CHAPTER LXVI.
Some days later Yurand died. Father Kaleb celebrated masses a whole week above his body, which showed no decay,—in this all beheld a miracle,—and for a week guests came in crowds to Spyhov. Then followed a time of quiet, such as there is usually after a funeral. Zbyshko went to the vault, and sometimes he went to the forest with his crossbow, from which, however, he shot at no beast, but walked in forgetfulness; till at last one evening he returned to the chamber where the girls were sitting with Matsko and with Hlava.
"Listen to what I will say," said he, unexpectedly. "Sorrow profits no one; hence it is better for you to go to Zgorzelitse and Bogdanets than to sit here grieving."
Silence followed, for all divined that words of great import were coming, and only after a time did Matsko add,—
"Better for us and for thee as well."
But Zbyshko shook his bright head.
"No! I will return, God grant, to Bogdanets, but now I must take another road."
"Ei!" cried Matsko; "I said that the end had come, but now there is no end! Fear God, Zbyshko!"
"But you know that I made a vow—"
"Is that a reason? Danusia is gone, and the vow is gone also. Death has released thee from the oath."
"She would have released me, but I did not swear to her; I swore to God on my knightly honor. What do you wish? On knightly honor!"
Every word touching knightly honor had an influence on Matsko that seemed as it were magical. He guided himself in life by few commands except those of God and the Church, but he guided himself by those unswervingly.
"I do not tell thee not to keep thy oath," replied Matsko.
"But what?"
"This, that thou art young and hast time for everything, Come now with us; thou wilt rest—shake thyself free of
