Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/462

24 head net, the other was in perpendicular stripes. With a handsome sword at her side, her face as bright as the dawn, it was impossible to take one's eyes from her, such was the girl's beauty.

"Upon my word," said the rejoiced Matsko, "art thou some wonderful young lord, or a flower, or what?"

Then he turned to the other youth and asked: "But who is this here—some traitor of course?"

"This is only Anulka," said Yagenka. "I should feel awkward among you if I were alone; how could I go? So I took Anulka; it is pleasanter with company than alone, besides I need help and service. No one will know her either."

"Well, granny, here is a wedding for thee! One was not enough; we must have two."

"Do not tease."

"I will not tease, but in the daytime every one will know her and thee."

"Why should they?"

"Thy knees turn in—and hers also."

"Oh, give us peace! "

"I will, for my time is past; but will Stan and Vilk give it? God knows. Dost know, thou gadfly, whence I come?From old Vilk's house."

"By the dear God! What do you tell me?"

"The truth, as this is truth, that old and young Vilk will defend Bogdanets and Zgorzelitse against Stan. Well, to challenge enemies, to fight with them is easy, but to make enemies guard one's property, no drone can do that."

Here Matsko told of his visit at Vilk's house, how he had snared the men and hung them both on a hook. Yagenka listened with great astonishment, and when he had finished she said,—

"The Lord Jesus has not spared cunning in your case, and I see that everything will be as you wish."

"Ah, girl, if everything were as I wish thou wouldst have been mistress of Bogdanets this long time."

At this Yagenka looked at him for a while with her blue eyes, and then approaching kissed his hand.

"Why dost thou kiss me?" asked the old man.

"Oh, nothing! I merely say good-night to you, for it is late, and we must start before daybreak."

And taking Anulka with her she went out, and Matsko conducted Hlava to his room, where, after they had lain down on buffalo skins, both fell into deep, strengthening sleep.