Prince in Birji and Dubinki, voevoda of Vilna,
grand hetman of Lithuania.
“Yes, a new war is evident from this letter,” said Zagloba.
“And the prince’s statement that he will act as God commands him, means that he will fight the Swedes,” added Stanislav.
“Still it is a wonder to me,” said Pan Yan, “that he writes about loyalty to the house of Radzivill, and not to the country, which means more than the Radzivills, and demands prompter rescue.”
“That is their lordly manner,” answered Volodyovski; “though that did not please me either at first, for I too serve the country and not the Radzivills.”
“When did you receive this letter?” asked Pan Yan.
“This morning, and I wanted to start this afternoon. You will rest to-night after the journey; to-morrow I shall surely return, and then we will move with the squadron wherever they command.”
“Perhaps to Podlyasye?” said Zagloba.
“To Prince Boguslav,” added Pan Stanislav.
“Prince Boguslav is now in Kyedani,” said Volodyovski. “He is a strange person, and do you look at him carefully. He is a great warrior and a still greater knight, but he is not a Pole to the value of a copper. He wears a foreign dress, and talks German or French altogether; you might think he was cracking nuts, might listen to him a whole hour, and not understand a thing.”