This remark chilled all present. Kmita’s face became purple.
“I do not know the office of your grace,” said he, “which, I think, must be considerable, therefore I do not wish to offend you; but there is no office, as I think, which would empower any one to give the lie to a noble, without reason.”
“Man! you are speaking to the grand chancellor of the kingdom,” said Lugovski.
“Whoso gives me the lie, even if he is chancellor, I answer him, it is easier to give the lie than to give your life, it is easier to seal with wax than with blood!”
Pan Korytsinski was not angry; he only said: “I do not give you the lie, Cavalier; but if what you say is true, you must have a burned side.”
“Come to another place, your great mightiness, to another room, and I will show it to you!” roared Kmita.
“It is not needful,” said the king; “I believe you without that.”
“It cannot be, your Royal Grace,” exclaimed Pan Andrei; “I wish it myself, I beg it as a favor, so that here no one, even though I know not how worthy, should make me an exaggerator. My torment would be an ill reward; I wish belief.”
“I believe you,” answered the king.
“Truth itself was in his words,” added Marya Ludvika. “I am not deceived in men.”