Pan Michael: An Historical Novel of Poland, the Ukraine, and Turkey

by Henryk Sienkiewicz

  CHAPTER XVI.

  Next morning Krysia was calmer; for among intricate and tangled pathsshe had chosen for herself an immensely difficult, but not a false one.Entering upon it, she saw at least whither she was going. But, first ofall, she determined to have an interview with Ketling and speak withhim for the last time, so as to guard him from every mishap. This didnot come to her easily, for Ketling did not show himself for a numberof consecutive days, and did not return at night.

  Krysia began to rise before daylight and walk to the neighboring churchof the Dominicans, with the hope that she would meet him some morningand speak to him without witnesses. In fact, she met him a few dayslater at the very door. When he saw her, he removed his cap and benthis head in silence. He stood motionless; his face was wearied bysleeplessness and suffering, his eyes sunk; on his temples there wereyellowish spots; the delicate color of his face had become waxlike; helooked like a flower that is withering. Krysia's heart was rent atsight of him; and though every decisive step cost her very much, forshe was not bold by nature, she was the first to extend the hand, andsaid,--

  "May God comfort you and send you forgetfulness!"

  Ketling took her hand, raised it to his forehead, then to his lips, towhich he pressed it long and with all his force; then he said with avoice full of mortal sadness and of resignation, "There is for meneither solace nor forgetfulness."

  There was a moment when Krysia needed all her self-control to restrainherself from throwing her arms around his neck and exclaiming, "I lovethee above everything! take me," She felt that if weeping were to seizeher she would do so; therefore she stood a long time before him insilence, struggling with her tears. At last she conquered herself andbegan to speak calmly, though very quickly, for breath failed her:--

  "It may bring you some relief if I say that I shall belong to no one, Igo behind the grating. Do not judge me harshly at any time, for as itis I am unhappy. Promise me, give me your word, that you will notmention your love for me to any one: that you will not acknowledge it;that you will not disclose to friend or relative what has happened.This is my last prayer. The time will come when you will know why I dothis; then at least you will have the explanation. To-day I will tellyou no more, for my sorrow is such that I cannot. Promise me this,--itwill comfort me; if you do not, I may die."

  "I promise, and give my word," answered Ketling.

  "God reward you, and I thank you from my whole heart! Besides, show acalm face in presence of people, so that no one may have a suspicion.It is time for me to go. Your kindness is such that words fail todescribe it. Henceforth we shall not see each other alone, only beforepeople. Tell me further that you have no feeling of offence against me;for to suffer is one thing and to be offended another. You yield me toGod, to no one else; keep this in mind."

  Ketling wished to say something; but since he was suffering beyondmeasure, only indefinite sounds like groans came from his mouth; thenhe touched Krysia's temples with his fingers and held them for a whileas a sign that he forgave her and blessed her. They parted then; shewent to the church, and he to the street again, so as not to meet inthe inn an acquaintance.

  Krysia returned only in the afternoon; and when she came she found anotable guest, Bishop Olshovski, the vice-chancellor. He had comeunexpectedly on a visit to Pan Zagloba, wishing, as he said himself,to become acquainted with such a great cavalier, "whose militarypre-eminence was an example, and whose reason was a guide to theknights of that whole lordly Commonwealth." Zagloba was, in truth, muchastonished, but not less gratified, that such a great honor had met himin presence of the ladies; he plumed himself greatly, was flushed,perspired, and at the same time endeavored to show Pani Makovetski thathe was accustomed to such visits from the greatest dignitaries in thecountry, and that he made nothing of them. Krysia was presented to theprelate, and kissing his hands with humility, sat near Basia, glad thatno one could see the traces of recent emotion on her face.

  Meanwhile the vice-chancellor covered Zagloba so bountifully and soeasily with praises that he seemed to be drawing new supplies of themcontinually from his violet sleeves embroidered with lace. "Think not,your grace," said he, "that I was drawn hither by curiosity alone toknow the first man in the knighthood; for though admiration is a justhomage to heroes, still men make pilgrimages for their own profit alsoto the place where experience and quick reason have taken their seatsat the side of manfulness."

  "Experience," said Zagloba, modestly, "especially in the military art,comes only with age; and for that cause perhaps the late PanKonyetspolski, father of the banneret, asked me frequently for counsel,after him Pan Nikolai Pototski, Prince Yeremi Vishnyevetski, PanSapyeha, and Pan Charnyetski; but as to the title 'Ulysses,' I havealways protested against that from considerations of modesty."

