CHAPTER I.
After abundant snowfalls, heavy frost and dry, clear days set in. By daythe wood sparkled in the rays of the sun, the ice fettered the rivers andhardened the marshes; serene nights followed in which the frost wasintensified to such a degree that the wood in the forest cracked loudly.The birds approached the dwelling-places. Wolves rendered the roadsunsafe, gathering in packs and attacking not only solitary people, butalso villages. The people however enjoyed themselves at the firesides intheir smoky shanties, presaging from the intensely cold winter anabundant year, and they waited gladly for the approaching holidays. Theprincely Forest Court was deserted. The princess with the court andpriest Wyszoniek left for Ciechanow. Zbyszko, who, though considerablyimproved, was not yet strong enough to ride on horseback, remained in theForest Court together with Sanderus, his Bohemian armor-bearer and theservants of the place, who were under the superintendence of anoble-woman fulfilling the household duties.
But the knight greatly yearned after his young wife. It is true, it wasan immensely consoling thought to him that Danusia was already his, andthat no human power could take her from him; but, on the other hand, thatsame thought intensified his longing. For whole days he hoped for thatmoment when he should be able to leave the court, and pondered on what heshould then do, where to go, and how to appease Jurand. He had, likewise,bad and restless moments. But on the whole the future appeared joyful tohim. To love Danusia and pluck peacock plumes from helmets--such a lifewould he lead. Many a time he desired to speak of it to his Bohemian whomhe loved, but he reflected, since the Bohemian, he thought, was with hiswhole soul Jagienka's, it would be imprudent to speak to him aboutDanusia, but he, bound to secrecy, could not tell everything thathappened.
However, his health improved daily. A week before Vigil (Christmas Eve)he mounted his horse for the first time, and although he felt that hecould not do this in his armor, nevertheless he gathered confidence.Besides, he did not expect soon to be obliged to put on the coat of mailand helmet. At the worst he hoped soon to be strong enough to do thattoo. Indoors, in order to kill time, he attempted to lift up the sword,which he accomplished well, but the wielding of the axe seemed to him yeta difficult task. Nevertheless, he believed that if he grasped the axewith both hands he would be able to wield it effectively.
Finally, two days before the Vigil, he gave orders to repair thecarriage, saddle the horses, and notified the Bohemian that they weregoing to Ciechanow. The faithful armor-bearer was somewhat anxious, themore so on account of the intense frost out-of-doors. But Zbyszko said tohim:
"Glowacz,[105] it concerns not your head, there is nothing for us in thiscourt, and even should I happen to be sick, I would not miss seeing theold gentleman in Ciechanow. Moreover, I shall not ride on horseback, butin a sleigh, up to the neck in hay and under furs, and only when quitenear Ciechanow shall I mount my horse."
And so it happened. The Bohemian knew his young master and was aware thatit was not good to oppose him, and still worse not to attend scrupulouslyto his orders. Therefore they started at an early hour. At the moment ofdeparture, Zbyszko seeing Sanderus placing himself and his boxes in thesleigh, said to him: "Why are you sticking to me like burs to sheep'swool?... You told me you wished to go to Prussia."
"Yes, I said so," Sanderus replied. "But can I get there alone in suchsnows? The wolves would devour me before the first star made itsappearance, and I have nothing to stay here for. I prefer the town, toedify the people in godliness, and bestow upon them my holy wares andrescue them from the devil's grasp, as I have sworn to the father of allChristendom in Rome. Besides this, I am exceedingly attached to yourgrace, whom I shall not leave before my return to Rome, for it may happenthat I may be enabled to render you some service."
"He is always for you, sir! He is ready to eat and drink for you," saidthe Bohemian. "Such service he would be too glad to render, but if a packof wolves should happen to attack us in the forests near Przasnysz then Ishall feed the wolves with him, for he is unfit for anything else."
"Better take care that the sinful words don't freeze to your moustache,"replied Sanderus, "for such icicles can only melt in hellfire."
"Owa!" replied Glowacz, reaching with his gauntlet to his incipientmoustache, "I shall first try to warm some beer for refreshment, but I'llgive none to you."
"But it is forbidden there to give drink to the thirsty,--another sin."
