When they heard this the other three sprang from their benches. Marek's idea struck them to the heart so completely that they surrounded Pan Stanislav.
"Take her, Stashko!"
"It will please us most of all."
"If thou love us!"
"Do this to please us!"
"May God bless you!" cried Mateush; and he raised his eyes heavenward, as he stretched his hands over Stanislav.
Stanislav blushed, and he stood there astonished, repeating,--
"Fear God's wounds!"
But his heart quivered at the thought, for having passed two whole years with his father amid the dense forests, and seeing few people, he had not met for a legion of days such a marvellous maiden. He had seen some one like her in Brejani, for he had been sent by his father to gain elegance at the court there and a knowledge of government. But he was a lad then, and time had effaced those remote recollections. And now he saw in the midst of those forests unexpectedly just such a beautiful flower as the other one, and men said to him straightway: "Oh take it!" In view of this he was dreadfully shamefaced and answered,--
"Fear God! How could ye or I get her?"