Page:Poet Lore, volume 31, 1920.djvu/80

 rights. With the signing of this declaration, I am ready to place 30,000 Hungarian florins at the disposal of His Grace, and bind myself to the offer by the signing of this agreement. Dated, Třebon, 2nd of May.”

Rozmberk.—That is how I want it. (Turning for the pen.) Bring me the pen. ( goes to get it. just then hands him a paper to sign.) You see this, Master Hannewaldt, and inform your king of the step to which you have moved me. Here to this binding agreement, which holds me to the cause of Matthias, I affix my own signature. (Signs.) “Petr Vok Rozmberk, ruler of the House of Rozmberk, his own hand.”

Hannewaldt (In despair).—Woe unto me! (Walks away.)

Kinský.—Long live the great master of Třebon, who has granted mercy and grace to Ctibor of Ujezda!

Rozmberk (Surprised).—What trick is this, brother!

Zuzanka (Goes to the window, and shouts as she waves her handkerchief).—Grace has been granted! (Hurries below.)

Kinský.—You signed the pardon for your ward.

Rozmberk.—Are you all crazy? Where is the paper? (Takes it from the hand of, and after looking at it, says) That is a trick, Kinský,—you gave me another agreement to sign than the one which you read!

Kinský (Calmly).—Yes, I made use of trickery to gain the pardon for Ctibor. Here is the other agreement which I read. (Hands it to him.)

Rozmberk.—Do you suppose, Kinský, that I am here to be trifled with in my own house?

Kinský.—By my deception I saved not only a human life but your own nobility which seemed to be going to pieces upon the crags set up by Hannewaldt.

Rozmberk (Stiffly).—I do not need a protector. Return to me the paper which I signed against my own will.

Kinský.—It is more precious to me than anything else,—I will not return it.

Rozmberk.—Remember, Kinský, what you have at stake and what you are striving to gain. You will either return that paper to me or else for the sake of saving one human life you will betray