"I shall give you a pail full of water, but meanwhile take what I have inmy hand!" Thus saying he gathered as much snow as he could hold with bothgauntlets and threw it at Sanderus' beard, but the latter bent aside andsaid:
"There is nothing for _you_ in Ciechanow, for there is already a grown-upbear that plays with snow."
Thus they loved to tease each other. But Zbyszko did not forbid Sanderusto ride with him because that strange man amused him, and at the sametime it seemed to him that the man was really attached to him.
They moved from the Forest Court in the bright morning. The frost was sointense that they had to cover the horses. The whole landscape was undersnow. The roofs of the cottages were covered and hardly visible. Smokeseemed to issue directly from white hills, shooting up skyward, red-huedin the morning, widening out on the roof like a brush, and looking likethe plumes on helmets.
Zbyszko sat in the sleigh, first to gather strength, secondly on accountof the severe cold, against which it was easy to protect oneself; hecommanded Glowacz to sit down beside him so as to be ready with thecrossbow against an attack of wolves, meanwhile he chatted with himmerrily.
"In Przasnysz, we shall only feed the horses and warm ourselves a littleand then immediately continue our journey."
"To Ciechanow?"
"First to Ciechanow, to pay homage to the court and attend worship."
"After that?" inquired Glowacz.
Zbyszko smiled and replied,
"Afterward, who knows, may be to Bogdaniec."
The Bohemian looked at him with astonishment, the thought crossed hismind: Maybe he has quarrelled with Jurandowna, and this seemed to himmost likely, because she had gone away. The Bohemian had also heard inthe Forest Court that the lord of Spychow was opposed to the youngknight, therefore the honest armor-bearer was glad although he lovedJagienka, but he looked upon her as upon a star in heaven for whosehappiness he was willing even to shed his blood. He therefore lovedZbyszko, and from his very soul he longed to serve both of them even untodeath.
"Then your grace thinks to settle down on the estate," he exultinglysaid.
"How can I settle down on my estate," replied Zbyszko, "when I challengedthose Knights of the Cross, and even before that, I challengedLichtenstein. De Lorche said that the Master would invite the king tovisit Torun. I shall attach myself to the king's retinue, and I thinkthat at Torun, either _Pan_ Zawisza of Garbow or Powala of Taczew willask permission from our lord to allow me to fight those monks. They willcertainly come to fight accompanied by their armor-bearers; in that caseyou will also have to meet them."
"If I were to kill any one, I should like him to be a monk," said theBohemian.
Zbyszko looked at him with satisfaction. "Well, he will not fare well whohappens to feel your steel. God has given you great strength, but youwould act badly if you were to push it to excess, because humility isbecoming in the worthy armor-bearer."
The Bohemian shook his head as a sign that he would not waste hisstrength, but would not spare it against the Germans.
Zbyszko smiled, not on account of what the armor bearer had said, but athis own thoughts.
"The old gentleman will be glad when we return, and in Zgorzelice therewill also be joy."
Jagienka stood before Zbyszko's eyes as though she were sitting with himin the sleigh. That always happened, whenever he thought of her he sawher very distinctly.
"Well," he said to himself, "she will not be glad, for when I shallreturn to Bogdaniec it will be with Danusia. Let her take somebodyelse...." Here, the figures of Wills of Brzozowa, and young Cztan ofRogow passed throu
gh his mind, and suddenly a disagreeable feeling creptover him, because the girl might fall into the hands of one of them, andhe said to himself: "I wish I could find some better man, for thosefellows are beer-gulpers and gourmands, and the girl is upright." And hethought of this and of that; of his uncle when he should learn what hadhappened, it would be irksome, no matter how it turned out; but heimmediately consoled himself with the thought that with his uncle,matters concerning kinship and wealth were always paramount, and thesecould advance the interest of the family. Jagienka was indeed nearer, butJurand was a greater land owner than Zych of Zgorzelice. Moreover theformer could easily foresee that Macko could not be long opposed to sucha liaison, the more so when he should behold his nephew's love forDanusia and her requital. He would grumble for a while, then he would beglad and begin to love Danuska as his own daughter.
Suddenly his heart was moved with tenderness and yearning toward thatuncle who although a severe man, loved him like the pupil of his own eye;that uncle cared for him on the battlefield more than for himself, hetook booty for him, and for his sake he was driven out from his estate.Both of them were lonely in the world without near relatives, with onlydistant ones like the abbot. Moreover, when the time arrived to separatefrom each other, neither of them knew what to do, particularly the olderone, who no more desired anything for himself.
