Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/281

Rh

before starting for Schytno, the four brethren and De Fourcy had to take farewell of the prince and the princess. That was a farewell not over friendly, but the prince, in accord with ancient Polish custom, unwilling to let guests depart empty handed, gave each man a fine bundle of fur, and a gryven of silver; they received these with delight giving assurance that, as brethren of the Cross, who had vowed poverty, they never kept money, but gave it to the poor, whom they recommended at the same time to pray for the health, glory, and future salvation of Prince Yanush.

The Mazovians smiled under their moustaches at these statements, for the greed of the Order was well known to them, and still better known were the lies of the Knights of the Order. In Mazovia the saying was, "A Knight of the Cross lies as a skunk gives out odor." The prince waved his hand and said after they had gone that a man might go to heaven on their prayers, perhaps crab fashion.

But still earlier, at parting with the princess, when Siegfried kissed her hand, Danveld approached Danusia, placed his hand on her head, and while stroking it said,—

"It is commanded us to return good for evil, and love even our enemies; so a sister of the Order will bring to you, young lady, the healing balsam."

"How am I to thank you?" answered Danusia.

"Be a friend of the Order, and the Knights of the Cross."

De Fourcy had noted this conversation, and because the beauty of the maiden had struck him, he asked after they had moved toward Schytno,—

"What beautiful damsel is that with whom you were talking?"

"She is the daughter of Yurand."

"The one whom you are going to seize?" asked De Fourcy, in wonder.

"The same. And if we have her, Yurand is ours."

"It is clear that not everything coming from Yurand is evil. It is worth while to be the keeper of such a prisoner."

"Do you think that it would be easier to war with her, than with Yurand?"

—17