“Our thresholds are too lowly,” said the sword-bearer.
“Do not say that, since it is customary for neighbors to visit one another; but the prince has no time unoccupied, therefore he said to me, ‘Explain in my name to Pan Billevich that I am not able to visit him, but let him come to me with his niece, and that of course without delay, for to-morrow or the day following I know not where I shall be.’ So I have come with a request, and I trust that both of you are in good health; for when I drove in here I saw Panna Aleksandra in the door, but she vanished at once, like mist from the field.”
“That is true,” said the sword-bearer; “I sent her myself to see who had come.”
“I am waiting for your reply, my benefactor,” said Kmita.
At that moment the attendant brought in a light and placed it on the table; by the shining of the light it was seen that Billevich was greatly confused.
“This is no small honor for me,” said he, “but—I cannot go at once. Be pleased to excuse me to the hetman—you see that I have guests.”
“Oh, surely that will not hinder, for these gentlemen will yield to the prince.”
“We have our own tongues in our mouths, and can answer for ourselves,” said Pan Hudzynski.
“Without waiting for others to make decisions concerning us,” added Dovgird.
“You see,” continued Kmita, pretending to take in good part the churlish words of the nobles, “I knew that these were polite cavaliers. But to avoid slighting any one, I invite them also in the name of the prince to come to Kyedani.”