forward, his arms of monstrous
+length quivered as if powerless against his wish to seize hold of
+her; his voice became stifled, his words became insolent, vague,
+and double-meaning; through them circled both flattery and an
+ill-restrained threatening.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Anulka feared him simply as she would have feared a tamed wolf, or
+a bear, and with difficulty did she hide the repulsion with which the
+sight of him filled her. For in spite of the parrot-like colors in
+which he arrayed himself, in spite of the shining jewels at his neck,
+and the costly flageolet which he never let slip from his fingers, he
+looked worse each day, and more repulsive. Sleepless nights, rioting,
+drinking, and flaming desires had placed on him their impress. He grew
+thin, his shoulders drooped, through this his arms, long by nature,
+seemed longer, so that his hands reached below his knees and were
+beyond human proportions. His gigantic trunk was like a knotty section
+of a tree trunk, and his short bow-legs bent still more from mad
+riding. Moreover, the skin of his face took on a kind of green pallor,
+and because of his sunken cheeks, his protruding eyes and pouting lips
+were pushed forward phenomenally. He became simply dreadful to look at,
+especially when he laughed, for from his eyeballs when lighted with
+laughter looked out a kind of nervous, unrestrained threat and malice.
+But the feeling of her misfortune, deep sadness, and unhappiness
+produced in Anulka a dignity of which she had not a trace somewhat
+earlier. This dignity imposed on Krepetski. Once she had been a
+twittering maiden, active all day as a water-mill; now she had learned
+to be silent, and her eyes had a fixity of expression. So, though her
+heart trembled often from fear of Krepetski, she restrained him by her
+calm glance and her silence. He drew back then as if fearing to offend
+such a majesty. It is true that she seemed to him still more desirable,
+but also more difficult of access. She, however, feeling that from him
+immense danger was threatening, and later on being perfectly convinced
+of this, strove to avoid him, to be alone with him the shortest time
+possible, to turn away conversation from things which might facilitate
+confession, and finally she had the boldness sometimes to indicate that
+she was not by any means abandoned and left to the favor or ill-will of
+fortune, as it might seem to him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She avoided even memories of Yatsek, understanding that after what had
+passed between them he could not be then, and would not be ever a
+defence to her. She felt besides that every word touching him would
+rouse hatred and anger in Martsian. But having noted that the
+Krepetskis were careful of the prelate, and looked as if with secret
+dread on him, she let it be understood frequently that she was under
+his special protection, which rose from a secret agreement which, in
+view of every contingency, Pan Gideon had concluded. The prelate, who
+from time to time came to Belchantska, aided her notably, for he turned
+to the Krepetskis with pleasure, since he was studying mankind; he
+expressed himself with mystery, and quoted subtle phrases in Latin; he
+reminded Martsian of various things which that young man might
+interpret as suited him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But a great point was this: The servants and the whole village loved
+the &quot;young lady.&quot; People considered the Krepetskis as intruders, and
+her as the genuine inheritor. All feared Martsian, except Vilchopolski.
+But even after the removal of that young noble, the unseen care of the
+people went, as it were, with Anulka, and Martsian understood that the
+fear which he roused had its limit, beyond which for him would begin
+real danger. He understood also that Vilchopolski, whose eyes had a
+daring expression, would not go far from Belchantska, and that if the
+young lady should be in need of defence he would not draw back before
+anything; hence he confessed to himself that she was not really so
+deserted by every one as at first he had thought, and as on a time he
+had told his old father.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who will take her part? No one!&quot; said he, when the old man commanded
+him to remember the terrible punishments which the laws threatened for
+an attempt on the honor of a woman.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At last he understood that there were such defenders. That raised one
+more obstacle, but obstacles and perils were only an incitement to a
+nature like Martsian's. He deceived himself yet, thinking that he would
+move the young lady and make her love him; but there came moments in
+which he saw, as clearly as a thing on the palm, that he was quite
+powerless; and then he raged, as said the comrades of his revels, and
+had it not been for a certain dull, but strong and irresistible
+foreboding that if he attacked the girl he should lose her forever, he
+would long ere that have set free the wild beast within him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And in just those times did he drink without measure and memory.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile relations in the house had become unendurable, seasoned with
+bitterness and poison. The Krepetski old maids hated Anulka, not only
+because she was younger than they and more beautiful, but because
+people loved her, and because Martsian took her part for every reason,
+and even for no reason. They flamed up at last with implacable hatred
+toward their brother; but seeing that Anulka never complained, they
+tortured her all the more stubbornly. Once Agneshka burnt her with a
+red-hot shovel, as if by accident. Martsian, hearing of this through
+the servants, went to ask pardon of the young lady, and beg her to seek
+his protection at all times; but he pushed up to her with such
+insistence, and fell to kissing her hand with such greed and so
+disgustingly, that she fled from him, unable to repress her abhorrence.
+Thereupon he broke into a rage and beat his sister so viciously that
+for two days she feigned illness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The two &quot;heiresses&quot; as they were called at the mansion did not spare
+biting words on the young lady, or open inventions and humiliations,
+taking vengeance in this way for all they were forced to endure from
+their brother. But out of hatred for Martsian they warned her against
+him, censuring her at the same time for yielding to his wishes, for
+they saw that with nothing could they wound and offend her so painfully
+as with this implication. The house became a hell for her, and every
+hour in it a torment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hatred toward those people, who themselves hated one another, was
+poisoning even her heart. She began to think of a cloister, but she
+kept the thought in her bosom, for she knew that they would not let her
+enter one, and that by unfettering Martsian's anger she would expose
+herself to great peril. Alarm and fear of danger dwelt in her
+continually, and produced the desire of death, a desire which she had
+never felt previously. Meanwhile each day added to her cup new drops of
+bitterness. Once, early in the morning, Agneshka surprised Martsian
+looking through the keyhole of the orphan's chamber. He withdrew
+gritting his teeth and threatening with his fist, but the &quot;heiress&quot;
+called her sister immediately, and the two, finding the girl still
+undressed, began to torment her, as usual.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thou didst know that he was standing there,&quot; said the elder, &quot;for the
+floor squeaks outside the door, and there is a noise when any one
+stands near it; but to thee, as is clear, his presence was agreeable.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Bah! he licked his lips before dainties, and she did not hide them,&quot;
+interrupted Agneshka. &quot;Hast thou no fear of God, shameless creature?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Such a one should be put before the church at a pillory.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And expelled from the mansion.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sodom and Gomorrah!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Tfu!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And when will the need be to send to Radom for a woman?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What sort of a name wilt thou give it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Tfu! thou dish-rag!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And they spat on her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The heart stormed up in the hapless maiden, for the measure was passed
+then.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Be off!&quot; cried she, pointing to the door.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But her face grew pale as linen, and darkness fell on her eyes; for a
+moment it seemed to her that she was flying into some gulf without
+bottom, then she lost consciousness, feeling, and memory. On recovering
+she found herself wet from water which had been poured on her, and her
+breast pinched in places. The faces of the old maids bending over her
+showed fear, but after a while they felt reassured when they saw that
+she was conscious.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Complain, complain!&quot; said Johanna. &quot;Thy paramour will defend thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And thou wilt thank him in thy own way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Setting her teeth Anulka answered no syllable.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Martsian divined all that must have happened upstairs, for some
+hours later from the chancellery, where he had shut himself in with his
+sisters, came howls from which the whole mansion was terrified.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the afternoon, when old Krepetski came, the two sisters fell with a
+scream to his knees imploring him to remove them from that den of
+profligacy and torture. But he to the same degree that he loved his
+youngest daughter hated the elder ones; so he not only took no pity on
+the ill-fated hags, but he called for sticks, and compelled them to
+stay there.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The only being in that terrible house in whom Johanna and Agneshka, if
+they had wished to be friendly and kind, might have found compassion,
+sympathy, and even protection, was Panna Anulka. But they preferred to
+torment the poor girl, and gloat over her, for, with the exception of
+Tekla, that was a family in which each member did all in his or her
+power to poison the life and increase the misfortune of the others.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Panna Anulka feared the love of Martsian more than the hatred of
+his sisters. And he thrust himself more and more on her, pushed himself
+forward more and more shamelessly, was more and more insistent, and
+gazed at her more and more greedily. It had become clear that he was
+ceasing to command himself, that wild desire was tearing him as a
+whirlwind tears a tree, and that he might give way at any moment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In fact that moment came soon.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Once, after warm weather had grown settled, Anulka went at daybreak to
+bathe in the shady river; before undressing she saw Martsian's face on
+the opposite bank sticking out from thick bushes. That instant she
+rushed away breathlessly. He pursued her, but trying to spring over the
+water he failed and fell into it; he was barely able to climb out, and
+went home drenched to the very last thread of his clothing. Before
+dinner he had beaten a number of servants till the blood came; during
+dinner he said not a word to any person. Only at the end of the meal
+did he turn to his sisters,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Leave me alone,&quot; said he, &quot;with Panna Anulka; I have to talk with her
+on matters of importance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The sisters, on hearing this, looked at each other significantly, and
+the young lady grew pale from amazement; though he had long tried to
+seize every moment in which he might be alone with her, he had never
+let himself ask for such a moment openly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When the sisters had gone he rose, looked beyond one door and another,
+to convince himself that no one was listening, then he drew up to
+Anulka.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Give me your hand,&quot; said he, &quot;and be reconciled.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She drew back both hands unconsciously, and pushed away from him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Martsian's wish for calmness was evident, but he sprang forward twice
+on his bow-legs, for he could never abandon that habit, and said, with
+a voice full of effort,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are unwilling! But to-day I came very near drowning for your sake.
+I beg your pardon for that fright, but it was not caused by any bad
+reason. Mad dogs began yesterday to run between Vyrambki and this
+mansion, and I took a gun to make sure of your safety.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Anulka's knees trembled under her a little, but she said with good
+presence of mind and with calmness,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I want no protection which would bring only shame to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I should like to defend you, not merely now, but till death and at all
+times! Not offending God, but with His blessing. Dost understand me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A moment of silence followed this question. Through the open window
+came the sound of cutting wood, made by an old lame man attached to the
+kitchen.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not understand.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Because thou hast no wish to understand,&quot; replied Martsian. &quot;Thou
+seest this long time that I cannot live without thee. Thou art as
+needful to me as this air is for breathing. To me thou art wonderful,
+and dear above all things. I cannot exist--without thee I shall burn up
+and vanish! If I had not restrained myself I should have grabbed thee
+long ago as a hawk grabs a dove. It grows dry in my throat without
+thee, as it does without water--everything in me quivers toward thee. I
+cannot sleep, I cannot live--see here even now--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he stopped, for his teeth were chattering as if in a fever. He had
+a spasm, he caught at the arms of the chair with his bony fingers, as
+if fearing to fall, and panted some time very loudly. Then he
+continued,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thou lackest fortune--that is nothing! I have enough. I need not
+fortune, but thee. Dost thou wish to be mistress in this mansion? Thou
+wert to marry Pan Gideon; I am not worse, as I think, than Pan Gideon.
+But do not say no! do not, by the living God, do not say it, for I
+cannot tell what will happen. Thou art wonderful! thou, my--!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He knelt quickly, embraced her knees with his two hands, and pressed
+them toward his bosom. But, beyond even her own expectation, Anulka's
+fear vanished without a trace in that terrible moment. The knightly
+blood began to act in her; readiness for battle to the last breath
+was roused in the woman. Her hands pushed back with all force his
+sweat-covered forehead, which was nestling up toward her knees at that
+moment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No! no! I would rather die a thousand deaths! No!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He rose up, pallid, his hair erect, his mustache quivering. Beneath the
+mustache were glittering his long decayed teeth, and for a time he was
+filled with cold rage as he stood there; but still he controlled
+himself, still presence of mind did not desert him entirely. But when
+Anulka pushed toward the door on a sudden, he stopped the way to her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is this true?&quot; inquired he, with a hoarse voice. &quot;Thou wilt not have
+me? Wilt thou repeat that once more to me, to my eyes? Wilt thou not
+have me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will not! And do not threaten, for I feel no fear.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not threaten thee, but I want to take thee as wife, nay more, I
+beg thee bethink thyself! By the living God, bethink thyself!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In what am I to bethink myself? I am free, I have my will, and I say
+before your eyes: Never!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He approached her, so nearly that his face pushed up to hers, and he
+continued,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then perhaps instead of being mistress, thou dost choose to carry wood
+to the kitchen? Or dost thou not wish it? How will it be, O noble lady!
+To which of thy estates wilt thou go from this mansion? And if thou
+stay, whose bread wilt thou eat here; on whose kindness wilt thou live?
+In whose power wilt thou find thyself? Whose bed, whose chamber is that
+in which thou art sleeping? What will happen if I command to remove the
+door fastenings? And dost thou ask in what thou art to bethink thyself?
+In this: which thou art to choose!--marriage, or no marriage!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ruffian!&quot; screamed Panna Anulka.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But now happened something unheard of. Seized with sudden fury,
+Krepetski bellowed with a voice that was not human, and seizing the
+girl by the hair he began with a certain wild and beastly relish to
+beat her without mercy or memory. The longer he had mastered himself up
+to that time, the more did his madness seem wild then, and terrible; at
+that moment beyond doubt he would have killed the young lady had it not
+been that to her cries for assistance servants burst into the chamber.
+First that man cutting wood at the kitchen broke in with an axe through
+the window, after him came kitchen servants, the two sisters, the
+butler, and two of Pan Gideon's old servitors.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The butler was a noble from a distant village in Mazovia, moreover, a
+man of rare strength, though rather aged; he caught Martsian's arms
+from behind, and drew them so mightily that the elbows almost met at
+his shoulders.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This is not permitted, your grace!&quot; exclaimed he. &quot;It is infamous!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let me go!&quot; roared Krepetski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But the iron hands held him as in vices, and a serious, low voice was
+heard near his ear,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will break your bones unless you restrain yourself!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile the sisters led, or rather carried the young lady from the
+chamber.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come to the chancellery to rest,&quot; said the butler. &quot;I advise your
+grace earnestly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he pushed the man before him as he would a child, while Martsian,
+with chattering teeth, moved on with his short legs, crying for a
+halter and the hangman; but he could not resist, for a moment later he
+had grown so weak all at once, from the outburst, that he was unable
+even to stand unassisted. So, when the butler in the chancellery threw
+him on the horse skin with which the bed was covered, Martsian did not
+even try to rise; he lay there panting with heaving sides, like a horse
+after over-exertion.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Something to drink!&quot; shouted he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The butler opened the door, called a boy, and, whispering some words,
+gave him keys: the lad returned with a pint glass and a demijohn of
+brandy.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The butler filled the glass to the brim, sniffed at it, and said
+approaching Martsian,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Drink, your grace.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Krepetski seized it with both hands, but they trembled so that liquor
+dropped on his breast; then the butler raised him, put the glass to his
+lips, and inclined it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He drank and drank, holding the glass greedily when the butler tried to
+remove it from his mouth. At last he drank all, and fell backward.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It may be too much,&quot; said the butler, &quot;but you had become very weak
+when I gave it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Though Martsian wished to say something, he merely hissed in the air,
+like a man who has burnt his mouth with too hot a liquid.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Eh,&quot; said the butler, &quot;you owe me a good gift, for I have shown no
+petty service. God preserve us, if anything is done--in such an affair
+it is the axe and the executioner, not to mention this, that misfortune
+might happen here any minute. The people love that young lady beyond
+measure. And it will be difficult to hide what has been done from the
+prelate, though I will tell all to be silent. How do you feel?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Martsian looked at him with staring eyes and open mouth as he panted.
+Once and a second time he tried to say something, then hiccoughing
+seized him, his eyes grew expressionless, he closed his lids on a
+sudden, and then began a rattling in his throat as if the man were
+dying.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sleep, or die, dirty dog!&quot; growled the butler as he looked at him. And
+he went from the room to the outbuildings. Half an hour later he
+returned and knocked at the young lady's chamber. Finding the two
+sisters with her he said to them,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ladies, perhaps you would look in a moment at the chancellery, for the
+young lord has grown very feeble. But if he sleeps it is better not to
+wake him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then when alone with Panna Anulka he inclined to her knees, and said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Young lady, there is need to flee from this mansion. All is ready.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And she, though broken and barely able to stand on her feet, sprang up
+in one instant.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is well, and I am ready! Save me!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will conduct you to a wagon which is waiting beyond the river.
+To-night I will bring your clothing. Pan Krepetski is as drunk as Bela,
+and will lie like a dead man till morning. Only take a cloak, and let
+us go. No one will stop us; have no fear on that point.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God reward! God reward!&quot; repeated she, feverishly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They went out through the garden to that gate by which Yatsek used to
+enter from Vyrambki. On the way the butler said to her,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Long ago Vilchopolski arranged with the servants that if an attack
+upon you were attempted, they would set fire to the granary. Pan
+Krepetski would be forced to the fire, and you would have time to
+escape through the garden to a place beyond the river, where a man was
+to wait with a wagon. But it is better not to burn anything. To set
+fire is a crime, no matter what happens. Krepetski will be like a stone
+until morning, so no pursuit threatens you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Where are we going?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To Pan Serafin's; defence there is easy. Vilchopolski is there. So are
+the Bukoyemskis and other foresters. Krepetski will try to take you
+back, but will fail. And later on Pan Serafin will conduct you to
+Radom, or farther. That will be settled with the priests. Here is the
+wagon! Fear no pursuit. It is not far to Yedlinka, and God gives a
+wonderful evening. I will bring your clothing to-night. If they try to
+stop me I will not mind them. May the Most Holy Mother, the guardian
+and protectress of orphans conduct you!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And taking her by the hand like a child, he seated her in the wagon.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Move on!&quot; cried he to the driver.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was growing dark in the world, and the twilight of evening was
+quenching, but from the remnant of its rays the stars in the clear sky
+were rosy. The calm evening was filled with the odors of the earth, of
+leaves, and of blossoming alders, while nightingales were filling with
+their song, as with a warm rain of spring, the garden, the trees, and
+the whole region.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">That evening Pan Serafin was sitting on a bench in the front of his
+mansion, entertaining Father Voynovski, who had come after evening
+prayers to see him, and the four Bukoyemskis, who were stopping then
+permanently at Yedlinka. Before them on a table, with legs crossed like
+the letter X, stood a pitcher of mead and some glasses. They, while
+listening to the murmur of the forest, were drinking from time to time
+and conversing of the war, raising their eyes to the heavens in which
+the sickle of the moon was shining clearly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thanks to your grace, our benefactor, we shall be ready soon for the
+road,&quot; said Mateush Bukoyemski. &quot;What has happened is passed. Even
+saints have their failings; then how must it be with frail men, who
+without the grace of God can do nothing? But when I look at that moon,
+which forms the Turkish standard, my fist is stung as if mosquitoes
+were biting. Well, God grant a man to gratify his hands at the
+earliest.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The youngest Bukoyemski fell to thinking.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why is it, my reverend benefactor,&quot; asked he at last, &quot;that Turks
+cherish some kind of worship for the moon, and bear it on their
+standards?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But have not dogs some devotion toward the moon also?&quot; asked the
+priest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course, but why should the Turks have it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Just because they are dog-brothers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, as God is dear to me, that explains all,&quot; said the young man,
+looking at the moon then in wonderment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But the moon is not to blame,&quot; said the host, &quot;and it is delightful to
+gaze at it when in the calm of night it paints all the trees with its
+beams, as if some one had coated them with silver. I love greatly to
+sit by myself on such a night, gaze at the sky, and marvel at the Lord
+God's almightiness.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, at such times the soul flies on wings, as it were, to its
+Creator,&quot; said Father Voynovski. &quot;God in his mercy created the moon as
+well as the sun, and what an immense benefaction. As to the sun, well,
+everything is visible in the daytime, but if there were no moon people
+would break their necks in the night if they travelled, not to mention
+this, that in perfect darkness devilish wickedness would be greater by
+far than it is at the present.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They were silent for a while and passed over the peaceful sky with
+their eyes; the priest took a pinch of snuff then, and added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Fix this in your memories, gentlemen, that a kind Providence thinks
+not only of the needs, but the comfort of people.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The rattle of wheels, which in the night stillness reached their ears
+very clearly, interrupted the conversation. Pan Serafin rose from his
+seat.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God is bringing some guest,&quot; said he, &quot;for the whole household is
+here. I am curious to know who it may be.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Surely some one with news from our lads,&quot; added Father Voynovski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">All rose, and thereupon a wagon drawn by two horses entered in through
+the gateway.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Some woman is on the seat,&quot; called out Lukash.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is true.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The wagon passed through half the courtyard and stopped at the
+entrance. Pan Serafin looked at the face of the woman, recognized it in
+the wonderful moonlight, and cried,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Panna Anulka!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he almost lifted her in his arms from the wagon, then she bent at
+once to his knees, and burst into weeping.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;An orphan!&quot; cried she, &quot;who begs for rescue and a refuge!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then she nestled up to his knees, embraced them with still greater
+vigor, and sobbed more complainingly. Such great astonishment seized
+every man there, that for a time no one uttered a syllable; at last Pan
+Serafin raised the orphan and pressed her to his heart.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;While there is breath in my nostrils,&quot; cried he, &quot;I will be to thee a
+father. But tell me what has happened? Have they driven thee from
+Belchantska?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Krepetski has beaten me, and threatened me with infamy,&quot; answered she,
+in a voice barely audible.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Father Voynovski, who was there very near her, heard this answer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews!&quot; exclaimed he, seizing his white
+hair with both hands.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The four Bukoyemskis gazed with open mouths, and eyes bursting from
+their sockets, but understood nothing. Their hearts were moved at once,
+it is true, by the weeping of the orphan, but they considered that
+Panna Anulka had wrought foul injustice on Yatsek. They remembered also
+the teaching of Father Voynovski, that woman is the cause of all evil.
+So they looked at one another inquiringly, as if hoping that some clear
+idea would come, if not to one, to another of them. At last words came
+to Marek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, now, here is Krepetski for you. But in every case that Martsian
+will get from us a----, or won't he?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he seized at his left side, and, following his example, the other
+three brothers began to feel for the hilts of their sabres.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile, Pan Serafin had led in the young lady and committed her to
+Pani Dzvonkovski, his housekeeper, a woman of sensitive heart and
+irrepressible eloquence, and explained to her that she was to concern
+herself with this the most notable guest that had come to them. He said
+that the housekeeper was to yield up her own bedroom to the lady, light
+the house, make a fire in the kitchen, find calming medicines and
+plasters for the blue spots, prepare heated wine and various dainties.
+He advised the young lady herself to lie down in bed until all was
+given her, and to rest, deferring detailed discourse till the morrow.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But she desired to open her heart straightway to those gentlemen with
+whom she had sought rescue. She wanted to cast out immediately from her
+soul all that anguish which had been collecting so long in it, and that
+misfortune, shame, humiliation, and torture in which she had been
+living at Belchantska. So, shutting herself up with Father Voynovski
+and Pan Serafin, she spoke as if to a confessor and a father. She told
+them everything, both her sorrow for Yatsek, and that she had consented
+to marry her guardian only because she thought Yatsek had contemned
+her, and because she had heard from the Bukoyemskis that Yatsek was to
+marry Parma Zbierhovski. Finally, she explained what her life had been
+in Belchantska,--or rather, what her sufferings had been there; she
+explained the torturing malice of the two sisters, the ghastly advances
+of Martsian, and the happenings of that day which were the cause of her
+flight from the mansion.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And they seized their own heads while they listened. The hand of Father
+Voynovski, an old soldier, went to his left side involuntarily, in the
+manner of the Bukoyemskis, though for many a day he had not carried a
+weapon; but the worthy Pan Serafin put his palms on the temples of the
+maiden, and said to her,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let him try to take thee. I had an only son, but now God has given me
+a daughter.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Father Voynovski, who had been struck most by what she had said
+touching Yatsek, remembering all that had happened, could not take in
+the position immediately. Hence he thought and thought, smoothed with
+his palm the whole length of his crown which was milk-white, and then
+he asked finally,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Didst thou know of that letter which Pan Gideon wrote to Yatsek?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I begged him to write it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then I understand nothing. Why didst thou do so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Because I wanted Yatsek to return to us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How return?&quot; cried the priest, with real anger. &quot;The letter was such
+that just because of it Yatsek went away to the ends of the earth
+broken-hearted, to forget, and cast out of him that love which thou, my
+young lady, didst trample.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Her eyes blinked from amazement, and she put her hands together, as if
+praying.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My guardian told me that he had written the letter of a father. O Holy
+Mother! What was there in it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Insults, contempt, a trampling upon the man's poverty and his honor.
+Dost understand?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then from the gill's breast was rent a shriek of such pain and
+sincerity that the honest heart of the priest quivered in him. He
+approached her, removed the hands with which she had covered her face,
+and asked,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then didst thou not know of this?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I did not--I did not!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And thou didst wish Yatsek to return to thee?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I did!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In God's name! Why was that?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Tears as large as pearls began again to drop from her closed lashes in
+abundance, and quickly; her face was red from maiden shame, she caught
+for air with her open lips, the heart was throbbing in her as in a
+captured bird, and at last after great effort, she whispered,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Because--I love him!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My child, is that possible!&quot; cried out Father Voynovski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But the voice broke in his breast, for tears were choking him also. He
+was seized at the same instant by delight and immense compassion for
+the girl, and astonishment that &quot;a woman&quot; in this case was not the
+cause of all evil, but an innocent lamb on which so much suffering had
+fallen God knew for what reason. He caught her in his arms, pressed her
+to his heart. &quot;My child! my child!&quot; repeated he, time after time.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Bukoyemskis, meanwhile, had betaken themselves, with the glasses
+and pitcher, to the dining-room; had emptied the pitcher
+conscientiously to the bottom, and were waiting for the priest and Pan
+Serafin, in the hope that with their coming supper would be put on the
+table.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They returned at last with moistened eyes and with emotion on their
+faces. Pan Serafin breathed deeply once, and a second time, then he
+said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pani Dzvonkovski is putting the poor thing to bed. Indeed, a
+man is unwilling to believe his own ears. We too, are to blame; but
+Krepetski,--what he has done is simply infamous and disgraceful. We may
+not let him go without punishment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;On the contrary,&quot; answered Marek, &quot;we will talk about this with that
+'stump.' Oh-ho!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then he turned to Father Voynovski,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am very sorry for her, but still, I think that God punished her for
+Yatsek. Is that not true?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thou art a fool!&quot; called out Father Voynovski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But how is that? Why?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The old man, whose breast was full of pity, fell to talking quickly and
+passionately of the innocence and suffering of the girl, as if wishing
+in that way to make up for the injustice which he had permitted
+regarding her; but after a time all discussion was interrupted by the
+coming of Pani Dzvonkovski, who burst into the room like a bomb into a
+fortress.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Her face was as flooded with tears as if it had been dipped in a full
+bucket, and right on the threshold she fell to crying, with arms
+stretched out before her,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;People, whoso believes in God! Vengeance, justice! As God lives! her
+dear shoulders are all in blue lumps, those shoulders once white as
+wafers--hair torn out by the handful, golden hair! my dearest dove! my
+innocent lamb! my precious little flower!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On hearing this, Mateush Bukoyemski, already excited by the narrative
+of Father Voynovski, bellowed out at one moment, the next he was
+accompanied by Marek, Lukash, and Yan till the servants rushed into the
+dining-hall and the dogs began to bark at the entrance. But
+Vilchopolski, who a moment later returned from his night review of
+haystacks, met now another humor of the brothers. Their hair was on
+end, their eyes were staring with rage, their right hands were grasping
+at their sabre hilts.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Blood!&quot; shouted Lukash.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Give him hither, the son of a such a one!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Kill him!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;On sabres with him!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And they moved toward the door as one man; but Pan Serafin sprang to
+the entrance and stopped them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Halt!&quot; cried he. &quot;Martsian deserves not the sabre, but the headsman!&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">And he had to speak long in pacifying the angry brothers. He explained
+to them that were they to cut down Krepetski at once it would be the
+act not of nobles but assassins.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is need first of all,&quot; said he, &quot;to visit our neighbors, to come
+to an understanding with Father Tvorkovski, to have the support of the
+clergy and the nobles, to obtain the testimony of the servants at
+Belchantska, then to take the case before a tribunal, and only when the
+sentence is passed to stand behind it with weapons. If,&quot; continued he,
+&quot;ye were to bear Martsian apart on your sabres immediately, his father
+would not fail to report in all places that ye did so through agreement
+with Panna Anulka; by this her reputation might suffer, and the old man
+would summon you, and, instead of going to the war, ye would have to
+drag around through tribunals, for, not being under the authority of
+the hetman as yet, ye would not escape a civil summons. That is how
+this matter stands at the moment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How so?&quot; inquired Yan, with sorrow; &quot;then we are to let the wrong done
+this dove go unpunished?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But do ye think,&quot; said the priest, &quot;that life will be pleasant for
+Krepetski when infamy is hanging over him, or the axe of the headsman,
+and in addition when general contempt is surrounding him? That is a
+worse torment than a quick death would be, and I should not wish, for
+all the silver in Olkuts, to be in his skin at this moment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But if he will wriggle out?&quot; inquired Marek. &quot;His father is an old
+trickster, who has won more than one lawsuit.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If he wriggles out, Yatsek on returning will whisper a word in his
+ear.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ye do not know Yatsek yet! He has the eyes of a maiden, but it is
+safer to take her young cubs from a she-bear than to pain him
+unjustly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hereupon Vilchopolski till then only listening spoke in gloomy
+accents,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pan Krepetski has written his own sentence, whether he awaits the
+return of Pan Tachevski or not-- But there is another point; he will
+try, with armed hand, to get back the young lady, and then--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then we shall see!&quot; interrupted Pan Serafin. &quot;But let him only try!
+That is something quite different!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he shook his sabre, threateningly, while the Bukoyemskis began to
+grit their teeth straightway.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let him try! let him try!&quot; said they.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But, gentlemen,&quot; said Vilchopolski, &quot;you are going to the war.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We will arrange then in another way,&quot; replied Father Voynovski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Further conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the butler. He
+had brought trunks filled with the wardrobe of Panna Sieninski which,
+as he said, he did only with difficulty. The Krepetski sisters tried to
+prevent him, and even wished to wake Martsian, and keep the trunks in
+the mansion, but they could not wake him; and the butler persuaded them
+that they should not act thus, both in view of their own good and that
+of their brother, otherwise an action would be brought against them for
+robbery, and they would be summoned for damages before a tribunal. As
+women who do not know law they were frightened and yielded. The butler
+thought that Martsian would try surely to get back the young lady, but
+he did not think that the man would use violence immediately.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He will be restrained from that,&quot; said the butler, &quot;by his father, who
+understands well the significance of <i>raptus puellae</i>. He knows nothing
+yet of what has happened, but from here I will go to him directly and
+explain the whole matter, for two reasons. First, so that he may
+restrain Martsian, and second, because I do not wish to be in
+Belchantska to-morrow when Martsian wakes and learns that I have helped
+the young lady in fleeing. He would rush on me surely, and then to one
+of us something ugly might happen.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin and Father Voynovski praised the man's prudence and,
+finding that he was a well-wishing person, and experienced, a man who
+had eaten bread from more than one oven, and to whom law itself was no
+novelty, begged him to aid in examining the question. There were two
+councils then, one of these being formed of the four Bukoyemskis.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin, knowing how to restrain them most easily from murderous
+intentions, and detain them at home, sent a large demijohn of good mead
+to the brothers; this they were glad to besiege at the moment, and
+began to drink one to another. Their hearts were moved, and they
+remembered involuntarily the night when Panna Anulka crossed for the
+first time the threshold of that house there in Yedlinka. They recalled
+how they had fallen in love with her straightway, how through her they
+had quarrelled, and then in one voice adjudged her to Stanislav, and
+thus made an offering of their passion to friendship.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At last Mateush drank his mead, put his head on his palm, sighed, and
+continued,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yatsek was sitting that night on a tree like a squirrel. Who could
+have thought then that he was just the man to whom the Lord God had
+given her?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And commanded us to continue in our orphanhood,&quot; added Marek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do ye remember,&quot; asked Lukash, &quot;how the rooms were all bright from her
+presence? They would not have been brighter from a hundred burning
+candles. And she at one time stood up, at another sat down, and a third
+time she laughed. And when she looked at a man it was as warm in his
+bosom as if he had drunk heated wine that same instant. Let us take a
+glass now on our terrible sadness.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They drank again; then Mateush struck a blow with his fist on the
+table, and shouted,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ei! if she had not loved that Yatsek so!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then what?&quot; asked Yan, angrily, &quot;dost think that she would fall in
+love with thee right away? Look at him--my dandy!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well thou art no beauty!&quot; retorted Mateush.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And they looked at each other with ill-feeling. But Lukash, though
+given greatly to quarrels, began now to pacify his brothers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not for thee, not for thee, not for any of us,&quot; said he. &quot;Another will
+get her and take her to the altar.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For us there is nothing but sorrow and weeping,&quot; blurted out Marek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then at least we will love one another. No one in this world loves us!
+No one!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No one! no one!&quot; repeated they all in succession, mingling their wine
+with their tears as they said so.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But she is sleeping up there!&quot; added Yan on a sudden.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;She is sleeping, the poor little thing,&quot; responded Lukash; &quot;she is
+lying down like a flower cut by the scythe, like a lamb torn by a
+villainous wolf. My born brothers! is there no man here who will take
+even a pull at the wild beast?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It cannot be but there is!&quot; cried out Mateush, Marek, and Yan. And
+again they grew indignant, and the more they drank the oftener they
+gritted their teeth, first one, then another, or one of them struck his
+fist on the table.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have an idea!&quot; said the youngest on a sudden.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Tell it! Have God in thy heart!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Here it is. We have promised Pan Serafin not to cut up that 'stump.'
+Have we not promised?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We have, but tell what thou hast to say; ask no questions.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Though we have promised we must take revenge for our young lady. Old
+Krepetski will come here, as they said, to see if Pan Serafin will not
+give back the young lady. But we know that he will not give her, do we
+not?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He will not! he will not!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But think ye not this way: Martsian will hurry to meet his father on
+the road back, to see and inquire if he has succeeded.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As God is in heaven, he will do so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;On the road, half-way between Belchantska and Yedlinka, is a tar pit
+near the roadside. If we should wait at that tar pit for Martsian--?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, but what for?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Psh! quiet!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Psh!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And they began to look around through the room, though they knew that
+save themselves there was not a living soul in it, and then they
+whispered. They whispered long, now louder, now lower. At last their
+faces grew radiant, they finished their wine at one draught, embraced
+one another, and in silence went out of the room one after the other,
+in goose fashion.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They saddled their horses without the least noise, and each led his
+beast by the bit from the courtyard. When they had gone through the
+gate they mounted and rode stirrup by stirrup to the roadway where Yan,
+though the youngest, took command and said then to his brothers,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now I with Marek will go to the tar pit, and do ye bring that cask
+before daybreak.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">Old Krepetski, as had been foreseen by the butler, went to Yedlinka
+after midday on the morrow, but beyond all expectation he appeared
+there with so kindly a face, and so gladsome, that Pan Serafin, who had
+the habit of dozing after dinner, and felt somewhat drowsy, became wide
+awake with astonishment at sight of him. Almost at the threshold the
+old fox began to mention neighborly friendship and say what delight his
+old age would find in more frequent and mutual visits; he gave thanks
+for the kindly reception, and only after finishing these courtesies did
+he come to the real question.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Benefactor and neighbor,&quot; said he, &quot;I have come with the salute which
+was due you, but also, as you must have divined, with a request which,
+in view of my age, you, I trust, will give ear to most kindly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will yield gladly to every proper wish which you may utter,&quot; said
+Pan Serafin.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The old man began to rub his hands.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I knew that! I knew it beforehand,&quot; said he. &quot;What a thing it is to
+deal with a man who has real wisdom; one comes to an agreement
+immediately. I said to my son 'Leave that to me! the moment,' said I,
+'that thou hast to do with Pan Serafin all will go well, for there is
+not another man, not merely so wise, but so honorable in this region.'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You praise me too greatly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, no, I say too little. But let us come to the question.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Old Krepetski was silent for a while, as if seeking expressions. He
+merely moved his jaws, so that his chin met his nose. At last he
+laughed joyously, put his hand on Pan Serafin's knee, and continued,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My benefactor, you see our goldfinch has flown from the cage.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know. Because the cat frightened it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is there not pleasure in talking with such people?&quot; cried the old man,
+rubbing his hands. &quot;Oh, that is wit! The prelate Tvorkovski would burst
+with envy, as God is dear to me!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am listening.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, to the question, and straight from the bridge. We should like to
+take back that goldfinch.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why should you not?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Krepetski moved his chin toward his nose once, and a second time.
+He was alarmed; the affair went too easily; but he clapped his hands,
+and cried with feigned joyousness,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, now the affair is finished! Would to God that such men as you
+were born everywhere!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is finished so far as I am concerned,&quot; said Pan Serafin. &quot;Only
+there is need to ask that little bird whether she wants to go back
+again; besides she cannot go back to-day, for your son has so throttled
+her that she is barely breathing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is she sick?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sick; she is lying in bed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But is she not pretending?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin's face grew dark in a moment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My gracious sir,&quot; said he, &quot;let us talk seriously. Your son Martsian
+has acted unworthily with Panna Anulka, not in human fashion, and not
+as a noble; he has acted altogether with infamy. Before God and man you
+have offended grievously to give an orphan into hands such as his, and
+intrust her to a tyrant so shameless.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is not a bit of truth in what she says,&quot; cried the old man.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why not? You know not what she has said, and still you deny. It is not
+she who is speaking; blue lumps and marks of blows speak for her, marks
+which my housekeeper saw on her young body. As to Martsian, all the
+servants in Belchantska have seen his approaches and his cruelty, and
+are ready to testify when needed. In my house is Vilchopolski who is
+going to-day to Radom to tell the prelate Tvorkovski what has
+happened.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But you have promised to give me the girl.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, I only said that I would not detain her. If she wants to go back,
+very well! If she wishes to stay with me, very well also! But attempt
+not to bring me to refuse my roof and a morsel of bread to an orphan
+who is grievously offended.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Old Krepetski's jaws moved time after time. For a while he was silent,
+and then began,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are right, and you are wrong. To refuse a shelter and bread to an
+orphan would be unworthy, but as a wise man consider that it is one
+thing not to refuse hospitality, and something different to stand with
+rebellion against the authority of a father. I love Tekla, my youngest
+daughter, sincerely, but it happens sometimes that I give her a push.
+Well, what then? If she, after being punished by me, should flee to
+you, would you not permit me to take her, or would you refer me to her
+pleasure? Think of this--what sort of order would there be in the
+world, if women had their will? A married woman, even when old, must
+hearken to her husband, and yield to him; but what must it be in the
+case of an immature girl, as against the commands of her father, or
+guardian?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Panna Anulka is not your daughter, nor even your relative.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But we inherited the guardianship over her from Pan Gideon. If Pan
+Gideon had punished the girl, you, of course, would not have had a word
+against him; but it is the same thing touching me and my son, to whom I
+have committed the management of Belchantska. Some one must manage,
+some one must have authority to punish. Difficult to do without that. I
+do not deny that Martsian, as a man, young and impulsive, exceeded the
+measure, perhaps, especially since he was met with ingratitude. But
+that is my affair! I will examine, judge, and punish; but I will take
+the girl back, and I think, with your permission, that even the king
+himself would have no right to raise any hindrance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You speak as in a tribunal,&quot; said Pan Serafin. &quot;I do not deny that you
+have appearances on your side; but appearance is one thing, and the
+real truth another. I do not wish to hinder you in anything, but I tell
+you honestly what the opinion of people is, and with that opinion I
+advise you to reckon. For you it is not a question of Panna Anulka, nor
+of guardianship over her, but you suspect that there may be a will in
+the hands of the prelate, with a provision for the young lady,
+therefore you are afraid that Belchantska might slip from you together
+with Panna Anulka. Not long ago I heard one of the neighbors speak in
+this way: 'Were it not for that uncertainty the Krepetskis would be the
+first to drive the orphan from the house, for those people have not God
+in their hearts.' It is very disagreeable for me and repulsive to say
+such things in my house to you, but you ought to know them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Flames of anger gleamed in the eyes of the old man, but he controlled
+himself, and said with a voice which was quiet, though somewhat
+broken,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The malice of people! Low malice, nothing more, and stupidity besides
+that. How could it be? We would then drive from the house a young lady
+whom Martsian wants to marry? By the dear God, think over this! The two
+things do not hold together.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They talk in this way: 'If it shall appear that Belchantska is hers
+then Martsian will marry her, but if the place is not hers he will
+simply disgrace her.' I am not any man's conscience, so I merely repeat
+what people say, but with this addition of my own, that your son
+threatened shame to the girl. I know that surely, and you, who know
+Martsian and his vile desires, know it also.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know one and another thing, but I know not what you wish to say.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What I wish to say? This, which I have said to you already. If Panna
+Anulka agrees to return to you I have no right to oppose her or you,
+but if she is not willing, I will not expel her from this house, for I
+have given my word not to do so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The question is not that you should expel her, but that you should
+permit me to take her, just as you would permit me if one of my own
+daughters were with you. This only I beg, that you stand not in my
+way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then I will tell you clearly. I will permit no violence in my house! I
+am master, and you, who have just mentioned the king, should understand
+that on this point the king himself could not oppose me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On hearing this Pan Krepetski balled his fists, so that his palms were
+pierced by his finger-nails.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Violence? That is just what I fear. I, if ever I have had to act
+against people (and who has not had to deal with the malice of men?),
+have acted against them through the law, always, not through violence.
+But what the proverb says is not true, that the apple falls near its
+tree.--It falls far away sometimes. I, for your good and safety,
+desired to settle this question in peacefulness. You are undefended in
+the forest, while Martsian--it is grievous for a father to say this of
+a son--has not taken after me in any way. I am ashamed to confess it,
+but I am not able to answer for him. The whole district is in dread of
+his passionateness, and justly, for he is ready to disregard everything
+and he has about fifty sabres at his order. You, on the other hand, are
+unarmed. I repeat it, you live in the forest, and I advise you to
+reckon with this situation. I am alarmed myself at it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hereupon Pan Serafin rose, walked up to Krepetski, and gazed into his
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you wish to frighten me?&quot; inquired he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am afraid myself,&quot; repeated the old man.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But their further conversation was interrupted by sudden shouts in the
+courtyard from the direction of the granary and the kitchen, so they
+sprang to the open window, and at the first moment were petrified with
+amazement. There between two fences ran with tremendous speed toward
+the gate and the courtyard some kind of rare monster, unlike any
+creature on earth, and behind it on excited horses dashed the four
+Bukoyemskis, shouting and cutting the air with their whip-lashes. The
+monster rushed into the yard, and behind it came the brothers, like
+hell hunters, and continued their chasing.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Jesus, Mary!&quot; cried out Pan Serafin.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He ran to the porch, and after him ran old Krepetski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Only there could they see with more clearness. The monster seemed like
+a giant bird, but also like a horse and a rider, for it ran on four
+legs with a certain form sitting on it. But the rider and the beast
+were so covered with feathers that their heads seemed two bundles.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was impossible to see clearly, for the steed rushed like a wind
+round the courtyard. The Bukoyemskis followed closely, and did not
+spare blows, by which feathers were torn away and fell to the ground,
+or circled in the air as do snowflakes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile the monster roared like a wounded bear, and so did the
+brothers. Pan Serafin's voice and that of his visitor were lost in the
+general tumult, though all the power in their lungs was used then in
+shouting.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Stop! By God's wounds, will ye stop!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But the four brothers urged on, as if seized by insanity--and they had
+rushed five times round the yard when from the kitchen, and the
+stables, and barns, and granaries, and outhouses a great crowd of
+servants ran in, who hearing the cry &quot;Stop!&quot; repeated as if in
+desperation by Pan Serafin, plunged forward and, seizing bits and
+bridles, strove to stop the horses.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At last the horses of the four brothers were brought to a standstill,
+but with the feathery steed there was very great trouble. Without a
+bridle, beaten, terrified, the beast reared at sight of the servants,
+or sprang to one side with the suddenness of lightning. They stopped it
+only at the fence when preparing to spring over. One of the men grasped
+its forelock, another caught its nostrils, a number seized its mane; it
+could not jump with such a burden, and fell to its knees. The beast
+sprang up quickly, it is true, but did not try to rush away; it only
+trembled throughout its whole body.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They removed the rider, who, as it seemed then, had not been thrown
+because his feet were bound firmly beneath the beast's belly. They
+pulled the feathers from his head, and under the feathers appeared a
+visage covered so thickly with tar that no man there recognized the
+features.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The rider gave faint signs of life, and only when taken to the porch
+did old Krepetski and Pan Serafin see who it was and cry out
+&quot;Martsian!&quot; with amazement.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This is that vile scoundrel!&quot; said Mateush. &quot;We have punished him not
+a little, and have hunted him in here, so that Panna Sieninski may know
+that tender souls have not gone from this world yet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin seized his head with his hands, and shouted,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The devil take you and your tender souls! Ye are nothing but bandits!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then, turning to Pani Dzvonkovski who had run up with the others and
+was crossing herself, he cried,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pour vodka into his mouth. Let him regain consciousness, and be taken
+to bed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was hurry and disorder. Some ran to make the bed ready, others
+for hot water, still others for vodka; a number began to pull the
+feathers off Martsian, in which they were aided by his father, who was
+gritting his teeth, and repeating,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is he alive? Is he dead? He is alive! Vengeance! Oh Vengeance!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then he sprang up on a sudden, jumped forward, and thrusting up to the
+very eyes of Pan Serafin, fingers, bent now like talons, he shouted,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You were in the conspiracy! You have killed my son--you Armenian
+assassin!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin grew very pale, and seized his sabre, but almost at the
+same instant he remembered that he was the host, and Krepetski a
+visitor, so he dropped the hilt, and raised two fingers immediately.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;By that God who is above us,&quot; said he, &quot;I swear that I knew
+nothing--and I am ready to swear on the cross in addition--Amen!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We are witnesses that he knew nothing!&quot; cried Marek Bukoyemski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God has punished,&quot; said Pan Serafin; &quot;for you threatened me, as a
+defenceless old man, with the passion of your son. Here is his passion
+for you!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A criminal offence!&quot; bellowed the old man. &quot;The headsman against you,
+and your heads under the sword edge! Vengeance! Justice!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;See what ye have done!&quot; said Pan Serafin, as he turned to the
+Bukoyemskis.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I said it was better to run away at once,&quot; answered Lukash.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pani Dzvonkovski now came with Dantsic liquor, and fell to pouring it
+from the bottle into the open mouth of the sufferer. Martsian coughed,
+and opened his eyes the next minute. His father knelt down to him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Art alive? Art alive?&quot; asked he in a wild joyful outburst.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But the son could not answer yet, and was like a great owl, which,
+struck with a bullet, has fallen on its back and lies there, with
+outstretched wings, panting. Still consciousness was coming to him, and
+with it memory. His glance passed from the face of his father to that
+of Pan Serafin, and then to the Bukoyemskis. Thereupon it grew so
+terrible that if there had been the least place for fear in the hearts
+of the brothers, a shiver would have passed from foot to head through
+their bodies.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But they only went nearer to Martsian, like four bulls which are ready
+to rush with, their horns at an enemy, and Mateush inquired,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well? Was that too little?&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">A few hours later on old Krepetski took his son to Belchantska, though
+the young man was unable to stand, and did not know clearly what was
+happening. First of all the servants had washed him with great trouble,
+and had put on him fresh linen, but after this had been done such
+weakness came upon Martsian, that he fainted repeatedly, and thanks
+only to the angelica and pimpernel bitters which Pani Dzvonkovski now
+gave him was he brought back to consciousness. Pan Serafin advised to
+place him in bed and defer the departure till recovery was perfect, but
+Pan Krepetski, whose old heart was raging, did not wish to owe
+gratitude to a man against whom he was planning a lawsuit for harboring
+the young lady; hence he had them put hay in a wagon, and, placing a
+rug, instead of a bed, under Martsian he moved toward Belchantska,
+hurling threats at the Bukoyemskis and also Pan Serafin. While
+threatening vengeance he was forced to accept Pan Serafin's assistance,
+and borrow from him hay, clothing, and linen, but, blinded by anger, he
+took no note of the strange situation. Pan Serafin himself had no mind
+whatever for laughter; since the act of the four brothers disturbed and
+concerned him very greatly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At this juncture came Father Voynovski who had been summoned by letter.
+The Bukoyemskis, now greatly confused, were sitting in the office, not
+showing their noses, hence Pan Serafin had to tell all that had
+happened. The priest struck the skirt of his soutane from time to time
+as he listened, but he was not so grieved as Pan Serafin had expected.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If Martsian dies,&quot; said he at length, &quot;then woe to the Bukoyemskis,
+but if, as I think, he squirms out of it, I suppose that they will take
+private vengeance and not raise a lawsuit.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Because it is unpleasant to be ridiculed by the country. At the same
+time his conduct toward Panna Anulka would be discovered. That would
+give him no enviable reputation. His life is not laudable, hence he
+should avoid the chance of letting witnesses tell in public what they
+know of him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That may be true,&quot; said Pan Serafin, &quot;but it is difficult to forgive
+the Bukoyemskis tricks of such a character.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The priest waved his hand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The Bukoyemskis are the Bukoyemskis.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How?&quot; asked Pan Serafin, with astonishment. &quot;I thought that your grace
+would be more offended.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My gracious sir,&quot; said the old man, &quot;you have served in the army, but
+I have served longer, and have seen so many soldiers' tricks during my
+time that nothing common can surprise me. It is bad that such things
+happen. I blame the Bukoyemskis, but I have seen worse things,
+especially as in this case the question was of an orphan. I will go
+still farther and say sincerely, that I should grieve more if
+Martsian's deeds had gone unpunished. Think, we are old, but if we were
+young our hearts too would boil up over deeds such as his are. That is
+why I cannot blame the Bukoyemskis altogether.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True, true, but still Martsian may not live until morning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is in the hands of God; but you say he is not wounded?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He is not, but he is all one blue spot, and faints continually.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, he will get out of that; he fainted from fatigue. But I must go to
+the Bukoyemskis and inquire how it happened.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The brothers received him with rapture, for they hoped that he would
+take their part with Pan Serafin. They began to quarrel at once as to
+who should tell the tale, and stopped only when the priest gave Mateush
+the primacy.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Mateush resumed his voice and spoke as follows,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Father benefactor, God saw our innocence! For, when we learned from
+Pani Dzvonkovski how that poor little orphan had blue lumps all over
+her body, we came into this room in such grief that had it not been for
+the mead which Pan Serafin sent us in a pitcher, our hearts would have
+burst perhaps. And I say to your grace, we drank and shed tears--we
+drank and shed tears. And we had this in mind too, that she was no
+common girl, but a young lady descended from senators. It is known to
+you, for example, that the higher blood a horse has, the thinner his
+skin is; slash a common drudge with a whip, he will hardly feel it, but
+strike a noble steed, and immediately a welt will come out on him.
+Think, Father benefactor, what a thin, tender skin such a dear little
+girl must have on her shoulders, and all over her body, just like a
+wafer--say yourself--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What do I know of her skin?&quot; cried Father Voynovski, in anger. &quot;Tell
+me better, how did ye plaster up Martsian.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We promised Pan Serafin on oath not to cut him in pieces, but we knew
+that old Krepetski would come here, and we guessed immediately that
+Martsian would gallop out to meet him. So, according to arrangement,
+two of us took down to the tar pit before daylight a great salt-barrel
+filled with feathers, which we got from the wife of a forester. We
+picked out at the place a cask of thick tar, and waited at the hut near
+that tar pit. We look--old Krepetski is riding along--that is no harm,
+let him ride! We wait, we wait till we are tired of waiting; then we
+think about going to Belchantska. That moment a boy from the tar pit
+tells us that Martsian is coming up the road. We ride out and halt
+there in front of him. 'With the forehead! With the forehead!' 'But
+whither?' 'Straight ahead,' says he, 'by the woods.' 'But to whose
+harm?' 'To harm or to profit,' says he, 'get ye out of this!' And then
+to the sabre. But we seized him by the neck. 'Oh! this cannot be!'
+cried he. In a flash we had him down from the horse, which Yan took by
+the bridle. He fell to screaming, to kicking, to biting, to gnawing,
+but we, like a lightning flash, took him to the barrels which stood one
+near the other, and said, 'Oh! thou son of such an one! thou wilt
+injure orphans, threaten young ladies with infamy, disregard lofty
+blood, beat an orphan on the shoulders, and think that no one will take
+the part of thy victim; learn now that there are tender hearts in the
+country.' And that moment we thrust him into the tar, head downward. We
+raise him out, and again in with him. 'Learn that there are feeling
+souls!' said we.--And in with him then among the feathers!--'Learn now
+that there is chivalrous daring!' And again with him into the tar
+barrel. 'Learn to know the Bukoyemskis!' And again with him into the
+feathers! We wanted to give him another dose, but the tar boiler
+shouted that he would smother; and indeed he was thickly coated, so
+that neither his nose nor his eyes were visible to any one; we put him
+then on the saddle and tied his feet firmly under the animal's belly
+lest he fly from his position. We painted the horse, and scattered
+feathers over him also, then lashing this rather wild beast with whips,
+after we had taken off his bridle, we drove him ahead of us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And ye drove him up here?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As a strange beast, for we wished to console the young lady even a
+little, and show her our brotherly affection.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ye gave her a lovely consolation. When she saw him through the window,
+the fright nearly killed her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;When she recovers she will think of us gratefully. Orphans always like
+to feel guardianship over them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ye have done her more harm than service. Who knows if the Krepetskis
+will not take her away again?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How is that? By the dear God! will we let them?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But who will defend the girl when ye are in prison?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When they heard this the brothers were greatly concerned, and looked
+with anxious eyes at one another. But Lukash at last struck his
+forehead. &quot;We will not be imprisoned,&quot; said he, &quot;for first we will go
+to the army; but if it comes to that, if there is a question of Panna
+Anulka's safety, help will be found.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Found! Of course it will,&quot; cried out Marek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What help?&quot; inquired Father Voynovski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We will challenge Martsian as soon as he recovers. He will not go
+alive out of our hands.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But if he dies now?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then God will help us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But ye will pay with your lives!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Before that we will shell out the Turks, and the Lord Jesus will
+reward us for that service. Only let your grace take our part with Pan
+Serafin; for if Stanislav had been here he would have been with us
+while giving this bath to that Martsian.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But would not Yatsek give it?&quot; inquired Mateush.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yatsek will give him a better bath!&quot; cried the priest, as if
+unwittingly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Further converse was stopped by the coming of Pan Serafin, who appeared
+with a ready and weighty decision.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have been thinking of what we should do,&quot; said he, very seriously.
+&quot;And does your grace know what I have decided? It is this, that we
+should all go to Cracow with Panna Anulka. I know not if we shall see
+our boys in that city, for no one knows where the regiments will be
+quartered, or what will be the order of their marching. But we should
+place the girl under protection of the king or the queen; or, if that
+is not done, secure her in some cloister for a season. I have also
+determined, as you know, to take the field in my old age and serve with
+my son, or, if such be God's will, to die with him. During our absence
+the girl would not be safe, even in Radom, under the protection of the
+prelate Tvorkovski. These gentlemen&quot;--here he pointed to the
+Bukoyemskis &quot;need to be under the hetman immediately. It is unknown
+what might happen should they stay here. I have acquaintances at
+court,--Pan Matchynski, Pan Gninski, Pan Grothus,--and shall get their
+influence for the orphan, as I think. That done I will find
+Zbierhovski's regiment, and go straight to my son where I shall see
+Yatsek also. What think you of this, my benefactor?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As God lives,&quot; cried Father Voynovski, &quot;this is a splendid idea! And I
+will go with you--and I will go with you to Yatsek. And as to Panna
+Anulka, oh, all will be well! The Sobieskis owe a great debt to the
+Sieninskis. She will be out of danger in Cracow and nearer; for I am
+certain that Yatsek has not forgotten her. And when the war ends that
+will happen which God wishes. Give me a substitute here in my parish
+from Radom, and I will be with you!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;All together!&quot; roared the Bukoyemskis with rapture &quot;to Cracow!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And the field of glory!&quot; cried Father Voynovski.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">Consultations now followed touching the expedition; for not only were
+there no voices against it, but Father Voynovski was searching for a
+vicar in Radom. This plan, however, was an old one, modified by adding
+to it the person of Panna Anulka, who would be taken to Cracow and
+secured from the Krepetskis through protection from the king or the
+cloister. Pan Serafin saw that the king, occupied as he was with the
+war, would have no time to talk about private questions; but there
+remained the queen, to whom access might be easy through notable
+dignitaries, related for the greater part to the Sieninskis and the
+Tachevskis.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was fear also that the Krepetskis might attack Yedlinka when Pan
+Serafin and the Bukoyemskis had gone, and seize on rich property in
+furniture and silver. But Vilchopolski guaranteed that with the
+servants and the foresters he would defend the place and not let the
+Krepetskis touch anything. Pan Serafin, however, took the silver to
+Radom and left it in the Bernardine cloister, where he had placed money
+before that in large sums, not wishing to keep it at home near the edge
+of great forests.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile, he kept an attentive ear toward Belchantska for much
+depended on that place. If Martsian died the Bukoyemskis would have to
+give a grave answer; if he recovered hope existed that there would not
+be even a lawsuit, since it was difficult to admit that the Krepetskis
+would expose themselves willingly to ridicule. Pan Serafin considered
+it as more likely that the old man would not leave him at peace
+touching Panna Anulka but he thought that if the orphan were in the
+care of the king the kernel of a lawsuit would be lost to the
+Krepetskis.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He learned, through the butler, that the old man had gone to Radom and
+Lublin, and remained rather long in those places.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">For the first week Martsian suffered grievously, and there was fear
+that the tar which he had swallowed might choke him, or stop his
+intestines. But the second week he grew better. He did not, it is true,
+leave the bed, for he had not strength to stand unassisted, his bones
+pained him greatly, and he was mortally weary; but he began to curse
+the Bukoyemskis, and to take keen delight in projects of vengeance. In
+fact, after two weeks had passed, his &quot;revellers from Radom&quot; began to
+visit him, various gallows-birds with sabres held up by hempen cords,
+men with holes in their boots, and gaunt stomachs, thirsty and hungry
+at all hours. Meanwhile he counselled with these, and was plotting not
+only against the Bukoyemskis and Pan Serafin, but against the young
+lady, of whom he could not think without gnashing of teeth; and he
+developed such monstrous inventions against her, that his father
+forewarned him, that they were of criminal nature.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The echo of those plots and threats went to Yedlinka, and produced
+various impressions on different people. Pan Serafin, a man of much
+courage, but prudent, was somewhat alarmed by them, especially when he
+remembered that this enmity of wicked and dangerous people would strike
+his son also. Father Voynovski, who had hotter blood in his veins, was
+keenly indignant, and prophesied that the Krepetskis would meet a vile
+ending. At the same time, though entirely won over to Anulka, he turned
+from time to time to Pan Serafin, and then to the Bukoyemskis.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who caused the Trojan war? A woman! Who causes quarrels and battles at
+all times? A woman! And it is the same now! Innocent or guilty, a
+woman!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But the Bukoyemskis cared little for the danger which threatened every
+one from Martsian, and even promised themselves various amusements
+because of it. They were warned, however, seriously from many sides.
+The Sulgostovskis, the Silnitskis, the Kohanovskis, and others, all
+greatly indignant at Martsian, came, one after the other, with tidings
+to Yedlinka. They said that he was gathering a party, and even bandits
+of the forest. They offered assistance, but the brothers wished no
+assistance. Lukash, who spoke most frequently in the name of the other
+three replied thus to Rafal Silnitski, who implored them to be
+careful,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is no harm in thinking before war of our arms, and also of
+methods in which, from disuse, we have grown somewhat rusty, straighten
+ourselves out, and have practice. Belchantska is no fortress, so let
+Martsian see to his own safety, for who knows what may strike him. But
+if he wishes to nourish us with ingratitude, let him try it!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Silnitski looked with astonishment at Lukash, and asked,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nourish with ingratitude? But, as I think, he owes you no gratitude.&quot;
+Lukash was sincerely indignant.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How not owe? Could we not have cut him to pieces? Who gave him life?
+Pani Krepetski once, but a second time our moderation; if he is going
+to count on it always, tell him that he is mistaken.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And tell him that he will see Panna Anulka as much as he will see his
+own ears,&quot; added Marek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why should he not see her, then?&quot; finished Yan. &quot;It is not difficult
+for a man to see his own ears if they are cut from him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The conversation then ended. The brothers repeated it to Panna Anulka
+to calm her, which was superfluous, for the lady was not timid by
+nature. Her fear, too, of the Krepetskis, and especially of Martsian,
+was measured by her conviction that no danger threatened her in
+Yedlinka. When, on the day after her arrival at Pan Serafin's, she saw
+through the window Martsian in feathers, looking like some filthy
+beast, urged on with whips by the Bukoyemskis, in the first moment of
+her dreadful surprise, which was mixed with amazement and even
+compassion, she conceived so much confidence in the power of the
+brothers, that she could not even imagine how any one could avoid
+fearing them. Martsian passed for a terrible person and a fighter, and
+see what they did with him. It is true that Yatsek in his time had cut
+up all those brothers, but Yatsek in her eyes had grown now beyond
+common estimate altogether, and in general he appeared to her before
+the last parting from a side so mysterious that she did not know with
+what measure to esteem him. The remarks which were made about him by
+the Bukoyemskis themselves, and Pan Serafin, with the words of the
+priest, who spoke of him oftenest, confirmed in her only wonder for
+that friend of her childhood, who had been so near to her once, but was
+now so remote and so different. These accounts fixed in her that
+longing, and that still sweeter feeling toward Yatsek, which, confessed
+to the priest in a moment of excitement, she concealed again in the
+depth of her heart, as a pearl is concealed in a mussel shell.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With all this she had in her soul a conviction, unshaken by anything,
+that she must meet him, and that she would meet him even in the near
+future. She had torn herself from the house of the Krepetskis; she felt
+above her the powerful hands of well-wishing people; hence that
+certainty became the joy and the root of her existence. It restored to
+her health with contentment, and she bloomed afresh, as a flower blooms
+in springtime. That Yedlinka mansion which had been hitherto so serious
+was now bright from her presence. She had taken possession of Pani
+Dzvonkovski, of Pan Serafin, and the Bukoyemskis. The whole house was
+filled with her, and wherever she showed her little confident nose and
+her young, gladsome eyes, delight and smiles followed. But she feared
+Father Voynovski a little, since it seemed to her that he held in his
+hand her fate and also Yatsek's. Hence she looked upon him with a
+certain submissiveness. But with his compassionate heart, which in
+general was as wax for all God's creation, he loved her sincerely, and
+besides, when he learned to know her more closely, he esteemed her pure
+spirit increasingly, though at times he called her a jaybird and a
+squirrel, because, as he said, she was this moment here and the next in
+another place.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After that first confession they spoke no further of Yatsek, just as if
+they had agreed not to do so; both felt it too delicate a matter. Pan
+Serafin made no mention of Yatsek to her in the presence of people, but
+when no one was with them he was not ceremonious on that point; and
+once, when she asked if he would meet his son quickly in Cracow, he
+answered with a question,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And would you not like to meet some one there also?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He thought that she would wind out of it jestingly, but to her bright
+face came a shade of sadness, and she answered then seriously,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I should be glad to beg pardon, as soon as is possible, of any one
+whom I have injured.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He looked at her with some emotion, but after a while it was clear that
+another idea had come to him, for he stroked her bright face, and then
+added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ei! thou hast the wherewithal to reward so that the king himself could
+not reward better.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When she heard this she lowered her eyes in his presence, and was
+wonderful as she stood there and blushed like the dawn of the morning.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">Preparations for starting went forward briskly. Attendants were chosen
+with care, strong men and sober. Arms, horses, wagons, and brichkas
+were ready. Observing ways of the period, they had not forgotten dogs,
+which in time of marching went under the wagons and at places of rest
+were used to hunt hares and foxes. The multitude of supplies and the
+preparations astonished the lady, who had not supposed that campaigning
+demanded such details, and, thinking this trouble taken perhaps for her
+safety, she inquired of Pan Serafin touching the matter. He, as a
+prudent man, and one of experience, replied thus to her,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is certain that we have thy person in mind, for, as I think, we
+shall not leave here without meeting some violence from Martsian. Thou
+hast heard that he has summoned his roysterers with whom he is
+bargaining and drinking. We should be disgraced were we to let any man
+snatch thee away from us. What will be, will be, but though we had to
+fall one on another, we must take thee to Cracow uninjured.&quot; Then she
+kissed his hand, saying that she was not worthy to cause them this
+peril; but he waved his hand simply.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We should not dare to appear before men,&quot; said he, &quot;unless we did
+this, and matters moreover are such that each coincides with the other.
+It is not enough to set out for a war, one must prepare for it wisely.
+Thou art astonished that we have three or four horses each man of us,
+as well as attendants, but thou must know that in war horses are the
+main question; many of them die on the way, crossing rivers and
+marshes, or from various camp accidents. And then what? If thou buy in
+haste a new horse, with faults and bad habits, that beast will fail at
+the critical moment. Though my son and Tachevski took a good party and
+excellent horses, we have foreseen every accident, and take each a new
+saddle beast. Father Voynovski, unrivalled in knowledge of horses,
+bought cheaply from old Pan Podlodovski such a Turkish steed for Pan
+Yatsek that the hetman himself would not refuse to appear on him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Which horse is for your son?&quot; inquired the young lady.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin looked at her, and shook his head smiling.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, Father Voynovski is right in his judgment of woman. 'That evil,'
+said he, 'will be sly, even if it be the most honest.' Thou askest
+which horse is for Stanislav. Well, I answer in this way. Yatsek's
+horse is that sorrel with a star on his forehead, and a white left hind
+fetlock.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You annoy me!&quot; exclaimed the young lady.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And spitting like a cat at him, she turned, and then vanished. But that
+same day the pith of small loaves of bread and some salt disappeared
+from the dishes, and Lukash the next day beheld something curious. At
+the well in the courtyard the sorrel horse had his nose in the white
+hands of the lady, and when he was led later on to the stable he looked
+back at her time after time expressing with short neighs his yearning.
+Lukash could not learn at the time the cause of this &quot;confidence,&quot; for
+he was intent on loading a wagon, so it was some time after midday that
+he approached the young lady, and said, with eyes glowing from
+emotion,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Have you noticed one thing?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What?&quot; inquired Panna Anulka.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That even a beast knows a real dainty.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She forgot that he had seen her in the morning, and noting that look in
+his eyes raised her beautiful brows with astonishment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What have you in mind?&quot; asked she.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What?&quot; repeated Lukash, &quot;Yatsek's horse!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, a horse!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then she burst into laughter and ran from the porch to her chamber.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He stood there astonished, and a little confused, understanding neither
+why she had run from him, nor what had roused her sudden laughter.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Another week passed, and preparations were then almost finished, but
+somehow Pan Serafin was not urgent for the journey. He deferred it from
+day to day, improved various details, complained of heat, and at last
+drooped in spirits. Anulka was eager to be on the road. The Bukoyemskis
+were growing uneasy, and at length Father Voynovski agreed that farther
+delay was a loss of time without reason. But Pan Serafin met their
+impatience with these words,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have news that the king has not gone yet to Cracow, and will not go
+quickly. Meantime the troops are to meet there, but only in part, and
+no one knows the day of this meeting. I ordered Stanislav to send me a
+man every month, with a letter giving details as to where regiments are
+quartered, whither they are to march, and under whose orders. Seven
+weeks have passed without tidings. A letter may come to me now any
+moment, hence my delay; and I am alarmed somewhat. Think not that we
+must find our young men at Cracow, in every case. On the contrary, it
+may happen that they will not be there at any time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How is that?&quot; inquired Anulka, disquieted.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This, that regiments do not need to march through Cracow. Wherever a
+regiment is it can move thence as directly as the stroke of a sickle,
+but where Pan Zbierhovski may be at the moment I know not. He may have
+been sent to the boundary of Silesia, or to the army of the grand
+hetman who is coming from Russia. Regiments are hurried from place to
+place very often, just to train them in marching. In the course of
+seven weeks various commands may have come of which Stanislav should
+have informed me, but he has not done so. Hence I am anxious, for it is
+well known that in camps there are frequent disputes and also duels.
+Perhaps something has happened. But even if all is in order, we ought
+to know where the regiment is, and what is its starting point.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">All became gloomy at these words, save Father Voynovski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A regiment is not a needle,&quot; said he &quot;nor is it a button, which if
+torn from a coat is found with much difficulty. Be not concerned over
+this. We shall learn of them in Cracow more quickly than we could here
+in Yedlinka.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But on the road we may miss the letter.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Leave a command to send it on after us. That is the right way.
+Meanwhile in Cracow we will find the safest place possible for the
+lady, and then our minds will be free when we start for the second
+time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Reason! Reason!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This is my advice then. If no letter comes ere to-morrow we will start
+in the cool of the evening for Radom--then farther, to Kieltse,
+Yendreyov, and Miehov.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Perhaps the day after during daylight we could reach Radom, so as not
+to pass in the night through those forests, and thus avoid an ambush if
+the Krepetskis should make one.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;An ambush is nothing! Better go in the cool!&quot; said Mateush. &quot;If they
+attack they will do so as well in the day as at night, and now at night
+things are visible.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then he rubbed his hands gleefully. The three others followed his
+example.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Father Voynovski thought otherwise. He had great doubts touching a
+road attack.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Martsian might perhaps venture, but the old man is too prudent; he
+knows too well what such a deed signifies and how much, more than once,
+men have suffered for violence to women. Besides against the power of
+our party Martsian could not reckon on victory, while in every event he
+could reckon on vengeance from Yatsek and Stanislav.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The delight of the Bukoyemskis was spoiled by the priest, but they were
+soothed by Vilchopolski, who struck the floor with his wooden leg,
+shook his head, and opposed, saying,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Though up to Radom and even to Kieltse and Miehov you meet no
+adventure, I advise you to neglect no precaution till you touch the
+gates of Cracow; along the road there are woods everywhere, and I, as a
+man knowing Martsian best of all, am convinced that that devil is now
+planning an ambush.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">At last came the day of departure. The party moved out of Yedlinka at
+daylight, with beautiful weather, and with horses and men in good
+number. Besides the iron and leather-covered carriage intended for the
+ladies and the priest, in case his old gun-wound should annoy him on
+horseback too greatly, there were three well-laden wagons drawn each by
+four horses. At each wagon were three men, including the driver. Behind
+Pan Serafin six mounted attendants, in turquoise-colored livery, led
+reserve horses. The priest had two men, each Bukoyemski had two also,
+besides a forester who guarded the trunk-laden wagons, altogether
+thirty-four persons well armed with muskets and sabres. It is true that
+in case of attack some could not aid in defending, since they would
+have to guard wagons and horses, but even in that case the Bukoyemskis
+felt sure that they could go through the world with those attendants,
+and that it would not be healthy for a party three or four times their
+number to attack them. Their hearts were swelling with a delight so
+enormous that hardly could they stay in their saddles. They had fought
+manfully in their time against Tartars and Cossacks, but those were
+common, small wars, and later on, when they settled in the wilderness,
+their youth had passed merely in inspecting inclosures, in a ceaseless
+watch over foresters, in killing bears when it was their duty to
+preserve them, and in drunken frolics at Kozenitse and Radom and
+Prityk. But now, for the first time, when each put his stirrup near the
+stirrup of his brother, when they were going to a war against the
+immense might of Turkey, they felt that this was their true
+destination, that their past life had been vain and wretched, and that
+now had begun in reality the deeds and achievements for which God the
+Father had created Polish nobles, God the Son redeemed them, and the
+Holy Ghost made them sacred. They could not think this out clearly, or
+express it in phrases, for in those things they had never been
+powerful, but they wished to fire off their guns then in ecstasy. Their
+advance seemed too slow to them. They wished to let out their horses
+and rush like a whirlwind, fly toward that great destination, to that
+great battle of the Poles with the pagans, to that triumph through
+Polish hands of the cross above the crescent, to a splendid death, and
+to glory for the ages. They felt loftier in some way, purer, more
+honorable, and in their nobility still more ennobled.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They had scarcely a thought then for Martsian and his rioting company,
+or for barriers and engagements on the roadway. All that seemed to them
+now something trivial, vain, and unworthy of attention. And if whole
+legions had stood in their way, they would have shot over them like a
+tempest, they would have ridden across them just in passing, put them
+under the bellies of their horses, and rushed along farther. Their
+native leonine impulses were roused, and warlike, knightly blood had
+begun to play in them with such vigor that if command had been given
+those four men to charge the whole bodyguard of the Sultan, they would
+not have hesitated one instant.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But similar feelings, and founded, moreover, on old recollections,
+filled the hearts of Pan Serafin and Father Voynovski. The priest had
+passed the flower of his life on the field with a lance in his hand, or
+a sabre. He remembered whole series of reverses and victories, he
+remembered the dreadful rebellion of Hmelnitski, Joltevody, Korsun,
+Pilavtse, Zbaraj the renowned, and the giant battle of Berestechko. He
+remembered the Swedish war, with its never-ending record of struggles
+and the attack of Rakotsi. He had been in Denmark, for a triumphing
+people, not satisfied with crushing and driving out Sweden, had sent in
+pursuit of it Charnyetski's invincible regiments to the borders of a
+distant ocean; he had helped to defeat Dolgoruki and Hovanski; he had
+known the noblest knights and greatest men of the period; he had been a
+pupil of Pan Michael the immortal; he had been enamoured of slaughter,
+storms, battles, and bloodshed, but all that had lasted only till
+personal misfortune had broken his spirit, and he took on himself holy
+orders. From that day he changed altogether, and when, turning to
+people in front of the altar, he said to them: &quot;Peace be with you;&quot; he
+believed himself uttering Christ's own commandment, and that every war,
+as opposed to that commandment, &quot;is abhorrent&quot; to Heaven, a sin against
+mercy, a stain on Christian nations. But a war against Turks was the
+one case which he excepted. &quot;God,&quot; said he, &quot;put the Polish people on
+horseback, and turned their breasts eastward; by that same act He
+showed them His will and their calling. He knew why He chose us for
+that position, and put others behind our shoulders; hence, if we wish
+to fulfil His command and our mission with worthiness, we must face
+that vile sea, and break its waves with our bosoms.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Father Voynovski judged, therefore, that God had placed on the throne
+purposely a sovereign who, when hetman, had shed pagan blood in such
+quantity, that his hands might give the last blow to the enemy, and
+avert ruin from Christians at once and forever. It seemed to him that
+just then had appeared the great day of destination, the day to
+accomplish God's purpose; hence he considered that war as a sacred way
+of the cross, and was charmed at the thought, that age, toil, and
+wounds had not pressed him to the earth so completely, that he might
+not take part in it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He would be able yet to wave a flag, he, the old soldier of Christ,
+would spur on his horse, and spring with a cross in his hand to the
+thickest of the battle, with the certainty in his heart that behind him
+and that cross a thousand sabres would bite on the skulls of the pagans
+and a thousand lances would enter their bodies.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Finally thoughts flew to his head which were personal, and more in
+accord with his earlier disposition. He could hold the cross in his
+left, but in the right hand a sabre. As a priest he could not do this
+against Christians, but against Turks it was proper! Oh, proper! Now he
+would show young men for the first time how pagan lights should be
+extinguished, how pagan champions must be mowed down and cut to pieces;
+he would show of what kind were the warriors of his day. Nay! on more
+fields than one men had marvelled at his prowess. It may happen now
+that even the king will be astounded! And this thought at that moment
+so filled him with rapture that he failed in his rosary: &quot;Hail
+Mary--slay! kill!--full of grace--at them!--The Lord is with Thee--cut
+them down!&quot; Till at last he recovered. &quot;Tfu! to the evil one with
+this--glory is smoke. Has insanity seized me? <i>non nobis, non nobis sed
+nomini tuo</i>&quot; (not to us, not to us, but to Thy name) and he passed the
+beads through his fingers more attentively.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin was repeating also his litany of the morning, but from time
+to time he looked now at the priest, now at the young lady, now at the
+Bukoyemskis, who were riding at the side of the carriage, now at the
+trees and the dew-covered grassy openings between them. At last, when
+he had finished the final &quot;Hail, Mary!&quot; he turned to the old man, and
+said, sighing deeply,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Your grace seems to be in rather good spirits?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And also your grace,&quot; said Father Voynovski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, that is true. Until a man starts, he is bustling and hurrying and
+in trouble; only when the wind blows around him in the field is it
+light at his heartstrings. I remember how when, ten years ago, we were
+marching to Hotsim, there was a wonderful willingness in every warrior,
+so that though the action took place in the harsh weather of November,
+more than one threw his coat off because of the warmth which came out
+of his heart then. Well, God, who gave such a victory that time, will
+give it undoubtedly now, for the leader is the same, and the vigor and
+valor of the men not inferior. I know nations splendidly, Swedes,
+French, even Germans, but against Turks there is no one superior to our
+men.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have heard how his grace the king said the same,&quot; replied Father
+Voynovski. &quot;'The Germans,' said he, 'stand under fire patiently, though
+they blink when attacking, but,' said he, 'if I can bring mine up nose
+to nose I am satisfied, for they will sweep everything before them as
+can no other cavalry in existence.' And this is true. The Lord Jesus
+has gifted us richly with this power, not only the nobles, but the
+peasants. For instance, our field infantry, when they spit on their
+palms and advance with their muskets, the best of the Janissaries
+cannot in any way equal them. I have seen both more than once in the
+struggle.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If God has preserved in health Yatsek and Stashko, I am glad that
+their earliest campaign will be made against Turkish warriors. But how
+does your grace think, against whom will the Turks turn their main
+forces?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Against the emperor, as it seems, for they are warring against him,
+and helping rebellion in Hungary. But the Turks have two or three
+armies, hence it is unknown where we shall meet them decisively. For
+this cause, beyond doubt, no main camp has been organized, and
+regiments move from one place to another, as reports come. The
+regiments under Pan Yablonovski are now at Trembovla; others are
+concentrating on Cracow; others as happens to each of them. I know not
+where the voevoda of Volynia is quartered at present, nor where
+Zbierhovski's command is. At moments I think that my son has not
+written this long time because his regiment may be moving toward these
+parts.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If he is commanded to Cracow, he must march near us, surely. That,
+however, depends upon where he was earlier and whence he is starting at
+present. We may get news at Radom. Is not our first night halt at
+Radom?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is. I should wish too that the prelate Tvorkovski saw Panna Anulka
+and gave her final counsels. He will furnish us letters to help her in
+Cracow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The conversation stopped for a time; then Pan Serafin raised his eyes
+again to Father Voynovski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But,&quot; asked he, &quot;what will happen, think you, should she meet Yatsek
+in Cracow?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know not. In every case that will take place which God wishes.
+Yatsek might win a fortune by marriage, while she is as poor as a
+Turkish saint--but wealth alone is mere nonsense, the splendor of a
+family is the great point in this case.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Panna Anulka is of high lineage, and she is like gold--besides we know
+well that they are love-stricken, mortally.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course, mortally, mortally.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The priest did not speak very willingly on this point, that was clear,
+for he turned the conversation to other subjects.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well,&quot; said he, &quot;but let us think of this, that a robber is watching
+for that golden maiden. Do you remember Vilchopolski's words?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin looked at the depth of the forest on all sides.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes. But the Krepetskis will not dare,&quot; said he. &quot;They will not dare!
+Our party is fairly large, and your grace sees the calmness of
+everything around us. I wish the girl to be in that carriage for
+safety, but she begged to be on horseback--she has no fear of
+anything.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, she has good blood. But I note that she masters you thoroughly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And you, too, somewhat,&quot; answered Pan Serafin. &quot;But as to me I confess
+right away; when she begs for a thing she knows how to move her eyes in
+such fashion that you must yield where you stand. Women have various
+methods, but have you noticed that she has that sort of blinking before
+which a man drops his arms. Near Belchantska I will tell her to enter
+the carriage, but so far she wishes absolutely to be on horseback,
+because, as she says, it is healthier.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In such weather it is surely healthier.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Look how rosy the girl is, just like a euphorbia laurel.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is her rosiness to me?&quot; replied Father Voynovski. &quot;But in truth
+the dear day is lovely.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In fact the weather was really wonderful, and the morning fresh and
+dewy. Single drops on the needlelike pine leaves glittered with the
+rainbow-like colors of diamonds. The forest interior was brightened by
+hazel trees filled with the sun rays of morning. Farther in, orioles
+were twittering with joyousness. Roundabout was the odor of pine, the
+whole earth seemed rejoicing, and the blue air was cloudless.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus pushing forward, they reached the same tar pit at which Martsian
+had been seized by the brothers. But the fear that some ambush might be
+there lurking proved groundless. Near the well were two tar-laden
+wagons, nothing more. To these, which belonged to peasants, were
+attached two wretched little horses, whose heads were sunk in bags of
+oats to their foreheads; the drivers, each near the side of his horse,
+were eating cheese and bread, but at sight of the showy party they put
+away these provisions; when asked if they had seen armed men, they
+answered that since morning a mounted man had been waiting, but that
+shortly before, on seeing this party from a distance, he had rushed
+away with all the speed of his beast in the opposite direction. The
+news alarmed Pan Serafin. It seemed to him that this horseman had been
+sent as a scout by Krepetski; and he redoubled his watchfulness. He
+commanded two attendants to ride at both sides and examine the forest;
+he sent two others ahead with this order: &quot;If ye see an armed group
+fire your muskets, and return with all haste to the wagons.&quot; An hour
+passed, however, without a report from them. The party pushed forward
+slowly, watching in front and at both sides with carefulness, but it
+was quiet in the forest, except that the orioles twittered, while here
+and there was heard the hammering of those little smiths of the forest,
+the hard-working woodpeckers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At last they reached a wide plain, but before going out on it Pan
+Serafin and the priest directed Anulka to sit in the carriage, since
+they had to pass now not far from Belchantska, the trees of which, and
+even the mansion between them, were visible to the eye without glasses.
