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Sir de Lorche at the end of two days felt better, and he was able to leave his bed; but having learned that the ladies intended to remain, he stayed also, in order to accompany them on their journey and defend them in case the "Saracens" attacked them. Whence the "Saracens" could come, the Lotaringer did not know.
These reminiscences were disturbed by the entrance of Prince Janusz, whom the Knights of the Cross and the courtiers saluted. De Lorche, the comthurs and Zbyszko also approached him, and he welcomed them cordially but with dignity.
But these words frightened the princess, who felt it was as if Zbyszko said he would go unarmed among the wolves that assembled in the winter in packs in the deep Mazovian forests. "What for?" she exclaimed. "For sure destruction? On your arrival, neither de Lorche nor those letters, written by Rotgier before the fight, will help you. You will save nobody and only ruin yourself."
"I decline to give my hand to knights who outrage knightly honor, by joining pagans in fighting Christian knights." One of the Mazovians present, who could not restrain himself, owing to Zbyszko's importance, on hearing this became excited and his blood boiled. "Fool!" he shouted and involuntarily grasped the handle of his "misericordia." But de Lorche lifted up his head. "Kill me," he said.
Nevertheless his mind was at rest when he thought that de Lorche was in reserve; the Baden knights themselves would protect his head even if it were only for the ransom. "Otherwise," he said to himself, "Zbyszko will neither be obliged to present himself nor lessen his fortune." That thought caused him a certain relief.
The urus had avenged himself especially on the horse, which was lying dead beside the knight; as for Sir de Lorche, he was not seriously injured. He had fainted and his right hand was sprained.
Jagienka now played the lute for her and the princess loved her much, but not as much as the songstress. "Which Jagienka?" inquired Zbyszko with astonishment. "Jagienka of Wielgolasu, the granddaughter of the old lord of Wielgolasu. She is a fine girl. The Lotarynczyk fell in love with her." "Then is Sir de Lorche here?" "Where then should he be?
During the winter there are no leaves on the hazel bushes, therefore Hugo von Danveld and Sir de Lorche saw him kiss the girl; some of the courtiers also saw him and they began to say among themselves: "He kissed her in the presence of the princess! The lady will surely prepare the wedding for them soon." "He is a daring boy, but Jurand's blood is warm also!"
"I praise him also," answered de Lorche, with some astonishment. Macko was completely reassured. "No, don't you see," said he, "if the devil were dwelling in him, he would have foamed immediately, or he would have been thrown to the earth, because I asked him suddenly. We can go." In fact, they proceeded quietly.
The prince was also attended by two men, who were prepared to help him in any emergency: they had been chosen from among the landowners of the provinces of Warszawa and Ciechanow; they had shoulders like the trunks of oak trees. Sir de Lorche gazed at them with amazement. In the meanwhile, the princess and Danusia came out; both wore hoods made of the skins of white weasels.
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