shut themselves up in their own chambers at once, and received no one but a few women. When these women brought tidings that the prince was preparing an expedition against the Poles, Olenka would not believe them at first; but wishing to be certain, she gave orders to summon Kettling, for she knew that from her the young Scot would hide nothing.
He appeared before her at once, happy that he was called, that for a time he could speak with her who had taken possession of his soul.
"Cavalier," said Panna Billevich, "so many reports are circulating about Taurogi that we are wandering as in a forest. Some say that the prince voevoda died a natural death; others that he was borne apart on sabres. What was the cause of his death ? "
Kettling hesitated for a while. It was evident that he was struggling with innate indecision. At last he blushed greatly, and said, —
"You are the cause of the fall and the death of Prince Yanush."
"I?" asked Panna Billevich, with amazement.
"You; for our prince chose to remain in Taurogi rather than go to relieve his cousin. He forgot everything near you, my lady."
Now she blushed in her turn like a purple rose, and a moment of silence followed.
The Scot stood, hat in hand, with downcast eyes, his head bent, in a posture full of homage and respect. At last he raised his head, shook his bright curls, and said, —
"My lady, if these words have offended you, let me kneel down and beg forgiveness."
"Do not," said she, quickly, seeing that the young knight was bending his knees already. "I know that what you have said was said with a clean heart; for I have long noticed that you wish me well."
The officer raised his blue eyes, and putting his hand on his heart, with a voice as low as the whisper of a breeze and as sad as a sigh, replied, —
"Oh, my lady! my lady!"
At this moment he was frightened lest he had said too much, and again he bent his head toward his bosom, and took the posture of a courtier who is listening to the commands of a queen.
