CHAPTER X
Many nobles appeared at the festival from near and even distant places.There were assembled the Kohanovskis, the Podgaiyetskis, theSilnitskis, the Potvorovskis, the Sulgostovskis, Tsyprianovitch withhis son, the Bukoyemskis and many others. But the greatest interest wasroused by the arrival of Prince Michael Chartoryski, the voevoda ofSandomir, 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 wereglad of his presence, for he added splendor to the occasion, and at thesame time it was possible to learn from him no little touching publicquestions. He spoke of the injustices which the Porte had committedagainst the Commonwealth in fixing the boundary of Podolia, and theraids which in defiance of treaties had ruined Russian lands recently.He declared war to be certain. He said that a treaty with the Emperorwould be concluded beyond question, and that even adherents of Francewould not show it open opposition, since the French court, thoughunfriendly in general to the Empire, knew the peril in which theCommonwealth found itself. Whether the Turks would hurl themselvesfirst against Cracow, or Vienna was unknown to Prince Michael, but itwas 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, fromAsia, from regions on the Euphrates and the Tigris, from Africa, fromthe Red Sea to the waves of the measureless ocean.
The nobles heard this news eagerly; the older men, who knew howgigantic was the power of the pagan, with anxiety in their faces, theyounger men with knit brows, and with fire in their glances. But hopeand enthusiasm were predominant, for fresh in their minds was thememory of Hotsim, where the king reigning actually, a hetman at thattime, leading Polish forces, besieged a Turkish power greater than hisown, bore it apart upon sabres, and trampled it with horsehoofs. Theywere comforted by the thought that the Turks, who rushed withirresistible daring on all troops of other nations, felt their heartsweaken when they had to stand eye to eye in the open field against thatterrible "Lehistan" cavalry. Still greater hope and still higherenthusiasm were roused by the preaching of Father Voynovski. Pan Gideonwas somewhat afraid lest in that sermon there might be some referenceto sins, and certain points of blame which would touch him and histreatment of Yatsek, but there was nothing of that sort. War and themission of the Commonwealth had swept the priest away heart and soul."Christ," said he, "has chosen thee among all the nations, He hasplaced thee on guard before all the others, He has commanded thee tostand beneath His cross and defend, to thy last drop of blood and thelast breath in thee, that faith which is the foundation of living. Thefield of glory lies open before thee, hence, though blood were to flowaround thee on both sides, though arrows and darts were to stick inthee, rise, lion of God, shake thy mane, and thunder so that from thatthunder the marrow will melt in the bones of the pagan, and crescentsand 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 howit was on the battlefield. When he spoke of war it seemed to thosepresent that they were looking on the canvases in the king's castle atWarsaw, on which various battles and Polish victories were presented asif real.
"See, now," said he, "the regiments are starting. Their spears arelowered to a line with the middle of the horse-ears; they have bentforward in the saddle, there is a cry of fear among the pagans, anddelight up in heaven. The Most Holy Mother runs to the window with allher might, crying: 'Oh come, dear Son, and see how the Poles areattacking!' The Lord Jesus with his holy cross blesses them. 'By God'swounds!' he cries, 'there they are, my nobles, my warriors. Their payhere is ready for them!' And the archangel, holy Michael, strikes hispalms 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 belliesof Janissaries, over captured cannon, and trampled crescents; theyadvance 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; itis your time now to the field of glory!" there rose a shout in thechurch, and a clattering of sabres. At Mass, when during the Gospelevery blade sounded in its scabbard, and steel glittered in thesunlight, it seemed to tender women that war had already begun; andthey fell to sobbing, committing their fathers and husbands andbrothers to the Most Holy Lady.
The Bukoyemskis, whispering among themselves, made a vow to moveimmediately after the festival, and not to take to their lips, untilEaster, water, milk, or even beer, but content themselves with drinkswhich keep up heat in the blood, and therefore valor.
General enthusiasm was so great that even the cold, stern Pan Gideondid not resist it. He thought for a while that, though his left arm wasmissing, he might hold the reins in his teeth, and with his right handtake vengeance once more for the wrongs which he had suffered fromcursed pagans, and besides gild anew his former services to theCommonwealth. But he made no vow, and left the whole matter for furthermeditation.
