“If he is your relative or betrothed, I am grieved that I mentioned this fact; but cast him out of your heart, for he is not worthy of you, O lady.”
She remained yet a moment in pain, flushed, and astonished; but by degrees her face became cool, until it was cold and pale. She sank down in the chair, and said,—
“Forgive me, your highness, I made an unseemly contradiction. All is possible for that man.”
“May God punish me if I feel aught save pity!” answered Boguslav, mildly.
“He was the betrothed of this lady,” said Prince Yanush, “and I myself made the match. He was a young man, hot-headed; he caused a world of turmoil. I saved him from justice, for he was a good soldier. I saw that he was lawless, and would be; but that he, a noble, could think of such infamy, I did not expect.”
“He is an evil man; that I knew long since,” said Ganhoff.
“And why did you not forewarn me?” inquired Yanush, in a tone of reproach.
“I was afraid that your highness might suspect me of envy, for he had everywhere the first step before me.”
“Horribile dictu et auditu (horrible in the speaking and the hearing),” said Korf.
“Gracious gentlemen,” exclaimed Boguslav, “let us give peace to him. If it is grievous for you to hear of this, what must it be for Panna Billevich?”