+The young lady looked on that house with emotion, for in it she had
+passed very many of the best, and the bitterest, days of her existence.
+She had wished to look first of all at Vyrambki, but the Belchantska
+lindens so covered it that the dwelling was not to be seen from the
+carriage. It occurred to Anulka that she might never again in her life
+see those places, so she sighed quietly and became sorrowful.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Bukoyemskis looked challengingly and quickly at the mansion, the
+village, and the neighborhood, but great quiet reigned in those places.
+Along broad fallow lands, which were flooded in sunlight, were grazing
+cows and sheep, guarded by dogs, and crowds of children. Here and there
+flocks of geese seemed white spots, and had it not been for summer
+heat, one might have thought from afar that they were bits of snow
+lying on the hill slopes; for the rest the region seemed empty.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin, who lacked not the daring of a cavalier, wished to show
+the Krepetskis how little he cared for them, and directed to make the
+first halt at that place, and give rest to the horses. So the party
+stopped; on one side were fields of wheat waving under the wind and
+rustling gently; on the other was the silence of the plain broken only
+by the snorting of horses.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Health! health!&quot; said the attendants in answer to the snorting.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But that calm was not to the taste of the youngest Bukoyemski, who
+turned toward the mansion and cried to the absent Krepetskis, while he
+beckoned with his hand an invitation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But come out here, ye sons of a such a one! O Stump, show thy dog
+snout; we will soon put a cross on it with our sabres!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then he bent toward the carriage.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Your ladyship,&quot; said he, &quot;that Martsian and his company are not in a
+hurry to attack us, neither he nor his bandits from the wilderness.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But do bandits attack?&quot; asked the lady.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh-ho! they do, but not us. And there are many of them in the
+wilderness of Kozenitse, and in the forest toward Cracow. If his Grace
+the King would grant pardon, enough would be found of those bandits
+right here in this neighborhood to make two good regiments.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I should rather meet bandits than Pan Martsian's company, of which
+people tell in Belchantska such terrible stories. I have not heard of
+bandits attacking a mansion.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They do not, for a bandit has the same kind of sense that a wolf has.
+Consider, young lady, that a wolf never kills sheep or horned cattle in
+the neighborhood where his lair is.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He speaks truth,&quot; said the other brothers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yan, glad of this praise, explained further.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The bandit attacks no village or mansion near his hiding place. For if
+neighboring people should pursue, they, knowing the forests and secret
+spots in them, would hunt him out the more easily. So bandits go to a
+distance, and plunder houses or fall upon travellers in great or small
+parties.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Have they no fear?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They have no fear of God. Why should they fear men?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Panna Anulka had turned her mind elsewhere, so, when Pan Serafin
+came to the carriage, she began to blink and implore him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why should I stay in the carriage when no attack threatens? May I not
+go on horseback?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why?&quot; asked Pan Serafin. &quot;The sun is high. It would burn your face.
+There is one who would not like that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thereupon she withdrew on a sudden to the depth of the carriage, and
+Pan Serafin turned to the brothers,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Have I not told her the truth?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But not being quick-witted, they missed the point of the answer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who would not like?&quot; inquired they. &quot;Who?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin shrugged his shoulders.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The prince bishop of Cracow, the German emperor, and the king of
+France,&quot; answered he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He gave the sign then, and all started.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They passed Belchantska, and advanced again among tilled fields, fallow
+land, meadows, and broad wind-swept spaces which were bordered on the
+horizon by a blue rim of forest. At Yedlina they stopped for a second
+rest, during which the brewers, the citizens, and the peasants took
+farewell of Father Voynovski--and before evening they stopped for their
+first night rest at Radom.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Martsian had not given the least sign of life. They learned that he had
+passed the day previous in Radom, and had drunk with his company, but
+had gone home for the night; hence the priest and Pan Serafin breathed
+with more freedom, judging that no danger threatened them now on the
+journey.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The prelate Tvorkovski furnished letters to Father Hatski, to Gninski,
+the vice-chancellor who, as they knew, was enrolling a whole regiment
+for the coming war at his own cost, and one also to Pan Matchynski. He
+was rejoiced to see Panna Anulka and Father Voynovski, for whom he felt
+a great friendship, and Pan Serafin, in whom he prized a skilled
+Latinist, who understood every quotation and maxim. He, too, had heard
+of Martsian's threats, but had lent no great weight to them, judging
+that if an attack had been planned it would have been made in the wilds
+of Kozenitse, more favorable for that kind of deed than the forests
+between Radom and Kieltse.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Martsian will not attack you,&quot; said he to Pan Serafin, &quot;and his father
+will not bring an action, for he would meet me; he knows that I have
+other weapons against him besides the church censure.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The prelate entertained them all day, and let them start only toward
+evening. Since danger seemed set aside most decidedly, Pan Serafin
+agreed to night travel, all the more since great heat was beginning.
+The first five miles, however, they passed during daylight. On the
+river Oronka, which here and there formed morasses, began again, in
+those days, extensive pine forests, which surrounded Oronsk, Sucha,
+Krogulha, and extended as far as Shydlovets, and beyond, toward
+Mrochkov and Bzin, down to Kieltse. They moved slowly, for in some
+places the old road lay among sandy hillocks and holes, while in others
+it sank very notably and became a muddy, stick-covered ridgeway. This
+ridge lay in a quagmire through which a man could pass neither with
+wagon nor horse, nor go on foot at any season, unless during very dry
+summers. These places enjoyed no good repute, but for this Pan Serafin
+and his party cared little; they were confident of their strength, and
+glad to move in cool air when heat did not trouble men, or flies annoy
+horses.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A clear and pleasant night came down quickly, with a full moon which
+appeared above the pine woods, enormous and ruddy, decreasing and
+growing pale as it rose, till in time it was white, and sailed like a
+silver swan through the dark blue of the night sky. The wind ceased,
+and the motionless pine wood was buried in a stillness broken only by
+the voices of gnats flying in from broad pools, and by the playing of
+landrails in the grass of the neighboring meadows.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Father Voynovski intoned: &quot;Hail, O Wise Lady! and Mansions dear to
+God,&quot; to which the four bass voices of the Bukoyemskis and Pan Serafin
+answered immediately: &quot;Adorned by the golden table and seven columns.&quot;
+Panna Anulka joined the chorus, after her the attendants, and soon that
+pious hymn was resounding through the forest. But when they had
+finished all the &quot;Hours,&quot; and repeated all the &quot;Hail, Marys!&quot; silence
+set in again. The priest, the brothers, and Pan Serafin conversed for
+some time yet in lowered voices; then they began to doze, and at last
+fell asleep soundly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They did not hear either the &quot;Vio! Vio!&quot; of the drivers, or the
+snorting of horses, or the explosive sound made when hoofs were drawn
+out of mud on that long ridge way which lay in the sticky and
+reed-covered quagmire. The party came to the ridge somewhat before
+midnight. The shouts of attendants, who were advancing in front, first
+roused the sleepers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Stop! stop!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">All opened their eyes. The Bukoyemskis straightened in their saddles
+and sprang ahead promptly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But what is the matter?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The road is barred. There is a ditch across it, and beyond the ditch a
+breastwork.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The sabres of the brothers came biting from their scabbards and gleamed
+in the moonlight.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To arms! an ambuscade!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin found himself at the obstruction in one moment, and
+understood that there was no chance of being mistaken: a broad ditch
+had been dug across the ridgeway. Beyond the ditch lay whole pine trees
+which, with their branches sticking up, formed a great breastwork. The
+men who stopped the road in that fashion had evidently intended to let
+the party in on the ridge, from which there was no escape on either
+side, and attack in the rear then.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To your guns! to muskets!&quot; thundered Father Voynovski. &quot;They are
+coming!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In fact about a hundred yards in the rear certain dark, square forms,
+strange, quite unlike men, appeared on the ridge, and ran toward the
+wagons very quickly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Fire!&quot; commanded the priest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A report was heard, and brilliant flashes rent the night gloom. Only
+one form rolled to the earth, but the other men ran the more swiftly
+toward the wagons, and after them denser groups made their appearance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Instructed by whole years of war, the priest divined straightway that
+those men were carrying bundles before them, straw, reeds, or willows,
+and that was why the first discharge had effected so little.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Fire! In order! four at a time!--and at their knees!&quot; cried he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Two attendants held guns charged with slugs. These men took their
+places with others, and spat at the knees of the attackers. A cry of
+pain was heard promptly, and this time the whole front rank of bundles
+tumbled down to the mud on the ridgeway, but the next rank of men
+sprang over those who were prostrate, and came still nearer the wagons.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Fire!&quot; was commanded a third time.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Again came a salvo, with more effect this time, for the onrush was
+stopped, and disorder appeared among the attackers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The priest acquired courage, for he knew that the attackers had
+outwitted themselves in the choice of position. It is true that not a
+living soul would escape in case they should triumph, and the bandits
+had this in view specially; but, not having men to hem in the party on
+all sides, they were forced to attack only over the ridgeway, hence in
+a thin body, which again lightened defence beyond common, so that five
+or six valiant warriors might ward off attack until daylight.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The attackers, too, began to use muskets, but caused no great damage,
+clearly because of poor weapons. Their first fire struck only a horse
+and one attendant. The Bukoyemskis begged to charge the enemy,
+guaranteeing to sweep right and left into the quagmire any men whom
+they might not crush in the mud of the roadway. But the priest, who
+kept their strength for the last, would not send them; he commanded the
+brothers, however, as excellent marksmen, to roast the attackers from a
+distance, and Pan Serafin commanded to watch the ditch sharply, and the
+breastwork.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If they attack us from that side,&quot; said he, &quot;they may do something,
+but they will not get us cheaply.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then he hastened for a moment to the carriage where the ladies were
+praying without great fear, though audibly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, this is nothing!&quot; said he. &quot;Have no fear!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have no fear,&quot; answered Panna Anulka. &quot;But I should like to be on
+horseback.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Shots drowned further words. The attackers, confused for a moment,
+pressed along the ridge now, with wonderful and simply blind daring,
+since it was clear that they would not effect much on that side.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hm!&quot; thought the priest. &quot;Were it not for the women, we might charge
+them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he had begun to think of sending the four brothers with four other
+good warriors, when he looked at both flanks and trembled.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On the two sides of that quagmire appeared crowds of men, who,
+springing from hillock to hillock, or along sheaves of reeds, which had
+been fixed in soft places on purpose, were running toward the wagons.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The priest turned to them, in the shortest time possible, two ranks of
+attendants, but he understood in a flash the extent of his peril. His
+party was surrounded on three sides. The attendants were, it is true,
+chosen men, who had been more than once in sharp struggles, but they
+were insufficient in number, especially as some had to guard extra
+horses. Hence it was evident that after the first fire, inadequate
+because of so many attackers, there would be a hand-to-hand struggle
+before guns could be loaded a second time, and the side which proved
+weaker would be forced to go down in that trial.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Only one plan remained, to retreat by the ridgeway, that is, leave the
+wagons, command the Bukoyemskis to sweep all before them, and push on
+behind the four brothers, keeping the women among the horses in the
+centre. So when they had fired at both sides again, the priest ordered
+the women to mount, and arranged all for the onrush. In the first rank
+were the four brothers, behind them six attendants, then Panna Anulka
+and Pani Dzvonkovski, at the side the priest and Pan Serafin, behind
+them eight attendants, four in a rank. After the charge and retreat
+from the ridgeway he intended to reach the first village, collect all
+the peasants, return then and rescue the wagons.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Still he stopped for a moment, and only when the attackers were little
+more than twenty yards distant, and when on a sudden wild sounds were
+heard beyond the breastwork, did he shout the order,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Strike!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Strike!&quot; roared the Bukoyemskis, and they moved like a hurricane which
+destroys all things before it. When they had ridden to the enemy the
+horses rose on their haunches and plunged into the dense crowd of
+robbers, trampling some, pushing others to the quagmire, overthrowing
+whole lines of people. The brothers cut with sabres unsparingly, and
+without stopping. There was great shouting, and splashing of bodies as
+men fell into the water near the ridgeway, but the four dreadful
+horsemen pushed forward; their arms moving like those of a windmill to
+which a gale gives dreadful impetus. Some attackers sprang willingly
+into the water to save themselves; others put forks and bill-hooks
+against the onrushing brothers. Clubs and spears were raised also; but
+again the horses reared, and, breaking everything before them, swept on
+like a whirlwind in a young forest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Had not the road been so narrow, and those who were slashed had all
+escape barred to them, and those behind not pushed on those in front,
+the Bukoyemskis would have passed the whole ridgeway. But since more
+than one of the bandits preferred battle to drowning, resistance
+continued, and, besides, it became still more stubborn. The hearts of
+the robbers were raging. They began to fight then not merely for
+plunder, or seizing some person, but from venom. At moments when shouts
+ceased, the gritting of teeth became audible and curses rose loudly.
+The rush of the Bukoyemskis was arrested. It came to their minds at
+that moment that they would have to die, perhaps. And when, on a
+sudden, they heard still farther out there the tramping of horses, and
+loud shouts were raised in all parts of the thicket surrounding the
+quagmire, they felt sure that the moment of death was approaching.
+Hence they smashed terribly; they would not sell their lives cheaply in
+any case.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But now something marvellous happened. Many voices were heard all at
+once shouting: &quot;Strike!&quot; Sabres gleamed in the moonlight. Certain
+horsemen fell to cutting and hewing in the rear of the robbers, who,
+because of this sudden attack, were seized in one instant with terror.
+Escape in the rear was now closed to them; nothing remained but escape
+at either side of the roadway. Only some, therefore, offered a
+desperate resistance. The more numerous sprang like ducks to the turfy
+quagmire on both sides. The quagmire broke under them; then grasping
+grass, clumps, and reeds, they clung to hillocks, or lay on their
+bellies not to sink the first moment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Only a small company, armed with scythes fixed to poles, defended
+themselves for some time yet with madness. Because of this many
+horsemen were wounded. But at last even this handful, seeing that for
+them there was no rescue whatever, threw down their weapons, fell on
+their knees, and begged mercy. They were taken alive to be witnesses.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile horsemen from both sides stood facing one another, and raised
+their voices.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Halt! halt! Who are ye?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But who are ye?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Tsyprianovitch of Yedlinka.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For God's sake! these are our people!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And two riders pushed from the ranks quickly. One inclined to Pan
+Serafin, seized his hand straightway, and covered it with kisses; the
+other rushed to the priest's shoulder.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Stanislav!&quot; cried Pan Serafin.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yatsek!&quot; shouted the priest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The greetings and embraces continued till speech came to Pan Serafin,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For God's sake, whence come ye?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Our regiment was marching to Cracow. Yatsek and I had permission to
+visit you at Yedlinka. Meanwhile we learned at Radom, while halting for
+food there, that thou, father, and the priest, and the Bukoyemskis had
+set out an hour earlier by the highroad toward Kieltse.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Did the prelate tell thee?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No! We did not see him. Radom Jews told us; we did not go then to
+Yedlinka, but moved on at once lest we might miss you. At midnight we
+heard firing, so we all rushed to give aid, thinking that bandits had
+fallen upon travellers. It did not occur to us that ye were the
+persons. God be thanked, God be thanked, that we came up in season!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not bandits attacked us, but the Krepetskis. It is a question of Panna
+Anulka, who is with us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As God lives!&quot; exclaimed Stanislav. &quot;Then I think that his soul will
+leave Yatsek.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I wrote to thee about her, but it is evident that my letter did not
+reach thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, for we are marching these three weeks. I have not written of late
+because I had to come hither.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Shouts from the Bukoyemskis, the attendants, and the warriors stopped
+further converse. At that moment also attendants ran up with lighted
+torches. A supply had been taken by Pan Serafin that he might have
+wherewith to give light during darkness. It was as clear on the road as
+in daylight, and in those bright gleams Yatsek saw the gray horse on
+which Panna Anulka was sitting.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He grew dumb at sight of her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, she is with us,&quot; said Father Voynovski, seeing his astonishment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then Yatsek urged his horse forward, and halted before her. He
+uncovered his head, and remained there lost as he looked at her. His
+face was as white as chalk, his breath had almost left him, and he was
+speechless.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After a moment the cap fell to the earth from his fingers, his head
+dropped to the mane of the horse, and his eyes closed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But he is wounded!&quot; cried Lukash Bukoyemski.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek was really wounded. One of those robbers, who defended
+themselves to the utmost, cut him, with a scythe in the left shoulder,
+and since he and the men marched without mail, the very end of the iron
+had cut into his arm rather deeply from the shoulder to the elbow. The
+wound was not over grievous, but it bled quite profusely; because of
+this the young man had then fainted. The experienced Father Voynovski
+commanded to put him in a wagon, and, when the wound had been dressed,
+he left him in care of the women. Yatsek opened his eyes somewhat
+later, and began again to look, as at a rainbow, into the face of Panna
+Anulka, which was there bending over him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile the attendants filled the ditch and removed all obstructions.
+The wagons and the men passed to the dry road beyond, where they halted
+to bring the train into order, take some rest, and question the
+prisoners. From Tachevski the priest went to the Bukoyemskis to see if
+they had suffered. But they had not. The horses were torn and even
+stabbed with forks, but not seriously; the men themselves were in
+excellent humor, for all were admiring their valor, since they had
+crushed before war, more opponents than had many others during years of
+campaigning.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now, gentlemen, ye may join Pan Zbierhovski,&quot; said the hussars here
+and there. &quot;From of old it is known, and God grant that men will see
+soon, that our regiment is the first even among hussars. Pan
+Zbierhovski admits no common men, or any man easily, but he will accept
+you with gladness, and we shall be charmed from our hearts to find you
+in our company.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Bukoyemskis knew that this might not be, for they could not have
+the attendants, or the outfit demanded in such a high regiment, but
+they listened to those speeches with rapture, and when cups went the
+round, they let no man surpass them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When that part was ended, the captured bandits were seized by their
+heads, and led from the mud to Zbierhovski and the priest and Pan
+Serafin. No bandit had escaped, for with a detachment of twelve hundred
+there were men to surround the whole quagmire and both ends of the
+ridgeway. The appearance of the prisoners astonished Pan Serafin. He
+had thought to find Martsian among them, as he had told Stanislav, and
+Martsian's Radom outcasts also; meanwhile he saw before him a ragged
+rabble reeking with turf and bespattered with mud of the ridgeway, a
+company made up, like all bodies of that kind, of deserters from the
+infantry, of runaway servants and serfs, in a word, of all kinds of
+wicked, wild scoundrels working at robbery in remote places and
+forests. Many such parties were raging, especially in the wooded region
+of Sandomir, and since they were strengthened by men who were eager for
+anything, men who if captured were threatened with terrible punishment,
+their attacks were uncommonly daring, and they fought savage battles.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The search through the quagmire continued for a time yet, then Pan
+Serafin turned to Zbierhovski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Gracious colonel,&quot; said he. &quot;These are highway robbers. We thought
+them quite different. This was an attack of common bandits. We thank
+you, and all your men with grateful hearts for effective assistance,
+without which, as is possible, we should not have seen the sun rise
+this morning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;These night marches are good,&quot; said Zbierhovski, and he smiled while
+he was speaking. &quot;The heat does not trouble, and it is possible to
+serve others. Do you wish to examine these captives immediately?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Since I have looked at them closely already, it is not needed. The
+court in the town will examine them, and the headsman will guide them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At this a tall, bony fellow, with a gloomy face, and light hair pushed
+out from the captives and said, as he bent to Pan Serafin's stirrup.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Great mighty lord, spare our lives, and we will tell truth. We are
+common bandits, but the attack was not common.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The priest and Pan Serafin, on hearing this, looked at each other with
+roused curiosity.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who art thou?&quot; asked the priest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am a chief. There were two of us, for this party was formed of two
+bands, but the other man fell. Give me pardon, and I will tell
+everything.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Father Voynovski stopped for a moment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We cannot save you from justice,&quot; said he, &quot;but for you it is better
+in every case to tell truth, than be forced to declare it under
+torture. Besides, if ye confess, God's judgment and man's will be more
+lenient.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The bandit looked at his companions, uncertain whether to speak or be
+silent. Meanwhile the priest added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And if ye tell the whole truth, we can intercede with the king, and
+commend you to his mercy. He accepts offenders in the infantry, and
+recommends mercy now to judges.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In that case,&quot; said the man, &quot;I will tell everything. My name is Obuh;
+the leader of the other band was Kos, and a noble engaged us to fall on
+your graces.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But do ye know the name of that noble?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I did not know him, for I am from distant places, but Kos knew him,
+and said his name was Vysh.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The priest and Pan Serafin looked at each other with astonishment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Vysh,<a name="div2Ref_06" href="#div2_06"><sup>[6]</sup></a> didst thou say?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But was there no one with him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There was another, a lean, thin, young man.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not they,&quot; said Pan Serafin to the priest in a whisper.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But they may have been Martsian's company.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then he said aloud to the man,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What did they tell you to do?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This: 'Do what ye like with the people,' said they; 'the wagons and
+plunder are yours; but in the company there is a young lady whom ye are
+to take and bring by roundabout ways between Radom and Zvolenie to
+Polichna. Beyond Polichna a party will attack you and take the lady. Ye
+will pretend to defend her, but not so as to harm our men. Ye will get
+a thaler apiece for this, besides what ye find in the wagons.'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is as if on one's palm,&quot; said the priest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then did only those two talk with Kos and thee?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Later, a third person came in the night with them; he gave us a ducat
+apiece to bind the agreement. Though the place was as dark as in a
+cellar, one of our men who had been a serf of his recognized that third
+person as Pan Krepetski.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ha! that is he!&quot; cried Pan Serafin.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And is that man here, or has he fallen?&quot; inquired Father Voynovski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am here!&quot; called out a voice from some distance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come nearer. Didst thou recognize Pan Krepetski? But how, since it was
+so dark, that thou couldst hit a man on the snout without knowing it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Because I know him from childhood. I knew him by his bow-legs and his
+head, which sits, as it were, in a hole between his shoulders, and by
+his voice.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Did he speak to you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He spoke with us, and afterward I heard him speak to those who came
+with him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What did he say to them?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He said this: 'If I could have trusted money with you, I should not
+have come, even if the night were still darker.'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And wilt thou testify to this before the mayor in the town, or the
+starosta?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;When he heard this, Pan Zbierhovski turned to his attendants and
+said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Guard this man with special care, for me.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">They began now to counsel. The advice of the Bukoyemskis was to
+disguise some peasant woman in the dress of a lady, put her on
+horseback, give her attendants and soldiers dressed up as bandits, and
+go to the place designated by Martsian, and, when he made the attack as
+agreed upon, surround him immediately, and either wreak vengeance
+there, or take him to Cracow and deliver him to justice. They offered
+to go themselves, with great willingness, to carry out the plan, and
+swore that they would throw Martsian in fetters at the feet of Panna
+Anulka.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This proposal pleased all at the first moment, but when they examined
+it more carefully the execution seemed needless and difficult. Pan
+Zbierhovski might rescue from danger people whom he met on his march,
+but he had not the right to send soldiers on private expeditions, and
+he had no wish either to do so. On the other hand, since there was a
+bandit who knew and was ready to indicate to the courts the chief
+author of the ambush, it was possible to bring that same author to
+account any moment, and to have issued against him a sentence of
+infamy. For this reason both Pan Serafin and Father Voynovski grew
+convinced that there would be time for that after the war, since there
+was no fear that the Krepetskis, who owned large estates, would flee
+and abandon them. This did not please the Bukoyemskis, however, for
+they desired keenly to finish the question. They even declared that
+since that was the decision, they would go themselves with their
+attendants for Martsian. But Pan Serafin would not permit this, and
+they were stopped finally by Yatsek, who implored them by all that was
+sacred to leave Krepetski to him, and him only.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I,&quot; said he, &quot;will not act through courts against Martsian, but after
+all that I have heard from you here, if I do not fall in the war, as
+God is in heaven, I will find the man, and it will be shown whether
+infamy would not be pleasanter and easier also than that which will
+meet him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And his &quot;maiden&quot; eyes glittered so fiercely that though the Bukoyemskis
+were unterrified warriors a shiver went through them. They knew in what
+a strange manner passion and mildness were intertwined in the spirit of
+Yatsek, together with an ominous remembrance of injustice.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He said then repeatedly: &quot;Woe to him!--Woe to him!&quot; and again he grew
+pale from his blood loss. Day had come already, and the morning light
+had tinted the world in green and rose colors; that light sparkled in
+the dewdrops, on the grass and the reeds, and the tree leaves and the
+needles of dwarf pines here and there on the edge of the quagmire. Pan
+Zbierhovski had commanded to bury the bodies of the fallen bandits,
+which was done very quickly, for the turf opened under spades easily,
+and when no trace of battle was left on that roadway, the march was
+continued toward Shydlovets.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Serafin advised the young lady to sit again in the carriage, where
+she might have a good sleep before they reached the next halting place,
+but she declared so decisively that she would not desert Yatsek that
+even Father Voynovski did not try to remove her. So they went together,
+only two besides the driver, for sleep was so torturing Pani
+Dzvonkovski, that after a while they transferred her to the carriage.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek was lying face upward on bundles of hay arranged lengthwise in
+one side of the wagon, while she sat on the other, bending every little
+while toward his wounded shoulder, and watching to see if blood might
+not come through the bandages. At times she put a leather bottle of old
+wine to the mouth of the wounded man. This wine acted well to all
+seeming, for after a while he was wearied of lying, and had the driver
+draw out the bundle on which his feet were then resting.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I prefer to ride sitting,&quot; said he, &quot;since I feel all my strength
+now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But the wound, will that not pain you more if you are sitting?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek turned his eyes to her rosy face, and said in a sad and low
+voice, &quot;I will give the same answer as that knight long ago when King
+Lokietek saw him pierced with spears by the Knights of the Cross, on a
+battlefield. 'Is thy pain great?' asked the king. The knight showed his
+wounds then. 'These pain least of all,' said he in answer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Panna Sieninski dropped her eyes. &quot;But what pains you more?&quot; inquired
+she in a whisper.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A yearning heart, and separation, and the memory of wrongs inflicted.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">For a while silence continued, but the hearts began to throb in both
+with power which increased every moment, for they knew that the time
+had come then in which they could and should confess everything which
+each had against the other.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is true,&quot; said she, &quot;I did you an injustice, when, after the duel,
+I received you with angry face, and inhumanly. But that was the only
+time, and, though God alone knows how much I regretted that afterward,
+still I say it is my fault! and from my whole soul I implore you.&quot;
+Yatsek put his sound hand to his forehead.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not that,&quot; answered he, &quot;was the thorn, not that the great anguish!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know it was not that, but the letter from Pan Gideon. How could you
+suspect me of knowing the contents of the letter, or having suggested
+them?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And she began to tell, with a broken voice, how it happened: how she
+had implored Pan Gideon to make a step toward being reconciled: how he
+had promised to write a heartfelt and fatherly letter, but he wrote
+entirely the opposite. Of this she learned only later from Father
+Voynovski, and from this it was shown that Pan Gideon having other
+plans, simply wanted to separate them from each other forever.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At the same time, since her words were a confession, and also a renewal
+of painful and bitter memories, her eyes were dimmed with tears, and
+from constraint and shame a deep blush came out on her cheeks from one
+instant to another.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Did Father Voynovski,&quot; asked she at last, &quot;not write to you that I
+knew nothing, and that I could not even understand why I received for
+my sincere feelings a recompense of that kind?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Father Voynovski,&quot; answered Yatsek, &quot;only wrote me that you were going
+to marry Pan Gideon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But did he not write that I consented to do so only through orphanhood
+and pain and desertion, and out of gratitude to my guardian? For I knew
+not then how he had treated you; I only knew that I was despised and
+forgotten.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When he heard this Yatsek closed his eyes and began to speak with great
+sadness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Forgotten? Is that God's truth? I was in Warsaw, I was at the king's
+court, I went through the country with my regiment, but whatever I did,
+and wherever I travelled, not for one moment didst thou go from my
+heart and my memory. Thou didst follow me as his shadow a man. And
+during nights without sleep, in suffering and in pain, which came
+simply from torture, many a time have I called to thee: 'Take pity,
+have mercy! grant to forget thee!' But thou didst not leave me at any
+time, either in the day, or the night, or in the field, or under a
+house roof, until at last I understood that only then could I tear thee
+from my heart when I had torn the heart itself from my bosom.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Here he stopped, for his voice was choked from emotion; but after a
+time he continued,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So after that often and often I said in my prayers: 'O God, grant me
+death, for Thou seest that it is impossible for me to attain her, and
+impossible for me to be without her!' And that was before I had hoped
+for the favor of seeing thee in life again--thou, the only one in the
+world--thou, beloved!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As he said this he bent toward her and touched her arm with his temple.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thou,&quot; whispered he, &quot;art as that blood which gives life to me, as
+that sun in the heavens. The mercy of God is upon me, that I see thee
+once more-- O beloved! beloved!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And it seemed to her that Yatsek was singing some marvellous song at
+that moment. Her eyes were filled with a wave of tears then, and a wave
+of happiness flooded her heart. Again there was silence between them;
+but she wept long with such a sweet weeping as she had never known in
+her life till that morning.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yatsek,&quot; said she at last, &quot;why have we so tormented each other?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God has rewarded us a hundred fold,&quot; said he in answer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And for the third time there was silence between them; only the wagon
+squeaked on, pushing forward slowly over the ruts of the roadway.
+Beyond the forest they came out onto great fields bathed in sunlight;
+on those fields wheat was rustling, dotted richly with red poppies and
+blue star thistles. There was great calm in that region. Above fields
+on which the grain had been reaped, here and there skylarks were
+soaring, lost in song, motionless; on the edges of the fields sickles
+glittered in the distance; from the remoter green pastures came the
+cries and songs of men herding cattle. And to both it seemed that the
+wheat was rustling because of them; that the poppies and star thistles
+were blooming because of them; that, the larks were singing because of
+them; that the calls of the herdsmen were uttered because of them; that
+all the sunny peace of those fields and all those voices were simply
+repeating their ecstasy and happiness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They were roused from this oblivion by Father Voynovski, who had pushed
+up unnoticed to the wagon.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How art thou, Yatsus?&quot; asked he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek trembled and looked with shining eyes at him, as if just roused
+from slumber.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is it, benefactor?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How art thou?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Eh! it will not be better in paradise!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The priest looked seriously first at him, then at the young lady.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is that true?&quot; asked he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he galloped off to the company. But the delightful reality embraced
+them anew. They began to look on each other, and sink in the eyes of
+each other.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;O, thou not-to-be-looked-at-sufficiently!&quot; said Yatsek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But she lowered her eyes, smiled at the corners of her mouth till
+dimples appeared in her rosy cheeks, and asked in a whisper,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But is not Panna Zbierhovski more beautiful?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek looked at her with amazement.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What, Panna Zbierhovski?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She made no answer; she simply laughed in her fist, with a laugh as
+resonant as a silver bell.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile, when the priest had galloped to the company, the men, who
+loved Yatsek, fell to inquiring,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, how is it there? How is our wounded man?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He is no longer in this world!&quot; replied Father Voynovski.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As God lives! What has happened? How is he not in the world?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He is not, for he says that he is in paradise--a woman!!!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Bukoyemskis, as men who understand without metaphor all that is
+said to them, did not cease to look at the priest with astonishment
+and, removing their caps, were just ready to say, &quot;eternal rest,&quot; when
+a general outbreak of laughter interrupted their pious thoughts and
+intention. But in that laughter of the company there was sincere
+good-will and sympathy for Yatsek. Some of the men had learned from Pan
+Stanislav how sensitive that cavalier was, and all divined how he must
+have suffered, hence the words of the priest delighted them greatly.
+Voices were heard at once, therefore: &quot;God knows! we have seen how he
+fought with his feelings, how he answered questions at random, how he
+left buckles unfastened, how he forgot himself when eating or drinking,
+how he turned his eyes to the moon during night hours.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Those are infallible signs of unfortunate love,&quot; added some. &quot;It is
+true,&quot; put in others, &quot;that he is now as if in paradise, for if no
+wounds give more pain than those caused by Love, there is no sweeter
+thing than mutuality.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">These and similar remarks were made by Yatsek's comrades. Some of them,
+having learned of the hardships which the lady had passed through, and
+how shamefully Krepetski had treated her, fell to shaking their sabres,
+and crying; &quot;Give him hither!&quot; Some became sensitive over the maiden,
+some, having learned how Martsian had been handled by the Bukoyemskis,
+raised to the skies the native valor and wit of those brothers. But
+after a while universal attention was centred again on the lovers:
+&quot;Well,&quot; cried out all, &quot;let us shout to their health and good fortune
+<i>et felices rerum successus!</i>&quot; and immediately a noisy throng moved
+toward the wagon on horseback. In one moment almost the whole regiment
+had surrounded Pan Yatsek and Panna Anulka. Loud voices thundered:
+&quot;<i>Vivant! floreant!</i>&quot; others cried before the time: &quot;<i>Crescite et
+multiplicamini!</i>&quot; Whether Panna Anulka was really frightened by those
+cries, or rather as an &quot;insidious woman,&quot; she only feigned terror
+father Voynovski himself could not have decided. It is enough that,
+sheltering her bright head at the unwounded shoulder of Yatsek, she
+asked with shamefaced confusion,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is this, Yatsek? what are they doing?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He surrounded her with his sound arm, and said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;People are giving thee, dearest flower, and I am taking thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;After the war?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Before the war.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In God's name, why so hurried?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But it was evident that Yatsek had not heard this query for instead of
+replying, he said to her,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let us bow to the dear comrades for this good-will, and thank them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Hence they bowed toward both sides, which roused still greater
+enthusiasm. Seeing the blushing face of the maiden, which was as
+beautiful as the morning dawn, the warriors struck their thighs with
+their palms from admiration.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;By the dear God!&quot; cried they. &quot;One might be dazzled!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;An angel would be enamoured; what can a sinful man do?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is no wonder that he was withering with sorrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And again hundreds of voices thundered more powerfully,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<i>Vivant! crescant! floreant!</i>&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Amid those shouts, and in clouds of golden dust they entered
+Shydlovets. At the first moment the inhabitants were frightened, and,
+leaving in front of their houses the workshops in which they were
+cutting out whetstones from sandrock, they ran to their chambers. But,
+learning soon that those were the shouts of a betrothal, and not of
+anger, they rushed in a crowd to the street and followed the soldiers.
+A throng of horses and men was formed straightway. The kettledrums of
+the horsemen were beaten, the trumpets and crooked horns sounded.
+Gladness became universal. Even the Jews, who through fear had stayed
+longer in the houses, shouted: &quot;<i>Vivait!</i>&quot;<a name="div2Ref_07" href="#div2_07"><sup>[7]</sup></a> though they knew not well
+what the question was.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Tachevski said to Panna Anulka,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Before the war, before the war, even though death were to come one
+hour later.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVI</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How is that?&quot; inquired Father Voynovski, at the dinner which his
+comrades gave Yatsek. &quot;We are going in five or six days; thou mightst
+die in the war; is it worth while to marry before a campaign, instead
+of waiting for the happy end of it, and then marrying at your leisure?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His comrades, when they heard these prudent words, burst into laughter;
+some of them held their sides, others cried in a chorus,--&quot;Oh! it is
+worth while, benefactor! and just for this reason that he may die is it
+worth while all the more.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The priest was a little angry, but when the three hundred best men, not
+excepting Pan Stanislav insisted, and Yatsek would not hear of delay,
+it had to be as he wanted. Renewed relations with the court, and the
+favor of the king and queen facilitated the affair very greatly. The
+queen declared that the coming Pani Tachevski would be under her
+protection till the war ended, and the king himself promised to be at
+the marriage, and to think of a fitting dowry when his mind was less
+occupied. He remembered that many lands of the Sieninskis had passed to
+the Sobieskis, and how his ancestors had grown strong from them, hence
+he felt under obligations to the orphan, who, besides, had attracted
+him by her beauty, and also roused his compassion by her harsh fate,
+and the evils which she had suffered.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pan Matchynski, a friend from of old, to Father Voynovski, and also a
+friend of the king, promised to remind him of the young lady, but after
+the war; for at that time when on the shoulders of Yan III the fate of
+all Europe was resting, and of all Christianity, it was not permitted
+to trouble him with private interests. Father Voynovski was comforted
+with this promise as much as if Yatsek had then received a good &quot;crown
+estate,&quot; for all knew that word from Pan Matchynski was as sure of
+fulfilment as had been the words of Zavisha. To speak strictly, he was
+the author of all the good which had met Panna Sieninski in Cracow; he
+mentioned Father Voynovski to the king and queen; finally he won for
+the young lady the queen, who, though capricious in her likings, and
+fickle, began from the first moment to show her special favor and
+friendship, which seemed even almost too sudden.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A dispensation from banns was received easily through protection of the
+court, and the favor of the bishop of Cracow. Even earlier, Pan Serafin
+had obtained for the young couple handsome lodgings from a Cracow
+merchant, whose ancestors and those of Pan Serafin had done business in
+their day, when the latter were living in Lvoff, and importing brocades
+from the Orient. That was a beautiful lodging, and, because of the
+multitude of civil and military dignitaries in the city, so good a one
+could not be obtained by many a voevoda. Stanislav had determined that
+Yatsek should pass those few days before the campaign as it were in a
+genuine heaven, and he ornamented those lodgings unusually with fresh
+flowers and tapestry; other comrades helped him with zeal, each
+lending, the best of what he had, rugs, tapestry, carpets, and such
+like costly articles, which in wealthy hussar regiments were taken in
+campaigns even.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In one word, all showed the young couple the greatest good-will, and
+helped them as each one was able and with what he commanded, except the
+four Bukoyemskis. They, in the first days after coming to Cracow, went
+sometimes twice in a day to Stanislav and to Yatsek, and to merchants
+at the inns with whom officers from the regiment of Prince Alexander
+drank not infrequently, but afterward the four brothers vanished as if
+they had fallen into water. Father Voynovski thought that they were
+drinking in the suburbs, where servants had seen them one evening, and
+where mead and wine were cheaper than in the city, but immediately
+after that all report of them vanished. This angered the priest as well
+as the Tsyprianovitches, for the brothers were bound to Pan Serafin in
+gratitude; this they should not have forgotten. &quot;They may be good
+soldiers,&quot; said the priest, &quot;but they are giddy heads in whose
+sedateness we cannot put confidence. Of course they have found some
+wild company in which they pass time more pleasantly than with any of
+us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This judgment proved inaccurate, however, for on the eve of Yatsek's
+marriage, when his quarters were filled with acquaintances who had come
+with good wishes and presents, the four brothers appeared in their very
+best garments. Their faces were calm, serious, and full of
+mysteriousness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What has happened to you?&quot; asked Pan Serafin.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We have been tracking a wild beast!&quot; replied Lukash.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Quiet!&quot; said Mateush, giving him a punch in the side, &quot;Do not tell
+till the time comes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then he looked at the priest, at Pan Serafin and his son, and turning
+finally to Yatsek, began to clear his throat, like a man who intends to
+speak in some detail.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, begin right away!&quot; urged his brothers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But he looked at them with staring eyes, and inquired,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How was it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How? Hast thou forgotten?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It has broken in me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Wait--I know,&quot; cried Yan. &quot;It began: 'Our most worthy--' Go on!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Our most worthy Pilate,&quot; began Mateush.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why 'Pilate'?&quot; interrupted the priest. &quot;Perhaps it is Pylades?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Benefactor thou hast hit the nail on the head,&quot; cried Yan. &quot;As I live,
+it is Pylades.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Our worthy Pylades!&quot; began Mateush, now reassured, &quot;though not the
+iron Boristhenes, but the gold-bearing Tagus itself were to flow in our
+native region, we, being exiled through attacks of barbarians, should
+have nothing but our hearts glowing with friendship to offer thee,
+neither could we honor this day as it merits by any thank-offering--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thou speakest as if cracking nuts,&quot; cried out Lukash excitedly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But Mateush kept on repeating: &quot;As it merits,--as it merits--&quot; He
+stopped, looked at his brothers, calling with his eyes for rescue, but
+they had forgotten entirely that which was to come later.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Bukoyemskis began now to frown, and the audience to titter. Seeing
+this Pan Serafin resolved to assist them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who composed this speech for you?&quot; asked he.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pan Gromyka, of Pan Shumlanski's regiment,&quot; said Mateush.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There it is. A strange horse is more likely to balk and rear than your
+own beast; so now embrace Yatsek and tell him what ye have to say.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Surely that is the best way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And they embraced Yatsek one after another. Then Mateush
+continued,--&quot;Yatsus! we know that thou art no Pilate, and thou knowest
+that after losing Kieff regions we are poor fellows, in short we are
+naked. Here is all that we can give, and accept with thankful heart
+even this.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Then they handed him some object wound up in a piece of red satin, and
+at that moment the three younger brothers repeated, with feeling,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Accept it, Yatsus, accept! Accept!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I accept, and God repay you,&quot; answered Yatsek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus speaking, he put the object on the table, and began to unroll the
+satin. All at once he started back, and cried,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As God lives, it is the ear of a man!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But dost thou know whose ear? Martsian Krepetski's!&quot; thundered the
+brothers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">All present were so tremendously astonished that silence followed
+immediately.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Tfu!&quot; cried Father Voynovski, at last.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And measuring the brothers, one after the other, with a stern glance,
+he began at the eldest,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Are ye Turks to bring in the ears of beaten enemies? Ye are a shame to
+this Christian army and all nobles. If Krepetski deserved death a
+hundred times, if he were even a heretic, or out and out a pagan, it
+would still be an inexpressible shame to commit such an action. Oh, ye
+have delighted Yatsek, so that he spits from his mouth that which comes
+into it. But I tell you that for such a deed ye are to expect not
+gratitude but contempt, and shame also; for there is no regiment in all
+the cavalry, or even a regiment in the infantry, which would accept
+such barbarians as comrades.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At this Mateush stepped out in front of his brothers, and, flaming with
+rage, said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Here is gratitude for you, here is reward, here is the justice of
+people, and a judgment. If any layman were to utter this judgment I
+should cut one ear from him, and also the other to go with it, but
+since a clerical person speaks thus, let the Lord Jesus judge him, and
+take the side of the innocent! Your Grace asks: 'Are ye Turks?' but I
+ask: Do you think that we cut off the ear of a dead man? My born
+brothers, ye innocent orphans, to what have ye come, that they make
+Turks of you, enemies of the faith! To what?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Here his voice quivered, for his grief had exceeded his auger. The
+three brothers, roused by the unjust judgment, began to cry out with
+equal sorrow,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They make Turks of us!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Enemies of the faith!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Vile pagans!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then tell, in the name of misfortune, how it was,&quot; said the priest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Lukash cut off Martsian's ear in a duel.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Whence did Krepetski come hither?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He rode into Cracow. He was here five days. He rode in behind us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let one speak. Speak thou, but to the point.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Here the priest turned to Yan, the youngest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;An acquaintance of ours from the regiment of the Bishop of Sandomir,&quot;
+began Yan, &quot;told us by chance, three days ago, that he had seen in a
+wineshop on Kazamir street a certain wonder. 'A noble,' says he, 'as
+thick as a tree stump, with a great head so thrust into his body that
+his shoulders come up to his ears, on short crooked legs,' says he,
+'and he drinks like a dragon. A viler monkey I have not seen in my
+life,' says he. And we, since the Lord Jesus has given us this gift
+from birth, take everything in at a twinkle, we look at one another
+that instant: Well, is not that Krepetski? Then we said to the man,
+'Take us to that wineshop.' 'I will take you.' And he took us. It was
+dark, but we looked till we saw something black in one corner behind a
+table. Lukash walked up to it, and made sparks fly before the very eyes
+of him who was hiding there. 'Krepetski,' cries he, and grabs him by
+the shoulder. We to our sabres. Krepetski sprang away, but saw that
+there was no escape, for we were between him and the doorway. Did he
+not jump then? He jumped up time after time as a cock does. 'What,'
+says he, 'do ye think that I am afraid? Only come at me one by one, not
+in a crowd, unless ye are murderers, not nobles.'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The scoundrel!&quot; interrupted the priest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What did he try to do with us? That is what Lukash asked him. 'Oh!'
+said Lukash, 'thou son of such a mother, thou didst hire a whole
+regiment of cut-throats against us. It would be well,' said he, 'to
+give thee to the headsman, but this is the shorter way!' Then he
+presses on, and they fall to cutting. After the third or fourth blow,
+his head leans to one side. I look--and there is an ear on the floor.
+Mateush raises it immediately, and cries,--'Leave the other to us, do
+not cut it. This,' said he 'will be for Yatsek, and the other for Panna
+Anulka.' But Martsian dropped his sabre, for his blood had begun to
+flow terribly, and he fainted. We poured water on his head, and wine
+into his mouth, thinking that he would revive and meet the next one of
+us; but that could not be. He recovered consciousness, it is true, and
+said: 'Since ye have sought justice yourselves, ye are not free to seek
+any other,' and he fainted again. We went away then, sorry not to have
+the other ear. Lukash said that he could have killed the man, but he
+spared him for us, and especially for Yatsek. And I do not know if any
+one could act more politely, for it is no sin to crush such vermin as
+Martsian, but it is clear that politeness does not pay now-a-days,
+since we have to suffer for showing it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True! He speaks justly!&quot; said the other brothers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well,&quot; said the priest, &quot;if the matter stands thus it is different,
+but still the gift is unsavory.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The brothers looked with amazement one at another.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why say unsavory?&quot; asked Marek. &quot;You do not think we brought it for
+Yatsek to eat, do you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I thank you from my soul for your good wishes,&quot; said Tachevski. &quot;I
+think that ye did not bring it to me to be stored away.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It has grown a little green--it might be smoke-dried.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let a man bury it at once,&quot; said the priest with severity; &quot;it is the
+ear of a Christian in every case.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In Kieff we have seen better treatment,&quot; growled out Mateush.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Krepetski came hither undoubtedly,&quot; remarked Yatsek, &quot;to make a new
+attack on Anulka.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He will not take her away from the king's palace,&quot; said the prudent
+Pan Serafin, &quot;but he did not come for that, if I think correctly. His
+attack failed, so I suppose he only wanted to learn whether we know
+that he arranged it, and if we have complained of him. Perhaps old
+Krepetski did not know of his son's undertaking; but perhaps he did
+know; if he did, then both must be greatly alarmed, and I am not at all
+surprised that Martsian came here to investigate.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well,&quot; said Stanislav, laughing, &quot;he has no luck with the Bukoyemskis,
+indeed he has not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let him go,&quot; said Tachevski. &quot;To-day I am ready to forgive him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Bukoyemskis and Stanislav, who knew the stubbornness of the young
+cavalier, looked at him with astonishment, and he, as if answering
+them, added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For Anulka will be mine immediately, and to-morrow I shall be a
+Christian knight and defender of the faith, a man whose heart should be
+free of all hate and personalities.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God bless thee for that!&quot; cried the priest.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVII</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">At last the long-wished-for day of his happiness came to Tachevski. In
+Cracow a report had gone out among the citizens, and was repeated with
+wonder, that in the army was a knight who would marry on one day and
+mount his horse the day following. When the report went out also that
+the king and queen would be at the marriage, crowds began from early
+morning to assemble in the church and outside it. At length the crowd
+was so great that the king's men had to bring order to the square so
+that the marriage guests might have a free passage. Tachevski's
+comrades assembled to a man; this they did out of good-will and
+friendship, and also because it was dear to each one of them to be seen
+in a company where the king himself would be present, and to belong, as
+it were, to his private society. Many dignitaries appeared also, even
+men who had never heard of Tachevski, for it was known that the queen
+favored the marriage, and at the court much depended on her inclination
+and favor.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">To some of the lords it was not less wonderful than to the citizens
+that the king should find time to be at the marriage of a simple
+officer, while on that king's shoulders the fate of the whole world was
+then resting, and day after day couriers from foreign lands were flying
+in on foaming horses; hence some considered this as coming from the
+kindness of the monarch and his wish to win the army, while others made
+suppositions that there existed some near bond of kinship, difficult to
+be acknowledged; others ridiculed these suppositions, stating justly
+that in such a case the queen, who had so little condescension for the
+failings of cavaliers that the king more than once had been forced to
+make explanations, would not have been so anxious for the union of the
+lovers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">People remembered little of the Sieninskis, so to avoid every calumny
+and gossip the king declared that the Sobieskis owed much to that
+family. Then people of society were concerned with Panna Anulka, and,
+as is usual at courts, at one time they pitied, at another time they
+were moved by her sufferings, and next they lauded her virtue and
+comeliness. Reports of her beauty spread widely even among citizens,
+but when at last they saw her no one was disappointed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She came to the church with the queen, hence all glances went first to
+that lofty lady whose charms were still brilliant, like the bright sun
+before evening; but when they were turned to the bride, all men among
+dignitaries, the military, the nobles, and citizens whispered, and even
+loud voices were heard.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Wonderful, wonderful! That man owes much to his eyes, who has beheld
+once in life such a woman.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And this was true. Not always in those times was a maiden dressed in
+white for her marriage, but the young ladies and the assistants arrayed
+Anulka in white, for such was her wish, and that was the color of her
+finest robe also. So in white, with a green wreath on her golden hair,
+and with a face confused a trifle, and pale, with downcast eyes, she,
+silent, and slender, looked like a snowy swan, or simply like a white
+lily. Even Yatsek himself, to whom she seemed in some sort a new
+person, was astonished at sight of her. &quot;In God's name!&quot; said he to
+himself, &quot;how can I approach her? She is a genuine queen, or entirely
+an angel with whom it is sinful to speak unless kneeling.&quot; And he was
+almost awestruck. But when at last he and she knelt side by side before
+the altar, and heard the voice of Father Voynovski full of emotion, as
+he began with the words: &quot;I knew you both as little children,&quot; and
+joined their hands with his stole, when he heard his own low voice: &quot;I
+take thee as wife,&quot; and the hymn, <i>Veni Creator</i> burst forth a moment
+later, it seemed to Yatsek that happiness would burst his bosom, and
+that all the easier since he was not wearing his armor. He had loved
+this woman from childhood, and he knew that he loved her, but now, for
+the first time, he understood how he loved her without measure or
+limit. And again he began to say to himself: I must die, for if a man
+during life were to have so much happiness, what more could there be
+for him in heaven? But he thought that before he died he must thank
+God; and all at once there flew before the eyes of his soul Turkish
+warriors in legions, beards, turbans, sashes, crooked sabres, horsetail
+standards. So from his heart was rent the shout to God: &quot;I will thank
+to the full, to the full!&quot; And he felt, that for those enemies of the
+cross and the faith, he would become a destroying lion. That vision
+lasted only one twinkle, then his breast was filled with a boundless
+wave of love and rapture.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Meanwhile the ceremony was ended, the retinue moved to the dwelling
+prepared for the young couple by Stanislav, and ornamented by his
+comrades in the regiment. For one moment only could Yatsek press to his
+heart the young Pani Tachevski, for straightway both ran to meet the
+king and queen, who had come from the church to them. Two high
+armchairs had been fixed for the royal pair at the table, so, after the
+blessing, during which the young people knelt before majesty, Yatsek
+begged the gracious lord and lady to the wedding feast, but the king
+had to give a refusal.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Dear comrade,&quot; said he, &quot;I should be glad to talk with thee, and still
+more with thee, my relative,&quot; here he turned to Pani Tachevski, &quot;and
+discuss the coming dowry. I will remain a moment and drink a health to
+you, but I may not sit down, for I have so much on my head, that every
+hour now is precious.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We believe that!&quot; cried a number of voices.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Tachevski seized the feet of the king, who took a filled goblet from
+the table.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Gracious gentlemen!&quot; said he, &quot;the health of the young couple!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A shout was heard: &quot;<i>Vivant! crescant, floreant!</i>&quot; Then the king again
+spoke,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Enjoy your happiness quickly,&quot; said he to Tachevski, &quot;for it deserves
+that, and it will not be long. Thou shouldst remain here a few days,
+but then thou must follow on quickly for we shall not wait for thee.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is easier for her to hold out without thee, than Vienna without
+us,&quot; said Pan Marek Matchynski, smiling at Yatsek.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But Lyubomirski is shelling out the Turks there,&quot; said one of the
+hussars.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have good news from our men,&quot; said the king. &quot;This I have commanded
+Matchynski to bring, to be read to you, and gladden the hearts of our
+warriors. It is what the Duke of Lorraine, commander-in-chief for the
+emperor, writes me of the battle near Presburg.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">And he read somewhat slowly, for he read to the nobles in Polish, and
+the letter was in the French language.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'The emperor's cavalry advanced with effect and enthusiasm, but the
+action was ended by the Poles who left no work to the Germans. I cannot
+find words sufficient to praise the strength, valor, and bearing of the
+officers and soldiers led by Pan Lyubomirski.<a name="div2Ref_08" href="#div2_08"><sup>[8]</sup></a></p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'The battle,' writes the Duke of Lorraine, 'was a great one, and our
+glory not small.'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We will show that we are not worse,&quot; cried the warriors.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I believe and am confident, but we must hasten, for later letters
+portend evil. Vienna is barely able to breathe, and all Christianity
+has its eyes on us. Shall we be there in season?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Few regiments have remained here, the main forces are at the Tarnovski
+Heights waiting, as I have heard, under the hetmans,&quot; said Father
+Voynovski, &quot;but though our hands are needed at Vienna, they are not
+needed so much as a leader like your Royal Grace.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Sobieski smiled at this and answered,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That, word for word, is what the Duke of Lorraine writes. So,
+gentlemen, keep the bridles in hand, for any hour I may order the
+sounding of trumpets.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;When, gracious lord?&quot; called a number of voices.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The king grew impressive in a moment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will send off to-morrow those regiments which are still with me,&quot;
+then he glanced quickly at Tachevski, as if testing him. &quot;Since her
+grace the queen will go to the Heights with us to see the review there,
+thou, unless thou ask of us an entirely new office, may remain here, if
+thou engage to overtake us exactly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Yatsek, putting his arm around his wife, pushed one step toward the
+king with her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Gracious lord,&quot; said he, &quot;if the German empire, or even the kingdom of
+France were offered me in exchange for this lady, God, who sees my
+whole heart, knows that I would not accept either, and that I would not
+give her for any treasure in existence. But God forbid that I should
+abandon my service, or lose an opportunity, or neglect a war for
+religion, or desert my own leader for the sake of private happiness. If
+I did I should despise myself, and she, for I know her, would also
+despise me. O gracious lord, if ill luck or misfortune were to bar the
+road and I could not join thee I should burn up from shame and from
+anguish.&quot; Here tears dimmed his eyes, blushes came to his cheeks, and,
+in a voice trembling from emotion, he added: &quot;To-day I blasphemed
+before the altar, for I said: 'O God, I will thank to the full, to the
+full for this.'--But only with my life, with my blood, with my labor
+could I return thanks for the happiness which has met me. For this very
+reason I shall ask no new office, and when thou shalt move, gracious
+leader and king, I will not delay even one day behind thee. I will go
+at the same hour, though I were to fall on the morrow.&quot; And he knelt at
+the feet of Sobieski, who, bending forward, embraced his head and then
+answered,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Give me more of such men, and the Polish name will go through the
+world thundering.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Father Voynovski had tears in his eyes, the Bukoyemskis were weeping
+like beavers. Emotion and enthusiasm seized every man present.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;On the pagans, for the faith!&quot; roared many voices. And then began
+rattling of sabres. But when it had grown somewhat quiet Pani Tachevski
+bent to the ear of her husband and, with pale lips, whispered into
+it,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;O Yatsek, wonder not at my tears, for if thou go I may never see thee
+hereafter--but go!&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2>
+
+<p class="normal">Still they remained two days together. The court, it is true, set out
+the day following, but the queen, with all her court ladies, and a
+multitude of lay and church dignitaries, followed the king to Tarnovski
+Heights where the camp was and where a great review had been ordered.
+The retinue being numerous moved slowly and hence to overtake it was
+easy. The subsequent advance of the forces, with the king at the head
+of them, from the boundary to Vienna astonished the world by its
+swiftness, especially since the king hastened on and arrived before the
+main army, but to Tarnovski Heights the queen dragged on six days, with
+her retinue. In two days the Tachevskis came up with the escort. Pani
+Tachevski took her seat then in a court carriage, and Yatsek hurried on
+to the camp for the night, to join there his regiment. For the royal
+pair the time of separation was approaching. On August 22 the king took
+solemn farewell of his beloved &quot;Marysienka.&quot; In the early morning he
+mounted and marshalled before her the army; next he moved at the head
+of it to Glivitsi.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">People noted that although he always took farewell of the queen with
+great sorrow, since he loved her as the apple of his eye, and was
+pained by even a short absence, his face this time was radiant. So the
+church and lay dignitaries took courage. They knew how tremendous was a
+war with that enemy, who besides had never advanced with such forces.
+&quot;The Turks have moved three parts of the world, it is true,&quot; said they
+to themselves, &quot;but if our lord, their greatest crusher and destroyer,
+goes with such delight to this struggle, we have no cause for anxiety
+touching it.&quot; And hope filled their bosoms, the sight of the warriors
+increased it still more, and changed it to perfect confidence in
+victory. The army, with all the camp followers seemed very
+considerable. As far as the eye reached the sun shone on helmets, on
+armor, on sabres, on barrels of muskets and cannon. The glitter was so
+bright that eyes were dazzled by the excess of it. Rainbow-hued ensigns
+and banners played in the blue air, above the army. The rolling of
+drums throughout the foot regiments was mingled with responses from
+trumpets, crooked horns, and kettledrums, and also the hellish noise of
+a Janissary orchestra, and the neighing of horses.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At first the train moved toward one side, to afford a free way to all
+movements of the army, and only then the review began really. The royal
+carriage halted on a plain not too high, a little to the right of the
+road by which the regiments were to pass while advancing. In the first
+carriage sat the queen wearing plumes, laces, and velvets glittering
+with jewels. She was beautiful and imposing, with the full majesty in
+her face of a woman who possesses all in life that the most daring
+designs can imagine, for she had a crown, and the unspeakable love of
+the most glorious of contemporary monarchs. She, in common with those
+dignitaries in the suite of the king, felt most certain that when her
+husband was on horseback for action, he would be followed, as he had
+been followed at all times, by destruction and triumph. And she felt
+that at the moment the eyes of all the world from Tsargrad to Rome,
+Madrid, and Paris, were turned on him that all Christianity was
+stretching out hands to him, and that only in those iron arms of his
+warriors did people see rescue. Hence her heart rose with the pride of
+a woman. &quot;Our might is increasing, and glory will raise us above all
+other kings,&quot; said she in spirit; and therefore, though her husband was
+leading barely twenty and some thousands of men against countless hosts
+of Osmanli, her breast was filled with delight and no cloud of alarm or
+distrust darkened then her white forehead. &quot;Look at the victor, look at
+your father, the king,&quot; said she to her children, who, as little birds
+fill a nest, filled the carriage--&quot;when he returns, the world will
+kneel to him in thanksgiving.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In other carriages were visible the charming features of youthful court
+ladies, the mitres of bishops, and the dignified, stern faces of
+senators, who remained at home to manage the government in place of His
+Majesty. The king himself was with the army, but all could see him very
+clearly on the height at some distance, among hetmans and generals,
+where he produced the impression of a giant on horseback. The army was
+to pass a little lower, before his feet, as it seemed to spectators.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">First there moved forward, with a deep, rolling sound and the biting of
+chain-links, Pan Kantski's artillery; after it went foot regiments with
+a musket on the shoulder of each man, under officers with sabres on
+straps, and carrying long canes with which they kept all ranks in
+order. Those regiments marched four abreast and seemed moving
+fortresses, their step preserved time and was thundering. Each regiment
+when passing the carriage of Her Majesty gave a loud shout to salute
+her, and lowered its ensign in homage. Among them were some with a
+costlier outfit than others, and showing a form beyond common in
+dignity, but the most showy regiment of all was made up of Kashubians
+in blue coats and yellow belts for ammunition. These Kashubians, large
+and strong fellows, were so carefully chosen that each seemed a brother
+to the next man; the heavy muskets moved in the mighty hands of those
+warriors as would walking-sticks. At the sound of the fife they halted
+before the king as one person, and presented arms with such accuracy
+that he smiled with delight, and the dignitaries said to one another:
+&quot;Eh! To strike upon these men will not be healthy for even the Sultan's
+own body-guard. Those are real lions, not people!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But immediately after them moved squadrons of light-horse. One might
+have thought them real centaurs to such a degree had each man and horse
+become one single entity. These were undegenerate sons of those
+horsemen who in their day had trampled all Germany, cleaving apart with
+their sabres and with horse hoofs whole regiments, nay, entire armies
+of Luther's adherents. The heaviest foreign cavalry, if only equal in
+number could not oppose them, and the lightest could not escape from
+them by fleeing. The king himself had said of those men when at Hotsim:
+&quot;If they are led to the enemy they will cut down all in front of them,
+as a mower cuts grass at his labor.&quot; And though at this moment they
+advanced past the carriages slowly, each person, even one quite
+unknowing in warfare, divined very quickly that at the right moment
+nothing save a hurricane could surpass them in swiftness, power to
+whirl, strike down, and overthrow. Crooked trumpets and drums went on
+thundering in front of them, while they marched forward, squadron after
+squadron, with drawn sabres which seemed flaming swords in the
+quivering sunlight. When they had passed the court carriages they
+advanced like a wave starting suddenly, going first at a trot which
+turned soon to a gallop, and, when they had outlined a great giant
+circle, they passed again, and this time they rushed like a tempest and
+near the queen's carriage; but while they were doing this they shouted,
+&quot;Slay! Kill!&quot; and in extended right hands held their sabres pointed
+forward as if in attacking, on horses whose nostrils were distended to
+the utmost, with waving manes, as if wild from the impetus of their
+onrush. And they passed thus a second time, and then at the third turn
+they, without breaking ranks, stood still on a sudden. They did this so
+accurately, so evenly, and with such agreement that foreigners, of whom
+at that court there were many, and especially those who saw then for
+the first time Polish cavalry in action, gazed at one another with
+amazement, as if each man were questioning his own eyesight.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When they had vanished the field glittered with dragoons everywhere and
+bloomed like a blossom. Some of those regiments had appeared under Pan
+Yablonovski, some had been assembled by magnates, and one by the king,
+from his own private fortune; this was commanded by Pan de Maligny, Her
+Majesty's brother.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the dragoons served common folk for the greater part, but men
+trained to riding from childhood, experienced in fighting of various
+sorts, stubborn under fire, less terrible at close quarters than
+nobles, but disciplined and most enduring of military labor.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But the greatest delight for the eyes and the spirit began only when
+the hussars started forward. They moved on in calmness as was proper
+for regiments of such value; their lances pointing upward seemed a
+forest, and at the points, moved by the light breeze, was a rainbow
+cloud of streamers. Their horses were heavier than those in other
+squadrons; their steel armor was inlaid with gold; on their shoulders
+were wings, in which the feathers, even when moving slowly, made that
+sound heard in forests among branches. The great dignity, and, as it
+were, the pride which issued forth from them, made so deep an
+impression that the queen and court ladies, the senators, and above
+all, foreign visitors, rose in their carriages to see them more
+accurately. There was something tremendous in that march, for it came
+to the mind of each man unwittingly, that when an avalanche of iron
+like that should rush forward it would crush, grind, and drive apart
+all things in front of it, and that there was no human strength which
+could stop it. And this was undoubted. Not so distant at that time was
+the day when three thousand such horsemen had rubbed into dust Swedish
+legions five times their own number; still less remote was that other
+day when one squadron of the same kind had passed, like a spirit of
+destruction, through the whole army of Karl Gustav; and quite recent
+was the day when at Hotsim those same hussars under that same king
+there present had trampled in the earth Turkish guards formed of
+Janissaries, as easily as standing wheat in the open. Many of the men
+who had shared in that shattering of the enemy at Hotsim were serving
+then under the banners of that day, and these warriors, proud, calm,
+and confident, were starting now toward the walls of a foreign capital
+to reap a new harvest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Terror and strength seemed the soul of that body. An afternoon breeze
+rose behind them on a sudden, whistled in their streamers, blew forward
+the waving manes of their horses, and made so mighty a sound in the
+wings at the shoulders of each mounted warrior, that the horses from
+Spain which drew the court carriages rose on their haunches. The
+squadrons approached to a line twenty yards from the carriages, turned
+to one side and marched past in squadrons. Then it was that Pani
+Tachevski saw her husband for the last time before the expedition. He
+rode in the second rank at the edge of the squadron, all in iron and
+winged armor, the ear pieces of his helmet hid his cheeks altogether.
+His large golden bay Turkish stallion bore him on easily despite the
+weighty armor, throwing his head upward, rattling his bit, and
+snorting loudly, as if in good omen for the rider. Yatsek turned his
+iron-covered head toward his wife, and moved his lips as if whispering,
+but though no distinct word reached her ears she divined that he was
+giving her the last &quot;Fare thee well!&quot; and such an impulse of yearning
+and love seized her heart that if she could have, at the cost of her
+life, changed at that moment to a swallow she would have perched on his
+shoulder, or on the flag of his lance point, and gone with him; she
+would not have stopped for one twinkle to calculate.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Fare thee well, Yatsek! God guard thee!&quot; cried she, stretching her
+hands to him. And her eyes were tear-bedewed while he rode past in
+solemnity, gleaming in the sunlight, and, as it were, rendered sacred
+by the service imposed on him.</p>
+
+<p class="center" style="letter-spacing:20px">* * * * * * *</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Behind this the regiment of Prince Alexander came up and marched past
+still others, equally terrible and equally brilliant Then other
+regiments described a great circle and halted on the plain almost in
+the places from which they had started in the time of reviewing, but
+now in marching order.</p>
+
+<p class="center" style="letter-spacing:20px">* * * * * * *</p>
+
+<p class="normal">From the carriages on the height the eye could embrace all the
+regiments very nearly. Far away and near by were seen crimson uniforms,
+glittering armor, the flashing of swords, the upturned forest of
+lances, the broad cloud of streamers, and above them great banners like
+giant blossoms. From the regiments standing nearer, the breeze brought
+the odor of horse sweat, and the shouts of commanders, the shrill note
+of fifes, and the deep sound of kettledrums. But in those shouts, in
+those sounds, in that delight and that eagerness for battle, there was
+something triumphant. A perfect confidence in the victory of the cross
+above the crescent,--that confidence was flowing through every heart in
+those legions.</p>
+
+<p class="center" style="letter-spacing:20px">* * * * * * *</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The king remained yet for a moment at the carriage of Her Majesty, but
+when a blessing had been given him with a cross and with relics by the
+bishop of Cracow, he rushed at a gallop to the army. The air was rent
+suddenly by the keen sound of trumpets, while masses of foot and of
+cavalry stirred, began slowly to lengthen, and finally those masses
+moved, all of them, westward. In advance were the banners of the light
+horse, behind them hussars; the dragoons closed the movement.</p>
+
+<p class="center" style="letter-spacing:20px">* * * * * * *</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The prince bishop of Cracow raised with both hands the cross, holding
+relics as high above his head as was possible:</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;O God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, have mercy on Thy people!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="center" style="letter-spacing:20px">* * * * * * *</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Just then more than twenty thousand breasts raised the anthem which Pan
+Kohovski had composed for that moment:</p>
+<div class="poem2">
+<p class="t0" style="text-indent:-4px">
+&quot;For Thee, O pure Lady,<br>
+O Mother Immaculate,<br>
+We go to defend Christ,</p>
+<p class="t1">Our Lord.</p>
+<p class="t1">&nbsp;</p>
+<p class="t0" style="text-indent:-4px">&quot;For thee, O dear country,<br>
+For you, O white eagles,<br>
+We will crush every enemy.</p>
+<p class="t1"><span class="sc">On the Field of Glory.</span>&quot;</p>
+</div>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3>
+<br>
+<p class="hang1"><a name="div2_01" href="#div2Ref_01">Footnote 1</a>: Kromer.</p>
+
+<p class="hang1"><a name="div2_02" href="#div2Ref_02">Footnote 2</a>: His pets.</p>
+
+<p class="hang1"><a name="div2_03" href="#div2Ref_03">Footnote 3</a>: On Saint Stephen's day people used to cast various kinds
+of grain at the priest at the altar in memory of the stoning of that
+saint.</p>
+
+<p class="hang1"><a name="div2_04" href="#div2Ref_04">Footnote 4</a>: The Elector just mentioned, <i>i. e</i>., the Elector of
+Brandenburg.</p>
+
+<p class="hang1"><a name="div2_05" href="#div2Ref_05">Footnote 5</a>: Among the Poles and Slavs generally death is represented
+as a woman.</p>
+
+<p class="hang1"><a name="div2_06" href="#div2Ref_06">Footnote 6</a>: This man is mentioned on page 224.</p>
+
+<p class="hang1"><a name="div2_07" href="#div2Ref_07">Footnote 7</a>: Jewish pronunciation of <i>vivant</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="hang1"><a name="div2_08" href="#div2Ref_08">Footnote 8</a>: Carolus Dux Lotharingiae Joanni III, Poloniae Regi, etc.
+Julius 31, 1683.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<table cellpadding="10" style="width:70%; margin-left:15%; border:4px solid black">
+<tr><td>
+<h2><i>THE ZAGLOBA ROMANCES</i><br>
+<i>by Henryk Sienkiewicz. Translated from</i><br>
+<i>the Polish by Jeremiah Curtin</i>.</h2>
+
+<h3>WITH FIRE AND SWORD</h3>
+
+<p class="normal">An Historical Novel of Poland and Russia. Illustrated. Crown 8vo.
+$1.50.</p>
+
+<p class="hang2">The first of the famous trilogy of historical romances of Poland,
+Russia, and Sweden. Their publication has been received as an event in
+literature. Charles Dudley Warner, in <i>Harper's Magazine</i>, affirms that
+the Polish author has in Zagloba <i>given a new creation to literature</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal"><i>A capital story</i>. The only modern romance with which it can be
+compared for fire, sprightliness, rapidity of action, swift changes,
+and absorbing interest is &quot;The Three Musketeers&quot; of Dumas.--<i>New York
+Tribune</i>.</p>
+<br>
+
+<h3>THE DELUGE</h3>
+
+<p class="hang1">An Historical Novel of Poland, Sweden, and Russia. A Sequel to &quot;With
+Fire and Sword.&quot; With map. 2 vols. Crown 8vo. $3.00.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Marvellous in its grand descriptions.--<i>Chicago Inter-Ocean</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Has the humor of a Cervantes and the grim vigor of Defoe.--<i>Boston
+Gazette</i>.</p>
+<br>
+
+<h3>PAN MICHAEL</h3>
+
+<p class="normal">An Historical Novel of Poland, Russia, and the Ukraine. A Sequel to
+&quot;With Fire and Sword&quot; and &quot;The Deluge.&quot; Crown 8vo. $1.50.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The interest of the trilogy, both historical and romantic, is
+splendidly sustained.--<i>The Dial</i>, Chicago.</p>
+
+<hr class="W90">
+
+<h4>LITTLE, BROWN, &amp; COMPANY, <span class="sc">Publishers</span><br>
+<span class="sc">Boston, Massachusetts</span></h4>
+
+</td></tr></table>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<table cellpadding="10" style="width:70%; margin-left:15%; border:4px solid black">
+<tr><td>
+<h2>QUO VADIS</h2>
+
+<p class="hang1">A Narrative of the Time of Nero. By Henryk Sienkiewicz. Translated from
+the Polish by Jeremiah Curtin. Illustrated. Crown 8vo. $1.50.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">One of the greatest books of our day.--<i>The Bookman</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The book is like a grand historical pageant.--<i>Literary World</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Of intense interest to the whole Christian civilization.--<i>Chicago
+Tribune</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Interest never wanes; and the story is carried through its many phases
+of conflict and terror to a climax that enthralls.--<i>Chicago Record</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As a study of the introduction of the gospel of love into the pagan
+world typified by Rome, it is marvellously fine.--<i>Chicago Interior</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The picture here given of life in Rome under the last of the Caesars is
+one of unparalleled power and vividness.--<i>Boston Home Journal</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">One of the most remarkable books of the decade. It burns upon the brain
+the struggles and triumphs of the early church.--<i>Boston Daily
+Advertiser</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It will become recognized by virtue of its own merits as the one heroic
+monument built by the modern novelist above the ruins of decadent Rome,
+and in honor of the blessed martyrs of the early Church.--<i>Brooklyn
+Eagle</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Our debt to Sienkiewicz is not less than our debt to his translator
+and friend, Jeremiah Curtin. The diversity of the language, the rapid
+flow of thought, the picturesque imagery of the descriptions are all
+his.--<i>Boston Transcript</i>.</p>
+
+<hr class="W90">
+
+<h4>LITTLE, BROWN, &amp; COMPANY, <span class="sc">Publishers</span><br>
+<span class="sc">Boston, Massachusetts</span></h4>
+
+</td></tr></table>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<table cellpadding="10" style="width:70%; margin-left:15%; border:4px solid black">
+<tr><td>
+<h2>THE KNIGHTS OF THE CROSS</h2>
+
+<p class="hang1">An Historical Romance of Poland and Germany. By Henryk Sienkiewicz.
+Translated from the Polish by Jeremiah Curtin. Illustrated. 2 vols.
+Crown 8vo. 2.00.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The greatest work Sienkiewicz has given us.--<i>Buffalo Express</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It seems superior even to &quot;Quo Vadis&quot; in strength and realism.--<i>The
+Churchman</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The construction of the story is beyond praise. It is difficult
+to conceive of any one who will not pick the book up with
+eagerness.--<i>Chicago Evening Post</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There are some scenes in the book that for power and excitement
+remind one of the great encounter between Ursus and the bull in &quot;Quo
+Vadis.&quot;--<i>Minneapolis Tribune</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Vivid, dramatic, and vigorous.... His imaginative power, his command of
+language, and the picturesque scenes he sets combine to fascinate the
+reader.--<i>Philadelphia Bulletin</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A book that holds your almost breathless attention as in a vise from
+the very beginning, for in it love and strife, the most thrilling of
+all worldly subjects, are described masterfully.--<i>The Boston Journal</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Another remarkable book. His descriptions are tremendously effective;
+one can almost hear the sound of the carnage; to the mind's eye the
+scene of battle is unfolded by a master artist.--<i>The Hartford
+Courant</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thrillingly dramatic, full of strange local color and very faithful to
+its period, besides having that sense of the mysterious and weird that
+throbs in the Polish blood and infects alike their music and
+literature.--<i>The St. Paul Globe</i>.</p>
+
+<hr class="W90">
+
+<h4>LITTLE, BROWN, &amp; COMPANY, <span class="sc">Publishers</span><br>
+<span class="sc">Boston, Massachusetts</span></h4>
+</td></tr></table>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<table cellpadding="10" style="width:70%; margin-left:15%; border:4px solid black">
+<tr><td>
+<h2><i>OTHER NOVELS AND ROMANCES</i><br>
+<i>by Henryk Sienkiewicz. Translated from</i><br>
+<i>the Polish by Jeremiah Curtin</i>.</h2>
+
+
+<h3>CHILDREN OF THE SOIL</h3>
+
+<p class="continue">Crown 8vo. $1.50.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It must be reckoned among the finer fictions of our time, and shows its
+author to be almost as great a master in the field of the domestic
+novel as he had previously been shown to be in that of imaginative
+historical romances.--<i>The Dial</i>, Chicago.</p>
+
+
+<h3>HANIA, AND OTHER STORIES</h3>
+
+<p class="continue">With portrait. Crown 8vo. $1.50.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At the highest level of the author's genius.--<i>The Outlook</i>.</p>
+
+
+<h3>SIELANKA, A FOREST PICTURE</h3>
+
+<p class="continue">And Other Stories. With frontispiece. Crown 8vo. $1.50.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They exhibit the masterly genius of Sienkiewicz even better than his
+longer romances. They abound in fine character-drawings and beautiful
+descriptions.--<i>Chicago Inter-Ocean</i>.</p>
+
+
+<h3>LIFE AND DEATH AND OTHER<br>
+LEGENDS AND STORIES</h3>
+
+<p class="continue">Illustrated. 16mo. Decorated cloth, $1.00.</p>
+
+
+<h3>WITHOUT DOGMA</h3>
+
+<p class="hang1">A Novel of Modern Poland. (Translated from the Polish by Iza Young.)
+Crown 8vo. $1.50.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A human document read in the light of a great imagination.--<i>Boston
+Beacon</i>.</p>
+
+<hr class="W90">
+
+<h4>LITTLE, BROWN, &amp; COMPANY, <span class="sc">Publishers</span><br>
+<span class="sc">Boston, Massachusetts</span></h4></td>
+</tr></table>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's On the Field of Glory, by Henryk Sienkiewicz
+
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+
diff --git a/37406.txt b/37406.txt
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+++ b/37406.txt
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of On the Field of Glory, by Henryk Sienkiewicz
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: On the Field of Glory
+       An Historical Novel of the Time of King John Sobieski
+
+Author: Henryk Sienkiewicz
+
+Translator: Jeremiah Curtin
+
+Release Date: September 12, 2011 [EBook #37406]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON THE FIELD OF GLORY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+   1. Page scan source:
+      http://www.archive.org/details/onfieldofgloryhi00sieniala
+
+   2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe].
+
+
+
+
+
+                         ON THE FIELD OF GLORY
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                              THE WORKS OF
+                           HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
+
+                  TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL POLISH
+                          BY JEREMIAH CURTIN.
+
+                               *   *   *
+
+                         _The Zagloba Romances_
+
+      With Fire and Sword. 1 vol.
+      The Deluge. 2 vols.
+      Pan Michael. 1 vol.
+
+                               *   *   *
+
+      Quo Vadis. 1 vol.
+      The Knights of the Cross. 2 vols.
+      Children of the Soil. 1 vol.
+      Hania, and Other Stories. 1 vol.
+      Sielanka, and Other Stories. 1 vol.
+      In Vain. 1 vol.
+      Life and Death and Other Legends and Stories. 1 vol.
+      On The Field Of Glory. 1 vol.
+
+                               *   *   *
+
+      Without Dogma. (Translated by Isa Young.) 1 vol.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                            ON THE FIELD OF
+                                 GLORY
+
+
+                          AN HISTORICAL NOVEL
+                   OF THE TIME OF KING JOHN SOBIESKI
+
+
+                                   BY
+                           HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ
+      _Author of "Quo Vadis," "With Fire and Sword," "The Deluge,"
+                      "Knights of the Cross" etc_.
+
+
+
+                 TRANSLATED FROM THE POLISH ORIGINAL BY
+                            JEREMIAH CURTIN
+
+
+
+
+                                 BOSTON
+                       LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY
+                                  1906
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                           _Copyright, 1906_,
+                           By Jeremiah Curtin
+                               *   *   *
+                         _All rights reserved_
+
+
+
+                        Published January, 1906
+
+
+
+
+                THE UNIVERSITY PRESS, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A.
+
+
+
+
+
+                                   TO
+                       SIR THOMAS G. SHAUGHNESSY,
+              PRESIDENT OF THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILROAD.
+
+                               *   *   *
+
+My Dear Sir Thomas:
+
+Railroads are to nations what arteries and veins are to each
+individual. Every part of a nation enjoys common life with every other
+through railroads. Books bring remote ages to the present, and assemble
+the thoughts of mankind and of God in one divine company. I find great
+pleasure on railroads in the day and the night, at all seasons. You
+enjoy books with a keen and true judgment. Let me inscribe to you,
+therefore, this volume.
+
+                                                  Jeremiah Curtin.
+
+
+
+
+                              INTRODUCTORY
+
+
+The book before us gives pictures of Polish character and life on the
+eve of the second great siege of Vienna.
+
+Twice was that city beleaguered by Turkey. The first siege was
+commanded by Solyman, that Sultan who was surnamed Magnificent by
+western nations; to Turks he was known as the Lord of his Age and the
+Lawgiver.
+
+The first siege was repelled by the bravery of the garrison, by the
+heroism of Count Salm its commander, by the terrible weather of 1529,
+and also through turbulence of the Janissary forces. The second siege
+was crushed in 1683 by Sobieski's wise strategy, the splendid impetus
+of the Poles, and the firmness of the allies.
+
+Had the Polish king not appeared the Sultan would have triumphed, hence
+Sobieski and his men are hailed ever since as the saviours of Vienna.