Meanwhile the service was concluded in splendor. From the cemetery werefired cannon given by the Kohanovskis for important occasions. In thetower the swinging bells thundered. The tame bear in the choir pumpedthe organ with such vigor that the tin pipes almost flew from theirsettings. The church was filled with smoke from censers, and trembledfrom the voices of people. Mass was celebrated by the prelateTvorkovski, from Radom,--a learned man, full of sentences, quotations,examples, and proverbs; at the same time he was gladsome, and knew theworld thoroughly. For these reasons, men went to him for counsel inevery question; and so did Pan Gideon, who went the more readily, asthe prelate was a friend of his. On the eve of the festival, Pan Gideonwas with him at confession; but when, besides the confession, he beganto acknowledge his intentions, the object of which was Panna Anulka,the prelate deferred that to a later and special meeting, saying thathe had barely time to hear the sins of common people. "On the way backfrom the festival," said he to Pan Gideon, "you can send home the womenand stay with me at Radom, where, _procul negotiis_ (far frombusiness), I can listen to you in freedom."
And thus did they manage. Hence, a day later they sat down before adecanter of worthy Hungarian and a plate of roast almonds, which theprelate 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 eyeswith some discontent at the prelate, because the latter had not easedhis conversation by a proper beginning.
"Hm! somehow it is not easy; I see that it is more difficult than Iimagined."
"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 timefor 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 Iwish 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 myrelative, or if she is, the relationship is so distant that no onecould 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 hadin Russia, just as the Jolkievskis, Danilovitches, and Sobieskis, theyhad from the Sieninskis, or through them. I should like to leave theorphan what I have, but in fact the fortune of the Pangovskis hasvanished through Tartar attacks; there remains only the estate of mylate wife. It i
s mine; she left it by will to me; but this place isfull of her relatives. First of all is Pan Grothus, the starosta ofRaigrod. 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 hadoccurred, it is true, more than once to me; for the desire was at thebottom of my heart in a slumber, but he roused it. In addition to PanGrothus are the Sulgostovskis, the Krepetskis, the Zabierzovskis. Theselook even to-day with ill-will at the young lady; but how would theylook after my death? If I make a will and leave what I own to her theywill go to the courts; there will be lawsuits dragging on from tribunalto tribunal. How could she, poor thing, help herself? I cannot leaveher in such a condition. Attachment, compassion, and gratitude arestrong links. I ask with a clear conscience if I am not bound to secureher 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 weredecayed I would not eat it."
"Then what?"
"Then that Anulka pleases your taste, for she is an almond. Hai! andwhat an almond! If she were fifty years old it is certain that yourconscience 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 goodreason for everything, and God has so arranged that every man prefers ayoung turnip to an old one. With wine it is different, therefore weagree willingly as to wine with the arrangement of Providence."
"Yes, it is true. Except wine, what is young is better always; PanKohanovski wrote only humorously, that an old man, like an old oak, isbetter than a young one. This is the one question for me: if I leaveproperty to her as my wife no one will dare move a finger; but if Ileave 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 todecide this alone, hence I have come to you to confirm me in theconviction that I am acting wisely, and that you will support me withclear counsel."
The prelate thought a while, and then added,--
"You see, that advice in a matter of this kind is difficult, and a manrepeats more than once to himself with B[oe]tius, _Si tacuisses,philosophus mansisses_ (if thou remain silent, thou wilt be aphilosopher); or with Job, 'Even a fool if he remain silent will beconsidered a wise man.' Your intention, in so far as it is roused bywarm affection, is justified, and in so far also as it flows from carefor the good of the girl, is even praiseworthy. But will not someinjustice be done her, will there not be need to constrain her, or tolead her with threats to the altar? For I have heard that she andYatsek Tachevski are in love. And truly, without beating about thebushes, I have more than once seen him a frequent guest at yourmansion."
