“I’m not to blame for that,” answered Anusia, taking a timid posture; “but before this time surely Pan Michael is married.”
“And he is just not married.”
“Even if he were, it is all one to me.”
“God grant you to meet! But I am troubled because you say that they are not with the hetman, for with such soldiers victory would be easier.”
“There is some one there who is worth them all.”
“Who is he?”
“Pan Babinich from Vityebsk. Have you heard of him?”
“Not a word; which is a wonder to me.”
Anusia began to relate the history of her departure from Zamost, and everything that happened on the road. Babinich grew in her narrative to such a mighty hero that the sword-bearer was at a loss to know who he was.
“I know all Lithuania,” said he. “There are houses, it is true, with similar names, such as Babonaubek, Babill, Babinovski, Babinski, and Babiski. Babinich I have not heard, and I think it must be an assumed name; for many who are in parties take such names, so that their property and relatives may not suffer from the enemy. Hm! Babinich! He is some fiery cavalier, since he was able to settle Zamoyski in that fashion.”