Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/343

Rh

, riding behind, was unable to restrain himself long, and said in his soul, "I would rather see him burst out in anger than become stubborn."

So he rode up and said, touching Yurand's stirrup with his own,—

"Listen and hear how it was. You know what Danusia did for me in Cracow, but you do not know that in Bogdanets they wished me to marry Yagenka, the daughter of Zyh of Zgorzelitse. My uncle, Matsko, and her father wished the marriage, and the Abbot of Tulcha, our relative, a rich man, wished it also. But why talk long of this? She is an honest maiden, beautiful as a deer, and has a proper dowry. But it could not take place. I wanted Yagenka, but I wanted Danusia more, and I went to her in Mazovia; for I tell you sincerely I could not live longer without her. You remember how you yourself loved remember that!—and you will not wonder at me."

Here Zbyshko stopped while waiting for some word from Yurand, but, as he remained silent, the young man continued,—

"At the hunting-lodge God granted me to save the princess and Danusia from a wild bull, and the princess said immediately after: 'Now Yurand will not be opposed; for how could he refuse reward for such a deed?' But even then I had not thought of taking her without your parental permission. Besides, I had no chance of doing so; for the savage beast had so crushed me that he almost squeezed out my soul. But afterward, you know, those people came for Danusia, as if to take her to Spyhov, and I had not risen from my bed yet. I thought that I should never see her again; I thought that you would take her to Spyhov and give her to some other man. In Cracow you were opposed to me, you know. I thought that I should die. Hei, mighty God, what a night that was! Nothing but suffering; nothing but sorrow! I thought when she went away from me that even the sun would not rise again. You understand people's love and their sorrow."