  "Still, it is so connected with your grace that at times no onementions your real name, but says, 'Our Ulysses,' and all divine atonce whom the orator means. Therefore, in these difficult and eventfultimes, when more than one wavers in his thoughts and does not knowwhither to turn, whom to uphold, I said to myself, 'I will go and hearconvictions, free myself from doubt, enlighten my mind with clearcounsel.' You will divine, your grace, that I wish to speak of thecoming election, in view of which every estimate of candidates may leadto some good; but what must one be which flows from the mouth of yourgrace? I have heard it repeated with the greatest applause among theknighthood that you are opposed to those foreigners who are pushingthemselves on to our lordly throne. In the veins of the Vazas, as youexplained, there flowed Yagellon blood,--hence they could not beconsidered as strangers; but those foreigners, as you said, neitherknow our ancient Polish customs nor will they respect our liberties,and hence absolute rule may arise easily. I acknowledge to your gracethat these are deep words; but pardon me if I inquire whether youreally uttered them, or is it public opinion that from custom ascribesall profound sentences to you in the first instance?"

  "These ladies are witness," answered Zagloba; "and though this subjectis not suited to their judgment, let them speak, since Providence inits inscrutable decrees has given them the gift of speech equally withus."

  The vice-chancellor looked involuntarily on Pani Makovetski, and thenon the two young ladies nestled up to each other. A moment of silencefollowed. Suddenly the silvery voice of Basia was heard,--

  "I did not hear anything!"

  Then she was confused terribly and blushed to her very ears, especiallywhen Zagloba said at once, "Pardon her, your dignity. She is young,therefore giddy. But as to candidates, I have said more than once thatour Polish liberty will weep by reason of these foreigners."

  "I fear that myself," said the prelate; "but even if we wished somePole, blood of our blood and bone of our bone, tell me, your grace, towhat side should we turn our hearts? Your grace's very thought of aPole is great, and is spreading through the country like a flame; for Ihear that everywhere in the diets which are not fettered by corruptionone voice is to be heard, 'A Pole, a Pole!'"

  "Justly, justly!" interrupted Zagloba. "Still," continued thevice-chancellor, "it is easier to call for a Pole than to find a fitperson; therefore let your grace be not astonished if I ask whom youhad in mind."

  "Whom had I in mind?" repeated Zagloba, somewhat puzzled; and poutinghis lips, he wrinkled his brows. It was difficult for him to give asudden answer, for hitherto not only had he no one in mind, but ingeneral he had not those ideas at all which the keen prelate hadattributed to him. Besides, he knew this himself, and understood thatthe vice-chancellor was inclining him to some side; but he let himselfbe inclined purposely, for it flattered him greatly. "I have insistedonly in principle that we need a Pole," said he at last; "but to tellthe truth, I have not named any man thus far."

  "I have heard of the ambitious designs of Prince Boguslav Radzivill,"muttered the prelate, as if to himself.

  "While there is breath in my nostrils, while the last drop of blood isin my breast," cried Zagloba, with the force of deep conviction,"not
hing will come of that! I should not wish to live in a nation sodisgraced as to make a traitor and a Judas its king."

  "That is the voice not only of reason, but of civic virtue," mutteredthe vice-chancellor, again.

  "Ha!" thought Zagloba, "if you wish to draw me, I will draw you."

  Then the vice-chancellor began anew: "When wilt thou sail in, Obattered ship of my country? What storms, what rocks are in wait forthee? In truth, it will be evil if a foreigner becomes thy steersman;but it must be so evidently, if among thy sons there is no one better."Here he stretched out his white hands, ornamented with glitteringrings, and inclining his head, said with resignation, "Then Conde, orhe of Lorraine, or the Prince of Neuberg? There is no other outcome!"

  "That is impossible! A Pole!" answered Zagloba.

  "Who?" inquired the prelate.

  Silence followed. Then the prelate began to speak again: "If there wereeven one on whom all could agree! Where is there a man who would touchthe heart of the knighthood at once, so that no one would dare tomurmur against his election? There was one such, the greatest, who hadrendered most service,--your worthy friend, O knight, who walked inglory as in sunlight. There was such a--"

  "Prince Yeremi Vishnyevetski!" interrupted Zagloba.

  "That is true. But he is in the grave."

  "His son lives," replied Zagloba.

  The vice-chancellor half closed his eyes, and sat some time in silence;all at once he raised his head, looked at Zagloba, and began to speakslowly: "I thank God for having inspired me with the idea of knowingyour grace. That is it! the son of the great Yeremi is alive,--a princeyoung and full of hope, to whom the Commonwealth has a debt to pay. Ofhis gigantic fortune nothing remains but glory,--that is his onlyinheritance. Therefore in the present times of corruption, when everyman turns his eyes only to where gold is attracting, who will mentionhis name, who will have the courage to make him a candidate? You? True!But will there be many like you? It is not wonderful that he whose lifehas been passed in heroic struggles on all fields will not fear to givehomage to merit with his vote on the field of election; but will othersfollow his example?" Here the vice-chancellor fell to thinking, thenraised his eyes and spoke on: "God is mightier than all. Who knows Hisdecisions, who knows? When I think how all the knighthood believe andtrust you, I see indeed with wonderment that a certain hope enters myheart. Tell me sincerely, has the impossible ever existed for you?"

