she, without blinking an eye before the terrible looks and the ominous gleam of drawn sabres.
"Kmita has burned Volmontovichi!" cried the nobles, in a chorus. "He has slaughtered men, women, children, — Kmita did this."
"We have killed his men," said Yuzva Butrym; "now we are seeking his own head."
"His head, his blood! Cut down the murderer!"
"Pursue him!" cried the lady. "Why do you stand here? Pursue him!"
"Is he not hidden here? We found his horse at the woods."
"He is not here! The house was closed. Look for him in the stables and barns."
"He has gone off to the woods!" cried some noble. "Come, brothers."
"Be silent!" roared with powerful voice Yuzva Butrym.
"My lady," said he, "do not conceal him! That is a cursed man!"
Olenka raised both hands above her head: "I join you in cursing him!"
"Amen!" shouted the nobles. "To the buildings, to the woods! We will find him! After the murderer!"
"Come on! come on!"
The clatter of sabres and tramp of feet was heard again. The nobles hurried out through the porch, and mounted with all speed. A part of them searched still for a time in the stables, the cow-houses, and hay-shed; then their voices began to retreat toward the woods.
Panna Aleksandra listened till they had ceased altogether; then she tapped feverishly at the door of the room in which she had hidden Kmita. "There is no one here now, come out."
Pan Andrei pushed himself forth from the room as if drunk. "Olenka!" he began.
She shook her loosened tresses, which then covered her face like a veil. "I wish not to see you or know you. Take a horse and flee hence!"
"Olenka!" groaned Kmita, stretching forth his hands.
"There is blood on your hands, as on Cain's!" screamed she, springing back as if at the sight of a serpent. "Be gone, for the ages!"