+
+The enthusiasm of the time for Sobieski and his force was tremendous.
+
+"There was a man sent from God whose name was John," this was the
+Gospel read at the Thanksgiving Mass in Saint Stephen's, the cathedral,
+the noble old church of that rescued and jubilant city. Some Poles went
+to Rome after that to get relics; the Pope gave this answer: "Take
+earth steeped in blood from the field where your countrymen fell at
+Vienna."
+
+Many times have men here in America asked me: Are the Poles really held
+by such an intensity of passion? if they are, why does it seize them,
+whence does it come, what is the source and the cause of it? I reply to
+these questions as best I am able, and truthfully: It comes from the
+soul of the Slavs in some part, and in some part from history. The
+Poles have as a race their original gift to begin with; this gift, or
+race element, has met in its varied career certain peoples, ideas, and
+principles. The result of this meeting is this: that the Polish part of
+the Slav world holds touching itself an unconquerable ideal. It has
+absorbed, as it thinks, certain principles from which it could not now
+separate.
+
+The Poles could not if they would, and would not if they could, be
+dissevered from that which, as they state, they have worked out in
+history, that which no power on earth can now take from them, and to
+which they are bound with the faith of a martyr.
+
+Through ideas and principles, that is, truths gained in their
+experience as a people, and which in them are incarnate and living, the
+Poles feel predestined to triumph, time, of course, being given.
+
+What are these ideas and principles? men ask of me often. Combined all
+in one they mean the victory and supremacy of Poland. They have been
+worked out during centuries, I answer, of Polish experience with
+Germany, with Russia, with Rome and Byzantium, with Turks and with
+Tartars. But beyond all do they come as the fruit of collisions with
+Germany and Russia, and as the outcome of teachings from Rome and the
+stern opposition of Byzantium. Through this great host of enemies and
+allies, and their own special character, came that incisive dramatic
+career which at last met a failure so crushingly manifest.
+
+The inward result and the spiritual harvest to be reaped from this
+awful catastrophe are evident only through what is revealed in the
+conduct, the deeds, and the words of the people who had to wade through
+the dreadful defeat and digest the experience.
+
+Polish character in most of its main traits was developed completely
+even earlier than the days of Sobieski, and the men who appeared then
+in action differ little from those of the present, hence the pictures
+in this volume are perfectly true and of far-reaching interest in our
+time.
+
+                                                  JEREMIAH CURTIN.
+
+January, 1906.
+
+
+
+
+
+                         ON THE FIELD OF GLORY
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER I
+
+
+The winter of 1682-83 was a season of such rigor that even very old
+people could not remember one like it. During the autumn rain fell
+continually, and in the middle of November the first frost appeared,
+which confined waters and put a glass bark upon trees of the forest.
+Icicles fastened on pines and broke many branches. In the first days of
+December the birds, after frequent biting frosts, flew into villages
+and towns, and even wild beasts came out of dense forests and drew near
+the houses of people. About Saint Damasius' day the heavens became
+clouded, and then snow appeared; ten days did it fall without ceasing.
+It covered the country to a height of two ells; it hid forest roads, it
+hid fences, and even cottage windows. Men opened pathways with shovels
+through snow-drifts to go to their granaries and stables; and when the
+snow stopped at last, a splitting frost came, from which forest trees
+gave out sounds that seemed gunshots.
+
+Peasants, who at that time had to go to the woodlands for fuel, went in
+parties to defend themselves, and were careful that night should not
+find them at a distance from the village. After sunset no man dared
+leave his own doorstep unless with a fork or a bill-hook, and dogs gave
+out, until daylight, short frightened yelps, as they do always when
+barking at wolves which are near them.
+
+During just such a night and in such a fierce frost a great equipage on
+runners pushed along a forest road carefully; it was drawn by four
+horses and surrounded by attendants. In front, on a strong beast, rode
+a man with a pole and a small iron pot on the end of it; in this pot
+pitch was burning, not to make the road visible, for there was
+moonlight, but to frighten away wolves from the party. On the box of
+the equipage sat a driver, and on a saddled horse a postilion, and at
+each side rode two men armed with muskets and slingshots.
+
+The party moved forward very slowly, since the road was little beaten
+and in places the snow-drifts, especially at turnings, rose like waves
+on the roadway.
+
+This slowness disturbed Pan Gideon Pangovski, who, relying on his
+numerous attendants and their weapons, had determined to travel, though
+in Radom men had warned him of the danger, and all the more seriously
+since in going to Belchantska he would have to pass the Kozenitse
+forests.
+
+Those immense forests began at that period a good way before Yedlina,
+and continued far beyond Kozenitse to the Vistula, and toward the other
+side of the Stenjytsa, and northward to Rytchivol.
+
+It had seemed to Pan Gideon that, if he left Radom before midday, he
+would reach home very easily at sunset. Meanwhile he had been forced in
+a number of places to open the road close to fences; some hours were
+lost at this labor, so that he came to Yedlina about twilight. Men
+there gave the warning that he would better remain for the night in the
+village; but since at the blacksmith's a pitch light had been found to
+burn before the carriage, Pan Gideon commanded to continue the journey.
+
+And now night had surprised him in the wilderness.
+
+It was difficult to go faster because of increasing snowdrifts; hence
+Pan Gideon was more and more disquieted and at last fell to swearing,
+but in Latin, lest he frighten the two ladies who were with him, Pains
+Vinnitski his relative and his ward Panna Anulka Sieninski.
+
+Panna Anulka was young and high-hearted, in no degree timid. On the
+contrary, she drew aside the leather curtain at the window, and,
+commanding the horseman at the side not to stop the view to her, looked
+at the drifts very joyfully, and at the pine trunks with long strips of
+snow on them over which played reddish gleams from the pitch pot, which
+with the moonlight made moving figures very pleasant to her eyesight.
+Then rounding her lips to the form of a bird bill she began to whistle,
+her breath became visible and was rosier than firelight, this too
+amused her.
+
+But Pani Vinnitski, who was old and quite timid, fell to complaining.
+
+Why leave Radom, or at least why not pass the night in Yedlina since
+they had been warned of the danger? All this through some person's
+stubbornness. To Belchantska there was a long piece of road yet, and
+all in a forest, hence wolves would meet them undoubtedly, unless
+Raphael, the Archangel and patron of travellers, would pity them in
+their wandering, but alas, of this they were quite undeserving.
+
+When he heard this opinion, Pan Gideon became thoroughly impatient. To
+speak of being lost in the wilderness was all that was needed to upset
+him.
+
+The road for that matter was straight, and as for wolves, well, they
+would or would not come. He had good attendants, and besides, a wolf is
+not anxious to meet with a warrior--not only because he fears him far
+more than a common man, but also because of the love which the
+quick-witted beast has for warriors.
+
+The wolf understands well that no dweller in towns and no peasant will
+give him food gratis; the warrior alone is the man who feeds wolves,
+and at times in abundance, hence it is not without reason that men have
+called war "the wolf's harvest."
+
+But still Pan Gideon speaking thus, and praising the wolves in some
+small degree, was not quite convinced of their affection; hence he was
+thinking whether or not to command an attendant to slip from his horse
+and sit next the young lady. In such case he himself would defend one
+door of the carriage, and that attendant the other, while the freed
+horse would either rush off ahead or escape in the rear, and thus draw
+the wolves after him.
+
+But the time to do this had not come, as it seemed to Pan Gideon.
+Meanwhile he placed near his ward on the front seat, a knife and two
+pistols; these he wished to have near him since he had only his right
+hand for service.
+
+They advanced some furlongs farther in quiet, and the road was growing
+wider. Pan Gideon, who knew the way perfectly, drew breath as if
+relieved somewhat.
+
+"The Malikov field is not far," said he.
+
+In every case he hoped for more safety in that open space than in the
+forest.
+
+But just then the attendant in front turned his horse suddenly, and,
+rushing to the carriage, spoke hurriedly to the driver and to others,
+who answered abruptly, as men do when there is no time for loitering.
+
+"What is it?" asked Pan Gideon.
+
+"Some noise in the field."
+
+"Is it wolves?"
+
+"Some outcry. God knows what!"
+
+Pan Gideon was on the point of commanding the horseman with the torch
+to spring forward and see what was happening, when he remembered that
+in cases like this it was better not to be without fire and to keep all
+his people together, and, further, that defence in the open is easier
+than in a forest, so he commanded to move on with the equipage.
+
+But after a while the horseman reappeared at the window.
+
+"Wild boars," said he.
+
+"Wild boars!"
+
+"A terrible grunting is heard on the right of the road."
+
+"Praise God for that!"
+
+"But perhaps wolves have attacked them."
+
+"Praise God for that also! We shall pass unmolested. Move on!"
+
+In fact the guess of the attendant proved accurate. When they had
+driven out to the field they saw, at a distance of two or three
+bow-shots on the right near the road, a dense crowd of wild boars, and
+a circle of wolves moving nimbly around them. A terrible grunting, not
+of fear but of rage, was given out with growing vigor. When the sleigh
+reached the middle of the plain, the men, watching from the horses,
+observed that the wolves had not dared yet to rush at the wild boars;
+they only pressed on them more and more eagerly.
+
+The boars had arranged themselves in a round compact body, the young in
+the middle, the old and the strong on the outside, thus, as it were,
+forming a moving and terrible fortress, which gleamed with white tusks
+and was impervious to attack or to terror.
+
+Between the garland of wolves and that wall of tusks and snouts a
+white, snowy ring was clearly visible, since the whole field was in
+moonlight.
+
+Some of the wolves sprang up to the boars, but they sprang back very
+quickly, as if frightened by the clash of the tusks and the more
+terrible outbursts of grunting. If the wolves had closed in battle with
+the boars the struggle would have then held them completely, and the
+sleigh might have passed without notice; but since this had not
+happened, there was fear lest they might stop that dreadful onset and
+try then another one.
+
+Indeed after a while a few dropped away from the pack and ran toward
+the party, after them followed others. But the sight of armed men
+confused them; some began to follow the sleigh, others stopped a few
+tens of steps from it, or ran around with mad speed, as if to urge
+themselves on to the equipage.
+
+The attendants wished to fire, but Pan Gideon forbade them, lest
+gunshots might bring the whole pack to his people.
+
+Meanwhile the horses, though accustomed to wolves, began to push to one
+side and turn their heads to their flanks with loud snorting, but soon
+something worse happened, and this raised the danger a hundredfold.
+
+The young horse which the torchbearer was riding reared suddenly once,
+and a second time, and then rushed madly sidewise.
+
+The rider, knowing that were he to fall he would be torn to bits the
+next moment, seized hold of his saddle-bow, but dropped his pot the
+same instant; the light sank in the snow deeply; the flame threw out
+sparks and was extinguished. The light of the moon was alone on that
+plain then.
+
+The driver, a Russ from Pomorani, began to pray; the Mazovian
+attendants fell to cursing.
+
+Emboldened by darkness, the wolves pressed on with more insolence, and
+from the direction of the wild boars some fresh ones ran up to them. A
+few came rather near, with snapping teeth, and the hair standing
+straight on their shoulders. Their eyes were all bloodshot, and a
+greenish light flashed from them.
+
+A moment had come which was really terrible.
+
+"Shall we shoot?" inquired one of the escort.
+
+"Frighten them with shouts," said Pan Gideon.
+
+Thereupon rose with keenness, "A-hu! a-hu!" The horses gained courage,
+and the wolves, impressed by the voices of men, withdrew some tens of
+paces.
+
+Then a still greater wonder was manifest.
+
+All at once forest echoes from behind repeated the shouts of the
+attendants, but with rising force, ever louder and louder, as it were
+outbursts of wild laughter; and some moments later a crowd of dark
+horsemen appeared at both sides of the carriage and shot past with all
+the speed of their beasts toward the wild boars and the wolves which
+encircled them.
+
+In the twinkle of an eye neither wolves nor boars held the snow plain;
+they had scattered as if a whirlwind had struck them. Gunshots were
+heard, also shouts, and again those strange outbursts of laughter. Pan
+Gideon's attendants rushed after the horsemen, so that there remained
+at the sleigh only the postilion and the driver.
+
+Inside the sleigh there was such mighty amazement that no one dared
+move a lip for some moments.
+
+"But the word became flesh!" called out Pani Vinnitski, at last. "That
+must be help from above us."
+
+"May it be blessed, whencesoever it came. Our plight was growing evil,"
+said Pan Gideon.
+
+"God sent those young knights!" said Panna Anulka, who wished to add
+her word.
+
+It would have been difficult to divine how this maiden could have seen
+that those men were knights and young, in addition, for they shot past
+like a whirlwind; but no person asked for her reasons, since the older
+man and woman were occupied overmuch with what was happening before
+them.
+
+Meanwhile, on the plain the sounds of pursuit were heard yet for the
+space of some Our Fathers, and not very far from the sleigh was a wolf
+with its back broken, evidently by a sling-shot. The beast was on its
+haunches and howling so dreadfully that every one shivered.
+
+The man on the leading horse slipped down to kill the beast, for the
+horses were plunging with such violence that the sleigh-pole was
+cracking.
+
+After a time the horsemen seemed black again on the snow field. They
+came in a crowd, without order, in a mist, for though the night was
+cold and the air very clear, the horses had been driven unsparingly,
+and were smoking like chimneys.
+
+The horsemen approached with loud laughter and singing, and when they
+had drawn near, one of them shot up to the sleigh, and asked in glad,
+resonant accents,--
+
+"Who is travelling?"
+
+"Pangovski from Belchantska. Whom am I to thank for this rescue?"
+
+"Stanislav Tsyprianovitch of Yedlinka!"
+
+"The Bukoyemskis!"
+
+"Thanks to your mightinesses. God sent you in season. Thanks!"
+
+"Thanks!" repeated a youthful voice.
+
+"Glory to God that it was in season!" continued Pan Stanislav, removing
+his fur cap.
+
+"From whom did ye hear of us?"
+
+"No one informed us, but as the wolves are now running in packs, we
+rode out to save people; since a person of such note has been found,
+our delight is the greater, and the greater our service to God," said
+Pan Stanislav, politely.
+
+But one of the Bukoyemskis now added,--
+
+"Not counting the wolf skins."
+
+"A beautiful deed and a real knightly work," said Pan Gideon. "God
+grant us to give thanks for it as promptly as possible. I think, too,
+that desire for human flesh has left those wolves now, and that we
+shall reach home without danger."
+
+"That is by no means so certain. Wolves might be enticed again easily
+and make a new onrush."
+
+"There is no help against that; but we will not surrender!"
+
+"There is help, namely this: to attend you to the mansion. It may
+happen that we shall save some one else as we travel."
+
+"I dared not ask for that, but since such is your kindness, let it be
+as you say, for the ladies here will feel safer."
+
+"I have no fear as we are, but from all my soul I am grateful!" said
+Panna Anulka.
+
+Pan Gideon gave the order and they moved forward, but they had gone
+only a few tens of paces when the cracked sleigh-pole was broken and
+the equipage halted.
+
+New delays.
+
+The attendants had ropes and fell to mending the broken parts
+straightway, but it was unknown whether such a patched work would not
+come apart after some furlongs.
+
+Pan Stanislav hesitated somewhat, and then said, removing his fur cap a
+second time,--
+
+"To Yedlinka through the fields it is nearer than to Belchantska. Honor
+our house then, your mightiness, and spend the night under our roof
+tree. No man can tell what might meet us in that forest, or whether
+even now we may not be too few to resist all the wolves that will rush
+to the roadway. We will bring home the sleigh in some fashion, and the
+shorter the road is the easier our problem. It is true that the honor
+surpasses the service, but the case being one of sore need a man may
+not cherish pride over carefully."
+
+Pan Gideon did not answer those words at the moment, for he felt
+reproach in them. He called to mind that when two years before Pan
+Serafin Tsyprianovitch had made him a visit, he received the man
+graciously, it is true, but with a known haughtiness, and did not pay
+back the visit. Pan Gideon had acted in that way since Pan Serafin's
+family was noble only two generations, he was a "homo novus," an
+Armenian by origin. His grandfather had bought and sold brocades in
+Kamenyets. Yakob, the son of that merchant, had served in the artillery
+under the famous Hodkievitch, and at Hotsim had rendered such service
+that, through the power of Pan Stanislav Lyubomirski, he had been
+ennobled, and then received Yedlinka for a lifetime. That life estate
+was made afterward the property of Pan Serafin, his heir, in return for
+a loan given the Commonwealth during Swedish encounters. The young man
+who had come to the road with such genuine assistance was the son of
+Pan Serafin.
+
+Pan Gideon felt this reproof all the more, since the words "cherish
+pride over carefully" had been uttered by Pan Stanislav with studied
+emphasis and rather haughtily. But just that knightly courage pleased
+the old noble, and since it would have been hard to refuse the
+assistance, and since the road to his own house was in truth long and
+dangerous, he said to Pan Stanislav,--
+
+"Unless you had assisted us the wolves would perhaps be gnawing our
+bones at this moment; let me pay with good-will for your kindness.
+Forward then, forward!"
+
+The sleigh was now mended. The pole had been broken as if an axe had
+gone through it, so they tied one end of each rope to a runner, the
+other to a collar, and moved on in a large gladsome company, amid
+shouts from attendants and songs from the Bukoyemskis.
+
+It was no great distance to Yedlinka, which was rather a forest farm
+than a village. Soon there opened in front of the wayfarers a large
+field some tens of furlongs in area, or rather a broad clearing
+enclosed on four sides by a pine wood, and on this plain a certain
+number of houses, the roofs of which, covered with straw, were gleaming
+and sparkling in moonlight.
+
+Beyond peasant cottages, and near them, Pan Serafin's outbuildings were
+visible stretching in a circle around the edge of a courtyard, in which
+stood the mansion, which was much disproportioned. The pile had been
+reconstructed by its latest owners, and from being a small house, in
+which dwelt on a time the king's foresters, it had become large, even
+too large, for such a small forest clearing. From its windows a bright
+light was shining, which gave a rosy hue to the snow near the walls of
+the mansion, to the bushes in front of it, and to the wellsweep which
+stood on the right of the entrance.
+
+It was clear that Pan Serafin was expecting his son, and perhaps also
+guests from the road, who might come with him, for barely had the
+sleigh reached the gate when servants rushed out with torches, and
+after the servants came the master himself in a coat made of mink skin,
+and wearing a weasel-skin cap, which he removed promptly at sight of
+the equipage.
+
+"What welcome guest has the Lord sent to our wilderness?" inquired he,
+descending the steps at the entrance.
+
+Pan Stanislav kissed his father's hand, and told whom he had brought
+with him.
+
+"I have long wished," said Pan Gideon, as he stepped from the carriage,
+"to do that to which grievous need has constrained me this evening,
+hence I bless the more ardently this chance which agrees with my wish
+so exactly."
+
+"Various things happen to men, but this chance is for me now so happy,
+that with delight I beg you to enter my chambers."
+
+Pan Serafin bowed for the second time, and gave his arm then to Pani
+Vinnitski; the whole company entered behind him.
+
+The guests were seized straightway by that feeling of contentment which
+is felt always by travellers when they come out of darkness and cold
+into lighted, warm chambers. In the first, and the other apartments,
+fires were blazing in broad porcelain chimneys, and servants began to
+light here and there gleaming tapers.
+
+Pan Gideon looked around with a certain astonishment, for the usual
+houses of nobles were far from that wealth which struck the eye in Pan
+Serafin's mansion.
+
+By the light of the fires and the tapers and candles he could see in
+each apartment a furnishing such as might not be met with in many a
+castle: carved chests and bureaus and armchairs from Italy, clocks here
+and there, Venetian glass, precious bronze candlesticks, weapons from
+the Orient, which were inlaid with turquoise and hanging from wall
+mats. On the floors soft Crimean rugs, and on two long walls were
+pieces of tapestry which would have adorned the halls of any magnate.
+
+"These came to them from trade," thought Pan Gideon, with well-defined
+anger, "and now they can turn up their noses and boast of wealth won
+not by weapons."
+
+But Pan Serafin's heartiness and real hospitality disarmed the old
+noble, and when he heard, somewhat later, the clatter of dishes in the
+dining-hall near them, he was perfectly mollified.
+
+To warm the guests who had come out of cold they brought heated, spiced
+wine immediately. They began then to discuss the recent peril. Pan
+Gideon had great praise for Pan Stanislav, who, instead of sitting in a
+warm room at home, had saved people on the highroad without regarding
+the terrible frost, and the toil, and the danger.
+
+"Of a truth," said he, "thus, in old days, did those famous knights
+act, who, wandering through the world, saved men from cannibals,
+dragons, and various other vile monsters."
+
+"If any man of them saved such a marvellous princess as this one,"
+added Stanislav, "he was as happy at that time as we are this minute."
+
+"No man ever saved a more wonderful maiden! True, as God is dear to me!
+He has told the whole truth!" cried the four Bukoyemskis with
+enthusiasm.
+
+Panna Anulka smiled in so lovely a fashion that two charming dimples
+appeared in her cheeks, and she dropped her eyelids.
+
+But the compliment seemed over bold to Pan Gideon, for his ward, though
+an orphan without property, was descended from magnates, hence he
+changed the conversation.
+
+"But have your graces," asked he, "been moving long on the road in this
+fashion?"
+
+"Since the great snows fell, and we shall keep on till the frost
+stops," said Stanislav.
+
+"And have ye killed many wolves?"
+
+"Enough to give overcoats to all of us."
+
+Here the Bukoyemskis laughed as loud as if four horses were neighing,
+and when they had quieted a little, Mateush, the eldest one added,--
+
+"His Grace the King will be proud of his foresters."
+
+"True," said Pan Gideon. "And I have heard that ye are head foresters
+in the king's wilderness in these parts. But do not the Bukoyemskis
+originate in the Ukraine?"
+
+"We are of those Bukoyemskis."
+
+"Indeed--indeed--of good stock, the Yelo-Bukoyemskis are connected there
+with even great houses."
+
+"And with St. Peter!" added Lukash.
+
+"Eh!" said Pan Gideon. And he began to look around with suspicion and
+sternly at the brothers to see if they were not trying to jest with
+him. But their faces were clear, and they nodded with earnest
+conviction, confirming in this way the words of their brother. Pan
+Gideon was astonished immensely, and repeated: "Relatives of Saint
+Peter? But how is that?"
+
+"Through the Pregonovskis."
+
+"Indeed! And the Pregonovskis?"
+
+"Through the Usviats."
+
+"And the Usviats through some one else," said the old noble, with a
+smile, "and so on to the birth of Christ, the Lord. So! It is a great
+thing to have relatives in a senate down here, but what must it be to
+have kinsmen in the heavenly assembly--promotion is certain in that
+case. But how have ye wandered to our wilderness from the Ukraine, for
+men have told me that ye are some years in this neighborhood?"
+
+"About three. Rebellions have long since levelled everything in the
+Ukraine, and boundaries have vanished. We would not serve Pagans in
+partisan warfare, so we served first in the army and then became
+tenants till Pan Malchinski, our relative, made us chief foresters in
+this place."
+
+"Yes," said Pan Serafin, "I wondered that we found ourselves side by
+side in this wilderness, for we are not of this country, but the
+changing fortunes of men have transported us hither. The inheritance of
+your mightiness," here he turned to Pan Gideon, "is also, as I know, in
+Rus near the castle of Pomorani."
+
+Pan Gideon quivered at this, as if some one had struck an open wound in
+his body.
+
+"I had property there, and I have it there still," said he, "but those
+places to me are abhorrent, for misfortunes alone struck me there, just
+like thunderbolts."
+
+"The will of God," said Pan Serafin.
+
+"It is vain to revolt against that; still, life in those regions is
+difficult."
+
+"Your grace, as is known, has served long in the army."
+
+"Till I lost my arm. I avenged my country's wrongs, and my own there.
+And if the Lord Jesus will pardon one sin for each head that I took
+from a pagan, hell, as I trust, will never be seen by me."
+
+"Of course not, of course not! Service is a merit, and so is suffering.
+Best of all is it to cast gloomy thoughts from us."
+
+"Gladly would I be rid of them, still, they do not leave me. But
+enough! I am a cripple at present, and this lady's guardian. I have
+removed in old age to a silent region which the enemy never visits. I
+live, as you know, in Belchantska."
+
+"That is well, and I have acted in like manner," added Pan Serafin.
+"Young men, though it is quiet now on the borders, hurry off to Tartar
+trails in the hope of adventure, but it is ghastly and woful in places
+where each man is mourning for some one."
+
+Pan Gideon put his hand to his forehead where he held it rather long,
+till at length he said sadly,--
+
+"Only a peasant or a magnate can live in the Ukraine. When an onrush of
+pagans strikes that country the peasant flees to a forest and can live
+for some months in it like a wild beast; the magnate can live, for he
+has troops and strong castles of his own to protect him. But even
+then--the Jolkievskis lived in those regions and perished, the
+Danilovitches lived there and perished. Of the Sobieskis, the brother
+of our gracious King Yan perished also. And how many others! One of the
+Vishnievetskis squirmed on a hook in Stambul till he died there. Prince
+Koretski was beaten to death with iron rods. The Kalinovskis are
+gone,--and before them the Herburts and the Yaglovetskis paid their
+blood tribute. How many of the Sieninskis have died at various periods,
+and once they possessed almost the whole country--what a graveyard!
+Were I to recount all the names I could not finish till morning. And
+were I to give the names, not of magnates alone but of nobles, a month
+would not suffice me."
+
+"True! true! So that a man wonders why the Lord God has thus multiplied
+those Turks and Tartars. So many of them have been killed that when an
+earthtiller works in the springtime his ploughshare bites at every step
+on the skull of a pagan. Dear God! Even our present king has crushed
+them to death in such numbers that their blood would form a large
+river, and still they are coming."
+
+These words had truth in them. The Commonwealth, rent by disorder and
+unruliness, could not have strong armies sufficient to end in one
+mighty struggle the Tartar-Turk avalanche. For that matter, all Europe
+could not command such an army. Still, the Commonwealth was inhabited
+by men of great daring, who would not yield their throats willingly to
+the knife of the eastern attacker. On the contrary, to that terrible
+region bristling with grave-mounds, and reeking with blood at the
+borders, Red Russia, Podolia, and the Ukraine, new waves of Polish
+settlers followed each after the other; these not only stirred up
+fertile lands, but their own craving for endless wars, battles, and
+adventures.
+
+"The Poles," wrote an old chronicler, "go to Russia for skirmishes with
+Tartars."[1]
+
+So from Mazovia went peasants; daring nobles went also, for each one of
+whom it was shameful "to die in his bed like a peasant." And there grew
+up in those red lands mighty magnates, who, not satisfied with action
+even there, went frequently much farther--to Wallachia, or the Crimea,
+seeking victory, power, death, salvation, and glory.
+
+It was even said that the Poles did not wish one great war that would
+end the whole question. Though this was not true, still, continual
+disturbance was dear to that daring generation--but the invader on his
+part paid with blood dearly for his venture.
+
+Neither the Dobrudja nor Belgorod lands, nor the Crimean reed barrens
+could support their wild Tartar denizens, hence hunger drove them to
+the border where rich booty was waiting, but death was waiting also,
+very often.
+
+The flames of fire lighted up invasions unknown yet to history. Single
+regiments cut into bits with their sabres and trampled into dust under
+horsehoofs detachments surpassing them tenfold in number. Only
+swiftness beyond reckoning could save the invaders; in general when a
+Tartar band was overtaken by troops of the Commonwealth it was lost
+beyond rescue.
+
+There were expeditions, especially the smaller ones, from which not one
+man went back to the Crimea. Terrible in their time both to Turks and
+to Tartars were Pretvits and Hmieletski; knights of less note,
+Volodyovski, Pelka, and the elder Rushits, wrote their names down with
+blood in men's memories. These for some years, or some tens of years,
+at that time, were resting in their graves and in glory; but even of
+the mighty ones none had drawn so much blood from the followers of
+Islam as the king reigning then, Yan Sobieski.
+
+At Podhaitsi, Kalush, Hotsim, and Lvoff there were lying till that time
+unburied such piles of pagan bones that broad fields beneath them were
+as white as if snow-covered. At last on all hordes there was terror.
+The borders drew breath then, and when the insatiable Turk began to
+seek lighter conquests the whole tortured Commonwealth breathed with
+more freedom.
+
+There remained only painful remembrances.
+
+Far away from Pan Serafin's dwelling, and next to the castle of
+Pomorani, stood a tall cross on a hill, and two lances upon it. Twenty
+and some years before that Pan Gideon had placed this cross on the site
+of his fire-consumed mansion, hence, as he thought of that cross and of
+all those lives dear to him which had been lost in that region, the
+heart whined in the old man from anguish.
+
+But since he was stern to himself and to others, and would not shed
+tears before strangers, and could not endure paltry pity from any man,
+he would not speak longer of his misfortunes, and fell to inquiring of
+his host how he lived in that forest inheritance.
+
+"Here," said Pan Serafin, "is stillness, oh, stillness! When the forest
+is not sounding, and the wolves are not howling, thou canst almost hear
+snow fall. There is calmness, there is fire in the chimney and a
+pitcher of heated wine in the evening--old age needs nothing further."
+
+"True. But your son?"
+
+"A young bird leaves the nest sometimes. And here certain trees whisper
+that a great war with the pagan is approaching."
+
+"To that war even gray falcons will hasten. Were it not for this, I
+should fly with the others."
+
+Here Pan Gideon shook his coat sleeve, in which there was only a bit of
+his arm near the shoulder.
+
+And Pan Serafin poured out heated wine to him.
+
+"To the success of Christian weapons!"
+
+"God grant it! Drink to the bottom."
+
+Stanislav entertained at the same time Pani Vinnitski, Panna Anulka,
+and the four Bukoyemskis with a pitcher of wine which steamed quite as
+actively as the other. The ladies touched the glasses however with
+their lips very sparingly, but the Bukoyemskis needed no urging, hence
+the world seemed to them more joyous each moment, and Panna Anulka more
+beautiful, so, unable to find words to express their delight, they
+began to look at one another with amazement and panting; then each
+nudged another with his elbow. Mateush at last found expression,--
+
+"We are not to wonder that the wolves wished to try the bones and the
+body of this lady, for even a wild beast knows a real tid-bit!"
+
+Marek, Lukash, and Yan, the three remaining Bukoyemskis slapped their
+thighs then in ecstasy.
+
+"He has hit the nail on the head, he has! A tid-bit! Nothing short of
+it!"
+
+"A Saint Martin's cake!"
+
+On hearing this Panna Anulka laid one hand on the other, and, feigning
+terror, said to Stanislav,--
+
+"Oh, help me, for I see that these gentlemen only saved me from the
+wolves to eat me themselves."
+
+"Gracious maiden," said Stanislav, joyfully, "Pan Mateush said that we
+were not to wonder at the wolves, but I say I do not wonder at the
+Bukoyemskis."
+
+"What shall I do then, except to ask who will save me?"
+
+"Trifle not with sacred subjects!" cried Pani Vinnitski.
+
+"Well, but these gentlemen are ready to eat me and also auntie. Are
+they not?"
+
+This question remained for some time without answer. Moreover, it was
+easy to note from the faces of the brothers that they had much less
+desire for the additional eating. But Lukash, who had quicker wit than
+his brothers, now added, "Let Mateush speak; he is the eldest."
+
+Mateush was somewhat bothered, and answered, "Who knows what will meet
+him to-morrow?"
+
+"A good remark," said Stanislav, "but to what do you apply it?"
+
+"How to what?"
+
+"Why, nothing. I only ask, why mention to-morrow?"
+
+"But knowest thou that love is worse than a wolf, for a man may kill a
+wolf, but to kill love is beyond him."
+
+"I know, but that again is another question."
+
+"But if there be wit enough, a question is nothing."
+
+"In that case may God give us wit."
+
+Panna Anulka hid her laughter behind her palm; after her laughed
+Stanislav, and then the Bukoyemskis. Further word-play was stopped by a
+servant announcing the supper.
+
+Pan Serafin gave his arm to Pani Vinnitski; after them went Pan Gideon;
+Stanislav conducted Panna Anulka.
+
+"A dispute with Pan Bukoyemski is difficult," said the young lady, made
+gladsome.
+
+"For his reasons are like wilful horses, each goes its own way; but he
+has told two truths which are hard of denial."
+
+"What is the first one?"
+
+"That no man knows what will meet him on the morrow, just as yesterday
+I did not know, for example, that to-day I should see you."
+
+"And the other?"
+
+"That a man can kill a wolf, but to kill love is beyond him. This also
+is a great truth."
+
+Stanislav sighed; the young lady lowered her shady eyelashes and was
+silent. Only after a while, when they were sitting at the table, did
+she say to him,--
+
+"But you will come, gentlemen, soon to my guardian's, so that he may
+show you some gratitude for saving us and for your hospitality also?"
+
+The gloomy feelings of Pan Gideon brightened notably at supper, and
+when the host in splendid phrases proposed first the health of the
+ladies and that of the honored guest afterward, the old noble answered
+very cordially, thanking for the rescue from difficult straits, and
+giving assurance of never-ending gratitude.
+
+After that they conversed of public questions, of the king, of the Diet
+which was to meet the May following of the war with which the Turkish
+Sultan was threatening the German Empire, and for which that Knight of
+Malta, Pan Lyubomirski, was bringing in volunteers.
+
+The four brothers listened with no slight curiosity, because every Pole
+was received with open arms among Germans; since the Turks despised
+German cavalry, while Polish horsemen roused proper terror.
+
+Pan Gideon blamed Lyubomirski's pride somewhat, since he spoke of
+German counts thuswise: "Ten of them could find place in one glove of
+mine;" still, he praised the man's knightliness, boundless daring, and
+great skill in warfare.
+
+On hearing this, Lukash Bukoyemski declared for himself and his
+brothers that in spring they would hasten to Lyubomirski, but while the
+frost raged they would kill wolves, and avenge the young lady, as
+behooved them.
+
+"For, though we are not to wonder at the wolves," said Mateush, "when
+one thinks that such a pure dove might have been turned into wolf's
+meat the heart flies to the throat from pure anger, and at the same
+time it is hard to keep tears down. What a pity that wolf skins are so
+low-priced,--the Jews give barely one thaler for three of them!--but it
+is hard to keep our tears down, and even better to give way to them,
+for whoso could not compassionate innocence and virtue would be a
+savage, whom no man should name as a knight and a noble."
+
+In fact, he gave way to his tears then, as did his three brothers;
+though wolves in the worst case could threaten only the life, not the
+virtue of the lady, still the eloquence of Lukash so moved his three
+brothers that their hearts became soft as warmed wax while they
+listened. They wished to shoot in the air from their pistols in honor
+of the young lady; but the host opposed, saying that he had a sick
+forester in the mansion, a man of great merit, who needed silence.
+
+Pan Gideon, who supposed this to be some reduced relative of Pan
+Serafin, or in the worst case a village noble, inquired touching him,
+through politeness; but on learning that he was a serving-man and a
+peasant he shrugged his shoulders and looked with displeased and
+wondering eyes at Pan Serafin.
+
+"Oh yes!" said he. "I forgot what people say of your marvellous
+kindness."
+
+"God grant," answered Pan Serafin, "that they say nothing worse of me.
+I have to thank this man for much; and may every one meet such a
+person, for he knows herbs very thoroughly and can give aid in every
+illness."
+
+"I wonder, since he cures others so ably, that he has not cured himself
+thus far. Send him my relative, Pani Vinnitski,--she knows many
+simples, and presses them on people; but meanwhile permit us to think
+of retiring, for the road has fatigued me most cruelly, and the wine
+has touched me also a trifle, just as it has the Bukoyemskis."
+
+In fact, the heads of the Bukoyemskis were steaming, while the eyes of
+those brothers were mist-covered and tender; so when Pan Stanislav
+conducted them to another building, where they were to pass the night
+together, they followed him with most uncertain tread on frozen snow,
+which squeaked under them. They wondered why the moon, instead of
+shining in the heavens, was perched on the roof of a barn and was
+smiling.
+
+But Panna Anulka had dropped into their hearts so profoundly that they
+wished to speak more of her.
+
+Pan Stanislav, who felt no great wish for sleep, directed to bring a
+thick-bellied bottle; then they sat near the broad chimney, and, by the
+bright light of the torch, drank in silence at first, listening only to
+the crickets in the chamber. At last Mateush filled his breast well
+with air and blew with such force at the chimney that the flame bent
+before him.
+
+"O Jesus! My dear brothers," cried he, "weep, for a sad fate has met
+me."
+
+"What fate? Speak, do not hide thy condition!"
+
+"It is this. I am so in love that the knees are weakening under me!"
+
+"And I? Dost think that I am not in love?" shouted Marek.
+
+"And I?" screamed out Lukash.
+
+"And I," ended Yan.
+
+Mateush wanted to give them an answer of some kind, but could not at
+first, for a hiccough had seized him. He only stared with great
+wonderment, and looked as if he saw them for the first time in life at
+that moment. Then rage was depicted on his countenance.
+
+"How is this, O sons of a such a one?" cried he, "ye wish to block the
+road to your eldest brother, and deprive him of happiness?"
+
+"O indeed!" answered Marek, "what does this mean? Is Panna Anulka an
+entail of some kind, that only the eldest brother can get her? We are
+sons of one father and mother, so if thou call us sons of a such a one,
+thou art blaming thy father and mother. Each man is free to love as he
+chooses."
+
+"Free, but woe to you, for ye are all bound to me in obedience."
+
+"Must we all our lives serve a horseskull? Hei?"
+
+"O pagan, thou art barking like a dog!"
+
+"Thou art thyself doing that. Jacob was younger than Esau, and Joseph
+was younger than all his brothers, so thou art blaming the Scriptures,
+and barking against true religion."
+
+Pushed to the wall by these arguments, Mateush could not find an answer
+with promptness, and when Yan made some remark touching Cain, the first
+brother, he lost his head utterly. Anger rose in him higher and higher,
+till at last he began with his right hand to search for the sabre which
+he had not there with him. It is unknown to what it would have come had
+not Yan, who for some time had been pressing a finger to his forehead,
+as if wrestling with an idea, cried out in a great voice, and
+suddenly,--
+
+"I am the youngest brother, I am Joseph, so Panna Anulka is for me.
+undisputedly."
+
+The others turned to him straightway. From their eyes were shooting
+fire sparks, in their faces was indignation.
+
+"What? For thee? For thee! thou goose egg! thou straw scarecrow, thou
+horse strangler, thou dry slipper--thou drunkard! For thee?"
+
+"Shut thy mouth, it is written in the Scriptures."
+
+"What Scriptures, thou dunce?"
+
+"All the same--but it is there. Ye are drunk, not I."
+
+But at this moment Pan Stanislav happened in among them.
+
+"Ah, is it not a shame for you," said he, "being nobles and brothers to
+raise such a quarrel? Is this the way to nourish love among brothers?
+But about what are ye fighting? Is Panna Anulka a mushroom that the
+first man who finds her in the forest can put her in his basket? It is
+the custom among pelicans, and they are not nobles, or even people, to
+yield everything through family affection, and when they fail to find
+fish they feed one another with blood from their own bodies. Think of
+your dead parents; they are shedding tears up there now over this
+quarrelling among sons whom they surely advised to act differently from
+this when they blessed them. For those parents heavenly food is now
+tasteless, and they dare not raise their eyes to the Evangelists whose
+names they gave you in holy baptism."
+
+Thus spoke Pan Stanislav and though at first he wished to laugh he was
+touched as he spoke by his own words, for he too had drunk somewhat
+because of the company at dinner. At last the Bukoyemskis were greatly
+moved by his speech, and all four of them ended in tears, while Mateush
+the eldest one cried to them,--
+
+"Oh kill me, for God's sake, but call me not Cain!"
+
+Thereupon Yan, who had mentioned Cain, threw himself into the arms of
+Mateush.
+
+"Oh, brother," cried he, "give me to the hangman for doing so."
+
+"Forgive me, or I shall burst open from sorrow," cried Marek.
+
+"I have barked like a dog against the commandment," said Lukash.
+
+And they fell to embracing one another, but Mateush freed himself
+finally from his brothers, sat on a bench very suddenly, unbuttoned his
+coat, threw open his shirt, and, baring his breast, exclaimed in broken
+accents,--
+
+"Here ye have me! here, like a pelican!"
+
+Thereupon they sobbed the more loudly.
+
+"A pelican! a genuine pelican! As God is dear to me,--a pelican!"
+
+"Take Panna Anulka."
+
+"She is thine! Take her, thou," said the brothers.
+
+"Let the youngest man have her."
+
+"Never! Impossible!"
+
+"Devil take her!"
+
+"Devil take her!"
+
+"We don't want her!"
+
+Hereupon Marek struck his thighs with his palms till the chamber
+resounded.
+
+"I know what's to be done," cried he.
+
+"What dost thou know? Speak, do not hide it!"
+
+"Let Stanislav have her!"
+
+When they heard this the other three sprang from their benches. Marek's
+idea struck them to the heart so completely that they surrounded Pan
+Stanislav.
+
+"Take her, Stashko!"
+
+"It will please us most of all."
+
+"If thou love us!"
+
+"Do this to please us!"
+
+"May God bless you!" cried Mateush; and he raised his eyes heavenward,
+as he stretched his hands over Stanislav.
+
+Stanislav blushed, and he stood there astonished, repeating,--
+
+"Fear God's wounds!"
+
+But his heart quivered at the thought, for having passed two whole
+years with his father amid the dense forests, and seeing few people, he
+had not met for a legion of days such a marvellous maiden. He had seen
+some one like her in Brejani, for he had been sent by his father to
+gain elegance at the court there and a knowledge of government. But he
+was a lad then, and time had effaced those remote recollections. And
+now he saw in the midst of those forests unexpectedly just such a
+beautiful flower as the other one, and men said to him straightway: "Oh
+take it!" In view of this he was dreadfully shamefaced and answered,--
+
+"Fear God! How could ye or I get her?"
+
+But they, as is usual with men who are tipsy, saw no obstacle to
+anything and insisted.
+
+"No man of us will be jealous," said Marek, "take her! We must go to
+the war whatever happens; we have had watching enough in this forest.
+Thirty thalers for the whole God-given year. It does not buy drink for
+us, and what is there left then for clothing? We sold our saddle
+beasts, and now we hunt wolves with thy horses and outfits--A hard lot
+for orphans. Better perish in war--But take her thou, if thou love us!"
+
+"Take her!" cried out Mateush, "but we will go to Rakuz, to
+Lyubomirski, to help the Germans in shelling out pagans."
+
+"Take her immediately."
+
+"Take her to-morrow! To the church with her straightway!"
+
+But Stanislav had recovered from astonishment and was as sober as if he
+had not touched a drop since the morning.
+
+"Oh, stop, what are ye saying? Just as if only your will or mine were
+all that is needed! But what will she say and what will Pan Gideon say?
+Pan Gideon is self-willed and haughty. Even though the young lady grew
+friendly in time, he might prefer to see her sow rue than be the wife
+of any poor devil like me, or like any one of you brothers."
+
+"Oh pshaw!" exclaimed Yan. "Is Pan Gideon the Castellan of Cracow, or
+grand hetman? If he is too high for us let him beware how he thrusts up
+his nose in our presence. Are the Bukoyemskis too small to be his
+gossips?"
+
+"Ah, never mind! He is old, the time of his death is not distant, let
+him have a care lest he be stopped by Saint Peter in heaven's gateway.
+Oh take our part! holy Peter, and say this to him: 'Thou didst not know
+during life, thou son of a such a one, how to respect my blood
+relatives; kiss now the dog's snout for thy conduct.' Let that be said
+after death to Pan Gideon. But meanwhile we will not let him belittle
+us in his lifetime."
+
+"How! because we have no fortune must we be despised and treated like
+peasants?"
+
+"Is that the pay for our blood, for our wounds, for our service to the
+country?"
+
+"O my brothers, ye orphans of God! many an injustice has met you, but
+one more grievous than this no man has ever yet put on us."
+
+"That is true, that is true!" exclaimed Lukash and Marek and Yan in sad
+accents.
+
+And tears of grief flowed down their faces afresh and abundantly, but
+when they had wept out their fill they fell to storming, for it seemed
+to them that such an offence to men of birth should not be forgotten.
+
+Lukash, the most impulsive of all the four brothers, was the first to
+make mention of this matter.
+
+"It is difficult to challenge him to sabres," said he, "for he has lost
+an arm and is old, but if he has contemned us, we must have
+satisfaction. What are we to do? Think of this!"
+
+"My feet have been frozen to-night," said Lukash, "and are burning
+tremendously. But for this, I could think out a remedy."
+
+"My feet are not burning, but my head is on fire," added Marek.
+
+"From that which is empty thou wilt never pour anything."
+
+"Gland is blamed always by Katchan!" said Mateush.
+
+"Ye give a quarrel instead of an answer!" cried Lukash. But Stanislav
+interrupted;--
+
+"An answer?" said he, "but to whom?"
+
+"To Pan Gideon."
+
+"An answer to what?"
+
+"To what? How 'to what'?"
+
+They looked at one another, with no small astonishment, and then turned
+to Lukash,--
+
+"What dost thou wish of us?"
+
+"But what do ye wish of me?"
+
+"Adjourn this assembly till daylight," said Stanislav. "The fire here
+is dying, midnight is past now a long time. The beds are all ready at
+the walls there, and rest is ours honestly, for we have worked in the
+frost very faithfully."
+
+The fire had gone out; it was dark in the chamber, so the advice of the
+host had power to convince the four brothers. Conversation continued
+some little time yet, but with decreasing intensity. Somewhat later a
+whispered "Our Father" was heard, at one moment louder, at another one
+lower, interrupted now and then with deep sighing.
+
+The coals in the chimney began to grow dark and be covered with ashes;
+at moments something squeaked near the fire, and the crickets chirped
+sadly in the corners, as if mourning for the light which had left them.
+Next the sound of boots cast from feet to the floor, after that a short
+interval of silence, and then immense snoring from the four sleeping
+brothers.
+
+But Stanislav could not sleep, all his thoughts whirled about Panna
+Anulka, like active bees about blossoms.
+
+How could a man sleep with such a buzzing in his cranium! He closed his
+lids, it is true, once and a second time, but finding that useless he
+pondered.
+
+"I will see if there is light in her chamber," thought he, finally.
+
+And he passed through the doorway.
+
+There was no light in her windows, but the gleam of the moon quivered
+on the uneven panes as on wrinkled water. The world was silent, and
+sleeping so soundly that even the snow seemed to slumber in the bath of
+greenish moonlight.
+
+"Dost thou know that I am dreaming of thee?" asked Stanislav in a
+whisper, as he looked at the silent window.
+
+The elder Tsyprianovitch, Pan Serafin, in accordance with his inborn
+hospitality, and his habit, spared neither persuasion nor pressing to
+detain his guests longer in Yedlinka. He even knelt before Pani
+Vinnitski, an act which did not come easily because of his gout, which,
+though moderate so far, was somewhat annoying. All that, however,
+availed not. Pan Gideon insisted on going before midday, and at last,
+since there was no answer to the statement that he was looking for
+guests at his mansion, Pan Serafin had to yield, and they started that
+clear frosty forenoon of wonderful weather. The snow on the fields, and
+on tree branches, seemed covered with myriads of fire sparks, which so
+glittered in the sunlight that the eye could barely suffer the gleams
+shooting back from the earth and the forest. The horses moved at a
+vigorous trot till their flanks panted; the sleigh runners whistled
+along the snow road; the carriage curtains were pushed back on both
+sides, and now at one window and now at the other appeared the rosy
+face of the young lady with gladsome eyes and a nose which the frost
+had reddened somewhat, a charming framed picture.
+
+She advanced like a queen, for the carriage was encircled by a "life
+guard" made up of the Bukoyemskis and Pan Stanislav. The four brothers
+were riding strong beasts from the Yedlinka stables (they had sold or
+pledged not only their horses but the best of their sabres). They
+rushed on now at the side, sometimes forcing their horses to rear, and
+sometimes urging them on with such impetus that balls torn from the
+frozen snow by their hoofs shot away whistling through the air like
+stone missiles.
+
+Perhaps Pan Gideon was not greatly charmed with these body-guards, for
+during the advance he begged the cavaliers not to give themselves
+trouble, since the road in the daytime was safe, and of robbers in the
+forest no report had arisen; but when they had insisted on conducting
+the ladies, nothing was left him but to pay for politeness with
+politeness, and invite them to Belchantska. Pan Gideon had a promise
+also from Pan Serafin to visit him, but only after some days, since it
+was difficult for an old man to tear himself free of his household
+abruptly.
+
+For the men, this journey passed quickly in wonders of horsemanship,
+and for Panna Anulka in appearing at the windows. The first halt to
+give rest to their horses was half-way on the road, at a forest inn
+which bore the ill omened name "Robbery." Next the inn stood a shed and
+the shop of a blacksmith. In front of his shop the blacksmith was
+shoeing some horses. At the side of the inn were seen sleighs owned by
+peasants; to these were attached lean, rough-coated sorry little beasts
+covered over completely with hoar frost; their tails were between their
+hind-legs, and bags of oats were tied under their noses.
+
+People crowded out of the inn to look at the carriage surrounded by
+cavaliers and remained at a distance. These were not land tillers but
+potters, who made their pots at Kozenitse in the summer and took them
+in sleighs to sell during winter in the villages; but they appeared
+more especially at festivals through the country. These people,
+thinking that some man of great dignity must be travelling in a
+carriage with such an escort, took their caps off in spite of the
+weather and looked with curiosity at the party.
+
+The warmly dressed travellers did not leave the equipage. The
+attendants remained mounted, but a page took wine in a decanter to the
+inn to be heated. Meanwhile Pan Gideon beckoned "the bark shoes" to
+come to him, and then he fell to inquiring whence they came, whither
+they were going, and was there no danger from wild beasts in any place.
+
+"Of course there is," answered an old town-dweller, "but we travel
+during daylight and in company. We are waiting here for friends from
+Prityk and other places. Perhaps too some earth tillers will come, and
+if fifteen or twenty sleighs appear, we will move on at night. Unless
+they come we will not start, though we take clubs with us."
+
+"But has no accident happened about here?"
+
+"The wolves ate a Jew during daylight. He was taking geese, as it
+seems, for on the road were found bones of a horse and a man,--besides,
+there were goose feathers. People knew by his cap that the man was a
+Jew. But early this morning some man came hither on foot, a young
+noble, who passed the whole night on a pine tree. He says that his
+horse dropped down dead, and there before his eyes the wolves ate the
+beast up. This man grew so stiff on the tree that he had barely
+strength to speak to us, and now he is sleeping."
+
+"What is his name? Did he tell whence he came?"
+
+"No. He just drank some hot beer and fell on a bench as if lifeless."
+
+Pan Gideon turned then to the horsemen,--
+
+"Have ye heard that?"
+
+"We have."
+
+"We must rouse the man, and make inquiries. He has no horse, how could
+we leave him alone here? My page could sit on the second front carriage
+horse, and give up his own. They say that the man is a noble. Perhaps
+he is here from a distance."
+
+"He must be in a hurry," said Pan Stanislav, "since he was travelling
+at night, and besides without company. I will rouse him and make
+inquiry."
+
+But his plan proved superfluous, since at that moment the page returned
+from the inn with a tray on which mugs of hot wine were steaming.
+
+"I beg to tell your grace that Pan Tachevski is here," began he on
+reaching the carriage.
+
+"Pan Tachevski? What the devil is he doing in this place?"
+
+"Pan Tachevski!" repeated Panna Anulka.
+
+"He is making ready, and will come out this minute," said the page. "He
+almost knocked the tray from my hand when he heard of your coming--"
+
+"But who spoke of the tray to thee?"
+
+The page became silent immediately, as if power of speech had deserted
+him.
+
+Pan Gideon seized a goblet of wine, took one and a second draught, and
+said then to Pan Stanislav, as if with a certain repulsion,--
+
+"He is an acquaintance of ours, and in some sense a neighbor from
+Charny-- Well--rather giddy and unreliable--of those Tachevskis who
+long ago were, as some people say, of some note in the province."
+
+Further explanations were stopped by Tachevski, who, coming out
+hurriedly, walked with firm stride toward the carriage, but on his face
+was a certain hesitation. He was a young noble of medium stature. He
+had splendid dark eyes, and was as lean as a splinter. His head was
+covered with a Hungarian cap, recalling, one might say, the time of
+King Batory; he wore a gray coat lined with sheepskin, and long,
+yellow, Swedish boots reaching up to his body. No one wore such boots
+then in Poland. They had been taken during war in the days of Yan
+Kazimir, that was evident, and brought now through need from the
+storehouse by Tachevski. While approaching, he looked first at Pan
+Gideon, then at the young lady, and smiled, showing white, perfect
+teeth, but his smile was rather gloomy, his face showed embarrassment
+and even a trace of confusion.
+
+"I rejoice beyond measure," said he, as he stood at the carriage and
+removed his cap gracefully, "to see, in good health, Pani Vinnitski and
+Panna Sieninski, with your grace, my benefactor, for the road is now
+dangerous; this I have learned from experience."
+
+"Cover your head, or your ears will be frozen," said Pan Gideon,
+abruptly. "I thank you for the attention, but why are you wandering
+through the wilderness?"
+
+Tachevski looked quickly at the young lady, as if to inquire: "Thou
+knowst why, dost thou not?" but seeing her eyes downcast, and noting
+also that she was biting a ribbon of her hood for occupation, he
+answered in a voice of some harshness,--
+
+"Well, the fancy struck me to gaze at the moon above pine trees."
+
+"A pretty fancy. But did the wolves kill thy horse?"
+
+"They only ate him, for I myself drove his life out."
+
+"We know. And thou wert roosting, like a crow, all the night in a pine
+tree."
+
+Here the Bukoyemskis burst into such mighty laughter that their horses
+were put on their haunches. Tachevski turned and measured them one
+after another, with glances which were ice cold and as sharp as a sword
+edge.
+
+"Not like a crow," said he then to Pan Gideon, "but like a horseless
+noble, at which condition it is granted you, my benefactor, to laugh,
+but it may be unhealthy for another to do so."
+
+"Oho! oho! oho!" repeated the Bukoyemskis, urging toward him their
+horses. Their faces grew dark in one moment, and their mustaches
+quivered. Again Tachevski measured them, and raised his head higher.
+
+But Pan Gideon spoke with a voice as severe and commanding as if he had
+power over all of them.
+
+"No quarrels here, I beg! This is Pan Tachevski," said he after a
+while, with more mildness, turning to the cavaliers, "and this is Pan
+Tsyprianovitch, and each of the other four nobles is a Pan Bukoyemski,
+to whom I may say we owe our lives, for wolves met us yesterday. These
+gentlemen came to our aid unexpectedly, and God knows in season."
+
+"In season," repeated Panna Anulka, with emphasis, pouting a little,
+and looking at Pan Stanislav bewitchingly.
+
+Tachevski's cheeks flushed, but on his face there appeared as it were
+humiliation, his eyes became mist-covered, and, with immense sadness in
+his accents, he said,--
+
+"In season, for they were in company, and happy because on good horses,
+but wolf teeth at that time were cutting old Voloshyn, and my last
+friend had vanished. But--" even here he looked with greater good-will
+at the Bukoyemskis--"may your hands be sacred, for ye have done that
+which with my whole soul I wished to do, but God did not let me."
+
+Panna Anulka seemed changeable, like all women, perhaps too she was
+sorry for Tachevski, since her eyes became pleasant and twinkling, her
+lids opened and closed very quickly, and she asked with a different
+voice altogether,--
+
+"Old Voloshyn? My God, I loved him so much and he knew me. My God!"
+
+Tachevski looked at her straightway with thankfulness.
+
+"He knew you, gracious lady, he knew you."
+
+"Grieve not, Pan Yatsek, grieve not so cruelly."
+
+"I grieved before this, but on horseback. I shall grieve now on foot.
+God reward you, however, for the kind words."
+
+"But mount now the mouse-colored horse," said Pan Gideon. "The page
+will ride the off leader, or sit behind the carriage. There is an extra
+burka at the saddle, put it on, for thou hast been freezing all night,
+and the cold is increasing."
+
+"No," said Tachevski, "I am warm. I left my shuba behind, since I felt
+no need of it."
+
+"Well, for the road!"
+
+They started. Yatsek Tachevski taking his place near the left carriage
+window, Stanislav Tsyprianovitch at the right, so the young lady
+sitting in front might without turning her head look freely at the one
+and the other.
+
+But the Bukoyemskis were not glad to see Yatsek. They were angry that
+he had taken a place at the side of the carriage, so, bringing their
+horses together till their heads almost touched, they talked with one
+another and counselled,--
+
+"He looked at us insolently," said Mateush. "As God is in heaven he
+wants to insult us."
+
+"Just now he turned his horse's tail to us. What do ye say to that?"
+
+"Well, he could not turn the horse's head, for horses do not travel
+tail forward like crawfish. But that he is making up to that young lady
+is certain," put in Marek.
+
+"Thou hast taken in the situation correctly. See how he bends and leans
+forward. If his stirrup strap breaks he will fall."
+
+"He will not fall, the son of a such a one, for the saddle straps are
+strong, and he is a firm rider."
+
+"Bend thyself, bend till we break thee!"
+
+"Just look how he smiles at her!"
+
+"Well, brothers, are we to permit this? Never, as God lives! The girl
+is not for us, that may be, but does he remember what we did
+yesterday?"
+
+"Of course! He must divine that, for he is cunning, and now he is
+making up to her to spite us."
+
+"And in contempt for our poverty and orphanhood."
+
+"Oh! upon my word a great magnate--on another man's horse."
+
+"Well, for that matter we are not riding our own beasts."
+
+"One horse remains to us anyhow, so if three sit at home the fourth man
+may ride to the war if he wishes; but that fellow has not even a
+saddle, for the wolves have made bits of it."
+
+"Besides, he sticks his nose up. What has he against us? Just tell me."
+
+"Well, ask him."
+
+"Shall I do it right away?"
+
+"Eight away, but politely, so as not to offend old Pan Gideon. Only
+after he has answered can we challenge."
+
+"And then we shall have him!"
+
+"Which of us is to do this?"
+
+"I, of course, for I am the eldest," said Mateush. "I will rub the
+icicle from my mustache, and then at him!"
+
+"But remember well what he says to thee."
+
+"I will repeat every word, like the Lord's prayer."
+
+Thereupon the eldest Bukoyemski set to rubbing off with his glove the
+ice from his mustache, and then urging his horse to the horse of Pan
+Yatsek he called,--
+
+"My dear Sir?"
+
+"What?" inquired Yatsek, turning his head from the carriage
+unwillingly.
+
+"What have you against us?"
+
+Yatsek looked at him with astonishment, and answered,--
+
+"Nothing!" then, shrugging his shoulders, he turned again to the
+carriage.
+
+Mateush rode on some time in silence considering whether to return and
+report to his brothers or speak further. The second course seemed to
+him better, so he continued,--
+
+"If thou think to do anything, I say that thou wilt do what thou hast
+said to me. Nothing!"
+
+On Yatsek's face was an expression of constraint and annoyance. He
+understood that they were seeking a quarrel, for which at that moment
+he had not the least wish whatever. But he found need of some answer,
+and that of such kind as to end the conversation, so he asked,--
+
+"Well, thy brothers over there, are they also--"
+
+"Of course! but what is 'also'?"
+
+"Think it out thyself and do not interrupt now my more agreeable
+occupation."
+
+Mateush rode along the side of the carriage ten or fifteen steps
+farther. At last he turned his horse.
+
+"What did he tell thee? Speak out!" said the brothers.
+
+"There was no success."
+
+"Because thou didst not know how to handle him," said Lukash. "Thou
+shouldst have tickled his horse in the belly with thy stirrup, or,
+since thou knowst his name, have said: 'Yatsek, here is a platsek (a
+cake) for thee!'"
+
+"Or said this to him: 'The wolves ate thy horse, buy a he goat in
+Prityk.'"
+
+"That is not lost, but what did it mean when he said: 'Are thy brothers
+also?'"
+
+"Maybe he wanted to ask if we were fools also."
+
+"Of course! As God is dear to me!" cried Marek. "He could not think
+otherwise. But what now?"
+
+"His death, or ours. As God lives, what he says is open heresy. We must
+tell Stashko."
+
+"Tell nothing, for since we give up the young lady to Stashko, Stashko
+must challenge him, and here the great point is that we challenge
+first."
+
+"When? At Pan Gideon's a challenge is not proper. But here is
+Belchantska."
+
+In fact Belchantska was not distant. On the edge of the forest stood
+the cross of Pan Gideon's establishment, with a tin Saviour hanging
+between two spears; on the right, where the road turned round a pine
+wood, broad meadows were visible, with a line of alders on the edge of
+a river, and beyond the alders on the bank opposite and higher, were
+the leafless tops of tall trees, and smoke rising from cottages. Soon
+the retinue was moving past cottages, and when it had gone beyond
+fences and buildings Pan Gideon's dwelling was before the eyes of the
+horsemen,--a broad court surrounded by an old and decayed picket fence
+which in places was leaning.
+
+From times the most ancient no enemy had appeared in that region, so no
+one had thought defence needful for the dwelling. In the broad court
+there were two dovecotes. On one side were the quarters for servants,
+on the other the storehouse, provision rooms, and a big cheese house
+made of planks and small timbers. Before the mansion and around the
+court were pillars with iron rings for the halters of horses; on each
+pillar a cap of frozen snow was fixed firmly. The mansion was old and
+broad, with a low roof of straw. In the court hunting dogs were rushing
+around, and among them a tame stork with a broken wing was walking
+securely; the bird as it seemed had left its warm room a little earlier
+to get exercise and air in the cold courtyard.
+
+At the mansion the people were waiting for the company, since Pan
+Gideon had sent a man forward with notice. The same man came out now to
+meet them and, bowing down, said to Pan Gideon,--
+
+"Pan Grothus, the starosta of Raygrod, has come."
+
+"In God's name!" cried Pan Gideon. "Has he been waiting long for me?"
+
+"Not an hour. He wished to go, but I told him that you were coming and
+in sight very nearly."
+
+"Thou didst speak well." Then he turned to the guests,--
+
+"I beg you, gentlemen, Pan Grothus is a relative through my wife. He is
+returning, it is evident, to Warsaw from his brother's, for he is a
+deputy to the Diet. Please enter."
+
+After a time they were all in the dining-room in presence of the
+starosta of Raygrod, whose head almost grazed the ceiling, for in
+stature he surpassed the Bukoyemskis, and the rooms were exceedingly
+low in that mansion. Pan Grothus was a showy noble with an expression
+of wisdom, and the face and bald head of a statesman. A sword scar on
+his forehead just over the nose and between his two eyebrows seemed a
+firm wrinkle, giving his face a stern, and, as it were, angry aspect.
+But he smiled at Pan Gideon with pleasantness, and opened his arms to
+him, saying,--
+
+"Well, I, a guest, am now welcoming the host to his own mansion."
+
+"A guest, a dear guest," cried Pan Gideon. "God give thee health for
+having come to me, lord brother. What dost thou hear over there now in
+Warsaw?"
+
+"Good news of private matters, of public also, for war is now coming."
+
+"War? How is that? Are we making it?"
+
+"Not yet, but in March a treaty will be signed with the Emperor, then
+war will be certain."
+
+Though even before the New Year there had been whispers of war with the
+Sultan, and there were those who considered it inevitable, the
+confirmation of these rumors from the lips of a person so notable, and
+intimately acquainted with politics as Pan Grothus, imposed on Pan
+Gideon and the guests in his mansion very greatly. Barely had the host,
+therefore, presented them to the starosta, when a conversation followed
+touching war, touching Toekoeli and the bloody struggles throughout
+Hungary, from which, as from an immense conflagration, there was light
+over all parts of Austria and Poland. That was to be a mighty struggle,
+before which the Roman Caesar and all German lands were then trembling.
+Pan Grothus, skilled much in public matters, declared that the Porte
+would move half of Asia and all Africa, and appear with such strength
+as the world had not seen up to that day. But these previsions did not
+injure good-humor in any one. On the contrary they were listened to
+with rapture by young men, who were wearied by long peace at home, and
+to whom war presented fields of glory, service, and even profit.
+
+When Mateush Bukoyemski heard the words of the starosta he so struck
+his knee with his palm that the sound was heard throughout the mansion.
+
+"Half Asia, and what in addition?" asked he. "O pshaw! Is that
+something new for us?"
+
+"Nothing new, thou speakest truth!" said the host, whose face, usually
+gloomy, was lighted up now with sudden gladness. "If that question is
+settled, the call to arms will be issued immediately, and the levies
+will begin without loitering."
+
+"God grant this! God grant it at the earliest! Think now of that old
+Deviantkievich at Hotsim, blind of both eyes. His sons aimed his lance
+in the charge, and he struck on the Janissaries as well as any other
+man. But I have no sons."
+
+"Well, lord brother, if there be any one who can stay at home
+rightfully you are that person," said the starosta. "It is bad not to
+have a son in the war, worse not to have an eye, but worst of all not
+to have an arm."
+
+"I accustomed both hands to the sabre," said Pan Gideon, "and in my
+teeth I can hold the bridle. Moreover, I should like to fall fighting
+on the field against pagans, not because the happiness of my life has
+been broken--not from revenge--no--but for this reason, speaking
+sincerely: I am old, I have seen much, I have meditated deeply, I have
+seen among men so much hatred, so much selfishness, so much disorder in
+this Commonwealth, I have seen our self-will, our disobedience and
+breaking of Diets, so much lawlessness of all sorts, that I say this
+here now to you. Many times in desperation have I asked the Lord God:
+Why, O Lord, hast thou created our Commonwealth, and created this
+people? I ask without answer and it is only when the pagan sea swells,
+when that vile dragon opens its jaws to devour Christianity and
+mankind, when, as you say, the Roman Caesar and all German lands are
+shivering in front of this avalanche, that I learn why God created us
+and imposed on us this duty. The Turks themselves know this. Other men
+may tremble, but we will not, as we have not trembled thus far; so let
+our blood flow to the very last drop, and let mine be mixed with the
+rest of it. Amen."
+
+The eyes of Pan Gideon were glittering and he was moved very deeply,
+but still he let no tears fall from his eyes; it may be because he had
+cried them out so much earlier, and it may be because he was harsh to
+himself and to others. But Pan Grothus put his arm around his neck and
+then he kissed him on both cheeks.
+
+"True, true," said he. "There is much evil among us, and only with
+blood may our ransom from evil be effected. That service, that watching
+which God has given us, was predestined to our people. And the time is
+approaching in which we shall prove this. That is our real position.
+There are tidings that the avalanche of pagans will turn on Vienna;
+when it does we will go there and before the whole world show that we
+are purely Christ's warriors, created in defence of the cross, and the
+faith of the Saviour. Other nations, who till now have lived without
+care behind our shoulders, will see in the clear day of heaven how our
+task is accomplished, and with God's will, while the earth stands, our
+service and our glory will not leave us."
+
+At these words enthusiasm seized the young men. The Bukoyemskis sprang
+up from their chairs, and called in loud voices,--
+
+"God grant it! When will the levies be? God grant it!"
+
+"The souls are tearing out of us," said Stanislav. "We are ready this
+minute."
+
+Yatsek was the only man silent, and his face did not brighten. That
+news which filled all hearts with pleasure was for him a source of keen
+suffering and bitterness. His thoughts and his eyes ran to Panna Anulka
+who was passing along near the dining-room joyously, and with
+measureless complaint and reproach they spoke thus to her,--
+
+"Had it not been for thee I should have gone to some magnate, and
+though I might not have found fortune, I should have a horse and good
+arms in every case, and should go now with a regiment to find death, or
+else glory. Thy beauty, thy glances, those pleasant words, which at
+times thou didst throw like small alms at me, have brought about this,
+that I am here on those last little fields of mine, well-nigh expiring
+from hunger. Because of thee I have not seen the great world. I have
+not gained any polish. In what have I offended that thou hast enslaved
+me, as it were, soul and body? And in truth I would rather perish than
+be without seeing thee for a twelvemonth. I have lost my last horse in
+hurrying to save thee, and now, in return for this, thou art laughing
+with another, and glancing at him most bewitchingly. But what shall I
+do? War is coming. Am I to be a serving man, or be disgraced among foot
+soldiers? What have I done that toward me thou art merciless?"
+
+In this fashion did Yatsek Tachevski complain, he a man who felt his
+misery all the more keenly that he was a noble of great knightly
+family, though terribly impoverished. And though it was not true that
+Panna Anulka had never had mercy on him, it was true that for her sake
+he had never gone out to the great world, but had remained with only
+two serfs on poor pasture land where the first wants of life were
+beyond him. He was seventeen years of age, and she thirteen, when he
+fell in love with her beyond memory, and for five years he had loved
+the girl each year increasingly, and each year with more gloominess,
+for hopelessly. Pan Gideon had received him with welcome at first, as
+the scion of a great knightly family to which in former days had
+belonged in those regions whole countrysides; but afterward, when he
+noted how matters were tending, he began to be harsh to him, and at
+times even cruel. He did not close the house against the man, it is
+true, but he kept him away from the young lady, since he had for her
+views and hopes of another kind altogether. Panna Anulka noting her
+power over Yatsek amused herself with him just as a young girl does
+with flowers in a meadow. At times she bends over one, at times she
+plucks one, at times she weaves one into her tresses, later she throws
+it away, and later thinks nothing of flowers, whatever, and still later
+on she searches out new ones.
+
+Yatsek had never mentioned his love to the young lady, but she knew of
+it perfectly, though she feigned not to know, and in general not to
+wish to know of anything which happened within him. She wondered at
+him, wondered how he pleased her. Once, when they were chasing some
+bees, she fell under his cloak and fondled up to his heart for a
+moment, but for two days she would not forgive him because of this. At
+times she treated him almost contemptuously, and when it seemed to him
+that all had been ended forever, she, with one sweet look, one hearty
+word filled him with endless delight, and with hope beyond limit. If at
+times, because of a wedding, or a name's day, or a hunt in the
+neighborhood, he did not come for some days she was lonely, but when he
+did come she took revenge on him for her loneliness, and tormented him
+long for it. He passed his worst moments when there were guests at the
+mansion, and there happened among them some young man who was clever
+and good-looking. Then Yatsek thought that in her heart there was not
+even the simplest compassion. Such were his thoughts now because of Pan
+Stanislav and all that Pan Grothus had told of the coming war added
+bitterness to his cup, which was then overflowing.
+
+Self-control in Pan Gideon's mansion was habitual with Yatsek, still,
+he could hardly sit to the end of the supper as he heard the words of
+the lady and Pan Stanislav. He saw, unhappy victim, that the other man
+pleased her, for he was in fact an adroit and agreeable young fellow,
+and far from being stupid. The talk at table turned always on the
+levies. Stanislav, learning from Pan Grothus that perhaps the levies
+would be made under him in those regions, turned to the lady on a
+sudden, and asked,--
+
+"What regiment do you prefer?"
+
+"The hussars," said she, looking at his shoulders.
+
+"Because of the wings?"
+
+"Yes. Once I saw hussars and thought them a heavenly army. I dreamt of
+them afterward two nights in succession."
+
+"I know not whether I shall dream when a hussar, but I know that I
+shall dream of you earlier, and of wings also."
+
+"Why is that?"
+
+"I should dream of a real angel."
+
+Panna Anulka dropped her eyes till a shade fell on her rosy cheeks from
+her eyelids.
+
+"Be a hussar," said she, after an interval.
+
+Yatsek gritted his teeth, drew his palm over his moistened forehead,
+and during the supper he did not get word or look from the lady. Only
+when they had risen from the table did a sweet, beloved voice sound at
+his ear.
+
+"But will you go to this war with the others?"
+
+"To die! to die!" answered Yatsek.
+
+And in that answer there was such a genuine, true groan of anguish that
+the voice was heard again, as if in sympathy,--
+
+"Why sadden us?"
+
+"No one will weep for me."
+
+"How know you that?" said the voice now a third time.
+
+Then she slipped away to the other guests as swiftly as a dream vision,
+and bloomed, like a rose, at the other end of the drawing-room.
+
+Meanwhile, the two elder men sat after the meal over goblets of mead,
+and when they had discussed public questions sufficiently they began to
+chat about private ones. Pan Grothus followed Panna Anulka with tender
+eyes for a time, and then said to Pan Gideon,--
+
+"That is a brilliant spot over there. Just look at those young people
+who are flying like moths round a candle. But that is no wonder, for
+were we not in years we too should be flying."
+
+Pan Gideon waved his hand in displeasure.
+
+"Swarms they are,--rustics, homespuns, nothing better."
+
+"How so? Tachevski is not a homespun."
+
+"No, but he is poor. The Bukoyemskis are not homespuns; they even
+declare that they are kinsmen of Saint Peter, which may help them in
+heaven, but on earth they are nothing but foresters in the king's
+wilderness."
+
+Pan Grothus wondered at the relationship of the Bukoyemskis no less
+than had Pan Gideon when he heard of it the first time, so he fell to
+inquiring in detail, till at last he laughed heartily, and added,--
+
+"Saint Peter was a great apostle, and I have no wish to detract from
+his honor; all the more, since feeling old, I shall soon need his
+influence. But between you and me, there is not much in this kinship to
+boast of--no, he was merely a fisherman. If you speak of Joseph, who
+came from King David,--well, you may talk to me."
+
+"I say only that there is no one here fit for the girl, either among
+those whom you see now under my roof, or in the whole neighborhood."
+
+"But he who is sitting near Pani Vinnitski seems a nice gentleman."
+
+"Tsyprianovitch? Yes, he is; but Armenian by origin and of a family
+noble only three generations."
+
+"Then why invite them? Cupid is traitorous, and before there is time to
+turn once the pudding may be cooked for you."
+
+Pan Gideon, who, in presenting the young men had stated how much he
+owed them, explained now in detail about the wolves and the assistance,
+because of which he was forced to invite the young rescuers to his
+mansion through gratitude simply.
+
+"True, true," said Pan Grothus, "but in his own way Amor may cook the
+pudding before you have noticed it. This girl's blood is not water."
+
+"Ai! she is a slippery weasel," said Pan Gideon. "She can and will
+bite, but she will twist out besides from between a man's fingers, and
+no common person could catch her. Great blood has this inborn quality
+that it yields not, but rules and regulates. I am not of those who are
+led by the nose very easily, still, I yield to her often. It is true,
+that I owe much to the Sieninskis, but even if I did not there would be
+only slight difference. When she stands before me and puts a tress from
+one shoulder to the other, inclines her head to me, and glances, she
+gets what she wishes most frequently. And more than once do I think,
+what a blessing of God, what an honor, that the last child, the last
+heiress of such a famed family, is under my roof tree. Of course you
+know of the Sieninskis--once all Podolia was theirs. In truth, the
+Sobieskis, the Daniloviches, the Jolkevskis grew great through them. It
+is the duty of His Grace the King to remember this, all the more since
+now almost nothing remains of those great possessions; and the girl, if
+she has any property, will have only that which remains after me to
+her."
+
+"But what will your relatives say in this matter?"
+
+"There are only distant Pangovskis, who will not prove kinship. But
+often my peace is destroyed by the thought that after me may come
+quarrels, with lawsuits and wrangling, as is common in this country.
+The relatives of my late wife are for me the great question. From my
+wife comes a part of my property, namely: the lands with this mansion."
+
+"I shall not appear with a lawsuit," said Pan Grothus, "but I would not
+guarantee as to others."
+
+"That is it! That is it! I have been thinking of late to visit Warsaw
+and beg the king to be a guardian to this orphan, but his head is full
+now of other questions."
+
+"If you had a son it would be a simple matter to give the girl to him."
+
+Pan Gideon gazed at the starosta with a look so full of pain that the
+other stopped speaking. Both men were silent for a long time, till Pan
+Gideon said with emotion,--
+
+"To you I might say, my lord brother, with Virgil, _infandum jubes
+renovare dolorem_ (thou commandest me to call up unspeakable sorrow).
+That marriage would be simple--and I will tell you that had it not been
+for this simple method I should have died long ago perhaps. My son
+while in childhood was stolen by the Tartars. People have returned more
+than once from captivity among pagans when the memory of them had
+perished. Whole years have I looked for a miracle--whole years have I
+lived in the hope of it. To-day even, when I drink something I think to
+myself we, perhaps now! God is greater than human imagining. But those
+moments of hope are very shortlived, while the pain is enduring and
+daily. No! Why deceive myself? My blood will not be mingled with that
+of the Sieninskis, and, if relatives rend what I have into fragments,
+this last child of the family to which I owe everything, will be
+without bread to nourish her."
+
+Both drank in silence again. Pan Grothus was thinking how to milden the
+pain which he had roused in Pan Gideon unwittingly, and how to console
+the man in suffering. At last an idea occurred to him which he
+considered very happy. "Ai!" exclaimed he, "there is a way to do
+everything, and you, my lord brother, can secure bread for the girl
+without trouble."
+
+"How?" asked Pan Gideon, with a certain disquiet.
+
+"Does it not happen often that old men take as wives even girls not
+full grown yet? An example in history is Konietspolski the grand
+hetman, who married a green girl, though he was older than you are. It
+is true also, that, having taken too many youth-giving medicines, he
+died the first night after marriage, but neither Pan Makovski,
+pocillator of Radom, nor Pan Rudnitski lost their lives, though both
+had passed seventy. Besides, you are sturdy. Should the Lord again
+bless you, well, so much the better; if not, you would leave in
+sufficiency and quiet the young widow, who might choose then the
+husband that pleased her."
+
+Whether such an idea had ever come to Pan Gideon we may not determine;
+it suffices, that, after these words of Pan Grothus, he was greatly
+confused, and, with a hand trembling somewhat, poured mead to the
+starosta till it flowed over the goblet, and the generous liquor
+dropped down to the floor after passing the table.
+
+"Let us drink to the success of Christian arms!" said he.
+
+"That in its time," said Pan Grothus, following the course of his own
+thoughts still further; "and dwell in your own way on what I have said
+to you, for I have struck, as I think, the true point of the question."
+
+"But why? What reason is there? Drink some more--"
+
+Further words were interrupted by the movement of chairs at the larger
+table. Pani Vinnitski and Panna Anulka wished to retire to their
+chamber. The voice of the young lady, as resonant as a bell made of
+silver, repeated: "Good-night, good-night;" then she courtesied
+prettily to Pan Grothus, kissed the hand of Pan Gideon, touched his
+shoulder with her nose and her forehead cat fashion, and vanished. Pan
+Stanislav, the Bukoyemskis, and Yatsek went out soon after the ladies.
+The two older men only remained in the dining-room and conversed long
+in it, for Pan Gideon commanded to bring still better mead in another
+decanter.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER II
+
+
+Whether by chance or a trick of the young lady is unknown to us; it
+suffices, however, that the four Bukoyemskis received a large chamber
+in an outbuilding, and Pan Stanislav with Yatsek a smaller one near it.
+This confused the two men no little, and then, so as not to speak to
+each other, they began straightway the litany and continued it longer
+than was usual. But when they had finished there followed a silence
+which annoyed both of them, for though their feelings toward each other
+were unfriendly, they felt that they might not betray them, and that
+they should for a time, and especially at the house of Pan Gideon, show
+politeness.
+
+Yatsek ungirded his sabre, drew it out of the scabbard, looked at the
+edge by the light of the chimney, and fell to rubbing the blade with
+his handkerchief.
+
+"After frost," said he half to himself, half to Stanislav, "a sabre
+sweats in a warm chamber, and rust appears on it straightway."
+
+"And last night it must have frozen solidly," said Stanislav.
+
+He spoke without evil intention, and only because it occurred to him
+that Tachevski had been in a splitting frost all the night previous;
+but Yatsek placed the point of his blade on the floor, and looked
+quickly into the eyes of the other man.
+
+"Are you referring to this,--that I sat on a pine tree?"
+
+"Yes," replied Stanislav, with simplicity; "of course there was no
+stove there."
+
+"But what would you have done in my position?"
+
+Stanislav wished to answer "the same that you did," but the question
+was put to him sharply, so he answered,--
+
+"Why break my head over that, since I was not in it?"
+
+Anger flashed for an instant on the face of Pan Yatsek, but to restrain
+himself he began to blow on the sabre and rub the blade with still
+greater industry. At last he returned it to the scabbard, and added,--
+
+"God sends adventures and accidents."
+
+And his eyes, which one moment earlier had been gleaming, were covered
+again with the usual sadness, for just then he remembered his one
+friend, the horse, which those wolves had torn to pieces.
+
+Meanwhile the door opened and the four Bukoyemskis walked into the
+chamber.
+
+"The frost has weakened, and the snow sends up steam," said Mateush.
+
+"There will be fog," added Yan.
+
+And then they took note of Yatsek, whom they had not seen the first
+moment.
+
+"Oh art thou in such company?" asked Lukash, as he turned to Stanislav.
+
+All four brothers put their hands on their hips and cast challenging
+glances at Yatsek.
+
+Yatsek seized a chair and, pushing it to the middle of the chamber,
+turned to the Bukoyemskis with a sudden movement; then he sat astride
+of the chair, as on horseback, rested his elbows on the back of it,
+raised his head, and answered with equally challenging glances. Thus
+were they opposed then; he, with feet stretching widely apart in his
+Swedish boots, they, shoulder to shoulder, quarrelsome, threatening,
+enormous.
