“Even against my will, I must go.”
“I am wearing mourning for my father. Why should we exhibit ourselves to the gaze of people? Let our engagement remain between ourselves, and people need not know of it till you return from Russia. Are you satisfied?”
“Then I am to say nothing to my sister?”
“I will tell her myself, but after you have gone.”
“And to Pan Zagloba?”
“Pan Zagloba would sharpen his wit on me. Ei, better say nothing! Basia too would tease me; and she these last days is so whimsical and has such changing humor as never before. Better say nothing.” Here Krysia raised her dark-blue eyes to the heavens: “God is the witness above us; let people remain uninformed.”
“I see that your wit is equal to your beauty. I agree. Then God is our witness. Amen! Now rest your shoulder on me; for as soon as our contract is made, modesty is not opposed to that. Have no fear! Even if I wished to repeat yesterday’s act, I cannot, for I must take care of the horse.”
Krysia gratified the knight, and he said, “As often as we are alone, call me by name only.”
“Somehow it does not fit,” said she, with a smile. “I never shall dare to do that.”
“But I have dared.”