either they took her to some distant castle or to some island near the coast, but when there is proof that they did it they will not deny before the Master."
But Yurand began to repeat in a kind of strange and terrible voice,—
"Danveld, De Lowe, Gottfried, Rotgier!"
Pan Mikolai recommended besides to send experienced and very adroit men to Prussia to inquire in Schytno and Insbork about Danusia, was she there, and if not whither had they taken her. The prince seized his staff and went out to give needful orders; the princess turned to Yurand, wishing to strengthen him with a kind word.
"How do you feel?" asked she.
He made no answer for a while, just as if he had not heard the question, but later he said on a sudden,—
"As if some one had struck me in an old wound."
"Have faith in God's mercy, Danusia will return; only give them De Bergov."
"I would not begrudge them even blood."
The princess hesitated whether or not to mention the marriage to him, but when she had thought a little she did not like to add a new pain to Yurand's misfortunes, which were already grievous, and moreover a certain fear seized her. "He and Zbyshko together will search for her; let Zbyshko tell him at an opportunity," thought she; "but now it might disturb his brain altogether." So she preferred to talk of something else.
"Do not blame us," said she. "Men came in your colors with a letter bearing your seal, and announcing that you were sick; that sight was leaving you; that you wished to see your child once more. How could we oppose, and fail to carry out the order of a father?"
Yurand fell at her feet.
"I blame no one, gracious lady."
"And know this, that God will restore her to you; for His eye is above her. He will send her rescue, as he sent it at the last hunt when the wild bull attacked us, and the Lord Jesus inspired Zbyshko to defend Danusia and me, for which reason the prince gave him spurs and a belt. You see! the hand of God is above her. Of course you grieve for your daughter, and I myself am filled with sorrow. I thought that she would come with you; that I should see my dearest, but meanwhile—"
Her voice trembled and tears came to her eyes, but in
