Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/234

210 over him and be able to exploit him the better. He had considered already in his mind that he ought to hold fast to that knight, who had a good retinue and sufficient supplies, Sanderus knew men and things. Zbyshko's great youth permitted him to suppose that the knight would be bountiful and not provident, casting around money easily. He had observed also that costly Milan armor, and the immense stallions for battle, which not every man could own; so he said to himself that with a young lord like him he would find secure hospitality at courts, and more than one chance to sell indulgences with profit; he would have safety on the road, and, finally, abundance of food and drink, which for him was supremely important. So when he heard Zbyshko's question he wrinkled his forehead, raised his eyes as if straining his memory, and answered,—

"Panna Danuta,—but whence is she?"

"Danuta, the daughter of Yurand of Spyhov."

"I saw them all, but what their names were I do not remember clearly."

"She is young yet, plays on the lute, and rejoices the princess with singing."

"Ah!—young—plays on the lute—young maidens also got married. Is she not dark as an agate?"

Zbyshko was relieved.

"That is not she! She is white as snow, but there is a blush on her cheeks, she is blond."

"One as black as an agate," said Sanderus, "remained with the princess, almost all the others got married."

"Thou sayst 'almost all;' that means not to the last one. By the dear God! if thou wish of me anything then bring it to mind."

"In three or four days I could recall everything; but most precious to me would be a horse on which I could carry my sacred objects."

"If thou tell truth, thou wilt get one."

"The truth will be known at the Mazovian court," said Hlava, who had been listening to the conversation from the first and was laughing in his fist.

Sanderus looked at him awhile and asked; "Dost thou think that I fear the Mazovian court?"

"I do not say that thou hast fear of the Mazovian court, but if it shall appear that thou hast lied thou wilt not go away on thy own legs, for his grace will give command to break both."