Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/63

Rh of the blue-star thistle and the bright red poppy. Here and there, far beyond the fields, darkened a pine wood; here and there, bathed in sunlight, oak and alder groves rejoiced the eye; here and there were damp, grassy meadows, and wet places above which mews were circling; next were hills occupied by cottages, and then fields. Clearly, that country was inhabited by a numerous and industrious people enamoured of land; and as far as the eye saw, the region seemed to be not only flowing with milk and honey, but happy and peaceful.

"This is the royal management of Kazimir," said the princess;" one would like to live here, and never die."

"The Lord Jesus smiles on this land," said Mikolai; "and the blessing of God is upon it. How could it be otherwise, since here, when they begin to ring bells, there is no corner to which the sound does not penetrate? It is known, indeed, that evil spirits, unable to endure this, must flee to the Hungarian boundary, into deep fir woods."

"Then it is a wonder to me," said Pani Ofka, "that Valger the Charming, of whom the monks have been telling us, can appear in Tynets, for they ring the bells there seven times daily."

This remark troubled Mikolai for a moment, and he answered only after some meditation,—

"First, the decisions of God are inscrutable; and second, consider for yourselves that Valger receives a special permission each time."

"Be that as it may, I am glad that we shall not pass a night in the cloister. I should die of terror if such a hellish giant appeared to me."

"Ei! that is not known, for they say that he is wonderfully charming."

"Though he were the most beautiful, I would not have a kiss from one whose mouth is breathing sulphur."

"Ah, even when devils are mentioned, kissing is in your head."

At these words the princess, and with her Pan Mikolai and the two nobles from Bogdanets, fell to laughing. Danusia, following the example of others, laughed without knowing why; for this reason Ofka turned an angry face to Mikolai, and said,—

"I would prefer him to you."

"Ei! do not call the wolf from the forest," answered the Mazovian, joyfully, "for a hellish fury drags along the road frequently between Cracow and Tynets; and especially toward