"When she recovers she will think of us gratefully. Orphans always like to feel guardianship over them."
"Ye have done her more harm than service. Who knows if the Krepetskis will not take her away again?"
"How is that? By the dear God! will we let them?"
"But who will defend the girl when ye are in prison?"
When they heard this the brothers were greatly concerned, and looked with anxious eyes at one another. But Lukash at last struck his forehead. "We will not be imprisoned," said he, "for first we will go to the army; but if it comes to that, if there is a question of Panna Anulka's safety, help will be found."
"Found! Of course it will," cried out Marek.
"What help?" inquired Father Voynovski.
"We will challenge Martsian as soon as he recovers. He will not go alive out of our hands."
"But if he dies now?"
"Then God will help us."