But Raman had grown up in the forest and did not know the ways of the world, so the Count was not very angry when he refused the girl.
“I want you to marry,” the Count said. “Why I want you to do it is my business. Take Aksana.”
“I don’t want to,” answered Raman. “I don’t want her. Let the Devil marry her, I won’t! There now!”
The Count ordered a knout to be brought. They stretched Raman out, and the Count asked him:
“Will you marry, Raman?”
“No,” he answered, “I won’t.”
“Then give it to him on the back,” commanded the Count, “as hard as you can lay it on.”
They gave it to him good and hard. Raman was a strong man, but he got tired of it at last.
“All right, stop!” he cried. “That’s enough. May all the devils in hell take her! I won’t suffer this torture for any woman! Give her to me; I’ll marry her!”
Now there lived at the Count’s castle a huntsman named Opanas. Opanas came riding in from the fields just as they were persuading Raman to be married. He heard Raman’s trouble and fell at the Count’s feet. He fell down and kissed them.