Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/301

Rh for he raised himself, sat up in the bed, and said in changed accents,—

"Gracious lady—"

At that point he was interrupted by Danusia, who ran in weeping and began to call from the threshold,—

"Thou knowest already, Zbyshko! Oi, I am sorry for papa, but I am sorry for thee, poor boy!"

Zbyshko, when she came near him, gathered in with his sound arm his darling, and said,—

"How am I to live without thee? It was not to lose thee that I made vows and served thee. It was not to lose thee that I have ridden hither through forests and rivers. Hei! grief will not relieve me, tears will not relieve me, death itself will not relieve; for though the green grass were to grow over me, my soul would not forget thee even in the court of the Lord Jesus, and in the chambers of God the Father Himself. I say there is no help, but help must be found; without help there is no escape anyhow! I feel torture in my bones and great pain, but do thou, Danusia, fall at the feet of our lady, for I am not able to do so, and do thou beg a favor for both of us."

When Danusia heard this she sprang to the feet of the princess, and embracing them hid her bright face in the folds of her heavy robe; the lady turned her eyes, which were filled with pity but also with astonishment, at Zbyshko.

"How can I show favor? If I do not let the child go to her father I shall bring down the anger of God on my head."

Zbyshko, who had raised himself previously, dropped again to the pillow, and for a time made no answer because breath was lacking him. But gradually he moved one hand up to the other on his breast till at last he joined both as if in prayer.

"Rest," said the princess, "then tell what thy wish is,but do thou, Danusia, rise from my knees."

"Do not rise, but join in my prayer," said Zbyshko. Then he began in a weak and broken voice,—

"Gracious lady—Yurand was opposed to me in Cracow—he will be opposed to me now, but if Father Vyshonek marries me to Danusia—she may go to Spyhov, for then no human power can take her from me."

These words were so unexpected for Princess Anna that she sprang up from the bench, then sat down again, and said, as if not understanding well what the question was,—