“But the Commonwealth needs defence. Oh, if Prince Yeremi were alive! We would elect him king with one voice.”
“His son is alive, the same blood.”
“But not the same courage. It is God’s pity to look at him, for he is more like a serving-man than a prince of such worthy blood. If it were a different time! But now the first virtue is regard for the good of the country. Pan Yan says the same thing. Whatever the hetman does, I will do, for I believe in his love of the Commonwealth as in the Gospel.”
“It is time to think of that. It is too bad that you are going now.”
“But what will you do?”
“I will go to Pan Yan. The boys torment me at times; still, when I am away for a good while I feel lonely without them.”
“If war comes after the election, Pan Yan too will go to it. Who knows? You may take the field yourself; we may campaign yet together in Russia. How much good and evil have we gone through in those parts!”
“True, as God is dear to me! there our best years flowed by. At times the wish comes to see all those places which witnessed our glory.”
“Then come with me now. We shall be cheerful together; in five months I will return to Ketling. He will be at home then, and Pan Yan will be here.”
“No, Michael, it is not the time for me now; but I promise that if you marry some lady with land in Russia, I will go with you and see your installation.”