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Updated: June 3, 2025
Arnold sat absorbed in thought; but the Bohemian told him in a few words of Danveld's treachery, the kidnapping of Danusia, the torture of Jurand, and the duel with Rotgier. Silence reigned when he concluded. It was only disturbed by the rustling of the trees of the forest and the crackling of the brands in the fireplace. In that manner they sat for a while.
Danusia nodded her little head in sign that she wished to know; therefore the "sister" continued: "There are also servants, women, in the Order, who, although they do not make any vows, and are allowed to marry, are obliged to perform certain duties for the Order, according to the brothers' commands.
"He is a knight, nephew of that wlodyka" answered the princess, pointing to Macko; "he has made a vow to Danusia." The monks did not show any surprise, because such a vow did not bind him to anything. Often vows were made to married women, and among the powerful families where the eastern custom was known, almost every woman had a knight.
The woman prepared the bedding and laid upon it Danusia, who had the appearance of a wooden or wax figure; after which she sat down near the fireplace fearing to go out. But the Bohemian entered after awhile. First he turned toward Danusia and said: "You are among friends, lady, so in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, sleep peacefully!" Then he made the sign of the cross.
But the princess, still very much excited, said: "Wait, I must collect my thoughts. If the prince were here, I would go to him immediately and would ask him: 'May I give Danusia to Zbyszko or not? But I am afraid without him, and there is not much time to spare, because the girl must go to-morrow! Oh, sweet Jesus, let her go married then there will be peace.
He recollected Jurand and his strange opposition; then he thought that it was even more necessary he should go, and learn what that obstacle was, and if a challenge to combat could not remove it. Finally it seemed to him that Danusia stretched her bands toward him and cried: "Come, Zbyszku! Come!" How could he refuse? He was not sleeping, but he saw her as distinctly as in a dream.
Danusia tottered and stretched out her little hands, but before she could fall or jump, Zbyszko rushed up like a wild-cat and seized her in his arms. The princess, who at first screamed from fear, laughed immediately and began to shout: "Here is Danusia's knight! Come, little knight and give us back our dear little girl!" "He grasped her boldly," some among the courtiers were heard to say.
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. "Come to me, my dear girl!" said Prince Janusz. "Put aside the pot and come."
The messenger begged the princess to permit him to take the girl immediately after the horses were rested, but as it was already dusk she refused; especially as she did not wish to distress Zbyszko and Danusia by such a sudden separation.
"Sir, are you not ill?" said the priest Kaleb, who, knowing Jurand better, noticed that something curious was taking place within him. "No!" replied Jurand. "And Danusia?" further inquired Zbyszko; "where is she and what did they say to you?" "What did they bring?" "The ransom," slowly replied Jurand. "The ransom for von Bergow?" "For von Bergow...."
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