XXII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Honor and Betrayal

  Kmita confronts Radzivill about the prince's deceitful letter, highlighting the clash between personal honor and political treachery. Radzivill justifies his actions as necessary for the greater cause, while Kmita feels betrayed and shamed.

• Political Intrigue

  Radzivill's machinations, including the attempted execution of prisoners and strained relations with the Swedes, illustrate the complex political maneuvering during the Deluge. The growing resistance from Sapyeha and the confederates further destabilizes Radzivill's position.

• Love and Sacrifice

  Kmita's anguish over Olenka's coldness and silence reflects the personal cost of his loyalty to Radzivill. He feels wronged and unloved, yet continues to serve, highlighting the theme of unrequited love and sacrifice.

Characters to notice

• Yanush Radzivill

  Returns to Kyedani, confronts Kmita about the failed mission and the letter, suffers an asthma attack, and later attempts to justify his actions to Kmita.

• Andrei Kmita

  Returns to Kyedani without soldiers, confronts Radzivill about the deceitful letter, and is tormented by Olenka's coldness and silence.

• Pan Kharlamp

  Meets Kmita in the corridor, discusses the prince's health and the growing discontent among the nobles, and informs Kmita about the sword-bearer and Olenka's arrival.

• Olenka Billevich

  Brought to Kyedani as a prisoner with her uncle; her cold silence during Kmita's trial causes him deep anguish.

• Tomash Billevich

  Brought to Kyedani with Olenka; he tells Radzivill the story of Volodyovski's escape to deflect suspicion.

• Pan Michael Volodyovski

  Escapes from Radzivill's forces and flees to Podlyasye, where he joins the confederates and strengthens the resistance.

• Prince Boguslav Radzivill

  Mentioned as being in Podlyasye with castle squadrons opposing the confederates, awaiting aid from the elector.

• Kryshtofek Sapyeha

  Mentioned as the voevoda of Vityebsk who is gathering troops and resources against Radzivill, refusing to answer the hetman's letters.

Key passages

• “There was no success for you, as there was none for me”

  Radzivill tells Kmita that both of them have failed in their recent endeavors.

  Radzivill acknowledges the mutual failure of their missions.

• “I will not be silent, for before the eyes of those men I had to take your place. They were urging me to join them; but I would not, and said, ‘I serve Radzivill; for with him is justice, with him virtue.’ Then they showed me that letter: ‘See what a man your Radzivill is!’ I had to shut my mouth and gulp shame.”

  Kmita explains that he defended Radzivill to the confederates, only to be humiliated when they revealed the prince's treacherous letter.

  Kmita expresses his shame and anger at being deceived by Radzivill.

• “Oh, the heart of that woman is hard!”

  Kmita laments Olenka's coldness and lack of pity toward him.

  Kmita's internal torment over Olenka's silence during his trial.

• “If they had perished in Kyedani, nothing of all this would have happened; but when imploring for them you were thinking only of your own feelings.”

  Radzivill blames Kmita's plea for mercy for the subsequent rebellion and complications.

  Radzivill justifies his earlier order to execute the prisoners as a necessary political act.