"Michael!"
Here Zagloba began to put his legs over the edge of the carriage with great haste; but before he could get one of them over, Volodyovski had sprung from his horse and was at the side of the equipage. Recognizing Basia by the light of the moon, he seized her by both hands and cried,--
"I greet you with all my heart! And where is Panna Krysia, and sister?
Are all in good health?"
"In good health, thank G.o.d! So you have come at last!" said Basia, with a beating heart. "Is uncle here too? Oh, uncle!"
When she had said this, she seized by the neck Pan Makovetski, who had just come to the carriage; and Zagloba opened his arms meanwhile to Pan Michael. After long greetings came the presentation of Pan Makovetski to Zagloba; then the two travellers gave their horses to attendants and took their places in the carriage. Makovetski and Zagloba occupied the seat of honor; Basia and Pan Michael sat in front.
Brief questions and brief answers followed, as happens usually when people meet after a long absence. Pan Makovetski inquired about his wife; Pan Michael once more about the health of Panna Krysia; then he wondered at Ketling"s approaching departure, but he had not time to dwell on that, for he was forced at once to tell of what he had done in the border stanitsa, how he had attacked the ravagers of the horde, how he was homesick, but how wholesome it was to taste his old life.
"It seemed to me," said the little knight, "that the Lubni times had not pa.s.sed; that we were still together with Pan Yan and Kushel and Vyershul; only when they brought me a pail of water for washing, and gray-haired temples were seen in it, could a man remember that he was not the same as in old times, though, on the other hand, it came to my mind that while the will was the same the man was the same."
"You have struck the point!" replied Zagloba; "it is clear that your wit has recovered on fresh gra.s.s, for hitherto you were not so quick.
Will is the main thing, and there is no better drug for melancholy."
"That is true,--is true," added Pan Makovetski. "There is a legion of well-sweeps in Michael"s stanitsa, for there is a lack of spring water in the neighborhood. I tell you, sir, that when the soldiers begin to make those sweeps squeak at daybreak, your grace would wake up with such a will that you would thank G.o.d at once for this alone, that you were living."
"Ah, if I could only be there for even one day!" cried Basia.
"There is one way to go there," said Zagloba,--"marry the captain of the guard."
"Pan Adam will be captain sooner or later," put in the little knight.
"Indeed!" cried Basia, in anger; "I have not asked you to bring me Pan Adam instead of a present."
"I have brought something else, nice sweetmeats. They will be sweet for Panna Basia, and it is bitter there for that poor fellow."
"Then you should have given him the sweets; let him eat them while his mustaches are coming out."
"Imagine to yourself," said Zagloba to Pan Makovetski, "these two are always in that way. Luckily the proverb says, "Those who wrangle, end in love.""
Basia made no reply; but Pan Michael, as if waiting for an answer, looked at her small face shone upon by the bright light. It seemed to him so shapely that he thought in spite of himself, "But that rogue is so pretty that she might destroy one"s eyes."
Evidently something else must have come to his mind at once, for he turned to the driver and said, "Touch up the horses there with a whip, and drive faster."
The carriage rolled on quickly after those words, so quickly that the travellers sat in silence for some time; and only when they came upon the sand did Pan Michael speak again: "But the departure of Ketling surprises me. And that it should happen to him, too, just before my coming and before the election."
"The English think as much of our election as they do of your coming,"
answered Zagloba. "Ketling himself is cut from his feet because he must leave us."
Basia had just on her tongue, "Especially Krysia," but something reminded her not to mention this matter nor the recent resolution of Krysia. With the instinct of a woman she divined that the one and the other might touch Pan Michael at the outset; as to pain, something pained her, therefore in spite of all her impulsiveness she held silence.
"Of Krysia"s intentions he will know anyhow," thought she; "but evidently it is better not to speak of them now, since Pan Zagloba has not mentioned them with a word."
Pan Michael turned again to the driver, "But drive faster!"
"We left our horses and things at Praga," said Pan Makovetski to Zagloba, "and set out with two men, though it was nightfall, for Michael and I were in a terrible hurry."
"I believe it," answered Zagloba. "Do you see what throngs have come to the capital? Outside the gates are camps and markets, so that it is difficult to pa.s.s. People tell also wonderful things of the coming election, which I will repeat at a proper time in the house to you."
Here they began to converse about politics. Zagloba was trying to discover adroitly Makovetski"s opinions; at last he turned to Pan Michael and asked without ceremony, "And for whom will you give your vote, Michael?"
But Pan Michael, instead of an answer, started as if roused from sleep, and said, "I am curious to know if they are sleeping, and if we shall see them to-day?"
"They are surely sleeping," answered Basia, with a sweet and as it were drowsy voice. "But they will wake and come surely to greet you and uncle."
"Do you think so?" asked the little knight, with joy; and again he looked at Basia, and again thought involuntarily, "But that rogue is charming in this moonlight."
They were near Ketling"s house now, and arrived in a short time. Pani Makovetski and Krysia were asleep; a few of the servants were up, waiting with supper for Basia and Pan Zagloba. All at once there was no small movement in the house; Zagloba gave command to wake more servants to prepare warm food for the guests.
Pan Makovetski wished to go straightway to his wife; but she had heard the unusual noise, and guessing who had come, ran down a moment later with her robe thrown around her, panting, with tears of joy in her eyes, and lips full of smiles; greetings began, embraces and conversation, interrupted by exclamations.
Pan Michael was looking continually at the door, through which Basia had vanished, and in which he hoped any moment to see Krysia, the beloved, radiant with quiet joy, bright, with gleaming eyes, and hair twisted up in a hurry; meanwhile, the Dantzig clock standing in the dining-room ticked and ticked, an hour pa.s.sed, supper was brought, and the maiden beloved and dear to Pan Michael did not appear in the room.
At last Basia came in, but alone, serious somehow, and gloomy; she approached the table, and taking a light in her hand, turned to Pan Makovetski: "Krysia is somewhat unwell, and will not come; but she begs uncle to come, even near the door, so that she may greet him."
Pan Makovetski rose at once and went out, followed by Basia.
The little knight became terribly gloomy and said, "I did not think that I should fail to see Panna Krysia to-night. Is she really ill?"
"Ei! she is well," answered his sister; "but people are nothing to her now."
"Why is that?"
"Then has his grace, Pan Zagloba, not spoken of her intention?"
"Of what intention, by the wounds of G.o.d?"
"She is going to a convent."
Pan Michael began to blink like a man who has not heard all that is said to him; then he changed in the face, stood up, sat down again. In one moment sweat covered his face with drops; then he began to wipe it with his palms. In the room there was deep silence.
"Michael!" said his sister.
But he looked confusedly now on her, now on Zagloba, and said at last in a terrible voice, "Is there some curse hanging over me?"
"Have G.o.d in your heart!" cried Zagloba.
CHAPTER XIX.
Zagloba and Pani Makovetski divined by that exclamation the secret of the little knight"s heart; and when he sprang up suddenly and left the room, they looked at each other with amazement and disquiet, till at last the lady said, "For G.o.d"s sake go after him! persuade him; comfort him; if not, I will go myself."
"Do not do that," said Zagloba. "There is no need of us there, but Krysia is needed; if he cannot see her, it is better to leave him alone, for untimely comforting leads people to still greater despair."