Page:Henryk Sienkiewicz - Potop - The Deluge (1898 translation by Jeremiah Curtin) - Vol 1.djvu/469

Rh standing on the threshold, beckoned with his glove, and called, —

"Come this way, my good friend!"

Kmita instead of going to him withdrew to the interior, for anger seized him at once. He had not become accustomed yet to the gray coat, or to being beckoned at with a glove. He went back therefore, sat at the table, and began to eat. The unknown lord came in after him. When he had entered he half closed his eyes, for it was dark in the room, since there was merely a small fire burning in the chimney.

"But why did no one come out as I was driving up?" asked the unknown lord.

"The host has gone to another room," answered Kmita, "and we are travellers, like your grace."

"Thank you for the confidence. And what manner of travellers?"

"Oh, a noble travelling with horses."

"And your company are nobles too?"

"Poor men, but nobles."

"With the forehead, then, with the forehead. Whither is God guiding you?"

"From fair to fair, to sell horses."

"If you stay here all night, I '11 see, perhaps I'll pick out something. Meanwhile will you permit me to join you at the table?"

The unknown lord asked, it is true, if they would let him sit with them, but in such a tone as if he were perfectly sure that they would ; and he was not mistaken. The young horse-dealer said, —

"We beg your grace very kindly, though we have nothing to offer but sausage and peas."

"There are better dainties in my bags," answered the lordling, not without a certain pride ; "but I have a soldier's palate, and sausage with peas, if well cooked, I prefer to everything." When he had said this, — and he spoke very slowly, though he looked quickly and sharply, — he took his seat on the bench on which Kmita pushed aside to give convenient room.

"Oh, I beg, I beg, do not incommode yourself. On the road rank is not regarded; and though you were to punch me with your elbow, the crown would not fall from my head."

Kmita, who was pushing a plate of peas to the unknown,