At that moment, to complete the evil, the hetman said,-- "He is my enemy who will not drink all my toasts to the bottom, for I am joyful to-day." "You have heard?" asked Billevich. "Uncle, I cannot stay longer, I am faint," said Olenka, with a beseeching voice. "Then go alone," answered Pan Tomash. The lady rose, wishing to slip away unobserved; but her strength failed, and she caught the side of the chair in her weakness. Suddenly a strong knightly arm embraced her, and supported the almost fainting maiden. "I will conduct you," said Pan Andrei. And without asking for permission he caught her form as if with an iron hoop. She leaned on him more and more; before they reached the door, she was hanging powerless on his arm. Then he raised her as lightly as he would a child, and bore her out of the hall. CHAPTER XXIV. That evening after the banquet, Pan Andrei wished absolutely to see the prince, but he was told that the prince was occupied in a secret interview with Pan Suhanyets. He went therefore early next morning, and was admitted at once. "Your highness," said he "I have come with a prayer." "What do you wish me to do for you?" "I am not able to live here longer. Each day increases my torment. There is nothing for me here in Kyedani. Let your highness find some office for me, send me whithersoever it please you. I have heard that regiments are to move against Zolotarenko; I will go with them." "Zolotarenko would be glad to have an uproar with us, but he cannot get at us in any way, for Swedish protection is here already, and we cannot go against him without the Swedes. Count Magnus advances with terrible dilatoriness because he does not trust me. But is it so ill for you here in Kyedani at our side?" "Your highness is gracious to me, and still my suffering is so keen that I cannot describe it. To tell the truth, I thought everything would take another course,--I thought that we should fight, that we should live in fire and smoke, day and night in the saddle. God created me for that. But to sit here, listen to quarrels and disputes, rot in inactivity, or hunt down my own people instead of the enemy,--I cannot endure it, simply I am unable. I prefer death a hundred times. As God is dear to me, this is pure torture!" "I know whence that despair comes. From love,--nothing more. When older, you will learn to laugh at these torments. I saw yesterday that you and that maiden were more and more angry with each other." "I am nothing to her, nor she to me. What has been is ended." "But what, did she fall ill yesterday?" "She did." The prince was silent for a while, then said: "I have advised you already, and I advise once more, if you care for her take her. I will give command to have the marriage performed. There will be a little screaming and crying,--that's nothing! After the marriage take her to your quarters; and if next day she still cries, that will be the most."