“That is land for a senator! Lyubich is worth two like Mitruny.”
Olenka continued to say her prayers.
But in Pan Tomash was roused the old landlord by nature, and perhaps also he was given somewhat to lawsuits; for after a while he said again, as if to himself,—
“And yet it is ours by right,—old Billevich property, our sweat, our toil. That unfortunate man must have perished long since, for he has not announced himself; and if he had, the right is with us.” Here he turned to Olenka: “What do you think?”
“That is a cursed place,” answered she. “Let happen with it what may!”
“But you see the right is with us. The place was cursed in bad hands, but it will be blessed in good ones. The right is with us.”
“Never! I do not wish to know anything of it. My grandfather willed it without restriction; let Kmita’s relatives take it.”
Then she urged on the pony. Billevich put spurs also to his beast, and they did not slacken speed till they were in the open field. Meanwhile night had fallen; but there was perfect light, for an enormous red moon had risen from behind the forest of Volmontovichi and lighted up the whole region with a golden shining.
“Well! God has given a beautiful night,” said the sword-bearer, looking at the circle of the moon.
“How Volmontovichi gleams from a distance!” said Olenka.