These words were so unexpected to the princess, that she jumped from the bench; then she sat down again and as if she had not thoroughly understood about what he was talking, she said: "For heaven's sake! the ksiondz Wyszoniek."
"Gracious lady! Gracious lady!" begged Zbyszko.
"Gracious lady!" repeated Danusia, embracing the princess' knees.
"How could it be done without her father's permission?"
"God's law is the stronger!" answered Zbyszko.
"For heaven's sake!"
"Who is the father, if not the prince? Who is the mother, if not you, gracious lady?"
And Danusia added: "Dearest matuchna!"[104] "It is true, that I have been and am still like a mother to her," said the princess, "and Jurand received his wife from my hand. It is true! And if you are once married--everything is ended. Perhaps Jurand will be angry, but he must be obedient to the commands of the prince, his lord. Then, no one need tell him immediately, only if he wanted to give the girl to another, or to make her a nun; and if he has made some vow, it will not be his fault that he cannot fulfill it. Nobody can act against God's will--perhaps it is God's will!"
"It cannot be otherwise!" exclaimed Zbyszko.
But the princess, still very much excited, said: "Wait, I must collect my thoughts. If the prince were here, I would go to him immediately and would ask him: 'May I give Danusia to Zbyszko or not?' But I am afraid without him, and there is not much time to spare, because the girl must go to-morrow! Oh, sweet Jesus, let her go married--then there will be peace. But I cannot recover my senses again--and then I am afraid of something. And you Danusia, are you not afraid?--Speak!"
"I will die without that!" interrupted Zbyszko.
Danusia arose from the princess' knees; she was not only really on confidential terms with the good lady, but also much spoiled by her; therefore she seized her around the neck, and began to hug her.
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.