"Could they not come without your help!"
"Our nation is very angry with the Krzyzaks, because of their great treacherousness; a Krzyzak will hug and kiss you, but he is ready in the same moment to stab you with a knife from behind; and such conduct is odious to us Mazurs. Nevertheless anyone will receive even a German in his house, and will not wrong his guest; but he would stop him on the road. There are many who do this for vengeance, or for glory."
"Who among you is the most famous?"
"There is one whom all Germans fear to meet; his name is Jurand of Spychow."
The heart of the young knight throbbed when he heard that name; immediately he determined to question Jendrek of Kropiwnica.
"I know!" said he; "I heard about him; his daughter Danuta was girl-in-waiting with the princess; afterward she was married."
Having said this, he looked sharply into the eyes of the Mazowiecki knight, who answered with great astonishment: "Who told you that? She is very young yet. It is true that it sometimes happens that very young girls are married, but Jurandowna is not married. I left Ciechanow six days ago and I saw her then with the princess. How could she marry during advent?"
Zbyszko having heard this, wanted to seize the knight by the neck and shout: "May God reward you for the news!" but he controlled himself, and said: "I heard that Jurand gave her to some one."
"It was the princess who wished to give her, but she could not do it against Jurand's will. She wanted to give her to a knight in Krakow, who made a vow to the girl, and whom she loves."
"Does she love him?" exclaimed Zbyszko.
At this Jendrek looked sharply at him, smiled and said: "Do you know, you are too inquisitive about that girl."
"I am asking about my friend to whom I am going."
One could hardly see Zbyszko's face under the helmet; but his nose and cheeks were so red that the Mazur, who was fond of joking, said: "I am afraid that the cold makes your face red!"
Then the young man grew still more confused, and answered: "It must be that."
They moved forward and rode silently for some time; but after a while Jendrek of Kropiwnica asked: "What do they call you? I did not hear distinctly?"
"Zbyszko of Bogdaniec."