Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/630

 192 our lord Yurand. Our lord loved her greatly after that, for she took as much care of him as would a daughter, and she was the only one except Father Kaleb who understood him."

The young knight opened his eyes widely with astonishment.

"Father Kaleb told me nothing of a young lady, and I have no kinswoman."

"He did not tell, since you forgot everything through pain. You knew not God's world."

"And what is the name of that young lady?"

"Yagenka."

It seemed to Zbyshko that he was dreaming. The idea that Yagenka could come from distant Zgorzelitse to Spyhov had not occurred to him. Why should she come? It was no secret that the girl was glad to see him and was attached to him in Zgorzelitse, but he had told her that he was to marry Danusia; in view of this he could not suppose in any case that Matsko would bring her to Spyhov with the intent to give her to him in marriage. Besides, neither Matsko nor Hlava had mentioned her. Hence all this seemed to him wonderfully strange and beyond explanation, so he fell to overwhelming Tolima with questions like a man who cannot believe his own ears and desires that incredible news be repeated.

Tolima could not tell him more than he had told already, but he went to the castle to look for Hlava, and soon, before sunset, returned with him. The Cheh greeted his young master gladly but also with sorrow, for he had heard of everything which had happened in Spyhov. Zbyshko also was glad from his whole soul, feeling that Hlava had a faithful and friendly heart, one of those which a man needs most in misfortune. He grew tender and sorrowful in telling of Danusia's death, and Hlava shared his sorrow, pain, and tears, just as a brother might share them with a brother. All this lasted long, especially as at the prayer of Zbyshko Pan de Lorche repeated for them that morning hymn which he had composed about the dead woman, and sang it to the sound of a cithara at the open window, raising his eyes and his face toward the stars.

At last they were relieved considerably, and then spoke of affairs awaiting them in Plotsk.

"I have taken this road to Malborg," said Zbyshko, "for thou knowest that my uncle is a captive, and I am going to him with ransom."