"Nobody but you said that she was dead," exclaimed the knight, with anger. "You ought to have held your tongue. I took her with me because I was afraid of Cztan and Wilk."
"That was only a pretext," replied the armor-bearer. "She might have safely remained at Zgorzelice, and those fellows would have hurt each other. But, you feared, sir, that, in case of Jurandowna's death Jagienka might escape Zbyszko. That is the reason why you took her with you."
"How dare you speak so? Are you a belted knight and not a servant?"
"I am a servant, but I serve my lady; that is the reason why I am watching that no evil betide her."
Macko reflected gloomily, because he was not satisfied with himself. More than once he had blamed himself for taking Jagienka with him, because he felt that in any case, under such circumstances, it would be, to a certain extent, to her disadvantage. He also felt that there was truth in the Bohemian's bold words, that he had taken the girl with him in order to preserve her for Zbyszko.
"It never entered my head," he said, nevertheless, to deceive the
Bohemian. "She was anxious to go herself."
"She persisted because we said that the other was no more in this world, and that her brother would be safer without than with her; it was then that she left."
"You persuaded her," shouted Macko.
"I did, and I confess my guilt. But now, sir, it is necessary to do something; otherwise we shall perish."
"What can one do here?" said Macko, impatiently, "with such soldiers, in such a war?… It will be somewhat better, but that cannot be before July, because the Germans have two favorable seasons for war, viz: winter when everything is frozen, and the dry season. Now it is only smouldering, but does not burn. It seems that Prince Witold went to Krakow to interview the king and ask his permission and help."