In the rear followed two wagons, well filled, and at each of them four servants armed with sabres and guns.
The lord, though a personage, was still quite young, a little beyond twenty. He had a plump, red face, and in his whole person there was evidence that he did not stint himself in eating.
When the carriage stopped, the haiduk sprang to give his hand to help down the lord; but the lord, seeing Kmita standing on the threshold, beckoned with his glove, and called,—
“Come this way, my good friend!”
Kmita instead of going to him withdrew to the interior, for anger seized him at once. He had not become accustomed yet to the gray coat, or to being beckoned at with a glove. He went back therefore, sat at the table, and began to eat. The unknown lord came in after him. When he had entered he half closed his eyes, for it was dark in the room, since there was merely a small fire burning in the chimney.
“But why did no one come out as I was driving up?” asked the unknown lord.
“The host has gone to another room,” answered Kmita, “and we are travellers, like your grace.”
“Thank you for the confidence. And what manner of travellers?”
“Oh, a noble travelling with horses.”
“And your company are nobles too?”