+
+Stanislav saw that it was coming to a quarrel, but he wished to laugh
+at the same time. Thinking that he could hinder a collision at any
+instant he let them gaze at one another.
+
+"Eh, what a bold fellow," thought he of Yatsek, "nothing confuses him."
+
+The silence continued, at once unendurable and ridiculous. Yatsek
+himself felt this, also, for he was the first man to break it.
+
+"Sit down, young sirs," said he, "not only do I invite, but I beg you."
+
+The Bukoyemskis looked at one another with astonishment, this new turn
+confused them.
+
+"How is this? What is it? Of what is he thinking?"
+
+"I beg you, I beg you," repeated Yatsek, and he pointed to benches.
+
+"We stay as we are, for it pleases us, dost understand?"
+
+"Too much ceremony."
+
+"What ceremony?" cried Lukash. "Dost thou claim to be a senator, or a
+bishop, thou--thou Pompeius!"
+
+Yatsek did not move from the chair, but his back began to quiver as if
+from sudden laughter.
+
+"But why call me Pompeius?" inquired he.
+
+"Because the name fits thee."
+
+"But it may be because thou art a fool," replied Yatsek.
+
+"Strike, whoso believes in God!" shouted Yan.
+
+Evidently Yatsek had had talk enough also, for something seemed to
+snatch him from the chair on a sudden, and he sprang like a cat toward
+the brothers.
+
+"Listen, ye road-blockers," said he with a voice cold as steel, "what
+do ye want of me?"
+
+"Blood!" cried Mateush.
+
+"Thou wilt not squirm away from us this time!" shouted Marek. "Come out
+at once," said he, grasping toward his side for a sabre.
+
+But Stanislav pushed in quickly between them.
+
+"I will not permit," cried he. "This is another man's dwelling."
+
+"True," added Yatsek, "this is another man's dwelling, and I will not
+injure Pan Gideon. I will not cut you up under his roof, but I will
+find you to-morrow."
+
+"We will find thee to-morrow!" roared Mateush.
+
+"Ye have sought conflicts and raised pretexts all day, why, I cannot
+tell, for I have not known you, nor have ye known me, but ye must
+answer for this, and because ye have insulted me I would meet not four
+men but ten like you."
+
+"Oho! oho! One will suffice thee. It is clear," cried out Yan, "that
+thou hast not heard of the Bukoyemskis."
+
+"I have spoken of four," said Yatsek, turning on a sudden to Stanislav,
+"but perhaps you will join with these cavaliers?"
+
+Stanislav bowed politely.
+
+"Since you make the inquiry--"
+
+"But we first, and according to seniority," said the Bukoyemskis. "We
+will not withdraw from that. We have settled it, and will cut down any
+man who interferes with us."
+
+Yatsek looked quickly at the brothers, and in one moment divined, as he
+thought, the arrangement, and he paled somewhat.
+
+"So that is it!" said he again to Stanislav; "thou hast hirelings, and
+art standing behind them. By my faith the method seems certain, and
+very safe, but whether it is noble and knightly is another point. In
+what a company do I find myself?"
+
+On hearing this opinion which disgraced him, Stanislav, though he had a
+mild spirit by nature, felt the blood rush to his visage. The veins
+swelled on his forehead, lightning flashed from his eyes, his teeth
+were gritting terribly, and he grasped the hilt of his sabre.
+
+"Come out! Come out this instant!" cried he in a voice choked with
+anger.
+
+Sabres flashed; it was bright in the chamber, for light fell on the
+steel blades from a torch in the chimney. But three of the Bukoyemskis
+sprang between the opponents and stood in a line there, the fourth
+caught Stanislav by the shoulders.
+
+"By the dear God, restrain thyself, Stashko! We are ahead of thee!"
+
+"We are ahead of thee!" cried the three others.
+
+"Unhand me!" screamed Stanislav, hoarsely.
+
+"We are ahead!"
+
+"Unhand me!"
+
+"Hold Stashko, ye, and I will settle with this man while ye are holding
+him," shouted Mateush; and seizing Yatsek he dragged him aside to begin
+at him straightway, but Yatsek with presence of mind pulled himself
+free of Mateush, and sheathed his sword, saying,--
+
+"I choose the man who is to fight first and the time. So I tell you
+to-morrow, and in Vyrambki, not here."
+
+"Oh thou wilt not sneak away from us! Now! now!"
+
+But Yatsek crossed his arms on his breast. "Ha, if ye wish without
+fighting to kill me under the roof of our host, let me know it."
+
+At this rage seized the brothers; they stamped the floor with their
+boot-heels, pulled their mustaches, and panted like wild bears. But
+since they feared infamy no man of them had the daring to rush at
+Tachevski.
+
+"To-morrow, I tell you! Say to Pan Gideon that ye are going to visit
+me, and inquire for the road to Vyrambki. Beyond the brook stands a
+crucifix since the time of the pestilence. There I will wait for you at
+midday to-morrow, and there, with God's help I will finish you!"
+
+He uttered the last words as if with sorrow, then he opened the door
+and walked out of the chamber. In the yard the dogs ran around Yatsek,
+and knowing him well, fondled up to him. He turned without thinking
+toward the posts near the windows, as if looking for his horse there;
+then, remembering that that horse was no longer alive, he sighed, and,
+feeling the cool breath of air, repeated in spirit,--
+
+"The wind is blowing always in the eyes of the poor man. I will walk
+home."
+
+Meanwhile, Stanislav was wringing his hands from fierce pain and anger,
+while saying to the Bukoyemskis, with terrible bitterness,--
+
+"Who asked you to do this? My worst enemy could not have hurt me more
+than have you with your service."
+
+They pitied him immensely, and fell to embracing him, one after the
+other.
+
+"Stashko," said Mateush. "They sent us a decanter for the night; give
+thyself comfort for God's sake."
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER III
+
+
+The world was still gray when Father Voynovski was clattering along
+through deep snow with a lantern to the doves, partridges, and rabbits
+which he kept in his granary in a special enclosure. A tame fox with
+bells on her neck followed his footsteps; at his side went a Spitz dog
+and a porcupine. Winter sleep did not deaden the latter in the warm
+room of the priest's house. The beasts and their master, when they had
+crossed the yard slowly, stopped under the out-jutting straw eaves of
+the granary, from which long icicles were hanging. The lantern swayed,
+the key was heard in the lock, the bolt whined, the door squeaked
+louder than the key, and the old man went in with his animals. After a
+while he took his seat on a block, placed his lantern on a second
+block, and put between his knees a linen bag holding grain and also
+cabbage leaves. He began then to yawn aloud and to empty the bag on the
+floor there in front of him.
+
+Before he had finished three rabbits advanced from dark corners jumping
+toward him; next were seen the eyes of doves, glittering and bead-like
+in the light of the lantern; then rust-colored partridges, moving their
+heads on lithe necks as they came on in close company. Being the most
+resolute, the pigeons fell straightway to hammering the floor with
+their bills, while the partridges moved with more caution, looking now
+at the falling grain, now at the priest, and now at the she fox; with
+her they had been acquainted a long time, since, taken as chicks the
+past summer and reared from being little, they saw the beast daily.
+
+The priest kept on throwing grain, muttering morning prayer as he did
+so: "_Pater noster, qui es in coelis, sanctificetur nomen_--" Here he
+stopped and turned to the fox, and she, while touching his side,
+trembled as if a fever were shaking her.
+
+"Ah, the skin on thee trembles as soon as thou seest them. It is the
+same every day. Learn to keep down thy inborn appetite, for thou hast
+good food at all seasons and sufferest no hunger. Where did I stop?"
+Here he closed his eyes as if waiting for an answer, and since he did
+not have it he began at the first words: "_Pater noster, qui es in
+coelis, sanctificetur nomen Tuum, adveniat regnum Tuum_."
+
+And again he halted.
+
+"Ah, thou art squirming," said he, putting his hand on the back of the
+she fox. "There is such a vile nature in thee, that not only must thou
+eat, but commit murder also. Catch her, Filus, by the tail, and bite
+her if she does any injury--_Adveniat regnum Tuum_--Oh such a daughter!
+Thou wouldst say, I know, that men are glad too, to eat partridges; but
+know this, that a man gives them peace during fast days, while in thee
+the soul of that vile Luther is sitting, for thou wouldst eat meat on
+good Friday--_Fiat voluntas Tua_--_Trus! trus! trus!_--_sicut in
+coelo_--here are both one with the other!--_et in terra_." And thus
+speaking he threw the cabbage and then the grain, scolding the doves
+somewhat that, though spring was not near yet, they walked around one
+another frequently, cooing and strutting.
+
+At last, when he had emptied the bag he rose, raised the lantern, and
+was preparing to go, when Yatsek appeared on the threshold.
+
+"Ah, Yatsus!" cried the priest, "art thou here--what art thou doing so
+early?"
+
+Yatsek kissed the priest's hand, and answered,--
+
+"I have come to confession, my benefactor, and at early mass I should
+like to approach the Lord's table."
+
+"To confession? That is well, but what has so urged thee? Tell, but
+right off, for this is not without reason."
+
+"I will tell truly. I must fight a duel this day, and since in fighting
+with five men an accident is more likely than with one, I should like
+to clear my soul of offences."
+
+"With five men? God's wounds! But what didst thou do to them?"
+
+"It is just this: that I did nothing. They sought a quarrel, and they
+have challenged me."
+
+"Who are they?"
+
+"The Bukoyemskis, who are foresters, and Tsyprianovitch from Yedlinka."
+
+"I know them. Come to the house and tell how it happened."
+
+They went out of the granary, but when half-way to the house the priest
+stopped on a sudden, looked into Tachevski's eyes quickly, and said,--
+
+"Hear me, Yatsek, there is a woman in this quarrel."
+
+The other smiled; with some melancholy.
+
+"There is, and there is not," said he, "for really, she is the
+question, but she is innocent."
+
+"Ah, ha! innocent! they are all innocent. But dost thou know what
+Ecclesiastes says of women?"
+
+"I do not remember, benefactor."
+
+"Neither do I remember all, but what I have forgotten I will read in
+the house to thee. '_Inveni amariorem morte mulierem, quae laqueus_
+(says he) _venatorum est et sagena cor ejus_.' (I have found woman more
+bitter than death. Her heart is a trap and a snare). And farther on he
+adds something, but at the end he says: '_Qui placet Deo, effugiet
+illam, qui autem peccator est, capietur ab illa_.' (Whoso is pleasing
+to God will escape her, but whoso is a sinner will be caught by her.) I
+have warned thee not one time but ten not to loiter in that mansion and
+now the blow strikes thee."
+
+"Eh, it is easier for you to warn than for me not to visit," answered
+Yatsek, with a sigh.
+
+"Nothing good will meet thee in that house."
+
+"True," said the young man, quietly.
+
+And they went on in silence, but the priest with a face of anxiety, for
+with his whole soul he loved Yatsek. When his father had died of the
+pestilence, the young man was left in the world without any near
+relative, without property, having only a very few serfs in Vyrambki.
+The old priest cared for him tenderly. He could not give the youth
+property, for he with the soul of an angel distributed to the needy all
+that his poor parish gave him; still, he helped Yatsek in secret, and
+besides, he watched over him, taught him, not only what was in books,
+but the whole art of knighthood. For in his day that priest had been a
+famed warrior, a comrade and friend of the glorious Pan Michael. He had
+been with Charnyetski, he had gone through the whole Swedish conflict,
+and only when all had been finished did he put on the robe of a cleric,
+because of a ghastly misfortune. He loved Yatsek, in whom he valued,
+not simply the son of a famed knightly family, but a serious, lofty
+soul, just such as his own was. So he was grieved over the man's
+immense poverty, and that ill-fated love which had seized him. Because
+of this love, the young man, instead of seeking bread and fame in the
+great world of action, was wasting himself and leading a half peasant
+life in that dark little corner. Hence he felt a determined dislike for
+the house of Pan Gideon, taking it ill of Pan Gideon himself that he
+was so cruel to his people. As to Father Voynovski, those "worms of the
+earth"[2] were as dear as the apple of his eye to him, but besides them
+he loved also everything living, as well those pets which he scolded,
+as birds, fish, and even the frogs which croak and sing in the
+sun-warmed waters during summer.
+
+There walked, however, in that robe of a priest, not only an angel but,
+besides, an ex-warrior; hence when he learned that his Yatsek must
+fight with five enemies he thought only of this: how that young man
+would prosper, and would he come out of the struggle undefeated?
+
+"Thou wilt not yield?" asked he, halting at the threshold, "for I have
+taught thee what I knew myself, and what Pan Michael showed me."
+
+"I should not like to let them slash me to death," replied Yatsek, with
+modesty, "for a great war with the Turks is approaching."
+
+At this the eyes of the old man flashed up like stars. In one moment he
+seized Yatsek by the button loop of his coat and fell to inquiring,--
+
+"Praised be the name of the Lord! How dost thou know this? Who told
+thee?"
+
+"Pan Grothus, the starosta," answered the young man.
+
+Long did the conversation of Yatsek continue with the priest, long was
+his confession till Mass time, and when at last after Mass they were
+both in the house and had sat down to heated beer at the table, the
+mind of the old man was haunted continually by thoughts of that war
+with the pagan. Therefore he fell to complaining of the corruption of
+manners and the decay of devotion in the Commonwealth.
+
+"My God!" said he, "the field of salvation and glory is open to men,
+but they prefer private quarrels and the slaughter of one another.
+Though ye have the chance to give your own blood in defence of the
+cross and the faith, ye are willing to spill the blood of a brother.
+For whom? for what reason? For personal squabbles, or women, or similar
+society nonsense. I know this vice to be inveterate in the
+Commonwealth, and _mea culpa_, for in time of vain sinful youth I
+myself was a slave to it. In winter camps, when the armies think mainly
+of idleness and drinking, there is no day without duels; but in fact
+the church forbids duels, and punishes for fighting them. Duelling is
+sinful at all times, and before a Turkish war the sin is the greater,
+for then every sabre is needed, and every sabre serves God and
+religion. Therefore our king, who is a defender of the faith, detests
+duels, and in the field in the face of the enemy, when martial law
+dictates, they are punished severely."
+
+"But the king in his youth fought more than one, and more than two
+duels," said Yatsek. "Moreover, what can I do, revered Father? I did
+not challenge. They called me out. Can I fail to meet them?"
+
+"Thou canst not, and therefore my soul is confounded. Ah, God will be
+on the side of the innocent."
+
+Yatsek began to take farewell, for midday was not more than two hours
+from him, and a road of some length was before him.
+
+"Wait," said the priest. "I will not let thee leave in this fashion. I
+will have my man make the sleigh ready, put straw in it, and go to the
+meeting-place. For if at Pan Gideon's they knew nothing of the duel,
+they will send no assistance, and how will it be if one of them, or if
+thou, be wounded severely? Hast thought of this?"
+
+"I have not, and they have not thought, that is certain."
+
+"Ah, seest thou! I will go too. I will not be on the field, I will stay
+at thy house in Vyrambki. I will take with me the sacrament, and a boy
+with a bell too, for who knows what may happen? It is not proper for a
+priest to witness such actions, but except that, I should be there with
+great willingness, were it only to freshen thy courage."
+
+Yatsek looked at him with eyes as mild as a maiden's. "God reward,"
+said he, "but I shall not lose courage, for even if I had to lay down
+my life--"
+
+"Better be silent," broke in the priest. "Art thou not sorry not to be
+nearing the Turk--and not to be meeting a death of more glory?"
+
+"I am, my benefactor, but I shall try that those man-eaters do not gulp
+me down at one effort."
+
+Father Voynovski thought a moment and added,--
+
+"But if I were to go to the field and explain the reward which would
+meet them in heaven, were they to die at the hands of the pagan,
+perhaps they would give up the duel."
+
+"God prevent!" exclaimed Yatsek. "They would think that I sent thee.
+God prevent! Better that I go to them straightway than listen to such
+speeches."
+
+"I am powerless," said the priest. "Let us go."
+
+He summoned his servant and ordered him to attach the horse with all
+haste to the sleigh; then he and Yatsek went out to assist the man. But
+when the priest saw the horse on which Yatsek had come, he pushed back
+in amazement.
+
+"In the name of the Father and the Son, where didst thou find such a
+poor little creature?"
+
+And indeed at the fence stood a sorry small nag, with shaggy head
+drooping low, and cheeks with long hair hanging down from them. The
+beast was not greatly larger than a she goat.
+
+"I borrowed it from a peasant. See, how I might go to the Turkish war!"
+
+And he laughed painfully.
+
+To this the priest answered,--
+
+"No matter on what thou goest, if thou come home on a Turkish
+war-horse, and may God give thee this, Yatsus; but meanwhile put the
+saddle on my beast, for thou canst not go on this poor little wretch to
+those nobles."
+
+They arranged everything then, and moved forward,--the priest with the
+church boy and bell and a driver for the sleigh, and Yatsek on
+horseback. The day was monotonous and misty in some sort; for a thaw
+had settled down and snow covered the frozen ground deeply, but its
+surface had softened considerably, so that horsehoofs sank without
+noise and sleigh-runners moved along the road quietly. Not far beyond
+Yedlina they met loads of wood and peasants walking near them; these
+people knelt at the sound of the bell, thinking that the priest was
+going with the Lord God to a dying man. Then began fields lying next to
+the forest,--fields white and empty; these were covered with haze.
+Flocks of crows were flying over them. Nearer the forest the haze
+became denser and denser, descended, filled all the space, and
+stretched upward. When they had advanced somewhat farther, the two men
+heard cawing, but the crows were invisible. The bushes at the roadside
+were ghostlike. The world had lost its usual sharp outlines, and was
+changed into some kind of region deceitful, uncertain,--delusive and
+blurred in near places, but entirely unknown in the distance.
+
+Yatsek advanced along the silent snow, thinking over the battle
+awaiting him, but thinking more over Panna Anulka; and half to himself
+and half to her he soliloquized in spirit: "My love for thee has been
+always unchangeable, but I have no joy in my heart from it. Eh! in
+truth I had little joy earlier from other things. But now, if I could
+even embrace thy dear feet for one instant, or hear a good word from
+thee, or even know that thou art sorry if evil befalls me-- All between
+me and thee is like that haze there before me, and thou thyself art as
+if out beyond the haze. I see nothing, and know not what will be, nor
+what will meet me, nor what will happen."
+
+And Yatsek felt that deep sadness was besieging his spirit, just as
+dampness was besieging his garments.
+
+"But I prefer that all should be ended, and quickly," said he, sighing.
+
+Father Voynovski was attacked also by thoughts far from gladsome, and
+said in his own mind,--
+
+"The poor boy has grieved to the utmost. He has not used his youth, he
+has gnawed himself through this ill-fated love of his, and now those
+Bukoyemskis will cut him to pieces. The other day at Kozenitse they
+hacked Pan Korybski after the festival. And even though they should not
+cut up Yatsek, nothing useful can come of this duel. My God! this lad
+is pure gold; and he is the last sprout from a great trunk of
+knightliness. He is the last drop of nourishing blood in his family. If
+he could only save himself this time! In God is my hope that he has not
+forgotten those two blows, one a feint under the arm with a side
+spring, the other with a whirl through the cheek. Yatsek!"
+
+But Yatsek did not hear, for he had ridden ahead, and the call from the
+old man was not repeated. On the contrary, he was troubled very
+seriously on remembering that a priest who was going with the Sacrament
+should not think of such subjects. He fell then to repenting and
+imploring the Lord God for pardon.
+
+Still, he was more and more grieved in his spirit. He was mastered by
+an evil foreboding and felt almost certain that that strange duel
+without seconds would end in the worst manner possible for Yatsek.
+
+Meanwhile they reached the crossroad which lay on the right toward
+Vyrambki, and on the left toward Pan Gideon's. The driver stopped as
+had been commanded. Yatsek approached the sleigh then and dismounted.
+
+"I will go on foot to the crucifix, for I should not know what to do
+with this horse while the sleigh is taking you to my house and coming
+back to me. They are there now, it may be."
+
+"It is not noon yet, though near it," said the priest, and his voice
+was changed somewhat. "But what a haze! Ye will have to grope in this
+duel."
+
+"We can see well enough!"
+
+The cawing of crows and of daws was heard then above them a second
+time.
+
+"Yatsek!"
+
+"I am listening."
+
+"Since thou hast come to this conflict, remember the Knights of
+Tachevo."
+
+"They will not be ashamed of me, father, they will not."
+
+And the priest remarked that Yatsek's face had grown pitiless, his eyes
+had their usual sadness, but the maiden mildness had gone from them.
+
+"That is well. Kneel down now," said he. "I will bless thee, and make
+thou the sign of the cross on thyself before opening the struggle."
+
+Then he made the sign of the cross on Yatsek's head as he knelt on the
+snow there.
+
+The young man tied the horse behind the sleigh at the side of the poor
+little nag of the peasant, kissed the priest's hand, and walked off
+toward that crucifix at the place of the duel.
+
+"Come back to me in health!" cried the priest after Yatsek.
+
+At the cross there was no one. Yatsek passed around the figure
+repeatedly, then sat on a stone at the foot of the crucifix and waited.
+
+Round about immense silence was brooding; only great tear-like drops,
+formed of dense haze, and falling from the arms of the crucifix, struck
+with low sound the soft snow bank. That quiet, filled with a certain
+sadness, and that hazy desert, filled with a new wave of sorrow the
+heart of the young man. He felt lonely to a point never known to him
+earlier. "Indeed I am as much alone in the world as that stick there,"
+said he to himself, "and thus shall I be till death comes to me." And
+he waved his hand. "Well, let it end some time!"
+
+With growing bitterness he thought that his opponents were not in a
+hurry, because they were joyous. They were sitting at Pan Gideon's
+conversing with "her," and they could look at "her" as much as might
+please them.
+
+But he was mistaken, for they too were hastening. After a while the
+sound of loud talking came up to him, and in the white haze quivered
+the four immense forms of the Bukoyemskis, and a fifth one,--that of
+Pan Stanislav, somewhat smaller.
+
+They talked in loud voices, for they were quarrelling about this: who
+should fight first with Tachevski. For that matter the Bukoyemskis were
+always disputing among themselves about something, but this time their
+dispute struck Stanislav, who was trying to show them that he, as the
+most deeply offended, should in that fight be the first man. All grew
+silent, however, in view of the cross, and of Yatsek standing under it.
+They removed their caps, whether out of respect for the Passion of
+Christ, or in greeting to their enemy, may be left undecided.
+
+Yatsek inclined to them in silence, and drew his weapon, but the heart
+in his breast beat unquietly at the first moment, for they were in
+every case five against one, and besides, the Bukoyemskis had simply a
+terrible aspect,--big fellows, broad shouldered, with broomlike
+mustaches, on which the fog had settled down in blue dewdrops; their
+brows were forbidding, and in their faces was a kind of brooding and
+murderous enjoyment, as if this chance to spill blood caused them
+gladness.
+
+"Why do I place this sound head of mine under the Evangelists?" thought
+Yatsek. But at that moment of alarm, indignation at those roysterers
+seized him,--those men whom he hardly knew, whom he had never injured,
+but who, God knew for what reason, had fastened to him, and had come
+now to destroy him if possible.
+
+So in spirit he said to them: "Wait a while, O ye road-blockers! Ye
+have brought your lives hither!"
+
+His cheeks took on color, and his teeth gritted fiercely. They,
+meanwhile, stripped their coats off and rolled up the sleeves of their
+jupans. This they did without need all together, but they did it since
+each thought that he was to open the duel.
+
+At last they all stood in a row with drawn sabres, and Yatsek, stepping
+towards them, halted, and they looked at one another in silence.
+
+Pan Stanislav interrupted them,--
+
+"I will serve you first."
+
+"No! I first, I first!" repeated all the Bukoyemskis in a chorus.
+
+And when Stanislav pushed forward they seized him by the elbows.
+
+Again a quarrel began, in which Stanislav reviled them as outlaws. They
+jeered at him as a dandy, among themselves the term "dogbrother" was
+frequent. Yatsek was shocked at this, and added,--
+
+"I have never seen cavaliers of this kind." And he put his sabre into
+the scabbard.
+
+"Choose, or I will go!" said he, with a loud voice, and firmly.
+
+"Choose, thou!" cried Stanislav, hoping that on him would the choice
+fall.
+
+Mateush began shouting that he would not permit any small
+whipper-snapper to manage them, and he shouted so that his front teeth,
+which, being very long, like the teeth of a rabbit, were shining
+beneath his mustaches; but he grew silent when Yatsek, drawing his
+sabre, again indicated him with the edge of it, and added, "I choose
+thee."
+
+The remaining brothers and Stanislav drew back at once, seeing that
+they would never agree, in another way, but their faces grew gloomy,
+for, knowing the strength of Mateush they felt almost certain that no
+work would be left them when he had finished.
+
+"Begin!" called out Stanislav.
+
+Tachevski felt at the first blow the strength of his enemy, for in his
+own grasp the sabre blade quivered. He warded the blow off, however,
+and warded off, also, the second one.
+
+"He has less skill than strength," thought Tachevski, after the third
+blow. Then, crouching somewhat, for a better spring, he pressed on with
+impetus.
+
+The other three, inclining downward the points of their sabres, stood
+open-mouthed, following the course of the struggle. They saw now that
+Tachevski too "knew things," and that with him it would not be easy.
+Soon they thought that he knew things very accurately, and alarm seized
+the brothers, for, despite endless bickering they loved one another
+immensely. The cry, "Ha!" was rent from the breast, now of one, and now
+of another, as each keener blow struck.
+
+Meanwhile the blows became quicker and quicker; at last they were
+lightning-like.
+
+The spectators saw clearly that Tachevski was gaining more confidence.
+He was calm, but he sprang around like a wild-cat and his eyes shot out
+ominous flashes.
+
+"It is bad!" thought Stanislav.
+
+That moment a cry was heard. Mateush's sabre fell. He raised both hands
+to his head and dropped to the earth, his face in one instant being
+blood-covered.
+
+At sight of that the three younger brothers bellowed like bulls, and in
+the twinkle of an eye rushed with rage at Tachevski, not intending, of
+course, to attack him together, but because each wished to be first in
+avenging Mateush.
+
+And they perhaps would have swept Tachevski apart on their sabres if
+Stanislav, springing in to assist him, had not cried with all the power
+in his bosom,--
+
+"Shame! Away! Murderers, not nobles! Shame! Away! or you must deal with
+me, murderers! Away!" And he slashed at the brothers till they came to
+their senses. But at this time Mateush had risen on his hands and
+turned toward them a face which was as if a mask made of blood had just
+covered it. Yan, seizing him by the armpits, seated him on the snow.
+Lukash hurried also to give him assistance.
+
+But Tachevski pushed up to Marek, who was gritting his teeth, and
+repeated in a quick voice, as if fearing lest the common attack might
+repeat itself,--
+
+"If you please! If you please!"
+
+And the sabres were clanking a second time ominously. But with Marek,
+who was as much stronger than his enemy as he was less dexterous,
+Tachevski had short work. Marek used his great sabre like a flail, so
+that Yatsek at the third blow struck his right shoulder-blade, cut
+through the bone, and disarmed him.
+
+Now Lukash and Yan understood that a very ugly task was before them,
+and that the slender young man was a wasp in reality,--a wasp which it
+would have been wise not to irritate. But with increased passion, they
+stood now against him to a struggle which ended as badly for them as it
+had for their elders. Lukash, cut through his cheek to the gums, fell
+with impetus, and, besides, struck a stone which the deep snow had
+hidden; while from Yan, the most dexterous of the brothers, his sabre,
+together with one of his fingers, fell to the ground at the end of some
+minutes.
+
+Yatsek, without a scratch, gazed at his work, as it were, with
+astonishment, and those sparks which a moment before had been
+glittering in his eyeballs began now to quench gradually. With his left
+hand he straightened his cap, which during the struggle had slipped
+somewhat over his right ear, then he removed it, breathed deeply once
+and a second time, turned to the cross, and said, half to himself and
+half to Stanislav,--
+
+"God knows that I am innocent."
+
+"Now it is my turn," said Stanislav. "But you are panting, perhaps you
+would rest; meanwhile I will put their cloaks on my comrades, lest this
+damp cold may chill them ere help comes."
+
+"Help is near," said Tachevski. "Over there in the mist is a sleigh
+sent by Father Voynovski, and he himself is at my house. Permit me. I
+will go for the sleigh in which those gentlemen will feel easier than
+here on this snow field."
+
+And he started while Stanislav went to cover the Bukoyemskis who were
+sitting arm to arm in the snow, except Yan, the least wounded. Yan on
+his knees was in front of Mateush, holding up his own right hand lest
+blood might flow from the finger stump too freely; in his left he held
+snow with which he was washing the face of his brother.
+
+"How are ye?" asked Stanislav.
+
+"Ah, he has bitten us, the son of a such a one!" said Lukash, and he
+spat blood abundantly; "but we will avenge ourselves."
+
+"I cannot move my arm at all, for he cut the bone," added Marek. "Eh,
+the dog! Eh!"
+
+"And Mateush is cut over the brows!" called out Yan; "the wound should
+be covered with bread and spider-web but I will staunch the blood with
+snow for the present."
+
+"If my eyes were not filled with blood," said Mateush, "I would--"
+
+But he could not finish since blood loss had weakened him, and he was
+interrupted by Lukash who had been borne away suddenly by anger.
+
+"But he is cunning, the dog blood! He stings like a gnat, though he
+looks like a maiden."
+
+"It is just that cunning," said Yan, "which I cannot pardon."
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by the snorting of horses. The
+sleigh appeared in the haze dimly, and next it was there at the side of
+the brothers. Out of the sleigh sprang Tachevski, who commanded the
+driver to step down and help them.
+
+The man looked at the Bukoyemskis, took in the whole case with a
+glance, and said not a word, but on his face was reflected, as it
+seemed, disappointment, and, turning toward the horses, he crossed
+himself. Then the three men fell to raising the wounded. The brothers
+protested against the assistance of Yatsek, but he stopped them.
+
+"If ye gentlemen had wounded me, would ye leave me unassisted? This is
+the service of a noble which one may not meet with neglect or refusal."
+
+They were silent, for he won them by these words--somewhat, and after a
+while they were lying upon straw in the broad sleigh more comfortably,
+and soon they were warmer.
+
+"Whither shall I go?" asked the driver.
+
+"Wait. Thou wilt take still another," answered Stanislav, and turning
+to Yatsek, he said to him,--
+
+"Well, gracious sir, it is our time!"
+
+"Oh, it is better to drop this," said Yatsek, regarding him with a look
+almost friendly. "That God there knows why this has happened, and you
+took my part when these gentlemen together attacked me. Why should you
+and I fight a duel?"
+
+"We must and will fight," replied Stanislav, coldly. "You have insulted
+me, and, even if you had not, my name is in question at present--do you
+understand? Though I were to lose life, though this were to be my last
+hour--we must fight."
+
+"Let it be so! but against my will," said Tachevski.
+
+And they began. Stanislav, had more skill than the brothers, but he was
+weaker than any of them. It was clear that he had been taught by better
+masters, and that his practice had not been confined to inns and
+markets. He pressed forward quickly, he parried with readiness and
+knowledge. Yatsek, in whose heart there was no hatred, and who would
+have stopped at the lesson given the Bukoyemskis, began to praise him.
+
+"With you," said he, "the work is quite different. Your hand was
+trained by no common swordsman."
+
+"Too bad that you did not train it!" said Stanislav.
+
+And he was doubly rejoiced, first at the praise, and then because he
+had given answer, for only the most famed among swordsmen could let
+himself speak in time of a duel, and polite conversation was considered
+moreover as the acme of courtesy. All this increased Stanislav in his
+own eyes. Hence he pressed forward again with good feeling. But after
+some fresh blows he was forced to acknowledge in spirit that Tachevski
+surpassed him. Yatsek defended himself as it seemed with unwillingness
+but very easily, and in general he acted as though engaged not in
+fighting, but in fencing for exercise. Clearly, he wished to convince
+himself as to what Stanislav knew, and as to how much better he was
+than the brothers, and when he had done this with accuracy he felt at
+last sure of his own case.
+
+Stanislav noted this also, hence delight left him, and he struck with
+more passion. Tachevski then twisted himself as if he had had enough of
+amusement, gave the "feigned" blow, pressed on and sprang aside after a
+moment.
+
+"Thou hast got it!" said he.
+
+Stanislav felt, as it were, a cold sting in the arm, but he answered,--
+
+"Go on. That is nothing!"
+
+And he cut again, that same moment the point of Yatsek's sabre laid his
+lower lip open and cut the skin under it. Yatsek sprang aside now a
+second time.
+
+"Thou art bleeding!" said he.
+
+"That is nothing!"
+
+"Glory to God if 'tis nothing! But I have had plenty, and here is my
+hand for you. You have acted like a genuine cavalier."
+
+Stanislav greatly roused, but pleased also at these words, stood for a
+moment, as if undecided whether to make peace or fight longer. At last
+he sheathed his sabre and gave his hand then to Yatsek.
+
+"Let it be so. In truth, as it seems, I am bleeding."
+
+He touched his chin with his left hand and looked at the blood with
+much wonder. It had colored his palm and his fingers abundantly.
+
+"Hold snow on the wound to keep it from swelling," said Yatsek, "and go
+to the sleigh now."
+
+So speaking he took Stanislav by the arm and conducted him to the
+Bukoyemskis, who looked at him silently, somewhat astonished, but also
+confounded. Yatsek roused real respect in them, not only as a master
+with the sabre, but as a man of "lofty manners," such manners precisely
+as they themselves needed.
+
+So after a while this inquiry was made of Stanislav by Mateush,--
+
+"How is it with thee, O Stashko?"
+
+"Well. I might go on foot," was the answer, "but I choose the sleigh,
+the journey will be quicker."
+
+Yatsek sat toward them sidewise, and cried to the driver,--
+
+"To Vyrambki."
+
+"Whither?" asked Stanislav.
+
+"To my house. You will not have much comfort, but it is difficult
+otherwise. At Pan Gideon's you would frighten the women, and Father
+Voynovski is at my house. He dresses wounds to perfection and he will
+care for you. You can send for your horses, and then do what may please
+you. I will ask the priest also to go to Pan Gideon and tell him with
+caution what has happened." Here Yatsek fell to thinking and soon after
+he added,--
+
+"Oho! the trouble has not come yet, but now we shall see it. God knows
+that you, gentlemen, insisted on this duel."
+
+"True! we insisted," said Stanislav. "I will declare that and these
+gentlemen also will testify."
+
+"I will testify, though my shoulder pains terribly," said Marek,
+groaning. "Oi! but you have given us a holiday. May the bullets strike
+you!"
+
+It was not far to Vyrambki. Soon they entered the enclosure, and met
+the priest wading in snow, for he, alarmed about what might happen,
+could not stay in the house any longer, and had set out to meet them.
+
+Yatsek sprang from the sleigh when he saw him. Father Voynovski pushed
+forward quickly to meet him, and saw his friend sound and uninjured.
+
+"Well," cried he, "what has happened?"
+
+"I bring you these gentlemen," said Yatsek.
+
+The face of the old man grew bright for a moment, but became serious
+straightway, when he saw the Bukoyemskis and Stanislav blood-bedaubed.
+
+"All five!" cried he, clasping his hands.
+
+"There are five!"
+
+"An offence against heaven! Gentlemen, how is it with you?" asked he,
+turning to the wounded men.
+
+They touched their caps to him, except Marek, who, since the cutting of
+his shoulder-blade, could move neither his left nor his right hand. He
+merely groaned, saying,--
+
+"He has peppered us well. We cannot deny it."
+
+"That is nothing," said the others.
+
+"We hope in God that it is nothing," answered Father Voynovski. "Come
+to the house now as quickly as possible! I will care for you this
+minute. Move on with the sleigh," said he.
+
+And then he himself followed promptly with Yatsek. But after a while he
+stopped on the roadway. Joy shone, in his face again. He embraced
+Yatsek's neck on a sudden.
+
+"Let me press thee, O Yatsek," cried he. "Thou hast brought in a sleigh
+load of enemies, like so many wheat sheaves."
+
+Yatsek kissed his hand then, and answered,--
+
+"They would have it so, my benefactor."
+
+The priest put his hand on the head of the young man again, as if
+wishing to bless him, but all at once he restrained himself, because
+gladness in this case was not befitting his habit, so he looked more
+severe, and continued,--
+
+"Think not that I praise thee. It was thy luck that they themselves
+wished this, but still, it is a scandal."
+
+They drove into the courtyard. Yatsek sprang to the sleigh so that he
+might, with the driver and the single house-servant, help out the
+wounded men. But they stepped out themselves, except Marek, whose arms
+they supported and soon they were all in Yatsek's dwelling. Straw had
+been spread there already, and even Yatsek's own bed had been covered
+with a white, slightly worn horse skin. At the head a felt roll served
+as pillow. On the table near the window was bread kneaded with
+spider-web, excellent for blood stopping. There were also choice
+balsams which the priest had for healing.
+
+The old man took off his soutane and went to dressing the wounds with
+the skill of a veteran who had seen thousands of wounded men, and who
+from long practice knew how to handle wounds better than many a
+surgeon. His work went on quickly, for, except Marek, the men had
+suffered slightly.
+
+Marek's shoulder-blade needed considerably longer work, but when at
+last it was dressed the priest wiped his bloody hands, and then rested.
+
+"Well," said he, "thanks to the Lord Jesus, it has passed without
+grievous accident. This also is certain, that you feel better,
+gentlemen, all of you."
+
+"One would like a drink!" said Mateush.
+
+"It would not hurt! Give command, Yatsek, to bring water."
+
+Mateush rose up on the straw. "How water?" asked he in a voice of
+emotion.
+
+Marek, who was lying face downward on Yatsek's bed groaning, called out
+quickly,--
+
+"The revered father must wash his hands, of course."
+
+Hereupon Yatsek looked with real despair at the priest, who laughed and
+then added,--
+
+"They are soldiers! Wine is permitted, but in small quantity."
+
+Yatsek drew him by the sleeve to the alcove.
+
+"Benefactor," whispered he, "what can I do? The pantry is empty, and so
+is the cellar. Time after time I must tighten my girdle. What can I
+give them?"
+
+"There is something here, there is something!" said the old man. "When
+leaving home I made arrangements, and brought a little with me. Should
+that not suffice I will get more at the brewery in Yedlina--for myself,
+of course, for myself. Command to give them one glass at the moment to
+calm them after the encounter."
+
+When he heard this Yatsek set to work quickly, and soon the Bukoyemskis
+were comforting one another. Their good feeling for Yatsek increased
+every moment.
+
+"We fought, for that happens to every man," said Mateush, "but right
+away I thought thee a dignified cavalier."
+
+"Not true; it was I who thought so first," put in Lukash.
+
+"Thou think? Hast thou ever been able to think?"
+
+"I think just now that thou art a blockhead, so I am able to
+think,--but my mouth pains me."
+
+Thus they were quarrelling already. But that moment a mounted man
+darkened the window.
+
+"Some one has come!" exclaimed Father Voynovski.
+
+Yatsek went to see who it was, and returned quickly, with troubled
+visage.
+
+"Pan Gideon has sent a man," said he, "with notice that he is waiting
+for us at dinner."
+
+"Let him eat it alone!" replied Yan Bukoyemski.
+
+"What shall we say to him?" inquired Yatsek, looking at Father
+Voynovski.
+
+"Tell him the truth," said the old man--"but better, I will tell it
+myself."
+
+He went out to the messenger.
+
+"Tell Pan Gideon," said he, "that neither Pan Tsyprianovitch nor the
+Bukoyemskis can come, for they have been wounded in a duel to which
+they challenged Pan Tachevski; but do not forget to tell him that they
+are not badly wounded. Now hurry!"
+
+The man rushed away with every foot which his horse had, and the priest
+fell to quieting Yatsek, who was greatly excited. He did not fear to
+meet five men in battle, but he feared greatly Pan Gideon, and still
+more what Panna Anulka would say and would think of him.
+
+"Well, it has happened," continued the priest, "but let them learn at
+the earliest that it was not through thy fault."
+
+"Will you testify, gentlemen?" inquired Yatsek, turning to the wounded
+men.
+
+"Though we are dry, we will testify," answered Mateush.
+
+Still, Yatsek's alarm increased more and more, and soon after, when a
+sleigh with Pan Gideon and Pan Grothus stopped at the porch, the heart
+died in him utterly. He sprang out, however, to greet and bow down to
+the knees of Pan Gideon; but the latter did not even glance at Yatsek,
+just as though he had not seen the man, and with a gloomy stern face he
+strode into the chamber. He inclined to the priest with respect but
+with coldness, for since the day that the old man had reproached him
+from the altar for excessive severity toward peasants, the stubborn old
+noble was unable to forgive him; so now, after that cold salute, he
+turned to the wounded men straightway, and gazed at them a moment.
+
+"Gracious gentlemen," said he, "after what has just happened, I should
+not pass the threshold of this building, be sure of that, did I not
+wish to show how cruelly I am wounded by that wrong which you have
+suffered. See how my hospitality has ended! See how in my house my
+rescuers have been recompensed. But I say this, that whoso has wronged
+you has wronged me, whoso has spilt your blood has done worse than
+spill mine, for the man who challenged you under my roof has insulted
+me--"
+
+Here Mateush interrupted him suddenly,--
+
+"We challenged him, not he us!"
+
+"That is true, gracious benefactor," said Stanislav. "There is no blame
+to this cavalier in all that has happened, but to us, for which we beg
+your grace's pardon submissively."
+
+"It would have been well for the judge to examine the witnesses before
+he passed sentence," said Father Voynovski, with seriousness.
+
+Lukash, too, wished to say something, but since his cheek was cut to
+the gum and his gum to the teeth, the pain was acute when his chin
+moved, so he only put his palm on the plaster which was drying, and
+said with one side of his mouth,--
+
+"May the devils take the sentence and my jaw with it also."
+
+Pan Gideon was confused in some measure by these voices, still, he had
+no thought of yielding. On the contrary, he looked around with stern
+glance, as if wishing in that way to express silent blame for defenders
+of Yatsek.
+
+"It is not for me to offer pardon to my rescuers. No blame touches you,
+gentlemen. On the contrary, I know and understand all this matter, for
+I see that you were insulted on purpose. Indeed, that same jealousy,
+which on a dying horse failed to ride living wolves down, increased
+later on the desire for vengeance. I was not alone in seeing how that
+'cavalier,' whom you defend so magnanimously, gave occasion and did
+everything from the earliest moment of meeting to force you to that
+action. But the fault is mine more than any man's, since I was mild
+with him, and did not tell the man to find for himself at a fair or a
+dram shop more fitting society."
+
+When Yatsek heard this his face grew as pale as linen. As to the
+priest, the blood rose to his forehead.
+
+"He was challenged! What was he to do? Be ashamed of yourself!"
+exclaimed Father Voynovski.
+
+But Pan Gideon looked down at him and answered,--
+
+"Those are worldly questions, in which the laity are as experienced,
+and more so, than the clergy, but I will answer your question, so that
+no one here should accuse me of injustice. 'What was he to do?' As a
+younger to an older man, as a guest to his host, as a man who ate my
+bread so many times when he had none of his own to eat, he should first
+of all have informed me of the question. And I with my dignity of a
+host would have settled it, and not have let matters come to this: that
+my rescuers, and such worthy gentlemen, are lying here in their own
+blood on straw in this hut as in a hog pen."
+
+"You would have thought me a coward!" cried Yatsek, trembling as in a
+fever.
+
+Pan Gideon did not answer a word, and feigned, as he had from the
+first, not to see him. Instead of answering he turned then to
+Stanislav, and continued,--
+
+"I, with Pan Grothus the starosta, will go to your father in Yedlinka
+this instant, to express our condolence. I doubt not that he will
+accept my hospitality, hence I invite you with your comrades here
+present to return to my mansion. I also remind you that you are here by
+chance merely, and that at the moment you are really my guests, to whom
+I wish with all my heart to show gratitude. Your father, Pan
+Tsyprianovitch, cannot visit the man who has wounded you, and under my
+roof you will have greater comfort, and will not die of hunger, which
+might happen very easily in this place."
+
+Stanislav was troubled greatly and delayed for a while to give answer,
+both out of regard for Yatsek, and because that, being a very decent
+young man, he was concerned about propriety; meanwhile his lip and
+chin, which had swollen beneath the plaster, deformed him very
+sensibly.
+
+"We have felt neither hunger nor thirst here," said he, "as has been
+shown already; but in truth we are guests of your grace, and my father,
+not knowing how things have happened, might hesitate to come to us. But
+how am I to appear before those ladies, your grace's relatives, with a
+face which could rouse only abhorrence?"
+
+Then his face twisted, for his lip pained him from long speaking, and
+his features, in fact, were not beautiful at the moment.
+
+"Be not troubled. Those ladies feel disgust, but not toward your
+wounds, after the healing of which your former good-looks will return
+to you. Three sleighs will come here with servants immediately, and in
+my house good beds are waiting. Meanwhile, farewell, since it is time
+for me and Pan Grothus to set out for Yedlinka--With the forehead!"
+
+And he bowed once to the five nobles. To Father Voynovski he bowed
+specially, but he made no inclination whatever to Yatsek. When near the
+door the priest approached him.
+
+"You have too little justice and too little tenderness," said he.
+
+"I acknowledge sins only at confession," retorted Pan Gideon, and he
+passed through the doorway. After him went the starosta, Pan Grothus.
+
+Yatsek had been a whole hour as if tortured. His face changed, and at
+moments he knew not whether to fall at the feet of Pan Gideon with a
+prayer for forgiveness, or spring at his throat and avenge the
+humiliation through which he was passing. But he remembered that he was
+in his own house, that before him was standing the guardian of Panna
+Anulka; hence, as the two men walked out he moved after them, not
+giving an account to himself of his action, but because of custom which
+commanded to conduct guests, and in some kind of blind hope that
+perhaps even at parting the stubborn Pan Gideon would bow to him. But
+this hope failed him also; only Pan Grothus, a kindly man, as was
+evident, and of good wit pressed his hand at the entrance, and
+whispered, "Despair not, his first rage will pass, cavalier, and all
+will arrange itself."
+
+Yatsek did not think thus, and he would have been sure that his case
+was lost utterly had he known that Pan Gideon, though indignant,
+feigned anger far more than he felt it.
+
+Stanislav and the Bukoyemskis were his rescuers, but Yatsek had not
+killed them, and a duel of itself was too common to rouse such
+unmerciful hatred. But Pan Gideon, from the moment that the starosta
+had told him how aged men marry and sometimes have children, looked
+with other eyes upon Panna Anulka. That which perhaps had never
+occurred to him earlier, seemed all at once possible and also alluring.
+At thought of the charms of that maiden, marvellous as a rose, the soul
+warmed in him, and still more powerfully did pride play in the old
+noble. So then, the race of Pangovski might flourish afresh and bloom
+up again; and besides, born from such a patrician as Panna Anulka, not
+only related to all the great houses in the Commonwealth, but herself
+the last sprout of a race from whose wealth rose in greater part the
+Sobieskis, Jolkievskis, Daniloviches, and many others. There was a
+whirl in Pan Gideon's brain at the thought of this, and he felt that
+not only he but the Commonwealth was concerned in Pangovskis of that
+kind. So straightway fear rose in him lest it should happen that the
+lady might love some one else, and give her hand to another man. One
+more important than himself in that region, he had not discovered;
+there were younger men, however. But who? Pan Stanislav? Yes! He was
+young, of good looks, very rich, but noble in the third generation,
+descended from ennobled Armenians. That such a _homo novus_ should
+indeed strive for Panna Anulka could not find place in the head of Pan
+Gideon in any shape. It was laughable to think of the Bukoyemskis,
+though good nobles and claiming kindred with Saint Peter. There
+remained then Tachevski alone, a real "Lazarus," it is true, as poor as
+a church mouse, but from an ancient stock of great knights; from
+Tachevo who had the Kovala escutcheon, one of whom was a real giant,
+and had taken part in the dreadful defeat of the Germans at Tannenberg;
+he had been famous not only in the Commonwealth but at foreign courts
+also. Only a Tachevski could compare with the Sieninskis. Besides, he
+was young, daring, handsome, and melancholy; this last often moves the
+heart in a woman. He was also at home in Belchantska, and seemed a
+friend, nay, a brother to the lady. Hence, Pan Gideon fell now to
+recalling various cases, as, for instance, disputes and poutings among
+the young people, then their reconciliations and friendship, then
+various words and glances, sadness and rejoicing in common, and
+laughter. Things which a short time before he had thought scarcely
+worthy of notice seemed now suspicious. Yes! danger could threaten only
+from that side. The old noble thought, also, that Panna Anulka might,
+in part at least, be the cause of the duel, and he was terrified.
+Hence, to anticipate the danger, he tried to present to the young lady
+in the strongest light possible, all the dishonor of Yatsek's late
+action, and to rouse in her due anger; and then by feigning greater
+rage than he felt, or than the case called for, to burn all the bridges
+between his own mansion and Vyrambki, and, when he had humiliated
+Yatsek without mercy, to close the doors of the house to him forever.
+
+And he was reaching his object. Yatsek walked back from the porch, took
+a seat at the table, thrust his fingers through his hair, supported his
+elbows, and was as silent as if pain had taken speech from him. Father
+Voynovski approached and put his hand on his shoulder.
+
+"Yatsus, suffer what thou must," said he, "but a foot of thine should
+never enter that mansion hereafter."
+
+"It never will," replied Yatsek, in a dull voice.
+
+"But yield not to pain. Remember who thou art."
+
+The young man set his teeth.
+
+"I remember, but for that very reason pain burns me!"
+
+"No one here applauds Pan Gideon for his action," said Stanislav. "It
+is one thing to censure, and another to trample a man's honor."
+
+Hereupon the Bukoyemskis were moving, and Mateush, whom speech troubled
+least, added promptly,--
+
+"Under his roof I will say nothing, but when I recover and meet him on
+the road, or at a neighbor's, I will tell him to kiss a dog's snout
+that same minute."
+
+"O, yei!" said Marek. "To insult such a cavalier! The hour will come
+when that will not be forgiven him."
+
+Meanwhile three sleighs with sofas and three servants, besides drivers,
+appeared to convey the wounded men to Belchantska. Because of regard
+for the expected arrival of Pan Serafin, Yatsek dared not detain them,
+and because also of this: that they were really the guests of Pan
+Gideon. As to the men, they would not have remained after hearing of
+Yatsek's great poverty lest they might burden him. They took farewell
+and gave thanks for his hospitality with a heartiness as great as if
+there had never been a quarrel between them.
+
+But when Stanislav was taking his seat in the last sleigh Yatsek sprang
+forward on a sudden,--
+
+"I will go with you," said he. "I cannot endure to do otherwise! I
+cannot endure! Before Pan Gideon returns I must--for the last time--"
+
+Father Voynovski, since he knew Yatsek, knew that words would be
+useless; still, he drew him aside and began to expostulate,--
+
+"Yatsek! O Yatsek! a woman again. God grant that a still greater wrong
+may not meet thee. O Yatsek, remember the words of Ecclesiastes: 'In a
+thousand I found one man, among all I found not one woman.' Take pity
+on thyself and remember this."
+
+But these words were as peas against a battlement. In a moment Yatsek
+was sitting in the sleigh at the side of Stanislav, and they started.
+
+Meanwhile the east wind had broken the mist and driven it to the
+wilderness; then the bright sun from a blue sky looked at them.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER IV
+
+
+Pan Gideon had not invented when he spoke of the "abhorrence" which at
+his house both women felt for the conqueror. Yatsek convinced himself
+of this from one glance at them. Pani Vinnitski met him with an
+offended face, and snatched her hand away when he wished to kiss it in
+greeting; and the young lady, without compassion for his suffering and
+embarrassment, did not answer his greeting. She was occupied with
+Stanislav, sparing neither tender looks nor anxious questions; she
+pushed her care so far that when he rose from the armchair in the
+dining-room to go to the chamber set apart for the wounded she
+supported him by the arm, and though he opposed and excused himself she
+conducted him to the threshold.
+
+"For thee there is nothing in this house. All is lost!" cried despair
+and also jealousy in Yatsek's heart at sight of this action. Toward him
+that maiden had shown changing humors, and with one kindly word had
+given usually ten that were cold, when not biting, hence his pain was
+the keener, that till then he had not supposed that she could be kind,
+sweet, and angel-like to a man whom she loved really. That Panna Anulka
+loved Stanislav the ill-fated Yatsek had no doubt whatever. He would
+have endured not only such a wound as that given Stanislav, but would
+have shed all his blood with delight, if she would speak even once in
+her life to him with such a voice, and look with such eyes at him as
+she had looked then at Stanislav. Hence, besides pain, an immeasurable
+sorrow now seized him. This sent a torrent of tears toward his
+eyeballs, and if those tears did not gush out and flow down his cheeks,
+they flooded his heart and pervaded his being. Thus did Yatsek feel his
+whole breast fill with tears, and, to give the last blow at this
+juncture, never had Panna Anulka seemed to him so beautiful beyond
+measure as at that moment, with her pale face and her crown of golden
+hair slightly dishevelled from emotion. "She is an angel, but not for
+thee," complained the sorrow within him; "wonderful, but another will
+take her!" And he would have fallen at her feet and confessed all his
+suffering and devotion, but at the same time he felt that just after
+that which had happened it would not be proper to do so, and that if he
+did not control himself and stifle the struggle in his spirit he would
+tell her something quite different from that which he wanted, and sink
+himself utterly in her estimation.
+
+Meanwhile Pani Vinnitski, as an elderly person and one skilled in
+medicine, entered the chamber with Stanislav, while the young lady
+turned back from the threshold. Yatsek, understanding that he must use
+the opportunity approached her.
+
+"I should like a word with you," said he, struggling to control
+himself, and with a trembling voice which, as it were, belonged to
+another.
+
+She looked at him with cold astonishment.
+
+"What do you wish?"
+
+Yatsek's face was lighted with a smile of such pain that it was almost
+like that of a martyr.
+
+"What I wish for myself will not come to me, though I were to give my
+own soul's salvation to get it," said he, shaking his head; "but for
+one thing I beg you: do not accuse me, cherish no offence against me,
+have some compassion, for I am not of wood nor of iron."
+
+"I have no word to say," replied she, "and there is no time for
+talking."
+
+"Ah! there is always some time to say a kind word to the man for whom
+this world is grievous."
+
+"Is it because you have wounded my rescuers?"
+
+"The blame is not mine, as God stands by the innocent! The messenger
+who came for those gentlemen to Vyrambki should have declared what
+Father Voynovski told him to tell here; namely, that I did not
+challenge them. Did you know that they were the challengers?"
+
+"I did. The attendant, being a simple man, did not repeat, it is true,
+every word which the priest sent; he merely cried out that 'the young
+lord of Vyrambki had slashed them to pieces;' then Pan Gideon, on
+returning from Vyrambki, ran in from the road and explained what had
+happened."
+
+Pan Gideon feared lest the news that Yatsek had been challenged might
+reach the young lady from other lips and weaken her anger, hence he
+wished above all to describe the affair in his own way, not delaying to
+add that Yatsek by venomous insults had forced them to challenge him.
+He reckoned on this: that Panna Anulka, taking things woman fashion,
+would be on the side of the men who had suffered most.
+
+Still, it seemed to Yatsek that the beloved eyes looked on him less
+severely, so he repeated the question,--
+
+"Did you know this position?"
+
+"I knew," replied she, "but I remember that which you should not have
+forgotten if you had even a trifling regard for me,--that I owe my life
+to those gentlemen. And I have learnt from my guardian that you forced
+them to challenge you."
+
+"I, not have regard for you? Let God, who looks into men's hearts,
+judge that statement."
+
+All on a sudden her eyes blinked time after time; then she shook her
+head till a tress fell to the opposite shoulder, and she said,--
+
+"Is that true?"
+
+"True, true!" continued he, in a panting and deeply sad voice. "I
+should have let men cut me down, it seems, so as not to annoy you. The
+blood which was dearest to you would not have been shed then. But there
+is no help now for the omission. There is no help now for anything!
+Your guardian told you that I forced those gentlemen to challenge me. I
+leave that too to God's judgment. But did your guardian tell you that
+he himself had insulted me beyond mercy and measure beneath my own roof
+tree? I have come now to you because I knew that I should not find him
+here. I have come to satisfy my unhappy eyes with the last look at you.
+I know that this is all one to you, but I thought that even in that
+case--"
+
+Here Yatsek halted, for tears stopped his utterance. Parma Anulka's
+mouth began also to quiver and to take on more and more the shape of a
+horseshoe, and only haughtiness joined to timidity, the timidity of a
+maiden, struggled in her with emotion. But perhaps she was restrained
+by this also: that she wished to get from Yatsek a still more
+complaining confession, and perhaps because she did not believe that he
+would go from her and never come back again. More than once there had
+been misunderstandings between them, more than once had Pan Gideon
+offended him greatly, and still, after brief exhibitions of anger,
+there had followed silent or spoken explanations and all had gone on
+again in the old way.
+
+"So it will be this time also," thought Panna Anulka.
+
+For her it was sweet to listen to Yatsek and to see that great love
+which, though it dared not express itself in determinate utterance, was
+still beaming from him with a submission which was matched only by its
+mightiness. Hence she yearned to hear him speak with her the longest
+time possible with that wondrous voice, and to lay at her feet for the
+longest time possible that young, loving, pained heart of his.
+
+But he, inexperienced in love matters and blind as are all who love
+really, could not take note of this, and did not know what was
+happening within her. He looked on her silence as hardened
+indifference, and bitterness was gradually drowning his spirit. The
+calmness with which he had spoken at first began now to desert him, his
+eyes took on another light, drops of cold sweat came out on his
+temples: something was tearing and breaking the soul in him. He was
+seized by despair of such kind that when a man lies in the grip of it
+he reckons with nothing, and is ready with his own hands to tear his
+own wounded heart open. He spoke yet as it were calmly, but his voice
+had a new sound, it was firmer, though hoarser.
+
+"Is this the case," asked he, "and is there not one word from thee?"
+
+Panna Anulka shrugged her shoulders in silence.
+
+"The priest told me the truth when he warned that here a still greater
+wrong was in store for me."
+
+"In what have I wronged thee?" asked she, bitterly, pained by the
+sudden change which she saw in him.
+
+But he waded on farther in blindness.
+
+"Had I not seen how thou didst treat this Pan Stanislav, I should think
+that thou hadst no heart in thy bosom. Thou hast a heart, but for him,
+not for me. He glanced at thee, and that was sufficient."
+
+Then Yatsek grasped the hair of his head with both hands on a sudden.
+
+"Would to God that I had cut him to pieces!"
+
+A flame flashed, as it were, through Panna Anulka; her cheeks
+crimsoned, anger blazed in her eyes as well at herself as at Yatsek;
+because a moment before she had been ready for weeping, her heart was
+seized now by indignation, deep and sudden.
+
+"You, sir, have lost your senses!" cried she, raising her head and
+shaking back the tress from her shoulder.
+
+She was on the point of rushing away, but that brought Yatsek to utter
+desperation; he seized her hands and detained her.
+
+"Not thou art to go. I am the person to go," said he, with set teeth.
+"And before going I say this to thee: though for years I have loved
+thee more than health, more than life, and more than my own soul, I
+will never come back to thee. I will gnaw my own hands off in torture,
+but, so help me, God, I will never come back to thee!"
+
+Then, forgetting his worn Hungarian cap on the floor there, he sprang
+to the doorway, and in an instant she saw him through the window,
+hurrying away along the garden by which the road to Vyrambki was
+shorter,--and he vanished.
+
+Panna Anulka stood for a time as if a thunderbolt had struck her. Her
+thoughts had scattered like a flock of birds in every direction; she
+knew not what had happened. But when thoughts returned to her all
+feeling of offence was extinguished, and in her ears were sounding only
+the words: "I loved thee more than health, more than life, more than my
+own soul, but I will never come back to thee!" She felt now that in
+truth he would never come back, just because he had loved her so
+tremendously. Why had she not given him even one kind word for which,
+before anger had swept the man off, he had begged as if for alms, or a
+morsel of bread to give strength on a journey? And now endless grief
+and fear seized her. He had rushed off in pain and in madness. He may
+fall on the road somewhere. He may in despair work on himself something
+evil, and one heartfelt word might have healed and cured everything.
+Let him hear her voice even. He must go, beyond the garden, through the
+meadow to the river. He will hear her there yet before he vanishes.
+
+And rushing from the house she ran to the garden. Deep snow lay on the
+middle path, but his tracks there were evident. She ran in them. She
+sank at times to her knees, and on the road lost her rosary, her
+handkerchief, and her workbag with thread in it, and, panting, she
+reached the garden gate finally.
+
+"Pan Yatsek! Pan Yatsek!" cried she.
+
+But the field beyond the garden was empty. Besides, that same wind
+which had blown the morning haze off, made a great sound among the
+branches of apple and pear trees; her weak voice was lost in that sound
+altogether. Then, not regarding the cold nor her light, indoor
+clothing, she sat on a bench near the gate and fell to crying. Tears as
+large as pearls dropped down her cheeks and she, having nothing else
+now with which to remove them, brushed those tears away with that tress
+on her shoulder.
+
+"He will not come back."
+
+Meanwhile the wind sounded louder and louder, shaking wet snow from the
+dark branches.
+
+When Yatsek rushed into his house like a whirlwind, without cap and
+with dishevelled hair, the priest divined clearly enough what had
+happened.
+
+"I foretold this," said he. "God give thee aid, O my Yatsek; but I ask
+nothing till thou hast come to thy mind and art quiet."
+
+"Ended! All is ended!" said Yatsek.
+
+And he walked up and down in the chamber, like a wild beast in
+confinement.
+
+The priest said no word, interrupted him in nothing, and only after
+long waiting did he rise, put his arms around Yatsek's shoulders, kiss
+his head, and lead him by the hand to an alcove.
+
+The old man knelt before a small crucifix which was hanging over the
+bed there, and when the sufferer had knelt at his side the priest
+prayed as follows:
+
+"O Lord, Thou knowest what pain is, for Thou didst endure it on the
+cross for the offences of mankind.
+
+"Hence I bring my bleeding heart to Thee, and at Thy feet which are
+pierced I implore Thee for mercy.
+
+"I cry not to Thee: 'take this pain from me,' but I cry 'give me
+strength to endure it.'
+
+"For I, O Lord, am a soldier submissive to Thy order, and I desire much
+to serve Thee, and the Commonwealth, my mother-- But how can I do this
+when my heart is faint and my right hand is weakened?
+
+"Because of this make me forget myself and make me think only of Thy
+glory, and the rescue of my mother, for those things are of far greater
+moment than the pain of a pitiful worm, such as I am.
+
+"And strengthen me, O Lord, in my saddle, so that through lofty deeds
+against pagans I may reach a glorious death, and also heaven.
+
+"By Thy crown of thorns, hear me!
+
+"By the wound in Thy side, hear me!
+
+"By Thy hands and feet pierced with nails, hear me!"
+
+Then they knelt for a long time, but at the middle of the prayer it was
+evident that the pain in Yatsek's breast had broken, for on a sudden he
+covered his face with both hands and fell to sobbing. When they had
+risen and gone to the adjoining chamber Father Voynovski sighed deeply.
+
+"My Yatsek," said he, "I saw much of life in my years of a warrior,
+during which sorrow greater than thine met me. I have no thought to
+speak touching this to thee. I will say only that in a time of most
+terrible anguish I composed this very prayer and to it owe deliverance.
+I have repeated it frequently in misfortune since that day, and always
+with solace; we have repeated it now for this reason. And how dost thou
+feel? Art thou not freed in some measure? Pray tell me!"
+
+"I feel pain, but it burns less severely."
+
+"Ah, seest thou! Now drink some wine. I will tell thee, or rather I
+will show thee, something which should give thee comfort. Look!"
+
+And bending his head down he showed beneath his white hair a dreadful
+scar, which passed across his whole crown from one side to the other.
+
+"From that," said he, "I came very near dying. The wound pained me
+awfully, but the scar gives no trouble. In like manner, Yatsek, thy
+wound will cease to pain when a scar takes the place of it. Tell me now
+what has happened to thee."
+
+Yatsek began, but met failure. It was not in his nature to invent, or
+increase, or exaggerate, so now he himself wondered over this: that all
+which had torn him with such torture seemed less cruel in the
+narrative. But Father Voynovski, clearly a man of experience, and
+knowing the world, heard him out to the end, and then added,--
+
+"It is difficult, I understand that, to describe looks or even gestures
+which may be altogether contemptuous and insulting. Often even one
+look, or one wave of the hand, has led men to duels and to bloodshed.
+The main point is this: thou hast told the young lady that thou wilt
+not go back to her. Youth is giddy, and when guided by sadness it
+changes as the moon in the sky does. And love too is like that
+mendacious moon, which when it seems to decrease is just growing and
+swelling toward its fulness. How is it then, hast thou the true wish of
+doing what thy words tell me?"
+
+"So help me, God, I have told my whole wish, and if thou desire I will
+repeat the same in an oath on that cross there."
+
+"And what dost thou think to do?"
+
+"To go into the world."
+
+"I have been hoping for that. I have desired it this long time. I have
+known what detained thee, but go now. When thou hast broken thy fetters
+go into the world. Thou wilt wait for no good thing in this place, no
+good thing has met thee here, or will meet thee here ever. To thee the
+life here has been ruin. It was a happiness that I was near by and
+trained thee in Latin, and in working with thy sword even somewhat;
+without these two kinds of knowledge thou wouldst have dropped down to
+be a peasant. Thank me not, Yatsus, for that was pure devotion on my
+part. I shall be sad here without thee, but I am not in question. Thou
+wilt go into the world. That, as I understand, means that thou wilt
+join the army. That road is the straightest and the most honorable,
+also, especially since war with the pagan is approaching. The pen and
+the chancellery are more certain, men tell us, than promotion from the
+sabre, but they are less fitted for blood such as thine is."
+
+"I have not thought of another service," said Yatsek, "but I shall not
+join the infantry, and I cannot in any way reach the higher banners,
+for I am in terrible poverty--"
+
+"A noble who has Latin on his tongue and a sabre in his fist will make
+his way always," interrupted the priest; "but there is no need of
+talking, thou must have good horses. We must think over this carefully.
+Now I will tell thee something of which I have never yet spoken. I hold
+for thee ten ruddy ducats which thy late mother left with me--and her
+letter, in which she begs not to give thee this money, lest it be spent
+ere the time comes. Only in sudden need may I give it when either
+the ferry or the wagon is awaiting thee--when some dilemma presents
+itself--well, the dilemma is here at this moment! Thou hadst an
+honorable, a holy, and an unhappy mother, for when that woman was dying
+there was great need in her dwelling, and she took from her own mouth
+that which she left with me."
+
+"God give eternal rest to her," said Yatsek. "Let those ten ducats be
+used for masses to benefit her soul, and Vyrambki I will sell even for
+a trifle."
+
+Father Voynovski grew very tender at these words; a tear glistened in
+his eye, and again he put his arms around Yatsek.
+
+"There is honest blood in thee," said he, "but thou art not free to
+reject this gift from thy mother, even for the purpose which thou hast
+mentioned. Masses will not be lacking in her case, be sure of that,
+though in truth she has no great need of them; but to other souls
+suffering in purgatory they will be of service. As to Vyrambki it would
+be better to mortgage it; though a noble has but the smallest estate,
+how differently do people esteem him from one who is landless."
+
+"But I am in a hurry. I should like to go even to-day."
+
+"To-day thou wilt not go, though the sooner the better. I must write
+for thee letters to my comrades and friends. We must talk also with the
+brewers in Yedlina who have money and also good horses, so that no
+armored warrior may have a better outfit. In my house there are some
+old arms and some sabres, not so much ornamented as tested on Swedish
+and Turkish shoulders."
+
+Here the priest looked through the window and said,--
+
+"But the sleigh is waiting, and a traveller should start when his
+sleigh comes."
+
+An expression of pain now shot over the face of the young man; he
+kissed the priest's hand and added,--
+
+"I have one other prayer, my benefactor and father; let me go with you
+now and live in your house till I leave this region. Those roofs are
+visible from this dwelling. They are too near me."
+
+"Of course! I wished to propose this; thou hast taken the words from my
+lips. There is no work for thee here, and I shall be glad from my soul
+to have thee under my roof tree. Be of good cheer, O my Yatsus. The
+world does not end in Belchantska, but stands open widely before thee.
+God alone knows how far thou wilt ride when once thou art on horseback.
+War is awaiting thee! Glory is awaiting thee! and that which pains thee
+to-day will be healed at another time. I see now how the wings are
+growing out at thy shoulders. Fly then, O bird of the Lord, for to that
+wert thou predestined and created."
+
+And joy like a sunray lighted up the honest face of the old man. He
+struck his thigh with his palm, soldier fashion.
+
+"Now take thy cap and we will go."
+
+But small things stand often in the way of important ones, and the
+comic is mixed with the tragic. Yatsek glanced round the room; then he
+gazed with concern at the priest, and repeated,--
+
+"My cap!"
+
+"Well! Thou wilt not go bareheaded--"
+
+"How could I?"
+
+"Where is it?"
+
+"But suppose it remained at Belchantska?"
+
+"There are thy love tricks, old woman! What wilt thou do?"
+
+"What shall I do? I might get a cap from my man, but I could not go in
+the cap of a peasant."
+
+"Thou canst not go in a peasant's cap, but send thy man to
+Belchantska."
+
+"I would not for anything."
+
+The priest was becoming impatient.
+
+"Plague take it! War, glory, the wide world--these are all waiting for
+the man, but his cap is gone!"
+
+"There is an old hat in the bottom of a trunk which my father took from
+a Swedish officer at Tremeshno--"
+
+"Take it, and let us go."
+
+Yatsek vanished and returned a little later wearing the yellow hat of a
+Swedish horseman, which was too large for him. Amused by the sight of
+it, the priest caught at his left side as if seeking his sabre.
+
+"It is well," said he, "that it is not a Turkish turban. But this is a
+real carnival!"
+
+Yatsek smiled in reply, and then added,--
+
+"There are some stones in the buckle; they may be of value."
+
+Then they took seats in the sleigh and moved forward. Immediately
+beyond the enclosure Belchantska and the mansion were as visible
+through leafless alders as something on one's hand. The priest looked
+carefully at Yatsek, who merely drew the big Swedish hat over his eyes
+and did not look, though something besides his Hungarian cap had been
+left in the mansion.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER V
+
+
+"He will not come back! All is lost!" exclaimed Panna Anulka to herself
+at the first moment.
+
+And a marvellous thing! There were five men in that mansion, one of
+whom was young and presentable; and besides Pan Grothus, the starosta,
+Pan Serafin was expected. In a word, rarely had there been so many
+guests at Belchantska. Meanwhile it seemed to the young lady that a
+vacuum had surrounded her suddenly, and that some immense want had come
+with it; that the mansion was empty, the garden empty, and that she
+herself was as much alone as if in an unoccupied steppe land, and that
+she would continue to be thus forever.
+
+Hence her heart was as straitened with merciless sorrow as if she had
+lost one who was nearest of all to her. She felt sure that Yatsek would
+not return, all the more since her guardian had offended him mortally;
+still, she could not imagine how it would be without him, without
+his face, his laughter, his words, his glances. What would happen
+to-morrow, after to-morrow, next week, next month? For what would she
+rise from her bed every morning? Why would she arrange her tresses? For
+whom would she dress and curl her hair? For what was she now to live?
+
+And she had a feeling as if her heart had been a candle which some one
+had quenched by blowing it out on a sudden. There was nothing save
+darkness and a vacuum.
+
+But when she entered the room and saw that Hungarian cap on the floor,
+all those indefinite feelings gave way to an enormous and simple
+yearning for Yatsek. Her heart grew warm in her again, and she began to
+call him by name. Therewith a certain gleam of hope flew through her
+spirit. Raising the cap she pressed it to her bosom unwittingly; then
+she put it in her sleeve and began to think thuswise: "He will not come
+as hitherto daily, but before the return of Pan Grothus and my guardian
+from Yedlinka, he must come for his cap, so I shall see him and say
+that he was unjust and cruel, and that he should not have done what he
+has done."
+
+But she was not sincere with herself, for she wished to say more, to
+find some warm, heartfelt word which would join again the threads newly
+broken between them. If this could happen, if they could meet without
+anger in the church, or at odd times in the houses of neighbors, means
+would be found in the future to turn everything to profit. What methods
+there might be to do this, and what the profit could be, she did not
+stop to consider at the moment, for beyond all she was thinking how to
+see Yatsek at the earliest.
+
+Meanwhile Pani Vinnitski came out of the chamber in which the wounded
+men were then lying, and on seeing the excited face and reddened eyes
+of the young woman she began thus to quiet her.
+
+"Fear not, no harm will come to them. Only one of the Bukoyemskis is
+struck a little seriously, but no harm will happen even to that one.
+The others are injured slightly. Father Voynovski dressed their wounds
+with such skill that there is no need to change anything. The men too
+are cheerful and in perfect spirits."
+
+"Thanks be to God!"
+
+"But has Yatsek gone? What did he want here?"
+
+"He brought the wounded men hither--"
+
+"I know, but who would have expected this of him?"
+
+"They themselves challenged him."
+
+"They do not deny that, but he beat all five of them, one after
+another. One might have thought that a clucking hen could have beaten
+him."
+
+"Aunt does not know the man," answered Panna Anulka, with a certain
+pride in her expression.
+
+But in the voice of Pani Vinnitski there was as much admiration as
+blame; for, born in regions exposed to Tartar inroads at all times, she
+had learned from childhood to count daring and skill at the sabre as
+the highest virtues of manhood. So, when the earliest alarm touching
+the five guests had vanished, she began to look somewhat differently at
+that duel.
+
+"Still," continued she, "I must confess that they are worthy gentlemen,
+for not only do they cherish no hatred against him, but they praise
+him, especially Pan Stanislav. 'That man is a born soldier,' said he.
+And they were angry every man of them at Pan Gideon, who exceeded the
+measure, they say, at Vyrambki."
+
+"But aunt did not receive Yatsek better."
+
+"He got the reception which he merited. But didst thou receive him
+well?"
+
+"I?"
+
+"Yes, thou. I saw how thou didst frown at him."
+
+"My dear aunt--"
+
+Here the girl stopped suddenly, for she felt that unless she did so,
+she would burst into weeping. Because of this conversation Yatsek had
+grown in her eyes. He had fought alone against such trained men, had
+conquered them all, overcome them. He had told her, it is true, that he
+hunted wild boars with a spear, but peasants at the edge of the
+wilderness go against them with clubs, so that amazes no one. But to
+finish five knightly nobles a man must be better and more valiant and
+skilful than they. It seemed to Panna Anulka simply a marvel that a man
+who had such mild and sad eyes could be so terrible in battle. To her
+alone had he yielded; from her alone had he suffered everything; to her
+alone had he been mild and pliant. Why was this? Because he had loved
+her beyond his health, beyond happiness, beyond his own soul's
+salvation. He had confessed that to her an hour earlier. And yearning
+for him rushed like an immense wave to her heart again. Still, she felt
+that something between them had changed, and that if she should see him
+anew, and see him afterward often, she would not permit herself to play
+with him again as she had played up to that day, now casting him into
+the abyss, now cheering him, giving him hope, now thrusting him away,
+now attracting him; she felt that do what she might she would look on
+him with greater respect, and would be more submissive and cautious.
+
+At moments, however, a voice was heard in her saying that he had acted
+too peevishly, that he had uttered words more offensive and bitter than
+she had; but that voice became weaker and weaker, and the wish for
+reconciliation was growing.
+
+"If he would only return before those men came from Yedlinka!"
+
+Meanwhile an hour passed, then two and three hours. Still, there was no
+sign from Yatsek. Next it occurred to her that the hour was too late,
+that he would not come, he would send some one to get the cap. After
+that she determined to send it to Yatsek with a letter, in which she
+would explain what was weighing her heart down. And since his messenger
+might come any moment she, to prepare all things in season, shut
+herself up in her small maiden chamber and went at the letter.
+
+"May God pardon thee for the suffering and sadness in which thou hast
+left me, for if thou couldst see my heart thou wouldst not have done
+what thou hast done. Therefore, I send not only thy cap, but a kind
+word, so that thou shouldst be happy and forget--"
+
+Here she saw that she was not writing her own thoughts at all, or her
+wishes, so, drawing her pen through the words, she fell to writing a
+new letter with more emotion and feeling:
+
+"I send thy cap, for I know that I shall not see thee in this house
+hereafter, and that thou wilt not weep for any one here, least of all
+for such an orphan as I am; but neither shall I weep because of thy
+injustice, though it is sad beyond description--"
+
+But reality showed these words to be false, since sudden tears put
+blots on the paper. How send a proof of this kind, especially if he had
+thrown her out of his heart altogether? After a while it occurred to
+her that it might be better not to write of his injustice, and of his
+peevish procedure, since, if she did, he would be ready for still
+greater stubbornness. Thus thinking, she looked for a third sheet of
+paper, but there was no more in her chamber.
+
+Now she was helpless, for if she borrowed paper of Pani Vinnitski she
+could not avoid questions impossible of answer; then she felt that she
+was losing her head, and that in no case could she write to Yatsek that
+which she wanted to tell him; hence she grew disconsolate and sought,
+as women do usually, solace in suffering; she gave a free course to her
+tears again.
+
+Meanwhile night was in front of the entrance, and sleighbells were
+tinkling--Pan Gideon and his two guests were coming. The servants were
+lighting the candles in every chamber, for the gloom was increasing.
+The young lady brushed aside every tear and entered the drawing-room
+with, a certain timidity; she feared that all would see straightway
+that she had been weeping, and have, God knows what suspicions,--they
+might even torment her with questions. But in the drawing-room there
+were none save Pan Gideon and Pan Grothus. For Pan Serafin she asked
+straightway, wishing to turn attention from her own person.
+
+"He has gone to his son and the Bukoyemskis," said Pan Gideon, "but I
+pacified him on the road by showing that nothing evil had happened."
+
+Then he looked at her carefully, but his face, gloomy at most times,
+and his gray, severe eyes were bright with a sort of exceptional
+kindness. Approaching, he placed his hand on the bright head of the
+maiden.
+
+"There is no need for thee to be troubled," said he. "In a couple of
+days they will be well, every man of them. We need say no more. We owe
+them gratitude, it is true, and hence I was anxious about them, but
+really, they are strangers to us, and of rather lowly condition."
+
+"Lowly condition?" repeated she, as an echo, and merely to say
+something.
+
+"Why, yes, for the Bukoyemskis have nothing whatever, and Pan Stanislav
+is a _homo novus_. For that matter, what are they to me! They will go
+their way, and the same quiet will be in this house as has been here
+hitherto."
+
+Panna Anulka thought to herself that there would be great quiet indeed,
+for there would be only three in the mansion; but she gave no
+expression to that thought.
+
+"I will busy myself with the supper," said she.
+
+"Go, housewife, go!" said Pan Gideon. "Because of thee there is joy in
+the household, and profit--and have a silver service brought on," added
+he, "to show this Pan Serafin that good plate is found not alone among
+newly made noble Armenians."
+
+Panna Anulka hurried to the servants' apartments. She wished before
+supper to finish another affair most important for her, so she summoned
+a serving-lad, and said to him,--
+
+"Listen, Voitushko; run to Vyrambki and tell Pan Tachevski that the
+young lady sends this cap, and bows very much to him. Here is a coin
+for thee, and repeat what thou art to tell him."
+
+"The young lady sends the cap and bows to him."
+
+"Not that she bows, but that she bows very much to him--dost
+understand?"
+
+"I understand."
+
+"Then stir! And take an overcoat, for the frost bites in the
+night-time. Let the dogs go with thee, too--that she bows very much,
+remember. And come back at once--unless Pan Tachevski gives an answer."
+
+Having finished that affair she withdrew to the kitchen to busy herself
+at the supper which was then almost ready since they had been expecting
+guests with Pan Gideon. Then, after she had dressed and arranged her
+hair, she entered the dining-hall.
+
+Pan Sarafin greeted her kindly, for her beauty and youth had pleased
+his heart greatly at Yedlinka. Since he had been put quite at rest
+touching Stanislav, when they were seated at the table he began to
+speak with her joyously, endeavoring, even with jests, to scatter that
+shade of seriousness which he saw on her forehead, and the cause of
+which he attributed specially to the duel.
+
+But for her the supper was not to end without incident, since
+immediately after the second course Voitushko stood at the door of the
+dining-hall and cried out, as he blew his chilled fingers,--
+
+"I beg the young lady's attention. I left the cap, but Pan Tachevski is
+not in Vyrambki, for he drove away with Father Voynovski."
+
+Pan Gideon on hearing these words was astonished; he frowned, and fixed
+his iron eyes on the serving-lad.
+
+"What is this?" asked he. "What cap? Who sent thee to Vyrambki?"
+
+"The young lady," answered the lad with timidity.
+
+"I sent him," said Panna Anulka.
+
+And seeing that all eyes were turned on her she was dreadfully
+embarrassed, but the elusive wit of a woman soon came to her
+assistance.
