“Praise be to God! it is not so ill with us, not so ill. It has been worse, and we did not yield.”
“Though it were worse, the point is in this, not to lose courage. They have not devoured us, and they will not while our courage holds out,” said Zagloba.
Under the influence of these cheering thoughts they grew silent. But Pan Adam rode up suddenly to Basia; his countenance, usually threatening and gloomy, was now smiling and calm. He had fixed his gazing eyes with devotion on Kamenyets bathed in sunbeams, and smiled without ceasing.
The two knights and Basia looked at him with wonder, for they could not understand how the sight of that fortress had taken every weight from his soul with such suddenness; but he said,—
“Praise be to the name of the Lord! there was a world of suffering, but now gladness is near me!” Here he turned to Basia. “They are both with the mayor, Tomashevich; and it is well that they have hidden there, for in such a fortress that robber can do nothing to them.”
“Of whom are you speaking?” asked Basia, in terror.
“Of Zosia and Eva.”
“God give you aid!” cried Zagloba; “do not give way to the Devil.”
But Pan Adam continued, “And what they say of my father, that Azya killed him, is not true either.”
“His mind is disturbed,” whispered Pan Mushalski.