“I saw that he was very glad.”
“But what will he be when he receives permission from your father?”
“Oi, what is in waiting for me? The will of God be done! though the heart dies in me when I think of father. If he shouts, if he becomes wilful and refuses permission, I shall have a fine life when I go home.”
“Do you know, Eva, what I think?”
“What is it?”
“There is no trifling with Azya. Your brother might oppose with his force; but your father has no command. I think that if your father resists, Azya will take you anyhow.”
“How is that?”
“Why, carry you off simply. There is no trifling with him, people say,—Tugai Bey’s blood. You will be married by the first priest on the road. In another place it would be necessary to have banns, certificates, license; but here it is a wild country, all things are a little in Tartar fashion.”
Eva’s face brightened. “This is what I dread. Azya is ready for anything; this is what I dread,” said she.
But Basia, turning her head, looked at her quickly, and burst out suddenly with her resonant, childlike laugh.