is not mine; ' for remember that to-morrow we march, to
battle."

"I will go with you to the end of the world; but I can-
not console myself. It is so grievous for me without her
that I cannot, I cannot --"

The poor fellow seized himself by the head, then put his
fingers between his teeth, and gnawed them to overcome the
groans, for a storm of despair was tearing him afresh.

"You have said, 'Thy will be done!'" said the priest,
severely.

"Amen, amen! I yield to his will, but with pain. I
cannot help it," answered the knight, with a broken voice.

They could see how he struggled and writhed, and his
suffering wrung tears from them all. The most sensitive
were Volodyovski and Podbipienta, who poured out whole
streams. The latter clasped his hands and said pitifully:

"Brother, dear brother, contain yourself!"

"Listen!" said the prince on a sudden, "I have news
that Bogun rushed off from here toward Lubni, for he cut
down my men at Vassilyevka. Do not despair too soon, for
perhaps he did not find her; if he did, why should he rush
on toward Lubni?"

"As true as life, that may be the case," cried some of the
officers. "God will console you."

Skshetuski opened his eyes as if he did not understand
what they were saying. Suddenly hope gleamed in his
mind, and he threw himself at the feet of the prince.

"Oh, your Highness!" cried he, "my life, my blood--"

He could speak no further. He had grown so weak that
Pan Longin was obliged to raise him and place him on
the bench; but it was evident from his looks that he had
grasped at that hope as a drowning man at a plank, and
that his pain had left him. The officers fanned that spark,
saying he might find the princess in Lubni. Afterward
they took him to another cottage, and then brought him
mead and wine. He wished to drink, but could not, his
throat was so straitened. His faithful comrades drank
instead; and when they had grown gladsome they began
to embrace and kiss him, and to wonder at his meagreness
and the marks of sickness which he bore on his face.

"Oh, you look like one risen from the dead," said portly
Pan Dzik.

"It must be they insulted you in the Saitch, and gave
you neither food nor drink."