Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/302

278 "God's wounds!—Father Vyshonek?"

"Gracious lady! gracious lady!" begged Zbyshko.

"Gracious lady!" repeated Danusia after him, embracing the knees of the princess a second time.

"How could that be without parental permission?"

"The law of God is superior," answered Zbyshko.

"But fear God!"

"Who is a father, if not the prince? who a mother, if not you, gracious lady?"

"Gracious beloved mother!" said Danusia.

"True! I have been, and am a mother to her," said the princess, "and besides it was from my hand that Yurand received his wife. True! The moment the marriage takes place all is finished. Yurand may be angry, still he is bound to the prince, as his lord. Moreover we need not tell him immediately unless he wants to give her to another, or make her a nun.—And if he has taken some vow it will not be his fault (that she is married) . Against the will of God no man can do anything.—By the living God! maybe this is Heaven's will."

"It must be!" cried Zbyshko.

"Wait," said the princess, filled with emotion, "let me think a little! If the prince were here I should go to him now and ask, 'Are we to give Danusia, or not?' But without him I am afraid to act.—My breath just stops, and there is no time for waiting in this case, since the girl must go in the morning.—O dear Jesus! let her go married, if only there is peace. But I cannot come to my mind, and somehow I am afraid. Art thou not afraid, Danusia? Speak!"

"If this is not done I shall die!" exclaimed Zbyshko.

Danusia rose from the knees of the princess, and because she was really admitted by the kind lady not only to intimacy, but to fondling, she seized her around the neck, and pressed her with all her strength.

"Without Father Vyshonek I will say nothing to thee," answered the princess. "Run for him as quickly as possible."

Danusia ran for Father Vyshonek; Zbyshko turned his pallid face to the princess, and said,—

"What the Lord Jesus has predestined will happen, but for this comfort may God reward you, gracious lady."

"Do not bless me yet," said the princess, "for it is unknown what will happen. And thou must swear to me on