"Hej! he will be glad, he will be glad!" repeated Zbyszko to himself."Only one thing I should like,--that he should receive Jurand and me aswell as he would receive me by myself."
Then he attempted to imagine what Jurand would say and do when he learnedof the marriage. There was some alarm in this thought, but not too muchof it, for the simple reason that it was an accomplished fact. It wouldnot do for Jurand to challenge him to fight, and even should Jurandoppose, Zbyszko could answer him thus: "Forbear, I ask you; your right toDanuska is human, but mine is divine; she is therefore no more yours, butmine." He once heard from a certain clergyman who was versed in theScriptures that the woman must leave her father and mother and go withher husband. He felt therefore that the greater part of strength was inhis favor; nevertheless he did not expect that intense strife and passionwould arise between Jurand and himself, for he counted upon Danusia'spetition which would be granted, and quite as much, if not more, uponthat which would be obtained by the intercession of the prince under whomJurand was serving and that of the princess whom Jurand loved as theprotectress of his child.
Owing to the severe frosts, wolves appeared in such great packs, thatthey even attacked people traveling together. Zbyszko was advised toremain over night at Przasnysz, but he took no notice of it, because ithappened that, at the inn, they met some Mazovian knights with theirtrains who were also on their way to meet the prince at Ciechanow, andsome armed merchants from that very place convoying loaded wagons fromPrussia. There was no danger to travel with such a great crowd; theytherefore started toward evening, although a sudden wind arose afternightfall which chased the clouds, and snow began to fall. They traveledkeeping close to one another, but they advanced so slowly that itoccurred to Zbyszko that they would not arrive in time for the Vigil.They were obliged to dig through the drift in some places where it wasimpossible for the horses to pass through. Fortunately the road in thewoods was not obliterated. It was already dusk when they saw Ciechanow.
Were it not for the fire on the heights where the new castle stood, theywould not have known that they were so close to town, and would havestrayed much longer in the midst of the blinding snowstorm and gust ofwind. They were not sure whether fire was burning there in honor of theguests at Christmas Eve, or whether it was put there according to someancient custom. But none of Zbyszko's companions thought about it, forall were anxious to find a place of shelter in town as quickly aspossible.
Meanwhile the snowstorm constantly increased, the keen, freezing windcarried immense snowclouds; it dragged at the trees, it howled, maddened,it tore whole snowdrifts, carrying them upward, it shifted, heaved up,and almost covered the sleighs and horses and struck the faces of theoccupants like sharp gravel; it stifled their breath and speech. Thesound of the bells fastened to the poles of the sleighs could not beheard at all, but instead of it there were audible, in the midst of thehowling and whistling of the whirlwind, plaintive voices like the howlingof wolves, like distant neighing of horses, and at times like humanvoices in great distress, calling for help. The exhausted horses began topant, and gradually slacken their pace.
"Hej! what a blizzard! what a blizzard!" said the Bohemian in a chokingvoice. "It is fortunate, sir, that we are already near the town, and thatyonder fires are burning; if it were not for that we should fare badly."
"There is death for those who are in the field," answered Zbyszko, "buteven the fire I don't see there any more. The gloom is so thick that eventhe fire is invisible; perhaps the wood and coal were swept away by thewind."
The merchants and knights in the other wagons were saying: that shouldthe snowstorm carry off anybody from the seat, that one would never hearthe morning bell. But Zbyszko became suddenly alarmed and said:
"God forbid that Jurand should be anywhere on the road!"
The Bohemian, although entirely occupied in looking toward the fire, onhearing the words of Zbyszko, turned his head and asked:
"Is the knight of Spychow expected?"
"Yes."
"With the young lady?"
"And the fire is really gone," answered Zbyszko.
And indeed the fire was extinguished, but, instead, several horsemenappeared immediately in front of the horses and sleighs.
"Why dost thou follow?" cried the watchful Bohemian, grasping hiscrossbow; "Who are you?"
"The prince's people, sent to assist the travelers."
"Jesus Christ be praised!"
"Forever and ever."
"Lead us to town," said Zbyszko.
"Is there nobody left behind?"
"Nobody."
"Whence do you come?"
