Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/504

66 safely. These words calmed Yurand notably. It was clear too that he wished to ask about many other things, and being unable to do so, he suffered in soul; seeing this the quick girl said,—

"When we talk oftener we shall be able to say everything."

At this he smiled, stretched his hand toward her, and placing it on her head by feeling, he held it there a long time, as if blessing her. He was very grateful to her indeed; but besides, her youth pleased his heart, and that short, quick talk of hers, which reminded him of the twittering of birds.

From that time, whenever he was not praying,—and he prayed for whole days almost,—or when he was not sunk in slumber, he sought for her near by; and if she was not present he yearned for her voice, and in every way endeavored to let Father Kaleb and Tolima know that he would like to have that charming youth near him.

And she came, for her honest heart took sincere compassion on him; and besides, the time passed more quickly in his company, while she was waiting for Matsko, whose stay in Schytno was prolonged in some way strangely. He was to return in three days; meanwhile the fourth and fifth day had passed. The sixth day, toward evening, the alarmed girl was just going to beg Tolima to send men out to inquire, when information was sent from the watch oak that horsemen were approaching Spyhov.

After a while hoofs clattered on the drawbridge and Hlava rode into the courtyard with another attendant. Yagenka, who had already hurried down from the upper chamber, and was waiting, ran to him before he could spring from the saddle.

"Where is Matsko?" asked she, with throbbing heart.

"He has gone to Prince Vitold, and commands you to stay here," answered the attendant.