CHAPTER LX.
Zbyshko fell at the feet of Princess Alexandra of Plotsk and offered her his service. She did not recognize the young knight at first, for she had not seen him for a long time. Only when he told her his name did she say,—
"Indeed! But I thought you some one from the king's court. Zbyshko of Bogdanets! Of course! Your uncle was a guest here, the old knight of Bogdanets, and I remember how tears gushed in streams from me and my damsels when he told us thy story. And have you found your bride? Where is she at present?"
"She is dead, gracious lady."
"O dear Jesus! Do not say that, for I shall not restrain my weeping. She is in heaven surely, that is the one consolation, and thou art young. A weak creature is woman. But in heaven there is recompense for all things, and there thou wilt find her. But the old knight of Bogdanets, is he here with thee?"
"He is not, for he is a captive with the Knights of the Cross, and I am going now to ransom him."
"Then he too has failed of luck! But he seemed a quick man, who knew every custom. But when he is ransomed, come here to us. We shall be glad to see you both, for I say sincerely that he is not lacking in wit, as thou art not lacking in comeliness."
"I will do so, gracious lady, all the more since I have come hither now purposely to beg of your Grace a favor for my uncle."
"Very well, come to-morrow before the hunt; I shall have time then."
Further conversation was interrupted by a new outburst of drums and trumpets announcing the arrival of Prince Yanush and his princess. As Zbyshko and the Princess of Plotsk stood near the entrance, Anna Danuta saw the young knight and approached him immediately without noticing the obeisance of their host, the starosta.
