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, when she learned that she was to stay at Matsko's command in Spyhov, was unable to utter a word for a while from astonishment, sorrow, and anger; she merely looked with widely opened eyes at Hlava, who, understood well how disagreeable the news was which he had brought her.

"I should like," said he, "to give you a report of what we have heard in Schytno, for we heard much that is new and important."

"And is it about Zbyshko?"

"No; but there is Schytno news—you know—"

"I understand. Let the boy unsaddle the horses, and you come with me."

And commanding the boy, she took Hlava upstairs with her.

"Why did Matsko leave us? why must we stay in Spyhov? and why did you return?" asked she in one breath.

"I returned," said Hlava, "because the knight Matsko commanded. I wanted to go to the war, but a command is a command. 'Thou wilt return,' said the knight; 'thou wilt take care of the lady of Zgorzelitse, and thou wilt wait for news from me. It may be,' said he, 'that thou wilt have to conduct her home, for, of course, she cannot go alone there.'"

"By the dear God! what has happened? Have they found Yurand's daughter? Did Matsko go not to Zbyshko, but only to find Danusia? Hast thou seen her? Hast thou spoken to her? Why didst thou not bring her, and where is she at present?"

When Hlava heard this avalanche of questions, he bent down to the knees of the lady and said,—

"Let it not cause anger to your grace that I do not answer all questions at once, for I cannot; but I will answer in turn one after another, if there be no hindrance."

"Well! Have they found her, or not?"

"No. But still there is certain news that she was in Schytno, and that they have taken her somewhere, perhaps to eastern castles."