“Nay, nay!” cried Paùna, “thou art my beloved, and, God willing, shalt be my husband soon. Only be still now, be still!”
Many long weeks had passed since that morning—weeks during which Paùna had watched day and night by Tannas’s bed and nursed him untiringly. And now, one day, two wanderers were seen coming along the road into the village—a blind man in a soldier’s cloak, with the cross of honour upon his breast, and a maiden, who led him carefully along, and said to the passers-by, with a joyful smile: “This is my bridegroom. He is a hero! See the cross upon his breast!”
“And upon his face!” rejoined Tannas, with a sigh.
Never had such a crowded wedding been seen before. People streamed from far and near, to pity the beautiful Paùna at the side of the blind man. But she smiled at every one, and said: “I am proud now. I have a hero for my husband; and, thank God, I am strong and can work for both.”
The mountain that had been seen on fire was from that day called Piatra Arsa (“the burnt rock”), for both shepherds and hunters bore witness that on that spot they had found the rock all blackened and charred.
[IX]
RÎUL DOAMNEI
(“THE RIVER OF THE PRINCESS”)
