"It did not happen--I could not go--day after day I loitered. Besides, there was severity, and there was not." "How was that?" "The people were driven to work, it is true, no one could prevent that; but as to flogging, I will say briefly that instead of whips straw ropes were used on them." "Who was so merciful--you?" "No. But I chose to obey the will of an angel, not that of a devil." "I understand, but tell me whose will?" "Panna Anulka's." "Ah! so it was she?" "Really an angel. She too was in dread of Pan Gideon, who in recent times only began to regard what she told him. But all loved her so much that each man exposed himself to Pan Gideon's anger rather than refuse what she asked of him." "May God bless her for that! So you all conspired against Pan Gideon?" "Yes, your grace." "And it was not discovered?" "It was discovered once, but I did not betray the young lady. Pan Gideon flogged me himself, for I declared to him that if any other man flogged, or if he flogged me except on a carpet, I, a noble, would let his house up in smoke, and shoot him besides that. And it would have been done as I promised, even had I to join forest bandits in consequence." "You please me for this," said Pan Serafin. "More than once I found it difficult to stay with Pan Gideon," continued Vilchopolski; "but in the house there was simply one of God's cherubim, and so, though a man might wish to go, he would stay there. After that, as the young lady grew up Pan Gideon gave her more consideration, and recently he gave thought to no one save Panna Anulka. He knew often that she commanded to give wheat to the poor from the granary, then, as I have said, she had straw used instead of whips; besides, she had labor remitted; he affected not to notice it. At last he was so much ashamed that she had no need to do anything in secret. She was a real protector of people, and for that reason may God, as you have said, bless and save her." "Why do you say 'save'?" inquired Pan Serafin. "Because it is worse for her now than it has been." "Have the fear of God! What is the danger?" "The two women are terrible. Young Krepetski himself restrains them apparently, but I know why he does this; but let him be careful, some one may shoot him down like a dog if he is not." It was deep night then, but very clear, for the full moon was shining, and by the light of it Pan Serafin saw that the eyes of the young man were glittering like wolf eyes. "What dost thou know of him?" asked Pan Serafin, with curiosity. "I know that he removed me not merely for my independence, but because I watched and listened carefully to what people in the house said. I went away because I had to go, but Belchantska is not far from Yedlinka, and in case of need--" Here he was silent, and on the road was heard only the sound of the pines as they were moved by the night wind. CHAPTER XVI