+
+"Pan Yatsek attended the wounded men hither," said she; "but since
+auntie and I received him with harshness he was angry and flew away
+home without his cap, so I sent the cap after him."
+
+"Indeed, we did not receive him very charmingly," added Pani Vinnitski.
+
+Pan Gideon drew breath and his face took on a less dreadful expression.
+
+"Ye did well," remarked he. "I myself would have sent the cap, for of
+course he has not a second one."
+
+But the honest and clever Pan Serafin took the part of Yatsek.
+
+"My son," said he, "has no feeling against him. He and the other
+gentlemen forced Pan Tachevski to the duel; when it was over he took
+them to his house, dressed their wounds, and entertained them. The
+Bukoyemskis say the same, adding that he is an artist at the sabre,
+who, had he had the wish, might have cut them up in grand fashion. Ha!
+they wanted to teach him a lesson, and themselves found a teacher. If
+it is true that His Grace the King is moving against the Turks, such a
+man as Tachevski will be useful."
+
+Pan Gideon was not glad to hear these words, and added: "Father
+Voynovski taught him those sword tricks."
+
+"I have seen Father Voynovski only once, at a festival," said Pan
+Serafin, "but I heard much of him in my days of campaigning. At the
+festival other priests laughed at him; they said that his house was
+like the ark, that he cares for all beasts just as Noah did. I know,
+however, that his sabre was renowned, and that his virtue is famous. If
+Pan Tachevski has learned sword-practice from him, I should wish my
+son, when he recovers, not to seek friendship elsewhere."
+
+"They say that the Diet will strive at once to strengthen the army,"
+said Pan Gideon, wishing to change the conversation.
+
+"True, all will work at that," said Pan Grothus.
+
+And the conversation continued on the war. But after supper Panna
+Anulka chose the right moment, and, approaching Pan Serafin, raised her
+blue eyes to him.
+
+"You are very kind," said she.
+
+"Why do you say that?" asked Pan Serafin.
+
+"You took the part of Pan Yatsek."
+
+"Whose part?" inquired the old man.
+
+"Pan Tachevski's. His name is Yatsek."
+
+"But you blamed him severely. Why did you blame him?"
+
+"My guardian blamed him still more severely. I confess to you, however,
+that we did not act justly, and I think that some reparation is due
+him."
+
+"He would surely be glad to receive it from your hands," said Pan
+Serafin.
+
+The young lady shook her golden head in sign of disagreement.
+
+"Oh no!" replied she, smiling sadly, "he is angry with us, and
+forever."
+
+Pan Serafin glanced at her with a genuine fatherly kindness.
+
+"Who in the world, charming flower, could be angry forever with you?"
+
+"Oh! Pan Yatsek could--but as to reparation this is the best reparation
+in his case: declare to Pan Yatsek that you feel no offence toward him,
+and that you believe in his innocence. After that my guardian will be
+forced to do him some justice, and justice from us is due to Pan
+Yatsek."
+
+"I see that you have not been so very bitter against him, since you are
+now taking his part with such interest."
+
+"I do so because I feel reproaches of conscience, and I wish no
+injustice to any man, besides, he is alone in the world, and is in
+great, very great, poverty."
+
+"I will tell you," answered Pan Serafin, "that in my own mind I have
+decided as follows: your guardian, as a hospitable neighbor, has
+declared that he will not let me go till my son has recovered; but both
+my son and the Bukoyemskis might go home even to-morrow. Still, before
+I leave here I will visit most surely Pan Yatsek and Father Voynovski,
+not through any kindness, but because I understand that I owe them this
+courtesy. I do not say that I am bad, still, I think that if any one in
+this case is really good you are the person. Do not contradict me!"
+
+She did contradict, for she felt that for her it was not a question
+merely of justice to Yatsek, but of other affairs, of which Pan
+Serafin, who knew not her maiden calculations, could know nothing.
+Her heart, however, rose toward him with gratitude, and when saying
+good-night she kissed his hand, for which Pan Gideon was angry.
+
+"He is only of the second generation; before that his people were
+merchants. Remember who thou art!" said the old noble.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER VI
+
+
+Two days later Yatsek went to Radom with the ten ducats to dress
+himself decently before the journey. Father Voynovski remained at home
+brooding over this problem: "Whence am I to get money enough for the
+equipment of a warrior, for a wagon, for horses, a saddle-horse, and an
+attendant, all of which Yatsek must have if he cares for respect, and
+does not wish men to consider him nobody?"
+
+Especially did it become Yatsek to appear in that form, since he bore a
+great, famous name, though somewhat forgotten in the Commonwealth.
+
+A certain day Father Voynovski sat down at his small table, wrinkled
+his brows till his white hair fell over his forehead, and began then to
+reckon how much would be needed. His "animalia," that is, the dog
+Filus, the tame fox, and a badger, were rolling balls near his feet;
+but he gave them no attention whatever, so tremendously was he occupied
+and troubled, for the "reckoning" refused to come out in any way, and
+failed every moment. It failed not merely in details, but in the main
+principles. The old man rubbed his forehead more and more violently and
+at last he spoke audibly.
+
+"He took ten ducats with him. Very well; of that, beyond doubt, he will
+bring nothing back. Let us count farther: from Kondrat, the brewer,
+five as a loan, from Slonka, three. From Dudu six Prussian thalers and
+a borrowed saddle-horse, to be paid for in barley if there is a
+harvest. Total, eight golden ducats, six thalers, and twenty ducats of
+mine--too little! Even if I should give him the Wallachian as an
+attendant, that would be, counting his own mount, two horses; and for a
+wagon two more are needed--and for Yatsek at least two more. It is
+impossible to go with fewer, for, if one horse should die he must have
+another. And a uniform for his man, and supplies for the wagon, kettles
+and cover and camp chest--tfu! He could only join the dragoons with
+such money."
+
+Then he turned to the animals which were raising a considerable uproar.
+
+"Be quiet, ye traitors, or your hides will be sold to Jew hucksters!"
+
+And again talk began:
+
+"Yatsek is right, he will have to sell Vyrambki. Still, if he does, he
+will have nothing to answer when any one asks him: 'Whence dost thou
+come?' 'Whence?' 'From Wind.' 'Which Wind?' 'Wind in the Field.'
+Immediately every one will slight such a person. It would be better to
+mortgage the place if a man could be found to give money. Pan Gideon
+would be the most suitable person, but Yatsek would not hear of Pan
+Gideon, and I myself would not talk with him on the subject--My God!
+People are mistaken when they say: 'poor as a church mouse!' A man is
+often much poorer. A church mouse has Saint Stephen;[3] he lives in
+comfort, and has his wax at all seasons. O Lord Jesus, who multiplied
+loaves and fishes, multiply these few ruddy ducats, and these few
+thalers, for to thee, O Lord, nothing will be diminished, and Thou wilt
+help the last of the Tachevskis."
+
+Then it occurred to him that the Prussian thalers, since they came from
+a Lutheran country, could rouse only abhorrence in heaven; as to the
+ducats he hesitated whether to put them under Christ's feet for the
+night would he find them there multiplied in the morning? He did not
+feel worthy of a miracle, and even he struck himself a number of times
+on the breast in repentance for his insolent idea. He could not dwell
+on this longer, however, for some one had come to the front of his
+dwelling.
+
+After a while the door opened and a tall, gray haired man entered. He
+had black eyes and a wise, kindly countenance. The man bowed on the
+threshold.
+
+"I am Tsyprianovitch of Yedlinka," said he.
+
+"Yes. I saw you in Prityk, at the festival, but only at a distance, for
+the throng there was great," said the priest, approaching his guest
+with vivaciousness. "I greet you on my lowly threshold with gladness."
+
+"I have come hither with gladness," answered Pan Serafin. "It is an
+important and pleasant duty to salute a knight so renowned, and a
+priest who is so saintly."
+
+Then he kissed the old man on the shoulder and the hand, though the
+priest warded off these acts, saying,--
+
+"Ho, what saintliness! These beasts here may have before God greater
+merit than I have."
+
+But Pan Serafin spoke so sincerely and with such simplicity that he won
+the priest straightway. They began at once, therefore, to speak
+pleasant words which were heartfelt.
+
+"I know your son," said the priest; "he is a cavalier of worth
+and noble manners. In comparison, those Bukoyemskis seem simply
+serving-men. I will say to you that Yatsek Tachevski has conceived such
+a love for Pan Stanislav that he praises him always."
+
+"And my Stashko treats him in like manner. It happens frequently that
+men fight and later on love each other. None of us feel offence toward
+Pan Tachevski, nay, we should like to conclude with him real
+friendship. I have just been at his house in Vyrambki, expecting to
+find him. I wished to invite to Yedlinka you, my benefactor, and Pan
+Tachevski."
+
+"Yatsek is in Radom, but he will return and would be glad, doubtless,
+to serve you-- But have you seen, your grace, how they treated him at
+Pan Gideon's?"
+
+"They have seen that themselves," said Pan Serafin, "and are sorry, not
+Pan Gideon, however, but the women."
+
+"There are few men so stubborn as Pan Gideon, and he incurs a serious
+account before the Lord sometimes for this reason--as for the
+women--God be with them-- Let them go, what is the use in hiding this:
+that one of them caused the duel?"
+
+"I divined that before my son told me. But the cause is innocent."
+
+"They are all innocent-- Do you know what Ecclesiastes says of women?"
+
+Pan Serafin did not know, so the priest took down the Vulgate and read
+an extract from Ecclesiastes.
+
+"What do you think of that?" asked he.
+
+"There are women even of that kind."
+
+"Yatsek is going into the world for no other cause, and I am far from
+dissuading him. On the contrary, I advise him to go."
+
+"Do you? Is he going soon? The war will come only next summer."
+
+"Do you know that to a certainty?"
+
+"I do, for I inquired and I inquired because I cannot keep my own son
+from it."
+
+"No, because he is a noble. Yatsek is going immediately, for, to tell
+the truth, it is painful for him to remain here."
+
+"I understand, I understand everything. Haste is the best cure in such
+a case."
+
+"He will stay only as long as may be needed to mortgage Vyrambki, or
+sell it. It is only a small strip of land. I advise Yatsek not to sell
+but to mortgage. Though he may never come back, he can sign himself
+always as from it, and that is more decent for a man of his name and
+his origin."
+
+"Must he sell or mortgage in every case?"
+
+"He must. The man is poor, quite poor. You know how much it costs to go
+to a war, and he cannot serve in a common dragoon regiment."
+
+Pan Serafin thought a while, and said,--
+
+"My benefactor, perhaps I would take a mortgage on Vyrambki."
+
+Father Voynovski blushed as does a maiden when a young man confesses on
+a sudden that for which she is yearning beyond all things; but the
+blush flew over his face as swiftly as summer lightning through the sky
+of evening; then he looked at Pan Serafin, and asked,--
+
+"Why do you take it?"
+
+Pan Serafin answered with all the sincerity of an honest spirit:
+
+"I want it since I wish, without loss to myself, to render an honorable
+young man a service, for which I shall gain his gratitude. And, Father
+benefactor, I have still another idea. I will send my one son to that
+regiment in which Pan Yatsek is to serve, and I think that my Stashko
+will find in him a good friend and comrade. You know how important a
+comrade is and what a true friend at one's side means in camp where a
+quarrel comes easily, and in war where death comes still more easily.
+God has not, in my case been sparing of fortune, and He has given me
+only one son. Pan Yatsek is brave, sober, a master at the sabre, as has
+been shown--and he is virtuous, for you have reared him. Let him and my
+son be like Orestes and Pylades--that is my reckoning."
+
+Father Voynovski opened his arms to him widely.
+
+"God himself sent you! For Yatsek I answer as I do for myself. He is a
+golden fellow, and his heart is as grateful as wheat land. God sent
+you! My dear boy can now show himself as befits the Tachevski
+escutcheon, and most important of all, he can, after seeing the wide
+world, forget altogether that girl for whom he has thrown away so many
+years, and suffered such anguish."
+
+"Has he loved her then from of old?"
+
+"Well, to tell the truth, he has loved her since childhood. Even now he
+says nothing, he sets his teeth, but he squirms like an eel beneath a
+knife edge. Let him go at the earliest, for nothing could or can come
+from this love of his."
+
+A moment of silence followed, then the old man continued,--
+
+"But we must speak of these matters more accurately. How much can you
+lend on Vyrambki? It is a poor piece of land."
+
+"Even one hundred ducats."
+
+"Fear God, your grace!"
+
+"But why? If Pan Yatsek ever pays me it will be all the same how much I
+lend him. If he does not pay I shall get my own also, for though the
+land about here is poor, that new soil must be good beyond the forest.
+To-day I will take my son and the Bukoyemskis to Yedlinka, and you will
+do us the favor to come as soon as Pan Yatsek returns to you from
+Radom. The money will be ready."
+
+"Your grace came from heaven with your golden heart and your money,"
+said Father Voynovski.
+
+Then he commanded to bring mead which he poured out himself, and they
+drank with much pleasure as men do who have joy at their heart strings.
+With the third glass the priest became serious.
+
+"For the assistance, for the good word, for the honesty, let me pay,"
+said he, "even with good advice."
+
+"I am listening."
+
+"Do not settle your son in Vyrambki. The young lady is beautiful beyond
+every description. She may also be honorable, I say naught against
+that; but she is a Sieninski, not she alone, but Pan Gideon is so proud
+of this that if any man, no matter who, were to ask for her, even
+Yakobus our king's son, he would not seem too high to Pan Gideon. Guard
+your son, do not let him break his young heart on that pride, or wound
+himself mortally like Yatsek. Out of pure and well-wishing friendship
+do I say this, desiring to pay for your kindness with kindness."
+
+Pan Serafin drew his palm across his forehead as he answered,--
+
+"They dropped down on us at Yedlinka as from the clouds because of what
+happened on the journey. I went once to Pan Gideon's on a neighborly
+visit, but he did not return it. Noting his pride and its origin I have
+not sought his acquaintance or friendship. What has come came of
+itself. I will not settle my son in Vyrambki, nor let him be foolish at
+Pan Gideon's mansion. We are not such an ancient nobility as the
+Sieninskis, nor perhaps as Pan Gideon, but our nobility grew out of
+war, out of that which gives pain, as Charnyetski described it. We
+shall be able to preserve our own dignity--my son is not less keen on
+that point than I am. It is hard for a young man to guard against
+Cupid, but I will tell you, my benefactor, what Stashko told me when
+recently at Pan Gideon's. I inquired touching Panna Anulka. 'I would
+rather,' said he, 'not pluck an apple than spring too high after it,
+for if I should not reach the fruit, shame would come of my effort.'"
+
+"Ah! he has a good thought in his head!" exclaimed Father Voynovski.
+
+"He has been thus from his boyhood," added Pan Serafin with a certain
+proud feeling. "He told me also, that when he had learnt what the girl
+had been to Tachevski, and what he had passed through because of her,
+he would not cross the road of so worthy a cavalier. No, my benefactor,
+I do not take a mortgage on Vyrambki to have my son near Pan Gideon's.
+May God guard my Stanislav, and preserve him from evil."
+
+"Amen! I believe you as if an angel were speaking. And now let some
+third man take the girl, even one of the Bukoyemskis, who boast of such
+kinsfolk."
+
+Pan Serafin smiled, drank out his mead, took farewell, and departed.
+
+Father Voynovski went to the church to thank God for that unexpected
+assistance, and then he waited for Yatsek impatiently.
+
+When at last Yatsek came, the old man ran out to the yard and seized
+him by the shoulders.
+
+"Yatsek," exclaimed he, "thou canst give ten ducats for a crupper. Thou
+hast one hundred ducats, as it were, on the table, and Vyrambki remains
+to thee."
+
+Yatsek fixed on Father Voynovski eyes that were sunken from
+sleeplessness and suffering, and asked, with astonishment,--
+
+"What has happened?"
+
+"A really good thing, since it came from the heart of an honest man."
+
+Father Voynovski noted with the greatest consolation that Yatsek in
+spite of his terrible suffering, and all his heart tortures, received,
+as it were, a new spirit on learning of the agreement with Pan Serafin.
+For some days he spoke and thought only of horses, wagons, outfit, and
+servants, so that it seemed as though there was no place for aught else
+in him.
+
+"Here is thy medicine, thy balsam; here are thy remedies," repeated the
+priest to himself; "for if a man entrapped by a woman and never so
+unhappy were going to the army he would have to be careful not to buy a
+horse that had heaves or was spavined; he would have to choose sabres,
+and fit on his armor, try his lance once and a second time, and,
+turning from the woman to more fitting objects, find relief for his
+heart in them."
+
+And he remembered how, when young, he himself had sought in war either
+death or forgetfulness. But since war had not begun yet, death was
+still distant from Yatsek in every case; meantime he was filled with
+his journey, and with questions bound up in it.
+
+There was plenty to do. Pan Serafin and his son came again to the
+priest with whom Yatsek was living. Then all went to the city together
+to draw up the mortgage. There, also, they found a part of Yatsek's
+outfit; the remainder, the experienced and clear-headed priest advised
+to search out in Warsaw or Cracow. This beginning of work took up some
+days, during which young Stanislav, whose slight wound was almost
+healed, gave earnest assistance to Yatsek, with whom he contracted a
+more and more intimate acquaintance and friendship. The old men were
+pleased at this, for both held it extremely important. The honest Pan
+Serafin even began to be sorry that Yatsek was going so promptly, and
+to persuade the priest not to hasten his departure.
+
+"I understand," said he, "I understand well, my benefactor, why you
+wish to send him away at the earliest; but in truth I must tell you
+that I think no ill of that Panna Anulka. It is true that immediately
+after the duel she did not receive Pan Yatsek very nicely, but remember
+that she and Pani Vinnitski were snatched from the jaws of the wolves
+by my son and the Bukoyemskis. What wonder, then, that, at sight of the
+blood and the wounds of those gentlemen, she was seized with an anger,
+which Pan Gideon roused in her purposely, as I know. Pan Gideon is a
+stubborn man, truly; but when I was there the poor girl came to me
+perfectly penitent. 'I see,' said she, 'that we did not act justly, and
+that some reparation is due to Pan Yatsek.' Her eyes became moist
+immediately, and pity seized me, because that face of hers is comely
+beyond measure. Besides, she has an honest soul and despises
+injustice."
+
+"By the dear God! let not Yatsek hear of this; for his heart would rush
+straightway to death again, and barely has he begun to breathe now in
+freedom. He ran away from Pan Gideon's bareheaded; he swore that he
+would never go back to that mansion, and God guard him from doing so.
+Women, your grace, are like will-o'-the-wisps which move at night over
+swamp lands at Yedlinka. If you chase one it flees, if you flee it
+pursues you. That is the way of it!"
+
+"That is a wise statement, which I must drive into Stashko," said Pan
+Serafin.
+
+"Let Yatsek go at the earliest. I have written letters already to
+various acquaintances, and to dignitaries whom I knew before they were
+dignitaries, and to warriors the most famous. In those letters your
+son, too, is recommended as a worthy cavalier; and when his turn comes
+to go he shall have letters also, though he may not need them, since
+Yatsek will prepare the way for him. Let the two serve together."
+
+"From my whole soul I thank you, my benefactor. Yes! let them serve
+together, and may their friendship last till their lives end. You have
+mentioned the regiment of Alexander, the king's son, which is under
+Zbierhovski. That is a splendid regiment,--perhaps the first among the
+hussars,--so I should like Stashko to join it; but he said to me: 'The
+light-horse for six days in the week, and the hussars, as it were, only
+on Sunday.'"
+
+"That is true generally," answered the priest. "Hussars are not sent on
+scouting expeditions, and it is rare also that they go skirmishing, as
+it is not fitting that such men should meet all kinds of faces; but
+when their turn comes, they so press on and trample that others do not
+spill so much blood in six days as they do on their Sunday. But then,
+war, not the warriors, command; hence sometimes it happens that hussars
+perform every-day labor."
+
+"You, my benefactor, know that beyond any man."
+
+Father Voynovski closed his eyes for a moment, as if wishing to recall
+the past more in detail; then he raised them, looked at the mead,
+swallowed one mouthful, then a second, and said,--
+
+"So it was when toward the end of the Swedish war we went to punish
+that traitor, the Elector, for his treaties with Carolus. Pan
+Lyubomirski, the marshal, took fire and sword to the outskirts of
+Berlin. I was then in his own regiment, in which Viktor was lieutenant
+commander. The Brandenburger[4] met us as best he was able, now with
+infantry, now with general militia in which were German nobles; and I
+tell you that at last, on our side, the arms of the hussars and the
+Cossacks of the household seemed almost as if moving on hinges."
+
+"Was it such difficult work then?"
+
+"It was not difficult, for at the mere sight of us muskets and spears
+trembled in the hands of those poor fellows as tree branches tremble
+when the wind blows around them; but there was work daily from morning
+till twilight. Whether a man thrusts his spear into a breast or a back,
+it is labor. Ah! but that was a lovely campaign! for, as people said,
+it was active, and in my life I have never seen so many men's backs and
+so many horse rumps as in that time. Even Luther was weeping in hell,
+for we ravaged one half of Brandenburg thoroughly."
+
+"It is pleasant to remember that treason came to just punishment."
+
+"Of course it is pleasant. The Elector appeared then and begged peace
+of Lyubomirski. I did not see him, but later on soldiers told me that
+the marshal walked along the square with his hands on his hips while
+the Elector tripped after him like a whip-lash. The Elector bowed so
+that he almost touched the ground with his wig, and seized the knees of
+the marshal. Nay! they even said that he kissed him wherever it
+happened; but I give no great faith to that statement, though the
+marshal, who had a haughty heart, loved to bend down the enemy; but he
+was a polite man in every case, and would not permit things of that
+kind."
+
+"God grant that it may happen with the Turks this time as it did then
+with the Elector."
+
+"My experience, though not lofty, is long, and I will say to you
+sincerely that it will go, I think, as well or still better. The
+marshal was a warrior of experience and especially a lucky one, but
+still, we could not compare Lyubomirski with His Grace the King
+reigning actually."
+
+Then they mentioned all the victories of Sobieski and the battles in
+which they themselves had taken part. And so they drank to the health
+of the king, and rejoiced, knowing that with him as a leader the young
+men would see real war; not only that, but, since the war was to be
+against the ancient enemy of the cross, they would win immense glory.
+
+In truth no one knew accurately anything yet about the question. It was
+not known whether the Turkish power would turn first on the
+Commonwealth or the Empire. The question of a treaty with Austria was
+to be raised at the Diet. But in provincial diets and the meetings of
+nobles men spoke of war only. Statesmen who had been in Warsaw, and at
+the court, foretold it with conviction, and besides, the whole people
+had been seized by a feeling that it must come--a feeling almost
+stronger than certainty, and brought out as well by the former deeds of
+the king as by the general desire and the destiny of the nation.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER VII
+
+
+On the road to Radom Father Voynovski had invited Pan Serafin and
+Stanislav to his house for a rest, after which he and Yatsek were to
+visit them at Yedlinka. During this visit three of the Bukoyemskis
+appeared, unexpectedly. Marek, whose shoulder-blade had been cut, could
+not move yet, but Mateush, Lukash, and Yan came to bow down before the
+old man and thank him for his care of them when wounded. Yan had lost a
+little finger, and the older brothers had big scars, one man on his
+cheek, the other on his forehead, but their wounds had then healed and
+they were as healthy as mushrooms.
+
+Two days before they went on a hunt to the forest, smoked out a sleepy
+she-bear, speared her, and took her cub which they brought as a gift to
+Father Voynovski, whose fondness for wild beasts was known by all
+people.
+
+The priest whom they had pleased as "innocent boys" was amused with
+them and the little bear very greatly. He shed tears from laughter when
+the cub seized a glass filled with mead for a guest, and began to roar
+in heaven-piercing notes to rouse proper terror, and thus save the
+booty.
+
+On seeing that no one wished the mead, the bear stood on its hind-legs
+and drank out the cup in man fashion. This roused still greater
+pleasure in the audience. The priest was amused keenly, and added,--
+
+"I will not make this cub my butler or beekeeper."
+
+"Ha!" cried Stanislav, laughing, "the beast was a short time at school
+with the Bukoyemskis, but learned more in one day from them than it
+would all its life in the forest."
+
+"Not true," put in Lukash, "for this beast has by nature such wit that
+it knows what is good without learning. Barely had we brought the cub
+from the forest when it gulped down as much vodka (whiskey) right off
+as if it had drunk the stuff every morning with its mother, and then
+gave a whack on the snout to a dog, as if saying 'This for thee--don't
+sniff at me'--after that it went off and slept soundly."
+
+"Thank you, gentlemen. I will have real pleasure from this bear," said
+the priest, "but I will not make the creature my butler or beekeeper,
+for though knowing drinks well, it would stay too near them."
+
+"Bears can do more than one thing. Father Glominski at Prityk has a
+bear which pumps the organ they say. But some people are scandalized,
+for at times he roars, especially when any one punches him."
+
+"Well, there is no cause for scandal in that," replied Father
+Voynovski; "birds build nests in churches and sing to the glory of God;
+no one is scandalized. Every beast serves God, and the Saviour was born
+in a stable."
+
+"They say, besides," added Mateush, "that the Lord Jesus turned a
+miller into a bear, so maybe there is a human soul in him."
+
+"In that case you killed the miller's wife, and must answer," said Pan
+Serafin. "His Grace the King is very jealous of his bears and does not
+keep foresters to kill them."
+
+When they heard this the three brothers grew anxious, but it was only
+after long thinking that Mateush, who wished to say something in
+self-defence, answered,--
+
+"Pshaw! are we not nobles? The Bukoyemskis are as good as the
+Sobieskis."
+
+But a happy thought came to Lukash, and his face brightened.
+
+"We gave our knightly word," said he, "not to shoot bears, and we shoot
+no bears; we spear them."
+
+"His Grace the King is not thinking of bears at the present," said Yan;
+"and besides, no one will tell him. Let any forester here say a word.
+It is a pity, however, that we boasted in presence of Pan Gideon and
+Pan Grothus, for Pan Grothus has just gone to Warsaw, and as he sees
+the king often, he may mention this accidentally."
+
+"But when did ye see Pan Gideon?" asked the priest.
+
+"Yesterday. He was conducting Pan Grothus; You know, benefactor, the
+inn called Mordovnia? They stopped there to let their beasts rest. Pan
+Gideon asked about many things, and he talked also of Yatsek."
+
+"About me?" inquired Yatsek.
+
+"Yes. 'Is it true,' asked he, 'that Tachevski is going to the army?'
+'True,' we answered.
+
+"'But when?'
+
+"'Soon, we think.'
+
+"Then Pan Gideon said again: 'That is well. Of course he will join the
+infantry?'
+
+"At that we all became angry, and Mateush said. 'Do not say that, your
+grace, for Yatsek is our friend now, and we must be on his side.' And
+as we began to pant, he restrained himself. 'I do not mention this out
+of any ill-will, but I know that Vyrambki is not an estate of the
+crown,'" said he.
+
+"An estate, or not, what is that to him?" cried the priest. "He need
+not trouble his head with it!"
+
+But it was clear that Pan Gideon thought otherwise, and did trouble his
+head about Yatsek; for an hour later the youth who brought in a
+decanter of mead brought a sealed letter also.
+
+"There is a messenger to your grace from Pan Gideon," said he.
+
+Father Voynovski took the letter, broke the seal, opened it, struck the
+paper with the back of his hand, and, approaching the window, began to
+read.
+
+Yatsek grew pale from emotion; he looked at the letter as at a rainbow,
+for he divined that there must be mention of him in it. Thoughts flew
+through his head as swallows fly. "Well," thought he, "the old man is
+penitent; here is his excuse. It must be so and even cannot be
+otherwise. Pan Gideon has no more cause now to be angry than those men
+who suffered in the duel, so his conscience has spoken. He has
+recognized the injustice of his conduct. He understands how grievously
+he injured an innocent person, and he desires to correct the
+injustice."
+
+Yatsek's heart began to beat like a hammer. "Oh! I will go to the war,"
+said he in his soul--"not for me is happiness over there. Though I
+forgive her I cannot forget. But to see once more, before going, that
+beloved Anulka, who is so cruel, to have a good look once again at her,
+to hear her voice anew. O Gracious God, refuse not this blessing!"
+
+And his thoughts flew with still greater swiftness than swallows; but
+before they had stopped flying something took place which no man there
+had expected: on a sudden Father Voynovski crushed the letter in his
+hand and grasped toward his left side as if seeking a sabre. His face
+filled with blood, his neck swelled, and his eyes shot forth lightning.
+He was simply so terrible that Pan Serafin, his son, and the
+Bukoyemskis looked at him with amazement, as if he had been turned into
+some other person through magic.
+
+Deep silence reigned in the chamber.
+
+Meanwhile the priest bent toward the window, as if gazing at some
+object outside it, then he turned away looked first at the walls and
+then at his guests. It was clear that he had been struggling with
+himself and had come to his mind again, for his face had grown pale,
+and the flame was now dim in his eyeballs.
+
+"Gracious gentlemen," said he, "that man is not merely passionate, but
+evil altogether. To say in excitement more than justice permits befalls
+every man, but to continue committing injustice and trampling on those
+who are offended is not the deed of a noble, or a Catholic." Then,
+stooping, he raised the crumpled letter and turned to Tachevski.
+
+"Yatsek, if there is still in thy heart any splinter, take this knife
+and cut it out thoroughly. Read, poor boy, read aloud, it is not for
+thee to be ashamed, but for him who wrote this letter. Let these
+gentlemen learn what kind of man is Pan Gideon."
+
+Yatsek seized the letter with trembling hands, opened it and read:
+
+
+"My very gracious Priest, Pastor, Benefactor, Etc., Etc.,--Having
+learned that Tachevski of Vyrambki, who has frequented my house, is to
+join the army during these days, I, in memory of the bread with which I
+nourished his poverty, and for the services in which sometimes I was
+able to use him, send the man a horse, and a ducat to shoe the beast,
+with the advice not to waste the money on other and needless objects.
+
+"Offering at the same time to you my willing and earnest services, I
+inscribe myself, etc., etc."
+
+
+Yatsek grew so very pale after reading the letter that the men present
+had fears for him, especially the priest who was not sure that that
+pallor might not be the herald of some outburst of madness, for he knew
+how terrible was that young man in his anger, though usually so mild.
+He began therefore at once to restrain him.
+
+"Pan Gideon is old, and has lost one arm," said he quickly, "thou canst
+not challenge him!"
+
+But Yatsek did not burst out, for at the first moment immeasurable and
+painful amazement conquered all other feelings.
+
+"I cannot challenge him," repeated he, as an echo, "but why does he
+continue to trample me?"
+
+Thereupon Pan Serafin rose, took both Yatsek's hands, shook them
+firmly, kissed him on the forehead, and added,--
+
+"Pan Gideon has injured, not thee, but himself, and if thou drop
+revenge every man will wonder all the more at thy noble soul which
+deserves the high blood in thee."
+
+"Those are wise words!" cried the priest, "and thou must deserve them."
+
+Pan Stanislav now embraced Yatsek.
+
+"In truth," said he, "I love thee more and more."
+
+This turn of affairs was not at all pleasing to the Bukoyemskis, who
+had not ceased to grit their teeth from the moment of hearing the
+letter. Following Stanislav they embraced Yatsek also.
+
+"No matter how things are," said Lukash at last, "I should do
+differently in Yatsek's place."
+
+"How?" asked the two brothers with curiosity.
+
+"That is just it. I don't know how, but I should think out something,
+and would not yield my position."
+
+"Since thou knowst not do not talk."
+
+"But ye, do ye know anything?"
+
+"Be quiet!" said the priest. "Be sure I shall not leave the letter
+unanswered. Still, to drop revenge is a Christian and a Catholic
+action."
+
+"Oh but! Even you, father, snatched for a sabre the first moment."
+
+"Because I carried a sabre too long. _Mea Culpa!_ Still, as I have
+said, this fact comes in also. Pan Gideon is old, he has only one arm;
+iron rules are not in place here. And I tell you, gentlemen, that for
+this very reason I am disgusted to the last degree with this raging old
+fellow who makes use of his impunity so unjustly."
+
+"Still, it will be too narrow for him in our neighborhood," said Yan
+Bukoyemski. "Our heads for this: that not a living foot will go under
+that roof of his."
+
+"Meanwhile an answer is needed," said Father Voynovski, "and
+immediately."
+
+For a time yet they considered as to who should write,--Yatsek, at whom
+the letter was aimed, or the priest to whom it was directed. Yatsek
+settled the question by saying,--
+
+"For me that whole house and all people in it are as if dead, and it is
+well for them that in my soul this is settled."
+
+"It is well that the bridges are burnt!" said the priest; as he sought
+pen and paper.
+
+"It is well that the bridges are burnt," repeated Yan Bukoyemski, "but
+it would be better that the mansion rose in smoke! This was our way in
+the Ukraine: when some strange man came in and knew not how to live
+with us, we cut him to pieces and up in smoke went his property."
+
+No one turned attention to these words save Pan Serafin, who waved his
+hands with impatience, and answered,--
+
+"You, gentlemen, came in here from the Ukraine, I, from Lvoff, and Pan
+Gideon from Pomorani; according to your wit Pan Tachevski might count
+us all as intruders; but know this, that the Commonwealth is a great
+mansion occupied by a family of nobles, and a noble is at home in every
+corner."
+
+Silence followed, except that from the alcove came the squeaking of a
+pen and words in an undertone which the priest was dictating to
+himself. Yatsek rested his forehead on his palms and sat motionless for
+some time; all at once he straightened himself, looked at those
+present, and said,--
+
+"There is something in this beyond my understanding."
+
+"We do not understand, either," added Lukash, "but if thou wilt pour
+out more mead we will drink it."
+
+Yatsek poured into the glasses mechanically, following at the same time
+the course of his own thoughts.
+
+"Pan Gideon," said he, "might be offended because the duel began at his
+mansion, though such things happen everywhere; but now he knows that I
+did not challenge, he knows that he offended me under my own roof
+unjustly, he knows that with you I am now in agreement, and that I
+shall not appear at his house again,--still he pursues me, still he is
+trying to trample me."
+
+"True, there is some kind of special animosity in this," said Pan
+Serafin.
+
+"Ha! then there is as you think something in it?"
+
+"In what?" asked the priest, who had come out with a letter now
+written, and heard the last sentence.
+
+"In this special hatred against me."
+
+The priest looked at a shelf on which among other books was the Holy
+Bible, and said,--
+
+"That which I will say to thee now I said long ago: there is a woman in
+it." Here he turned to those present. "Have I repeated to you,
+gentlemen, what Ecclesiastes says about woman?"
+
+But he could not finish, for Yatsek sprang up as if burnt by living
+fire. He thrust his fingers through his hair and almost screamed, for
+immense pain had seized him.
+
+"Still more do I fail to understand; for if any one in the world--if to
+any one in the world--if there be any one of such kind--then with my
+whole soul--"
+
+But he could not say a word more, for the pain in his heart had gripped
+his throat as if in a vice of iron, and rose to his eyes as two bitter,
+burning tears, which flowed down his cheeks. The priest understood him
+then perfectly.
+
+"My Yatsek," advised he, "better burn out the wound, even with awful
+pain than let it fester. For this reason I do not spare thee. I, in my
+time, was a soldier of this world, and understand many things. I know
+that regret and remembrance, no matter how far a man travels, drag like
+dogs after him, and howl in the night-time. They give him no chance to
+sleep because of this howling. What must he do then? Kill those dogs
+straightway. Thou at this moment feelest that thou wouldst have given
+all thy blood over there; for which reason it seems to thee so
+marvellous and terrible that from that side alone vengeance pursues
+thee. The thing seems to thee impossible; but it is possible--for if
+thou hast wounded the pride and self-love of a woman, if she thought
+that thou wouldst whine and thou hast not whined when she beat thee,
+and thou didst not fawn in her presence, but hast tugged at thy chain
+and hast broken it, know that she will never and never forgive thee,
+and her hatred, more raging than that of any man living, will always
+pursue thee. Against this there is only one refuge: crush the love,
+even on thy own heart, and hurl it, like a broken bow, far from
+thee--that is thy one refuge!"
+
+Again there was a moment of silence. Pan Serafin nodded, confirming the
+priest, and, as a man of experience, he admired all the wisdom of his
+statement.
+
+"It is true," added Yatsek, "that I have tugged at the chain, and have
+broken it. So it is not Pan Gideon who pursues me!"
+
+"I know what I should do," said Lukash, on a sudden.
+
+"Tell, do not hide!" cried the other two.
+
+"Do ye know what the hare said?"
+
+"What hare? Art thou drunk?"
+
+"Why that hare at the boundary ridge."
+
+And, evidently encouraged, he stood up, put his hand on his hip and
+began to sing:
+
+
+                 "A hare was just sitting for pleasure,
+                  Just sitting at the boundary ridge.
+             But the hunters did not see him,
+                  Did not know
+                  That he was sitting lamenting
+                  And making his will
+                  At the boundary ridge."
+
+
+Here he turned to his brothers and asked them,--
+
+"Do ye know the will made by that hare at the boundary ridge?"
+
+"We know, but it is pleasant to hear it repeated."
+
+"Then listen.
+
+
+                 "Kiss me all ye horsemen and hunters,
+                  Kiss me at the boundary ridge.
+
+
+"This is what I would write to all at Belchantska if I were in Yatsek's
+position; and if he does not write it, may the first Janissary
+disembowel me if I do not write it in my own name and yours to Pan
+Gideon."
+
+"Oh, as God is dear to me, that is a capital idea!" cried Yan, much
+delighted.
+
+"It is to the point and full of fancy!"
+
+"Let Yatsek write that!"
+
+"No," said the priest, made impatient by the talk of the brothers. "I
+am writing, not Yatsek, and it would not become me to take your words."
+Here he turned to Pan Serafin and Stanislav and Yatsek. "The task was
+difficult, for I had to twist the horns of his malice and not abandon
+politeness, and also to show him that we understood whence the sting
+came. Listen, therefore, and if any one of you gentlemen has made a
+nice judgment I beg you to criticise this letter." And he began,--
+
+"Great mighty benefactor, and to me very dear Sir and Brother."
+
+Here he struck the letter with the back of his hand, and said,--
+
+"You will observe, gentlemen, that I do not call him 'my very
+gracious,' but 'my very dear.'"
+
+"He will have enough!" said Pan Serafin, "read on, my benefactor."
+
+"Then listen: 'It is known to all citizens of our Commonwealth that
+only those people know how to observe due politeness in every position
+who have lived from youth upward among polite people, or who, coming of
+great blood, have brought politeness into the world with them. Neither
+the one nor the other has come to your grace as a portion, while on the
+contrary the Mighty Lord Pan Yatsek Tachevski inherited from renowned
+ancestors both blood and a lordly spirit. He forgives you your peasant
+expressions and sends back your peasant gifts. Rustics keep inns in
+cities and also eating-houses on country roads for the entertainment of
+people. If you will send to the great Lord Pan Yatsek Tachevski the
+bill for such entertainment as he received at your house he will pay
+it, and add such gratuity as seems proper to his generous nature.'"
+
+"Oh, as God is dear to me!" exclaimed Pan Serafin, "Pan Gideon will
+have a rush of blood!"
+
+"Ha! it was necessary to bring down his pride, and at the same time to
+burn the bridges. Yatsek himself wanted that-- Now listen to what I
+write from myself to him: 'I have inclined Pan Tachevski to see that
+though the bow is yours, the poisoned arrow with which you wished to
+strike that worthy young gentleman was not in your own quiver. Since
+reason in men, and strength in their bones, weaken with years, and
+senile old age yields easily to suggestions from others, it deserves
+more indulgence. With this I end, adding as a priest and a servant of
+God, this: that the greater the age, the nearer life's end, the less
+should a man be a servant of hatred and haughtiness. On the contrary,
+he should think all the more of the salvation of his soul, a thing
+which I wish your grace. Amen. Herewith remaining, etc. I subscribe
+myself, etc.'"
+
+"All is written out accurately," said Pan Serafin; "nothing to be
+added, nothing taken away."
+
+"Ha!" said the priest, "do you think that he gets what he deserves?"
+
+"Oi! certain words burnt me."
+
+"And me," added Lukash. "It is sure that when a man hears such speeches
+he wants to drink, just as on a hot day."
+
+"Yatsek, attend to those gentlemen. I will seal the letter and send it
+away."
+
+So saying he took the ring from his finger and went to the alcove. But
+while sealing the letter some other thought came to his head, as it
+happened, for when he returned, he said,--
+
+"It is done. The affair is over. But do you not think it too cutting?
+The man is old, it may cost him his health. Wounds given by the pen are
+no less effective than those by the sword or the bullet."
+
+"True! true!" said Yatsek, and he gritted his teeth.
+
+But just this exclamation of pain decided the matter. Pan Serafin
+added,--
+
+"My revered benefactor, your scruples are honorable, but Pan Gideon had
+no scruples whatever; his letter struck straight at the heart, while
+yours strikes only at malice and pride. I think, therefore, that it
+ought to be sent."
+
+And the letter was sent. After that still more hurried preparations
+were made for Yatsek's departure.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER VIII
+
+
+But Tachevski's friends did not foresee that the priest's letter would
+be in a certain sense useful to Pan Gideon, and serve his home policy.
+He did not indeed receive it without anger. Yatsek, who so far had been
+merely an obstacle, became thenceforth, though not the author of the
+letter, an object of hatred. That hatred in the stubborn old heart of
+Pan Gideon bloomed like a poison flower, but his ingenious mind
+determined to use the priest's letter. In view of this he restrained
+his fierce rage, his face assumed a look of contemptuous pity, and he
+went with the answer to Anulka.
+
+"Thou hast paid toll, and art assaulted for doing so," said he. "I did
+not wish this, for I am a man of experience, and I know people; but
+when thou didst clasp thy hands and say that injustice had been done,
+that I had exceeded in sternness, and thou hadst been too severe to
+him, that he ought not to leave us in anger, I yielded. I sent him
+assistance in money. I sent him a horse. I wrote him a nice letter
+also. I thought he would come and bow down, give us thanks, take
+farewell as became a man who had spent so much time in this mansion;
+but see what he has sent me in answer!"
+
+At these words he drew the priest's letter from his girdle and gave it
+to the young lady. She began to read, and soon her dark brows met in
+anger, but when she reached the place where the priest declared that
+Pan Gideon wished to humiliate Yatsek, thanks to the suggestions of
+another, her hands trembled, her face became scarlet, then grew as pale
+as linen, and remained pale.
+
+Though Pan Gideon saw all this he feigned not to see it.
+
+"May God forgive them for what they attribute to me," said he, after a
+moment of silence. "He alone knows whether my ancestors are much below
+the Tachevskis, of whose greatness more fables than truth are related.
+What I cannot forgive is this: that they pay thee, my poor dear, for
+thy kindness of an angel, with such ingratitude."
+
+"It was not Pan Yatsek who wrote this, but Father Voynovski," answered
+Anulka, seizing, as it were, the last plank of salvation.
+
+The old noble sighed.
+
+"Dost thou believe, girl," inquired he, "that I love thee?"
+
+"I believe," answered she, bending and kissing his hand.
+
+"Though thou believe," said he, stroking her bright head with great
+tenderness, "thou knowest not clearly that thou art my whole
+consolation. Rarely do I permit myself words such as these, and rarely
+do I tell that which my heart feels, since former suffering is
+concealed in it. But thou shouldst understand that I have only thee in
+the world. I would increase hourly, not thy disappointment, pain, and
+trouble, but thy joy and happiness. I do not ask what began to bud in
+thy heart, but I will say this to thee: whether that was, as I think, a
+pure, sisterly feeling, or something more, that young man was unworthy.
+He has heaped on us ingratitude in return for our sincere friendship.
+My Anulka, thou wouldst deceive thyself wert thou to think that the
+priest wrote this letter without Yatsek's knowledge. They wrote it
+together and knowest why they replied with such insolence? As I have
+heard, Tachevski got money from that Armenian in Yedlinka. That is what
+he needs, and now since he has it he cares for naught else, and for no
+one any longer. This is the truth, and in thy soul thou must
+acknowledge that to think otherwise would be willing self-deception."
+
+"I see," answered Anulka.
+
+Pan Gideon meditated awhile as if he were dwelling on something.
+
+"People say," added he finally, "that it is a vice of old people to
+praise past times and lay blame on the present. But no, this is not a
+vice. The world is growing worse, people are becoming worse. In my day
+no man would have acted as has Tachevski. Dost thou know the first
+cause of this? That night on the tree, which exposed this lord cavalier
+to the ridicule of people. To hurry, as it were, to help some one and
+then climb a tree out of terror, may happen, but in such a case it is
+better not to boast of it, for the thing is ridiculous, ridiculous! I
+do not hold up the Bukoyemskis or Pan Stanislav as heroes: they are
+drunkards, road-blockers, gamblers--I know them! Our lives were less in
+their minds than were wolf skins. But there is lurking in this Yatsek
+such envy that he could not forgive them that chance aid which they
+gave us. Out of that rose the duel. May God punish me if I had not
+reason to be angry. Ha, they made friends after the duel, for it is
+clear that our cavalier understood that he could get money from Pan
+Serafin, so he preferred to turn his malice against this mansion.
+Pride, animosity, ingratitude, and greed, those are the things which he
+has manifested, and nothing better. He has injured me. Never mind. God
+forgive him! But why should he attack thee, my dear flower? A neighbor
+for long years, a guest for long years--daily visits. A gypsy in such a
+position would become faithful; a swallow grows used to its roof; a
+stork returns to its nest; but he spat on our house as soon as he felt
+in his purse the coin of the Armenian. No! No! No man in my day would
+have acted in that style."
+
+Anulka listened with her palms on her temples, and with eyes looking
+out before her in fixedness, so Pan Gideon stopped and looked at her
+once, and a second time.
+
+"Why dost thou forget thyself?" asked he.
+
+"I have not forgotten myself, but I am so sad that words have deserted
+me."
+
+And not finding words she found tears.
+
+Pan Gideon let her cry till she had finished.
+
+"It is better," said he at last, "to let that sadness pass off with
+tears than let it stay in the heart and be petrified. Ah, it is hard!
+Let him go, let him clink other men's coin, let him touch the mud with
+his saddle-cloth, let him strut as a lord, and court Warsaw harlots.
+But we will remain here, my girl. That is no great delight, it is true,
+but still it is a delight, if thou remember that no one in this house
+will deceive thee, no one here will offend thee, no one will break thy
+heart; that here thou wilt be always as an eye in the head of each
+person, that thy happiness will be the first question always, and also
+the last question of my life. Come--"
+
+He stretched his arms toward her, and she fell on his breast with
+emotion and gratitude, as she would on the breast of a father who was
+comforting her in a moment of suffering.
+
+Pan Gideon fell to stroking her bright head with the one hand that
+remained to him, and long did they sit there in silence. Meanwhile it
+was growing dark, the frosty window-panes glittered in the moonlight,
+and dogs made themselves heard here and there with prolonged barking.
+
+The warmth of the maiden's body penetrated to the heart of Pan Gideon
+which began to beat with more vigor, and since he feared to make a
+declaration too early, he would not expose himself then to temptation.
+
+"Stand up, child," said he. "Thou wilt not weep now?"
+
+"I will not," answered she, kissing his hand.
+
+"Seest thou! Ah, this is it! Remember always the place where thou hast
+a sure refuge, and where it will be calm for thee, and pleasant. Every
+young man is glad to race over the world like a tempest, but for me
+thou art the only one. Fix this well in mind. More than once, perhaps,
+hast thou thought, 'My guardian seems a savage wolf; he is glad to find
+some one to shout at, and he has no understanding of my young ideas;'
+but knowest thou of what this guardian has thought and is thinking at
+present? Often of his past happiness, often of that pain, which like an
+arrow is fixed in his heart--that is true, but besides that only of
+thee and thy future, only of this: to secure every good thing for thee.
+Pan Grothus and I talked whole hours of this. He laughed because, as he
+said, one thought alone remained with me. My one point was to secure to
+thee after my death even a sufficient and quiet morsel."
+
+"May God not grant me to wait for that!" cried she, bending again to
+the hand of Pan Gideon.
+
+And in her voice there was such sincerity that the stern face of the
+old noble was radiant with genuine joy for the moment.
+
+"Dost thou love me a little?"
+
+"Oh, guardian!"
+
+"God reward thee, child. My age is not yet so advanced, and my body,
+save for the wounds in my heart and my person, would be sufficiently
+stalwart. But as men say, death is ever sitting 'at the gate, and
+knocks at the door whensoever it pleases. Were it to knock here thou
+wouldst be alone in the world with Pani Vinnitski. Pan Grothus is a
+good man and wealthy; he would respect my testament and wishes at all
+times, but as to other relatives of my late wife--who knows what they
+would do? And this estate and this mansion I got with my wife. Her
+relatives might wish to resist, and raise lawsuits. There is need to
+have foresight in all things. Pan Grothus gave advice touching this
+case--true, it is effective--but strange, and therefore I will not
+speak to thee yet of it. I should like to see His Grace the King--to
+leave thee and my will to his guardianship, but the king is occupied
+now with the coming war and the Diet. Pan Grothus says that if there is
+war the troops will move first under the hetmans, and the king will
+join them at Cracow--perhaps then--perhaps we shall go together. But
+whatever happens, know this, my child; all that I have will be thine,
+though I should have to follow at last the advice of Pan Grothus.
+Yes!--even for one hour before death! Yes, so help me, God. For I am
+not a wind in the field, not a harebrain, not a purse emptier, not a
+Tachevski."
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER IX
+
+
+Panna Anulka returned to her room filled with gratitude toward her
+guardian, who up to that hour had never spoken to her with such
+kindness; and at the same time she was disenchanted, embittered, and
+disgusted with the world and with people. In the first moment she could
+not and knew not how to think calmly; she had only the feeling that a
+grievous wrong had been done her, a great injustice, and that an
+awfully keen disappointment had struck her.
+
+For her love, for her sorrow, for her yearning, for all that she had
+done to bind the broken threads together, her only reward was a hateful
+suspicion. And there was no remedy. She could not, of course, write to
+Yatsek a second time, to justify herself and explain the position. A
+blush of shame and humiliation covered her face at the mere thought of
+this. Besides, she was almost sure that Yatsek had gone. And next would
+come war; perhaps she would never behold him in life again; perhaps he
+would fall and die with the conviction that a perverse and wicked heart
+was in her bosom. All at once boundless sorrow seized her. Yatsek stood
+before her eyes as if living, with his embrowned face and those pensive
+eyes which more than once she had laughed at, as being the eyes of a
+maiden.
+
+The girl's thought flies like a swift swallow after the traveller, and
+calls to him: "Yatsek! I wish thee no evil! God sees my heart, Yatsek."
+Thus does she call to him, but he makes no answer; he rides on straight
+ahead. What does he think of her? He only frowns and spits from disgust
+as he travels.
+
+Again there are pearls on her eyelids. A certain weakness has come on
+her, a moment of resignation in which she says to herself: "Ah, this is
+difficult! May God forgive him, and go with him, and never mind me!"
+
+But her lips quiver like those of a child, her eyes look like those of
+a tortured bird, and somewhere off in a hidden corner of her soul,
+which is as pure as a tear, she blames God in the deepest secret for
+that which has met her.
+
+Then again she felt certain that Yatsek had never loved her, and she
+could not understand why he had not loved her, even a little.
+
+"My guardian spoke truly," said she.
+
+But later on came reflection.
+
+"No, that could not be."
+
+Immediately she recalled those words of Yatsek, which were fixed in her
+memory as in marble. "Not thou art to go, I am the person to go; but I
+say to thee: though for years I have loved thee more than health, more
+than life, more than my own soul, I will never come back to thee. I
+will gnaw my own hands off in torture, but, so help me, God, I will
+never come back to thee." And he was pale as a wall when he said this,
+and almost mad from pain and from anger. He had not come back, that was
+true! He had appeared no more, he had left her, he had renounced her,
+he had abandoned her, he had wronged her; with an unworthy suspicion he
+and the priest had composed the dreadful letter--all that was true, and
+her guardian was right in that. But that Yatsek had never loved her,
+that after he had found money he had departed with a light and joyful
+heart, that he thought of paying court to others, that he had ceased
+altogether to think of her,--this was incredible. Her guardian might
+think so in his carefulness, but the truth was quite different. He who
+has no love does not grow pale, does not set his teeth, does not gnaw
+his fists, does not rend his soul in anguish. Such being the case, the
+young lady thought the difference was only this, that instead of one
+two were now suffering, hence a certain consolation, and even a certain
+hope, entered her. The days and months which were to come seemed
+gloomier, it may be, but not so bitter. The words of the letter ceased
+to burn her like red-hot iron, for though she doubted not that Yatsek
+had assisted in the writing, it is one thing to act through sorrow and
+pain, and another through deliberate malice.
+
+So again great compassion for Yatsek took hold of her; so great was it,
+and especially so ardent, that it could not be simply compassion. Her
+thoughts began to weave, and turn into a certain golden thread, which
+was lost in the future, but which at the same time cast on her the
+glitter of a wedding.
+
+The war would soon end and also the separation. That cruel Yatsek would
+not return to Belchantska. Oh, no! a man so resolute as he when once he
+says a thing will adhere to it; but he will come back to those parts,
+and return to Vyrambki; he will live near by, and then that will happen
+which God wishes. He went away it may be with tears, it may be with
+pain, with wringing of hands--God comfort him! He will come home with a
+full heart, and with joy, and, especially after war, with great glory.
+
+Meanwhile she will be there quietly in Belchantska, where her guardian
+is so kind; she will explain to that guardian that Yatsek is not so bad
+as other young men--and farther on moved that golden thread which began
+to wind round her heart again.
+
+The goldfinch, in the Dantsic clock of the drawing-room, whistled out a
+late hour, but sleep flew from the young lady altogether.
+
+Lying now in her bed she fixed her clear eyes on the ceiling and
+considered what disposition to make of her troubles and sorrows. If
+Yatsek had gone it was only because he was running away from her, for
+according to what she had heard war was still far from them. Her
+guardian had not mentioned that young Stanislav and the Bukoyemskis
+were to go away also; it was proper to come to an understanding with
+them and learn something of Yatsek, and say some kind word which might
+reach him through them, even in distant camps, and in war time.
+
+She had not much hope that those gentlemen would come to Pan Gideon's,
+for it was known to her that they had gone over to Yatsek, and that for
+a certain time they had been looking with disfavor on Pan Gideon; but
+she relied on another thing.
+
+In some days there would be a festival of the Most Holy Lady; a great
+festival at the parish church of Prityk, where all the neighboring
+nobles assembled with their families. She would see Pan Stanislav and
+the Bukoyemskis, if not in front of the church then at dinner in the
+priest's house. On that day the priest received every one.
+
+She hoped too that in the throng she would be able to speak with them
+freely, and that she would not meet any hindrance from her guardian
+who, though not very kind toward those gentlemen recently, could not
+break with them in view of the service which they had shown him.
+
+To Prityk from Belchantska the road was rather long, and Pan Gideon,
+who did not like hurry, passed the night at Radom, or at Yedlina, if he
+chose the road through the latter place.
+
+This time because of the overflow they took the safer though longer
+road through Radom, and started one day before the festival--on wheels,
+not on runners, for winter had broken on a sudden, and thoroughly.
+After them moved two heavily laden wagons with servants, provisions, a
+bed and sofas for decent living at inns where they halted.
+
+The stars were still twinkling, and the sky had barely begun to grow
+pale in the east when they started. Pani Vinnitski led morning prayers
+in the dark. Pan Gideon and the young lady joined her with very drowsy
+voices, for the evening before they had gone to bed late because of
+preparations for the journey. Only beyond the village and the small
+forest, in which thousands of crows found their night rest, did the
+ruddy light shine on the equally ruddy face and drowsy eyes of the
+young lady. Her lips were fixed ready for yawning, but when the first
+sun-ray lighted the fields and the forest she shook herself out of the
+drowsiness and looked around with more sprightliness, for the clear
+morning filled her with a certain good hope, and a species of gladness.
+The calm, warm, coming day promised to be really wonderful. In the air
+appeared, as it were, the first note of early spring. After
+unparalleled snows and frosts came warm sunny days all at once, to the
+astonishment of people. Men had said that from the New Year it seemed
+as if some power had cut off the winter as it were with a knife-blade,
+and herdsmen foretold by the lowing of cattle, then restive in the
+stables, that the winter would not come back again. In fact, spring
+itself was then present. In furrows, in the forest, at the north side
+of woods and along streams, strips of snow still existed; but the sun
+was warming them from above, and from beneath were flowing out streams
+and currents, making in places broad overflows in which were reflected
+wet leafless trees, as in mirrors. The damp ridges of fields gleamed
+like belts of gold in the sun-rays. At times a strong wind rose, but so
+filled with gladsome warmth as if it came from out the sun's body
+directly, and flying over the fields wrinkled the waters, throwing down
+with its movement thousands of pearls from the slender dark twigs of
+the tree branches.
+
+Because of the thaws and road "stickiness," and also because of the
+weighty carriage which was drawn by six horses with no little effort,
+they moved very slowly. As the sun rose more and more the air grew so
+warm that Panna Sieninski untied the ribbons of her hood, which dropped
+to the back of her head, and unbuttoned her weasel-skin shuba.
+
+"Are you so warm?" inquired Pani Vinnitski.
+
+"Spring, Auntie! real spring!" was the answer.
+
+And she was so charming with her bright and somewhat dishevelled head
+pushed out from her hood, with laughing eyes and rosy face, that the
+stern eyes of Pan Gideon grew mild as he glanced at her. For a while he
+seemed as if looking at her then for the first time, and spoke as if
+half to himself,--
+
+"As God lives thou art at thy best also!"
+
+She smiled at him in answer.
+
+"Oh, how slowly we are moving," said she after a while. "The road is
+awful! Is it not true that on a long road one should wait till it dries
+somewhat?"
+
+Pan Gideon's face became serious, and he looked out of the carriage
+without giving an answer.
+
+"Yedlina!" said he, soon after.
+
+"Then perhaps one may go to the church?" inquired Pani Vinnitski.
+
+"We will not, first because the church is sure to be closed, for the
+priest has gone to Prityk, and second, because he has offended me
+greatly, and I will hide my hand if he approaches." Then he added: "I
+ask you, and thee also, Anulka, not to converse with him in any way."
+
+A moment of silence succeeded. Suddenly the tramping of horses was
+heard behind the carriage, and the sounds made as the beasts pulled
+their feet out of the mud; these resembled the firing of muskets,--then
+piercing words were heard on both sides of the carriage.
+
+"With the forehead! with the forehead!"
+
+That was from the Bukoyemskis.
+
+"With the forehead!" answered Pan Gideon.
+
+"Is your grace for Prityk?"
+
+"I go every year. I suppose your lordships are going also to the
+festival?"
+
+"You may lay a wager on that," replied Marek. "One must be purified
+from sin before war comes."
+
+"But is it not early yet?"
+
+"Why should it be too early?" asked Lukash. "All that has been sinned
+up to the moment will fall from one's shoulders, since that is the use
+of absolution; and as to sins incurred later, the priest absolves from
+those in presence of the enemy, _in partikulo mortis_."
+
+"You wish to say _in articulo_" corrected Pan Gideon.
+
+"All the same, if only repentance is real."
+
+"How do you understand repentance?" inquired the amused Pan Gideon.
+
+"How do I understand repentance? Father Vior, the last time, commanded
+that we give ourselves thirty stripes in discipline, and we gave fifty;
+for we thought: Well, since this pleases the Heavenly Powers, let them
+have all they want of it."
+
+At this even the serious Pani Vinnitski laughed and Panna Anulka hid
+her face in her sleeve as if warming her nose there.
+
+Lukash noticed, as did his brothers, that their answer had roused
+laughter, hence they were somewhat offended and silent; so for a time
+were heard only the rattling of chains on the carriage, the snorting of
+horses, the sound of mud under hoofs, and the croaking of crows.
+Immense flocks of these birds were sailing away in the sunlight from
+small places and villages to the pine woods.
+
+"Ah! they feel this very minute that there will be food even to wade
+in," said the youngest Bukoyemski, turning his eyes toward the crows.
+
+"Yes, war is their harvest," said Mateush.
+
+"They do not feel it yet, for war is far off," said Pan Gideon.
+
+"Far or near, it is certain!"
+
+"And how do you know?"
+
+"We all know what the talk was at the district diets, and what
+instructions will be given to the general Diet."
+
+"True, but it is not known if they were the same everywhere."
+
+"Pan Prylubski, who has travelled through a great part of the
+Commonwealth, says they were the same everywhere."
+
+"Who is Pan Prylubski?"
+
+"He comes from Olkuts, and makes levies for the bishop of Cracow."
+
+"But has the bishop commanded to make levies before the assembling of
+the Diet?"
+
+"You see, your grace, how it is! This is the best proof that war is
+certain. The bishop wants a splendid light cavalry regiment--well, Pan
+Prylubski came to these parts because he has heard of us somewhat."
+
+"Ho! ho! Your glory has gone far through the world. Are you going?"
+
+"Of course!"
+
+"All of you?"
+
+"Why should we not all go? It is a good thing during war to have a
+friend at one's side, and still better a brother."
+
+"Well, and Pan Stanislav?"
+
+"He and Pan Yatsek will serve in one regiment."
+
+Pan Gideon glanced quickly at the young lady sitting in front; a sudden
+flame rushed over her cheeks, and he inquired further,--
+
+"Are they so intimate already? Under whom will they serve?"
+
+"Under Pan Zbierhovski."
+
+"Of course in the dragoons?"
+
+"In God's name, what are you saying? That is the hussar regiment of
+Prince Alexander."
+
+"Is it possible! Is it possible! That is no common regiment--"
+
+"Pan Yatsek is no common man."
+
+Pan Gideon had it on his lips to say that such a stripling in the
+hussars would be a soldier, not an officer, but he held back the
+remark, fearing it might seem that his letter was not so polite, or his
+help so considerable as he had told Anulka, so he frowned and said,--
+
+"I have heard of the mortgage of Vyrambki; how much was given on it?"
+
+"More than you would have given," answered Marek, dryly.
+
+Pan Gideon's eyes glittered for a moment with savage anger, but he
+restrained himself a second time, for it occurred to him that further
+conversation might serve his purpose.
+
+"All the better," said he, "the cavalier must be satisfied."
+
+The Bukoyemskis, though slow-witted by nature, began to exaggerate, one
+more than the other, just to show Pan Gideon how little Tachevski cared
+for him and all in his mansion.
+
+"Of course!" called out Lukash, "when he went away he was almost wild
+from delight. He sang so that the candles at the inn toppled over. It
+is true, that we had drunk some at parting."
+
+Pan Gideon looked again at Panna Sieninski, and saw that her rosy face
+full of youth and life had become as it were petrified. Her hood had
+fallen off entirely, her eyes were closed as in sleep; only from the
+movement of her nostrils and the slight quivering of her chin could it
+be known that she was not sleeping, but listening, and listening
+intently. It was painful to look at her, but the merciless noble
+thought,--
+
+"If there is a splinter in thy heart yet will I pluck it out of thee!"
+And he said aloud,--
+
+"Just as I expected--"
+
+"What did you expect?"
+
+"That you gentlemen would be drunk at the parting, and that Pan
+Tachevski would go away singing. Of course, he who is seeking fortune
+must hurry, and if it smiles on him, perhaps he may catch it--"
+
+"Of course!" exclaimed Lukash.
+
+"Father Voynovski," added Marek, "gave Tachevski a letter to Pan
+Zbierhovski, who is his friend, and in Zbierhova the land is such that
+you can sow onions in any place,--and he has an only daughter, just
+fifteen years of age. So don't you bother about Tachevski; he will make
+his way without you, and without these sands around Radom!"
+
+"I do not bother myself about him," said Pan Gideon, dryly. "But
+perhaps you gentlemen are in a hurry to ride on? My carriage moves in
+this mud like a tortoise."
+
+"Well, here is to you with the forehead!"
+
+"With the forehead! with the forehead! I am the servant of your
+lordships!"
+
+"We are yours in the same way!"
+
+Having said this the brothers moved forward more speedily, but when
+they had ridden an arrow-shot from the carriage they reined in again
+and talked with animation.
+
+"Did ye see?" asked Lukash, "I said 'Of course!' twice, and twice I
+thrust a sword into his heart as it were; he almost burst out."
+
+"I did better," said Marek, "for I struck both the girl and the old
+man."
+
+"How? Tell us, do not hide!" called the brothers.
+
+"Did ye not hear?"
+
+"We heard, but do thou repeat."
+
+"I struck with what I said of Panna Zbierhovski. Ye saw how the girl
+became pale? I looked at her; she had her hand on her knee and she
+opened and closed it, opened and closed it, just like a cat before
+scratching. A man could see that anger was diving down into her."
+
+But Mateush reined in his horse, and he added,--
+
+"I was sorry for her--such a dear little flower--and do ye remember
+what old Pan Serafin said?"
+
+"What did he say?" inquired, with great curiosity, Lukash, Marek, and
+Yan, reining in their horses.
+
+Mateush looked at them a while through his protruding eyes, then said
+as if in sorrow,--
+
+"But if I have forgotten?"
+
+Meanwhile not only Pan Gideon, but Pani Vinnitski, who generally knew
+very little of what was happening around her, turned attention to the
+changed face of the young lady.
+
+"But what is the matter, Anulka? Art thou cold?"
+
+"No," answered the girl, with a sort of sleepy voice which seemed not
+her own. "Nothing is the matter, only the air affects me strangely--so
+strangely."
+
+Though her voice broke from moment to moment she had no tears in her
+eyes; on the contrary, in her dry pupils there glittered sparks
+peculiar, uncommon, and her face had grown older. Seeing this Pan
+Gideon said to himself,--
+
+"Would it not be better to strike while the iron is hot?"
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER X
+
+
+Many nobles appeared at the festival from near and even distant places.
+There were assembled the Kohanovskis, the Podgaiyetskis, the
+Silnitskis, the Potvorovskis, the Sulgostovskis, Tsyprianovitch with
+his son, the Bukoyemskis and many others. But the greatest interest was
+roused by the arrival of Prince Michael Chartoryski, the voevoda of
+Sandomir, who stopped at Prityk on his way to the Diet at Warsaw and,
+in waiting for the festival, had passed some days in devotion. All were
+glad of his presence, for he added splendor to the occasion, and at the
+same time it was possible to learn from him no little touching public
+questions. He spoke of the injustices which the Porte had committed
+against the Commonwealth in fixing the boundary of Podolia, and the
+raids which in defiance of treaties had ruined Russian lands recently.
+He declared war to be certain. He said that a treaty with the Emperor
+would be concluded beyond question, and that even adherents of France
+would not show it open opposition, since the French court, though
+unfriendly in general to the Empire, knew the peril in which the
+Commonwealth found itself. Whether the Turks would hurl themselves
+first against Cracow, or Vienna was unknown to Prince Michael, but it
+was known to him that the enemy were preparing "arms and men"
+at Adrianople, and in addition to the forces with Toekoeli at Koshytsi,
+nay those in all Hungary, thousands were assembling from Rumelia, from
+Asia, from regions on the Euphrates and the Tigris, from Africa, from
+the Red Sea to the waves of the measureless ocean.
+
+The nobles heard this news eagerly; the older men, who knew how
+gigantic was the power of the pagan, with anxiety in their faces, the
+younger men with knit brows, and with fire in their glances. But hope
+and enthusiasm were predominant, for fresh in their minds was the
+memory of Hotsim, where the king reigning actually, a hetman at that
+time, leading Polish forces, besieged a Turkish power greater than his
+own, bore it apart upon sabres, and trampled it with horsehoofs. They
+were comforted by the thought that the Turks, who rushed with
+irresistible daring on all troops of other nations, felt their hearts
+weaken when they had to stand eye to eye in the open field against that
+terrible "Lehistan" cavalry. Still greater hope and still higher
+enthusiasm were roused by the preaching of Father Voynovski. Pan Gideon
+was somewhat afraid lest in that sermon there might be some reference
+to sins, and certain points of blame which would touch him and his
+treatment of Yatsek, but there was nothing of that sort. War and the
+mission of the Commonwealth had swept the priest away heart and soul.
+"Christ," said he, "has chosen thee among all the nations, He has
+placed thee on guard before all the others, He has commanded thee to
+stand beneath His cross and defend, to thy last drop of blood and the
+last breath in thee, that faith which is the foundation of living. The
+field of glory lies open before thee, hence, though blood were to flow
+around thee on both sides, though arrows and darts were to stick in
+thee, rise, lion of God, shake thy mane, and thunder so that from that
+thunder the marrow will melt in the bones of the pagan, and crescents
+and horse-tails will fall, like a pine wood in front of a tempest."
+
+Thus did Father Voynovski speak to the knightly hearers before him,
+because he was an old soldier who had fought all his life and knew how
+it was on the battlefield. When he spoke of war it seemed to those
+present that they were looking on the canvases in the king's castle at
+Warsaw, on which various battles and Polish victories were presented as
+if real.
+
+"See, now," said he, "the regiments are starting. Their spears are
+lowered to a line with the middle of the horse-ears; they have bent
+forward in the saddle, there is a cry of fear among the pagans, and
+delight up in heaven. The Most Holy Mother runs to the window with all
+her might, crying: 'Oh come, dear Son, and see how the Poles are
+attacking!' The Lord Jesus with his holy cross blesses them. 'By God's
+wounds!' he cries, 'there they are, my nobles, my warriors. Their pay
+here is ready for them!' And the archangel, holy Michael, strikes his
+palms on his thighs and shouts: 'Into them, the dog-brothers! Strike!'
+That is how they rejoice up in heaven. And those down here cut and cut.
+Men, standards, horses roll over and over. They rush across the bellies
+of Janissaries, over captured cannon, and trampled crescents; they
+advance to glory, to reward, to an accomplished mission, to salvation,
+to immortality."
+
+When at last he finished with the words, "And Christ calls you, too; it
+is your time now to the field of glory!" there rose a shout in the
+church, and a clattering of sabres. At Mass, when during the Gospel
+every blade sounded in its scabbard, and steel glittered in the
+sunlight, it seemed to tender women that war had already begun; and
+they fell to sobbing, committing their fathers and husbands and
+brothers to the Most Holy Lady.
+
+The Bukoyemskis, whispering among themselves, made a vow to move
+immediately after the festival, and not to take to their lips, until
+Easter, water, milk, or even beer, but content themselves with drinks
+which keep up heat in the blood, and therefore valor.
+
+General enthusiasm was so great that even the cold, stern Pan Gideon
+did not resist it. He thought for a while that, though his left arm was
+missing, he might hold the reins in his teeth, and with his right hand
+take vengeance once more for the wrongs which he had suffered from
+cursed pagans, and besides gild anew his former services to the
+Commonwealth. But he made no vow, and left the whole matter for further
+meditation.
+
+Meanwhile the service was concluded in splendor. From the cemetery were
+fired cannon given by the Kohanovskis for important occasions. In the
+tower the swinging bells thundered. The tame bear in the choir pumped
+the organ with such vigor that the tin pipes almost flew from their
+settings. The church was filled with smoke from censers, and trembled
+from the voices of people. Mass was celebrated by the prelate
+Tvorkovski, from Radom,--a learned man, full of sentences, quotations,
+examples, and proverbs; at the same time he was gladsome, and knew the
+world thoroughly. For these reasons, men went to him for counsel in
+every question; and so did Pan Gideon, who went the more readily, as
+the prelate was a friend of his. On the eve of the festival, Pan Gideon
+was with him at confession; but when, besides the confession, he began
+to acknowledge his intentions, the object of which was Panna Anulka,
+the prelate deferred that to a later and special meeting, saying that
+he had barely time to hear the sins of common people. "On the way back
+from the festival," said he to Pan Gideon, "you can send home the women
+and stay with me at Radom, where, _procul negotiis_ (far from
+business), I can listen to you in freedom."
+
+And thus did they manage. Hence, a day later they sat down before a
+decanter of worthy Hungarian and a plate of roast almonds, which the
+prelate took with wine very willingly.
+
+"I am silent," said he; "and attentive--speak on!"
+
+Pan Gideon took a draught from the glass and looked from his iron eyes
+with some discontent at the prelate, because the latter had not eased
+his conversation by a proper beginning.
+
+"Hm! somehow it is not easy; I see that it is more difficult than I
+imagined."
+
+"Then I will help you. Did you wish to speak of some holy thing?"
+
+"Of a holy thing?"
+
+"Yes; which has two heads and four feet."
+
+"What sort of holy thing is that?" asked Pan Gideon, astonished.
+
+"I mention a riddle. Guess it."
+
+"My dear prelate, whoso has important affairs in his head has no time
+for riddles."
+
+"Pshaw! Think a while!"
+
+"Some holy thing with two heads and four feet?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"As God lives, I know not."
+
+"It is holy matrimony. Is that not so?"
+
+"True, as God is dear to me! Yes, yes, precisely on that subject do I
+wish to talk with you."
+
+"Then it is a question of Anulka Sieninski?"
+
+"Of her exactly. Do you see, my benefactor, she, of course, is not my
+relative, or if she is, the relationship is so distant that no one
+could prove it. But I have become attached to her, for I reared her,
+and I am bound in gratitude to her family, for what the Pangovskis had
+in Russia, just as the Jolkievskis, Danilovitches, and Sobieskis, they
+had from the Sieninskis, or through them. I should like to leave the
+orphan what I have, but in fact the fortune of the Pangovskis has
+vanished through Tartar attacks; there remains only the estate of my
+late wife. It is mine; she left it by will to me; but this place is
+full of her relatives. First of all is Pan Grothus, the starosta of
+Raigrod. I do not fear him, for he is rich beyond need, and a good man.
+For that matter it was he who gave me this idea, which before that had
+occurred, it is true, more than once to me; for the desire was at the
+bottom of my heart in a slumber, but he roused it. In addition to Pan
+Grothus are the Sulgostovskis, the Krepetskis, the Zabierzovskis. These
+look even to-day with ill-will at the young lady; but how would they
+look after my death? If I make a will and leave what I own to her they
+will go to the courts; there will be lawsuits dragging on from tribunal
+to tribunal. How could she, poor thing, help herself? I cannot leave
+her in such a condition. Attachment, compassion, and gratitude are
+strong links. I ask with a clear conscience if I am not bound to secure
+her even in such a way?"
+
+The prelate bit a nut in two and showed the second half to Pan Gideon.
+
+"Do you know why this nut pleases me? Because it is good! If it were
+decayed I would not eat it."
+
+"Then what?"
+
+"Then that Anulka pleases your taste, for she is an almond. Hai! and
+what an almond! If she were fifty years old it is certain that your
+conscience would not be so troubled concerning her future."
+
+Pan Gideon was confused at this, but the prelate continued,--
+
+"I do not take this ill of you, for, as you see, there must be a good
+reason for everything, and God has so arranged that every man prefers a
+young turnip to an old one. With wine it is different, therefore we
+agree willingly as to wine with the arrangement of Providence."
+
+"Yes, it is true. Except wine, what is young is better always; Pan
+Kohanovski wrote only humorously, that an old man, like an old oak, is
+better than a young one. This is the one question for me: if I leave
+property to her as my wife no one will dare move a finger; but if I
+leave it to her as a ward, there will be many lawsuits and quarrels,
+and perhaps armed attacks also. Who could protect her from the latter?
+Of course not Pani Vinnitski!"
+
+"That is undoubted."
+
+"But since I am neither a giddy nor an empty man, I did not wish to
+decide this alone, hence I have come to you to confirm me in the
+conviction that I am acting wisely, and that you will support me with
+clear counsel."
+
+The prelate thought a while, and then added,--
+
+"You see, that advice in a matter of this kind is difficult, and a man
+repeats more than once to himself with B[oe]tius, _Si tacuisses,
+philosophus mansisses_ (if thou remain silent, thou wilt be a
+philosopher); or with Job, 'Even a fool if he remain silent will be
+considered a wise man.' Your intention, in so far as it is roused by
+warm affection, is justified, and in so far also as it flows from care
+for the good of the girl, is even praiseworthy. But will not some
+injustice be done her, will there not be need to constrain her, or to
+lead her with threats to the altar? For I have heard that she and
+Yatsek Tachevski are in love. And truly, without beating about the
+bushes, I have more than once seen him a frequent guest at your
+mansion."
+
+"What have you seen?" inquired Pan Gideon, abruptly.
+
+"Nothing sinful, but signs through which intimacy and love are denoted.
+I saw more than once how they held each other's hands longer than was
+needed, how they followed each other with their eyes. I saw him once in
+a tree dropping cherries down into her apron, and how they so looked at
+each other that the cherries fell to the ground past one rim of the
+apron. I saw her when looking at flying storks lean on him, and
+then--women are always subtle--scold him for coming too near her. And
+what more did I see? Various things which prove secret wishes. You will
+say that this is nothing. Of course, nothing! But that she felt the
+will of God toward him as much, or more, than he toward her, only a
+blind man could help seeing, and I wonder that you did not see this. I
+wonder still more, if you did see it, that you did not stop it in view
+of your own intentions."
+
+Pan Gideon had seen and known this, but still the words of the prelate
+produced on him a terrible impression. It is one thing when some
+pain-causing secret is hidden in the heart, and quite another when a
+strange hand pushes into one's bosom and shakes up that secret. So now
+his face became purple, his eyes filled with blood, a great bunch of
+veins came out on his forehead, and he began to pant on a sudden, and
+to breathe so quickly that the prelate, in alarm, asked,--
+
+"What is the matter?"
+
+Pan Gideon answered, with a motion of the hand, that it was nothing,
+but he remained silent.
+
+"Drink some wine," cried the priest.
+
+He stretched out his arm and with trembling hand took the glass, raised
+it to his lips, drank, blew through his lips, and whispered,--
+
+"It darkened before my eyes just a trifle."
+
+"Because of what I told you?"
+
+"No. That for some time has occurred to me often, but now I am fatigued
+by the fast, by the journey, and by the spring, which is unexpected and
+early."
+
+"Then perhaps it would be better not to wait for May, but be bled
+immediately."
+
+"I will be bled, but I will rest a while now, and we will return later
+on to this business."
+
+A fairly long time passed before Pan Gideon recovered completely, but
+at last he recovered. The veins relaxed on his forehead, his heart
+began to beat evenly, and he continued,--
+
+"I will not say that strength fails me. Were I to squeeze with my one
+hand I could crush, as I think, this silver goblet very easily; but
+though strength and health are both in God's hand they are not
+identical."
+
+"Man's life is fragile!"
+
+"But just because of that, if something is to be done there is need to
+act quickly. You speak, my benefactor, of Pan Yatsek and that affection
+which the young people might feel for each other. I will say sincerely
+that I was not blind. I too saw what was happening, but only in recent
+days did I note it; for remember that till recently she was a green
+berry, which even now has barely ripened. He came every day, it is
+true, but because, perhaps, he had not much to eat in his own house;
+besides, I received him, as it were, through compassion. Father
+Voynovski trained him in Latin and at the sabre, and I gave him
+nourishment. That's the whole story. Only a year ago he reached
+manhood. I looked on them as children who were thinking of various
+plays and amusements. I considered it an ordinary occurrence. But that
+such a pauper should dare to think; and, besides, of whom?--of Panna
+Anulka! That, I confess, never came to my mind, and only in the last
+hours did I take note of anything."
+
+"Nonsense! A pauper is a pauper, but Tachevski--"
+
+"Of Hungerdeath! No, my benefactor, he who licks a stranger's saucepan
+should be asked only into dogs' company. When I saw what kind of man he
+was I looked at him more carefully, and know you what I found? This,
+that not merely was he a pauper and a giddy head, but a venomous
+reptile, ever ready to sting the hand feeding him. Thank God he is
+gone; but he has stung, not me alone, but that innocent maiden."
+
+"How is that?"
+
+Pan Gideon began to relate how it was, painting with such blackness the
+deeds of Tachevski that a hangman might have been called in immediately
+to take him.
+
+"Never fear, my benefactor," said he at last. "During our journey to
+Prityk the Bukoyemskis poured out in full to Anulka; ah, to the full so
+completely that it flowed over, and now the situation is such that
+never will the girl feel such abhorrence for any creature of God as for
+that whipper-snapper, that roysterer, that abortion."
+
+"Be moderate, or your blood will boil again."
+
+"True. And I did not wish to speak of him, but of this, that I have not
+in view any injustice to the girl, or any constraint. Persuasion is
+another thing, but even that should be used by a stranger, yet by a man
+who is at the same time her friend and mine,--a man known for wit and
+dignity, who can use noble phrases, move the heart and convince the
+reason. Hence my desire is to beg you, my special benefactor, to see to
+this. You will not refuse me; you will do this, not merely from
+friendship, you will do it because it is honorable and proper."
+
+"It is a question of her good and of yours, hence I will not refuse;
+but I should like to have time to decide how this may be accomplished
+most easily."
+
+"Then I will go at once to the barber and have myself bled, so as to go
+home clearer witted,--but do you make your plan. For you that will not
+be difficult, and on the other side there will be, as I think, no
+obstacle."
