Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/640

 202 his cheeks was the same pronounced ruddiness, he wore his hair long, as at Cracow, and put it behind his ears frequently. It seemed to Zbyshko, however, that he had more dignity of bearing and more majesty in his person, as if he felt surer on that throne which after the death of the queen he had desired to leave straightway, not knowing that he would be firm on it, and as if he were now more conscious of his great power and importance. The two Mazovian princes took their places at once at both sides of the sovereign; in front the German envoys greeted him with bows; and round about stood dignitaries and the foremost courtiers. The walls surrounding the court trembled from unceasing shouts, the sound of trumpets, and the thundering of drums.

When at last silence came, the envoy Von Wenden began to mention something touching the affairs of the Order; but the king, when he noted whither the conversation was tending, waved his hand impatiently and said in his deep, sonorous voice,—

"Better defer negotiation. We have come to this place for pleasure and are glad to see food and drink, not thy parchments."

Meanwhile he smiled affably, not wishing the Knight of the Cross to think that he was answering in anger, and added,—

"There will be time in Ratsiondz to speak of affairs with the Grand Master." Then he turned to the Prince of Plotsk,—

"But to-morrow to the wilderness to hunt—is it so?"

This question was a declaration at the same time that he did not wish to speak that evening of aught besides hunting, which he loved with all his soul, and for which he came to Mazovia gladly, since Little and Great Poland were less wooded and so populous in places that forests were lacking altogether.

The faces of guests then grew gladsome, for they knew that the king, whenever he conversed of hunting, was joyous and indeed gracious also. The Prince of Plotsk began at once to tell whither they would go, and what game would be provided. Prince Yanush had sent one of his attendants to bring from the city his two "defenders" who had led wild bulls out of snares by the horns, and had broken the bones in bears, for he wished to show these two men to Yagello.

Zbyshko wished greatly to go and bow down to Prince Yanush, but he could not approach him. He saw from a