Pan Andrei did not remove his gaze from Olenka, and his eyes shot sparks more and more every moment; at last he said,—
“There are men to whom land is dearer than all things else; there are others who chase after plunder in war, others love horses; but I would not give you for any treasure. As God lives, the more I look the more I wish to marry; so that even if it were to-morrow— Oh, that brow,—just as if painted with burned cork!”
“I hear that some use such strange things, but I am not of that kind.”
“And eyes as from heaven! From confusion, words fail me.”
“You are not greatly confused, if in my presence you can be so urgent that I am wonder-stricken.”
“That is our way in Smolensk,—to go boldly at women as we do into battle. You must, my queen, grow accustomed to this, for thus will it ever be.”
“You must put it aside, for thus it cannot be.”
“Perhaps I may yield, may I be slain! Believe, believe me not, but with gladness would I bend the skies for you. For you, my queen, I am ready to learn other manners; for I know myself that I am a simple soldier, I have lived more in camps than in chambers of castles.”
“Oh, that harms nothing, for my grandfather was a soldier; but I give thanks for the good-will,” said Olenka; and her eyes looked with such sweetness on Pan Andrei that his heart melted like wax in a moment, and he answered,—
“You will lead me on a thread.”