  "Never!" answered Zagloba, with conviction.

  "Still, it is not proper to advance that candidacy too decidedly atfirst. Let the name strike people's ears, but let it not seem tooformidable to opponents; let them rather laugh at it, and sneer, sothat they may not raise too serious impediments. Perhaps, too, God willgrant it to succeed quickly, when the intrigues of parties bring themto mutual destruction. Smooth the road for it gradually, your grace,and grow not weary in labor; for this is your candidate, worthy of yourreason and experience. God bless you in these plans!"

  "Am I to suppose," inquired Zagloba, "that your dignity has beenthinking also of Prince Michael?"

  The vice-chancellor took from his sleeve a small book on which thetitle "Censura Candidatorum" stood in large black letters, and said,"Read, your grace; let this letter answer for me."

  Then the vice-chancellor began preparations for going; but Zaglobadetained him and said, "Permit me, your dignity, to say something more.First of all, I thank God that the lesser seal is in hands which canbend men like wax."

  "How is that?" asked the vice-chancellor, astonished.

  "Secondly, I will tell your dignity in advance that the candidacy ofPrince Michael is greatly to my heart, for I knew his father, and lovedhim and fought under him with my friends; they too will be delighted insoul at the thought that they can show the son that love which they hadfor the father. Therefore I seize at this candidacy with both hands,and this day I will speak with Pan Krytski,--a man of great family andmy acquaintance, who is in high consideration among the nobles, for itis difficult not to love him. We will both do what is in our power; andGod grant that we shall effect something!"

  "May the angels attend you!" said the prelate; "if you do that, we havenothing more to say."

  "With the permission of your dignity I have to speak of one thing more;namely, that your dignity should not think to yourself thuswise: 'Ihave put my own wishes into his mouth; I have talked into him thisidea that he has found out of his own wit the candidacy of PrinceMichael,--speaking briefly, I have twisted the fool in my hand as if hewere wax.' Your dignity, I will advance the cause of Prince Michael,because it is to my heart,--that is what the case is; because, as Isee, it is to the heart also of your dignity,--that is what the caseis! I will advance it for the sake of his mother, for the sake of myfriends; I will advance it because of the confidence which I have inthe head" (here Zagloba inclined) "from which that Minerva sprangforth, but not because I let myself be persuaded, like a little boy,that the invention is mine; and in fine, not because I am a fool, butfor the reason that when a wise man tells me a wise thing, old Zaglobasays, 'Agreed!'"

  Here the noble inclined once more. The vice-chancellor was confusedconsiderably at first; but seeing the good-humor of the noble and thatthe affair was taking the turn so much desired, he laughed from hiswhole soul, then seizing his head with both hands, he began torepeat,--

  "Ulysses! as God is dear to me, a genuine Ulysses! Lord brother, whosowishes to do a good thing must deal with men variously; but with you Isee it is requisite to strike the quick straightway. You have pleasedmy heart immensely."

  "As Prince Michael has mine."

  "May God give you health! Ha! I am beaten, but I am glad. You must haveeaten many a starling in your youth. And this signet ring,--if it willserve to commemorate our _colloquium_--"

  "Let that ring remain in its own place," said Zagloba.

  "You will do this for me--"

  "I cannot by any means. Perhaps another time--later on--after theelection."

  The vice-chancellor understood, and insisted no more; he went out,however, with a radiant face.

  Zagloba conducted him to the gate, and returning, muttered, "Ha! I gavehim a lesson! One rogue met another. But it is an honor. Dignitarieswill outrun one another in coming to these gates. I am curious to knowwhat the ladies think of this!"

  The ladies were indeed full of admiration; and Zagloba grew to theceiling, especially in the eyes of Pan Michael's sister, so that he hadbarely shown himself when she exclaimed with great enthusiasm, "Youhave surpassed Solomon in wisdom."

  And Zagloba was very glad. "Whom have I surpassed, do you say? Wait,you will see hetmans, bishops, and senators here; I shall have toescape from them or hide behind the curtains."

  Further conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Ketling.

  "Ketling, do you want promotion?" cried Zagloba, still charmed with hisown significance.

  "No!" answered the knight, in sadness; "for I must leave you again, andfor a long time."

  Zagloba looked at him more attentively. "How is it that you are so cutdown?"

  "Just for this, that I am going away."

  "Whither?"

  "I have received letters from Scotland, from old friends of my fatherand myself. My affairs demand me there absolutely; perhaps for a longtime. I am grieved to part with all here--but I must."

  Zagloba, going into the middle of the room, looked at Pan Michael'ssister, then at the young ladies, and asked, "Have you heard? In thename of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!"