# XXV explained — The Deluge

> Chapter companion for The Deluge by Henryk Sienkiewicz.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_deluge_se/chapters/xxv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_deluge_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_deluge_se/chapters