صفحة 589 من 788

"That was but a short time after her betrothal. Everywhere the

talk was of nothing but her betrothal; they said that when Eva

took the ring from the hand of the Wojewoda she swooned, that she

had been seized with a fever, that she had symptoms of

consumption, that she sobbed continually; they conjectured that

she was secretly in love with some one else. But the Pantler,

calm and gay as ever, gave balls in his castle and assembled his

friends; me he no longer invited-in what way could I be useful to

him? My scandalous life at home, my misery, my disgraceful habits

had brought upon me the contempt and mockery of the world! Me,

who once, I may say, had made all the district tremble! Me, whom

Radziwill had called 'my dear'! Me, who, when I rode forth from

my hamlet, had led with me a train more numerous than a prince's!