"Your grace is like one going to a wedding," added Marysia.
"Maybe there will be a wedding," laughed old Pakosh, "for he is going to see our lady."
Before the old man had stopped speaking the full pail dropped from the hand of Marysia, and a stream of milk flowed along till it reached the feet of Volodyovski.
"Pay attention to what you are holding!" said Pakosh, angrily. "Giddy thing!"
Marysia said nothing; she raised the pail and walked off in silence.
Volodyovski mounted his horse ; his two servants followed him, riding abreast, and the three moved on toward Vodokty. The day was beautiful. The May sun played on the breastplate and helmet of the colonel, so that when at a distance he was gleaming among the willows it seemed that another sun was pushing along the road.
"I am curious to know whether I shall come back with a ring or a melon?" said the knight to himself.
"What is your grace saying?" asked Syruts.
"Thou art a blockhead!"
Syruts reined in his horse, and Volodyovski continued: "The whole luck of the matter is that it is not the first time!"
This idea gave him uncommon comfort.
When he arrived at Vodokty, Panna Aleksandra did not recognize him at the first moment, and he had to repeat his name. She greeted him heartily, but ceremoniously and with a certain constraint; but he presented himself befit- tingly, — for though a soldier, not a courtier, he had still lived long at great houses, had been among people. He bowed to her therefore with great respect, and placing his hand on his heart spoke as follows: —
"I have come to inquire about the health of my lady benefactress, whether some pain has not come from the fright. I ought to, have done this the day after, but I did not wish to give annoyance."
"It is very kind of you to keep me in mind after having saved me from such straits. Sit down, for you are a welcome guest."
"My lady," replied Volodyovski, "had I forgotten you I should not have deserved the favor which God sent when he permitted me to give aid to so worthy a person."
"No, I ought to thank first God, and then you."
