Anusia began at once to twist the ends of her tresses, tied with rosy ribbons, and cutting with her eyes from under her brows, said,—
“Oh, it is far from me to the angels! But the hetmans of the kingdom have begun to beat the Swedes, and all the quarter soldiers with them, and the knights; and they have formed a confederation in Tyshovtsi. The king has joined it, and they have given out manifestoes; even the peasants are beating the Swedes, and the Most Holy Lady gives Her blessing.”
She spoke as if a bird were warbling, but from that warbling Billevich’s heart grew soft, though some of the news was already known to him. He bellowed at last like an aurochs from delight; tears, too, began to flow over the face of Olenka, silent and many.
Seeing this, Anusia, having a good heart from nature, sprang to her at once, and putting her arms around her neck, began to say quickly,—
“Do not cry; I am sorry for you, and cannot see you shed tears. Why do you weep?”
There was so much sincerity in her voice that Olenka’s distrust vanished at once; but the poor girl wept still more.
“You are so beautiful,” said Anusia, comforting her. “Why do you cry?”
“From joy,” answered Olenka, “but also from suffering; for we are here in grievous captivity, knowing neither the day nor the hour.”
“How is that? Are you not with Prince Boguslav?”
“That traitor! that heretic!” roared Billevich.