Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/632

 194 that we said something, but there were other thoughts in your head."

"Ye said that Yurand had returned, but not a word of Yagenka."

"Ei! have you not forgotten? But God alone knows! Perhaps the knight Matsko thought that I spoke of her to you, and I thought that he spoke. To tell you anything at that time, lord, would have been the same as not to tell. And no wonder! Now it is different. Luckily the lady is in Plotsk; she will be of service to the knight Matsko."

"What can she do?"

"Just let her say one word to the princess, Alexandra, who loves her greatly! The Knights of the Cross refuse nothing to the princess, for, first, she is the king's own sister, and, second, she is a great friend of the Order. Now, as you have heard, perhaps, Prince Skirgello (the king's brother) has risen up against Vitold, and fled to the Knights of the Cross, who wish to assist him and put him in the place of Vitold. The king is very fond of the princess, and lends his ear to her gladly, as they say; so the Knights of the Order wish that she should incline the king to the side of Skirgello against Vitold. They understand, their mother is in hell! that could they be free of Vitold, they would be at rest. Therefore the envoys of the Order are bowing down before the princess from morning until evening, and try to divine every wish of hers."

"Yagenka loves my uncle greatly, and will take his part," said Zbyshko.

"Be sure of that. She will not do otherwise. But go, lord, to the castle, and tell her how to act and what to say."

"I am going with Pan de Lorche to the castle, in any case. I came here for that purpose. We have only to curl our hair now, and dress befittingly."

After a while he added,—

"I intended to cut my hair in mourning, but forgot to do so."

"It is better as it is," said Hlava.

He stepped out to summon the attendants, and returned with them while the two young knights were arraying themselves properly for the evening banquet at the castle, then he narrated further what was happening at the courts of the king and the prince.

"The Knights of the Order," said he, "undermine Vitold with all their power; for while he is alive and rules a