Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/420

396 "But how dost thou know that she has not been given in marriage to Stan of Rogov or Vilk of Brozova?"

"The young lady has not married any one," said Hlava, with emphasis.

"The abbot may have commanded her."

"The abbot obeys the young lady, not she the abbot."

"What dost thou wish then? Tell the truth to her, as to others."

Hlava bowed and went away somewhat angry.

"God grant," said he to himself, thinking of Zbyshko. "God grant her to forget thee. God grant her a better man. Thou art married but wifeless, and mayest thou be a widower before the marriage is finished."

Hlava had grown attached to Zbyshko, he had compassion on Danusia, but Yagenka he loved beyond everything, and from the time that he had heard of Zbyshko's marriage before the last battle at Tsehanov he carried pain in his heart, and bitterness.

"God grant that thou be a widower before thy marriage is real!"

But later other thoughts, evidently sweeter, came to his head, for coming to his horses he said,—

"God be praised for even this, that I shall embrace her feet."

Meanwhile Zbyshko was impatient for the journey, and a fever tormented him. Since he could not occupy himself with other matters he endured real torture, thinking always of Danusia and Yurand. But he had to remain in Spyhov one night at least, for Pan de Lorche, and for the preparations which such a long journey demanded. Besides he was wearied beyond every measure by the battle, by watching, by the journey, by lack of sleep, by grief. That night, very late, he cast himself on Yurand's hard bed in the hope that even a short slumber would visit him. But before he fell asleep Sanderus knocked at the door and entered.

"Lord, you saved me from death," said he, bowing down; "with you I have lived more pleasantly than I have lived for a long time. God has given you a great estate; you are richer than ever, and the treasury of Spyhov is not empty. Give me a purse of some sort; I will go from castle to castle in Prussia, and though it is not very safe for me there, perhaps I may serve you."

Zbyshko, who at the first moment wished to push him out of the room, stopped at these words, and after a while drew