Basia insisted less, indeed, than he expected, for she wished greatly to go with her husband, and without him the journey lost a part of its charm; but Eva knelt before the little knight, and kissing his hands implored him by his love for Basia to permit her to go.
“No other will dare approach my father,” said she, “and mention such an affair,—neither I, nor Azya, nor even my brother. Basia alone can do it, for he refuses her nothing.”
“Basia is no matchmaker,” said Pan Michael, “and, besides, you must come back here; let her do this at your return.”
“God knows what will happen before the return,” answered Eva, with weeping,—“it is certain only that I shall die of suffering; but for such an orphan for whom no one has pity, death is best of all.”
The little knight had a heart tender beyond measure, hence he began to walk up and down in the room. He wished above all not to part with his Basia, even for a day, and what must it be for two weeks! Still, it was clear that the prayers moved him deeply, for in a couple of days after those attacks he said one evening,—
“If I could only go with you! But that cannot be, for service detains me.”
Basia sprang to him, and putting her rosy mouth to his cheek began to cry,—
“Go, Michael, go, go!”
“It is not possible by any means,” answered Pan Michael, with decision.
And again two days passed. During this time the little knight asked advice of Zagloba as to what he ought to do; but Zagloba refused to give advice.