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THE KNIGHTS OF THE CROSS.

vault. There he remained till old Tolima went to bring him to refreshment. When coming out he noticed by the light of the torch that the coffin was covered with garlands of star thistles and marigolds, while the space round about was swept clean and strewn with odorous plants. The young man's heart rose at sight of this, and he asked,—

"Who adorned the tomb in this way?"

"The young lady from Zgorzelitse," answered Tolima. Zbyshko said nothing then, but later, when he saw Yagenka, he bowed down to her knees quickly, embraced them, and cried,—

"God reward thee for thy goodness and for those flowers placed above Danusia!"

And when he said this he wept earnestly, while she embraced his head with her hands, like a sister who consoles a mourning brother.

"O my Zbyshko," said she, "would that I could comfort thee still more!"

Then abundant tears fell from her eyes also.