Sakovich did not leave Boguslav’s bedside for two days, the second paroxysm being worse than the first. The prince’s jaws closed so firmly that attendants had to open them with a knife to pour medicine into his mouth. He regained consciousness immediately after; but he trembled, quivered, floundered in the bed, and stretched himself like a wild beast mortally wounded. When that had passed, a wonderful weakness came; he gazed all night at the ceiling without saying a word. Next day, after he had taken drugs, he fell into a sound sleep, and about midday woke covered with abundant perspiration.
“How does your highness feel?” asked Sakovich.
“I am better. Have any letters come?”
“Letters from the elector and Steinbock are lying on the table; but the reading must be put off till later, for you have not strength enough yet.”
“Give them at once!—do you hear?”
Sakovich brought the letters, and Boguslav read them twice; then he thought awhile and said,—
“We will move for Podlyasye to-morrow.”
“You will be in bed to-morrow, as you are to-day.”
“I will be on horseback as well as you. Be silent, no interference!”
The starosta ceased, and for a while silence continued, broken only by the tick-tick of the Dantzig clock.