Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/345

Rh Zbyshko found themselves in a room apart. On a sudden Yurand halted before the young knight, and fixing a glance on him inquired,—

"And hast thou wandered in here for her?"

Zbyshko answered almost rudely,—

"Do you think that I shall hesitate to answer?"

And he looked straight into Yurand's eyes, ready to burst out with anger against anger. But in the old warrior's face there was no stubbornness; there was only sadness almost without limit.

"And didst thou save my child?" asked he after a while, "and dig me out of the snow?"

Zbyshko looked at him with wonder and fear lest his brain might have become unsettled; for Yurand repeated exactly the same questions which he had asked already.

"Sit down," said he; "for it seems to me that you are weak yet."

But Yurand raised his hands, placed them on Zbyshko's shoulders, and all at once he drew him with what strength he had to his heart. Zbyshko, when he recovered from momentary astonishment, seized him around the waist, and they held each other long; for common suffering and misfortune had bound them together.

When they let go of each other, Zbyshko grasped the old knight's knees, and then kissed his hand, with tears in his eyes.

"Then you will not be offended with me?" asked he.

To which Yurand answered,—

"I was opposed to you; for in my soul I had devoted her to God."

"You devoted her to God, and God to me. It is His will."

"His will!" repeated Yurand; "but now we need mercy."

"Whom should God aid if not a father looking for his child, or a husband seeking his wife? He will not assist bandits, be sure."

"Still they carried her away," answered Yurand.

"Then give them De Bergov for her."

"I will give them everything they ask."

But at thoughts of the Knights of the Cross old hatred was roused in him at once, and embraced him like a flame; for after a while he added through his set teeth,—

"And I will give that which they do not want."

"I, too, have made a vow," said Zbyshko; "but now we must be off to Spyhov!"

—21