The Knights of the Cross/Volume 2/Chapter 65
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CHAPTER LXV. At Plotsk, Zbyshko and Matsko found no one at the court, for the prince and princess, with their eight children, had gone to Chersk, at the invitation of Princess Anna Danuta. From the bishop they learned that Yagenka was to remain in Spyhov with Yurand till he died. This news was agreeable, for they themselves were on the way to Spyhov. Meanwhile Matsko praised greatly Yagenka's kindness, since she had remained with a dying man, who was not even kin to her, instead of going to Chersk, where dances and pleasures of every sort would surely not be lacking. "Perhaps she did this not to miss us," said the old knight. "I have not seen her this long time, and should be glad to see her now, for I know that she likes me. The girl must have grown, and must still be handsome." "She has changed wonderfully," said Zbyshko. "She was always a beauty. I remember her as a simple maiden, while now she might go to kings' chambers." "Has she changed so? Well, hers is that old Yastrembets stock of Zgorzelitse which in time of battles called, 'To feasts!'" A moment of silence followed, then the old knight said again, "It will be as I have told thee; she will wish to go to Zgorzelitse." "I wonder that she left it." "But the abbot's property? Besides, she feared Stan and Vilk; I told her myself that for her brothers it would be safer without her than with her." "By my faith, they could not attack orphans, anyhow." Matsko thought awhile. "But will they not take vengeance on me because I took her away, and does there remain even one beam in Bogdanets? God knows! I know not, besides, whether I shall be able to defend myself when I go back. The fellows are young and strong, while I am old—" "Ei! old; say that to the man who does not know you," answered Zbyshko. Matsko did not speak in perfect sincerity, for with him it was a question of something else, but immediately he waved his hand. "If I had not been sick in Malborg well,—that too," said he. "But we will talk of it in Spyhov." And next day, after their night rest, they set out for Spyhov. The days were clear, the road dry, easy, and besides safe; for because of the recent agreement the Knights of the Cross restrained robbery on the border. Moreover, the two knights were of that class of travellers whom it was better for a robber to bow to from afar than attack at close quarters, so the journey passed quickly, and the fifth day after leaving Plotsk they halted in the morning at Spyhov. Yagenka, who esteemed Matsko as her best friend on earth, greeted him almost as she would her father; while he, though no common thing could move him, was moved by that kindness of the girl whom he liked so much, and when later, Zbyshko, after he had inquired about Yurand, went to the tomb of his Danusia, the old knight sighed deeply. "Well," said he, "God took the one He wished to take, and left the one He wished to leave; but I think that our troubles and wanderings in wildernesses and wild places are ended." After a while he added,— "Ei! where has the Lord Jesus not carried us during these recent years!" "But the hand of God guarded you," said Yagenka. "True, it guarded us, but indeed it is time to go home." "We must stay here while Yurand lives." "But how is he?" "He looks up and smiles. It is clear that he sees Paradise, and in it Danusia." "Dost thou look after him?" "I do; but Father Kaleb says that angels look after him. Yesterday the housekeeper saw two of them." "They say," answered Matsko, "that it is most fitting for a noble to die in the field, but it is well, too, to die on a bed if one dies like Yurand." "He eats nothing, he drinks nothing, but smiles continually." "Let us go to him; Zbyshko must be there." But Zbyshko remained only a short time with Yurand, who recognized no one; he went then to Danusia's coffin in the vault. There he remained till old Tolima went to bring him to refreshment. When coming out he noticed by the light of the torch that the coffin was covered with garlands of star thistles and marigolds, while the space round about was swept clean and strewn with odorous plants. The young man's heart rose at sight of this, and he asked,— "Who adorned the tomb in this way?" "The young lady from Zgorzelitse," answered Tolima. Zbyshko said nothing then, but later, when he saw Yagenka, he bowed down to her knees quickly, embraced them, and cried,— "God reward thee for thy goodness and for those flowers placed above Danusia!" And when he said this he wept earnestly, while she embraced his head with her hands, like a sister who consoles a mourning brother. "O my Zbyshko," said she, "would that I could comfort thee still more!" Then abundant tears fell from her eyes also.
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