"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 wasneeded, how they followed each other with their eyes. I saw him once ina tree dropping cherries down into her apron, and how they so looked ateach other that the cherries fell to the ground past one rim of theapron. I saw her when looking at flying storks lean on him, andthen--women are always subtle--scold him for coming too near her. Andwhat more did I see? Various things which prove secret wishes. You willsay that this is nothing. Of course, nothing! But that she felt thewill of God toward him as much, or more, than he toward her, only ablind man could help seeing, and I wonder that you did not see this. Iwonder still more, if you did see it, that you did not stop it in viewof your own intentions."
Pan Gideon had seen and known this, but still the words of the prelateproduced on him a terrible impression. It is one thing when somepain-causing secret is hidden in the heart, and quite another when astrange hand pushes into one's bosom and shakes up that secret. So nowhis face became purple, his eyes filled with blood, a great bunch ofveins came out on his forehead, and he began to pant on a sudden, andto 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, raisedit 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 fatiguedby the fast, by the journey, and by the spring, which is unexpected andearly."
"Then perhaps it would be better not to wait for May, but be bledimmediately."
"I will be bled, but I will rest a while now, and we will return lateron to this business."
A fairly long time passed before Pan Gideon recovered completely, butat last he recovered. The veins relaxed on his forehead, his heartbegan to beat evenly, and he continued,--
"I will not say that strength fails me. Were I to squeeze with my onehand I could crush, as I think, this silver goblet very easily; butthough strength and health are both in God's hand they are notidentical."
"Man's life is fragile!"
"But just because of that, if something is to be done there is need toact quickly. You speak, my benefactor, of Pan Yatsek and that affectionwhich the young people might feel for each other. I will say sincerelythat I was not blind. I too saw what was happening, but only in recentdays did I note it; for remember that till recently she was a greenberry, which even now has barely ripened. He came every day, it istrue, but because, perhaps, he had not much to eat in his own house;besides, I received him, as it were, through compassion. FatherVoynovski trained him in Latin and at the sabre, and I gave himnourishment. That's the whole story. Only a year ago he reachedmanhood. I looked on them as children who were thinking of variousplays and amusements. I considered it an ordinary occurrence. But thatsuch a pauper should dare to think; and, besides, of whom?--of PannaAnulka! That, I confess, never came to my mind, and only in the lasthours 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 saucepanshould be asked only into dogs' company. When I saw what kind of man hewas 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 venomousreptile, ever ready to sting the hand feeding him. Thank God he isgone; 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 thedeeds of Tachevski that a hangman might have been called in immediatelyto take him.
"Never fear, my benefactor," said he at last. "During our journey toPrityk the Bukoyemskis poured out in full to Anulka; ah, to the full socompletely that it flowed over, and now the situation is such thatnever will the girl feel such abhorrence for any creature of God as forthat 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 notin view any injustice to the girl, or any constraint. Persuasion isanother thing, but even that should be used by a stranger, yet by a manwho is at the same time her friend and mine,--a man known for wit anddignity, who can use noble phrases, move the heart and convince thereason. Hence my desire is to beg you, my special benefactor, to see tothis. You will not refuse me; you will do this, not merely fromfriendship, 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 accomplishedmost easily."
"Then I will go at once to the barber and have myself bled, so as to gohome clearer witted,--but do
you make your plan. For you that will notbe difficult, and on the other side there will be, as I think, noobstacle."
"There can be only one obstacle, lord brother."
"What is it?"
"Friendship should tell the truth, hence I speak freely. You are anhonorable person, I know that, but rather stubborn. You have thisreputation, and you have it because your dependants all fear youtremendously. Not only the peasants, concerning whom you havequarrelled with Father Voynovski, but your servants, attendants, andmanagers. Tachevski feared you, Pani Vinnitski fears you, the younglady fears you. Two matchmakers will appear according to custom. I willdo what I can, but I will not guarantee that the other may not destroyall my labor."
During one moment Pan Gideon's eyes flashed with anger, for he did notlike to have the truth told in his presence; but amazement nowconquered his anger, so he asked,--
"Of what are you speaking? What other matchmaker is there?"
"Fear," said the prelate.