Page:Sienkiewicz - The knights of the cross.djvu/700

 262 "If he returns, he will have no lack of land and cattle," thought Matsko.

Yagenka was no less pleased with that settlement.

"Now then," said she, after hearing how all was ended, "if the Lord Jesus wishes to show that concord is dearer to Him than quarrels, He must bring back Zbyshko unharmed to you."

At this Matsko's face grew as bright as if a sun-ray had fallen on it.

"So I think too!" said he. "The Lord Jesus is allpowerful, there is no doubt of that, and there are ways to win the heavenly powers, but a man must have prudence."

"You have never lacked that," said the girl, raising her eyes to him. And after a while, as if she had thought over something, she said,—

"But you do love that Zbyshko of yours! You love him! Hei! you do love him."

"Who would not love him?" replied the old knight. "And thou? Dost thou hate him?"

Yagenka did not answer directly; but as she was sitting on a bench by Matsko's side, she moved up still nearer, and turning her head away punched him then slightly with her elbow.

"Give peace!" said she; "how have I offended you!"