Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/469

Rh fear. Your mistress is not so timid. What harm could meet thee here in the daytime and among people?"

"Me? Nothing, but you."

"You say that you were not crying for me."

"Yes, because I was not."

"But why, then?"

"From fear."

"And now you are not afraid?"

"No."

"But why not?"

"Because you have come back."

Hlava looked at her with gratitude, smiled, and said,—

"In this way we might talk till morning. You are very cunning."

"Do not laugh at me," answered Anulka in an undertone.

Indeed, she might have been censured for anything rather than cunning, and Hlava, who was himself a sharp fellow, understood that quite well. He understood also that the girl was drawing closer to him daily. He loved Yagenka, but loved her as a subject loves a king, hence with the greatest honor and without any hope. Meanwhile, the journey brought him nearer to Anulka. In time of travelling old Matsko rode in front, usually with Yagenka, and Hlava rode with Anulka; but since he was as powerful as a bison, and his blood was just boiling when on the journey he looked at her clear eyes, at the yellow tresses which would not stay beneath the net, at her whole form shapely and beautiful, and especially at her legs, wonderful as if sculptured, which embraced the black horse, shivers passed from head to foot through him. Hence he could not restrain himself from glancing more and more at those perfections, and thought involuntarily that if the devil were to change himself to such a youth he might tempt him easily. At the same time that youth was as sweet as honey, and so obedient that he merely looked into Hlava's eyes, and was as joyous as a sparrow on a roof. At times strange thoughts came to Hlava's head, and once, when he and Anulka were somewhat in the rear, near the pack-horses, he turned to her suddenly, and said,—

"Do you know, I am here near you like a wolf near a lamb."

"Would you like to eat me?" asked she; and her white teeth just gleamed from sincere laughter.

"Yes, with all your bones!"

And he gazed at her with such a look that she blushed