Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/670

 232 "And shall we stay there?"

Here Matsko looked at his nephew inquiringly, for thus far they had not spoken of what they were to do in future. The young man had his decision ready, but evidently had no wish to grieve his uncle, so he replied indirectly,—

"First, you must be well."

"And then what?"

"And then? You will go back to Bogdanets. I know how you love Bogdanets."

"But thou?"

"I love it too."

"I do not say that thou shouldst not go to Yurand," said Matsko, slowly, "for if he dies, we ought to bury him properly; but attend to what I say, for being young thou art not my equal in prudence. Spyhov is unfortunate in some way. Whatever good has met thee, has met thee elsewhere, but in Spyhov, only grievous suffering and anguish."

"You speak the truth, but Danusia's body is in Spyhov."

"Be quiet!" exclaimed Matsko, fearing lest unexpected pain should seize Zbyshko, as it had the day previous.

But on the young man's face were reflected only tenderness and sorrow.

"There will be time for counsel," said he, after a while. "You must rest in Plotsk anyhow."

"Care will not fail your Grace in Plotsk," put in Hlava.

"True," added Zbyshko. "Do you know that Yagenka is there? She is a damsel of Princess Alexandra. But of course you know, for you brought her there. She was in Spyhov too. It was a wonder to me that you said nothing of her while we were with Skirvoillo."

"Not only was she in Spyhov, but had it not been for her, Yurand would be groping along a highway with his stick, or would have died somewhere at the roadside. I brought her to Plotsk for the Abbot's legacy, and I said nothing to thee about her; if I had, thou wouldst not have heard it. Thou wert paying no attention to anything, poor fellow, at that time."

"She loves you greatly," said Zbyshko. "Praised be God that we needed no letters, but she got letters from the princess on your behalf, and through the princess from the envoys of the Order."

"God bless the girl, for on earth there is not a better than she!" replied Matsko.