Maria Babska

Maria Marcjanna Aleksandra Babska, later called by Sienkiewicz - Marek. She was his niece so she knew him since birth. In 1888 she was 24 and proposed him marriage, though he was 14 years older than she. He said - yes, but left to take doctors' advise. After the departure he thought about it and realised that he didn't love her and wrote her a letter. She didn't want him to worry and feel bad and answered in "gay letter" and rennounced her love to him. Im 1894 she took the vail, but it was canons' cloister (klasztor kanoniczek) so she could leave it and get married. After two months he paid her a visit and since then they became friends. Later they have met each other frequently and even she had a room in Oblegorek. On the 5th of May 1904 they got married. On the wedding there were only his children and his first wife's mother, because nobody have known about it. Afterwards they left for Italy and Vienna. She has taken care about Henryk and Oblegorek and garden, but also she founde there a school for children. They were traveling together, he has showed her Bologna, Florence, Pisa and many more. In spring 1914 she had fell ill but recovered. In Vevey she helped him with committee.
Today we may read letters from many people, who asked her for help, also from people, who just missed her, even from the servants, who have written to her like they would write to the most beloved person in the world.