Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/587

 Rh Matsko, though knowing that they would be perfectly safe only in the territories of Prince Yanush, thought that it was not proper to disturb Danusia's rest, as it might be her salvation; so he kept the attendants ready and also the pack-horses, but he waited.

Still, when midday had passed and she slept on, they grew frightened. Zbyshko, who looked through the cracks and the door unceasingly, entered the hut for the third time and sat on the log which the serving-woman had drawn to the bedside, and on which she had changed her clothes for Danusia's.

He sat there and looked at her; she had not opened her eyes yet, but after as much time had passed as would have been needed to say without haste one "Our Father" and "Hail, Mary," her lips quivered a little and she whispered, as if she beheld him through her closed eyelids,—

"Zbyshko!"

In an instant he threw himself on his knees before her, seized her thin hands, and kissed them with ecstasy.

"Thanks to God!" said he, in a broken voice; "Danusia, thou hast recognized me."

His voice roused her; she sat up on the bed and with eyes now open repeated,—

"Zbyshko!"

Then she muttered and stared around as if in wonder.

"Thou art not in captivity," said he; "I have torn thee away from them, and we are going to Spyhov."

But she drew her hand away from his grasp, and said,

"All this happened because father's leave was not given. Where is the princess?"

"Wake, oh, my berry! The princess is far from here, but we have taken thee from the Germans."

"They have taken my lute too and broken it against a wall," continued she, as if talking to herself without hearing him.

"By the dear God!" exclaimed Zbyshko.

Now he noted for the first time that her eyes were gleaming and vacant, her cheeks on fire. At that moment the idea flashed through his head that perhaps she was grievously ill and mentioned his name twice only because it occurred to her in the fever; his heart quivered from dread, and cold sweat came out on his forehead.

"Danusia!" said he, "dost thou see me and understand?" But she answered in a voice of humble entreaty: "Water—Drink!"