because I take the place of the absent marsha I have come to greet them profoundly."
"It is far from you to the marshal," said Kharlamp; "for he is a personage with inherited land, while you with permission are under-starosta of Zabludovo."
"A servant of the servants of Kadzivill. That is true. Pan Kharlamp, I make no denial; God preserve me therefrom. But since the prince has heard of the guests, he has sent me to inquire who they are; therefore you will answer, Pan Kharlamp, if I were even a haiduk and not the under-starosta of Zabludovo."
"Oh, I would answer even a monkey if he were to come with an order," said Big Nose. "Listen now, and calk these names into yourself if your head is not able to hold them. This is Pan Skshetuski, that hero of Zbaraj; and this is his cousin Stanislav."
"Great God! what do I hear?" cried Harasimovich.
"This is Pan Zagloba."
"Great God! what do I hear?"
"If you are so confused at hearing my name," said Zagloba, "think of the confusion of the enemy in the field."
"And this is Colonel Volodyovski," finished Kharlamp.
"And he has a famous sabre, and besides is a Radzivill man," said Harasimovich, with a bow. "The prince's head is splitting from labor; but still he will find time for such knights, surely he will find it. Meanwhile with what can you be served? The whole castle is at the service of such welcome guests, and the cellars as well."
"We have heard of the famous meads of Kyedani," said Zagloba, hurriedly.
"Indeed!" answered Harasimovich, "there are glorious meads in Kyedani, glorious. I will send some hither for you to choose from right away. I hope that my benefactors will stay here long."
"We have come hither," said Pan Stanislav, "not to leave the side of the prince."
"Praiseworthy is your intention, the more so that trying times are at hand."
When he had said this, Harasimovich wriggled and became as small as if an ell had been taken from his stature.
"What is to be heard?" asked Kharlamp. "Is there any news?"
