“There is nothing in him!” answered the old noble,—“nothing, and that is the end of it.”
But in spite of these words he began to puff from delight.
“Here is another great treat for me!”
Meanwhile the little knight stroked Eva’s face, and said to her: “You see that I am no stripling; but my Basia is almost of your age; therefore I am thinking that at times she should have some pleasant amusement, proper for youthful years. It is true that all here love her beyond description, and you, I trust, see some reason for it.”
“Beloved God!” said Eva, “there is not in the world another such woman! I have said that just now.”
The little knight was rejoiced beyond measure, so that his face shone, and he asked, “Did you say that really?”
“As I live she did!” cried father and son together.
“Well, then, array yourself in the best, for, without Basia’s knowledge, I have brought an orchestra from Kamenyets. I ordered the men to hide the instruments in straw, and I told her that they were Gypsies who had come to shoe horses. This evening I’ll have tremendous dancing. She loves it, she loves it, though she likes to play the dignified matron.”
When he had said this, Pan Michael began to rub his hands, and was greatly pleased with himself.