"Where then should he be? He has been here since he arrived from the
Forest Court, for it is well to be here. Our prince never lacks guests."
"I shall be glad to see him, he is a knight with whom none can find fault."
"And he also loves you. But let us go, their Highnesses will soon be at the table."
They went into the dining hall where big fires burned in the two fireplaces and they were taken care of by the servants.
The room was already filled with guests and courtiers. The prince entered first accompanied by the Voyevode and several life guards. Zbyszko knelt and kissed his hands.
The prince pressed Zbyszko's head, then he took him aside and said:
"I know it all already, I was displeased at first, because it was done without my permission, but there was no time, for I was then in Warsaw where I intended to spend the holidays. It is a well-known fact that, if a woman desires anything, opposition is useless, and you gain nothing by it. The princess wishes you well like a mother, and I always desire to please rather than to oppose her wishes, in order to spare her trouble and tears."
Zbyszko bowed again to the prince's knees.
"God grant that I may requite your princely love."
"Praise His name that you are already well. Tell the princess how I received you with good wishes, so that she may be pleased. As I fear God, her joy is my joy! I shall also say a good word in your behalf to Jurand, and I think that he will consent, for he too loves the princess."