+
+"There can be only one obstacle, lord brother."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"Friendship should tell the truth, hence I speak freely. You are an
+honorable person, I know that, but rather stubborn. You have this
+reputation, and you have it because your dependants all fear you
+tremendously. Not only the peasants, concerning whom you have
+quarrelled with Father Voynovski, but your servants, attendants, and
+managers. Tachevski feared you, Pani Vinnitski fears you, the young
+lady fears you. Two matchmakers will appear according to custom. I will
+do what I can, but I will not guarantee that the other may not destroy
+all my labor."
+
+During one moment Pan Gideon's eyes flashed with anger, for he did not
+like to have the truth told in his presence; but amazement now
+conquered his anger, so he asked,--
+
+"Of what are you speaking? What other matchmaker is there?"
+
+"Fear," said the prelate.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XI
+
+
+They were unable to go that same day to Belchantska, for Pan Gideon
+weakened considerably after bleeding, and said that some rest was
+needed. Next morning, however, he felt brighter; he had grown young, as
+it were, and he approached his own mansion with good hope, though with
+a certain disquiet. Occupied with his own thoughts entirely, he spoke
+little along the way with the prelate, but when they were entering the
+village he felt his disquiet increasing.
+
+"This is a wonder to me," said he. "Ere this time I came home as a man
+who is master, and all others were concerned about this, with what face
+would I greet them; while now I am the anxious one, I ask myself how
+will they greet me."
+
+"Virgil has said," replied the prelate, "'_amor omnia vincit_' (love
+conquers everything), but he forgot to add, that it changes everything
+also. This Delilah will not shear your locks, for you are bald, but
+that I shall see you spinning at her feet, as Hercules spun at the feet
+of Omphale, is certain."
+
+"Ei! my nature is not of that kind. I have known always how to hold in
+my fists both servants and household."
+
+"So people say, but for this very reason it lies in the position that
+some one will take you in hand very thoroughly."
+
+"The hand is a dear one!" said Pan Gideon, with a joyousness which for
+him was unusual.
+
+They drove very slowly, for the mud in the village was terrible; since
+they had started from Radom not so soon after midday, night had fallen
+already. In the cottages at the two sides of the road light came from
+the windows and stretched in red lines to the cottages opposite. Here
+and there near the fence appeared some human form, that of a woman, or
+of a man who, seeing the travellers, bared his head and bowed as low as
+his girdle. It was clear from these bowings, which seemed excessive,
+that Pan Gideon held people in his fist, nay more, that he held them
+too firmly, and that Father Voynovski blamed him, not without reason,
+for tyranny. But the old noble felt in his bosom a softer heart than
+had ever been in it till that evening, so looking at those bent
+figures, and seeing the windows of those cottages leaning earthward, he
+said,--
+
+"I will grant some favor to those subjects whose part she takes
+always."
+
+"Oh, see to it that thou do so," said the prelate.
+
+And they were silent. Pan Gideon was occupied for a time with his own
+thoughts, then he added,--
+
+"I know that you need no advice in this matter; but you must explain to
+the lady what a benefaction is becoming ready for her, and that I think
+about her first of all; but in case of resistance, which I do not
+expect,--well, then even scold her in some degree."
+
+"You said that you did not wish to constrain her."
+
+"I said so, but it is one thing if I were to threaten, and another if
+some one else, who, besides, is a spiritual person, exposes her
+ingratitude."
+
+"Leave that task to me. I have undertaken it and will use my best
+efforts; but I will talk to the girl in the most tender way possible."
+
+"Very well, very well! But one word more. She feels great abhorrence
+for Tachevski, but should there be any mention of him it would be well
+to say something more against him."
+
+"If he has acted as you say, this will not be needed."
+
+"We are arriving. Well! In the name of the Father and the Son--"
+
+"And the Holy Ghost--Amen!"
+
+They arrived, but no one came out to meet them, for the wheels made no
+sound because of deep mud, and the dogs did not bark at the horses or
+at the men, whom they recognized. It was dark in the hall, for the
+servants were evidently sitting in the kitchen; and it happened that
+when Pan Gideon first called, "Is any one here?" no one came to him,
+and at the second call, in sharper tones, the young lady herself
+appeared.
+
+She came holding a light in her hand, but since she was in the gleam of
+it and they in the darkness she, not seeing them at once, remained near
+the threshold; and they did not speak for a moment since to begin with,
+it seemed a special sign to them, that she had come out before others,
+and second, because her beauty astonished them as much as if they had
+never beheld it till that moment.
+
+The fingers with which she grasped the candle seemed transparent and
+rosy; the gleam crept along her bosom, lighted her lips and her small
+face which looked somewhat drowsy and sad, perhaps because her eyes
+were in a deep shade while her forehead and the glorious bright hair,
+which was as a crown just above it, were still in full radiance. And
+she all in quiet and splendor stood there in the gloom like an angel
+created from ruddy brightness.
+
+"Oh, as God is dear to me, a vision!" said the prelate.
+
+Then Pan Gideon called,--
+
+"Anulka!"
+
+Leaving the light on a nitch of the chimney, she ran to them and gave
+greeting, joyously. Pan Gideon pressed her to his heart with much
+feeling, commanded her to rejoice at the arrival of a guest so
+distinguished, a man famous as a giver of counsel, and when after
+greeting they entered the dining-hall he asked,--
+
+"Is supper over?"
+
+"No. The servants were to bring it from the kitchen, and that is why no
+one was standing at the entrance."
+
+The prelate looked at the old noble, and asked,--
+
+"Then perhaps without waiting?"
+
+"No, no," answered Pan Gideon, "Pani Vinnitski will be here directly."
+
+Thereupon Pani Vinnitski made herself felt in reality, and fifteen
+minutes later they sat down to heated wine and fried eggs. The prelate
+ate and drank well, but at the end of the supper his face became
+serious, and he said, turning to Panna Anulka,--
+
+"My gracious young lady, God knows why people call me a counsellor and
+why they take advice of me, but since your guardian does so, I must
+speak with you on a certain task of importance which he has given my
+poor wit to accomplish."
+
+When Pan Gideon heard this, the veins swelled on his forehead; the
+young lady paled somewhat, and rose in disquiet, for, through some
+unknown reason, it seemed to her that the prelate would talk about
+Yatsek.
+
+"I beg you to another room," said he.
+
+And they left the dining-hall.
+
+Pan Gideon sighed deeply once and a second time; then he drummed on the
+table with his fingers, and feeling the need of talking down his
+internal emotion by words of some kind, he said to Pani Vinnitski,--
+
+"Have you noticed how all the relatives of my late wife hate Anulka?"
+
+"Especially the Krepetskis," answered Pani Vinnitski.
+
+"Ha! they almost grit their teeth when they see her; but soon they will
+grit them still harder."
+
+"How is that?"
+
+"You will learn in good season; but meanwhile we must find a bed for
+the prelate."
+
+After a time Pan Gideon was alone. Two servants came to remove the
+supper dishes, but he sent them away with a quick burst of anger, and
+there was silence in the dining-hall, only the great Dantsic clock
+repeated loudly and with importance: tik-tak! tik-tak! Pan Gideon
+placed his hand on his bald head and began to walk in the chamber. He
+approached the door beyond which the prelate was talking with Anulka,
+but he heard merely sounds in which he distinguished the voice but not
+the words of the prelate. So in turn he walked and halted. He went to
+the window, for it seemed to him that there he would breathe with more
+freedom. He looked for a while at the sky, with eyes from which
+expression had vanished,--that sky over which the wind was hurrying the
+torn clouds of spring, with light on their upper edges through which
+the pale moon seemed to rise higher and higher. As often as he rested
+an evil foreboding took hold of him. He looked through the window close
+to which black limbs of trees were wrestling back and forth with the
+wind, as if in torment; in the same way his thoughts were struggling
+back and forth, disordered, evil, resembling reproaches of conscience,
+and painful forebodings that some bad thing would happen, and that near
+punishment was waiting--but when it grew bright out of doors, again
+better hope entered him.
+
+Every one has a right to think of his own happiness--as to Yatsek
+Tachevski it was of little importance what such people do! What was the
+question at present? The happiness and calm future of a young girl; but
+besides this there smiled on him a little life in his old age--and this
+belongs to him. This only is real, the rest is wind, wind!
+
+And he felt again a turning of the head, and black spots danced before
+his vision, but that lasted very briefly. Then he approached the door
+behind which his fate was in the balance. Meanwhile the light on the
+table acquired a long wick and the chamber grew gloomy. At times the
+voice of the prelate became sharper, so that words would have reached
+the ear of Pan Gideon had it not been for that loud and continuous
+"tik-tak." It was easy to understand that such a conversation could not
+end quickly, still, Pan Gideon's alarm grew and grew, turning, as it
+were, into certain wonderful questions woven into the past, with
+memories not only of former misfortunes and pain, but also of former
+unextinguished transgressions, of former grievous sins, and of recent
+injustices inflicted not only on Tachevski, but on others.
+
+"Why and wherefore shouldst thou be happy?" asked his conscience.
+
+And he would have given at that moment he knew not how much if even
+Pani Vinnitski might return to the chamber, so that he should not be
+alone with those thoughts of his. But Pani Vinnitski was occupied
+somewhere with work in another part of the mansion, while in that
+dining-hall there was nothing but the clock with its "tik-tak!"
+
+"For what deed should God reward thee?" asked his conscience.
+
+Pan Gideon felt now that if that girl, who was at once like a flower
+and an angel, should fail him, there would be a darkness in his life
+which would last till the night of death should descend on him.
+
+With that the door opened on a sudden and Panna Sieninski came in from
+the next chamber. She was pale; there were tears in her eyes; and
+behind her was the prelate.
+
+"Art thou weeping?" asked Pan Gideon, with a hoarse, stifled voice.
+
+"From gratitude, guardian," cried she, stretching her hands to him.
+
+And she fell at his knees there.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XII
+
+
+That evening, or late at night, Pani Vinnitski appeared in the room of
+her relative, and, finding the young lady still dressed, she talked to
+her.
+
+"I cannot recover from amazement," said she; "sooner should I have
+looked for death than that such an idea should have come to the head of
+Pan Gideon."
+
+"Neither did I look for it."
+
+"How is it then? And is it so, really? I know not what to do, to be
+glad, or the opposite. We know that the prelate as a spiritual person
+has better judgment than the laity. He is right when he says that till
+death thou wilt have a roof over thy head, and that roof thy own, not
+another's. But Pan Gideon is old"--here she spoke lower--"art thou not
+a little afraid of him?"
+
+"It is all in the past; there is nothing to think of at present,"
+answered Anulka.
+
+"How dost thou say that?"
+
+"I say that I owe him gratitude for a refuge, and a morsel of bread,
+and that these are poorly paid for by my person which no one else cares
+for; but since he cares, that too, is a favor on his part."
+
+"He began long ago to wish for this," said the old woman mysteriously.
+"After he had talked to-day with thee he called me. I thought that
+there was something wrong with the supper, and that he would reproach
+me, but he said nothing. I saw that for some reason he was cheerful,
+and all at once he broke the news to me. My legs trembled under me.
+'What is the matter?' asked he. 'You are turned, like Lot's wife, to a
+pillar of salt,' said he. 'Is it because I have taken such a mushroom?'
+'No,' I answered, 'but because it is so unexpected.' 'With me,' said
+he, then, 'that is an old idea. Like a fish at the bottom of a river it
+was unknown till some one helped it to swim to the surface. And dost
+thou know who that was?' I felt sure that it was the prelate. 'Not at
+all,' said he, 'but Pan Grothus.'"
+
+A moment of silence followed.
+
+"But I thought Pan Yatsek--" said Anulka through her set teeth.
+
+"Why Yatsek?"
+
+"To show that he did not care for me."
+
+"Thou knowest that Yatsek has not seen Pan Gideon."
+
+Then Anulka began to repeat feverishly,--
+
+"Yes, I know! He had something else in his head! Let that go! I do not
+want to know anything. I do not, I do not! It is all finished, and
+finished forever."
+
+A dry, nervous weeping shook her bosom. After a moment she repeated
+again,--
+
+"It is finished beyond recall!" Then they knelt down to an "Our
+Father," which they repeated each evening in company.
+
+Next day Anulka appeared with a calm face, but something had changed in
+her, something remained unexpressed, something had shut itself up in
+her. She was not sad, but all at once, she had grown, as it were, some
+years older, and she had in her now a certain calm dignity, so that Pan
+Gideon, who hitherto had taken into account himself only, began without
+noting it, to consider her also. In general he was unable to command
+himself, and it seemed to him specially strange that he felt in some
+sense his dependence on Anulka. He began to fear those thoughts which
+she did not express, but which she might conceal in her spirit. He
+tried to forestall such, and put in place of them others, of the kind
+which he wanted. Even the silence of Pani Vinnitski was oppressive and
+seemed to him suspicious; so he worked out fantastic pictures, talked,
+joked, but there flashed up in his steel eyes at times certain gleams
+of impatience.
+
+Meanwhile news of his engagement had gone through the neighborhood. Of
+this engagement he now made no secret; on the contrary, he sent letters
+announcing it to Pan Serafin, and to his nearest neighbors; he wrote
+letters to the Kohanovskis, to the Podlodovskis, to the Sulgostovskis,
+to Pan Grothus, to the Krepetskis, and even to distant relatives of his
+late wife, with invitations to the betrothal, after which the marriage
+would be celebrated immediately.
+
+Pan Gideon would have preferred to get a dispensation from the banns
+even, but unfortunately it was the Lenten season, and he had to wait
+till after Easter. He took both women, therefore, to Radom where the
+young lady was to find her wedding outfit, and he to buy horses more
+showy than those which he had at that time in his stables.
+
+Reports came to him that among the relatives who had hoped to inherit
+everything not only after his late wife, but after him, there was as
+much movement as there is in a beehive; but this pleased him, since he
+hated them all from his innermost spirit, and was planning at all times
+to harm them. Those tidings of meetings, whispered conferences, and
+counsels shortened his visit to Radom. And when at last his stay there
+was ended, and the horses together with new harness were purchased, he
+returned on Easter eve to his mansion. Guests began to arrive almost at
+the same time, for the betrothal was to take place on the third day
+after Easter.
+
+First came the Krepetskis who were both the nearest relatives and
+nearest neighbors. The father was almost eighty years old, with the
+visage of a vulture, and renowned as a miser. He had three daughters:
+Tekla, the youngest, was pretty and pleasant; Agneshka and Johanna were
+not youthful, they were testy old maids with pimples on their cheeks at
+all seasons. He had a son, Martsian, nicknamed Pniak (stump) in the
+neighborhood. He bore the name justly, for at the first glance he
+seemed a great stump; he had a mighty chest, and broad shoulders. His
+bow-legs were so short that he was almost dwarflike, and his arms
+reached his kneepans. Some thought him a hunchback; he was not,
+however, but his head without a neck was fixed so closely to his body
+that his high shoulders reached his ears, very nearly. Out of that
+head peered prominent, lustful eyes, and his face was like that of a
+he-goat. A small beard which he wore as if in defiance of general
+custom, increased the resemblance.
+
+He did not serve as a warrior, for he had been ridiculed from service,
+for which reason he had had in his time many duels. There was uncommon
+strength in his stumpy body, and people feared him in all places, since
+he was a quarreller and a road-blocker, who, in every affair, was glad
+to seek pretexts; he was as irritable as a vicious beast, and wounded
+savagely in Radom one Krepetski, his cousin, a handsome and worthy
+young man who almost died of the injuries then inflicted. He felt
+respect only for Yatsek, whose skill at the sabre was known to him, and
+before the Bukoyemskis, one of whom, Lukash, threw him over a fence
+like a bundle of straw once in Yedlina. He had the deserved reputation
+of being a great profligate. Pan Gideon had driven him out of the
+mansion a few years before that, because he had looked too much in goat
+fashion at Panna Anulka, a little girl at that period. But since then
+some years had passed, and, as they had met later in Radom, and in
+neighboring houses, Pan Gideon invited him now with the family.
+
+Immediately after the Krepetskis came the Sulgostovskis, twin brothers,
+who so resembled each other that when they put on coats of like fashion
+no man could distinguish them; next came three remote Sulgostovskis
+from beyond Prityk--and then a numerous family formed of nine people,
+the handsome Zabierzovskis. From Yedlinka came Pan Serafin, but alone,
+since his son had gone to his regiment already; Pan Podlodovski, the
+starosta, once the agent of the great lord in Zamost; the Kohanovskis;
+the priest from Prityk; the prelate Tvorkovski from Radom, who was to
+bless the ring, and many small nobles from near and distant places,
+some even without invitation, with this idea, that a guest though quite
+unknown would be sure to find welcome, and that when there is a chance
+to eat and drink a man should not miss it.
+
+Belchantska was crowded with carriages and wagons, the stables were
+filled with horses, the outbuildings with servants of all sorts;
+everywhere in the mansion were colored coats, sabres, shaven foreheads;
+and with these went Latin, the twittering of women, farthingales,
+laces, and various ornaments. Maids were flying around with hot water,
+and tipsy servants with excellent wine in decanters. From morning until
+night-hours the kitchen was steaming like a tar pit. The windows of the
+mansion gleamed and flashed every evening, so that the whole place
+around there was radiant.
+
+And amid all this tumult Pan Gideon moved through the chambers, walked
+about and gave welcome, magnificent, important, grown young as it were
+for the second time, dressed in crimson, and wearing a sabre which
+glittered with jewels, a sabre which Panna Anulka had inherited; it was
+her only dowry from wealthy forefathers. If giddiness seized him he
+leaned on an armchair, and again he moved forward, showed honor to
+guests who were personages, and struck one heel against the other when
+greeting older ladies; but above all he followed with eyes which were
+more and more enamoured "his Anulka," who bloomed in that many-colored
+throng. Amid glances which were frequently ill-wishing, frequently
+jealous, and filled sometimes with venom, she was as fair as a lily,
+somewhat sad, or only conscious, it may be, of the weight of that fact
+which she had to encounter.
+
+Thus things continued till the evening of the third day, that is,
+Tuesday, when the mortars of the mansion thundered in the yard, thus
+announcing to the guests and the country that the solemn moment had
+come, the moment of betrothal.
+
+The guests ranged themselves then as a half-circle in the drawing-room,
+men and women in splendid costumes bright as a rainbow in the light of
+the candles. In front of them stood Pan Gideon and Panna Anulka.
+Silence settled down, and the eyes of all people were fixed on the
+bride, who with downcast eyes, with attention and dignity on her face,
+without a smile, but not sad, seemed as if drowsy.
+
+The prelate Tvorkovski in his surplice, having near him young Tekla
+Krepetski, who held a silver plate with rings on it, advanced from the
+half-circle and addressed those who were soon to be married. He spoke
+learnedly, long, and with eloquence, showing what were the _sponsalia
+de futuro_, and what great importance from the earliest days of
+Christianity was attached to betrothals. He quoted Tertullian, and the
+Council of Trent, and the opinion of various learned canonists, then
+turning to Pan Gideon and Panna Sieninski he explained to them how wise
+their decision was, what great benefaction they promised each other,
+and how their future happiness depended on themselves only.
+
+Those present listened with admiration, but also with impatience, for
+as relatives from whom their inheritance was slipping they looked on
+that marriage with repugnance. Pan Gideon, who from standing long had
+grown dizzy, began to rest on one leg and then on the other, and to
+give signs with his eyes to the prelate to finish; these signs he was
+not quick to notice, but at last he blessed the rings and put them on
+the fingers of the affianced.
+
+Then the mortars thundered again in the yard, and from the gallery in
+the dining-hall was heard a loud orchestra made up of five Radom Jews
+who played nicely. The guests came now in turn to congratulate, for the
+greater part with sourness and insincerely. The two Krepetski old maids
+simply jeered as they courtesied to their "Aunt," and Pan Martsian,
+when kissing her hands, recommended himself to her graces with such a
+goat glance that Pan Gideon ought to have driven him from the mansion a
+second time.
+
+But others, more remote relatives, being better and less greedy, gave
+sincere, cordial wishes. Now the door of the dining-hall was thrown
+open; Pan Gideon gave his arm to his betrothed, and after him moved the
+other couples amid the glitter and the quivering of flames caused by a
+sudden cold gust which had blown through the entrance. From the kitchen
+came the servants, half tipsy, with decanters of wine and an
+unreckonable number of dishes.
+
+From the opening of doors there was such cold air in the dining-hall
+that guests, while sitting down to the table, were seized the first
+moment with a shiver, while the flickering of candles made the whole
+hall, in spite of its elegant furnishing, seem dark and gloomy. But it
+was proper to hope that wine would soon warm the blood in all present,
+and wine was not spared by Pan Gideon. He was rather stingy in
+every-day life, but on exceptional occasions he liked so to show
+himself that people spoke long of him afterward. This happened now.
+Behind every guest an attendant was standing with a mossy and
+big-bellied bottle, while under the table were hidden a number of
+servants with bottles also, so that in case a guest could not find more
+to drink on the table he put down a goblet twixt his knees and they
+filled it immediately. Immense glasses for drinkers, great goblets,
+glittered in front of each man, but before ladies were smaller glasses,
+either French or Italian.
+
+The guests did not occupy the whole table, however, for Pan Gideon had
+commanded to set more plates than there were guests in the mansion. The
+prelate cast his eyes on those empty places and fell to praising the
+hospitality of the house and the master; at that moment he rose in his
+chair somewhat, wishing to arrange the folds of his soutane, hence
+those present supposed that he was going to offer the earliest toast,
+and were silent.
+
+"We are listening!" said a number of voices.
+
+"Oh, there is no reason," said the prelate, with joyousness. "There is
+no toast yet, though the time will come soon for it. I see some of you
+gentlemen rubbing your heads rather early, and the Kohanovskis are
+whispering as well as counting on their fingers. It is difficult to
+expect rhymes from any if not from the Kohanovskis. I wish to say only
+that it is an old Polish and praiseworthy custom to leave thus a place
+for a guest who is unexpected."
+
+"Oh," answered Pan Gideon, "as the house is lighted up some one may
+come from the darkness."
+
+"And perhaps some one is coming," said Kohanovski. "It may be Pan
+Grothus?"
+
+"No-- Pan Grothus has gone to the Diet. If a man comes he will be
+unexpected."
+
+"But the earth is soft, we shall not hear him."
+
+"Well, a dog is barking under the window, so some one is coming."
+
+"No one will drive in from that side, for the windows look into the
+garden."
+
+"But the dog is not barking, he is howling."
+
+That was the case really. The dog had barked once, twice, a third time,
+then the barking turned to a low, gloomy howling.
+
+Pan Gideon quivered despite himself, for he remembered how years and
+years earlier in another place, at his house, which stood five miles
+from Pomorani, in Russia, dogs had howled in the same way before a
+sudden onrush of Tartars.
+
+The thought came to Panna Anulka, that she had no cause to expect any
+one, and that should any man come to her from the darkness to that
+lighted mansion he would be late in his coming. But it seemed somehow
+strange to other guests, all the more as the first dog was joined by a
+second, and a double howl was heard now near that window. So they
+listened in disagreeable silence, which was broken only after a while
+by Martsian Krepetski,--
+
+"A guest at whom the dogs howl is nothing to us," said he.
+
+"Wine!" called Pan Gideon.
+
+But the glasses were full, hence there was no need to pour at that
+moment. Old Krepetski, father of Martsian, rose from his chair somewhat
+heavily, wishing to speak, as seemed evident. All turned their eyes to
+him. Old men began to surround their ears with their hands to hear
+better, but he only moved his lips after long waiting, his chin almost
+meeting his nose, for he was toothless.
+
+Meanwhile, notwithstanding the fact that the earth was soft from
+thawing, there came from the other side of the house, as it were, a
+dull clatter and it was heard rather long, long enough to go twice
+round the courtyard. Hence old Krepetski, who had raised his glass,
+held it a while, looked at the door, and then put the glass down again;
+other guests acted in like manner.
+
+"See who has come!" said Pan Gideon to his attendant.
+
+The youth rushed out, returned straightway, and answered,--
+
+"There is no one."
+
+"That is strange," said the prelate. "The sound was heard clearly."
+
+"We all heard it," said one of the twin Sulgostovskis.
+
+"And the dogs have stopped howling," said others.
+
+Then the door of the entrance, badly fastened by the servant, as was
+evident, opened of itself, and a new draught of air entered with such
+violence that it quenched from ten to twenty candles.
+
+"What is that?" "Shut the door!" "The candles are dying!" said a number
+of voices.
+
+But with the wind had rushed into the hall, as it were, some unknown
+terror. Pani Vinnitski, who was superstitious and timid, began then to
+cross herself audibly.
+
+"In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost--"
+
+"Woman! be silent!" commanded Pan Gideon.
+
+Then turning to Panna Sieninski he kissed her hand.
+
+"A quenched candle cannot trouble my gladness," said he, "and God grant
+me to be as happy to the end of my days as I am at this moment. Is that
+not right, my Anulka?"
+
+"Yes, guardian," said she, bending toward his hand.
+
+"Amen!" ended the prelate, who rose to address them.
+
+"Gracious ladies and gentlemen, since that unexpected sound stopped, as
+is evident, Pan Krepetski's ideas let me be the earliest expounder of
+those feelings with which our hearts are warmed toward the future wife
+and her husband. Hence, ere we cry out _O Hymen, O Hymenaios_, before
+we, in Roman fashion, begin to call Thalassius, the beautiful youth who
+God grant may appear at the earliest, let us raise _ex imo_ this first
+toast to their prosperity and coming happiness: _Vivant, crescant,
+floreant_" (may they live, increase, flourish).
+
+"_Vivant! Vivant!_" thundered all guests.
+
+The Radom orchestra was heard that moment, and outside the windows the
+drivers fell to cracking their whips.
+
+Long did the shouts last, with the stamping of feet, the sounding of
+horns and the cracking of whips. The servants, too, raised a shout
+throughout the whole mansion, and in the dining-hall, amid endless
+cheers, rose great sounds of wine-gulping.
+
+"_Vivant, crescant, floreant!_"
+
+Silence came only when Pan Gideon stood up, raised his glass, and said
+in a loud voice,--
+
+"My guests and relatives, very gracious and most dear to my heart! I
+express with inadequate words my gratitude to all; I will first bow to
+you profoundly for that brotherly and neighborly good-feeling which you
+have shown me by meeting here under my poor roof in such numbers--"
+
+The words "under my poor roof" were pronounced with a kind of
+marvellously mild, and, as it were, submissive accents, then he sat
+down and bent his head, so that the forehead rested really on the
+table. And the guests wondered that a man usually so distant and so
+haughty should speak with such affection. They thought that great
+happiness melts even hearts the most obdurate, and, waiting for what he
+had to say further, they looked at his iron-gray head resting yet on
+the edge of the table.
+
+"Silence! We are listening!" said voices.
+
+And in fact deep silence had followed.
+
+But Pan Gideon was motionless.
+
+"What is the matter? What has happened? For God's sake! Speak on!"
+cried they.
+
+But Pan Gideon answered only with a terrible rattling; then his
+shoulders and arms began on a sudden to quiver.
+
+Panna Sieninski sprang from her chair pale as a wall, and cried in
+terrified accents,--
+
+"Guardian! guardian!"
+
+At the table were dismay and confusion; cries and questions rose
+everywhere. Guests surrounded Pan Gideon, the prelate seized his arms
+and brought him to the back of the chair, some began to throw water on
+him, others cried, "Take him to the bed and bleed him as quickly as
+possible." Some of the women were tearful; some ran, as if frantic,
+through the chambers with groans or with sharp lamentation. But Pan
+Gideon remained sitting, his head was thrown back, the veins in his
+forehead were distended like straps, his eyes were closed firmly, the
+hoarseness and rattling grew louder.
+
+The unexpected guest had come indeed out of darkness and entered the
+mansion, dreadful and merciless.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XIII
+
+
+The servants, at command of the prelate, bore the sick man to the other
+end of the mansion, to the "chancellery," which served Pan Gideon also
+as a bedroom. They sent immediately for the village blacksmith, who
+knew how to bleed, and bled men as well as animals. It appeared after a
+moment that he was in front of the mansion with a whole crowd gathered
+there for entertainment, but he was quite drunk, unluckily. Pani
+Vinnitski remembered that Father Voynovski had the fame of being an
+excellent physician, so a carriage was sent with all speed for him,
+though it seemed clear that every effort would fail, and that no rescue
+was possible for the sick man. That was in truth the position.
+
+Except Panna Anulka, Pani Vinnitski, the two Krepetskis, and Pan
+Zabierzovski, who occupied himself somewhat with medicine, the prelate
+admitted none to the chancellery, lest a throng might hinder recovery.
+All other guests, as well women as men, had gathered into the adjoining
+large chamber where beds for men had been provided. All were like a
+flock of frightened sheep, filled with fear, alarm, and curiosity.
+Watching the door, they waited for tidings, and some of them made
+remarks in undertones touching that terrible happening, and touching
+those omens which had announced it.
+
+"Did you notice how the lights quivered, and the flames were in some
+manner blackish? From this it is clear that Death had overshadowed
+them," said one of the Sulgostovskis, in a whisper.
+
+"Death was among us, and we did not know her."[5]
+
+"The dogs howled at her."
+
+"And that clatter! Perhaps that was just Death on her journey."
+
+"It is clear that God did not favor the marriage, which would have been
+an injustice to the family."
+
+Further whispering was stopped by the coming of Pani Vinnitski and
+Martsian.
+
+Pani Vinnitski hurried through the chamber, she was in haste to bring a
+reliquary which warded off evil spirits; but Martsian they surrounded
+immediately.
+
+"How is he?"
+
+Martsian shrugged his shoulders, raised them till his head seemed to be
+in his bosom, and answered,--
+
+"He is rattling yet."
+
+"Is there no hope?"
+
+"None."
+
+At that moment through the open door came distinctly the solemn words
+of the prelate,--
+
+"_Ego te absolve a peccatis tuis--et ab omnibus censuris, in nomine
+Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti_. Amen." (I absolve thee from thy
+sins, and from all blame, in the name of the Father and Son and Holy
+Ghost.)
+
+All knelt and began to pray. Pani Vinnitski passed between the kneeling
+people, holding with both hands the reliquary. Martsian followed and
+closed the door after him.
+
+But it was not closed long, for a quarter of an hour later Martsian
+appeared in it and said in his squeaking voice of a clarionet,--
+
+"He is dead!"
+
+Then with the words, "Eternal rest," they moved one after another to
+the chancellery, to cast a last look at the dead man.
+
+Meanwhile at the other end of the house, in the dining-hall, revolting
+scenes were enacted. The servants of the household had hated Pan Gideon
+as much as they had feared him; hence it seemed to them that with his
+death would come an hour of relief, delight, and impunity. To servants
+from outside an occasion was offered for revelry; so all servants, as
+well those of the house as others summoned in to assist them, tipsy
+more or less since midday, rushed now at the wine and the viands.
+Servants raised to their lips whole flasks of Dantsic liquor,
+Malmoisie, and Hungarian wine; others, more greedy for food, seized
+pieces of meat and cake. The snow-white tablecloth was stained in one
+twinkle with gravies. In the disturbance chairs were overturned on the
+floor and candlesticks on the table. Ornamented cut glasses fell from
+drunken hands to the floor with a crash and were broken. Quarrels and
+fights burst out here and there in the dining-hall. Some stole table
+ornaments directly. In one word, an orgy began, sounds of which flew to
+the other end of the mansion.
+
+Martsian Krepetski, and after him the two Sulgostovskis, young
+Zabierzovski and one more of the guests, rushed toward those outcries,
+and at sight of what was happening drew their sabres. At the first
+moment disturbance increased. The Sulgostovskis went no further than to
+strike with the flat of the weapons, but Martsian was seized by an
+access of fury. His staring eyes protruded still farther, his teeth
+glittered from under his mustaches, and he began to cut with the sabre
+edge whatever man met him. Some were covered with blood, others hid
+under the table; the remainder crowded in disordered flight through the
+door, and Martsian cut at this throng while he shouted,--
+
+"Dog brothers! Scoundrels! I am master in this place!"
+
+And he rushed after them to the entrance whence his shrieking voice was
+heard shouting,--
+
+"Clubs! rods!"
+
+And the guests stood in the hall, as in ruins, gazing with mortified
+look, and shaking their heads at the spectacle.
+
+"I have never seen such a sad sight," said one Sulgostovski.
+
+"A wonderful death, and wonderful happenings! Look at this it is just
+as if Tartars had raided the mansion."
+
+"Or evil spirits," added Zabierzovski. "A terrible night!"
+
+They commanded the servants hidden under the table to crawl forth and
+bring some order to the dining-hall. They came out, perfectly sobered
+from terror, and went to work nimbly.
+
+Meanwhile Martsian had returned. He was calmer, but his lips were still
+trembling from anger.
+
+"They will come to their minds!" said he, addressing those present.
+"But I thank you, gentlemen, for helping me to punish those ruffians.
+It will not be easier here for them than it was in the days of the dead
+man! My head upon that point."
+
+The Sulgostovskis looked at him quickly, and one said,--
+
+"You have not to thank us more than we you."
+
+"How is that?"
+
+"Why art thou qualifying to be the only judge here?" asked the other of
+the twins.
+
+Martsian, as if wishing to spring to their eyes, sprang upward on his
+short bow-legs straightway, and shouted,--
+
+"I have the right, the right!"
+
+"What right?"
+
+"A better right than yours."
+
+"How is that? Hast read the will?"
+
+"What is a will to me?" Here he blew on the palm of his hand; "that's
+what it is,--wind! To whom has he willed it--to his wife? But where is
+his wife? That is the question--we are next of kin here. We--the
+Krepetskis, not you."
+
+"But we will see about that. God kill thee!"
+
+"God kill thee! Clear out!"
+
+"Thou goat! Thou nasty cur! Why dost thou tell us to go? Better have a
+care of thy goat forehead!"
+
+"Are ye threatening?"
+
+Here Martsian shook his sabre and pushed up to the brothers. They too
+grasped at their weapons.
+
+But at that moment the offended voice of the prelate was heard there
+behind them,--
+
+"Gracious gentlemen, the dead man is not cold yet."
+
+The Sulgostovskis were terribly ashamed, and one of them said,--
+
+"Reverend prelate, we are not to blame; we have our own bread and do
+not desire that of others, but this serpent is beginning to sting, and
+wishes to drive people out of this mansion."
+
+"What people? Whom?"
+
+"Whomever he comes upon. To-day us, whom he has ordered away,
+to-morrow, perhaps, the orphan bride living under this roof here."
+
+"That is untrue! untrue!" cried Martsian.
+
+And, winding himself into a ball, he laughed sneeringly, rubbed his
+hands, bowed down and said with a certain envenomed sincerity,--
+
+"On the contrary, on the contrary! I invite all to the funeral and to
+the feast following after the interment. I beg most humbly; my father
+and I beg. And as to Panna Sieninski, she will find at all times a
+roof, and protection, and care at all times, at all times!"
+
+And he went on rubbing his hands very gleefully.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XIV
+
+
+Martsian had determined indeed to tell Panna Anulka that she must
+always consider Belchantska as her own, but he deferred this
+information till after the funeral; he wished first to talk with his
+father, who, because of the legal actions on which he had been working
+all his lifetime, was skilled in law, and was able to avoid in advance
+many troubles. Both were convinced that their cause was a good one; so
+the next day, just at the moment when men were placing Pan Gideon in
+his coffin, they shut themselves up in a side chamber and began with
+good courage to take counsel.
+
+"Providence is above us," said the old man, "nothing but Providence, to
+which Pan Gideon will answer seriously for the injustice which he
+intended to do us."
+
+"Well, let him answer," replied Martsian. "It is our happiness that he
+only intended and did not succeed, for now we will take everything. The
+Sulgostovskis have quarrelled with me already, but I will tear the
+souls out of those wretches before I let them have even one field of
+Belchantska."
+
+"Ha, the scoundrels! the sons of a such a one! God twist them! I have
+no fear of such people, I fear only a will. Hast thou asked the
+prelate? If any one knows of a will it is he."
+
+"I had no chance yesterday, for he attacked me when quarrelling with
+the Sulgostovskis and said to us: 'The dead man is not cold yet,' then
+he went for a coffin and a priest, and to-day there has been no
+opportunity."
+
+"But if Pan Gideon has willed all to that girl?"
+
+"He had not the right, for this estate belonged to his late wife, our
+nearest relative."
+
+"But a will has been mentioned, and there will be costs and going to
+tribunals, and God knows what more in addition."
+
+"Father is accustomed to lawsuits. But I have fixed in my head
+something of such sort that there will be no need of lawsuits;
+meanwhile _beatus qui tenet_" (happy is the man in possession); "for
+this reason I shall not leave Belchantska. I have sent for our servants
+already. Let the Sulgostovskis or the Zabierzovskis drive me out
+later."
+
+"But the girl, if it is willed to her?"
+
+"Who will take her side? She is as much alone in this world as a
+finger; she has no relatives, no friends--an ordinary orphan. Who will
+wish to expose his neck for her, lay himself open to quarrels, duels,
+expenses? How does she concern any one? Tachevski was in love with her,
+but Tachevski is gone, he may never come back, and if he should he has
+nothing; he knows as much as my horse about lawsuits. To tell the
+truth, the position is such that if not Pan Gideon, but her own father,
+had left her Belchantska, we might come in here and manage in our own
+way, under pretext of guarding the orphan. I think that Pan Gideon
+intended to make a will only in the contract of marriage, so either no
+will at all will be found, or if it be found it will be some old one
+with a clause for Panna Anulka from her guardian."
+
+"We can break such a will," said the old man, "my head on that! Though
+a lawsuit will not be avoided."
+
+"How so? I hear father's words, but I think it will be avoided."
+
+"If, for speaking between us, Pan Gideon's wife was weak-minded, if she
+left all to her husband he had the right to leave it to whomever he
+selected."
+
+Old Krepetski uttered the last words almost in a whisper, while looking
+around on all sides, though he knew that there was no one in the room
+except him and Martsian.
+
+"How could she leave it to him when she died suddenly?" asked Martsian.
+
+"It was dated the year after their marriage. It is clear that Pan
+Gideon wheedled her out of it, because they inhabited perilous places,
+and no man could know when the Tartars might howl out his requiem. They
+drew up wills to each other in the town at Pomorani; these wills were
+brought by Pan Gideon to this place. I thought to start lawsuits
+against him at that time, but saw that I could not do so successfully.
+Now it is different."
+
+"We shall succeed now without lawsuits."
+
+"If so, all the better; but we must be ready for action."
+
+"Ei! there is no need to be ready."
+
+"How, then?"
+
+"I will get on without father."
+
+Old Pan Krepetski, on hearing this, flashed into anger.
+
+"Thou wilt get on? What? How? But spoil not my labor. He will get on!
+But didst thou not advise me to leave the Silnitskis in peace touching
+Dranjkov? According to thee, there was no way to master them. No way?
+Why not? They had witnesses to swear to the land--a great thing! I made
+men put earth into their boots from my courtyard. Well, and what after
+that? They went to Silnitski's land, and took no false oath when each
+one of them testified: 'I swear that the land on which I am standing
+belongs to Krepetski.' Thou wouldst have thought a whole year, but
+never invented a reason of that kind. Thou wilt get on? Look at him!"
+
+And he began to move his toothless jaws angrily, as if he were chewing
+some substance; and his chin touched his nose, which was hooked like
+the beak of some bird of prey.
+
+"Pant out thy anger, my father, and listen," said Martsian. "Wherever
+it is a question of carrying on lawsuits I yield to thee always; but as
+to what concerns women, my experience is greater, and I trust in myself
+with more confidence."
+
+"Is it possible?"
+
+"Therefore, if it comes to a struggle with Parma Anulka it will not be
+before any tribunal."
+
+"What art thou working out?"
+
+"To divine is not difficult. Is this not my opportunity? Or wilt thou
+find another such girl in this region?"
+
+Martsian threw his head up and looked in the eyes of his father. The
+father looked at him, too, with a glance of inquiry, chewed with his
+gums, and then asked,--
+
+"How is it, pray tell me."
+
+"Why not tell? Since yesterday it is circling through my head."
+
+"Hm! Why not? Because she is as needy as Lazarus."
+
+"But I will come into Belchantska with songs, and unhindered. She is
+indigent, but the girl is of great blood. And remember the words of Pan
+Gideon, that if one were to look through the papers of the Sieninskis,
+it would be possible to drive from their land one-half of the
+inhabitants of a province. The Sobieskis grew great from them, hence
+there should be royal protection. The king himself ought to think of a
+provision. And the girl has pleased my eye this long time, for she is a
+dainty morsel--dainty! oh dainty!"
+
+And he sprang about on his short legs, licking his mustache as he did
+so; wherewith he looked so revolting that old Krepetski remarked to
+him,--
+
+"She will not want thee."
+
+"And she wanted old Pan Gideon. Are the girls few who have wanted me? A
+great many young men have gone to the army; so we may buy girls by the
+bundle, like shoe-nails. Old Pan Gideon knew why he sent me from the
+mansion. He would not have done so, had he himself not been looking at
+Panna Anulka."
+
+"But supposing that she will not want thee--then what?"
+
+Evil gleams shone from the eyes of Martsian.
+
+"Then," replied he, with emphasis, "it is possible so to act with a
+girl who has no protection, that she herself will beg thee to go to the
+church with her."
+
+The old man was frightened at these words.
+
+"Ah!" said he. "But dost thou not know that act to be criminal?"
+
+"I know that no one would take the part of Panna Anulka."
+
+"But I say to thee, have a care! As it is there are voices against
+thee. If a man win or lose a lawsuit for property he will not become
+infamous, but thy thought is of crime--dost understand me?"
+
+"Oh, it will not go to that unless she herself wants it. But do not
+hinder, only act as I tell thee. After the funeral let father take
+Tekla home with him, and if there is any excuse also old Pani
+Vinnitski. I will stay with the girls, with Agneshka and Johanna. They
+are reptiles, raging at any woman who is younger and comelier than they
+are. They began yesterday to point their stings at the orphan, but what
+will they do when living under one roof with her? They will stab, and
+bite, and insult her, refuse her the bread of compassion. I see this,
+as if I were reading it in a book, and it is all as water to my mill."
+
+"What wilt thou grind with it?"
+
+"What will I grind? This: that I will quarrel with those serpents. I
+will invent something against them; I will give one a slap in the face
+when it pleases me, then the orphan will kiss me on the hands, on the
+knees. 'I am thy defender, thy brother, thy true friend,' I will say to
+her, 'thou art here the real mistress.' And dost thou think, father,
+that the heart in her will not soften, that she will not fall in love
+with him who will be a shield and defence to her, who will wipe away
+her tears, who will watch day and night over her? And if in her sorrow
+and abandonment and tears she comes to some extraordinary confidence,
+so much the better! so much the better! so much the better!"
+
+Here Martsian rubbed his hands and so exhibited his goat eyes to his
+father that the old man had to spit in abhorrence. "Tfu! Pagan!"
+exclaimed he. "There is always one thing in thy mind."
+
+"Indeed ants walk on me when I look at her. It wasn't for nothing that
+Pan Gideon drove me from the mansion."
+
+A moment of silence now followed.
+
+"Then thou wilt tell Johanna and Agneshka to act as thou wishest?"
+
+"There is no need to say anything to them or to teach them; their
+nature suffices. Tekla alone is a dove, they are kites, the two
+others."
+
+Martsian had not deceived himself, his sisters had begun, each in her
+own way to take charge of Anulka. Tekla took her every little while in
+her arms and wept with her, Agneshka and Johanna solaced her, but in
+another fashion,--
+
+"What did not happen, did not happen," said Agneshka, "but be at rest,
+thou wilt not be our aunt, because the Lord was not willing, but no one
+here will harm thee, or grudge thee a morsel."
+
+"And no one will drive thee to work," said the other, "for we know that
+thou art not used to it; when thou hast recovered, if thou thyself
+wish, then that is different; in every case wait till thy sorrow is
+over, for indeed great misfortune has struck thee. Thou wert to be
+mistress here, thou wert to have thy husband, and now except us thou
+hast no one. But believe that though we are not relatives we will be to
+thee as if relatives. Be reconciled to the will of God. The Lord has
+tried thee, but for that cause he pardons thee other sins. For if thou,
+perhaps, hast trusted too much in thy beauty, or didst desire wealth
+and rich clothing (we are all sinful for that matter, therefore I only
+say this), that will be accounted to thee against other sins."
+
+"Amen," said Agneshka. "Give to the church for the soul of the dead man
+some ornament, or some little jewel, for thou hast no need of bridal
+robes now, and we will ask father to permit thee to do this."
+
+Then they looked with sharp eyes at the robes on the table, and at the
+chests in which lay the trousseau. Such a desire at last seized them to
+see what was hidden that Johanna burst out with these words,--
+
+"Perhaps we might help thee in selecting?"
+
+And both rushed at the chests, boxes, and bundles, in which were still
+lying unpacked the robes brought from Radom, and out with them, to be
+opened and examined before the light, and under the light, and then the
+two girls began to try them on their own persons.
+
+Panna Anulka sat, as if stunned, in the arms of the dear Tekla, seeing
+nothing, knowing nothing of what they were doing to her and around her.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XV
+
+
+As a betrothed she had felt as if something in her life had grown
+black, as if something had been quenched, had been cut off and ended;
+hence that betrothal had not roused in her heart any gladness. She had
+only consented to the marriage because such was the will of Pan Gideon,
+and because of her gratitude for care, and still more because, after
+Yatsek's departure, there remained in her heart only bitterness and
+sorrow, with this painful thought, that save her guardian she had no
+one, and that without him she would be a lost orphan, wandering among
+enemies and strangers. But all on a sudden a thunderbolt had struck
+that hearth at which she was to sit with some kind of peace, though a
+sad one, now the only man in this world who to her was important had
+vanished. It was not strange, then, that the thunderbolt had stunned
+her, that all thoughts were confused in her head, while in her heart
+sorrow for that only near soul had been fused into one with a feeling
+of amazement and terror.
+
+So the words of the elder sisters, who had begun straightway to pilfer
+her dresses, struck her ears just like sounds without meaning. Then
+Martsian came, bowed, rubbed his hands, jumped around her; but she
+understood him no more than she did all the others, who, according to
+custom, approached her with phrases of sympathy, which were more
+elaborate the less they were heartfelt. It was only when Pan Serafin
+put his hand on her head in the style of a father and said: "God will
+be over thee, my orphan," that something moved in her suddenly, and
+then tears rushed to her eyelids. Now for the first time the thought
+came to her that she was as a poor little leaf given over to the will
+of the whirlwind.
+
+Meanwhile began ceremonies, which, since Pan Gideon had been a man of
+position in his neighborhood, lasted ten days, in accordance with
+custom. At the betrothal, with few exceptions, invited guests only were
+present, but to the funeral came all near and distant neighbors, hence
+the mansion was swarming. Receptions, speeches, processions, and
+returns from the church followed one after the other.
+
+During the first days exclusive attention was given to the incomplete
+widow; but later, when people beheld the Krepetskis in possession and
+saw that they alone appeared in the mansion as masters, they ceased to
+regard the young lady, and toward the end of the funeral solemnities no
+one paid more heed to her than to any house visitor.
+
+Pan Serafin alone had a thought for her. He was moved by her tears and
+touched by her misfortune. The servants had begun to whisper that the
+Krepetski old maids had swept off her whole trousseau, and the old lord
+had hidden in his box her "little jewels," and that in the house they
+were already beginning to browbeat the "young lady." When these reports
+went to Pan Serafin they moved his kind heart, and he resolved to see
+Father Voynovski.
+
+But that kindly man was prejudiced much against Panna Anulka because of
+Yatsek, so at the very beginning he answered,--
+
+"I am sorry for her, the poor lady, for she is in need, but in what can
+I help her? That, speaking between us, God punished her for Yatsek is
+certain."
+
+"But Yatsek is gone, as is Stanislav, and she is here simply an
+orphan."
+
+"Of course he is gone, but how did he go? You saw him going, but I went
+with him farther, and I tell you that the poor boy had his teeth set,
+and the heart in him was bleeding, so that he could not utter a
+syllable. Oh! he loved that girl as people loved only in the old time;
+they know not to-day how to love in that manner."
+
+"Still he was able to move his hands," said Pan Serafin, "for I heard
+that just beyond Radom he had a quarrel and cut up a passing noble, or
+even two of them."
+
+"Ah, because he has a girl's face every road-blocker thinks that he can
+get on with him cheaply. Some drunken fellows sought a quarrel. What
+was he to do? I blame in him that method; I blame it, but remember,
+your grace, that a man with a heart torn by love is like a lion seeking
+to devour some one."
+
+"True; but as to the girl. Ah, my benefactor, God knows if she is as
+much to blame as we imagine."
+
+"Woman is insidious."
+
+"Insidious or not, but when I heard that Pan Gideon wished to marry her
+it occurred to me straightway that he roused up everything, for it must
+have been all-important for him to get rid of Yatsek forever."
+
+"No," said the priest, shaking his head. "We remarked immediately from
+the letter that it was written at her instigation. I remember that
+perfectly, and I could repeat to your grace every word of it."
+
+"I, too, remember, but we could not know what Pan Gideon had told her,
+and how he described Yatsek's deeds to the lady. The Bukoyemskis, for
+example, confessed to me, that meeting her and Pan Gideon while
+travelling to Prityk they said purposely, that Yatsek went away after
+great stirrup cups, laughing, gladsome, and uncommonly curious about
+the daughter of Pan Zbierhovski to whom you had given him a letter."
+
+"Here they lied! And what for?"
+
+"Well, they lied to show the girl and Pan Gideon that Yatsek had no
+thought for them. But note this, your grace, if the Bukoyemskis spoke
+thus out of friendship for Yatsek, what must Pan Gideon have said out
+of hatred."
+
+"It is sure that he did not spare Yatsek. Still, even if she were less
+to blame than we imagine, tell me what of that? Yatsek has gone, and
+perhaps will never come back to us, for I know that he will spare his
+life less than Pan Gideon spared his reputation."
+
+"Yatsek would have gone in every case," answered Pan Serafin.
+
+"And if he does not return I will not tear the soutane on my body. A
+death in defence of the country and fighting Mohammedan vileness is a
+worthy end for a Christian knight, and a worthy end for a great family.
+But I will add one thing: I should have preferred to see him go without
+that painful dart which is sticking in him."
+
+"Neither had my only son special happiness in life; he too went, and
+perhaps will not return to me."
+
+They grew thoughtful, for their souls were filled with love for those
+young men.
+
+Tvorkovski, the prelate, came upon them while thoughtful, and learned
+that they had been talking of Panna Sieninski.
+
+"I will tell you, gentlemen," said he, "but let this be a secret. Pan
+Gideon left no will, the Krepetskis have a right to the property. I
+know that he had the wish to provide for his wife and leave all to her,
+but he was not able. Do not mention this before the Krepetskis."
+
+"But have you said nothing?"
+
+"Why should I? Those are hard people, and with me the question is that
+they should not be too hard toward the orphan, hence I withheld
+information, and then told them this: 'Not only does God sometimes try
+a man, but one man tries another.' When they heard this they were
+disquieted greatly, and fell to inquiring: 'How is it? Does your grace
+know anything?' 'What has to be shown will be shown,' remarked I, 'but
+remember one thing. Pan Gideon had the right to will what he owned to
+whatever person pleased him.'"
+
+Here the prelate laughed, and, putting his hands behind his violet
+girdle, continued,--
+
+"I say, gentlemen, that the legs trembled under old Krepetski when he
+heard this; he began to contradict. 'Oh,' said he, 'that is impossible!
+he had not the right. Neither God nor men would agree to that.'
+
+"I looked at him severely, and said: 'If you think of God, you do well,
+for at your age it is proper to have His mercy in mind, and not turn to
+earthly tribunals, for it may happen very easily that you will not have
+time to await a decision.' He was frightened then terribly, and I
+added: 'And be kind to the orphan, lest God punish you sooner than you
+imagine.'"
+
+Hereupon Father Voynovski, whose compassionate heart was moved at the
+fate of the maiden, embraced the wise prelate.
+
+"Benefactor," cried he, "with such a head you ought to be chancellor. I
+understand! I understand! You said nothing, you did not miss the truth,
+and you have frightened the Krepetskis, who think that perhaps there is
+a will, nay, that it is even in your possession; they must count with
+this, and be moderate toward the orphan."
+
+The prelate, pleased with the praise, rapped his head with his
+knuckles.
+
+"Not quite like a nut with holes in it?" asked he.
+
+"Ho, there is so much reason there that it finds room with difficulty."
+
+"If God wish, it will burst, but meanwhile, I think that I have saved
+the orphan really. I must confess, however, that the Krepetskis spoke
+of her with greater humanity and with more kindness than I had
+expected. The women, it is true, have taken some trifles, but the old
+man declared that he would have them given back to the young lady."
+
+"Though the Krepetskis were the worst among men," said Pan Serafin,
+"they would not dare to rob an orphan over whom the eyes of such a wise
+and good priest are so watchful. But, my very reverend benefactor, I
+wish to mention another thing. I wish to beg you to show me this favor;
+come now to Yedlinka, let me have the honor of entertaining under my
+roof such a notable personage, with whom conversation is like the honey
+of wisdom and politeness. Father Voynovski has promised already to
+visit me, and we will talk, the three of us, concerning public and
+private matters."
+
+"I know what hospitality yours is," answered the prelate, with
+affability, "to refuse would be real suffering, and since Lent, the
+time of self-subjection is past, I will go for a pleasant day to you,
+willingly. Let us take farewell of the Krepetskis, but first of the
+orphan, so that they shall see the esteem in which we hold her."
+
+They went, and finding Anulka alone, spoke kind, heartfelt words, which
+gave her consolation and courage. Pan Serafin stroked her bright head,
+just as would a mother who desires to comfort a sorrowing child; the
+prelate did the same, and the honest Father Voynovski was so moved by
+her thin face and her beauty in its sadness, which reminded him of a
+flower of the field cut down too early by a scythe-stroke, that he too
+pressed her temples, and having a mind always thinking of Yatsek, he
+said half to himself, half to her,--"How can one wonder at Yatsek,
+since this picture was before him. But those Bukoyemskis lied, when
+they said that he went away gladly."
+
+When Anulka heard these words, she put her lips to his hand on a
+sudden, and for a long time she could not withdraw them. The sobbing,
+which came from her heart, shook her bosom; and they left her in an
+immense, irrepressible onrush of weeping.
+
+An hour later they were in Yedlinka, where good news was awaiting them.
+A man had arrived bringing a letter from Stanislav, in which he stated
+that he and Yatsek had joined the hussars of Prince Alexander; that
+they were well, and Yatsek, though pensive at all times, had gained a
+little cheerfulness, and was not so forgetful as during the first days.
+Besides words of filial love, there was in the letter one bit of news
+which astonished Pan Serafin: "If thou, my father, my most beloved and
+great mighty benefactor, see the Bukoyemskis on their return be not
+astonished, and save them with kindness, for they have been met by most
+marvellous accidents, and I cannot help them. If they were not to go to
+the war they would die, I think, from sorrow, which even now has almost
+killed them."
+
+In the course of the following months Pan Serafin visited Belchantska
+repeatedly, wishing to learn what was happening to Anulka. This was not
+caused by any personal motive, for Stanislav was not in love with the
+young lady, and she had broken altogether with Yatsek; he acted mainly
+from kindness, and a little from curiosity, for he wished to discover
+in what way, and how far the girl had aided in breaking the bonds of
+attachment between herself and Yatsek. He met opposition, however. The
+Krepetskis respected his wealth, hence they received him politely; but
+theirs was a wonderfully watchful hospitality, so continuous and active
+that Pan Serafin could not find himself alone with the girl for one
+instant.
+
+He understood that they did not wish him to ask her how she was
+treated, and that set him to thinking, though he did not find that she
+was either ill treated, or made to serve greatly. He saw her, it is
+true, once and a second time cleaning with a crust of bread white satin
+shoes of such size that they could not be for her own feet, and darning
+stockings in the evening, but the Krepetski girls did the same, hence
+there could not be in this any plan to humiliate the orphan by labor.
+The old maids were at times as biting and stinging as nettles, but Pan
+Serafin remarked soon that such was their nature, and that they could
+not restrain themselves always from gnawing even at Martsian, whom
+still they feared so much that when either one had thrust out her sting
+half its length a look from him made her draw it back quickly. Martsian
+himself was polite and agreeable to Anulka, though without forwardness,
+and after the departure of old Krepetski and Tekla he became still more
+agreeable.
+
+This departure was not pleasing to Pan Serafin, though it was simple
+enough that they could not leave an old man, who was somewhat disabled
+in walking, without the care of a woman, and since they had two houses
+they had divided the family. Pan Serafin would have preferred that
+Tekla remain with the orphan, but when on an occasion he hinted
+remotely that the ages of the two maidens made them company for each
+other, the elder sister met his words in the worst manner possible,--
+
+"Anulka has shown the world," said Johanna, "that age does not trouble
+her. Our late uncle and Pani Vinnitski have proved this--so we are not
+too old for her."
+
+"We are as much older than she, as Tekla is younger, and I do not know
+as we are that much," added the second sister; "besides our heads must
+manage this household."
+
+But Martsian broke into the conversation,--
+
+"Tekla's service," said he, "is dearest to father. He loves her beyond
+any one, at which we cannot wonder. We thought to send Panna Anulka
+with them, but she is accustomed to this house, so I think she will
+feel more at home in it. As to our care, I will do what I can to make
+it not too disagreeable."
+
+Then, with feet clattering, he approached the young lady, and tried to
+kiss her hand, which she drew away quickly, as if frightened. Pan
+Serafin thought that it was not proper to remove Pani Vinnitski, but he
+kept to himself that idea, not wishing to interfere in questions beyond
+his authority. He noted more than once that on Anulka's face fear as
+well as sadness was evident, but at this he was not greatly astonished,
+for her fate was in fact very grievous. An orphan, without a kindred
+soul near her, without her own roof above her head, she was forced to
+live on the favor of people who to her were repulsive, and who had an
+evil fame generally, she was forced to suffer pain over the vanished
+and brighter past, and to be in dread of the present. And though a
+person may be in suffering to the utmost, that person will have some
+solace if he, or she, may cherish hope of a better future. But she had
+no chance for hope, and she had none. To-morrow must be for her as
+to-day and the endless years to come, with the same drag of orphanhood,
+loneliness, and living on the bread of a stranger's favor.
+
+Pan Serafin spoke of this often with Father Voynovski, whom he saw
+almost daily, since it was pleasant for them to talk about their young
+heroes. Father Voynovski, however, shrugged his shoulders with sympathy
+and magnified the keenness of the prelate who, by hanging the threat of
+a will like a Damocles sword above the Krepetskis, had protected the
+orphan, at least from evil treatment.
+
+"Such a keen man!" said he. "Now you have him, and now he has slipped
+from you. Sometimes I think that perhaps he has not told the whole
+truth to us, and that there is a will in his hands, and that he will
+bring it out unexpectedly."
+
+"That has occurred to me also, but why should he hide it?"
+
+"I know not; perhaps to test human nature. I think only of this: Pan
+Gideon was a clear-sighted man, and it cannot find place in my head
+that he should not have made long ago some provision."
+
+But after a time the ideas of both men were turned in a different
+direction, for the Bukoyemskis arrived, or rather walked in from Radom.
+
+They appeared at Yedlinka one evening, with sabres, it is true, but
+with not very sound boots, and with torn coats on their bodies. They
+had such woe-be-gone faces that, if Pan Serafin had not for some time
+been expecting them, he would have been terribly frightened, and would
+have thought that news of his son's death had come with them.
+
+The four brothers embraced his knees, and kissed his hands straightway;
+he, looking at their misery, dropped his arms at his sides in
+amazement.
+
+"Stashko wrote," said he, "that it had gone ill with you, but this is
+terrible!"
+
+"We have sinned, benefactor!" answered Marek, beating his breast.
+
+The other brothers repeated his words.
+
+"We have sinned, we have sinned, we have sinned!"
+
+"Tell me how, and in what. How is Stashko? He has written me that he
+saved you. What happened?"
+
+"Stashko is well, benefactor; he and Pan Yatsek are as bright as two
+suns."
+
+"Glory to God! glory to God! Thanks for the good news. Have you no
+letter?"
+
+"He wrote, but did not give us the letter. It might be lost," said he.
+
+"Are you not hungry? Oh, what a condition! It is as if I had four men
+risen from the dead now before me."
+
+"We are not hungry, for entertainment is ready at the house of every
+noble--but we are unfortunate."
+
+"Sit down. Drink something warm, but while the servants are heating it
+tell me what happened. Where have you been?"
+
+"In Warsaw," said Mateush, "but that is a vile city."
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"It is swarming with gamblers and drunkards, and on Long Street and in
+the Old City at every step there is a tavern."
+
+"Well, what?"
+
+"One son of a such a one persuaded Lukash to play dice with him. Would
+to God that the pagans had impaled the wicked scoundrel on a stake ere
+that happened."
+
+"And he cheated?"
+
+"He won all that Lukash had, and then all that we had. Desperation took
+hold of us, and we wanted to win the coin back, but he won further our
+horse with a saddle and with pistols in the holsters. Then, I say to
+your grace, that Lukash wished to stab himself. What was to be done?
+How were we to help comforting a brother? We sold the second horse, so
+that Lukash might have a companion to walk with him."
+
+"I understand what happened," remarked Pan Serafin.
+
+"When we became sober there was still keener suffering; two horses were
+gone, and we had greater need of consolation."
+
+"So ye consoled yourselves till the fourth horse was gone?"
+
+"Till the fourth horse. We sinned, we sinned!" repeated the contrite
+brothers.
+
+"But was that the end?" continued Pan Serafin.
+
+"How the end, our father and special benefactor? We met a deceiver, one
+Poradski, who scoffed at us. 'So this is the way they shear fools!'
+says he. 'I will take you,' says he, 'as my serving men, for I am
+making the levy for a regiment.' Lukash cried out that the man was
+exposing us to ridicule, and when he would not stop Lukash slashed him
+on the snout with a sabre. Poradski's friends sprang to help him, and
+we to help Lukash, and we cut till the marshal's guard whirled in and
+went at us. And we yielded only when the others fell to shouting:
+'Gracious gentlemen, they are attacking freedom, and injuring the
+Commonwealth in our persons.' That is how it happened, and God blessed
+us immediately, for we wounded eight attendants in a flash, and three
+of these mortally; the others were at our feet,--there were five of
+them."
+
+Pan Serafin seized his head, and Marek continued,--
+
+"Yes! Now we know all; God helped us till people shouted that the fight
+was near the king's palace, and a crime,--that we should die for it. We
+were frightened and ran. They tried to seize us, but when we, in old
+fashion, cut one on the face and another on the neck, they fled in a
+hurry. Stanislav saved us with the horses of his attendants, but even
+then we had to work hard to bring our heads with us; we were hunted to
+Senkotsin; if the horses had been slow our case would have ended. Our
+names were not known; that was lucky, and there will be no accusation
+against us."
+
+Long silence followed.
+
+"Where are those horses which Stanislav gave you?" asked Pan Serafin.
+
+The brothers began their confession a third time,--
+
+"We have sinned, benefactor, we have sinned!"
+
+Pan Serafin walked with long strides through the chamber.
+
+"Now I understand," said he, "why ye did not bring Stashko's letter. He
+wrote me that various sad things had happened you, and he predicted
+your return, thinking that ye would need money for horses and outfits,
+but how ye would end was unknown to him."
+
+"So it is, benefactor," said Yan.
+
+Men now brought in heated wine, to which the brothers betook themselves
+with great willingness, for they were road weary. Still they were
+frightened by the silence of Pan Serafin, who was striding up and down
+in the chamber, his face severe and gloomy. So again Marek spoke to
+him,--
+
+"Your grace, my benefactor, has asked about Stanislav's horses. Two of
+them foundered before we reached Groyets, for we galloped all the way
+in a terrible windstorm; we sold them for a trifle to Jew wagoners, for
+the beasts were no good after foundering. And we had not a coin to keep
+the souls in us; since we left in such a hurry Pan Stanislav had no
+time to assist us. Then strengthened a little we rode farther, two men
+on each animal. But your grace will understand this. We met then some
+noble on the road, and immediately he seized his side, laughing. 'What
+kind of Jerusalem nobles are these?' asked he. And we from such
+terrible scornfulness were ready for anything. So we had endless
+encounters and fights till we came to Bialobregi, where for dear peace
+we sold the last two of our crowbaits; then, when people wondered at
+our travelling on foot we replied that we were making that journey
+through a vow of devotion. So forgive us now like a father, for there
+are not more ill-fated men in this world, as I think, than we
+brothers."
+
+"It is true! it is true!" exclaimed Mateush and Lukash; while Yan, the
+youngest, moved by remembrance of past suffering, and wine, raised his
+voice, and cried,--
+
+"We are orphans of the Lord! What is left now in this world to us?"
+
+"Nothing but brotherly love," put in Marek.
+
+And they fell to embracing one another, shedding bitter tears as they
+did so; then all drew up to Pan Serafin, but Marek seized his knees
+before the others.
+
+"Oh, father," said he, "our first-born protector, be not angry. Lend us
+once more for the levy, and from plunder, God grant, we will give it
+back faithfully; if you lend not--it is well also, but be not angry,
+only forgive us! Forgive us through that great friendship which we
+cherish for Stashko; for I tell you, let any man harm even one of
+Stashko's fingers, we will bear that man apart on our sabres! Is this
+not true, dearest brothers?--on our sabres?"
+
+"Give him hither, the son of a such a one!" cried Mateush, Lukash, and
+Yan.
+
+Pan Serafin halted before them, put his hand on his forehead, and
+answered in these words,--
+
+"I am angry, it is true! but less angry than grief-stricken; for when I
+think that in this Commonwealth there are many such men as ye, the
+heart in me is straitened, and I ask myself: Will this mother of ours
+have the power with such children to meet the attacks which are
+threatening her? Ye wish to implore me, and ye expect my forgiveness.
+By the living God! it is not a question here of me, and not of my
+horses, but of something a hundred times greater, a question of the
+public weal, and the future of this Commonwealth; and of this, that ye
+do not understand the position, that even such a thought has not come
+to you; and since there are thousands such as ye are, the greater is
+the sorrow and the keener the anxiety, the more dreadful the
+desperation both of me and each honest son of this country--"
+
+"For God's sake, benefactor! How have we sinned against the country?"
+
+"How? By lawlessness, license, by riot and drunkenness. Oh! With us,
+people treat such things over lightly, and do not see how the
+pestilence is spreading, how the walls of this lordly building are
+weakened, and our heads are endangered by the ceiling. War is
+approaching; it is not known yet whether the foe will turn his power
+against us directly--but, ye Christian soldiers, what is the best that
+ye are doing? The trumpet is calling you to battle, but in your heads
+there is nothing save wine and lawlessness. With a glad heart ye cut
+down the guardians of that law which gives order of some kind. Who
+established those laws? Nobles. Who trampled them? Nobles! How can this
+country move to the field of glory, if this advance post of
+Christianity is inhabited not by warriors but drunkards, not by
+citizens but roysterers and rioters?"
+
+Here Pan Serafin stopped and, pressing his hand to his forehead, walked
+again with great steps through the chamber. The brothers glanced at one
+another in amazement and confusion, for they had not thought to hear
+from him anything of that sort.
+
+But he sighed deeply and continued,--
+
+"Ye were called out against pagans, and ye spill the blood of
+Christians; ye were summoned in defence of this country, and ye have
+gone out as its enemies, for it is evident that the greater the
+disorder in a fortress, the weaker is the fortress. Fortunately there
+are still honest children of this mother, but of men such as ye there
+are, as I have said, many legions; for here not freedom, but riot is
+nourishing, not obedience, but impunity, not stern discipline, but
+wantonness, not love of country, but self-seeking; for here diets are
+broken, here the treasury is plundered, disorder increases, and civil
+wars like unbridled horses trample the country; hence drunken heads are
+fixing its fortunes; here is oppression of peasants, and from high to
+low lawlessness so that my heart bleeds, and I fear defeat, with God's
+anger as the consequence."
+
+"In God's name must we hang ourselves?" cried Lukash.
+
+Pan Serafin measured the chamber a number of times with his steps yet,
+and spoke on, as if it were to himself, and not to the Bukoyemskis,--
+
+"Through the length and the breadth of this Commonwealth there is
+one immense feast, and on the wall an unknown hand is now writing:
+'Mane--Tekel--Fares.' Wine is flowing, but blood and tears also are
+flowing. I am not the only person who sees this, I am not the only man
+predicting evil, but it is vain to put a light before the sightless, or
+sing songs to those who have no hearing."
+
+Silence followed. The four brothers stared now at one another, and now
+at Pan Serafin with increasing confusion; at last Lukash said in a low
+voice to the other three,--
+
+"May I split, if I understand anything!"
+
+"And may I split!"
+
+"And may I!"
+
+"If we could drink a couple of times--"
+
+"Quiet, do not mention it--"
+
+"Let us go home."
+
+"Let us go."
+
+"With the forehead to your grace, our benefactor!" said Marek, pushing
+out in front and bending down to the knees of Pan Serafin.
+
+"But whither?"
+
+"To Lesnichovka. God help us."
+
+"And I will help you," said Pan Serafin; "but such grief seized me that
+I had to pour it out. Go upstairs, gentlemen,--rest; later on ye will
+learn my decision."
+
+An hour later he commanded to drive to Father Voynovski's. The priest
+was scandalized no little by the deeds of the Bukoyemskis, but at
+moments he could not restrain himself from laughter, for having served
+many years in the army he recalled various happenings which had met him
+and his comrades. But he could not forgive the brothers for drinking
+away the horses.
+
+"A soldier will often run riot," said he, "but to drink away his horse!
+that is treason to the service. I will tell the Bukoyemskis that I
+should have been glad if martial law had taken the heads from their
+shoulders, and that certainly would have given an example to rioters,
+but I confess to you that I should have been sorry, for all four are
+splendid fellows. I know from of old what men are, and I can say in
+advance what each is good for. As to the Bukoyemskis, it will be
+unhealthy for those pagans who strike breast to breast with them in
+battle. What do you think to do with them?"
+
+"I will not leave them without rescue, but I think if I were to send
+them off alone the same kind of thing might meet them a second time."
+
+"True!" said the priest.
+
+"Hence it has occurred to me to go with them, and give them straight
+into the hands of the captain. Once with the flag and under discipline,
+they can grant themselves nothing."
+
+"True, this is a splendid idea! Take them to Cracow; there the
+regiments will assemble. As I live I will go with you! Thus we shall
+see our boys, and come back with more pleasantness."
+
+At this Pan Serafin laughed, and said,--
+
+"Your grace will come back alone."
+
+"How is that?"
+
+"I am going myself to the war."
+
+"Do you wish to serve again in the army?" asked Father Voynovski, in
+astonishment.
+
+"Yes, and no; for it is one thing to go to the army and make a career
+out of service, and another to go on a single expedition. Of course, I
+am old, but older than I have gone to the ranks more than once in reply
+to Gradiva's trumpet. I have sent my only son, that is true, but it is
+not possible to yield up too much for the country. Thus did my fathers
+think, therefore, that Mother showed them the greatest honor at her
+disposal. Hence my last copper coin, and my last drop of blood are now
+ready to be sacrificed for her sake! Should it come to die--think, your
+grace, what nobler death, what greater happiness could meet me? A man
+must die once, and is there not greater pleasure in dying on the field
+of glory, at the side of one's son, than in bed; to die from a sabre or
+a bullet than from sickness; in addition fighting against pagans for
+the faith and the country?"
+
+Then Pan Serafin, moved by his own words, opened his arms and
+repeated,--
+
+"God grant this! God grant this!"
+
+Then Father Voynovski took him in his arms, and pressing him, said,--
+
+"God grant that in this Commonwealth there be as many men like you as
+possible; there are not many as honorable, more honorable there are
+none whatever. It is true that it becomes a noble better to die on the
+field than in bed, and in old times every man held that idea, but
+to-day worse times have come on us. The country and the faith are one
+immense altar, and a man is a morsel of myrrh, predestined for burning
+to the glory of that altar. Yes, times are worse at the present. Then
+war is nothing new to you?"
+
+Pan Serafin felt his breast, and continued,--
+
+"I have here a few wounds from sabres and shots of the old time."
+
+"It would be pleasanter for me to defend the flag," said Father
+Voynovski, "than listen to old women's sins in this neighborhood. And
+more than one of them tells me such nonsense, just as if she had come
+to shake out fleas at confession. When a man commits sin he has at
+least something to speak about, and all the more if he is a soldier!
+When I took this robe of a priest I became a chaplain in the regiment
+of Pan Modlishevski. Ah, I remember that well. Between one absolution
+of sins and another there was sometimes a shooting in the teeth, or
+blades were drawn. Ah, there was great need of chaplains in that time.
+I should like now to go, but my parish is large, and there is a tempest
+of work in it; the vicar is wilful but worst of all is a wound from a
+gunshot, which I received long ago, and which does not let me stay more
+than an hour in the saddle."
+
+"I should be happy to have a comrade," said Pan Serafin, "but I
+understand that even without that wound your grace could not leave the
+parish."
+
+"Well, I shall see. In a couple of days I will ride and learn how long
+I can stay in the saddle. Something may have straightened out in me.
+But who will look to the management at Yedlinka?"
+
+"I have a forester, a simple man, but so honest that he might almost be
+canonized."
+
+"I know; that one who is followed by wild beasts. Some say that he is a
+wizard; you know better, however. But he is old and sickly."
+
+"I wish to take also that Vilchopolski who on a time served Pan Gideon.
+Perhaps you remember him? a young noble who lost one foot, but he is
+vigorous and daring. Krepetski removed him because he was too
+independent. He came to me two days ago offering his service, and
+to-day I will agree with him surely. Pan Gideon did not like him, since
+the man would not let any one blow on his pudding, but Pan Gideon
+praised his activity and faithfulness."
+
+"What is to be heard in Belchantska?"
+
+"I have not been there for some time. It is clear that Vilchopolski
+does not praise the Krepetskis, but I had no chance to inquire about
+everything in detail."
+
+"I will look in there to-morrow, though they are not over glad to
+behold me, and then I will return to rub the ears of the Bukoyemskis. I
+will command them to come to confession, and for penance the whips will
+be moving. Let them give one another fifty lashes; that will be good
+for them."
+
+"It will, that is certain. But now I must take farewell of your grace
+because of Vilchopolski."
+
+Then Pan Serafin shortened his belt-strap, so that his sabre might not
+be in the way when he was entering the wagon. A moment later he was on
+the road moving toward Yedlinka, thinking meanwhile of his expedition,
+and smiling at the thought that he would work stirrup to stirrup with
+his one son, against pagans. After he had passed Belchantska he saw two
+horses under packs, and a trunk-laden wagon which Vilchopolski was
+driving. He commanded the young man to sit over into his wagon, and
+then he inquired,--
+
+"Are you leaving Belchantska already?"
+
+Vilchopolski pointed to the trunks, and wishing to prove that though he
+served he was not without learning, he said,--
+
+"See, your grace, _omnia mea mecum porto_" (I am taking all my things
+with me).
+
+"Then was there such a hurry?"
+
+"There was not a hurry, but there was need; therefore I accept all your
+grace's conditions with pleasure, and in case you go away, as you have
+mentioned, I will guard your house and possessions with faithfulness."
+
+Pan Serafin was pleased with the answer and the daring, firm face of
+the young man; so, after a moment of meditation, he added,--
+
+"Of faithfulness I have no doubt, for I know that you are a noble, but
+inexperience I fear, and incautiousness. In Yedlinka one must sit like
+a stone, and watch day and night, because it is almost in the
+wilderness, and in great forests there is no lack of bandits, who at
+times attack houses."
+
+"I do not wish an attack upon Yedlinka, but for myself I should like
+it, to convince your grace that courage and alertness would not be
+lacking on my part."
+
+"You look as though you had both," said Pan Serafin.
+
+He was silent a while, and then continued,--
+
+"There is one other thing of importance of which to forewarn you. Pan
+Gideon is in God's hands at the present, and touching the dead nothing
+save that which is good may be mentioned; but it is known that he was
+hard to his people. Father Voynovski blamed him for this, and there was
+variance between them. The sweat of the peasant was not spared in
+Belchantska; trials were short and punishment grievous. We will be
+outspoken--there was oppression, and his agents were too cruel with
+people. This is not my case, be sure of that; there must be discipline,
+but paternal. I look on excessive severity as a great sin against God
+and the country. Fix it well in your mind that a man is not curds, and
+it is not allowable to press him too cruelly. I do not wring out
+people's tears--and I remember that before God all are equal."
+
+A moment of silence followed. Vilchopolski seized Pan Serafin's hand
+and put his lips to it.
+
+"I see that you understand me," said Pan Serafin.
+
+"I understand, your grace; and I answer, More than a hundred times I
+wanted to say to Pan Gideon: 'Find another manager;' more than a
+hundred times I wanted to go from his service, but--well, I could not
+do so."
+
+"Why was that? Is there a lack of work in the world?"
+
+Vilchopolski was confused and spoke as if fear had seized hold of him.
+
+"It did not happen--I could not go--day after day I loitered. Besides,
+there was severity, and there was not."
+
+"How was that?"
+
+"The people were driven to work, it is true, no one could prevent that;
+but as to flogging, I will say briefly that instead of whips straw
+ropes were used on them."
+
+"Who was so merciful--you?"
+
+"No. But I chose to obey the will of an angel, not that of a devil."
+
+"I understand, but tell me whose will?"
+
+"Panna Anulka's."
+
+"Ah! so it was she?"
+
+"Really an angel. She too was in dread of Pan Gideon, who in recent
+times only began to regard what she told him. But all loved her so much
+that each man exposed himself to Pan Gideon's anger rather than refuse
+what she asked of him."
+
+"May God bless her for that! So you all conspired against Pan Gideon?"
+
+"Yes, your grace."
+
+"And it was not discovered?"
+
+"It was discovered once, but I did not betray the young lady. Pan
+Gideon flogged me himself, for I declared to him that if any other man
+flogged, or if he flogged me except on a carpet, I, a noble, would let
+his house up in smoke, and shoot him besides that. And it would have
+been done as I promised, even had I to join forest bandits in
+consequence."
+
+"You please me for this," said Pan Serafin.
+
+"More than once I found it difficult to stay with Pan Gideon,"
+continued Vilchopolski; "but in the house there was simply one of God's
+cherubim, and so, though a man might wish to go, he would stay there.
+After that, as the young lady grew up Pan Gideon gave her more
+consideration, and recently he gave thought to no one save Panna
+Anulka. He knew often that she commanded to give wheat to the poor from
+the granary, then, as I have said, she had straw used instead of whips;
+besides, she had labor remitted; he affected not to notice it. At last
+he was so much ashamed that she had no need to do anything in secret.
+She was a real protector of people, and for that reason may God, as you
+have said, bless and save her."
+
+"Why do you say 'save'?" inquired Pan Serafin.
+
+"Because it is worse for her now than it has been."
+
+"Have the fear of God! What is the danger?"
+
+"The two women are terrible. Young Krepetski himself restrains them
+apparently, but I know why he does this; but let him be careful, some
+one may shoot him down like a dog if he is not."
+
+It was deep night then, but very clear, for the full moon was shining,
+and by the light of it Pan Serafin saw that the eyes of the young man
+were glittering like wolf eyes.
+
+"What dost thou know of him?" asked Pan Serafin, with curiosity.
+
+"I know that he removed me not merely for my independence, but because
+I watched and listened carefully to what people in the house said. I
+went away because I had to go, but Belchantska is not far from
+Yedlinka, and in case of need--"
+
+Here he was silent, and on the road was heard only the sound of the
+pines as they were moved by the night wind.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XVI
+
+
+AT Belchantska it was not only evil for the young woman, but worse and
+worse daily. A good deal of time had passed since that moment in which
+old Pan Gideon had noticed that Martsian gazed at the young girl with
+too much of a "goat's look," and had driven him from the mansion. Later
+on, Martsian saw her at church, and sometimes at the houses of
+neighbors, and always her beauty of springtime roused fresh desires in
+him. Now when he was living under one roof with her, when he saw her
+daily, he fell in love in his own way, that is, with the beastlike
+desire, and that feeling of which he was alone capable. A change had
+taken place in his wishes. His first intent had been to bring the girl
+to shame, and then marry her only in case that a will should be found
+in her favor. Now he was ready to go with her to the altar, if he could
+in any case have and possess her forever. Reason, which when urged by
+desire becomes its obedient assistant, told him, moreover, that a young
+lady bearing the name of Sieninski was, although dowerless, a match of
+great moment. But even if reason had told him the opposite, Martsian
+would not have listened, for as each day appeared he lost some part of
+his self-mastery. He burnt, he raged, and if up to that time he had
+restrained himself from violence it was only because desire, even the
+most urgent, craves and yearns for a willing surrender, and is charmed
+with the thought of mutuality in which it sees the highest pleasure,
+and deceives itself even when there is no cause whatever for doing so.
