Volume V Part 90 (2/2)
The lady probably confided her displeasure to hier, who had coainst her Count Branicki in his turn probably pro so arose, to create an opportunity At least, this is the way in which affairs of this kind are usually ed, and I can find no better explanation for what happened
Nevertheless, the way in which the Pole took vengeance was very original and extraordinary
On the 20th of February Branicki went to the opera, and, contrary to his custoan to pay his court to the actress, To present Both he and the actress concluded that Branicki had had a quarrel with her rival, and though she did not ave hierous to despise his suit openly
When the Catai had coallant postoli offered her his are, which was at the door Toe Madae-door was opened, she stepped in, and Branicki got in after her, telling the astonished Toe Toe, and begged the colonel to get out Branicki paid no attention, and told the coachman to drive on Tornatis forbade hiallant postcili was therefore obliged to get down, but he bade his hussar give Toorously obeyed that the unfortunate round before he had tiot up eventually and drove off, but he could eat no supper, no doubt because he had a blow to digest I was to have supped with hio I went ho whether the whole had been concerted; but I concluded that this was impossible, as neither Branicki nor Binetti could have foreseen the impoliteness and cowardice of Toically the matter ended
CHAPTER XXII
My Duel with Branicki--My Journey to Leopol and Return to Warsaw--I Receive the Order to Leave--My Departure with the Unknown One
On reflection I concluded that Branicki had not done an ungentlee; he had merely behaved with impetuosity, as if he were the Catai's lover It also appeared tothe affront he had received from the jealous Italian, the box on the ear was a very eance A blow is bad, of course, but not so bad as death; and Branicki er's body Certainly, if Branicki had killed hih Tomatis had a sword the Polish officer's servants would never have allowed hi that Tomatis should have tried to take the servant's life, even at the risk of his own He wanted no 's favourite to coht have foreseen that the Polish noble would be stung to the quick, and would surely atteeance
The next day the encounter was the subject of all conversations Toeance in vain The king told hi for hiiven insult for insult I saw Tomatis, who told eance, but that it would cost him too dear
He had spent forty thousand ducats on the two ballets, and if he had avenged hied to leave the kingdoreat friends were kinder to hi himself honoured him with peculiar attention Madame Binetti was triumphant When I saw her she condoled with me ironically on the mishap that had befallen uess that Branicki had only acted at her instigation, and still less that she had a grudge against hed at her, for I had nothing to dread froer I had never seen him nor spoken to hiand never went to the palatin's to supper, being an unpopular character with the Polish nobility This Branicki was said to have been originally a Cossack, Branecki by na's favorite and assu to be of the same family as the illustrious marshal of that na the pretender, ordered his shi+eld to be broken up and buried with him as the last of the race However that may be, Branicki was the tool of the Russian party, the detern of Russianising the ancient Polish constitution The king liked hiations to hied neither in love affairs nor ga to become his secretary I paid my court to the princess-palatine, who liked my company, and I played tressette with the palatin himself
On the 4th of March, St Casimir's Eve, there was a banquet at Court to which I had the honour to be invited Casi's eldest brother, who held the office of grand cha to the theatre, where a Polish play was to be given for the first time Everybody was interested in this novelty, but it was a uage, and I told the king as much
”Never mind,” said he, ”co an invitation to be refused, so I obeyed the royal co's chair After the second act a ballet was given, and the dancing of Madame Caracci, a Piedmontese, so pleased hisher
I only knew the dancer by sight, for I had never spoken to her She had some talents Her principal adthe other dancers to the exclusion of Madaht of his reproach at the tiratulate her on her perfor's applause On -roo the door open I stayed a moment
Count Branicki came up, and I left with a bow and passed on to Mada-rooan with kindly reproaches for iving her a kiss I promised to come and see her
Just as I embraced her who should enter but Branicki, whom I had left a moment before with Mada a quarrel He was accompanied by Bininski, his lieutenant-colonel As soon as he appeared, politeness o, but he stopped me
”It seems to me I have come at a bad time; it looks as if you loved this lady”
”Certainly, my lord; does not your excellency consider her as worthy of love?”
”Quite so; but as it happens I love her too, and I am not the man to bear any rivals”
”As I know that, I shall love her no ive her up?”
”With all my heart; for everyone ood; but I call aexpression?”
As I uttered these words I looked proudly at him and touched the hilt of my sword Three or four officers were present and witnessed what passed