Chapter 77 Chapter Forty-Three

Old Macko guessed well, but only half right.Zbyszko's encounter on the road of life is indeed completely over.He grieved at the thought of Danusia, but he said to himself, "Danusia is better in heaven than at the duke's court." He had thought of it now—she was dead now, and there was nothing to be done about it. .When he was in Krakow, he admired the statues of saints made of glass and installed in church window frames, which were colorful and sparkling in the sun.Now in his imagination he saw a statue of a saint who was Danusia.He seemed to see her silhouette, transparent like a fairy; many fairy musicians who had redeemed were playing music in front of the Virgin and the Savior baby.Among them was Danusia, with her little hands folded on her breast, her eyes looking upward, playing a little lute.There was nothing worldly about her, so pure, so ethereal, he remembered that when he served the Duchess in the Forest Palace, she had laughed, talked, and sat with other people, and he couldn't believe that there was a time thing.But in Witout's expedition, when he was absorbed in war, he no longer longed for his dear dead wife as a husband longs for his wife, but only as a pious man thinks of his patron saint.In this way, his love gradually loses the earthly factor, and turns into a memory that becomes sweeter and more ethereal, almost becoming an idol of worship.

If he had been a debilitated, contemplative man, he might have been a monk, and in the quiet monastic life would have kept that sacred memory as a relic until the soul had left the body. My nephew, flying into infinite space, like a bird flying out of a cage.But he has just turned thirty, and he can squeeze out the sap of a green branch, and can pinch a horse with two legs.He was one of those types of nobles in those days: those who had unlimited physical strength as long as they did not die young, and did not become priests; Some married young and enlisted in the defense of the country with twenty-four or more wild boar-like children.

But Zbyszko didn't know that he was that kind of person, especially since he was ill from the start.But his disjointed ribs had grown back into a barely perceptible bulge, and he felt no pain at all; he was able to wear chain mail and his everyday clothes again.Fatigue was gone, and the thick bronzed hair, which had been cut off in mourning for Danusia, now grew to her shoulders, and its original fineness was restored.Years ago, when he was led to death in Cracow, he had been handsome, like a gentleman, but now he was even more handsome, almost like a prince.His shoulders, chest, girth, and arms were like those of a giant, but his face was that of a beautiful woman; energy and life were in him like water boiling in a kettle; his health was enhanced by bed rest and baths, and he The whole body is full of life like a flame.He did not know how this could be, he still considered himself an invalid, stretched out on the bed, willing to be under the care of Macko and Jagienka, because they understood all his needs.Sometimes he felt so comfortable that he thought he was in heaven; sometimes, especially when Jagienka was not with him, life seemed unbearably dreary to him.Then he yawned, stretched, and feverish; he had promised Macko that as soon as he recovered he would go to the ends of the earth and fight Germans and Tartars, or other barbarians, so as to get rid of such a burden. life.But Matsko did not object to his plan, nodded his approval, and sent for Jagienka; when Jagienka came, Zbyszko's plan to go to war melted like spring snow in sunlight. up.

Whether Jagienka was invited or not, she would have liked to come, because she was in love with Zbyszko with all her heart.When she was in the court of the bishop of Plotsk and the court of the duke, she had seen many strong and brave knights of the same reputation, who often knelt before her and swore loyalty to her to the end—but Zbyszko was her own favorite, she had loved him since she was a child, her first love--and the misfortune which had brought him to misfortune made her love him a hundred times more than all knights. Love, and more than love to the princes of the world.Since he started his recovery, he's changed dramatically every day in appearance.She loved him almost madly, beyond the whole world.

But she dared not even admit it herself, and hid it so closely from Zbyszko that he might despise her again.Even with Macko (though she could trust him in everything), she was cautious and silent now.In spite of all her care, there was always some truth in her service to Zbyszko, which she tried to conceal under other reasons and pretexts.Since she had such intentions, she once said slyly to Zbyszko: "If I take care of you a little, it's because I love Macko. What do you think? Tell me." Then he deliberately brushed his hair from his forehead, covered his face with his hands, and looked at him carefully through his fingers; while Zbyszko blushed like a girl when he asked her suddenly, After a while, he replied:

"I have no idea. You are totally two people now." The two stayed silent for a while. "Two people?" the girl asked softly and in a low voice. "Well, what does it matter? Even if I'm someone else, I'm never completely unconcerned about you." "May God repay you," replied Zbyszko. From that time on, they gradually got on well; it was just that there was some awkwardness and embarrassment with each other.Sometimes they seem to be talking about one thing, but they are actually thinking about something else.There are often cold spots.Zbyszko was lying on the couch, and, as Macko said, "kept her eyes on her," because she was so dazzled that Zbyszko could not look directly at her.Sometimes their eyes met, and they both blushed, and Jagienka's protruding chest rose and fell rapidly, and her heart beat, as if expecting to hear some words that would melt her heart.But Zbyszko was silent, for he no longer dared to be bold with her as before, lest he should frighten her by speaking carelessly.Although he had seen her affection with his own eyes, he said in his heart that it was only because of Emacko that she had shown him a brother-sister relationship.

Once he told Macko about it.He wanted to tell him calmly and even indifferently, but he didn't expect his words to sound like a sad and sad complaint, half sorrowful, half resentful.But Macko listened patiently to the end of his speech, and finally said: "fool!" Macko left after saying this, rubbing his hands and beating his thigh as soon as he was outside, and was very happy. "Ha!" he said to himself. "He didn't even want to look at her when he could have gotten her right away. You're stupid, so let's go now! I'm going to build you a castle, and I'll let you go in the meantime." Lick your lips in a hurry. I won't tell you anything, and I don't want to break you. Even if you shout louder than all the horses in Bogdaniec, I won't bother you. Since the dry wood meets the fire, Sooner or later, the flames will break out. But I will never fan the flames, because I think it is unnecessary."

Instead of fanning the flames, he even hindered and provoked Zbyszko, like an experienced swordsman trying to tease an inexperienced young man. When Zbyszko once again mentioned to him his intention to go on an expedition far away to get out of these difficult days, Maczko said to him: "Before you had a beard on your upper lip, I would guide you, but now you are free. If you decide to rely on your own opinions, and if you decide to go--so go!" Zbyszko sat up in bed almost in surprise. "What's the matter? You don't disagree with me in this matter?" "Why should I oppose you? I'm just sorry for our family. Once you die, we will be cut off. But I can find another way to remedy it."

"In what way?" asked Zbyszko anxiously. "Are you asking what to do? Well, what can I say. Although I am old, I still have strength. Of course, Jagienka will go to someone younger—but I am a friend of her dead father—" So who knows!..." "You were a friend of her father's," replied Zbyszko. "But you never had any good wishes for me.—never! never..." He stopped suddenly, his lips trembling.Macko said: "Hey! Since you are determined to die, what can I do?" "Well, do what you like, I could even start today." "Fool!" Macko repeated.

He was off now to oversee Bogdaniec's laborers and those Jagienka sent from Zgotsylitri and Mochitori to help excavate the perimeter of their planned castle. moat.