"Under Pan Zbierhovski."
"Of course in the dragoons?"
"In God's name, what are you saying? That is the hussar regiment of Prince Alexander."
"Is it possible! Is it possible! That is no common regiment--"
"Pan Yatsek is no common man."
Pan Gideon had it on his lips to say that such a stripling in the hussars would be a soldier, not an officer, but he held back the remark, fearing it might seem that his letter was not so polite, or his help so considerable as he had told Anulka, so he frowned and said,--
"I have heard of the mortgage of Vyrambki; how much was given on it?"
"More than you would have given," answered Marek, dryly.
Pan Gideon's eyes glittered for a moment with savage anger, but he restrained himself a second time, for it occurred to him that further conversation might serve his purpose.
"All the better," said he, "the cavalier must be satisfied."