Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/480

42 much afraid. Only once was there found a man stronger who put him back in the barriers, and that was the Prince of Mazovia, Henryk, he who was bishop here, and who was in love with the comely Ryngalla. Though Zbyshko was a mere boy in those days, he was as ready to challenge a certain man as to say amen to Our Father,—the man whom I, too, have promised to challenge and who is here."

And he indicated with his eyes Lichtenstein, who was conversing with the Voevoda of Plotsk.

But the princess frowned, and said with that severe and dry tone which she used always when anger was beginning to seize her,—

"Whether you have made a vow or not, remember this, that he is on a visit; whoso wishes to be our guest must observe politeness."

"I know, gracious lady," answered Matsko. "I had already tightened my belt, and was going toward him, but I restrained myself, thinking that perhaps he was an envoy."

"Yes, he is an envoy. And the man is distinguished among his own people; the Grand Master himself values his counsel, and does not refuse him anything. God perhaps granted that he was not in Malborg when your nephew was there. As to Lichtenstein, though of honorable family, people say that he is stubborn and vengeful. Did he recognize you?"

"He could not have done so, for he has seen me little. We were in helmets on the Tynets road, and afterwards I visited him only once on Zbyshko's business, but that was in the evening when he was busy. I noticed now that he looked at me, but he did so only because I talked rather long with you, gracious lady, for he turned his eyes after that very quietly in another direction. He would have known Zbyshko, but he overlooked me, and has never heard of my vow, perhaps, having something better to think of."

"How better?"

"Yes, better, for vows touching him have been made by Zavisha of Garbov, Povala of Tachev, Martsin of Vrotsimovitse, Pashko Zlodye, and Lis of Targovisko. Each one of these, gracious lady, could manage ten like him, and what must it be when he has all of them against him? Better for him that he had never been born than to have one such sword above his head. As to me, not only shall I not remind him of my vow, but I shall try to enter into intimacy with him."