When they had gone, Pani Makovetski turned to Zagloba and said, “Pan Adam has proposed for Basia.”
“How is that?” asked Zagloba, alarmed.
“His godmother, the wife of the chamberlain of Lvoff, is to come here to-morrow to talk with me; Pan Adam himself has begged of me permission to talk with Basia, even hintingly, for he understands himself that if Basia is not his friend, the trouble and pains will be useless.”
“It was for this that you, my benefactress, sent them sleigh-riding?”
“For this. My husband is very scrupulous. More than once he has said to me, ‘I will guard their property, but let each choose a husband for herself; if he is honorable, I will not oppose, even in case of inequality of property.’ Moreover, they are of mature years and can give advice to themselves.”
“But what answer do you think of giving Pan Adam’s godmother?”
“My husband will come in May. I will turn the affair over to him; but I think this way,—as Basia wishes, so will it be.”
“Pan Adam is a stripling!”
“But Michael himself says that he is a famous soldier, noted already for deeds of valor. He has a respectable property, and his godmother has recounted to me all his relations. You see, it is this way: his great-grandfather was born of Princess Senyut; he was married the first time to—”
“But what do I care for his relations?” interrupted Zagloba, not hiding his ill-humor; “he is neither brother nor godfather to me, and I tell your ladyship that I have predestined the little haiduk to Michael; for if among maidens who walk the world on two feet there is one better or more honest than she, may I from this moment begin to walk on all-four like a bear!”