‘I own to as good a name as even your own—Chelminsky. It is one of the best of our Cossack names; not like Mazeppa’s there, which he picked up Heaven knows where—no Cossack knows it! I am a better suitor than he, Boyar. He tells you doubtless that he will be Hetman; but it is also possible that I shall be so, and not he; for I have a Tsar behind me, and he a Regent. Moreover,’ I added, suddenly inspired, ‘Mazeppa is already married: this I can prove.’
‘Oh—oh!’ exclaimed the Boyar.
‘It is so,’ I persisted, ‘even though he deny it.’
Mazeppa seemed too startled and astonished to speak. The Boyar looked to him for an explanation.
‘It is a lie, Boyar!’ he stammered at length.
‘Bah!’ said Kurbatof, ‘lying is a sin and forbidden by God; which of you is lying?’
‘At any rate, I can bring witnesses,’ said I. ‘Let me go, Boyar; I am no common fellow to be kept bound in a knout-room; this is an indignity.’
‘Nevertheless, you have wronged this household, and ought to be punished. A man of your rank may not be knouted, but I will consider what should be done. Do you say Mazeppa is already married?’
‘As I can easily prove.’
‘Well, I will question you again. In the meantime you shall remain where you are.’