But Pan Bogush repeated every little while, with a very mysterious mien, “This is nothing in comparison with what is waiting for him; but I am not free to speak of it.” And when the others shook their heads with doubt, he cried, “There are two great men in the Commonwealth,—Pan Sobieski and that Azya, son of Tugai Bey.”
“By the dear God,” said Pan Novoveski, made impatient at last, “prince or not prince, what can he be in this Commonwealth, unless he is a noble? He is not naturalized yet.”
“The hetman will get him ten naturalizations!” cried Basia.
Eva listened to these praises with closed eyes and a beating heart. It is difficult to say whether it would have beaten so feverishly for a poor and unknown Azya as for Azya the knight and man of great future. But that glitter captivated her; and the old remembrance of the kisses and the fresh dream went through her with a quiver of delight.
“So great and so celebrated,” said Eva. “What wonder if he is as quick as fire!”
CHAPTER XXXI.
Basia took the Tartar that very day to “an examination,” following the advice of her husband; and fearing the shyness of Azya, she resolved not to insist too much at once. Still, he had barely appeared before her when she said, straight from the bridge,—
“Pan Bogush says that you are a great man; but I think that the greatest man cannot avoid love.”
Azya closed his eyes, inclined his head, and said, “Your grace is right.”
“I see that you are a man with a heart.”