Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/194

170 Zbyshko then told how he had become acquainted with Danusia in Tynets, how he had made a vow to her immediately, and all that had happened afterward, hence his imprisonment, and how Danusia had rescued him, Yurand's refusal, their farewell, his longing, and finally his delight that after Matsko's recovery he would be able to go to the beloved maiden, and do what he had promised. The narrative was only interrupted at sight of the man waiting with horses at the edge of the forest.

Yagenka mounted her horse at once, and began to take leave of Zbyshko.

"Let the man take the beaver with thee, but I will go home."

"But wilt thou not go to Bogdanets? Zyh is there."

"No, papa was to return, and he told me to go home."

"Well, God reward thee for the beaver."

"With God!"

And after a while Yagenka was alone. While riding homeward through the heather, she looked some time after Zbyshko, and when at last he had vanished behind the trees, she covered her eyes with one hand, as if guarding them from sunrays. But soon from beneath her hand great tears flowed along her cheeks and fell one after the other, like peas, on the mane of the horse and the saddle.