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.