The abbot was very much pleased with such sincerity; he smiled and said: "The girl is perfectly right to be particular in her choice, because she is pretty, rich and of good family! Of what account are Cztan or Wilk, when the son of a wojewoda would not be too good for her! But if somebody, as myself for instance, spoke in favor of any particular one, then she would marry him, because she loves me and knows that I will advise her well."
"The one whom you advise her to marry, will be very lucky," said Macko.
But the abbot turned to Zbyszko: "What do you say to this?"
"Well, I think the same as my uncle does."
The face of the abbot became still more serene; he struck Zbyszko's shoulder with his hand so hard that the blow resounded in the chamber, and asked: "Why did you not let Cztan or Wilk approach Jagienka at church?"
"Because I did not want them to think that I was afraid of them, and I did not want you to think so."
"But you gave the holy water to her."
"Yes, I did."
The abbot gave him another blow.
"Then, take her!"
"Take her!" exclaimed Macko, like an echo.
At this Zbyszko gathered up his hair, put it in the net, and answered quietly: "How can I take her, when before the altar in Tyniec, I made a vow to Danusia Jurandowna?"
"You made a vow about the peacock's tufts, and you must get them, but take Jagienka immediately."
"No," answered Zbyszko; "afterward when Danusia covered me with her veil, I promised that I would marry her."
The blood began to rush to the abbot's face; his ears turned blue, and his eyes bulged; he approached Zbyszko and said, in a voice muffled with anger: "Your vows are the chaff and I am the wind; understand! Ot!"
And he blew on Zbyszko's head so powerfully, that the net fell off and the hair was scattered on his shoulders. Then Zbyszko frowned, and looking into the abbot's eyes, he said: "In my vows is my honor, and over my honor, I alone am the guardian!"
At this, the abbot not being accustomed to opposition, lost his breath to such a degree, that for a time he could not speak. There was an ill-omened silence, which finally was broken by Macko: "Zbyszku!" exclaimed he, "come to your wits again! What is the matter with you?"