"From Przasnysz."
"Did you not meet other travelers on the road?"
"We met nobody, but they may be on other roads."
"People are searching on all roads, come with us, you lost your route! Tothe right."
They turned the horses, and for some time nothing was perceptible but theblast of the storm.
"Are there many guests in the castle?" asked Zbyszko, after a while.
The nearest horseman, who did not hear the question bent toward him.
"What did you say, sir?"
"I asked whether there were many guests at the prince's?"
"As customary: there are enough."
"But is the lord of Spychow there?"
"He is not there, but they expect him. People ware dispatched to meet himtoo."
"With torches?"
"If the weather permits."
They were unable to continue their conversation, for the boisteroussnowstorm was increasing in force.
"Quite a devil's marriage," said the Bohemian. Zbyszko, however, told himto keep quiet, and not to conjure up the evil name.
"Dost thou not know," he said, "that on such a Holy Day, the devil'spower is subdued, and the devils hide themselves in the ice-holes? Oncethe fishermen near Sandomierz on Christmas Eve found him in their net, hehad a pike in his mouth, but when the sound of the bells reached hisears, he immediately fainted; they pounded him with their clubs till theevening. The tempest is certainly vehement, but it is with the permissionof the Lord Jesus, who desires that the morrow shall be the more joyful."
"Bah! we were quite near the city," said Glowacz. "Yet if it were not forthese people, we should have strayed till midnight, since we had deviatedfrom the right path."
"Because the fire was extinguished."
Meanwhile they arrived in town. The snowdrifts in the streets werelarger, so big that in some places they even covered the windows, so muchso that the wayfarers could not see the light from within. But the stormwas not so much felt here. The streets were deserted. The inhabitantswere
already celebrating the Christmas Eve festival. In front of somehouses, boys with small cribs and goats, in spite of the snowstorm, weresinging Christmas hymns. In the market-place there were seen men wrappedup in pease straw imitating bears; otherwise the streets were deserted.The merchants who accompanied Zbyszko and the noblemen on the road,remained in town, but they continued their journey toward the prince'sresidence in the old castle, and, as the windows of the castle were madeof glass, the bright light, notwithstanding the blizzard, cast its raysupon the advancing party.
The drawbridge over the moat was lowered, because the Lithuanianincursions of old had diminished, and the Knights of the Cross, whocarried on war against the King of Poland, were now themselves seekingthe friendship of the Prince of Mazowsze. One of the prince's men blewthe horn and immediately the gate was opened. There were in it severalarchers, but upon the walls and palisades there was not a living soulwhen the prince permitted the guard to go out. Old Mrokota, who hadarrived two days before, went out to meet the guests, and greeted them inthe name of the prince and brought them into the house where they couldprepare themselves properly for table.
Zbyszko immediately asked him for news of Jurand of Spychow, but hereplied that he had not arrived, but was expected because he promised tocome, and that if he were very ill he would send word. Neverthelessseveral horsemen were sent out to meet him, for even the oldest men didnot remember such a blizzard.
"Then he may soon be here."
"I believe he will soon be here. The princess ordered dishes for themnear the common table."
But Zbyszko, although he was somewhat anxious about Jurand, wasnevertheless glad in his heart, and said to himself: "Though I do notknow what to do, yet one thing is certain, my wife is coming, my woman,my most beloved Danuska." When he repeated those words to himself, hecould hardly believe his own happiness. Why, he reflected, it may be thatshe has already confessed all to her father, she may have moved him topity and begged him to give her up at once. "In truth, what else could hedo? Jurand is a clever fellow, he knows, that although he keeps her fromme, I shall nevertheless take her away, for my right is stronger."
Whilst he was dressing himself he conversed with Mrokota, inquiring afterthe prince's health and specially that of the princess, whom he lovedlike his mother since that time when he sojourned in Krakow. He was gladto learn that everybody in the castle was well and cheerful, although theprincess greatly yearned after her beloved songstress. Jagienka nowplayed the lute for her and the princess loved her much, but not as muchas the songstress.
"Which Jagienka?" inquired Zbyszko with astonishment.
"Jagienka of Wielgolasu, the granddaughter of the old lord of Wielgolasu.She is a fine girl. The Lotarynczyk[106] fell in love with her."
"Then is Sir de Lorche here?"
