"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."