with a lance! with a lance!' And Povala threw fuel on that fire purposely. This morning, when the envoys of the Order were waiting at the gate, the king did not even look at them, though they bowed to the earth before his Majesty. Hei! they will not get a promise now that the king will not assist Prince Vitold, and they will not know what first to lay their hands on. But be sure of one thing, the king will not fail to press the Master about thy uncle Matsko."
Thus Prince Yamont delighted Zbyshko's heart, and still more did Yagenka delight it; for, accompanying Princess Alexandra to the forest, she strove to ride back side by side with Zbyshko. During hunts there was always great freedom; people returned usually in couples. And since it was not important for one couple to be too near another, they could speak without restriction. Yagenka had heard earlier of Matsko's captivity from Hlava, and had lost no time in helping. At her request the princess had given a letter to the Grand Master and had gained, besides, this, that Von Wenden, the comtur of Torun, had mentioned the affair in a letter in which he gave an account of what was happening in Plotsk. He boasted before the princess that he had added, "Wishing to please the king, we should not raise difficulties in this case." And the Grand Master was concerned beyond measure at that moment to please the powerful sovereign as far as possible, and turn all his own forces with perfect safety on Vitold, whom thus far the Order had been quite unable to manage.
"I have done what I could, taking care to avoid delay," said Yagenka; "and since the king will not yield to his sister in great things, he will try to please her at least in the smallest, hence I have great hope."
"Were the affair not with such treacherous people," said Zbyshko, "I would take the ransom straightway, and thus end the matter; with them, however, it may happen to a man as it happened with Tolima,—they will take the money, and not free the person who brought it unless power stands behind him."
"I understand," said Yagenka.
"You understand everything now," answered Zbyshko; "and while I live I shall be grateful to you."
"Why not say thou to me, as an acquaintance from childhood?" asked she, raising her sad and kind eyes to him.
"I know not," answered he, innocently. "Somehow it is
