Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/197

Rh "Your health is dearer to me than his bounty," said Zbyshko.

But Matsko was determined and insisted on his own way. He groaned on the road somewhat, but did not cease to tell Zbyshko how he must bear himself; especially did he enjoin on him obedience and humility in presence of the rich relative, who never endured the least opposition.

On reaching Zyh's "court" they found him and the abbot on the porch looking out at God's serene universe and drinking wine. Behind, on a bench near the wall, sat six attendants in a row, among them two choristers and one pilgrim, whom it was easy to distinguish by his curved staff, by the bag at his girdle, and by the shells worked on his dark mantle. The others looked like clerics, for they had shaven crowns, but they wore the dress of laymen, they were girded with oxhide, and had swords at their sides.

At sight of Matsko in the wagon, Zyh went out quickly; but the abbot, mindful as it seemed of his spiritual dignity, remained in his seat, only he began to speak to his clerics, some more of whom came out through the open door of the front room. Zbyshko and Zyh brought in the feeble Matsko, holding him by the arms.

"I am a little weak yet," said Matsko, kissing the abbot's hand; "but I have come to bow down to you, my benefactor, to thank you for your management, and beg your blessing, which is needed most of all by a sinful man."

"I have heard that you are better," said the abbot, pressing his head, "and that you have made a vow to the tomb of our late queen."

"Not knowing to which saint I should turn, I betook myself to her."

"You have done well!" cried the abbot, passionately; "she is better than others, and let any one dare to envy her!"

And anger came to his face in one moment, his cheeks filled with blood, his eyes began to flash.

Those present knew his irritability, so Zyh laughed, and cried,—

"Strike, whoso believes in God!"

The abbot panted loudly, turned his eyes on all present, then laughed as suddenly as he had burst out before, and looking at Zbyshko inquired,—

"This is your nephew, and my relative?"