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 “No father, that isn’t true! He is a prince among princes, a finer, more gallant, more valiant and more honorable man than all the other sons of boyars I’ve ever seen. Besides father, it’s too late now to retract it, I have made the vow and must keep my promise!”

“What matters the oath of a silly, love-blinded girl?”

“Father, I’m not a silly, love-blinded girl! It is not the result of a wild, unthinking impulse, without careful deliberation beforehand nor even without the help of a higher power.” These last words were uttered in a reverently hushed tone.

The boyar turned towards her curiously. “What is this I hear? What kind of a higher power prompted you to such crass foolishness?”

“Listen father!” the girl said, turning towards him and slackening the reins on her horse. “The night before we started on the bear hunt, my mother appeared to me in a dream. She looked just as you have always pictured her to me: in a white dress with flowing hair, but her face was rosy with life and bright as if lit by the rays of the sun; her lips curved in a joyous smile and her eyes shone with infinite mother love. She advanced towards me with outstretched arms and embraced me warmly.”

“‘Peace-Renown, my only child!’ said she, in a gentle, loving tone, which I can still hear echoing in my heart, ‘Heed what I am going to tell you: the most important moment of your life is approaching, my dearly beloved daughter! Your heart will be stirred and awakened. Listen to the voice of your heart, my daughter and heed its dictates!’”

“‘Yes, mother!’ I said, trembling with the force of an indescribable emotion.”

“‘Then I bless your heart!’ she replied, vanishing in a whiff of heavenly odorous scent, and I awoke. Truly my heart did speak, father, and I followed its urging. My mother’s blessing is upon me!”