Chapter 26 Chapter Twenty-Four

At this moment the Czech galloped as fast as possible to the palace where the Duke was hunting.He found the Duke still there, and told him at once what had happened.Fortunately several court servants were present, who had seen the servant go without any weapons.One of them even half-jokingly called after him at that time, telling him to take any weapon he wanted, or the Germans would stab him to death; but he, lest the knights had crossed the border, So he jumped on his horse and went away, hastily chasing them, wearing only a sheepskin coat.These evidences dispelled all possible doubts in the Duke's mind, and made him understand who had murdered de Fauci.But these things filled him with uneasiness, and he lost his temper, and he longed to pursue the crusading knights at once, catch them, put them in chains, and send them to the Grand Master.After a while, however, he concluded that it was impossible to overtake them within the country, and he said:

"Well, I will send a letter to the Grand Master to let him know what they have done here. God will punish them for this crime!" He pondered for a while, and said to the court attendants: "I don't see why they kill their guest; if I didn't know the squire went unarmed, I should really suspect him." "Hey!" said the Abbe Vishoniak, "why does the boy want to kill him? He has never seen him before. And assuming he was armed, how could he attack the five of them and their armed forces?" What about the retinue team?" "It is true," said the duke. "The visitor must have objected to their course of action at some point. Perhaps they told him to lie, and he refused. I saw them throw him a wink, and told him that Jurand had started the fight."

Then Mrokotei of Mokashif said: "He's a good man if he can wring that son of a bitch Dunwiert's arm." "He said he heard the bone snap of the German," answered the duke; "think of the last time he showed himself in the woods, and it must be true! Both master and servant are good men. If it hadn't been for Zippy Hiko, the buffalo has already rushed to the horses on which the duchess and the maids are riding. Both Rothelinger's knight and him have made great efforts to save the duchess." "Zbyszko is indeed a wonderful boy," declared Father Wischenek. "Even now, out of breath, he stands by Jurand's side and challenges the crusader knights. That's the kind of son-in-law Jurand needs."

"Jurand spoke differently in Cracow; but now I don't think he will object to the marriage," said the prince. "The Lord Jesus will help," said the Duchess; she had just entered and heard the end of their conversation. "Now Jurand will have no objection to this, if only God will restore Zbyszko's health; but we must also reward him." "The best reward for him is Danusia, and I think he will have her, for now that the women have made up their minds, not even Jurand himself can stop them." "Shouldn't I wish them both to be married?" asked the Duchess. "If Zbyszko had been unfaithful, I would not say a word; but I see no one in the world who is as faithful as he is. So is the girl. She is not leaving him now; she loves him, And he, though terribly ill, smiled at her. I wept myself at the sight! I speak justice! Such a pair of lovers was worth it, for the Blessed Mother is glad to see the world Happiness."

"If it be the will of God," said the duke, "happiness will come. It is true that he nearly lost his head for that girl, and now the buffalo has bruised him." "Don't say it's for the girl," said the princess at once, "because Danusia saved his life in Cracow." "Yes! But it was for her sake that he attacked Lichtenstein in order to pluck the mantle from his head; he would not have risked his life if it had been to save De Lauche Well. As for the reward, as I said before, they both deserve the reward; when it comes to Chokhanov, I must think about it."

"Nothing would have pleased Zbyszko more than to accept the cavalier's belt and golden spurs." The Duke smiled benevolently, and replied: "Tell the girl to bring him these two things; and when he's well, then we'll be able to do things according to the rules. Tell her to bring them to him at once, for accidental pleasure is the best medicine!" As soon as the Duchess had heard these words, she embraced her husband in the presence of the court, and kissed his hand several times; he continued laughing, and said: "Look—you have a good idea! It seems that the Holy Spirit has given wisdom to women too! Now call this girl."

"Danuska! Danuska!" cried the princess. In a few minutes Danusia appeared by the side door; her eyes were red from sleepless nights; in her hand was a steaming pot of porridge, which Father Vishoniak had ordered her to apply to her face. Zbyszko's broken bone. "Come to me, my dear girl!" said Prince Janusi. "Put that can of porridge aside and come in." With a bit of shyness, she approached the "King" whom she was always in awe of. He hugged her kindly, stroked her face, and said: "Well, the poor boy is very sad--is he?" "Yes!" Danusia replied.

She began to weep because of her depression, but very softly so as not to offend the prince.The duke asked again: "Why are you crying?" "Because Zbyszko is ill," she answered, wiping her tears with her hand. "Don't worry, he's in no danger. Father Vishoniak, isn't he?" "Hey! By God's will, he is about to have a wedding and not a funeral," answered the kind Father Vishoniak. duke said: "Wait a minute! I'm going to give you a medicine to heal his wounds, which I believe will ease his pain and even heal him completely."

"Did the Crusader knights bring the ointment?" Danusia asked immediately, taking her little hands from her eyes. "That ointment those crusading knights are sending you is better for anointing a dog than your beloved knight. I have another ointment for you." Then he turned to the court attendants and said: "Go and get your spurs and belt." After a while, when they brought him these things, he said to Danusia: "Take these two things to Zbyszko—and tell him that from now on he is a cavalier in a belt. If he dies, he will appear before God as miles Cimctus; if If he survives, the knighthood ceremony will be held in Cuiechanov or Warsaw."

①Latin, meaning "rider with a belt". At this, Danusia knelt at the knees of the "King"; then, taking the knight's badge in one hand, and a jar of porridge in the other, she ran to the room where Zbyszko lay. .The duchess wanted to see their happy scene, and followed her. Zbyszko was very ill, but seeing Danusia, he turned his pale face to her and asked: "Has the Czech come back?" "It's not about the Czechs!" replied the girl. "I have brought you better news than that. The king has knighted you, and told me to bring you these things."

When she had finished speaking, she placed the belt and spurs beside him.Zbyszko, whose pale face was flushed with joy and surprise, looked at Danusia, then at the spurs, closed his eyes, and said again and again: "How can he knight me?" At this moment the Duchess came in, and he raised himself a little to thank her, for he supposed that he owed such a favor and blessing to him as a result of her assistance.But the Lady bade him be quiet, and helped Danusia put his head on the pillow.At this moment the Duke, the Abbe Vishoniak, Mrokote, and the rest of the court entered. Prince Janusi waved Zbyszko to stay still, sat down on the edge of the bed, and said: "I tell you that it is not surprising that men who have done heroic deeds should be rewarded; for, if virtue is not properly rewarded, crimes run rampant in the world with impunity. You spared your life, and risked our lives to defend us from a dreadful calamity; therefore we permit you to wear a knight's girdle; and hereafter you may enjoy glory and fame." "Good lord," replied Zbyszko. "Even if I have to risk ten lives, I won't begrudge—" But he was too excited to speak any more; the princess put her hand on his mouth, because the Abbe Versonnec would not allow him to speak.The Duke went on: "I think you know the calling of a knight, and you will wear these badges with honor. You must serve our saviour, and fight the 'Starostar' of hell. You must be faithful to your Prince, take no part in unjust wars, but support the innocent against the oppressor; may God and Christ help you!" "Amen!" said the Abbe Vishoniak. The prince got up, crossed Zbyszko, and said: "Come to Ciechanov as soon as you have recovered, and I will summon Jurand there."