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They took their crossbows, mounted their horses and went first to Moczydoly, destined for Jagienka's dowry, then to the edge of the forest, where they entrusted the horses to a servant and went on foot, because it was impossible to pass through the thicket on horseback.
Under the tables there were enormous urus' skins. Zych showed his riches willingly, saying that it was Jagienka's household. He conducted Zbyszko to the alcove, fragrant with rosin and peppermint, in which were hanging from the ceiling, large bunches of wolf skins, fox skins, beaver skins and marten skins.
"Under Prince Janusz?" "Yes!" "But what were you doing among the Knights of the Cross?" The old man could give no answer, but his face assumed an air of intense suffering, so much so that Jagienka's heart beat with greater force out of sympathy. Even Macko who was not subject to emotion, said: "I am sure the dog-brothers have wronged him. May be he is innocent."
Thinking thus, he urged his horse close to Jagienka's. "Gracious lady...." "Are you riding with us?" enquired Jagienka, as though awaking from sleep. "What do you say?" "I forgot to tell you what my master commanded me to say to you.
But after a while, he lifted his head, looked at the form standing beside him and was afraid, thinking that it might not be a man. "Who are you?" asked he, with uneasiness. "Jagienka!" answered a thin, womanly voice. Zbyszko became dumb from astonishment; he could not believe his own eyes. But his doubts did not last long, because Jagienka's voice again resounded: "I will build a fire."
Therefore the ostlers and servants began to sing; they marveled at the silence which reigned among those riding in front of them. But they were quiet because a heavy burden oppressed Jagienka's heart. There was something which had ended in her life, something broken.
She is sick and the road is very bad." "Is she sick?" "Martyred. Her reason is confused with her tortures." "Merciful Jesus!" Silence reigned for a moment. Jagienka's lips became pale and they moved as though in prayer. "Did she recognize Zbyszko?" she asked again. "She may have done so, but I am not sure, because I left at once, in order to inform you, lady, of the news.
"Girdle me with a strip of cloth for the road, so that if I fall in the field my pain may be lessened in having, when dying, the belt you fastened round my body." Then he bowed again at her feet, folded his arms and gazed into her eyes imploringly. But Jagienka's face assumed a troubled look, and after a while she replied as if with involuntary bitterness: "O, my dear!
"No," answered Zbyszko; "but I shall listen to you with pleasure." "Zgorzelice will belong to the young bears." "What do you mean by 'young bears?" "Why, Jagienka's brothers." "Hej! they will not have to suck their paws during the winter." "No; but Jagienka will also have plenty in Moczydoly." "That is true!" "Why don't you eat and drink? Jagienka, pour for him and for me."
After greetings, the Bohemian slept like a rock the whole night, only on the following evening he went out to greet the old knight who looked fatigued and ill-humored and received him angrily, and asked him why he had not remained at Spychow as ordered. Hlawa restrained himself till Zbyszko had left the tent, when he justified his conduct, which was owing to Jagienka's command.
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