"Where then should he be? He has been here since he arrived from theForest Court, for it is well to be here. Our prince never lacks guests."
"I shall be glad to see him, he is a knight with whom none can findfault."
"And he also loves you. But let us go, their Highnesses will soon be atthe table."
They went into the dining hall where big fires burned in the twofireplaces and they were taken care of by the servants.
The room was already filled with guests and courtiers. The prince enteredfirst accompanied by the Voyevode and several life guards. Zbyszko kneltand kissed his hands.
The prince pressed Zbyszko's head, then he took him aside and said:
"I know it all already, I was displeased at first, because it was donewithout my permission, but there was no time, for I was then in Warsawwhere I intended to spend the holidays. It is a well-known fact that, ifa woman desires anything, opposition is useless, and you gain nothing byit. The princess wishes you well like a mother, and I always desire toplease rather than to oppose her wishes, in order to spare her troubleand tears."
Zbyszko bowed again to the prince's knees.
"God grant that I may requite your princely love."
"Praise His name that you are already well. Tell the princess how Ireceived you with good wishes, so that she may be pleased. As I fear God,her joy is my joy! I shall also say a good word in your behalf to Jurand,and I think that he will consent, for he too loves the princess."
"Even if he refused to give her to me, my right stands first."
"Your right stands first and must be acknowledged, but a blessing mightfail you. Nobody can forcibly wrest her from you, but without a father'sblessing God's is also lacking."
Zbyszko felt uneasy on hearing these words, for he had never beforethought about it; but at that moment the princess entered, accompanied byJagienka of Wielgolasu and other court ladies; he hastened to bow beforeher, but she greeted him even more graciously than the prince had done,and at once began to tell him of the expectation of Jurand's arrival."Here are the covers ready for him, and people have been dispatched toguide them through the snowdrifts. We shall not wait any longer for themwith the Christmas Eve supper, for the prince does not approve of it, butthey will be here before supper is over."
"As far as Jurand is concerned," continued the princess, "he will be herein God's good time. But I shall tell him all to-day or to-morrow afterthe shepherd service (pasterce), and the prince also promised to say aword in your behalf. Jurand is obstinate but not with those whom heloves, nor those to whom he owes obedience."
Then she began to instruct Zbyszko how he should act with hisfather-in-law, and that God forbid he should anger him or rouse hisobstinacy. It was apparently good advice, but an experienced eye lookingat Zbyszko and then at her could discern in her words and looks a certainalarm. It may be because the lord of Spychow was not an accommodatingman, and it may also be that the princess was somewhat uneasy at hisnon-appearance. The storm increased in strength, and all declared that ifany one were caught in the open country he would not survive. Theprincess, however, concluded that Danuska had confessed to her father hermarriage to Zbyszko, and he being offended, was resolved not to proceedto Ciechanow. The princess however, did not desire to reveal her thoughtsto Zbyszko; there was not even time to do so, for the servants brought inthe viands and placed them on the table. Nevertheless Zbyszko endeavoredto follow her up and make further inquiries.
"And if they arrive, what will happen then, beloved lady? Mrokota told methat there are special quarters set apart for Jurand; there will be hayenough for bedding for the chilled horses. How then will it be?"
The princess laughed and tapped him lightly on the face with her gloveand said: "Be quiet, do you see him?"
And she went toward the prince and was assisted to a chair. One of theattendants placed before the prince a flat dish with thin slices of cake,and wafers, which he was to distribute among the guests, courtiers andservants. Another attendant held before the prince a beautiful boy, theson of the castellan of Sokhochova. On the other side of the table stoodFather Wyszoniek who was to pronounce a benediction upon the fragrantsupper.
At this moment, a man covered with snow entered and cried: "Most GraciousPrince!"
"What is it?" said the prince. "Is there no reverence; they haveinterrupted him in his religious ceremonies."
"Some travelers are snowbound on the road to Radzanow, we need people tohelp us to dig them out."
On hearing this all were seized with fear--the prince was alarmed, andturning toward the castellan of Sokhochova, he commanded:
"Horses and spades! Hasten!"
Then he said to the man who brought the news: "Are there many under thesnow?"
"I could not tell, it blew terribly; there are a considerable number ofhorses and wagons."
"Do you not know who they are?"
"People say that they belong to Jurand of Spychow."