But the princess said:
"I will not promise you anything without Father Wyszoniek. Run for him immediately!"
Danusia went after Father Wyszoniek; Zbyszko turned his pale face toward the princess, and said:
"What the Lord Jesus has destined for me will happen; but for this consolation, may God reward you, gracious lady."
"Do not bless me yet," answered the princess, "because we do not know what will happen. You must swear to me upon you honor, that if you are married, you will not prevent the girl from going to her father, or else you will draw his curse upon her and yourself.
"Upon my honor!" said Zbyszko.
"Remember then! And the girl must not tell Jurand immediately. We will send for him from Ciechanow, and make him come with Danusia, and then I will tell him myself, or I will ask the prince to do it. When he sees that there is no remedy, he will consent. He did not dislike you?"
"No," said Zbyszko, "he did not dislike me; perhaps he will be pleased when Danusia is mine. If he made a vow, it will not be his fault that he could not keep it."
The conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Danusia and the ksiondz Wyszoniek. The princess immediately asked his advice and began to tell him with great enthusiasm about Zbyszko's plan; but as soon as he heard about it, he made the sign of the cross from astonishment and said:
"In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost! How can
I do it? It is advent!"