CHAPTER XLII.
But she wiped away her tears and told the attendant to follow her and declare the news to Yurand. She found him in a large chamber, sitting with Father Kaleb, Anulka, and old Tolima; a tame she-wolf was at his feet. The sexton, who was also a chorister, was playing on a lute, and singing of some old battle which Yurand had fought against the "foul knights," and they, with heads leaning on their hands, were listening in deep thought and sadness. It was bright in the room from moonlight. After a day almost sultry had come a calm evening which was warm. The windows were open, and in the moonlight one could see bugs, which were flying about in the linden-trees growing in the courtyard. In the chimney a few bits of brands were smouldering yet, at which an attendant was heating mead mixed with sweet herbs and strengthening wine.
The chorister, or rather the sexton and servant of Father Kaleb, had just begun a new song about the "victorious meeting." "Yurand is advancing, under him is his chestnut steed," when Yagenka came in and said,—
"May Jesus Christ be praised!"
"For the ages of ages!" answered Father Kaleb.
Yurand was sitting on a bench with arms, his elbows leaning on the arms; but when he heard Yagenka's voice he turned at once toward her and greeted her with his head, which was milk white.
"Zbyshko's attendant has come from Schytno," said the girl, "and has brought news from the priest. Matsko will not return, for he has gone to Prince Vitold."
"How not return?" inquired Father Kaleb.
Then she told everything which she had heard from Hlava concerning Siegfried; how he had taken vengeance for the death of Rotgier, concerning Danusia, how the old comtur wished to sacrifice her to Rotgier, so that he might drink her innocent blood, and how the executioner had defended her unexpectedly. She did not conceal even this, that Matsko had hope now that he and Zbyshko would find Danusia, free her, and bring her to Spyhov. For this reason