+
+Thus Krepetski deceived himself, and thus he pampered his wishes with
+pictures of that blissful moment in which the young lady would herself,
+radiant and willing, incline to his embraces. But he dreaded to lose
+should he risk all on the hazard of a trial, and when he put to himself
+in spirit this question, What would follow? fear seized him in presence
+of himself, and in presence of the terror which would threaten him; for
+the laws of the Commonwealth guarding the honor of woman were pitiless,
+and around him were sabres of nobles by the hundred, which would flash
+above his head most unfailingly. But he felt also that the hour might
+come in which he would care for nothing, since in his insolent, wild
+spirit there was hidden a craving for battle, and a hunger for peril;
+so not without a certain charm for him was the picture of a great
+throng of nobles besieging Belchantska--the flame of conflagration
+above him, and a red executioner standing, axe in hand, somewhere off
+in the mist of a distant city.
+
+And thus desire, dread, and also a longing for battle struggled like
+three whirlwinds within him. At the same time, wishing to give exit to
+that storm, and to cool that flood which was seething in his person as
+water in a caldron, he grew mad, wallowed in riot throughout village
+inns, rode down his horses, fell upon people, and drank to kill in
+every dramshop of Radom, Prityk, and Yedlina. He collected around him a
+company of road-blockers, who did not go to the war because of evil
+fame, or of poverty. He paid these men and tyrannized over them; he did
+this thinking that such a mob might be useful in the future, but he did
+not admit any man of them to confidence, and never mentioned in their
+presence the name of the young lady. Once when a certain Vysh, from
+some Vyshkov of unknown situation, mentioned her in rude, obscene
+fashion, Martsian slashed the fellow on his snout and drew blood from
+him.
+
+Martsian galloped home at breakneck speed, and usually about daylight.
+But that mad riding sobered him thoroughly. He dropped down in his
+clothes to the horse skin which covered his bed, and slept like a stone
+for some hours on it; when he rose he put on his best garments, went
+then to the women, and strove to please the young lady, whom his eyes
+did not leave for one moment, he meanwhile rousing desire, while his
+glances crawled over her person. And more than once, when he was alone
+with Anulka, his lips were pushed forward, his arms of monstrous
+length quivered as if powerless against his wish to seize hold of
+her; his voice became stifled, his words became insolent, vague,
+and double-meaning; through them circled both flattery and an
+ill-restrained threatening.
+
+But Anulka feared him simply as she would have feared a tamed wolf, or
+a bear, and with difficulty did she hide the repulsion with which the
+sight of him filled her. For in spite of the parrot-like colors in
+which he arrayed himself, in spite of the shining jewels at his neck,
+and the costly flageolet which he never let slip from his fingers, he
+looked worse each day, and more repulsive. Sleepless nights, rioting,
+drinking, and flaming desires had placed on him their impress. He grew
+thin, his shoulders drooped, through this his arms, long by nature,
+seemed longer, so that his hands reached below his knees and were
+beyond human proportions. His gigantic trunk was like a knotty section
+of a tree trunk, and his short bow-legs bent still more from mad
+riding. Moreover, the skin of his face took on a kind of green pallor,
+and because of his sunken cheeks, his protruding eyes and pouting lips
+were pushed forward phenomenally. He became simply dreadful to look at,
+especially when he laughed, for from his eyeballs when lighted with
+laughter looked out a kind of nervous, unrestrained threat and malice.
+But the feeling of her misfortune, deep sadness, and unhappiness
+produced in Anulka a dignity of which she had not a trace somewhat
+earlier. This dignity imposed on Krepetski. Once she had been a
+twittering maiden, active all day as a water-mill; now she had learned
+to be silent, and her eyes had a fixity of expression. So, though her
+heart trembled often from fear of Krepetski, she restrained him by her
+calm glance and her silence. He drew back then as if fearing to offend
+such a majesty. It is true that she seemed to him still more desirable,
+but also more difficult of access. She, however, feeling that from him
+immense danger was threatening, and later on being perfectly convinced
+of this, strove to avoid him, to be alone with him the shortest time
+possible, to turn away conversation from things which might facilitate
+confession, and finally she had the boldness sometimes to indicate that
+she was not by any means abandoned and left to the favor or ill-will of
+fortune, as it might seem to him.
+
+She avoided even memories of Yatsek, understanding that after what had
+passed between them he could not be then, and would not be ever a
+defence to her. She felt besides that every word touching him would
+rouse hatred and anger in Martsian. But having noted that the
+Krepetskis were careful of the prelate, and looked as if with secret
+dread on him, she let it be understood frequently that she was under
+his special protection, which rose from a secret agreement which, in
+view of every contingency, Pan Gideon had concluded. The prelate, who
+from time to time came to Belchantska, aided her notably, for he turned
+to the Krepetskis with pleasure, since he was studying mankind; he
+expressed himself with mystery, and quoted subtle phrases in Latin; he
+reminded Martsian of various things which that young man might
+interpret as suited him.
+
+But a great point was this: The servants and the whole village loved
+the "young lady." People considered the Krepetskis as intruders, and
+her as the genuine inheritor. All feared Martsian, except Vilchopolski.
+But even after the removal of that young noble, the unseen care of the
+people went, as it were, with Anulka, and Martsian understood that the
+fear which he roused had its limit, beyond which for him would begin
+real danger. He understood also that Vilchopolski, whose eyes had a
+daring expression, would not go far from Belchantska, and that if the
+young lady should be in need of defence he would not draw back before
+anything; hence he confessed to himself that she was not really so
+deserted by every one as at first he had thought, and as on a time he
+had told his old father.
+
+"Who will take her part? No one!" said he, when the old man commanded
+him to remember the terrible punishments which the laws threatened for
+an attempt on the honor of a woman.
+
+At last he understood that there were such defenders. That raised one
+more obstacle, but obstacles and perils were only an incitement to a
+nature like Martsian's. He deceived himself yet, thinking that he would
+move the young lady and make her love him; but there came moments in
+which he saw, as clearly as a thing on the palm, that he was quite
+powerless; and then he raged, as said the comrades of his revels, and
+had it not been for a certain dull, but strong and irresistible
+foreboding that if he attacked the girl he should lose her forever, he
+would long ere that have set free the wild beast within him.
+
+And in just those times did he drink without measure and memory.
+
+Meanwhile relations in the house had become unendurable, seasoned with
+bitterness and poison. The Krepetski old maids hated Anulka, not only
+because she was younger than they and more beautiful, but because
+people loved her, and because Martsian took her part for every reason,
+and even for no reason. They flamed up at last with implacable hatred
+toward their brother; but seeing that Anulka never complained, they
+tortured her all the more stubbornly. Once Agneshka burnt her with a
+red-hot shovel, as if by accident. Martsian, hearing of this through
+the servants, went to ask pardon of the young lady, and beg her to seek
+his protection at all times; but he pushed up to her with such
+insistence, and fell to kissing her hand with such greed and so
+disgustingly, that she fled from him, unable to repress her abhorrence.
+Thereupon he broke into a rage and beat his sister so viciously that
+for two days she feigned illness.
+
+The two "heiresses" as they were called at the mansion did not spare
+biting words on the young lady, or open inventions and humiliations,
+taking vengeance in this way for all they were forced to endure from
+their brother. But out of hatred for Martsian they warned her against
+him, censuring her at the same time for yielding to his wishes, for
+they saw that with nothing could they wound and offend her so painfully
+as with this implication. The house became a hell for her, and every
+hour in it a torment.
+
+Hatred toward those people, who themselves hated one another, was
+poisoning even her heart. She began to think of a cloister, but she
+kept the thought in her bosom, for she knew that they would not let her
+enter one, and that by unfettering Martsian's anger she would expose
+herself to great peril. Alarm and fear of danger dwelt in her
+continually, and produced the desire of death, a desire which she had
+never felt previously. Meanwhile each day added to her cup new drops of
+bitterness. Once, early in the morning, Agneshka surprised Martsian
+looking through the keyhole of the orphan's chamber. He withdrew
+gritting his teeth and threatening with his fist, but the "heiress"
+called her sister immediately, and the two, finding the girl still
+undressed, began to torment her, as usual.
+
+"Thou didst know that he was standing there," said the elder, "for the
+floor squeaks outside the door, and there is a noise when any one
+stands near it; but to thee, as is clear, his presence was agreeable."
+
+"Bah! he licked his lips before dainties, and she did not hide them,"
+interrupted Agneshka. "Hast thou no fear of God, shameless creature?"
+
+"Such a one should be put before the church at a pillory."
+
+"And expelled from the mansion."
+
+"Sodom and Gomorrah!"
+
+"Tfu!"
+
+"And when will the need be to send to Radom for a woman?"
+
+"What sort of a name wilt thou give it?"
+
+"Tfu! thou dish-rag!"
+
+And they spat on her.
+
+The heart stormed up in the hapless maiden, for the measure was passed
+then.
+
+"Be off!" cried she, pointing to the door.
+
+But her face grew pale as linen, and darkness fell on her eyes; for a
+moment it seemed to her that she was flying into some gulf without
+bottom, then she lost consciousness, feeling, and memory. On recovering
+she found herself wet from water which had been poured on her, and her
+breast pinched in places. The faces of the old maids bending over her
+showed fear, but after a while they felt reassured when they saw that
+she was conscious.
+
+"Complain, complain!" said Johanna. "Thy paramour will defend thee."
+
+"And thou wilt thank him in thy own way."
+
+Setting her teeth Anulka answered no syllable.
+
+But Martsian divined all that must have happened upstairs, for some
+hours later from the chancellery, where he had shut himself in with his
+sisters, came howls from which the whole mansion was terrified.
+
+In the afternoon, when old Krepetski came, the two sisters fell with a
+scream to his knees imploring him to remove them from that den of
+profligacy and torture. But he to the same degree that he loved his
+youngest daughter hated the elder ones; so he not only took no pity on
+the ill-fated hags, but he called for sticks, and compelled them to
+stay there.
+
+The only being in that terrible house in whom Johanna and Agneshka, if
+they had wished to be friendly and kind, might have found compassion,
+sympathy, and even protection, was Panna Anulka. But they preferred to
+torment the poor girl, and gloat over her, for, with the exception of
+Tekla, that was a family in which each member did all in his or her
+power to poison the life and increase the misfortune of the others.
+
+But Panna Anulka feared the love of Martsian more than the hatred of
+his sisters. And he thrust himself more and more on her, pushed himself
+forward more and more shamelessly, was more and more insistent, and
+gazed at her more and more greedily. It had become clear that he was
+ceasing to command himself, that wild desire was tearing him as a
+whirlwind tears a tree, and that he might give way at any moment.
+
+In fact that moment came soon.
+
+Once, after warm weather had grown settled, Anulka went at daybreak to
+bathe in the shady river; before undressing she saw Martsian's face on
+the opposite bank sticking out from thick bushes. That instant she
+rushed away breathlessly. He pursued her, but trying to spring over the
+water he failed and fell into it; he was barely able to climb out, and
+went home drenched to the very last thread of his clothing. Before
+dinner he had beaten a number of servants till the blood came; during
+dinner he said not a word to any person. Only at the end of the meal
+did he turn to his sisters,--
+
+"Leave me alone," said he, "with Panna Anulka; I have to talk with her
+on matters of importance."
+
+The sisters, on hearing this, looked at each other significantly, and
+the young lady grew pale from amazement; though he had long tried to
+seize every moment in which he might be alone with her, he had never
+let himself ask for such a moment openly.
+
+When the sisters had gone he rose, looked beyond one door and another,
+to convince himself that no one was listening, then he drew up to
+Anulka.
+
+"Give me your hand," said he, "and be reconciled."
+
+She drew back both hands unconsciously, and pushed away from him.
+
+Martsian's wish for calmness was evident, but he sprang forward twice
+on his bow-legs, for he could never abandon that habit, and said, with
+a voice full of effort,--
+
+"You are unwilling! But to-day I came very near drowning for your sake.
+I beg your pardon for that fright, but it was not caused by any bad
+reason. Mad dogs began yesterday to run between Vyrambki and this
+mansion, and I took a gun to make sure of your safety."
+
+Anulka's knees trembled under her a little, but she said with good
+presence of mind and with calmness,--
+
+"I want no protection which would bring only shame to me."
+
+"I should like to defend you, not merely now, but till death and at all
+times! Not offending God, but with His blessing. Dost understand me?"
+
+A moment of silence followed this question. Through the open window
+came the sound of cutting wood, made by an old lame man attached to the
+kitchen.
+
+"I do not understand."
+
+"Because thou hast no wish to understand," replied Martsian. "Thou
+seest this long time that I cannot live without thee. Thou art as
+needful to me as this air is for breathing. To me thou art wonderful,
+and dear above all things. I cannot exist--without thee I shall burn up
+and vanish! If I had not restrained myself I should have grabbed thee
+long ago as a hawk grabs a dove. It grows dry in my throat without
+thee, as it does without water--everything in me quivers toward thee. I
+cannot sleep, I cannot live--see here even now--"
+
+And he stopped, for his teeth were chattering as if in a fever. He had
+a spasm, he caught at the arms of the chair with his bony fingers, as
+if fearing to fall, and panted some time very loudly. Then he
+continued,--
+
+"Thou lackest fortune--that is nothing! I have enough. I need not
+fortune, but thee. Dost thou wish to be mistress in this mansion? Thou
+wert to marry Pan Gideon; I am not worse, as I think, than Pan Gideon.
+But do not say no! do not, by the living God, do not say it, for I
+cannot tell what will happen. Thou art wonderful! thou, my--!"
+
+He knelt quickly, embraced her knees with his two hands, and pressed
+them toward his bosom. But, beyond even her own expectation, Anulka's
+fear vanished without a trace in that terrible moment. The knightly
+blood began to act in her; readiness for battle to the last breath
+was roused in the woman. Her hands pushed back with all force his
+sweat-covered forehead, which was nestling up toward her knees at that
+moment.
+
+"No! no! I would rather die a thousand deaths! No!"
+
+He rose up, pallid, his hair erect, his mustache quivering. Beneath the
+mustache were glittering his long decayed teeth, and for a time he was
+filled with cold rage as he stood there; but still he controlled
+himself, still presence of mind did not desert him entirely. But when
+Anulka pushed toward the door on a sudden, he stopped the way to her.
+
+"Is this true?" inquired he, with a hoarse voice. "Thou wilt not have
+me? Wilt thou repeat that once more to me, to my eyes? Wilt thou not
+have me?"
+
+"I will not! And do not threaten, for I feel no fear."
+
+"I do not threaten thee, but I want to take thee as wife, nay more, I
+beg thee bethink thyself! By the living God, bethink thyself!"
+
+"In what am I to bethink myself? I am free, I have my will, and I say
+before your eyes: Never!"
+
+He approached her, so nearly that his face pushed up to hers, and he
+continued,--
+
+"Then perhaps instead of being mistress, thou dost choose to carry wood
+to the kitchen? Or dost thou not wish it? How will it be, O noble lady!
+To which of thy estates wilt thou go from this mansion? And if thou
+stay, whose bread wilt thou eat here; on whose kindness wilt thou live?
+In whose power wilt thou find thyself? Whose bed, whose chamber is that
+in which thou art sleeping? What will happen if I command to remove the
+door fastenings? And dost thou ask in what thou art to bethink thyself?
+In this: which thou art to choose!--marriage, or no marriage!"
+
+"Ruffian!" screamed Panna Anulka.
+
+But now happened something unheard of. Seized with sudden fury,
+Krepetski bellowed with a voice that was not human, and seizing the
+girl by the hair he began with a certain wild and beastly relish to
+beat her without mercy or memory. The longer he had mastered himself up
+to that time, the more did his madness seem wild then, and terrible; at
+that moment beyond doubt he would have killed the young lady had it not
+been that to her cries for assistance servants burst into the chamber.
+First that man cutting wood at the kitchen broke in with an axe through
+the window, after him came kitchen servants, the two sisters, the
+butler, and two of Pan Gideon's old servitors.
+
+The butler was a noble from a distant village in Mazovia, moreover, a
+man of rare strength, though rather aged; he caught Martsian's arms
+from behind, and drew them so mightily that the elbows almost met at
+his shoulders.
+
+"This is not permitted, your grace!" exclaimed he. "It is infamous!"
+
+"Let me go!" roared Krepetski.
+
+But the iron hands held him as in vices, and a serious, low voice was
+heard near his ear,--
+
+"I will break your bones unless you restrain yourself!"
+
+Meanwhile the sisters led, or rather carried the young lady from the
+chamber.
+
+"Come to the chancellery to rest," said the butler. "I advise your
+grace earnestly."
+
+And he pushed the man before him as he would a child, while Martsian,
+with chattering teeth, moved on with his short legs, crying for a
+halter and the hangman; but he could not resist, for a moment later he
+had grown so weak all at once, from the outburst, that he was unable
+even to stand unassisted. So, when the butler in the chancellery threw
+him on the horse skin with which the bed was covered, Martsian did not
+even try to rise; he lay there panting with heaving sides, like a horse
+after over-exertion.
+
+"Something to drink!" shouted he.
+
+The butler opened the door, called a boy, and, whispering some words,
+gave him keys: the lad returned with a pint glass and a demijohn of
+brandy.
+
+The butler filled the glass to the brim, sniffed at it, and said
+approaching Martsian,--
+
+"Drink, your grace."
+
+Krepetski seized it with both hands, but they trembled so that liquor
+dropped on his breast; then the butler raised him, put the glass to his
+lips, and inclined it.
+
+He drank and drank, holding the glass greedily when the butler tried to
+remove it from his mouth. At last he drank all, and fell backward.
+
+"It may be too much," said the butler, "but you had become very weak
+when I gave it."
+
+Though Martsian wished to say something, he merely hissed in the air,
+like a man who has burnt his mouth with too hot a liquid.
+
+"Eh," said the butler, "you owe me a good gift, for I have shown no
+petty service. God preserve us, if anything is done--in such an affair
+it is the axe and the executioner, not to mention this, that misfortune
+might happen here any minute. The people love that young lady beyond
+measure. And it will be difficult to hide what has been done from the
+prelate, though I will tell all to be silent. How do you feel?"
+
+Martsian looked at him with staring eyes and open mouth as he panted.
+Once and a second time he tried to say something, then hiccoughing
+seized him, his eyes grew expressionless, he closed his lids on a
+sudden, and then began a rattling in his throat as if the man were
+dying.
+
+"Sleep, or die, dirty dog!" growled the butler as he looked at him. And
+he went from the room to the outbuildings. Half an hour later he
+returned and knocked at the young lady's chamber. Finding the two
+sisters with her he said to them,--
+
+"Ladies, perhaps you would look in a moment at the chancellery, for the
+young lord has grown very feeble. But if he sleeps it is better not to
+wake him."
+
+Then when alone with Panna Anulka he inclined to her knees, and said,--
+
+"Young lady, there is need to flee from this mansion. All is ready."
+
+And she, though broken and barely able to stand on her feet, sprang up
+in one instant.
+
+"It is well, and I am ready! Save me!"
+
+"I will conduct you to a wagon which is waiting beyond the river.
+To-night I will bring your clothing. Pan Krepetski is as drunk as Bela,
+and will lie like a dead man till morning. Only take a cloak, and let
+us go. No one will stop us; have no fear on that point."
+
+"God reward! God reward!" repeated she, feverishly.
+
+They went out through the garden to that gate by which Yatsek used to
+enter from Vyrambki. On the way the butler said to her,--
+
+"Long ago Vilchopolski arranged with the servants that if an attack
+upon you were attempted, they would set fire to the granary. Pan
+Krepetski would be forced to the fire, and you would have time to
+escape through the garden to a place beyond the river, where a man was
+to wait with a wagon. But it is better not to burn anything. To set
+fire is a crime, no matter what happens. Krepetski will be like a stone
+until morning, so no pursuit threatens you."
+
+"Where are we going?"
+
+"To Pan Serafin's; defence there is easy. Vilchopolski is there. So are
+the Bukoyemskis and other foresters. Krepetski will try to take you
+back, but will fail. And later on Pan Serafin will conduct you to
+Radom, or farther. That will be settled with the priests. Here is the
+wagon! Fear no pursuit. It is not far to Yedlinka, and God gives a
+wonderful evening. I will bring your clothing to-night. If they try to
+stop me I will not mind them. May the Most Holy Mother, the guardian
+and protectress of orphans conduct you!"
+
+And taking her by the hand like a child, he seated her in the wagon.
+
+"Move on!" cried he to the driver.
+
+It was growing dark in the world, and the twilight of evening was
+quenching, but from the remnant of its rays the stars in the clear sky
+were rosy. The calm evening was filled with the odors of the earth, of
+leaves, and of blossoming alders, while nightingales were filling with
+their song, as with a warm rain of spring, the garden, the trees, and
+the whole region.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XVII
+
+
+That evening Pan Serafin was sitting on a bench in the front of his
+mansion, entertaining Father Voynovski, who had come after evening
+prayers to see him, and the four Bukoyemskis, who were stopping then
+permanently at Yedlinka. Before them on a table, with legs crossed like
+the letter X, stood a pitcher of mead and some glasses. They, while
+listening to the murmur of the forest, were drinking from time to time
+and conversing of the war, raising their eyes to the heavens in which
+the sickle of the moon was shining clearly.
+
+"Thanks to your grace, our benefactor, we shall be ready soon for the
+road," said Mateush Bukoyemski. "What has happened is passed. Even
+saints have their failings; then how must it be with frail men, who
+without the grace of God can do nothing? But when I look at that moon,
+which forms the Turkish standard, my fist is stung as if mosquitoes
+were biting. Well, God grant a man to gratify his hands at the
+earliest."
+
+The youngest Bukoyemski fell to thinking.
+
+"Why is it, my reverend benefactor," asked he at last, "that Turks
+cherish some kind of worship for the moon, and bear it on their
+standards?"
+
+"But have not dogs some devotion toward the moon also?" asked the
+priest.
+
+"Of course, but why should the Turks have it?"
+
+"Just because they are dog-brothers."
+
+"Well, as God is dear to me, that explains all," said the young man,
+looking at the moon then in wonderment.
+
+"But the moon is not to blame," said the host, "and it is delightful to
+gaze at it when in the calm of night it paints all the trees with its
+beams, as if some one had coated them with silver. I love greatly to
+sit by myself on such a night, gaze at the sky, and marvel at the Lord
+God's almightiness."
+
+"Yes, at such times the soul flies on wings, as it were, to its
+Creator," said Father Voynovski. "God in his mercy created the moon as
+well as the sun, and what an immense benefaction. As to the sun, well,
+everything is visible in the daytime, but if there were no moon people
+would break their necks in the night if they travelled, not to mention
+this, that in perfect darkness devilish wickedness would be greater by
+far than it is at the present."
+
+They were silent for a while and passed over the peaceful sky with
+their eyes; the priest took a pinch of snuff then, and added,--
+
+"Fix this in your memories, gentlemen, that a kind Providence thinks
+not only of the needs, but the comfort of people."
+
+The rattle of wheels, which in the night stillness reached their ears
+very clearly, interrupted the conversation. Pan Serafin rose from his
+seat.
+
+"God is bringing some guest," said he, "for the whole household is
+here. I am curious to know who it may be."
+
+"Surely some one with news from our lads," added Father Voynovski.
+
+All rose, and thereupon a wagon drawn by two horses entered in through
+the gateway.
+
+"Some woman is on the seat," called out Lukash.
+
+"That is true."
+
+The wagon passed through half the courtyard and stopped at the
+entrance. Pan Serafin looked at the face of the woman, recognized it in
+the wonderful moonlight, and cried,--
+
+"Panna Anulka!"
+
+And he almost lifted her in his arms from the wagon, then she bent at
+once to his knees, and burst into weeping.
+
+"An orphan!" cried she, "who begs for rescue and a refuge!"
+
+Then she nestled up to his knees, embraced them with still greater
+vigor, and sobbed more complainingly. Such great astonishment seized
+every man there, that for a time no one uttered a syllable; at last Pan
+Serafin raised the orphan and pressed her to his heart.
+
+"While there is breath in my nostrils," cried he, "I will be to thee a
+father. But tell me what has happened? Have they driven thee from
+Belchantska?"
+
+"Krepetski has beaten me, and threatened me with infamy," answered she,
+in a voice barely audible.
+
+Father Voynovski, who was there very near her, heard this answer.
+
+"Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews!" exclaimed he, seizing his white
+hair with both hands.
+
+The four Bukoyemskis gazed with open mouths, and eyes bursting from
+their sockets, but understood nothing. Their hearts were moved at once,
+it is true, by the weeping of the orphan, but they considered that
+Panna Anulka had wrought foul injustice on Yatsek. They remembered also
+the teaching of Father Voynovski, that woman is the cause of all evil.
+So they looked at one another inquiringly, as if hoping that some clear
+idea would come, if not to one, to another of them. At last words came
+to Marek.
+
+"Well, now, here is Krepetski for you. But in every case that Martsian
+will get from us a----, or won't he?"
+
+And he seized at his left side, and, following his example, the other
+three brothers began to feel for the hilts of their sabres.
+
+Meanwhile, Pan Serafin had led in the young lady and committed her to
+Pani Dzvonkovski, his housekeeper, a woman of sensitive heart and
+irrepressible eloquence, and explained to her that she was to concern
+herself with this the most notable guest that had come to them. He said
+that the housekeeper was to yield up her own bedroom to the lady, light
+the house, make a fire in the kitchen, find calming medicines and
+plasters for the blue spots, prepare heated wine and various dainties.
+He advised the young lady herself to lie down in bed until all was
+given her, and to rest, deferring detailed discourse till the morrow.
+
+But she desired to open her heart straightway to those gentlemen with
+whom she had sought rescue. She wanted to cast out immediately from her
+soul all that anguish which had been collecting so long in it, and that
+misfortune, shame, humiliation, and torture in which she had been
+living at Belchantska. So, shutting herself up with Father Voynovski
+and Pan Serafin, she spoke as if to a confessor and a father. She told
+them everything, both her sorrow for Yatsek, and that she had consented
+to marry her guardian only because she thought Yatsek had contemned
+her, and because she had heard from the Bukoyemskis that Yatsek was to
+marry Parma Zbierhovski. Finally, she explained what her life had been
+in Belchantska,--or rather, what her sufferings had been there; she
+explained the torturing malice of the two sisters, the ghastly advances
+of Martsian, and the happenings of that day which were the cause of her
+flight from the mansion.
+
+And they seized their own heads while they listened. The hand of Father
+Voynovski, an old soldier, went to his left side involuntarily, in the
+manner of the Bukoyemskis, though for many a day he had not carried a
+weapon; but the worthy Pan Serafin put his palms on the temples of the
+maiden, and said to her,--
+
+"Let him try to take thee. I had an only son, but now God has given me
+a daughter."
+
+Father Voynovski, who had been struck most by what she had said
+touching Yatsek, remembering all that had happened, could not take in
+the position immediately. Hence he thought and thought, smoothed with
+his palm the whole length of his crown which was milk-white, and then
+he asked finally,--
+
+"Didst thou know of that letter which Pan Gideon wrote to Yatsek?"
+
+"I begged him to write it."
+
+"Then I understand nothing. Why didst thou do so?"
+
+"Because I wanted Yatsek to return to us."
+
+"How return?" cried the priest, with real anger. "The letter was such
+that just because of it Yatsek went away to the ends of the earth
+broken-hearted, to forget, and cast out of him that love which thou, my
+young lady, didst trample."
+
+Her eyes blinked from amazement, and she put her hands together, as if
+praying.
+
+"My guardian told me that he had written the letter of a father. O Holy
+Mother! What was there in it?"
+
+"Insults, contempt, a trampling upon the man's poverty and his honor.
+Dost understand?"
+
+Then from the gill's breast was rent a shriek of such pain and
+sincerity that the honest heart of the priest quivered in him. He
+approached her, removed the hands with which she had covered her face,
+and asked,--
+
+"Then didst thou not know of this?"
+
+"I did not--I did not!"
+
+"And thou didst wish Yatsek to return to thee?
+
+"I did!"
+
+"In God's name! Why was that?"
+
+Tears as large as pearls began again to drop from her closed lashes in
+abundance, and quickly; her face was red from maiden shame, she caught
+for air with her open lips, the heart was throbbing in her as in a
+captured bird, and at last after great effort, she whispered,--
+
+"Because--I love him!"
+
+"My child, is that possible!" cried out Father Voynovski.
+
+But the voice broke in his breast, for tears were choking him also. He
+was seized at the same instant by delight and immense compassion for
+the girl, and astonishment that "a woman" in this case was not the
+cause of all evil, but an innocent lamb on which so much suffering had
+fallen God knew for what reason. He caught her in his arms, pressed her
+to his heart. "My child! my child!" repeated he, time after time.
+
+The Bukoyemskis, meanwhile, had betaken themselves, with the glasses
+and pitcher, to the dining-room; had emptied the pitcher
+conscientiously to the bottom, and were waiting for the priest and Pan
+Serafin, in the hope that with their coming supper would be put on the
+table.
+
+They returned at last with moistened eyes and with emotion on their
+faces. Pan Serafin breathed deeply once, and a second time, then he
+said,--
+
+"Pani Dzvonkovski is putting the poor thing to bed. Indeed, a
+man is unwilling to believe his own ears. We too, are to blame; but
+Krepetski,--what he has done is simply infamous and disgraceful. We may
+not let him go without punishment."
+
+"On the contrary," answered Marek, "we will talk about this with that
+'stump.' Oh-ho!"
+
+Then he turned to Father Voynovski,--
+
+"I am very sorry for her, but still, I think that God punished her for
+Yatsek. Is that not true?"
+
+"Thou art a fool!" called out Father Voynovski.
+
+"But how is that? Why?"
+
+The old man, whose breast was full of pity, fell to talking quickly and
+passionately of the innocence and suffering of the girl, as if wishing
+in that way to make up for the injustice which he had permitted
+regarding her; but after a time all discussion was interrupted by the
+coming of Pani Dzvonkovski, who burst into the room like a bomb into a
+fortress.
+
+Her face was as flooded with tears as if it had been dipped in a full
+bucket, and right on the threshold she fell to crying, with arms
+stretched out before her,--
+
+"People, whoso believes in God! Vengeance, justice! As God lives! her
+dear shoulders are all in blue lumps, those shoulders once white as
+wafers--hair torn out by the handful, golden hair! my dearest dove! my
+innocent lamb! my precious little flower!"
+
+On hearing this, Mateush Bukoyemski, already excited by the narrative
+of Father Voynovski, bellowed out at one moment, the next he was
+accompanied by Marek, Lukash, and Yan till the servants rushed into the
+dining-hall and the dogs began to bark at the entrance. But
+Vilchopolski, who a moment later returned from his night review of
+haystacks, met now another humor of the brothers. Their hair was on
+end, their eyes were staring with rage, their right hands were grasping
+at their sabre hilts.
+
+"Blood!" shouted Lukash.
+
+"Give him hither, the son of a such a one!"
+
+"Kill him!"
+
+"On sabres with him!"
+
+And they moved toward the door as one man; but Pan Serafin sprang to
+the entrance and stopped them.
+
+"Halt!" cried he. "Martsian deserves not the sabre, but the headsman!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XVIII
+
+
+And he had to speak long in pacifying the angry brothers. He explained
+to them that were they to cut down Krepetski at once it would be the
+act not of nobles but assassins.
+
+"There is need first of all," said he, "to visit our neighbors, to come
+to an understanding with Father Tvorkovski, to have the support of the
+clergy and the nobles, to obtain the testimony of the servants at
+Belchantska, then to take the case before a tribunal, and only when the
+sentence is passed to stand behind it with weapons. If," continued he,
+"ye were to bear Martsian apart on your sabres immediately, his father
+would not fail to report in all places that ye did so through agreement
+with Panna Anulka; by this her reputation might suffer, and the old man
+would summon you, and, instead of going to the war, ye would have to
+drag around through tribunals, for, not being under the authority of
+the hetman as yet, ye would not escape a civil summons. That is how
+this matter stands at the moment."
+
+"How so?" inquired Yan, with sorrow; "then we are to let the wrong done
+this dove go unpunished?"
+
+"But do ye think," said the priest, "that life will be pleasant for
+Krepetski when infamy is hanging over him, or the axe of the headsman,
+and in addition when general contempt is surrounding him? That is a
+worse torment than a quick death would be, and I should not wish, for
+all the silver in Olkuts, to be in his skin at this moment."
+
+"But if he will wriggle out?" inquired Marek. "His father is an old
+trickster, who has won more than one lawsuit."
+
+"If he wriggles out, Yatsek on returning will whisper a word in his
+ear."
+
+"Ye do not know Yatsek yet! He has the eyes of a maiden, but it is
+safer to take her young cubs from a she-bear than to pain him
+unjustly."
+
+Hereupon Vilchopolski till then only listening spoke in gloomy
+accents,--
+
+"Pan Krepetski has written his own sentence, whether he awaits the
+return of Pan Tachevski or not-- But there is another point; he will
+try, with armed hand, to get back the young lady, and then--"
+
+"Then we shall see!" interrupted Pan Serafin. "But let him only try!
+That is something quite different!"
+
+And he shook his sabre, threateningly, while the Bukoyemskis began to
+grit their teeth straightway.
+
+"Let him try! let him try!" said they.
+
+"But, gentlemen," said Vilchopolski, "you are going to the war."
+
+"We will arrange then in another way," replied Father Voynovski.
+
+Further conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the butler. He
+had brought trunks filled with the wardrobe of Panna Sieninski which,
+as he said, he did only with difficulty. The Krepetski sisters tried to
+prevent him, and even wished to wake Martsian, and keep the trunks in
+the mansion, but they could not wake him; and the butler persuaded them
+that they should not act thus, both in view of their own good and that
+of their brother, otherwise an action would be brought against them for
+robbery, and they would be summoned for damages before a tribunal. As
+women who do not know law they were frightened and yielded. The butler
+thought that Martsian would try surely to get back the young lady, but
+he did not think that the man would use violence immediately.
+
+"He will be restrained from that," said the butler, "by his father, who
+understands well the significance of _raptus puellae_. He knows nothing
+yet of what has happened, but from here I will go to him directly and
+explain the whole matter, for two reasons. First, so that he may
+restrain Martsian, and second, because I do not wish to be in
+Belchantska to-morrow when Martsian wakes and learns that I have helped
+the young lady in fleeing. He would rush on me surely, and then to one
+of us something ugly might happen."
+
+Pan Serafin and Father Voynovski praised the man's prudence and,
+finding that he was a well-wishing person, and experienced, a man who
+had eaten bread from more than one oven, and to whom law itself was no
+novelty, begged him to aid in examining the question. There were two
+councils then, one of these being formed of the four Bukoyemskis.
+
+Pan Serafin, knowing how to restrain them most easily from murderous
+intentions, and detain them at home, sent a large demijohn of good mead
+to the brothers; this they were glad to besiege at the moment, and
+began to drink one to another. Their hearts were moved, and they
+remembered involuntarily the night when Panna Anulka crossed for the
+first time the threshold of that house there in Yedlinka. They recalled
+how they had fallen in love with her straightway, how through her they
+had quarrelled, and then in one voice adjudged her to Stanislav, and
+thus made an offering of their passion to friendship.
+
+At last Mateush drank his mead, put his head on his palm, sighed, and
+continued,--
+
+"Yatsek was sitting that night on a tree like a squirrel. Who could
+have thought then that he was just the man to whom the Lord God had
+given her?"
+
+"And commanded us to continue in our orphanhood," added Marek.
+
+"Do ye remember," asked Lukash, "how the rooms were all bright from her
+presence? They would not have been brighter from a hundred burning
+candles. And she at one time stood up, at another sat down, and a third
+time she laughed. And when she looked at a man it was as warm in his
+bosom as if he had drunk heated wine that same instant. Let us take a
+glass now on our terrible sadness."
+
+They drank again; then Mateush struck a blow with his fist on the
+table, and shouted,--
+
+"Ei! if she had not loved that Yatsek so!"
+
+"Then what?" asked Yan, angrily, "dost think that she would fall in
+love with thee right away? Look at him--my dandy!"
+
+"Well thou art no beauty!" retorted Mateush.
+
+And they looked at each other with ill-feeling. But Lukash, though
+given greatly to quarrels, began now to pacify his brothers.
+
+"Not for thee, not for thee, not for any of us," said he. "Another will
+get her and take her to the altar."
+
+"For us there is nothing but sorrow and weeping," blurted out Marek.
+
+"Then at least we will love one another. No one in this world loves us!
+No one!"
+
+"No one! no one!" repeated they all in succession, mingling their wine
+with their tears as they said so.
+
+"But she is sleeping up there!" added Yan on a sudden.
+
+"She is sleeping, the poor little thing," responded Lukash; "she is
+lying down like a flower cut by the scythe, like a lamb torn by a
+villainous wolf. My born brothers! is there no man here who will take
+even a pull at the wild beast?"
+
+"It cannot be but there is!" cried out Mateush, Marek, and Yan. And
+again they grew indignant, and the more they drank the oftener they
+gritted their teeth, first one, then another, or one of them struck his
+fist on the table.
+
+"I have an idea!" said the youngest on a sudden.
+
+"Tell it! Have God in thy heart!"
+
+"Here it is. We have promised Pan Serafin not to cut up that 'stump.'
+Have we not promised?"
+
+"We have, but tell what thou hast to say; ask no questions."
+
+"Though we have promised we must take revenge for our young lady. Old
+Krepetski will come here, as they said, to see if Pan Serafin will not
+give back the young lady. But we know that he will not give her, do we
+not?"
+
+"He will not! he will not!"
+
+"But think ye not this way: Martsian will hurry to meet his father on
+the road back, to see and inquire if he has succeeded."
+
+"As God is in heaven, he will do so."
+
+"On the road, half-way between Belchantska and Yedlinka, is a tar pit
+near the roadside. If we should wait at that tar pit for Martsian--?"
+
+"Well, but what for?"
+
+"Psh! quiet!"
+
+"Psh!"
+
+And they began to look around through the room, though they knew that
+save themselves there was not a living soul in it, and then they
+whispered. They whispered long, now louder, now lower. At last their
+faces grew radiant, they finished their wine at one draught, embraced
+one another, and in silence went out of the room one after the other,
+in goose fashion.
+
+They saddled their horses without the least noise, and each led his
+beast by the bit from the courtyard. When they had gone through the
+gate they mounted and rode stirrup by stirrup to the roadway where Yan,
+though the youngest, took command and said then to his brothers,--
+
+"Now I with Marek will go to the tar pit, and do ye bring that cask
+before daybreak."
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XIX
+
+
+Old Krepetski, as had been foreseen by the butler, went to Yedlinka
+after midday on the morrow, but beyond all expectation he appeared
+there with so kindly a face, and so gladsome, that Pan Serafin, who had
+the habit of dozing after dinner, and felt somewhat drowsy, became wide
+awake with astonishment at sight of him. Almost at the threshold the
+old fox began to mention neighborly friendship and say what delight his
+old age would find in more frequent and mutual visits; he gave thanks
+for the kindly reception, and only after finishing these courtesies did
+he come to the real question.
+
+"Benefactor and neighbor," said he, "I have come with the salute which
+was due you, but also, as you must have divined, with a request which,
+in view of my age, you, I trust, will give ear to most kindly."
+
+"I will yield gladly to every proper wish which you may utter," said
+Pan Serafin.
+
+The old man began to rub his hands.
+
+"I knew that! I knew it beforehand," said he. "What a thing it is to
+deal with a man who has real wisdom; one comes to an agreement
+immediately. I said to my son 'Leave that to me! the moment,' said I,
+'that thou hast to do with Pan Serafin all will go well, for there is
+not another man, not merely so wise, but so honorable in this region.'"
+
+"You praise me too greatly."
+
+"No, no, I say too little. But let us come to the question."
+
+"Let us."
+
+Old Krepetski was silent for a while, as if seeking expressions. He
+merely moved his jaws, so that his chin met his nose. At last he
+laughed joyously, put his hand on Pan Serafin's knee, and continued,--
+
+"My benefactor, you see our goldfinch has flown from the cage."
+
+"I know. Because the cat frightened it."
+
+"Is there not pleasure in talking with such people?" cried the old man,
+rubbing his hands. "Oh, that is wit! The prelate Tvorkovski would burst
+with envy, as God is dear to me!"
+
+"I am listening."
+
+"Well, to the question, and straight from the bridge. We should like to
+take back that goldfinch."
+
+"Why should you not?"
+
+Pan Krepetski moved his chin toward his nose once, and a second time.
+He was alarmed; the affair went too easily; but he clapped his hands,
+and cried with feigned joyousness,--
+
+"Well, now the affair is finished! Would to God that such men as you
+were born everywhere!"
+
+"It is finished so far as I am concerned," said Pan Serafin. "Only
+there is need to ask that little bird whether she wants to go back
+again; besides she cannot go back to-day, for your son has so throttled
+her that she is barely breathing."
+
+"Is she sick?"
+
+"Sick; she is lying in bed."
+
+"But is she not pretending?"
+
+Pan Serafin's face grew dark in a moment.
+
+"My gracious sir," said he, "let us talk seriously. Your son Martsian
+has acted unworthily with Panna Anulka, not in human fashion, and not
+as a noble; he has acted altogether with infamy. Before God and man you
+have offended grievously to give an orphan into hands such as his, and
+intrust her to a tyrant so shameless."
+
+"There is not a bit of truth in what she says," cried the old man.
+
+"Why not? You know not what she has said, and still you deny. It is not
+she who is speaking; blue lumps and marks of blows speak for her, marks
+which my housekeeper saw on her young body. As to Martsian, all the
+servants in Belchantska have seen his approaches and his cruelty, and
+are ready to testify when needed. In my house is Vilchopolski who is
+going to-day to Radom to tell the prelate Tvorkovski what has
+happened."
+
+"But you have promised to give me the girl."
+
+"No, I only said that I would not detain her. If she wants to go back,
+very well! If she wishes to stay with me, very well also! But attempt
+not to bring me to refuse my roof and a morsel of bread to an orphan
+who is grievously offended."
+
+Old Krepetski's jaws moved time after time. For a while he was silent,
+and then began,--
+
+"You are right, and you are wrong. To refuse a shelter and bread to an
+orphan would be unworthy, but as a wise man consider that it is one
+thing not to refuse hospitality, and something different to stand with
+rebellion against the authority of a father. I love Tekla, my youngest
+daughter, sincerely, but it happens sometimes that I give her a push.
+Well, what then? If she, after being punished by me, should flee to
+you, would you not permit me to take her, or would you refer me to her
+pleasure? Think of this--what sort of order would there be in the
+world, if women had their will? A married woman, even when old, must
+hearken to her husband, and yield to him; but what must it be in the
+case of an immature girl, as against the commands of her father, or
+guardian?"
+
+"Panna Anulka is not your daughter, nor even your relative."
+
+"But we inherited the guardianship over her from Pan Gideon. If Pan
+Gideon had punished the girl, you, of course, would not have had a word
+against him; but it is the same thing touching me and my son, to whom I
+have committed the management of Belchantska. Some one must manage,
+some one must have authority to punish. Difficult to do without that. I
+do not deny that Martsian, as a man, young and impulsive, exceeded the
+measure, perhaps, especially since he was met with ingratitude. But
+that is my affair! I will examine, judge, and punish; but I will take
+the girl back, and I think, with your permission, that even the king
+himself would have no right to raise any hindrance."
+
+"You speak as in a tribunal," said Pan Serafin. "I do not deny that you
+have appearances on your side; but appearance is one thing, and the
+real truth another. I do not wish to hinder you in anything, but I tell
+you honestly what the opinion of people is, and with that opinion I
+advise you to reckon. For you it is not a question of Panna Anulka, nor
+of guardianship over her, but you suspect that there may be a will in
+the hands of the prelate, with a provision for the young lady,
+therefore you are afraid that Belchantska might slip from you together
+with Panna Anulka. Not long ago I heard one of the neighbors speak in
+this way: 'Were it not for that uncertainty the Krepetskis would be the
+first to drive the orphan from the house, for those people have not God
+in their hearts.' It is very disagreeable for me and repulsive to say
+such things in my house to you, but you ought to know them."
+
+Flames of anger gleamed in the eyes of the old man, but he controlled
+himself, and said with a voice which was quiet, though somewhat
+broken,--
+
+"The malice of people! Low malice, nothing more, and stupidity besides
+that. How could it be? We would then drive from the house a young lady
+whom Martsian wants to marry? By the dear God, think over this! The two
+things do not hold together."
+
+"They talk in this way: 'If it shall appear that Belchantska is hers
+then Martsian will marry her, but if the place is not hers he will
+simply disgrace her.' I am not any man's conscience, so I merely repeat
+what people say, but with this addition of my own, that your son
+threatened shame to the girl. I know that surely, and you, who know
+Martsian and his vile desires, know it also."
+
+"I know one and another thing, but I know not what you wish to say."
+
+"What I wish to say? This, which I have said to you already. If Panna
+Anulka agrees to return to you I have no right to oppose her or you,
+but if she is not willing, I will not expel her from this house, for I
+have given my word not to do so."
+
+"The question is not that you should expel her, but that you should
+permit me to take her, just as you would permit me if one of my own
+daughters were with you. This only I beg, that you stand not in my
+way."
+
+"Then I will tell you clearly. I will permit no violence in my house! I
+am master, and you, who have just mentioned the king, should understand
+that on this point the king himself could not oppose me."
+
+On hearing this Pan Krepetski balled his fists, so that his palms were
+pierced by his finger-nails.
+
+"Violence? That is just what I fear. I, if ever I have had to act
+against people (and who has not had to deal with the malice of men?),
+have acted against them through the law, always, not through violence.
+But what the proverb says is not true, that the apple falls near its
+tree.--It falls far away sometimes. I, for your good and safety,
+desired to settle this question in peacefulness. You are undefended in
+the forest, while Martsian--it is grievous for a father to say this of
+a son--has not taken after me in any way. I am ashamed to confess it,
+but I am not able to answer for him. The whole district is in dread of
+his passionateness, and justly, for he is ready to disregard everything
+and he has about fifty sabres at his order. You, on the other hand, are
+unarmed. I repeat it, you live in the forest, and I advise you to
+reckon with this situation. I am alarmed myself at it."
+
+Hereupon Pan Serafin rose, walked up to Krepetski, and gazed into his
+eyes.
+
+"Do you wish to frighten me?" inquired he.
+
+"I am afraid myself," repeated the old man.
+
+But their further conversation was interrupted by sudden shouts in the
+courtyard from the direction of the granary and the kitchen, so they
+sprang to the open window, and at the first moment were petrified with
+amazement. There between two fences ran with tremendous speed toward
+the gate and the courtyard some kind of rare monster, unlike any
+creature on earth, and behind it on excited horses dashed the four
+Bukoyemskis, shouting and cutting the air with their whip-lashes. The
+monster rushed into the yard, and behind it came the brothers, like
+hell hunters, and continued their chasing.
+
+"Jesus, Mary!" cried out Pan Serafin.
+
+He ran to the porch, and after him ran old Krepetski.
+
+Only there could they see with more clearness. The monster seemed like
+a giant bird, but also like a horse and a rider, for it ran on four
+legs with a certain form sitting on it. But the rider and the beast
+were so covered with feathers that their heads seemed two bundles.
+
+It was impossible to see clearly, for the steed rushed like a wind
+round the courtyard. The Bukoyemskis followed closely, and did not
+spare blows, by which feathers were torn away and fell to the ground,
+or circled in the air as do snowflakes.
+
+Meanwhile the monster roared like a wounded bear, and so did the
+brothers. Pan Serafin's voice and that of his visitor were lost in the
+general tumult, though all the power in their lungs was used then in
+shouting.
+
+"Stop! By God's wounds, will ye stop!"
+
+But the four brothers urged on, as if seized by insanity--and they had
+rushed five times round the yard when from the kitchen, and the
+stables, and barns, and granaries, and outhouses a great crowd of
+servants ran in, who hearing the cry "Stop!" repeated as if in
+desperation by Pan Serafin, plunged forward and, seizing bits and
+bridles, strove to stop the horses.
+
+At last the horses of the four brothers were brought to a standstill,
+but with the feathery steed there was very great trouble. Without a
+bridle, beaten, terrified, the beast reared at sight of the servants,
+or sprang to one side with the suddenness of lightning. They stopped it
+only at the fence when preparing to spring over. One of the men grasped
+its forelock, another caught its nostrils, a number seized its mane; it
+could not jump with such a burden, and fell to its knees. The beast
+sprang up quickly, it is true, but did not try to rush away; it only
+trembled throughout its whole body.
+
+They removed the rider, who, as it seemed then, had not been thrown
+because his feet were bound firmly beneath the beast's belly. They
+pulled the feathers from his head, and under the feathers appeared a
+visage covered so thickly with tar that no man there recognized the
+features.
+
+The rider gave faint signs of life, and only when taken to the porch
+did old Krepetski and Pan Serafin see who it was and cry out
+"Martsian!" with amazement.
+
+"This is that vile scoundrel!" said Mateush. "We have punished him not
+a little, and have hunted him in here, so that Panna Sieninski may know
+that tender souls have not gone from this world yet."
+
+Pan Serafin seized his head with his hands, and shouted,--
+
+"The devil take you and your tender souls! Ye are nothing but bandits!"
+
+Then, turning to Pani Dzvonkovski who had run up with the others and
+was crossing herself, he cried,--
+
+"Pour vodka into his mouth. Let him regain consciousness, and be taken
+to bed."
+
+There was hurry and disorder. Some ran to make the bed ready, others
+for hot water, still others for vodka; a number began to pull the
+feathers off Martsian, in which they were aided by his father, who was
+gritting his teeth, and repeating,--
+
+"Is he alive? Is he dead? He is alive! Vengeance! Oh Vengeance!"
+
+Then he sprang up on a sudden, jumped forward, and thrusting up to the
+very eyes of Pan Serafin, fingers, bent now like talons, he shouted,--
+
+"You were in the conspiracy! You have killed my son--you Armenian
+assassin!"
+
+Pan Serafin grew very pale, and seized his sabre, but almost at the
+same instant he remembered that he was the host, and Krepetski a
+visitor, so he dropped the hilt, and raised two fingers immediately.
+
+"By that God who is above us," said he, "I swear that I knew
+nothing--and I am ready to swear on the cross in addition--Amen!"
+
+"We are witnesses that he knew nothing!" cried Marek Bukoyemski.
+
+"God has punished," said Pan Serafin; "for you threatened me, as a
+defenceless old man, with the passion of your son. Here is his passion
+for you!"
+
+"A criminal offence!" bellowed the old man. "The headsman against you,
+and your heads under the sword edge! Vengeance! Justice!"
+
+"See what ye have done!" said Pan Serafin, as he turned to the
+Bukoyemskis.
+
+"I said it was better to run away at once," answered Lukash.
+
+Pani Dzvonkovski now came with Dantsic liquor, and fell to pouring it
+from the bottle into the open mouth of the sufferer. Martsian coughed,
+and opened his eyes the next minute. His father knelt down to him.
+
+"Art alive? Art alive?" asked he in a wild joyful outburst.
+
+But the son could not answer yet, and was like a great owl, which,
+struck with a bullet, has fallen on its back and lies there, with
+outstretched wings, panting. Still consciousness was coming to him, and
+with it memory. His glance passed from the face of his father to that
+of Pan Serafin, and then to the Bukoyemskis. Thereupon it grew so
+terrible that if there had been the least place for fear in the hearts
+of the brothers, a shiver would have passed from foot to head through
+their bodies.
+
+But they only went nearer to Martsian, like four bulls which are ready
+to rush with, their horns at an enemy, and Mateush inquired,--
+
+"Well? Was that too little?"
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XX
+
+
+A few hours later on old Krepetski took his son to Belchantska, though
+the young man was unable to stand, and did not know clearly what was
+happening. First of all the servants had washed him with great trouble,
+and had put on him fresh linen, but after this had been done such
+weakness came upon Martsian, that he fainted repeatedly, and thanks
+only to the angelica and pimpernel bitters which Pani Dzvonkovski now
+gave him was he brought back to consciousness. Pan Serafin advised to
+place him in bed and defer the departure till recovery was perfect, but
+Pan Krepetski, whose old heart was raging, did not wish to owe
+gratitude to a man against whom he was planning a lawsuit for harboring
+the young lady; hence he had them put hay in a wagon, and, placing a
+rug, instead of a bed, under Martsian he moved toward Belchantska,
+hurling threats at the Bukoyemskis and also Pan Serafin. While
+threatening vengeance he was forced to accept Pan Serafin's assistance,
+and borrow from him hay, clothing, and linen, but, blinded by anger, he
+took no note of the strange situation. Pan Serafin himself had no mind
+whatever for laughter; since the act of the four brothers disturbed and
+concerned him very greatly.
+
+At this juncture came Father Voynovski who had been summoned by letter.
+The Bukoyemskis, now greatly confused, were sitting in the office, not
+showing their noses, hence Pan Serafin had to tell all that had
+happened. The priest struck the skirt of his soutane from time to time
+as he listened, but he was not so grieved as Pan Serafin had expected.
+
+"If Martsian dies," said he at length, "then woe to the Bukoyemskis,
+but if, as I think, he squirms out of it, I suppose that they will take
+private vengeance and not raise a lawsuit."
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"Because it is unpleasant to be ridiculed by the country. At the same
+time his conduct toward Panna Anulka would be discovered. That would
+give him no enviable reputation. His life is not laudable, hence he
+should avoid the chance of letting witnesses tell in public what they
+know of him."
+
+"That may be true," said Pan Serafin, "but it is difficult to forgive
+the Bukoyemskis tricks of such a character."
+
+The priest waved his hand.
+
+"The Bukoyemskis are the Bukoyemskis."
+
+"How?" asked Pan Serafin, with astonishment. "I thought that your grace
+would be more offended."
+
+"My gracious sir," said the old man, "you have served in the army, but
+I have served longer, and have seen so many soldiers' tricks during my
+time that nothing common can surprise me. It is bad that such things
+happen. I blame the Bukoyemskis, but I have seen worse things,
+especially as in this case the question was of an orphan. I will go
+still farther and say sincerely, that I should grieve more if
+Martsian's deeds had gone unpunished. Think, we are old, but if we were
+young our hearts too would boil up over deeds such as his are. That is
+why I cannot blame the Bukoyemskis altogether."
+
+"True, true, but still Martsian may not live until morning."
+
+"That is in the hands of God; but you say he is not wounded?"
+
+"He is not, but he is all one blue spot, and faints continually."
+
+"Oh, he will get out of that; he fainted from fatigue. But I must go to
+the Bukoyemskis and inquire how it happened."
+
+The brothers received him with rapture, for they hoped that he would
+take their part with Pan Serafin. They began to quarrel at once as to
+who should tell the tale, and stopped only when the priest gave Mateush
+the primacy.
+
+Mateush resumed his voice and spoke as follows,--
+
+"Father benefactor, God saw our innocence! For, when we learned from
+Pani Dzvonkovski how that poor little orphan had blue lumps all over
+her body, we came into this room in such grief that had it not been for
+the mead which Pan Serafin sent us in a pitcher, our hearts would have
+burst perhaps. And I say to your grace, we drank and shed tears--we
+drank and shed tears. And we had this in mind too, that she was no
+common girl, but a young lady descended from senators. It is known to
+you, for example, that the higher blood a horse has, the thinner his
+skin is; slash a common drudge with a whip, he will hardly feel it, but
+strike a noble steed, and immediately a welt will come out on him.
+Think, Father benefactor, what a thin, tender skin such a dear little
+girl must have on her shoulders, and all over her body, just like a
+wafer--say yourself--"
+
+"What do I know of her skin?" cried Father Voynovski, in anger. "Tell
+me better, how did ye plaster up Martsian."
+
+"We promised Pan Serafin on oath not to cut him in pieces, but we knew
+that old Krepetski would come here, and we guessed immediately that
+Martsian would gallop out to meet him. So, according to arrangement,
+two of us took down to the tar pit before daylight a great salt-barrel
+filled with feathers, which we got from the wife of a forester. We
+picked out at the place a cask of thick tar, and waited at the hut near
+that tar pit. We look--old Krepetski is riding along--that is no harm,
+let him ride! We wait, we wait till we are tired of waiting; then we
+think about going to Belchantska. That moment a boy from the tar pit
+tells us that Martsian is coming up the road. We ride out and halt
+there in front of him. 'With the forehead! With the forehead!' 'But
+whither?' 'Straight ahead,' says he, 'by the woods.' 'But to whose
+harm?' 'To harm or to profit,' says he, 'get ye out of this!' And then
+to the sabre. But we seized him by the neck. 'Oh! this cannot be!'
+cried he. In a flash we had him down from the horse, which Yan took by
+the bridle. He fell to screaming, to kicking, to biting, to gnawing,
+but we, like a lightning flash, took him to the barrels which stood one
+near the other, and said, 'Oh! thou son of such an one! thou wilt
+injure orphans, threaten young ladies with infamy, disregard lofty
+blood, beat an orphan on the shoulders, and think that no one will take
+the part of thy victim; learn now that there are tender hearts in the
+country.' And that moment we thrust him into the tar, head downward. We
+raise him out, and again in with him. 'Learn that there are feeling
+souls!' said we.--And in with him then among the feathers!--'Learn now
+that there is chivalrous daring!' And again with him into the tar
+barrel. 'Learn to know the Bukoyemskis!' And again with him into the
+feathers! We wanted to give him another dose, but the tar boiler
+shouted that he would smother; and indeed he was thickly coated, so
+that neither his nose nor his eyes were visible to any one; we put him
+then on the saddle and tied his feet firmly under the animal's belly
+lest he fly from his position. We painted the horse, and scattered
+feathers over him also, then lashing this rather wild beast with whips,
+after we had taken off his bridle, we drove him ahead of us."
+
+"And ye drove him up here?"
+
+"As a strange beast, for we wished to console the young lady even a
+little, and show her our brotherly affection."
+
+"Ye gave her a lovely consolation. When she saw him through the window,
+the fright nearly killed her."
+
+"When she recovers she will think of us gratefully. Orphans always like
+to feel guardianship over them."
+
+"Ye have done her more harm than service. Who knows if the Krepetskis
+will not take her away again?"
+
+"How is that? By the dear God! will we let them?"
+
+"But who will defend the girl when ye are in prison?"
+
+When they heard this the brothers were greatly concerned, and looked
+with anxious eyes at one another. But Lukash at last struck his
+forehead. "We will not be imprisoned," said he, "for first we will go
+to the army; but if it comes to that, if there is a question of Panna
+Anulka's safety, help will be found."
+
+"Found! Of course it will," cried out Marek.
+
+"What help?" inquired Father Voynovski.
+
+"We will challenge Martsian as soon as he recovers. He will not go
+alive out of our hands."
+
+"But if he dies now?"
+
+"Then God will help us."
+
+"But ye will pay with your lives!"
+
+"Before that we will shell out the Turks, and the Lord Jesus will
+reward us for that service. Only let your grace take our part with Pan
+Serafin; for if Stanislav had been here he would have been with us
+while giving this bath to that Martsian."
+
+"But would not Yatsek give it?" inquired Mateush.
+
+"Yatsek will give him a better bath!" cried the priest, as if
+unwittingly.
+
+Further converse was stopped by the coming of Pan Serafin, who appeared
+with a ready and weighty decision.
+
+"I have been thinking of what we should do," said he, very seriously.
+"And does your grace know what I have decided? It is this, that we
+should all go to Cracow with Panna Anulka. I know not if we shall see
+our boys in that city, for no one knows where the regiments will be
+quartered, or what will be the order of their marching. But we should
+place the girl under protection of the king or the queen; or, if that
+is not done, secure her in some cloister for a season. I have also
+determined, as you know, to take the field in my old age and serve with
+my son, or, if such be God's will, to die with him. During our absence
+the girl would not be safe, even in Radom, under the protection of the
+prelate Tvorkovski. These gentlemen"--here he pointed to the
+Bukoyemskis "need to be under the hetman immediately. It is unknown
+what might happen should they stay here. I have acquaintances at
+court,--Pan Matchynski, Pan Gninski, Pan Grothus,--and shall get their
+influence for the orphan, as I think. That done I will find
+Zbierhovski's regiment, and go straight to my son where I shall see
+Yatsek also. What think you of this, my benefactor?"
+
+"As God lives," cried Father Voynovski, "this is a splendid idea! And I
+will go with you--and I will go with you to Yatsek. And as to Panna
+Anulka, oh, all will be well! The Sobieskis owe a great debt to the
+Sieninskis. She will be out of danger in Cracow and nearer; for I am
+certain that Yatsek has not forgotten her. And when the war ends that
+will happen which God wishes. Give me a substitute here in my parish
+from Radom, and I will be with you!"
+
+"All together!" roared the Bukoyemskis with rapture "to Cracow!"
+
+"And the field of glory!" cried Father Voynovski.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXI
+
+
+Consultations now followed touching the expedition; for not only were
+there no voices against it, but Father Voynovski was searching for a
+vicar in Radom. This plan, however, was an old one, modified by adding
+to it the person of Panna Anulka, who would be taken to Cracow and
+secured from the Krepetskis through protection from the king or the
+cloister. Pan Serafin saw that the king, occupied as he was with the
+war, would have no time to talk about private questions; but there
+remained the queen, to whom access might be easy through notable
+dignitaries, related for the greater part to the Sieninskis and the
+Tachevskis.
+
+There was fear also that the Krepetskis might attack Yedlinka when Pan
+Serafin and the Bukoyemskis had gone, and seize on rich property in
+furniture and silver. But Vilchopolski guaranteed that with the
+servants and the foresters he would defend the place and not let the
+Krepetskis touch anything. Pan Serafin, however, took the silver to
+Radom and left it in the Bernardine cloister, where he had placed money
+before that in large sums, not wishing to keep it at home near the edge
+of great forests.
+
+Meanwhile, he kept an attentive ear toward Belchantska for much
+depended on that place. If Martsian died the Bukoyemskis would have to
+give a grave answer; if he recovered hope existed that there would not
+be even a lawsuit, since it was difficult to admit that the Krepetskis
+would expose themselves willingly to ridicule. Pan Serafin considered
+it as more likely that the old man would not leave him at peace
+touching Panna Anulka but he thought that if the orphan were in the
+care of the king the kernel of a lawsuit would be lost to the
+Krepetskis.
+
+He learned, through the butler, that the old man had gone to Radom and
+Lublin, and remained rather long in those places.
+
+For the first week Martsian suffered grievously, and there was fear
+that the tar which he had swallowed might choke him, or stop his
+intestines. But the second week he grew better. He did not, it is true,
+leave the bed, for he had not strength to stand unassisted, his bones
+pained him greatly, and he was mortally weary; but he began to curse
+the Bukoyemskis, and to take keen delight in projects of vengeance. In
+fact, after two weeks had passed, his "revellers from Radom" began to
+visit him, various gallows-birds with sabres held up by hempen cords,
+men with holes in their boots, and gaunt stomachs, thirsty and hungry
+at all hours. Meanwhile he counselled with these, and was plotting not
+only against the Bukoyemskis and Pan Serafin, but against the young
+lady, of whom he could not think without gnashing of teeth; and he
+developed such monstrous inventions against her, that his father
+forewarned him, that they were of criminal nature.
+
+The echo of those plots and threats went to Yedlinka, and produced
+various impressions on different people. Pan Serafin, a man of much
+courage, but prudent, was somewhat alarmed by them, especially when he
+remembered that this enmity of wicked and dangerous people would strike
+his son also. Father Voynovski, who had hotter blood in his veins, was
+keenly indignant, and prophesied that the Krepetskis would meet a vile
+ending. At the same time, though entirely won over to Anulka, he turned
+from time to time to Pan Serafin, and then to the Bukoyemskis.
+
+"Who caused the Trojan war? A woman! Who causes quarrels and battles at
+all times? A woman! And it is the same now! Innocent or guilty, a
+woman!"
+
+But the Bukoyemskis cared little for the danger which threatened every
+one from Martsian, and even promised themselves various amusements
+because of it. They were warned, however, seriously from many sides.
+The Sulgostovskis, the Silnitskis, the Kohanovskis, and others, all
+greatly indignant at Martsian, came, one after the other, with tidings
+to Yedlinka. They said that he was gathering a party, and even bandits
+of the forest. They offered assistance, but the brothers wished no
+assistance. Lukash, who spoke most frequently in the name of the other
+three replied thus to Rafal Silnitski, who implored them to be
+careful,--
+
+"There is no harm in thinking before war of our arms, and also of
+methods in which, from disuse, we have grown somewhat rusty, straighten
+ourselves out, and have practice. Belchantska is no fortress, so let
+Martsian see to his own safety, for who knows what may strike him. But
+if he wishes to nourish us with ingratitude, let him try it!"
+
+Pan Silnitski looked with astonishment at Lukash, and asked,--
+
+"Nourish with ingratitude? But, as I think, he owes you no gratitude."
+Lukash was sincerely indignant.
+
+"How not owe? Could we not have cut him to pieces? Who gave him life?
+Pani Krepetski once, but a second time our moderation; if he is going
+to count on it always, tell him that he is mistaken."
+
+"And tell him that he will see Panna Anulka as much as he will see his
+own ears," added Marek.
+
+"Why should he not see her, then?" finished Yan. "It is not difficult
+for a man to see his own ears if they are cut from him."
+
+The conversation then ended. The brothers repeated it to Panna Anulka
+to calm her, which was superfluous, for the lady was not timid by
+nature. Her fear, too, of the Krepetskis, and especially of Martsian,
+was measured by her conviction that no danger threatened her in
+Yedlinka. When, on the day after her arrival at Pan Serafin's, she saw
+through the window Martsian in feathers, looking like some filthy
+beast, urged on with whips by the Bukoyemskis, in the first moment of
+her dreadful surprise, which was mixed with amazement and even
+compassion, she conceived so much confidence in the power of the
+brothers, that she could not even imagine how any one could avoid
+fearing them. Martsian passed for a terrible person and a fighter, and
+see what they did with him. It is true that Yatsek in his time had cut
+up all those brothers, but Yatsek in her eyes had grown now beyond
+common estimate altogether, and in general he appeared to her before
+the last parting from a side so mysterious that she did not know with
+what measure to esteem him. The remarks which were made about him by
+the Bukoyemskis themselves, and Pan Serafin, with the words of the
+priest, who spoke of him oftenest, confirmed in her only wonder for
+that friend of her childhood, who had been so near to her once, but was
+now so remote and so different. These accounts fixed in her that
+longing, and that still sweeter feeling toward Yatsek, which, confessed
+to the priest in a moment of excitement, she concealed again in the
+depth of her heart, as a pearl is concealed in a mussel shell.
+
+With all this she had in her soul a conviction, unshaken by anything,
+that she must meet him, and that she would meet him even in the near
+future. She had torn herself from the house of the Krepetskis; she felt
+above her the powerful hands of well-wishing people; hence that
+certainty became the joy and the root of her existence. It restored to
+her health with contentment, and she bloomed afresh, as a flower blooms
+in springtime. That Yedlinka mansion which had been hitherto so serious
+was now bright from her presence. She had taken possession of Pani
+Dzvonkovski, of Pan Serafin, and the Bukoyemskis. The whole house was
+filled with her, and wherever she showed her little confident nose and
+her young, gladsome eyes, delight and smiles followed. But she feared
+Father Voynovski a little, since it seemed to her that he held in his
+hand her fate and also Yatsek's. Hence she looked upon him with a
+certain submissiveness. But with his compassionate heart, which in
+general was as wax for all God's creation, he loved her sincerely, and
+besides, when he learned to know her more closely, he esteemed her pure
+spirit increasingly, though at times he called her a jaybird and a
+squirrel, because, as he said, she was this moment here and the next in
+another place.
+
+After that first confession they spoke no further of Yatsek, just as if
+they had agreed not to do so; both felt it too delicate a matter. Pan
+Serafin made no mention of Yatsek to her in the presence of people, but
+when no one was with them he was not ceremonious on that point; and
+once, when she asked if he would meet his son quickly in Cracow, he
+answered with a question,--
+
+"And would you not like to meet some one there also?"
+
+He thought that she would wind out of it jestingly, but to her bright
+face came a shade of sadness, and she answered then seriously,--
+
+"I should be glad to beg pardon, as soon as is possible, of any one
+whom I have injured."
+
+He looked at her with some emotion, but after a while it was clear that
+another idea had come to him, for he stroked her bright face, and then
+added,--
+
+"Ei! thou hast the wherewithal to reward so that the king himself could
+not reward better."
+
+When she heard this she lowered her eyes in his presence, and was
+wonderful as she stood there and blushed like the dawn of the morning.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXII
+
+
+Preparations for starting went forward briskly. Attendants were chosen
+with care, strong men and sober. Arms, horses, wagons, and brichkas
+were ready. Observing ways of the period, they had not forgotten dogs,
+which in time of marching went under the wagons and at places of rest
+were used to hunt hares and foxes. The multitude of supplies and the
+preparations astonished the lady, who had not supposed that campaigning
+demanded such details, and, thinking this trouble taken perhaps for her
+safety, she inquired of Pan Serafin touching the matter. He, as a
+prudent man, and one of experience, replied thus to her,--
+
+"It is certain that we have thy person in mind, for, as I think, we
+shall not leave here without meeting some violence from Martsian. Thou
+hast heard that he has summoned his roysterers with whom he is
+bargaining and drinking. We should be disgraced were we to let any man
+snatch thee away from us. What will be, will be, but though we had to
+fall one on another, we must take thee to Cracow uninjured." Then she
+kissed his hand, saying that she was not worthy to cause them this
+peril; but he waved his hand simply.
+
+"We should not dare to appear before men," said he, "unless we did
+this, and matters moreover are such that each coincides with the other.
+It is not enough to set out for a war, one must prepare for it wisely.
+Thou art astonished that we have three or four horses each man of us,
+as well as attendants, but thou must know that in war horses are the
+main question; many of them die on the way, crossing rivers and
+marshes, or from various camp accidents. And then what? If thou buy in
+haste a new horse, with faults and bad habits, that beast will fail at
+the critical moment. Though my son and Tachevski took a good party and
+excellent horses, we have foreseen every accident, and take each a new
+saddle beast. Father Voynovski, unrivalled in knowledge of horses,
+bought cheaply from old Pan Podlodovski such a Turkish steed for Pan
+Yatsek that the hetman himself would not refuse to appear on him."
+
+"Which horse is for your son?" inquired the young lady.
+
+Pan Serafin looked at her, and shook his head smiling.
+
+"Well, Father Voynovski is right in his judgment of woman. 'That evil,'
+said he, 'will be sly, even if it be the most honest.' Thou askest
+which horse is for Stanislav. Well, I answer in this way. Yatsek's
+horse is that sorrel with a star on his forehead, and a white left hind
+fetlock."
+
+"You annoy me!" exclaimed the young lady.
+
+And spitting like a cat at him, she turned, and then vanished. But that
+same day the pith of small loaves of bread and some salt disappeared
+from the dishes, and Lukash the next day beheld something curious. At
+the well in the courtyard the sorrel horse had his nose in the white
+hands of the lady, and when he was led later on to the stable he looked
+back at her time after time expressing with short neighs his yearning.
+Lukash could not learn at the time the cause of this "confidence," for
+he was intent on loading a wagon, so it was some time after midday that
+he approached the young lady, and said, with eyes glowing from
+emotion,--
+
+"Have you noticed one thing?"
+
+"What?" inquired Panna Anulka.
+
+"That even a beast knows a real dainty."
+
+She forgot that he had seen her in the morning, and noting that look in
+his eyes raised her beautiful brows with astonishment.
+
+"What have you in mind?" asked she.
+
+"What?" repeated Lukash, "Yatsek's horse!"
+
+"Oh, a horse!"
+
+Then she burst into laughter and ran from the porch to her chamber.
+
+He stood there astonished, and a little confused, understanding neither
+why she had run from him, nor what had roused her sudden laughter.
+
+Another week passed, and preparations were then almost finished, but
+somehow Pan Serafin was not urgent for the journey. He deferred it from
+day to day, improved various details, complained of heat, and at last
+drooped in spirits. Anulka was eager to be on the road. The Bukoyemskis
+were growing uneasy, and at length Father Voynovski agreed that farther
+delay was a loss of time without reason. But Pan Serafin met their
+impatience with these words,--
+
+"I have news that the king has not gone yet to Cracow, and will not go
+quickly. Meantime the troops are to meet there, but only in part, and
+no one knows the day of this meeting. I ordered Stanislav to send me a
+man every month, with a letter giving details as to where regiments are
+quartered, whither they are to march, and under whose orders. Seven
+weeks have passed without tidings. A letter may come to me now any
+moment, hence my delay; and I am alarmed somewhat. Think not that we
+must find our young men at Cracow, in every case. On the contrary, it
+may happen that they will not be there at any time."
+
+"How is that?" inquired Anulka, disquieted.
+
+"This, that regiments do not need to march through Cracow. Wherever a
+regiment is it can move thence as directly as the stroke of a sickle,
+but where Pan Zbierhovski may be at the moment I know not. He may have
+been sent to the boundary of Silesia, or to the army of the grand
+hetman who is coming from Russia. Regiments are hurried from place to
+place very often, just to train them in marching. In the course of
+seven weeks various commands may have come of which Stanislav should
+have informed me, but he has not done so. Hence I am anxious, for it is
+well known that in camps there are frequent disputes and also duels.
+Perhaps something has happened. But even if all is in order, we ought
+to know where the regiment is, and what is its starting point."
+
+All became gloomy at these words, save Father Voynovski.
+
+"A regiment is not a needle," said he "nor is it a button, which if
+torn from a coat is found with much difficulty. Be not concerned over
+this. We shall learn of them in Cracow more quickly than we could here
+in Yedlinka."
+
+"But on the road we may miss the letter."
+
+"Leave a command to send it on after us. That is the right way.
+Meanwhile in Cracow we will find the safest place possible for the
+lady, and then our minds will be free when we start for the second
+time."
+
+"Reason! Reason!"
+
+"This is my advice then. If no letter comes ere to-morrow we will start
+in the cool of the evening for Radom--then farther, to Kieltse,
+Yendreyov, and Miehov."
+
+"Perhaps the day after during daylight we could reach Radom, so as not
+to pass in the night through those forests, and thus avoid an ambush if
+the Krepetskis should make one."
+
+"An ambush is nothing! Better go in the cool!" said Mateush. "If they
+attack they will do so as well in the day as at night, and now at night
+things are visible."
+
+Then he rubbed his hands gleefully. The three others followed his
+example.
+
+But Father Voynovski thought otherwise. He had great doubts touching a
+road attack.
+
+"Martsian might perhaps venture, but the old man is too prudent; he
+knows too well what such a deed signifies and how much, more than once,
+men have suffered for violence to women. Besides against the power of
+our party Martsian could not reckon on victory, while in every event he
+could reckon on vengeance from Yatsek and Stanislav."
+
+The delight of the Bukoyemskis was spoiled by the priest, but they were
+soothed by Vilchopolski, who struck the floor with his wooden leg,
+shook his head, and opposed, saying,--
+
+"Though up to Radom and even to Kieltse and Miehov you meet no
+adventure, I advise you to neglect no precaution till you touch the
+gates of Cracow; along the road there are woods everywhere, and I, as a
+man knowing Martsian best of all, am convinced that that devil is now
+planning an ambush."
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXIII
+
+
+At last came the day of departure. The party moved out of Yedlinka at
+daylight, with beautiful weather, and with horses and men in good
+number. Besides the iron and leather-covered carriage intended for the
+ladies and the priest, in case his old gun-wound should annoy him on
+horseback too greatly, there were three well-laden wagons drawn each by
+four horses. At each wagon were three men, including the driver. Behind
+Pan Serafin six mounted attendants, in turquoise-colored livery, led
+reserve horses. The priest had two men, each Bukoyemski had two also,
+besides a forester who guarded the trunk-laden wagons, altogether
+thirty-four persons well armed with muskets and sabres. It is true that
+in case of attack some could not aid in defending, since they would
+have to guard wagons and horses, but even in that case the Bukoyemskis
+felt sure that they could go through the world with those attendants,
+and that it would not be healthy for a party three or four times their
+number to attack them. Their hearts were swelling with a delight so
+enormous that hardly could they stay in their saddles. They had fought
+manfully in their time against Tartars and Cossacks, but those were
+common, small wars, and later on, when they settled in the wilderness,
+their youth had passed merely in inspecting inclosures, in a ceaseless
+watch over foresters, in killing bears when it was their duty to
+preserve them, and in drunken frolics at Kozenitse and Radom and
+Prityk. But now, for the first time, when each put his stirrup near the
+stirrup of his brother, when they were going to a war against the
+immense might of Turkey, they felt that this was their true
+destination, that their past life had been vain and wretched, and that
+now had begun in reality the deeds and achievements for which God the
+Father had created Polish nobles, God the Son redeemed them, and the
+Holy Ghost made them sacred. They could not think this out clearly, or
+express it in phrases, for in those things they had never been
+powerful, but they wished to fire off their guns then in ecstasy. Their
+advance seemed too slow to them. They wished to let out their horses
+and rush like a whirlwind, fly toward that great destination, to that
+great battle of the Poles with the pagans, to that triumph through
+Polish hands of the cross above the crescent, to a splendid death, and
+to glory for the ages. They felt loftier in some way, purer, more
+honorable, and in their nobility still more ennobled.
+
+They had scarcely a thought then for Martsian and his rioting company,
+or for barriers and engagements on the roadway. All that seemed to them
+now something trivial, vain, and unworthy of attention. And if whole
+legions had stood in their way, they would have shot over them like a
+tempest, they would have ridden across them just in passing, put them
+under the bellies of their horses, and rushed along farther. Their
+native leonine impulses were roused, and warlike, knightly blood had
+begun to play in them with such vigor that if command had been given
+those four men to charge the whole bodyguard of the Sultan, they would
+not have hesitated one instant.
+
+But similar feelings, and founded, moreover, on old recollections,
+filled the hearts of Pan Serafin and Father Voynovski. The priest had
+passed the flower of his life on the field with a lance in his hand, or
+a sabre. He remembered whole series of reverses and victories, he
+remembered the dreadful rebellion of Hmelnitski, Joltevody, Korsun,
+Pilavtse, Zbaraj the renowned, and the giant battle of Berestechko. He
+remembered the Swedish war, with its never-ending record of struggles
+and the attack of Rakotsi. He had been in Denmark, for a triumphing
+people, not satisfied with crushing and driving out Sweden, had sent in
+pursuit of it Charnyetski's invincible regiments to the borders of a
+distant ocean; he had helped to defeat Dolgoruki and Hovanski; he had
+known the noblest knights and greatest men of the period; he had been a
+pupil of Pan Michael the immortal; he had been enamoured of slaughter,
+storms, battles, and bloodshed, but all that had lasted only till
+personal misfortune had broken his spirit, and he took on himself holy
+orders. From that day he changed altogether, and when, turning to
+people in front of the altar, he said to them: "Peace be with you;" he
+believed himself uttering Christ's own commandment, and that every war,
+as opposed to that commandment, "is abhorrent" to Heaven, a sin against
+mercy, a stain on Christian nations. But a war against Turks was the
+one case which he excepted. "God," said he, "put the Polish people on
+horseback, and turned their breasts eastward; by that same act He
+showed them His will and their calling. He knew why He chose us for
+that position, and put others behind our shoulders; hence, if we wish
+to fulfil His command and our mission with worthiness, we must face
+that vile sea, and break its waves with our bosoms."
+
+Father Voynovski judged, therefore, that God had placed on the throne
+purposely a sovereign who, when hetman, had shed pagan blood in such
+quantity, that his hands might give the last blow to the enemy, and
+avert ruin from Christians at once and forever. It seemed to him that
+just then had appeared the great day of destination, the day to
+accomplish God's purpose; hence he considered that war as a sacred way
+of the cross, and was charmed at the thought, that age, toil, and
+wounds had not pressed him to the earth so completely, that he might
+not take part in it.
+
+He would be able yet to wave a flag, he, the old soldier of Christ,
+would spur on his horse, and spring with a cross in his hand to the
+thickest of the battle, with the certainty in his heart that behind him
+and that cross a thousand sabres would bite on the skulls of the pagans
+and a thousand lances would enter their bodies.
+
+Finally thoughts flew to his head which were personal, and more in
+accord with his earlier disposition. He could hold the cross in his
+left, but in the right hand a sabre. As a priest he could not do this
+against Christians, but against Turks it was proper! Oh, proper! Now he
+would show young men for the first time how pagan lights should be
+extinguished, how pagan champions must be mowed down and cut to pieces;
+he would show of what kind were the warriors of his day. Nay! on more
+fields than one men had marvelled at his prowess. It may happen now
+that even the king will be astounded! And this thought at that moment
+so filled him with rapture that he failed in his rosary: "Hail
+Mary--slay! kill!--full of grace--at them!--The Lord is with Thee--cut
+them down!" Till at last he recovered. "Tfu! to the evil one with
+this--glory is smoke. Has insanity seized me? _non nobis, non nobis sed
+nomini tuo_" (not to us, not to us, but to Thy name) and he passed the
+beads through his fingers more attentively.
+
+Pan Serafin was repeating also his litany of the morning, but from time
+to time he looked now at the priest, now at the young lady, now at the
+Bukoyemskis, who were riding at the side of the carriage, now at the
+trees and the dew-covered grassy openings between them. At last, when
+he had finished the final "Hail, Mary!" he turned to the old man, and
+said, sighing deeply,--
+
+"Your grace seems to be in rather good spirits?"
+
+"And also your grace," said Father Voynovski.
