Anger and disgust flew like lightning over Boguslav’s face.
“Karl Gustav,” said he, “will sign the pacta conventa, as his predecessors have signed it; and after his death we will elect whom we choose, even that Radzivill who will be born of your niece.”
The sword-bearer stood for a while as if dazzled by the thought; at last he raised his hand and cried with great enthusiasm,—
“Consentior (I agree)!”
“I think, too, that you would agree, even if the throne should become hereditary in our family. Such are you all! But that is a later question. Now it is necessary that the stipulations come to reality. You understand, my uncle?”
“As true as life, it is necessary!” repeated Billevich, with deep conviction.
“They must for this reason,—that I am a mediator agreeable to his Swedish Majesty, and do you know for what reasons? Karl Gustav has one sister married to De la Gardie, and another, Princess Bipont, still unmarried; and he wishes to give her to me, so as to be allied to our house and have a party in Lithuania. Hence his favor toward me, to which my uncle, the elector, inclines him.”
“How is that?” asked the disquieted sword-bearer.
“I would give all the princesses of Bipont[[7]] for your dove, together with the principalities, not only of the two, but of all the bridges in the world. But I may not anger the Swedish beast, therefore I give willing ear to their discussions; but only let them sign the treaty, then we shall see.”
“Would they be ready then not to sign if they should discover that you were married?”