Pagina 655 van 788

FINALLY with a crash the doors of the hall were thrown wide open,

and the Seneschal entered, wearing a cap, and with his head held

high; he did not greet the company nor take his place at the

table, for to-day the Seneschal emerged in a new character, as

Marshal of the Court; he bore a wand in sign of office, and with

this wand he indicated to each in turn his place and showed the

guests their seats. First of all, as the highest in authority in

the wojewodeship, the Chamberlain-Marshal took the place of

honour, a velvet chair with ivory arms; next him on the right sat

General Dombrowski, and on the left Kniaziewicz, Pac,203 and

Malachowski. Amid this company the Chamberlain's wife had her

seat; farther on other ladies, officers, magnates, country

gentry, and neighbours, men and women alternately, all took

places in order as the Seneschal indicated.