"Thank your friend," said the prince, turning to Pan
Yan, "and prepare for the road."

Skshetuski thanked Bykhovets heartily indeed, and in a
few hours he was ready. For some time it had been irk-
some for him in Lubni, and this expedition accorded with
all his wishes. First, he was to see Helena. True, he had
to go from her for a long time; but just such an interval
was needed to make the roads passable for wheels, after
such measureless rains. The princess and Helena could not
come earlier to Lubni. Skshetuski therefore must either
wait in Lubni or live at Rozlogi,--which would be against
his covenant with the princess, and, what was more, rouse
the suspicions of Bogun. Helena could be really safe
against his attacks only in Lubni; but since she must in
every case wait some time yet in Roziogi, it appeared best
to Pan Yan to depart, and on his return take her under
the protection of the armed power of the prince. Having
settled the matter thus, the lieutenant hastened his jour-
ney, --- got everything ready, took letters and instructions
from the prince, money for expenses from the treasurer,
and made a good start over the road before night, having
with him Jendzian and forty horsemen from the Cossack
regiment.