When Kmita in his turn came back, the king rose, pressed his head, and said,—
“We have never doubted that you speak the truth, and neither your pain nor your services will pass unrewarded.”
“We are your debtors,” added the queen, extending her hand to him.
Pan Andrei dropped on one knee and kissed with reverence the hand of the queen, who stroked him on the head like a mother.
“Be not angry with the chancellor,” said the king. “In this place there are really not a few traitors, or, if not traitors, men who are unwise, that wind three after three, and it belongs to the chancellor’s office to discover truth touching public affairs.”
“What does my poor anger mean for such a great man?” answered Pan Andrei. “And I should not dare to murmur against a worthy senator, who gives an example of