+
+"Yes, that is true. Until a man starts, he is bustling and hurrying and
+in trouble; only when the wind blows around him in the field is it
+light at his heartstrings. I remember how when, ten years ago, we were
+marching to Hotsim, there was a wonderful willingness in every warrior,
+so that though the action took place in the harsh weather of November,
+more than one threw his coat off because of the warmth which came out
+of his heart then. Well, God, who gave such a victory that time, will
+give it undoubtedly now, for the leader is the same, and the vigor and
+valor of the men not inferior. I know nations splendidly, Swedes,
+French, even Germans, but against Turks there is no one superior to our
+men."
+
+"I have heard how his grace the king said the same," replied Father
+Voynovski. "'The Germans,' said he, 'stand under fire patiently, though
+they blink when attacking, but,' said he, 'if I can bring mine up nose
+to nose I am satisfied, for they will sweep everything before them as
+can no other cavalry in existence.' And this is true. The Lord Jesus
+has gifted us richly with this power, not only the nobles, but the
+peasants. For instance, our field infantry, when they spit on their
+palms and advance with their muskets, the best of the Janissaries
+cannot in any way equal them. I have seen both more than once in the
+struggle."
+
+"If God has preserved in health Yatsek and Stashko, I am glad that
+their earliest campaign will be made against Turkish warriors. But how
+does your grace think, against whom will the Turks turn their main
+forces?"
+
+"Against the emperor, as it seems, for they are warring against him,
+and helping rebellion in Hungary. But the Turks have two or three
+armies, hence it is unknown where we shall meet them decisively. For
+this cause, beyond doubt, no main camp has been organized, and
+regiments move from one place to another, as reports come. The
+regiments under Pan Yablonovski are now at Trembovla; others are
+concentrating on Cracow; others as happens to each of them. I know not
+where the voevoda of Volynia is quartered at present, nor where
+Zbierhovski's command is. At moments I think that my son has not
+written this long time because his regiment may be moving toward these
+parts."
+
+"If he is commanded to Cracow, he must march near us, surely. That,
+however, depends upon where he was earlier and whence he is starting at
+present. We may get news at Radom. Is not our first night halt at
+Radom?"
+
+"It is. I should wish too that the prelate Tvorkovski saw Panna Anulka
+and gave her final counsels. He will furnish us letters to help her in
+Cracow."
+
+The conversation stopped for a time; then Pan Serafin raised his eyes
+again to Father Voynovski.
+
+"But," asked he, "what will happen, think you, should she meet Yatsek
+in Cracow?"
+
+"I know not. In every case that will take place which God wishes.
+Yatsek might win a fortune by marriage, while she is as poor as a
+Turkish saint--but wealth alone is mere nonsense, the splendor of a
+family is the great point in this case."
+
+"Panna Anulka is of high lineage, and she is like gold--besides we know
+well that they are love-stricken, mortally."
+
+"Of course, mortally, mortally."
+
+The priest did not speak very willingly on this point, that was clear,
+for he turned the conversation to other subjects.
+
+"Well," said he, "but let us think of this, that a robber is watching
+for that golden maiden. Do you remember Vilchopolski's words?"
+
+Pan Serafin looked at the depth of the forest on all sides.
+
+"Yes. But the Krepetskis will not dare," said he. "They will not dare!
+Our party is fairly large, and your grace sees the calmness of
+everything around us. I wish the girl to be in that carriage for
+safety, but she begged to be on horseback--she has no fear of
+anything."
+
+"Well, she has good blood. But I note that she masters you thoroughly."
+
+"And you, too, somewhat," answered Pan Serafin. "But as to me I confess
+right away; when she begs for a thing she knows how to move her eyes in
+such fashion that you must yield where you stand. Women have various
+methods, but have you noticed that she has that sort of blinking before
+which a man drops his arms. Near Belchantska I will tell her to enter
+the carriage, but so far she wishes absolutely to be on horseback,
+because, as she says, it is healthier."
+
+"In such weather it is surely healthier."
+
+"Look how rosy the girl is, just like a euphorbia laurel."
+
+"What is her rosiness to me?" replied Father Voynovski. "But in truth
+the dear day is lovely."
+
+In fact the weather was really wonderful, and the morning fresh and
+dewy. Single drops on the needlelike pine leaves glittered with the
+rainbow-like colors of diamonds. The forest interior was brightened by
+hazel trees filled with the sun rays of morning. Farther in, orioles
+were twittering with joyousness. Roundabout was the odor of pine, the
+whole earth seemed rejoicing, and the blue air was cloudless.
+
+Thus pushing forward, they reached the same tar pit at which Martsian
+had been seized by the brothers. But the fear that some ambush might be
+there lurking proved groundless. Near the well were two tar-laden
+wagons, nothing more. To these, which belonged to peasants, were
+attached two wretched little horses, whose heads were sunk in bags of
+oats to their foreheads; the drivers, each near the side of his horse,
+were eating cheese and bread, but at sight of the showy party they put
+away these provisions; when asked if they had seen armed men, they
+answered that since morning a mounted man had been waiting, but that
+shortly before, on seeing this party from a distance, he had rushed
+away with all the speed of his beast in the opposite direction. The
+news alarmed Pan Serafin. It seemed to him that this horseman had been
+sent as a scout by Krepetski; and he redoubled his watchfulness. He
+commanded two attendants to ride at both sides and examine the forest;
+he sent two others ahead with this order: "If ye see an armed group
+fire your muskets, and return with all haste to the wagons." An hour
+passed, however, without a report from them. The party pushed forward
+slowly, watching in front and at both sides with carefulness, but it
+was quiet in the forest, except that the orioles twittered, while here
+and there was heard the hammering of those little smiths of the forest,
+the hard-working woodpeckers.
+
+At last they reached a wide plain, but before going out on it Pan
+Serafin and the priest directed Anulka to sit in the carriage, since
+they had to pass now not far from Belchantska, the trees of which, and
+even the mansion between them, were visible to the eye without glasses.
+The young lady looked on that house with emotion, for in it she had
+passed very many of the best, and the bitterest, days of her existence.
+She had wished to look first of all at Vyrambki, but the Belchantska
+lindens so covered it that the dwelling was not to be seen from the
+carriage. It occurred to Anulka that she might never again in her life
+see those places, so she sighed quietly and became sorrowful.
+
+The Bukoyemskis looked challengingly and quickly at the mansion, the
+village, and the neighborhood, but great quiet reigned in those places.
+Along broad fallow lands, which were flooded in sunlight, were grazing
+cows and sheep, guarded by dogs, and crowds of children. Here and there
+flocks of geese seemed white spots, and had it not been for summer
+heat, one might have thought from afar that they were bits of snow
+lying on the hill slopes; for the rest the region seemed empty.
+
+Pan Serafin, who lacked not the daring of a cavalier, wished to show
+the Krepetskis how little he cared for them, and directed to make the
+first halt at that place, and give rest to the horses. So the party
+stopped; on one side were fields of wheat waving under the wind and
+rustling gently; on the other was the silence of the plain broken only
+by the snorting of horses.
+
+"Health! health!" said the attendants in answer to the snorting.
+
+But that calm was not to the taste of the youngest Bukoyemski, who
+turned toward the mansion and cried to the absent Krepetskis, while he
+beckoned with his hand an invitation.
+
+"But come out here, ye sons of a such a one! O Stump, show thy dog
+snout; we will soon put a cross on it with our sabres!"
+
+Then he bent toward the carriage.
+
+"Your ladyship," said he, "that Martsian and his company are not in a
+hurry to attack us, neither he nor his bandits from the wilderness."
+
+"But do bandits attack?" asked the lady.
+
+"Oh-ho! they do, but not us. And there are many of them in the
+wilderness of Kozenitse, and in the forest toward Cracow. If his Grace
+the King would grant pardon, enough would be found of those bandits
+right here in this neighborhood to make two good regiments."
+
+"I should rather meet bandits than Pan Martsian's company, of which
+people tell in Belchantska such terrible stories. I have not heard of
+bandits attacking a mansion."
+
+"They do not, for a bandit has the same kind of sense that a wolf has.
+Consider, young lady, that a wolf never kills sheep or horned cattle in
+the neighborhood where his lair is."
+
+"He speaks truth," said the other brothers.
+
+Yan, glad of this praise, explained further.
+
+"The bandit attacks no village or mansion near his hiding place. For if
+neighboring people should pursue, they, knowing the forests and secret
+spots in them, would hunt him out the more easily. So bandits go to a
+distance, and plunder houses or fall upon travellers in great or small
+parties."
+
+"Have they no fear?"
+
+"They have no fear of God. Why should they fear men?"
+
+But Panna Anulka had turned her mind elsewhere, so, when Pan Serafin
+came to the carriage, she began to blink and implore him.
+
+"Why should I stay in the carriage when no attack threatens? May I not
+go on horseback?"
+
+"Why?" asked Pan Serafin. "The sun is high. It would burn your face.
+There is one who would not like that."
+
+Thereupon she withdrew on a sudden to the depth of the carriage, and
+Pan Serafin turned to the brothers,--
+
+"Have I not told her the truth?"
+
+But not being quick-witted, they missed the point of the answer.
+
+"Who would not like?" inquired they. "Who?"
+
+Pan Serafin shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"The prince bishop of Cracow, the German emperor, and the king of
+France," answered he.
+
+He gave the sign then, and all started.
+
+They passed Belchantska, and advanced again among tilled fields, fallow
+land, meadows, and broad wind-swept spaces which were bordered on the
+horizon by a blue rim of forest. At Yedlina they stopped for a second
+rest, during which the brewers, the citizens, and the peasants took
+farewell of Father Voynovski--and before evening they stopped for their
+first night rest at Radom.
+
+Martsian had not given the least sign of life. They learned that he had
+passed the day previous in Radom, and had drunk with his company, but
+had gone home for the night; hence the priest and Pan Serafin breathed
+with more freedom, judging that no danger threatened them now on the
+journey.
+
+The prelate Tvorkovski furnished letters to Father Hatski, to Gninski,
+the vice-chancellor who, as they knew, was enrolling a whole regiment
+for the coming war at his own cost, and one also to Pan Matchynski. He
+was rejoiced to see Panna Anulka and Father Voynovski, for whom he felt
+a great friendship, and Pan Serafin, in whom he prized a skilled
+Latinist, who understood every quotation and maxim. He, too, had heard
+of Martsian's threats, but had lent no great weight to them, judging
+that if an attack had been planned it would have been made in the wilds
+of Kozenitse, more favorable for that kind of deed than the forests
+between Radom and Kieltse.
+
+"Martsian will not attack you," said he to Pan Serafin, "and his father
+will not bring an action, for he would meet me; he knows that I have
+other weapons against him besides the church censure."
+
+The prelate entertained them all day, and let them start only toward
+evening. Since danger seemed set aside most decidedly, Pan Serafin
+agreed to night travel, all the more since great heat was beginning.
+The first five miles, however, they passed during daylight. On the
+river Oronka, which here and there formed morasses, began again, in
+those days, extensive pine forests, which surrounded Oronsk, Sucha,
+Krogulha, and extended as far as Shydlovets, and beyond, toward
+Mrochkov and Bzin, down to Kieltse. They moved slowly, for in some
+places the old road lay among sandy hillocks and holes, while in others
+it sank very notably and became a muddy, stick-covered ridgeway. This
+ridge lay in a quagmire through which a man could pass neither with
+wagon nor horse, nor go on foot at any season, unless during very dry
+summers. These places enjoyed no good repute, but for this Pan Serafin
+and his party cared little; they were confident of their strength, and
+glad to move in cool air when heat did not trouble men, or flies annoy
+horses.
+
+A clear and pleasant night came down quickly, with a full moon which
+appeared above the pine woods, enormous and ruddy, decreasing and
+growing pale as it rose, till in time it was white, and sailed like a
+silver swan through the dark blue of the night sky. The wind ceased,
+and the motionless pine wood was buried in a stillness broken only by
+the voices of gnats flying in from broad pools, and by the playing of
+landrails in the grass of the neighboring meadows.
+
+Father Voynovski intoned: "Hail, O Wise Lady! and Mansions dear to
+God," to which the four bass voices of the Bukoyemskis and Pan Serafin
+answered immediately: "Adorned by the golden table and seven columns."
+Panna Anulka joined the chorus, after her the attendants, and soon that
+pious hymn was resounding through the forest. But when they had
+finished all the "Hours," and repeated all the "Hail, Marys!" silence
+set in again. The priest, the brothers, and Pan Serafin conversed for
+some time yet in lowered voices; then they began to doze, and at last
+fell asleep soundly.
+
+They did not hear either the "Vio! Vio!" of the drivers, or the
+snorting of horses, or the explosive sound made when hoofs were drawn
+out of mud on that long ridge way which lay in the sticky and
+reed-covered quagmire. The party came to the ridge somewhat before
+midnight. The shouts of attendants, who were advancing in front, first
+roused the sleepers.
+
+"Stop! stop!"
+
+All opened their eyes. The Bukoyemskis straightened in their saddles
+and sprang ahead promptly.
+
+"But what is the matter?"
+
+"The road is barred. There is a ditch across it, and beyond the ditch a
+breastwork."
+
+The sabres of the brothers came biting from their scabbards and gleamed
+in the moonlight.
+
+"To arms! an ambuscade!"
+
+Pan Serafin found himself at the obstruction in one moment, and
+understood that there was no chance of being mistaken: a broad ditch
+had been dug across the ridgeway. Beyond the ditch lay whole pine trees
+which, with their branches sticking up, formed a great breastwork. The
+men who stopped the road in that fashion had evidently intended to let
+the party in on the ridge, from which there was no escape on either
+side, and attack in the rear then.
+
+"To your guns! to muskets!" thundered Father Voynovski. "They are
+coming!"
+
+In fact about a hundred yards in the rear certain dark, square forms,
+strange, quite unlike men, appeared on the ridge, and ran toward the
+wagons very quickly.
+
+"Fire!" commanded the priest.
+
+A report was heard, and brilliant flashes rent the night gloom. Only
+one form rolled to the earth, but the other men ran the more swiftly
+toward the wagons, and after them denser groups made their appearance.
+
+Instructed by whole years of war, the priest divined straightway that
+those men were carrying bundles before them, straw, reeds, or willows,
+and that was why the first discharge had effected so little.
+
+"Fire! In order! four at a time!--and at their knees!" cried he.
+
+Two attendants held guns charged with slugs. These men took their
+places with others, and spat at the knees of the attackers. A cry of
+pain was heard promptly, and this time the whole front rank of bundles
+tumbled down to the mud on the ridgeway, but the next rank of men
+sprang over those who were prostrate, and came still nearer the wagons.
+
+"Fire!" was commanded a third time.
+
+Again came a salvo, with more effect this time, for the onrush was
+stopped, and disorder appeared among the attackers.
+
+The priest acquired courage, for he knew that the attackers had
+outwitted themselves in the choice of position. It is true that not a
+living soul would escape in case they should triumph, and the bandits
+had this in view specially; but, not having men to hem in the party on
+all sides, they were forced to attack only over the ridgeway, hence in
+a thin body, which again lightened defence beyond common, so that five
+or six valiant warriors might ward off attack until daylight.
+
+The attackers, too, began to use muskets, but caused no great damage,
+clearly because of poor weapons. Their first fire struck only a horse
+and one attendant. The Bukoyemskis begged to charge the enemy,
+guaranteeing to sweep right and left into the quagmire any men whom
+they might not crush in the mud of the roadway. But the priest, who
+kept their strength for the last, would not send them; he commanded the
+brothers, however, as excellent marksmen, to roast the attackers from a
+distance, and Pan Serafin commanded to watch the ditch sharply, and the
+breastwork.
+
+"If they attack us from that side," said he, "they may do something,
+but they will not get us cheaply."
+
+Then he hastened for a moment to the carriage where the ladies were
+praying without great fear, though audibly.
+
+"Oh, this is nothing!" said he. "Have no fear!"
+
+"I have no fear," answered Panna Anulka. "But I should like to be on
+horseback."
+
+Shots drowned further words. The attackers, confused for a moment,
+pressed along the ridge now, with wonderful and simply blind daring,
+since it was clear that they would not effect much on that side.
+
+"Hm!" thought the priest. "Were it not for the women, we might charge
+them."
+
+And he had begun to think of sending the four brothers with four other
+good warriors, when he looked at both flanks and trembled.
+
+On the two sides of that quagmire appeared crowds of men, who,
+springing from hillock to hillock, or along sheaves of reeds, which had
+been fixed in soft places on purpose, were running toward the wagons.
+
+The priest turned to them, in the shortest time possible, two ranks of
+attendants, but he understood in a flash the extent of his peril. His
+party was surrounded on three sides. The attendants were, it is true,
+chosen men, who had been more than once in sharp struggles, but they
+were insufficient in number, especially as some had to guard extra
+horses. Hence it was evident that after the first fire, inadequate
+because of so many attackers, there would be a hand-to-hand struggle
+before guns could be loaded a second time, and the side which proved
+weaker would be forced to go down in that trial.
+
+Only one plan remained, to retreat by the ridgeway, that is, leave the
+wagons, command the Bukoyemskis to sweep all before them, and push on
+behind the four brothers, keeping the women among the horses in the
+centre. So when they had fired at both sides again, the priest ordered
+the women to mount, and arranged all for the onrush. In the first rank
+were the four brothers, behind them six attendants, then Panna Anulka
+and Pani Dzvonkovski, at the side the priest and Pan Serafin, behind
+them eight attendants, four in a rank. After the charge and retreat
+from the ridgeway he intended to reach the first village, collect all
+the peasants, return then and rescue the wagons.
+
+Still he stopped for a moment, and only when the attackers were little
+more than twenty yards distant, and when on a sudden wild sounds were
+heard beyond the breastwork, did he shout the order,--
+
+"Strike!"
+
+"Strike!" roared the Bukoyemskis, and they moved like a hurricane which
+destroys all things before it. When they had ridden to the enemy the
+horses rose on their haunches and plunged into the dense crowd of
+robbers, trampling some, pushing others to the quagmire, overthrowing
+whole lines of people. The brothers cut with sabres unsparingly, and
+without stopping. There was great shouting, and splashing of bodies as
+men fell into the water near the ridgeway, but the four dreadful
+horsemen pushed forward; their arms moving like those of a windmill to
+which a gale gives dreadful impetus. Some attackers sprang willingly
+into the water to save themselves; others put forks and bill-hooks
+against the onrushing brothers. Clubs and spears were raised also; but
+again the horses reared, and, breaking everything before them, swept on
+like a whirlwind in a young forest.
+
+Had not the road been so narrow, and those who were slashed had all
+escape barred to them, and those behind not pushed on those in front,
+the Bukoyemskis would have passed the whole ridgeway. But since more
+than one of the bandits preferred battle to drowning, resistance
+continued, and, besides, it became still more stubborn. The hearts of
+the robbers were raging. They began to fight then not merely for
+plunder, or seizing some person, but from venom. At moments when shouts
+ceased, the gritting of teeth became audible and curses rose loudly.
+The rush of the Bukoyemskis was arrested. It came to their minds at
+that moment that they would have to die, perhaps. And when, on a
+sudden, they heard still farther out there the tramping of horses, and
+loud shouts were raised in all parts of the thicket surrounding the
+quagmire, they felt sure that the moment of death was approaching.
+Hence they smashed terribly; they would not sell their lives cheaply in
+any case.
+
+But now something marvellous happened. Many voices were heard all at
+once shouting: "Strike!" Sabres gleamed in the moonlight. Certain
+horsemen fell to cutting and hewing in the rear of the robbers, who,
+because of this sudden attack, were seized in one instant with terror.
+Escape in the rear was now closed to them; nothing remained but escape
+at either side of the roadway. Only some, therefore, offered a
+desperate resistance. The more numerous sprang like ducks to the turfy
+quagmire on both sides. The quagmire broke under them; then grasping
+grass, clumps, and reeds, they clung to hillocks, or lay on their
+bellies not to sink the first moment.
+
+Only a small company, armed with scythes fixed to poles, defended
+themselves for some time yet with madness. Because of this many
+horsemen were wounded. But at last even this handful, seeing that for
+them there was no rescue whatever, threw down their weapons, fell on
+their knees, and begged mercy. They were taken alive to be witnesses.
+
+Meanwhile horsemen from both sides stood facing one another, and raised
+their voices.
+
+"Halt! halt! Who are ye?"
+
+"But who are ye?"
+
+"Tsyprianovitch of Yedlinka."
+
+"For God's sake! these are our people!"
+
+And two riders pushed from the ranks quickly. One inclined to Pan
+Serafin, seized his hand straightway, and covered it with kisses; the
+other rushed to the priest's shoulder.
+
+"Stanislav!" cried Pan Serafin.
+
+"Yatsek!" shouted the priest.
+
+The greetings and embraces continued till speech came to Pan Serafin,--
+
+"For God's sake, whence come ye?"
+
+"Our regiment was marching to Cracow. Yatsek and I had permission to
+visit you at Yedlinka. Meanwhile we learned at Radom, while halting for
+food there, that thou, father, and the priest, and the Bukoyemskis had
+set out an hour earlier by the highroad toward Kieltse."
+
+"Did the prelate tell thee?"
+
+"No! We did not see him. Radom Jews told us; we did not go then to
+Yedlinka, but moved on at once lest we might miss you. At midnight we
+heard firing, so we all rushed to give aid, thinking that bandits had
+fallen upon travellers. It did not occur to us that ye were the
+persons. God be thanked, God be thanked, that we came up in season!"
+
+"Not bandits attacked us, but the Krepetskis. It is a question of Panna
+Anulka, who is with us."
+
+"As God lives!" exclaimed Stanislav. "Then I think that his soul will
+leave Yatsek."
+
+"I wrote to thee about her, but it is evident that my letter did not
+reach thee."
+
+"No, for we are marching these three weeks. I have not written of late
+because I had to come hither."
+
+Shouts from the Bukoyemskis, the attendants, and the warriors stopped
+further converse. At that moment also attendants ran up with lighted
+torches. A supply had been taken by Pan Serafin that he might have
+wherewith to give light during darkness. It was as clear on the road as
+in daylight, and in those bright gleams Yatsek saw the gray horse on
+which Panna Anulka was sitting.
+
+He grew dumb at sight of her.
+
+"Yes, she is with us," said Father Voynovski, seeing his astonishment.
+
+Then Yatsek urged his horse forward, and halted before her. He
+uncovered his head, and remained there lost as he looked at her. His
+face was as white as chalk, his breath had almost left him, and he was
+speechless.
+
+After a moment the cap fell to the earth from his fingers, his head
+dropped to the mane of the horse, and his eyes closed.
+
+"But he is wounded!" cried Lukash Bukoyemski.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXIV
+
+
+Yatsek was really wounded. One of those robbers, who defended
+themselves to the utmost, cut him, with a scythe in the left shoulder,
+and since he and the men marched without mail, the very end of the iron
+had cut into his arm rather deeply from the shoulder to the elbow. The
+wound was not over grievous, but it bled quite profusely; because of
+this the young man had then fainted. The experienced Father Voynovski
+commanded to put him in a wagon, and, when the wound had been dressed,
+he left him in care of the women. Yatsek opened his eyes somewhat
+later, and began again to look, as at a rainbow, into the face of Panna
+Anulka, which was there bending over him.
+
+Meanwhile the attendants filled the ditch and removed all obstructions.
+The wagons and the men passed to the dry road beyond, where they halted
+to bring the train into order, take some rest, and question the
+prisoners. From Tachevski the priest went to the Bukoyemskis to see if
+they had suffered. But they had not. The horses were torn and even
+stabbed with forks, but not seriously; the men themselves were in
+excellent humor, for all were admiring their valor, since they had
+crushed before war, more opponents than had many others during years of
+campaigning.
+
+"Now, gentlemen, ye may join Pan Zbierhovski," said the hussars here
+and there. "From of old it is known, and God grant that men will see
+soon, that our regiment is the first even among hussars. Pan
+Zbierhovski admits no common men, or any man easily, but he will accept
+you with gladness, and we shall be charmed from our hearts to find you
+in our company."
+
+The Bukoyemskis knew that this might not be, for they could not have
+the attendants, or the outfit demanded in such a high regiment, but
+they listened to those speeches with rapture, and when cups went the
+round, they let no man surpass them.
+
+When that part was ended, the captured bandits were seized by their
+heads, and led from the mud to Zbierhovski and the priest and Pan
+Serafin. No bandit had escaped, for with a detachment of twelve hundred
+there were men to surround the whole quagmire and both ends of the
+ridgeway. The appearance of the prisoners astonished Pan Serafin. He
+had thought to find Martsian among them, as he had told Stanislav, and
+Martsian's Radom outcasts also; meanwhile he saw before him a ragged
+rabble reeking with turf and bespattered with mud of the ridgeway, a
+company made up, like all bodies of that kind, of deserters from the
+infantry, of runaway servants and serfs, in a word, of all kinds of
+wicked, wild scoundrels working at robbery in remote places and
+forests. Many such parties were raging, especially in the wooded region
+of Sandomir, and since they were strengthened by men who were eager for
+anything, men who if captured were threatened with terrible punishment,
+their attacks were uncommonly daring, and they fought savage battles.
+
+The search through the quagmire continued for a time yet, then Pan
+Serafin turned to Zbierhovski.
+
+"Gracious colonel," said he. "These are highway robbers. We thought
+them quite different. This was an attack of common bandits. We thank
+you, and all your men with grateful hearts for effective assistance,
+without which, as is possible, we should not have seen the sun rise
+this morning."
+
+"These night marches are good," said Zbierhovski, and he smiled while
+he was speaking. "The heat does not trouble, and it is possible to
+serve others. Do you wish to examine these captives immediately?"
+
+"Since I have looked at them closely already, it is not needed. The
+court in the town will examine them, and the headsman will guide them."
+
+At this a tall, bony fellow, with a gloomy face, and light hair pushed
+out from the captives and said, as he bent to Pan Serafin's stirrup.
+
+"Great mighty lord, spare our lives, and we will tell truth. We are
+common bandits, but the attack was not common."
+
+The priest and Pan Serafin, on hearing this, looked at each other with
+roused curiosity.
+
+"Who art thou?" asked the priest.
+
+"I am a chief. There were two of us, for this party was formed of two
+bands, but the other man fell. Give me pardon, and I will tell
+everything."
+
+Father Voynovski stopped for a moment.
+
+"We cannot save you from justice," said he, "but for you it is better
+in every case to tell truth, than be forced to declare it under
+torture. Besides, if ye confess, God's judgment and man's will be more
+lenient."
+
+The bandit looked at his companions, uncertain whether to speak or be
+silent. Meanwhile the priest added,--
+
+"And if ye tell the whole truth, we can intercede with the king, and
+commend you to his mercy. He accepts offenders in the infantry, and
+recommends mercy now to judges."
+
+"In that case," said the man, "I will tell everything. My name is Obuh;
+the leader of the other band was Kos, and a noble engaged us to fall on
+your graces."
+
+"But do ye know the name of that noble?"
+
+"I did not know him, for I am from distant places, but Kos knew him,
+and said his name was Vysh."
+
+The priest and Pan Serafin looked at each other with astonishment.
+
+"Vysh,[6] didst thou say?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"But was there no one with him?"
+
+"There was another, a lean, thin, young man."
+
+"Not they," said Pan Serafin to the priest in a whisper.
+
+"But they may have been Martsian's company."
+
+Then he said aloud to the man,--
+
+"What did they tell you to do?"
+
+"This: 'Do what ye like with the people,' said they; 'the wagons and
+plunder are yours; but in the company there is a young lady whom ye are
+to take and bring by roundabout ways between Radom and Zvolenie to
+Polichna. Beyond Polichna a party will attack you and take the lady. Ye
+will pretend to defend her, but not so as to harm our men. Ye will get
+a thaler apiece for this, besides what ye find in the wagons.'"
+
+"That is as if on one's palm," said the priest.
+
+"Then did only those two talk with Kos and thee?"
+
+"Later, a third person came in the night with them; he gave us a ducat
+apiece to bind the agreement. Though the place was as dark as in a
+cellar, one of our men who had been a serf of his recognized that third
+person as Pan Krepetski."
+
+"Ha! that is he!" cried Pan Serafin.
+
+"And is that man here, or has he fallen?" inquired Father Voynovski.
+
+"I am here!" called out a voice from some distance.
+
+"Come nearer. Didst thou recognize Pan Krepetski? But how, since it was
+so dark, that thou couldst hit a man on the snout without knowing it?"
+
+"Because I know him from childhood. I knew him by his bow-legs and his
+head, which sits, as it were, in a hole between his shoulders, and by
+his voice."
+
+"Did he speak to you?"
+
+"He spoke with us, and afterward I heard him speak to those who came
+with him."
+
+"What did he say to them?"
+
+"He said this: 'If I could have trusted money with you, I should not
+have come, even if the night were still darker.'"
+
+"And wilt thou testify to this before the mayor in the town, or the
+starosta?"
+
+"I will."
+
+"When he heard this, Pan Zbierhovski turned to his attendants and
+said,--
+
+"Guard this man with special care, for me."
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXV
+
+
+They began now to counsel. The advice of the Bukoyemskis was to
+disguise some peasant woman in the dress of a lady, put her on
+horseback, give her attendants and soldiers dressed up as bandits, and
+go to the place designated by Martsian, and, when he made the attack as
+agreed upon, surround him immediately, and either wreak vengeance
+there, or take him to Cracow and deliver him to justice. They offered
+to go themselves, with great willingness, to carry out the plan, and
+swore that they would throw Martsian in fetters at the feet of Panna
+Anulka.
+
+This proposal pleased all at the first moment, but when they examined
+it more carefully the execution seemed needless and difficult. Pan
+Zbierhovski might rescue from danger people whom he met on his march,
+but he had not the right to send soldiers on private expeditions, and
+he had no wish either to do so. On the other hand, since there was a
+bandit who knew and was ready to indicate to the courts the chief
+author of the ambush, it was possible to bring that same author to
+account any moment, and to have issued against him a sentence of
+infamy. For this reason both Pan Serafin and Father Voynovski grew
+convinced that there would be time for that after the war, since there
+was no fear that the Krepetskis, who owned large estates, would flee
+and abandon them. This did not please the Bukoyemskis, however, for
+they desired keenly to finish the question. They even declared that
+since that was the decision, they would go themselves with their
+attendants for Martsian. But Pan Serafin would not permit this, and
+they were stopped finally by Yatsek, who implored them by all that was
+sacred to leave Krepetski to him, and him only.
+
+"I," said he, "will not act through courts against Martsian, but after
+all that I have heard from you here, if I do not fall in the war, as
+God is in heaven, I will find the man, and it will be shown whether
+infamy would not be pleasanter and easier also than that which will
+meet him."
+
+And his "maiden" eyes glittered so fiercely that though the Bukoyemskis
+were unterrified warriors a shiver went through them. They knew in what
+a strange manner passion and mildness were intertwined in the spirit of
+Yatsek, together with an ominous remembrance of injustice.
+
+He said then repeatedly: "Woe to him!--Woe to him!" and again he grew
+pale from his blood loss. Day had come already, and the morning light
+had tinted the world in green and rose colors; that light sparkled in
+the dewdrops, on the grass and the reeds, and the tree leaves and the
+needles of dwarf pines here and there on the edge of the quagmire. Pan
+Zbierhovski had commanded to bury the bodies of the fallen bandits,
+which was done very quickly, for the turf opened under spades easily,
+and when no trace of battle was left on that roadway, the march was
+continued toward Shydlovets.
+
+Pan Serafin advised the young lady to sit again in the carriage, where
+she might have a good sleep before they reached the next halting place,
+but she declared so decisively that she would not desert Yatsek that
+even Father Voynovski did not try to remove her. So they went together,
+only two besides the driver, for sleep was so torturing Pani
+Dzvonkovski, that after a while they transferred her to the carriage.
+
+Yatsek was lying face upward on bundles of hay arranged lengthwise in
+one side of the wagon, while she sat on the other, bending every little
+while toward his wounded shoulder, and watching to see if blood might
+not come through the bandages. At times she put a leather bottle of old
+wine to the mouth of the wounded man. This wine acted well to all
+seeming, for after a while he was wearied of lying, and had the driver
+draw out the bundle on which his feet were then resting.
+
+"I prefer to ride sitting," said he, "since I feel all my strength
+now."
+
+"But the wound, will that not pain you more if you are sitting?"
+
+Yatsek turned his eyes to her rosy face, and said in a sad and low
+voice, "I will give the same answer as that knight long ago when King
+Lokietek saw him pierced with spears by the Knights of the Cross, on a
+battlefield. 'Is thy pain great?' asked the king. The knight showed his
+wounds then. 'These pain least of all,' said he in answer."
+
+Panna Sieninski dropped her eyes. "But what pains you more?" inquired
+she in a whisper.
+
+"A yearning heart, and separation, and the memory of wrongs inflicted."
+
+For a while silence continued, but the hearts began to throb in both
+with power which increased every moment, for they knew that the time
+had come then in which they could and should confess everything which
+each had against the other.
+
+"It is true," said she, "I did you an injustice, when, after the duel,
+I received you with angry face, and inhumanly. But that was the only
+time, and, though God alone knows how much I regretted that afterward,
+still I say it is my fault! and from my whole soul I implore you."
+Yatsek put his sound hand to his forehead.
+
+"Not that," answered he, "was the thorn, not that the great anguish!"
+
+"I know it was not that, but the letter from Pan Gideon. How could you
+suspect me of knowing the contents of the letter, or having suggested
+them?"
+
+And she began to tell, with a broken voice, how it happened: how she
+had implored Pan Gideon to make a step toward being reconciled: how he
+had promised to write a heartfelt and fatherly letter, but he wrote
+entirely the opposite. Of this she learned only later from Father
+Voynovski, and from this it was shown that Pan Gideon having other
+plans, simply wanted to separate them from each other forever.
+
+At the same time, since her words were a confession, and also a renewal
+of painful and bitter memories, her eyes were dimmed with tears, and
+from constraint and shame a deep blush came out on her cheeks from one
+instant to another.
+
+"Did Father Voynovski," asked she at last, "not write to you that I
+knew nothing, and that I could not even understand why I received for
+my sincere feelings a recompense of that kind?"
+
+"Father Voynovski," answered Yatsek, "only wrote me that you were going
+to marry Pan Gideon."
+
+"But did he not write that I consented to do so only through orphanhood
+and pain and desertion, and out of gratitude to my guardian? For I knew
+not then how he had treated you; I only knew that I was despised and
+forgotten."
+
+When he heard this Yatsek closed his eyes and began to speak with great
+sadness.
+
+"Forgotten? Is that God's truth? I was in Warsaw, I was at the king's
+court, I went through the country with my regiment, but whatever I did,
+and wherever I travelled, not for one moment didst thou go from my
+heart and my memory. Thou didst follow me as his shadow a man. And
+during nights without sleep, in suffering and in pain, which came
+simply from torture, many a time have I called to thee: 'Take pity,
+have mercy! grant to forget thee!' But thou didst not leave me at any
+time, either in the day, or the night, or in the field, or under a
+house roof, until at last I understood that only then could I tear thee
+from my heart when I had torn the heart itself from my bosom."
+
+Here he stopped, for his voice was choked from emotion; but after a
+time he continued,--
+
+"So after that often and often I said in my prayers: 'O God, grant me
+death, for Thou seest that it is impossible for me to attain her, and
+impossible for me to be without her!' And that was before I had hoped
+for the favor of seeing thee in life again--thou, the only one in the
+world--thou, beloved!"
+
+As he said this he bent toward her and touched her arm with his temple.
+
+"Thou," whispered he, "art as that blood which gives life to me, as
+that sun in the heavens. The mercy of God is upon me, that I see thee
+once more-- O beloved! beloved!"
+
+And it seemed to her that Yatsek was singing some marvellous song at
+that moment. Her eyes were filled with a wave of tears then, and a wave
+of happiness flooded her heart. Again there was silence between them;
+but she wept long with such a sweet weeping as she had never known in
+her life till that morning.
+
+"Yatsek," said she at last, "why have we so tormented each other?"
+
+"God has rewarded us a hundred fold," said he in answer.
+
+And for the third time there was silence between them; only the wagon
+squeaked on, pushing forward slowly over the ruts of the roadway.
+Beyond the forest they came out onto great fields bathed in sunlight;
+on those fields wheat was rustling, dotted richly with red poppies and
+blue star thistles. There was great calm in that region. Above fields
+on which the grain had been reaped, here and there skylarks were
+soaring, lost in song, motionless; on the edges of the fields sickles
+glittered in the distance; from the remoter green pastures came the
+cries and songs of men herding cattle. And to both it seemed that the
+wheat was rustling because of them; that the poppies and star thistles
+were blooming because of them; that, the larks were singing because of
+them; that the calls of the herdsmen were uttered because of them; that
+all the sunny peace of those fields and all those voices were simply
+repeating their ecstasy and happiness.
+
+They were roused from this oblivion by Father Voynovski, who had pushed
+up unnoticed to the wagon.
+
+"How art thou, Yatsus?" asked he.
+
+Yatsek trembled and looked with shining eyes at him, as if just roused
+from slumber.
+
+"What is it, benefactor?"
+
+"How art thou?"
+
+"Eh! it will not be better in paradise!"
+
+The priest looked seriously first at him, then at the young lady.
+
+"Is that true?" asked he.
+
+And he galloped off to the company. But the delightful reality embraced
+them anew. They began to look on each other, and sink in the eyes of
+each other.
+
+"O, thou not-to-be-looked-at-sufficiently!" said Yatsek.
+
+But she lowered her eyes, smiled at the corners of her mouth till
+dimples appeared in her rosy cheeks, and asked in a whisper,--
+
+"But is not Panna Zbierhovski more beautiful?"
+
+Yatsek looked at her with amazement.
+
+"What, Panna Zbierhovski?"
+
+She made no answer; she simply laughed in her fist, with a laugh as
+resonant as a silver bell.
+
+Meanwhile, when the priest had galloped to the company, the men, who
+loved Yatsek, fell to inquiring,--
+
+"Well, how is it there? How is our wounded man?"
+
+"He is no longer in this world!" replied Father Voynovski.
+
+"As God lives! What has happened? How is he not in the world?"
+
+"He is not, for he says that he is in paradise--a woman!!!"
+
+The Bukoyemskis, as men who understand without metaphor all that is
+said to them, did not cease to look at the priest with astonishment
+and, removing their caps, were just ready to say, "eternal rest," when
+a general outbreak of laughter interrupted their pious thoughts and
+intention. But in that laughter of the company there was sincere
+good-will and sympathy for Yatsek. Some of the men had learned from Pan
+Stanislav how sensitive that cavalier was, and all divined how he must
+have suffered, hence the words of the priest delighted them greatly.
+Voices were heard at once, therefore: "God knows! we have seen how he
+fought with his feelings, how he answered questions at random, how he
+left buckles unfastened, how he forgot himself when eating or drinking,
+how he turned his eyes to the moon during night hours."
+
+"Those are infallible signs of unfortunate love," added some. "It is
+true," put in others, "that he is now as if in paradise, for if no
+wounds give more pain than those caused by Love, there is no sweeter
+thing than mutuality."
+
+These and similar remarks were made by Yatsek's comrades. Some of them,
+having learned of the hardships which the lady had passed through, and
+how shamefully Krepetski had treated her, fell to shaking their sabres,
+and crying; "Give him hither!" Some became sensitive over the maiden,
+some, having learned how Martsian had been handled by the Bukoyemskis,
+raised to the skies the native valor and wit of those brothers. But
+after a while universal attention was centred again on the lovers:
+"Well," cried out all, "let us shout to their health and good fortune
+_et felices rerum successus!_" and immediately a noisy throng moved
+toward the wagon on horseback. In one moment almost the whole regiment
+had surrounded Pan Yatsek and Panna Anulka. Loud voices thundered:
+"_Vivant! floreant!_" others cried before the time: "_Crescite et
+multiplicamini!_" Whether Panna Anulka was really frightened by those
+cries, or rather as an "insidious woman," she only feigned terror
+father Voynovski himself could not have decided. It is enough that,
+sheltering her bright head at the unwounded shoulder of Yatsek, she
+asked with shamefaced confusion,--
+
+"What is this, Yatsek? what are they doing?"
+
+He surrounded her with his sound arm, and said,--
+
+"People are giving thee, dearest flower, and I am taking thee."
+
+"After the war?"
+
+"Before the war."
+
+"In God's name, why so hurried?"
+
+But it was evident that Yatsek had not heard this query for instead of
+replying, he said to her,--
+
+"Let us bow to the dear comrades for this good-will, and thank them."
+
+Hence they bowed toward both sides, which roused still greater
+enthusiasm. Seeing the blushing face of the maiden, which was as
+beautiful as the morning dawn, the warriors struck their thighs with
+their palms from admiration.
+
+"By the dear God!" cried they. "One might be dazzled!"
+
+"An angel would be enamoured; what can a sinful man do?"
+
+"It is no wonder that he was withering with sorrow."
+
+And again hundreds of voices thundered more powerfully,--
+
+"_Vivant! crescant! floreant!_"
+
+Amid those shouts, and in clouds of golden dust they entered
+Shydlovets. At the first moment the inhabitants were frightened, and,
+leaving in front of their houses the workshops in which they were
+cutting out whetstones from sandrock, they ran to their chambers. But,
+learning soon that those were the shouts of a betrothal, and not of
+anger, they rushed in a crowd to the street and followed the soldiers.
+A throng of horses and men was formed straightway. The kettledrums of
+the horsemen were beaten, the trumpets and crooked horns sounded.
+Gladness became universal. Even the Jews, who through fear had stayed
+longer in the houses, shouted: "_Vivait!_"[7] though they knew not well
+what the question was.
+
+But Tachevski said to Panna Anulka,--
+
+"Before the war, before the war, even though death were to come one
+hour later."
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXVI
+
+
+"How is that?" inquired Father Voynovski, at the dinner which his
+comrades gave Yatsek. "We are going in five or six days; thou mightst
+die in the war; is it worth while to marry before a campaign, instead
+of waiting for the happy end of it, and then marrying at your leisure?"
+
+His comrades, when they heard these prudent words, burst into laughter;
+some of them held their sides, others cried in a chorus,--"Oh! it is
+worth while, benefactor! and just for this reason that he may die is it
+worth while all the more."
+
+The priest was a little angry, but when the three hundred best men, not
+excepting Pan Stanislav insisted, and Yatsek would not hear of delay,
+it had to be as he wanted. Renewed relations with the court, and the
+favor of the king and queen facilitated the affair very greatly. The
+queen declared that the coming Pani Tachevski would be under her
+protection till the war ended, and the king himself promised to be at
+the marriage, and to think of a fitting dowry when his mind was less
+occupied. He remembered that many lands of the Sieninskis had passed to
+the Sobieskis, and how his ancestors had grown strong from them, hence
+he felt under obligations to the orphan, who, besides, had attracted
+him by her beauty, and also roused his compassion by her harsh fate,
+and the evils which she had suffered.
+
+Pan Matchynski, a friend from of old, to Father Voynovski, and also a
+friend of the king, promised to remind him of the young lady, but after
+the war; for at that time when on the shoulders of Yan III the fate of
+all Europe was resting, and of all Christianity, it was not permitted
+to trouble him with private interests. Father Voynovski was comforted
+with this promise as much as if Yatsek had then received a good "crown
+estate," for all knew that word from Pan Matchynski was as sure of
+fulfilment as had been the words of Zavisha. To speak strictly, he was
+the author of all the good which had met Panna Sieninski in Cracow; he
+mentioned Father Voynovski to the king and queen; finally he won for
+the young lady the queen, who, though capricious in her likings, and
+fickle, began from the first moment to show her special favor and
+friendship, which seemed even almost too sudden.
+
+A dispensation from banns was received easily through protection of the
+court, and the favor of the bishop of Cracow. Even earlier, Pan Serafin
+had obtained for the young couple handsome lodgings from a Cracow
+merchant, whose ancestors and those of Pan Serafin had done business in
+their day, when the latter were living in Lvoff, and importing brocades
+from the Orient. That was a beautiful lodging, and, because of the
+multitude of civil and military dignitaries in the city, so good a one
+could not be obtained by many a voevoda. Stanislav had determined that
+Yatsek should pass those few days before the campaign as it were in a
+genuine heaven, and he ornamented those lodgings unusually with fresh
+flowers and tapestry; other comrades helped him with zeal, each
+lending, the best of what he had, rugs, tapestry, carpets, and such
+like costly articles, which in wealthy hussar regiments were taken in
+campaigns even.
+
+In one word, all showed the young couple the greatest good-will, and
+helped them as each one was able and with what he commanded, except the
+four Bukoyemskis. They, in the first days after coming to Cracow, went
+sometimes twice in a day to Stanislav and to Yatsek, and to merchants
+at the inns with whom officers from the regiment of Prince Alexander
+drank not infrequently, but afterward the four brothers vanished as if
+they had fallen into water. Father Voynovski thought that they were
+drinking in the suburbs, where servants had seen them one evening, and
+where mead and wine were cheaper than in the city, but immediately
+after that all report of them vanished. This angered the priest as well
+as the Tsyprianovitches, for the brothers were bound to Pan Serafin in
+gratitude; this they should not have forgotten. "They may be good
+soldiers," said the priest, "but they are giddy heads in whose
+sedateness we cannot put confidence. Of course they have found some
+wild company in which they pass time more pleasantly than with any of
+us."
+
+This judgment proved inaccurate, however, for on the eve of Yatsek's
+marriage, when his quarters were filled with acquaintances who had come
+with good wishes and presents, the four brothers appeared in their very
+best garments. Their faces were calm, serious, and full of
+mysteriousness.
+
+"What has happened to you?" asked Pan Serafin.
+
+"We have been tracking a wild beast!" replied Lukash.
+
+"Quiet!" said Mateush, giving him a punch in the side, "Do not tell
+till the time comes."
+
+Then he looked at the priest, at Pan Serafin and his son, and turning
+finally to Yatsek, began to clear his throat, like a man who intends to
+speak in some detail.
+
+"Well, begin right away!" urged his brothers.
+
+But he looked at them with staring eyes, and inquired,--
+
+"How was it?"
+
+"How? Hast thou forgotten?"
+
+"It has broken in me."
+
+"Wait--I know," cried Yan. "It began: 'Our most worthy--' Go on!"
+
+"Our most worthy Pilate," began Mateush.
+
+"Why 'Pilate'?" interrupted the priest. "Perhaps it is Pylades?"
+
+"Benefactor thou hast hit the nail on the head," cried Yan. "As I live,
+it is Pylades."
+
+"Our worthy Pylades!" began Mateush, now reassured, "though not the
+iron Boristhenes, but the gold-bearing Tagus itself were to flow in our
+native region, we, being exiled through attacks of barbarians, should
+have nothing but our hearts glowing with friendship to offer thee,
+neither could we honor this day as it merits by any thank-offering--"
+
+"Thou speakest as if cracking nuts," cried out Lukash excitedly.
+
+But Mateush kept on repeating: "As it merits,--as it merits--" He
+stopped, looked at his brothers, calling with his eyes for rescue, but
+they had forgotten entirely that which was to come later.
+
+The Bukoyemskis began now to frown, and the audience to titter. Seeing
+this Pan Serafin resolved to assist them.
+
+"Who composed this speech for you?" asked he.
+
+"Pan Gromyka, of Pan Shumlanski's regiment," said Mateush.
+
+"There it is. A strange horse is more likely to balk and rear than your
+own beast; so now embrace Yatsek and tell him what ye have to say."
+
+"Surely that is the best way."
+
+And they embraced Yatsek one after another. Then Mateush
+continued,--"Yatsus! we know that thou art no Pilate, and thou knowest
+that after losing Kieff regions we are poor fellows, in short we are
+naked. Here is all that we can give, and accept with thankful heart
+even this."
+
+Then they handed him some object wound up in a piece of red satin, and
+at that moment the three younger brothers repeated, with feeling,--
+
+"Accept it, Yatsus, accept! Accept!"
+
+"I accept, and God repay you," answered Yatsek.
+
+Thus speaking, he put the object on the table, and began to unroll the
+satin. All at once he started back, and cried,--
+
+"As God lives, it is the ear of a man!"
+
+"But dost thou know whose ear? Martsian Krepetski's!" thundered the
+brothers.
+
+"Ah!"
+
+All present were so tremendously astonished that silence followed
+immediately.
+
+"Tfu!" cried Father Voynovski, at last.
+
+And measuring the brothers, one after the other, with a stern glance,
+he began at the eldest,--
+
+"Are ye Turks to bring in the ears of beaten enemies? Ye are a shame to
+this Christian army and all nobles. If Krepetski deserved death a
+hundred times, if he were even a heretic, or out and out a pagan, it
+would still be an inexpressible shame to commit such an action. Oh, ye
+have delighted Yatsek, so that he spits from his mouth that which comes
+into it. But I tell you that for such a deed ye are to expect not
+gratitude but contempt, and shame also; for there is no regiment in all
+the cavalry, or even a regiment in the infantry, which would accept
+such barbarians as comrades."
+
+At this Mateush stepped out in front of his brothers, and, flaming with
+rage, said,--
+
+"Here is gratitude for you, here is reward, here is the justice of
+people, and a judgment. If any layman were to utter this judgment I
+should cut one ear from him, and also the other to go with it, but
+since a clerical person speaks thus, let the Lord Jesus judge him, and
+take the side of the innocent! Your Grace asks: 'Are ye Turks?' but I
+ask: Do you think that we cut off the ear of a dead man? My born
+brothers, ye innocent orphans, to what have ye come, that they make
+Turks of you, enemies of the faith! To what?"
+
+Here his voice quivered, for his grief had exceeded his auger. The
+three brothers, roused by the unjust judgment, began to cry out with
+equal sorrow,--
+
+"They make Turks of us!"
+
+"Enemies of the faith!"
+
+"Vile pagans!"
+
+"Then tell, in the name of misfortune, how it was," said the priest.
+
+"Lukash cut off Martsian's ear in a duel."
+
+"Whence did Krepetski come hither?"
+
+"He rode into Cracow. He was here five days. He rode in behind us."
+
+"Let one speak. Speak thou, but to the point."
+
+Here the priest turned to Yan, the youngest.
+
+"An acquaintance of ours from the regiment of the Bishop of Sandomir,"
+began Yan, "told us by chance, three days ago, that he had seen in a
+wineshop on Kazamir street a certain wonder. 'A noble,' says he, 'as
+thick as a tree stump, with a great head so thrust into his body that
+his shoulders come up to his ears, on short crooked legs,' says he,
+'and he drinks like a dragon. A viler monkey I have not seen in my
+life,' says he. And we, since the Lord Jesus has given us this gift
+from birth, take everything in at a twinkle, we look at one another
+that instant: Well, is not that Krepetski? Then we said to the man,
+'Take us to that wineshop.' 'I will take you.' And he took us. It was
+dark, but we looked till we saw something black in one corner behind a
+table. Lukash walked up to it, and made sparks fly before the very eyes
+of him who was hiding there. 'Krepetski,' cries he, and grabs him by
+the shoulder. We to our sabres. Krepetski sprang away, but saw that
+there was no escape, for we were between him and the doorway. Did he
+not jump then? He jumped up time after time as a cock does. 'What,'
+says he, 'do ye think that I am afraid? Only come at me one by one, not
+in a crowd, unless ye are murderers, not nobles.'"
+
+"The scoundrel!" interrupted the priest.
+
+"What did he try to do with us? That is what Lukash asked him. 'Oh!'
+said Lukash, 'thou son of such a mother, thou didst hire a whole
+regiment of cut-throats against us. It would be well,' said he, 'to
+give thee to the headsman, but this is the shorter way!' Then he
+presses on, and they fall to cutting. After the third or fourth blow,
+his head leans to one side. I look--and there is an ear on the floor.
+Mateush raises it immediately, and cries,--'Leave the other to us, do
+not cut it. This,' said he 'will be for Yatsek, and the other for Panna
+Anulka.' But Martsian dropped his sabre, for his blood had begun to
+flow terribly, and he fainted. We poured water on his head, and wine
+into his mouth, thinking that he would revive and meet the next one of
+us; but that could not be. He recovered consciousness, it is true, and
+said: 'Since ye have sought justice yourselves, ye are not free to seek
+any other,' and he fainted again. We went away then, sorry not to have
+the other ear. Lukash said that he could have killed the man, but he
+spared him for us, and especially for Yatsek. And I do not know if any
+one could act more politely, for it is no sin to crush such vermin as
+Martsian, but it is clear that politeness does not pay now-a-days,
+since we have to suffer for showing it."
+
+"True! He speaks justly!" said the other brothers.
+
+"Well," said the priest, "if the matter stands thus it is different,
+but still the gift is unsavory."
+
+The brothers looked with amazement one at another.
+
+"Why say unsavory?" asked Marek. "You do not think we brought it for
+Yatsek to eat, do you?"
+
+"I thank you from my soul for your good wishes," said Tachevski. "I
+think that ye did not bring it to me to be stored away."
+
+"It has grown a little green--it might be smoke-dried."
+
+"Let a man bury it at once," said the priest with severity; "it is the
+ear of a Christian in every case."
+
+"In Kieff we have seen better treatment," growled out Mateush.
+
+"Krepetski came hither undoubtedly," remarked Yatsek, "to make a new
+attack on Anulka."
+
+"He will not take her away from the king's palace," said the prudent
+Pan Serafin, "but he did not come for that, if I think correctly. His
+attack failed, so I suppose he only wanted to learn whether we know
+that he arranged it, and if we have complained of him. Perhaps old
+Krepetski did not know of his son's undertaking; but perhaps he did
+know; if he did, then both must be greatly alarmed, and I am not at all
+surprised that Martsian came here to investigate."
+
+"Well," said Stanislav, laughing, "he has no luck with the Bukoyemskis,
+indeed he has not."
+
+"Let him go," said Tachevski. "To-day I am ready to forgive him."
+
+The Bukoyemskis and Stanislav, who knew the stubbornness of the young
+cavalier, looked at him with astonishment, and he, as if answering
+them, added,--
+
+"For Anulka will be mine immediately, and to-morrow I shall be a
+Christian knight and defender of the faith, a man whose heart should be
+free of all hate and personalities."
+
+"God bless thee for that!" cried the priest.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXVII
+
+
+At last the long-wished-for day of his happiness came to Tachevski. In
+Cracow a report had gone out among the citizens, and was repeated with
+wonder, that in the army was a knight who would marry on one day and
+mount his horse the day following. When the report went out also that
+the king and queen would be at the marriage, crowds began from early
+morning to assemble in the church and outside it. At length the crowd
+was so great that the king's men had to bring order to the square so
+that the marriage guests might have a free passage. Tachevski's
+comrades assembled to a man; this they did out of good-will and
+friendship, and also because it was dear to each one of them to be seen
+in a company where the king himself would be present, and to belong, as
+it were, to his private society. Many dignitaries appeared also, even
+men who had never heard of Tachevski, for it was known that the queen
+favored the marriage, and at the court much depended on her inclination
+and favor.
+
+To some of the lords it was not less wonderful than to the citizens
+that the king should find time to be at the marriage of a simple
+officer, while on that king's shoulders the fate of the whole world was
+then resting, and day after day couriers from foreign lands were flying
+in on foaming horses; hence some considered this as coming from the
+kindness of the monarch and his wish to win the army, while others made
+suppositions that there existed some near bond of kinship, difficult to
+be acknowledged; others ridiculed these suppositions, stating justly
+that in such a case the queen, who had so little condescension for the
+failings of cavaliers that the king more than once had been forced to
+make explanations, would not have been so anxious for the union of the
+lovers.
+
+People remembered little of the Sieninskis, so to avoid every calumny
+and gossip the king declared that the Sobieskis owed much to that
+family. Then people of society were concerned with Panna Anulka, and,
+as is usual at courts, at one time they pitied, at another time they
+were moved by her sufferings, and next they lauded her virtue and
+comeliness. Reports of her beauty spread widely even among citizens,
+but when at last they saw her no one was disappointed.
+
+She came to the church with the queen, hence all glances went first to
+that lofty lady whose charms were still brilliant, like the bright sun
+before evening; but when they were turned to the bride, all men among
+dignitaries, the military, the nobles, and citizens whispered, and even
+loud voices were heard.
+
+"Wonderful, wonderful! That man owes much to his eyes, who has beheld
+once in life such a woman."
+
+And this was true. Not always in those times was a maiden dressed in
+white for her marriage, but the young ladies and the assistants arrayed
+Anulka in white, for such was her wish, and that was the color of her
+finest robe also. So in white, with a green wreath on her golden hair,
+and with a face confused a trifle, and pale, with downcast eyes, she,
+silent, and slender, looked like a snowy swan, or simply like a white
+lily. Even Yatsek himself, to whom she seemed in some sort a new
+person, was astonished at sight of her. "In God's name!" said he to
+himself, "how can I approach her? She is a genuine queen, or entirely
+an angel with whom it is sinful to speak unless kneeling." And he was
+almost awestruck. But when at last he and she knelt side by side before
+the altar, and heard the voice of Father Voynovski full of emotion, as
+he began with the words: "I knew you both as little children," and
+joined their hands with his stole, when he heard his own low voice: "I
+take thee as wife," and the hymn, _Veni Creator_ burst forth a moment
+later, it seemed to Yatsek that happiness would burst his bosom, and
+that all the easier since he was not wearing his armor. He had loved
+this woman from childhood, and he knew that he loved her, but now, for
+the first time, he understood how he loved her without measure or
+limit. And again he began to say to himself: I must die, for if a man
+during life were to have so much happiness, what more could there be
+for him in heaven? But he thought that before he died he must thank
+God; and all at once there flew before the eyes of his soul Turkish
+warriors in legions, beards, turbans, sashes, crooked sabres, horsetail
+standards. So from his heart was rent the shout to God: "I will thank
+to the full, to the full!" And he felt, that for those enemies of the
+cross and the faith, he would become a destroying lion. That vision
+lasted only one twinkle, then his breast was filled with a boundless
+wave of love and rapture.
+
+Meanwhile the ceremony was ended, the retinue moved to the dwelling
+prepared for the young couple by Stanislav, and ornamented by his
+comrades in the regiment. For one moment only could Yatsek press to his
+heart the young Pani Tachevski, for straightway both ran to meet the
+king and queen, who had come from the church to them. Two high
+armchairs had been fixed for the royal pair at the table, so, after the
+blessing, during which the young people knelt before majesty, Yatsek
+begged the gracious lord and lady to the wedding feast, but the king
+had to give a refusal.
+
+"Dear comrade," said he, "I should be glad to talk with thee, and still
+more with thee, my relative," here he turned to Pani Tachevski, "and
+discuss the coming dowry. I will remain a moment and drink a health to
+you, but I may not sit down, for I have so much on my head, that every
+hour now is precious."
+
+"We believe that!" cried a number of voices.
+
+Tachevski seized the feet of the king, who took a filled goblet from
+the table.
+
+"Gracious gentlemen!" said he, "the health of the young couple!"
+
+A shout was heard: "_Vivant! crescant, floreant!_" Then the king again
+spoke,--
+
+"Enjoy your happiness quickly," said he to Tachevski, "for it deserves
+that, and it will not be long. Thou shouldst remain here a few days,
+but then thou must follow on quickly for we shall not wait for thee."
+
+"It is easier for her to hold out without thee, than Vienna without
+us," said Pan Marek Matchynski, smiling at Yatsek.
+
+"But Lyubomirski is shelling out the Turks there," said one of the
+hussars.
+
+"I have good news from our men," said the king. "This I have commanded
+Matchynski to bring, to be read to you, and gladden the hearts of our
+warriors. It is what the Duke of Lorraine, commander-in-chief for the
+emperor, writes me of the battle near Presburg."
+
+And he read somewhat slowly, for he read to the nobles in Polish, and
+the letter was in the French language.
+
+"'The emperor's cavalry advanced with effect and enthusiasm, but the
+action was ended by the Poles who left no work to the Germans. I cannot
+find words sufficient to praise the strength, valor, and bearing of the
+officers and soldiers led by Pan Lyubomirski.[8]
+
+"'The battle,' writes the Duke of Lorraine, 'was a great one, and our
+glory not small.'"
+
+"We will show that we are not worse," cried the warriors.
+
+"I believe and am confident, but we must hasten, for later letters
+portend evil. Vienna is barely able to breathe, and all Christianity
+has its eyes on us. Shall we be there in season?"
+
+"Few regiments have remained here, the main forces are at the Tarnovski
+Heights waiting, as I have heard, under the hetmans," said Father
+Voynovski, "but though our hands are needed at Vienna, they are not
+needed so much as a leader like your Royal Grace."
+
+Sobieski smiled at this and answered,--
+
+"That, word for word, is what the Duke of Lorraine writes. So,
+gentlemen, keep the bridles in hand, for any hour I may order the
+sounding of trumpets."
+
+"When, gracious lord?" called a number of voices.
+
+The king grew impressive in a moment.
+
+"I will send off to-morrow those regiments which are still with me,"
+then he glanced quickly at Tachevski, as if testing him. "Since her
+grace the queen will go to the Heights with us to see the review there,
+thou, unless thou ask of us an entirely new office, may remain here, if
+thou engage to overtake us exactly."
+
+Yatsek, putting his arm around his wife, pushed one step toward the
+king with her.
+
+"Gracious lord," said he, "if the German empire, or even the kingdom of
+France were offered me in exchange for this lady, God, who sees my
+whole heart, knows that I would not accept either, and that I would not
+give her for any treasure in existence. But God forbid that I should
+abandon my service, or lose an opportunity, or neglect a war for
+religion, or desert my own leader for the sake of private happiness. If
+I did I should despise myself, and she, for I know her, would also
+despise me. O gracious lord, if ill luck or misfortune were to bar the
+road and I could not join thee I should burn up from shame and from
+anguish." Here tears dimmed his eyes, blushes came to his cheeks, and,
+in a voice trembling from emotion, he added: "To-day I blasphemed
+before the altar, for I said: 'O God, I will thank to the full, to the
+full for this.'--But only with my life, with my blood, with my labor
+could I return thanks for the happiness which has met me. For this very
+reason I shall ask no new office, and when thou shalt move, gracious
+leader and king, I will not delay even one day behind thee. I will go
+at the same hour, though I were to fall on the morrow." And he knelt at
+the feet of Sobieski, who, bending forward, embraced his head and then
+answered,--
+
+"Give me more of such men, and the Polish name will go through the
+world thundering."
+
+Father Voynovski had tears in his eyes, the Bukoyemskis were weeping
+like beavers. Emotion and enthusiasm seized every man present.
+
+"On the pagans, for the faith!" roared many voices. And then began
+rattling of sabres. But when it had grown somewhat quiet Pani Tachevski
+bent to the ear of her husband and, with pale lips, whispered into
+it,--
+
+"O Yatsek, wonder not at my tears, for if thou go I may never see thee
+hereafter--but go!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+
+Still they remained two days together. The court, it is true, set out
+the day following, but the queen, with all her court ladies, and a
+multitude of lay and church dignitaries, followed the king to Tarnovski
+Heights where the camp was and where a great review had been ordered.
+The retinue being numerous moved slowly and hence to overtake it was
+easy. The subsequent advance of the forces, with the king at the head
+of them, from the boundary to Vienna astonished the world by its
+swiftness, especially since the king hastened on and arrived before the
+main army, but to Tarnovski Heights the queen dragged on six days, with
+her retinue. In two days the Tachevskis came up with the escort. Pani
+Tachevski took her seat then in a court carriage, and Yatsek hurried on
+to the camp for the night, to join there his regiment. For the royal
+pair the time of separation was approaching. On August 22 the king took
+solemn farewell of his beloved "Marysienka." In the early morning he
+mounted and marshalled before her the army; next he moved at the head
+of it to Glivitsi.
+
+People noted that although he always took farewell of the queen with
+great sorrow, since he loved her as the apple of his eye, and was
+pained by even a short absence, his face this time was radiant. So the
+church and lay dignitaries took courage. They knew how tremendous was a
+war with that enemy, who besides had never advanced with such forces.
+"The Turks have moved three parts of the world, it is true," said they
+to themselves, "but if our lord, their greatest crusher and destroyer,
+goes with such delight to this struggle, we have no cause for anxiety
+touching it." And hope filled their bosoms, the sight of the warriors
+increased it still more, and changed it to perfect confidence in
+victory. The army, with all the camp followers seemed very
+considerable. As far as the eye reached the sun shone on helmets, on
+armor, on sabres, on barrels of muskets and cannon. The glitter was so
+bright that eyes were dazzled by the excess of it. Rainbow-hued ensigns
+and banners played in the blue air, above the army. The rolling of
+drums throughout the foot regiments was mingled with responses from
+trumpets, crooked horns, and kettledrums, and also the hellish noise of
+a Janissary orchestra, and the neighing of horses.
+
+At first the train moved toward one side, to afford a free way to all
+movements of the army, and only then the review began really. The royal
+carriage halted on a plain not too high, a little to the right of the
+road by which the regiments were to pass while advancing. In the first
+carriage sat the queen wearing plumes, laces, and velvets glittering
+with jewels. She was beautiful and imposing, with the full majesty in
+her face of a woman who possesses all in life that the most daring
+designs can imagine, for she had a crown, and the unspeakable love of
+the most glorious of contemporary monarchs. She, in common with those
+dignitaries in the suite of the king, felt most certain that when her
+husband was on horseback for action, he would be followed, as he had
+been followed at all times, by destruction and triumph. And she felt
+that at the moment the eyes of all the world from Tsargrad to Rome,
+Madrid, and Paris, were turned on him that all Christianity was
+stretching out hands to him, and that only in those iron arms of his
+warriors did people see rescue. Hence her heart rose with the pride of
+a woman. "Our might is increasing, and glory will raise us above all
+other kings," said she in spirit; and therefore, though her husband was
+leading barely twenty and some thousands of men against countless hosts
+of Osmanli, her breast was filled with delight and no cloud of alarm or
+distrust darkened then her white forehead. "Look at the victor, look at
+your father, the king," said she to her children, who, as little birds
+fill a nest, filled the carriage--"when he returns, the world will
+kneel to him in thanksgiving."
+
+In other carriages were visible the charming features of youthful court
+ladies, the mitres of bishops, and the dignified, stern faces of
+senators, who remained at home to manage the government in place of His
+Majesty. The king himself was with the army, but all could see him very
+clearly on the height at some distance, among hetmans and generals,
+where he produced the impression of a giant on horseback. The army was
+to pass a little lower, before his feet, as it seemed to spectators.
+
+First there moved forward, with a deep, rolling sound and the biting of
+chain-links, Pan Kantski's artillery; after it went foot regiments with
+a musket on the shoulder of each man, under officers with sabres on
+straps, and carrying long canes with which they kept all ranks in
+order. Those regiments marched four abreast and seemed moving
+fortresses, their step preserved time and was thundering. Each regiment
+when passing the carriage of Her Majesty gave a loud shout to salute
+her, and lowered its ensign in homage. Among them were some with a
+costlier outfit than others, and showing a form beyond common in
+dignity, but the most showy regiment of all was made up of Kashubians
+in blue coats and yellow belts for ammunition. These Kashubians, large
+and strong fellows, were so carefully chosen that each seemed a brother
+to the next man; the heavy muskets moved in the mighty hands of those
+warriors as would walking-sticks. At the sound of the fife they halted
+before the king as one person, and presented arms with such accuracy
+that he smiled with delight, and the dignitaries said to one another:
+"Eh! To strike upon these men will not be healthy for even the Sultan's
+own body-guard. Those are real lions, not people!"
+
+But immediately after them moved squadrons of light-horse. One might
+have thought them real centaurs to such a degree had each man and horse
+become one single entity. These were undegenerate sons of those
+horsemen who in their day had trampled all Germany, cleaving apart with
+their sabres and with horse hoofs whole regiments, nay, entire armies
+of Luther's adherents. The heaviest foreign cavalry, if only equal in
+number could not oppose them, and the lightest could not escape from
+them by fleeing. The king himself had said of those men when at Hotsim:
+"If they are led to the enemy they will cut down all in front of them,
+as a mower cuts grass at his labor." And though at this moment they
+advanced past the carriages slowly, each person, even one quite
+unknowing in warfare, divined very quickly that at the right moment
+nothing save a hurricane could surpass them in swiftness, power to
+whirl, strike down, and overthrow. Crooked trumpets and drums went on
+thundering in front of them, while they marched forward, squadron after
+squadron, with drawn sabres which seemed flaming swords in the
+quivering sunlight. When they had passed the court carriages they
+advanced like a wave starting suddenly, going first at a trot which
+turned soon to a gallop, and, when they had outlined a great giant
+circle, they passed again, and this time they rushed like a tempest and
+near the queen's carriage; but while they were doing this they shouted,
+"Slay! Kill!" and in extended right hands held their sabres pointed
+forward as if in attacking, on horses whose nostrils were distended to
+the utmost, with waving manes, as if wild from the impetus of their
+onrush. And they passed thus a second time, and then at the third turn
+they, without breaking ranks, stood still on a sudden. They did this so
+accurately, so evenly, and with such agreement that foreigners, of whom
+at that court there were many, and especially those who saw then for
+the first time Polish cavalry in action, gazed at one another with
+amazement, as if each man were questioning his own eyesight.
+
+When they had vanished the field glittered with dragoons everywhere and
+bloomed like a blossom. Some of those regiments had appeared under Pan
+Yablonovski, some had been assembled by magnates, and one by the king,
+from his own private fortune; this was commanded by Pan de Maligny, Her
+Majesty's brother.
+
+In the dragoons served common folk for the greater part, but men
+trained to riding from childhood, experienced in fighting of various
+sorts, stubborn under fire, less terrible at close quarters than
+nobles, but disciplined and most enduring of military labor.
+
+But the greatest delight for the eyes and the spirit began only when
+the hussars started forward. They moved on in calmness as was proper
+for regiments of such value; their lances pointing upward seemed a
+forest, and at the points, moved by the light breeze, was a rainbow
+cloud of streamers. Their horses were heavier than those in other
+squadrons; their steel armor was inlaid with gold; on their shoulders
+were wings, in which the feathers, even when moving slowly, made that
+sound heard in forests among branches. The great dignity, and, as it
+were, the pride which issued forth from them, made so deep an
+impression that the queen and court ladies, the senators, and above
+all, foreign visitors, rose in their carriages to see them more
+accurately. There was something tremendous in that march, for it came
+to the mind of each man unwittingly, that when an avalanche of iron
+like that should rush forward it would crush, grind, and drive apart
+all things in front of it, and that there was no human strength which
+could stop it. And this was undoubted. Not so distant at that time was
+the day when three thousand such horsemen had rubbed into dust Swedish
+legions five times their own number; still less remote was that other
+day when one squadron of the same kind had passed, like a spirit of
+destruction, through the whole army of Karl Gustav; and quite recent
+was the day when at Hotsim those same hussars under that same king
+there present had trampled in the earth Turkish guards formed of
+Janissaries, as easily as standing wheat in the open. Many of the men
+who had shared in that shattering of the enemy at Hotsim were serving
+then under the banners of that day, and these warriors, proud, calm,
+and confident, were starting now toward the walls of a foreign capital
+to reap a new harvest.
+
+Terror and strength seemed the soul of that body. An afternoon breeze
+rose behind them on a sudden, whistled in their streamers, blew forward
+the waving manes of their horses, and made so mighty a sound in the
+wings at the shoulders of each mounted warrior, that the horses from
+Spain which drew the court carriages rose on their haunches. The
+squadrons approached to a line twenty yards from the carriages, turned
+to one side and marched past in squadrons. Then it was that Pani
+Tachevski saw her husband for the last time before the expedition. He
+rode in the second rank at the edge of the squadron, all in iron and
+winged armor, the ear pieces of his helmet hid his cheeks altogether.
+His large golden bay Turkish stallion bore him on easily despite the
+weighty armor, throwing his head upward, rattling his bit, and
+snorting loudly, as if in good omen for the rider. Yatsek turned his
+iron-covered head toward his wife, and moved his lips as if whispering,
+but though no distinct word reached her ears she divined that he was
+giving her the last "Fare thee well!" and such an impulse of yearning
+and love seized her heart that if she could have, at the cost of her
+life, changed at that moment to a swallow she would have perched on his
+shoulder, or on the flag of his lance point, and gone with him; she
+would not have stopped for one twinkle to calculate.
+
+"Fare thee well, Yatsek! God guard thee!" cried she, stretching her
+hands to him. And her eyes were tear-bedewed while he rode past in
+solemnity, gleaming in the sunlight, and, as it were, rendered sacred
+by the service imposed on him.
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+Behind this the regiment of Prince Alexander came up and marched past
+still others, equally terrible and equally brilliant Then other
+regiments described a great circle and halted on the plain almost in
+the places from which they had started in the time of reviewing, but
+now in marching order.
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+From the carriages on the height the eye could embrace all the
+regiments very nearly. Far away and near by were seen crimson uniforms,
+glittering armor, the flashing of swords, the upturned forest of
+lances, the broad cloud of streamers, and above them great banners like
+giant blossoms. From the regiments standing nearer, the breeze brought
+the odor of horse sweat, and the shouts of commanders, the shrill note
+of fifes, and the deep sound of kettledrums. But in those shouts, in
+those sounds, in that delight and that eagerness for battle, there was
+something triumphant. A perfect confidence in the victory of the cross
+above the crescent,--that confidence was flowing through every heart in
+those legions.
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+The king remained yet for a moment at the carriage of Her Majesty, but
+when a blessing had been given him with a cross and with relics by the
+bishop of Cracow, he rushed at a gallop to the army. The air was rent
+suddenly by the keen sound of trumpets, while masses of foot and of
+cavalry stirred, began slowly to lengthen, and finally those masses
+moved, all of them, westward. In advance were the banners of the light
+horse, behind them hussars; the dragoons closed the movement.
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+The prince bishop of Cracow raised with both hands the cross, holding
+relics as high above his head as was possible:
+
+"O God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, have mercy on Thy people!"
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+Just then more than twenty thousand breasts raised the anthem which Pan
+Kohovski had composed for that moment:
+
+
+                 "For Thee, O pure Lady,
+                  O Mother Immaculate,
+                  We go to defend Christ,
+                    Our Lord.
+
+                 "For thee, O dear country,
+                  For you, O white eagles,
+                  We will crush every enemy.
+                    ON THE FIELD OF GLORY."
+
+
+
+                               FOOTNOTES:
+
+[Footnote 1: Kromer.]
+
+[Footnote 2: His pets.]
+
+[Footnote 3: On Saint Stephen's day people used to cast various kinds
+of grain at the priest at the altar in memory of the stoning of that
+saint.]
+
+[Footnote 4: The Elector just mentioned, _i. e_., the Elector of
+Brandenburg.]
+
+[Footnote 4: The Elector just mentioned, _i. e_., the Elector of
+Brandenburg.]
+
+[Footnote 5: Among the Poles and Slavs generally death is represented
+as a woman.]
+
+[Footnote 6: This man is mentioned on page 224.]
+
+[Footnote 7: Jewish pronunciation of _vivant_.]
+
+[Footnote 8: Carolus Dux Lotharingiae Joanni III, Poloniae Regi, etc.
+Julius 31, 1683.]
+
+
+
+
+
+                         _THE ZAGLOBA ROMANCES_
+                _by Henryk Sienkiewicz. Translated from_
+                    _the Polish by Jeremiah Curtin_.
+
+                          WITH FIRE AND SWORD
+
+An Historical Novel of Poland and Russia. Illustrated. Crown 8vo.
+$1.50.
+
+The first of the famous trilogy of historical romances of Poland,
+Russia, and Sweden. Their publication has been received as an event in
+literature. Charles Dudley Warner, in _Harper's Magazine_, affirms that
+the Polish author has in Zagloba _given a new creation to literature_.
+
+_A capital story_. The only modern romance with which it can be
+compared for fire, sprightliness, rapidity of action, swift changes,
+and absorbing interest is "The Three Musketeers" of Dumas.--_New York
+Tribune_.
+
+
+                               THE DELUGE
+
+An Historical Novel of Poland, Sweden, and Russia. A Sequel to "With
+Fire and Sword." With map. 2 vols. Crown 8vo. $3.00.
+
+Marvellous in its grand descriptions.--_Chicago Inter-Ocean_.
+
+Has the humor of a Cervantes and the grim vigor of Defoe.--_Boston
+Gazette_.
+
+
+                              PAN MICHAEL
+
+An Historical Novel of Poland, Russia, and the Ukraine. A Sequel to
+"With Fire and Sword" and "The Deluge." Crown 8vo. $1.50.
+
+The interest of the trilogy, both historical and romantic, is
+splendidly sustained.--_The Dial_, Chicago.
+
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+                  LITTLE, BROWN, & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS
+                         BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
+
+
+
+
+
+                               QUO VADIS
+
+A Narrative of the Time of Nero. By Henryk Sienkiewicz. Translated from
+the Polish by Jeremiah Curtin. Illustrated. Crown 8vo. $1.50.
+
+One of the greatest books of our day.--_The Bookman_.
+
+The book is like a grand historical pageant.--_Literary World_.
+
+Of intense interest to the whole Christian civilization.--_Chicago
+Tribune_.
+
+Interest never wanes; and the story is carried through its many phases
+of conflict and terror to a climax that enthralls.--_Chicago Record_.
+
+As a study of the introduction of the gospel of love into the pagan
+world typified by Rome, it is marvellously fine.--_Chicago Interior_.
+
+The picture here given of life in Rome under the last of the Caesars is
+one of unparalleled power and vividness.--_Boston Home Journal_.
+
+One of the most remarkable books of the decade. It burns upon the brain
+the struggles and triumphs of the early church.--_Boston Daily
+Advertiser_.
+
+It will become recognized by virtue of its own merits as the one heroic
+monument built by the modern novelist above the ruins of decadent Rome,
+and in honor of the blessed martyrs of the early Church.--_Brooklyn
+Eagle_.
+
+Our debt to Sienkiewicz is not less than our debt to his translator
+and friend, Jeremiah Curtin. The diversity of the language, the rapid
+flow of thought, the picturesque imagery of the descriptions are all
+his.--_Boston Transcript_.
+
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+                  LITTLE, BROWN, & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS
+                         BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
+
+
+
+
+
+                        THE KNIGHTS OF THE CROSS
+
+An Historical Romance of Poland and Germany. By Henryk Sienkiewicz.
+Translated from the Polish by Jeremiah Curtin. Illustrated. 2 vols.
+Crown 8vo. 2.00.
+
+The greatest work Sienkiewicz has given us.--_Buffalo Express_.
+
+It seems superior even to "Quo Vadis" in strength and realism.--_The
+Churchman_.
+
+The construction of the story is beyond praise. It is difficult
+to conceive of any one who will not pick the book up with
+eagerness.--_Chicago Evening Post_.
+
+There are some scenes in the book that for power and excitement
+remind one of the great encounter between Ursus and the bull in "Quo
+Vadis."--_Minneapolis Tribune_.
+
+Vivid, dramatic, and vigorous.... His imaginative power, his command of
+language, and the picturesque scenes he sets combine to fascinate the
+reader.--_Philadelphia Bulletin_.
+
+A book that holds your almost breathless attention as in a vise from
+the very beginning, for in it love and strife, the most thrilling of
+all worldly subjects, are described masterfully.--_The Boston Journal_.
+
+Another remarkable book. His descriptions are tremendously effective;
+one can almost hear the sound of the carnage; to the mind's eye the
+scene of battle is unfolded by a master artist.--_The Hartford
+Courant_.
+
+Thrillingly dramatic, full of strange local color and very faithful to
+its period, besides having that sense of the mysterious and weird that
+throbs in the Polish blood and infects alike their music and
+literature.--_The St. Paul Globe_.
+
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+                  LITTLE, BROWN, & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS
+                         BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
+
+
+
+
+
+                      _OTHER NOVELS AND ROMANCES_
+                _by Henryk Sienkiewicz. Translated from_
+                    _the Polish by Jeremiah Curtin_.
+
+
+                          CHILDREN OF THE SOIL
+
+Crown 8vo. $1.50.
+
+It must be reckoned among the finer fictions of our time, and shows its
+author to be almost as great a master in the field of the domestic
+novel as he had previously been shown to be in that of imaginative
+historical romances.--_The Dial_, Chicago.
+
+
+                        HANIA, AND OTHER STORIES
+
+With portrait. Crown 8vo. $1.50.
+
+At the highest level of the author's genius.--_The Outlook_.
+
+
+                       SIELANKA, A FOREST PICTURE
+
+And Other Stories. With frontispiece. Crown 8vo. $1.50.
+
+They exhibit the masterly genius of Sienkiewicz even better than his
+longer romances. They abound in fine character-drawings and beautiful
+descriptions.--_Chicago Inter-Ocean_.
+
+
+                        LIFE AND DEATH AND OTHER
+                          LEGENDS AND STORIES
+
+Illustrated. 16mo. Decorated cloth, $1.00.
+
+
+                             WITHOUT DOGMA
+
+A Novel of Modern Poland. (Translated from the Polish by Iza Young.)
+Crown 8vo. $1.50.
+
+A human document read in the light of a great imagination.--_Boston
+Beacon_.
+
+
+                           *   *   *   *   *
+
+                  LITTLE, BROWN, & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS
+                         BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's On the Field of Glory, by Henryk Sienkiewicz
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