But it was tedious for him in his own country, to which he came, as was said, unwillingly, most frequently in time of war; he distinguished himself by great victories at Berestechko, Mogilyoff, and Smolensk. War was his element, though he had a mind quick and subtle, equally fitted for intrigues and diplomatic exploits. In these he knew how to be patient and enduring, far more enduring than in the "loves," of which a whole series completed the history of his life. The prince, at the courts where he had resided, was the terror of husbands who had beautiful wives. For that reason, doubtless, he was not yet married, though his high birth and almost inexhaustible fortune made him one of the most desirable matches in Europe. The King and Queen of France, Marya Ludvika of Poland, the Prince of Orange, and his uncle, the Elector of Brandenburg, tried to make matches for him; but so far he preferred his freedom. "I do not want a dower," said he, cynically; "and of the other pleasures I have no lack as I am." In this fashion he reached the thirty-fifth year of his age. Kmita, standing on the threshold, examined with curiosity Boguslav's face, which the mirror reflected, while he was arranging with seriousness the hair of his forelock; at last, when Pan Andrei coughed once and a second time, he said, without turning his head,-- "But who is present? Is it a messenger from the prince voevoda?" "Not a messenger, but from the prince voevoda," replied Pan Andrei. Then the prince turned his head, and seeing a brilliant young man, recognized that he had not to do with an ordinary servant. "Pardon, Cavalier," said he, affably, "for I see that I was mistaken in the office of the person. But your face is known to me, though I am not able to recall your name. You are an attendant of the prince hetman?" "My name is Kmita," answered Pan Andrei, "and I am not an attendant; I am a colonel from the time that I brought my own squadron to the prince hetman." "Kmita!" cried the prince, "that same Kmita, famous in the last war, who harried Hovanski, and later on managed not worse on his own account? I have heard much about you." Having said this, the prince began to look more carefully and with a certain pleasure at Pan Andrei, for from what he had heard he thought him a man of his own cut. "Sit down," said he, "I am glad to know you more intimately. And what is to be heard in Kyedani?" "Here is a letter from the prince hetman," answered Kmita. The servants, having finished buckling the prince's boots, went out. The prince broke the seal and began to read. After a while there was an expression of weariness and dissatisfaction on his face. He threw the letter under the mirror and said,--