hand and conducted her to Zbyshko's chamber, where Father Vyshonek was waiting for them with the Lord God (the Holy Sacrament).
In that chamber a great fire was burning in the chimney, and by its abundant but uneven light, Zbyshko beheld Danusia, somewhat pale from lack of sleep, in white, with a garland of immortelles on her temples, dressed in a stiff robe which reached the floor. Her eyelids were closed from emotion, her arms were dropped at her sides, and she looked like a painting on window-panes. There was something church-like about her, so that Zbyshko wondered at the sight; for it seemed to him that that was not an earthly maiden, but some heavenly soul which he was to take in marriage. And he thought so still more when she knelt with folded hands for communion, and with head thrown back closed her eyes altogether. She seemed to him as if dead, so that terror even seized his heart. But this did not last long, for hearing the voice of the priest saying, Ecce Agnus Dei,[1] he became collected in spirit, and his thoughts flew toward God straightway. In the chamber no noise was heard now save the solemn voice of the priest: Domine, non sum dignus,[2] and the crackling of the sparks in the fire, and the crickets singing persistently, and, as it were, with sadness in a cranny of the chimney. Outside the house the wind rose and sounded through the snow-covered forest, but it fell again.
Zbyshko and Danusia remained some time in silence. Father Vyshonek took the chalice to the chapel, and returned soon, not alone, however, but with De Lorche, and, noticing astonishment on the faces of those present, he put his finger on his lips as if to prevent an exclamation.
"I understood," said he, "that it would be better to have two witnesses of the marriage; hence, I have just instructed this knight, who has sworn to me on his honor and on relics that he will keep the secret as long as may be needed."
De Lorche knelt first before the princess then before Danusia. After that he rose and stood in silence, arrayed in ceremonial armor, along the joints of which bright reflections shone from the fire. Tall, motionless, sunk as it were in ecstasy; for to him also that white maiden with a garland of immortelles on her head seemed an angel on the window-panes of a Gothic cathedral.
