Wherein is shown how great a force the will of a woman is, and how quickly it can alter the order of things which man devises.
Three days later, Count Hommonai brought back his forces, after successfully driving the Turkish freebooters into the neighboring county; it was for the neighboring county to drive them on still further.
Valentine came riding safe and sound into his own courtyard, and great was Michal's joy when she saw him return in such a merry mood. Nevertheless, she surrendered the first kisses to her mother-in-law.
"Well, have you cut down many Turks?" inquired Dame Sarah.
"I've felled a few, but I did not count how many."
"I'm only glad they've done you no harm," said Michal joyfully.
"You've been praying for me, darling, have you not? Were you not in church, did you sit by my mother?"
"Oh, no!" cried Dame Sarah, eager to tell everything. "That wicked old Fürmender woman would not let her come into the pew. She said to her: 'Servant maids must sit behind.' And do you know who it was that found her a seat after all? Why the good Countess Hommonai! Yes, the countess herself actually made Michal come and sit down beside her in her own beautiful pew."
Valentine snatched his cap from his head as if the countess stood before him in person.
"God bless her for it! You thanked her for her graciousness, I hope?"