Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/122

98 in the dress of a woman. No woman will stay here in thy place, but take thou my coat, take my cowl, and go forth. Dost understand? They will not notice thee, be sure. That is certain. Beyond the doors it is dark. They will not look into thy eyes. They saw me yesterday as I went out; no one looked at me. Be quiet, and listen. They will find me to-morrow— Well, what? Will they cut off my head? That would be a pleasure to them, when as it is my death is appointed for a time two or three weeks distant. But as soon as thou art out, mount thy horse and ride straight to Vitold. Name thyself, bow down to him; he will receive thee, and with him thou wilt be as with the Lord God behind a stove. Here people say that the armies of the prince have been swept away by the Tartar. It is unknown if that be true; it may be, for the late queen prophesied that the expedition would end thus. If it be true, the prince will need knights all the more, and will be glad to see thee. But do thou adhere to him, for there is not in the world a better service than his. If another king loses a war, it is all over with him; but in Prince Vitold there is such deftness that after defeat he is stronger than ever. He is bountiful, and he loves us immensely. Tell him everything as it happened. Tell him that it was thy wish to go with him against the Tartar, but that thou wert confined in the tower. God grant that he will present thee with land and men, make a belted knight of thee, and take thy part before the king. He is a good advocate."

Zbyshko listened in silence, and Matsko, as if urged by his own words, continued,—

"It is not for thee to die in youth, but to return to Bogdanets. When there, take a wife at once, so that our race may not perish. Only when thou hast children wilt thou be free to challenge Lichtenstein to mortal combat; but before that see that thou keep from revenge, for they would shoot thee somewhere in Prussia, as they did me, then there would be no help for thee. Take the coat, take the cowl, and move in God's name."

Matsko rose and began to undress, but Zbyshko rose also, seized his hand, and cried,—

"What do you wish of me? I will not do that! so help me God and the Holy Cross!"

"Why?" asked Matsko, with astonishment.

"Because I will not."

Matsko grew pale from emotion and anger.