The lady trembled, but regaining her presence of mind, remembered that almost every evening some one came to Vodokty to get medicine for the young colonel.
Panna Kulvyets confirmed that idea by saying, “Some one from the Gashtovts for herbs.”
The irregular sound of the bell shaken by the shaft rang more distinctly each moment; at last it stopped on a sudden. Evidently the sleigh had halted before the door.
“See who has come,” said Panna Kulvyets to the man of Jmud who was turning the mill.
The man went out of the servants’ hall, but soon returned, and taking again the handle of the mill, said phlegmatically, “Panas Kmitas.”[[7]]
“The word is made flesh!” cried Panna Kulvyets.
The spinners sprang to their feet; the flax and the distaffs fell to the floor.
Panna Aleksandra rose also. Her heart beat like a hammer; a flush came forth on her face, and then pallor; but she turned from the chimney, lest her emotion might be seen.
Then in the door appeared a certain lofty figure in a fur mantle and fur-bound cap. A young man advanced to the middle of the room, and seeing that he was in the servants’ hall, inquired in a resonant voice, without removing his cap, “Hei! but where is your mistress?”
“I am the mistress,” said Panna Billevich, in tones sufficiently clear.