"Do not say that, since it is customary for neighbors to visit one another; but the prince has no time unoccupied, therefore he said to me, 'Explain in my name to Pan Billevich that I am not able to visit him, but let him come to me with his niece, and that of course without delay, for to-morrow or the day following I know not where I shall be.' So I have come with a request, and I trust that both of you are in good health; for when I drove in here I saw Panna Aleksandra in the door, but she vanished at once, like mist from the field." "That is true," said the sword-bearer; "I sent her myself to see who had come." "I am waiting for your reply, my benefactor," said Kmita. At that moment the attendant brought in a light and placed it on the table; by the shining of the light it was seen that Billevich was greatly confused. "This is no small honor for me," said he, "but--I cannot go at once. Be pleased to excuse me to the hetman--you see that I have guests." "Oh, surely that will not hinder, for these gentlemen will yield to the prince." "We have our own tongues in our mouths, and can answer for ourselves," said Pan Hudzynski. "Without waiting for others to make decisions concerning us," added Dovgird. "You see," continued Kmita, pretending to take in good part the churlish words of the nobles, "I knew that these were polite cavaliers. But to avoid slighting any one, I invite them also in the name of the prince to come to Kyedani." "Too much favor," said both; "we have something else to do." Kmita looked on them with a peculiar expression, and then said coldly, as if speaking to some fourth person, "When the prince invites, it is not permitted to refuse." At that they rose from their chairs. "But is that constraint?" asked the sword-bearer. "Pan Billevich, my benefactor," answered Kmita, quickly, "those gentlemen will go whether they wish or not, for thus it has pleased me; but I desire not to use force with you, and I beg most sincerely that you will deign to gratify the prince. I am on service, and have an order to bring you; but as long as I do not lose hope of effecting something with entreaty, I shall not cease to entreat,--and I swear to you that not a hair will fall from your head while there. The prince wishes to talk with you, and wishes you to live in Kyedani during these troubled times, when even peasants collect in crowds and plunder. This is the whole affair! You will be treated with fitting respect in Kyedani, as a guest and a friend; I give my word of honor for that." "As a noble, I protest," said the sword-bearer, "and the law protects me." "And sabres!" cried Hudzynski and Dovgird. Kmita laughed, frowned, and said, "Put away your sabres, gentlemen, or I shall give the order to place you both against the barn and put a bullet into the head of each one of you." At this they grew timid, and began to look at each other and at Kmita; but the sword-bearer cried,--