A shout of applause went up in favor of Katina, who was considered to have redeemed the honor of Czernova.
"Ah! why were you not born a Pole?" said Juliska, addressing Paul.
"May I not become one?"
"Then shall you be a better Pole than any of us," said Katina, "for whereas we are such by accident of birth, you will be such by freedom of choice."
"Well said, Katina," observed Zabern. "And never was there one whom I more willingly admit to Czernovese citizenship. But Captain Woodville," he added, thoughtfully, "it will be well if you remain a British subject for a few more days. Why, the sequel will show."
And Paul, believing that Zabern did not speak without good reason, assented to the delay.
There was no more fencing in the salle d'armes that day. The members shrank from displaying their inferior powers before such an expert as Paul. The assembly broke up into little groups.
"And how fares our ducal prisoner?" asked Radzivil, addressing the governor of the Citadel.
"In somewhat gloomy mood," answered Miroslav. "He spends his time chiefly in drinking old Rhenish, and in muttering to himself. By the way, he did a very peculiar act immediately after entering the Citadel last evening."
"Ha!" exclaimed Zabern, catching at this. "What was the act?"