"The prince sent for him, and they have wrapped him up in as many feather blankets as they could find in the house and carried him away."
"Did he say anything about his daughter?"
"He only began to breathe but did not recover speech."
"And the others?"
"They are already with God, and the poor fellows will no more be able to attend the pasterce (Christmas Eve feast) unless at that which the Lord Jesus Himself will prepare in heaven."
"None else survived?"
"None. Come into the entrance hall, the place to converse, and if you wish to see them, they lie along the fireside in the servants' room. Come inside."
But they were in a hurry and did not wish to enter, although old Zelech insisted, for he was glad to get hold of people in order to chat with them. There was yet, quite a considerable distance from Niedzborz to Ciechanow, and Zbyszko was burning like fire to see Jurand as soon as possible and learn something from him.
They therefore rode as fast as they could along the snow-covered road. When they arrived it was already after midnight, and the Christmas feast (lit-Shepherd ceremony) was just ended in the castle chapel. Zbyszko heard the lowing of oxen and the bleating of goats, which voices were produced in accordance with the ancient religious custom, in remembrance that the nativity took place in a stable. After the mass, the princess came to Zbyszko. She looked distressed and frightened, and began to question him: "And Danuska?"
"Is she not here, has Jurand said nothing, for according to what I gathered she lives?"
"Merciful Jesus!... God's punishment and woe to us! Jurand has not spoken and he lies like a log."
"Fear not, gracious lady. Danuska remained in Spychow."
"How do you know?"
"Because there is no trace of ladies' apparel found in any of the sleighs; she could not have left with only her traveling dress."
"True, as God is dear to me!"
Her eyes immediately were lit up with joy and after a while she exclaimed: "Hej! It seems that Christ the Infant, who was born to-day is not angry with you, but has a blessing upon us!"
The only thing which surprised her was the presence of Jurand without his daughter. Then she continued questioning him: "What caused him to leave her at home?"
Zbyszko explained to her his own reason, which seemed to her just, but she did not comprehend it sufficiently.