"In Krakow, Jurand said differently; but now, I think he will not oppose it," said the prince.
"The Lord Jesus will help," said the princess, who entered just now and heard the end of the conversation.
"Jurand cannot oppose it now, if only God will restore Zbyszko's health; but we must reward him also."
"The best reward for him will be Danusia, and I think he will get her, for when the women resolve to accomplish some object, then even Jurand himself could not prevent them."
"Am I not right, to wish for that marriage?" asked the princess.
"I would not say a word if Zbyszko were not constant; but I think there is no other in the world as faithful as he. And the girl also. She does not leave him now for a moment; she caresses him and he smiles at her, although he is very ill. I cry myself when I see this! I am speaking righteously! It is worth while to help such a love, because the Holy Mother looks gladly on human happiness."
"If it be God's will," said the prince, "the happiness will come. But it is true that he nearly lost his head for that girl and now the bison has injured him."
"Do not say it was for that girl," said the princess, quickly, "because in Krakow Danusia saved him."
"True! But for her sake he attacked Lichtenstein, in order to tear from his head the feathers, and he would not have risked his life for de Lorche. As for the reward, I said before that they both deserve one, and I will think about it in Ciechanow."
"Nothing will please Zbyszko more than to receive the knightly girdle and the golden spurs."
The prince smiled benevolently and answered: "Let the girl carry them to him; and when the illness leaves him, then we will see that everything is accomplished according to the custom. Let her carry them to him immediately, because quick joy is the best!"
The princess having heard that, hugged her lord in the presence of the courtiers, and kissed his hands; he smiled continually and said: "You see--A good idea! I see that the Holy Ghost has granted the woman some sense also! Now call the girl."
"Danuska! Danuska!" called the princess.
And in a moment in the side door Danusia appeared; her eyes were red on account of sleepless nights; and she held a pot of steaming gruel, which the ksiondz Wyszoniek had ordered to be put on Zbyszko's fractured bones.