Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/285

Rh and undisciplined, he did not take those faults into account too much, especially as Knights of the Cross atoned for them with valor. He had seen them at Vilno, meeting breast to breast with Polish knights, at the taking of castles defended with superhuman resolve by Polish garrisons; he had seen them dying under blows of swords and axes, in general storms or in single combat. They were unsparing and cruel to Lithuania, but they were lion-like, and walked in glory as in sunlight. Now, however, it seemed to De Fourcy that Hugo von Danveld was saying things and proposing methods which ought to shock the soul in every knight; and the other brothers not only did not rise against him, but confirmed every word of his. Hence astonishment possessed him more and more, and at last he began to think deeply as to whether he could put his hands to such deeds.

Had it been simply a question of snatching a girl away, or exchanging her for Bregov later on, perhaps he might consent, though the beauty of Danusia had touched him and captivated his heart. If it had come to him to be her guardian he might perhaps have had nothing against the task, or even would not have been sure that she would go from his hands in the same state in which she had come to them. But with the Knights of the Cross the question was clearly something else. Through her they wished to get, with Bregov, also Yurand himself, by promising him that they would release her if he would give himself for her; then they would kill him, and with him, to conceal the deceit and the crime beyond any doubt, kill the girl herself also. In every case the same fate threatened her that came on the children of Vitold in case Yurand dared to complain. "They will not observe anything; they will deceive both and kill both," thought De Fourcy; "still they carry the cross and ought to hold honor higher than others."

And the soul stormed up in him more and more mightily every moment because of such shamelessness; but he determined to satisfy himself as to how far his suspicions were just, so he rode up to Hugo again and inquired,—

"If Yurand gives himself to you, will you liberate the girl?"

"If we should liberate her the whole world would know at once that we took both of them."

"But what will you do with her?"

Hugo inclined toward the speaker, and exhibiting by his smile the decayed teeth under his thick lips, asked,—