Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/297

Rh of the servants with great care about Zbyshko and Danusia; when the occasion offered, she made Danusia a present of a rose of Jericho; and the following day, when the maiden was sitting in the dining-hall, she pushed up to her and said,—

"God bless you, young lady. Last night, after prayer, I dreamed that two knights came through the snow to you; one arrived first, and wound you in a white mantle, but the other said, 'I see only snow, she is not here;' and he went back again."

Danusia, who wished to sleep, opened her blue eyes at once, and inquired,—

"But what does that signify?"

"This, that the one who loves you most will get you."

"That is Zbyshko!"

"I cannot tell, for I saw not his face; I saw only a white mantle, and I woke then immediately, for every night the Lord Jesus sends me pain in my feet; and one arm He has taken from me altogether."

"But has the balsam not helped you?"

"Even the balsam will not help me, young lady, because of my sin, which is too great; if you wish to know what it is, I will tell you."

Danusia nodded, in token that she was willing to know; so the sister continued,—

"There are in the Order women also who serve, though they make no vows, for they can marry, still, with respect to the Order they are bound to serve the Brotherhood; and whoever of them is met by such a favor and honor receives a pious kiss from a brother knight in sign that henceforth in deed and speech she is to serve the Order. Oh, young lady, such a great favor was to visit me; but I, in my sinful stubbornness, instead of receiving it gratefully, committed much sin, and drew down on myself punishment."

"What did you do?"

"Brother Danveld came and gave me the kiss of the Order. I thought it given through frivolousness, and raised my godless hand on him."

Then she beat her breast, and repeated a number of times,—

"O God, be merciful to me a sinner!"

"And what happened?" inquired Danusia.

"My hand was taken at once from me, and from that hour I have been maimed. I was young and foolish; I was ignorant! Still, I was punished. For though it might

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