The Deluge · Chapter
XXV explained
Kmita prepares to depart from Kyedani as an envoy to Prince Boguslav Radzivill and the Swedish court.
What happens
Kmita prepares to depart from Kyedani as an envoy to Prince Boguslav Radzivill and the Swedish court. He selects a small escort of loyal men, including Soroka, and receives letters and a pass from Prince Yanush Radzivill. During a farewell drinking session with Ganhoff and Kharlamp, discussions touch on Prince Boguslav's French manners, the shifting allegiances of the Commonwealth, and the nature of love and forgetting. Kmita then seeks a final, emotional meeting with Olenka Billevich, where they exchange forgiveness and sorrowful farewells, though Olenka urges him to abandon the traitors. Kmita departs into the night, leaving Olenka in tears.
Themes in this chapter
- Love and Sacrifice
Kmita and Olenka's final meeting is marked by mutual forgiveness, tears, and a painful parting, highlighting the sacrifice of personal love amid political turmoil.
- Political Intrigue
The chapter depicts the shifting allegiances of the Commonwealth, with Kmita serving as an envoy to the Swedish-aligned Radzivills while others like Charnyetski resist.
- Honor and Betrayal
Kmita vehemently denies being a traitor, insisting his actions are for the country's salvation, while Olenka views his alliance with the Swedes as betrayal.
Characters to notice
- Andrei Kmita
Prepares for his journey as an envoy, selects his escort, drinks with officers, and has an emotional farewell with Olenka, expressing his sorrow and defending his honor.
- Olenka Billevich
Meets Kmita for a final parting; she forgives him for past wrongs but pleads with him to leave the traitors, weeping at his departure.
- Soroka
Kmita's trusty sergeant, who announces the readiness of the horses and men for the journey.
- Ganhoff
Drinks with Kmita at the farewell, praises Prince Boguslav, and discusses the political situation, warning against speaking of Yan Kazimir.
- Pan Kharlamp
Joins the farewell drinking, recounts his own past love and advice about forgetting, and mentions Volodyovski and Bogun.
- Yanush Radzivill
Gives Kmita letters and a pass, bids him farewell with fatherly advice.
Key passages
“I do not cherish ill will against you... Would that all this had not been!”
Kmita tells Olenka he holds no grudge and wishes their troubles had never happened.
Kmita expresses regret and a desire for reconciliation before his departure.
“I hold you that no longer... You say that I have judged you unjustly; that is true. It is my fault; I confess it and beg your forgiveness.”
Olenka admits she no longer considers Kmita a traitor and apologizes for her earlier judgment.
Olenka retracts her accusation, acknowledging her mistake and seeking forgiveness.
“Pan Andrei, leave traitors, and all may be.”
Olenka urges Kmita to abandon his alliance with the Radzivills and Swedes.
Olenka makes a final plea for Kmita to change his political allegiance.
