But Zbyszko could truly answer her that he had not seen many as pretty as she, because Jagienka was beaming with health, youth and strength. The old abbot used to say that she looked like a pine tree. Everything was beautiful in her; a slender figure, a broad bosom that looked as if it were cut out of marble, a red mouth, and intelligent blue eyes. She was also dressed with more care than when in the forest with the hunting party. Around her neck she had a necklace of red beads; she wore a fur jacket opened in front and covered with green cloth, a homespun skirt and new boots. Even old Macko noticed this beautiful attire, and having looked at her for a moment, asked: "Why are you dressed as if you were going to church?" But instead of answering, she exclaimed: "The wagons are coming!" In fact the wagons now appeared and she sprang toward them, followed by Zbyszko. The unloading lasted quite a long time to the great satisfaction of Macko who looked at everything, and praised Jagienka all the time. It was dusk when the girl started home. While she was getting ready to mount her horse, Zbyszko suddenly caught her, and before she was able to say a word, lifted her into the saddle. Then she blushed like the dawn and turning her head toward him, said with emotion in her voice: "What a strong boy you are!" But he, not having noticed her confusion nor her blushes because it was dark, laughed and said: "Are you not afraid of wild beasts? It is night!" "There is a boar-spear in the wagon. Give it to me." Zbyszko went to the wagon, took the boar-spear and handed it to Jagienka; then he said: "Be in good health!" "Be in good health!" she answered. "May God reward you! To-morrow, or the day after, I will be in Zgorzelice to thank Zych and you for your kindness." "Come! You will be welcome!" Having touched her horse, she disappeared among the bushes growing on the sides of the road. Zbyszko returned to his uncle. "You must go inside." But Macko answered, without moving from the log: "Hej! I what a girl! I She made the court-yard brighter!" "That is true!" There was a moment of silence. Macko seemed to be thinking about something while looking at the stars; then he said, as if he were speaking to himself: "She is pretty and a good housekeeper, although she is not more than fifteen years old." "Yes!" answered Zbyszko. "Therefore old Zych loves her dearly." "And he said that the estate of Moczydoly will be her dowry; and there on the pastures is a herd of mares with many colts." "Are there not a great many marshes in the Moczydlowski estate?" "Yes; but in those marshes there are plenty of beavers." There was silence again. Macko looked intently at Zbyszko for a while, and finally he asked, "About what are you thinking?" "Seeing Jagienka reminded me of Danusia, and something pricked me in the heart." "Let us go into the house," answered the old _wlodyka_. "It is getting late."