But they were in a hurry and did not wish to enter, although old Zelech insisted, for he was glad to get hold of people in order to chat with them. There was yet, quite a considerable distance from Niedzborz to Ciechanow, and Zbyszko was burning like fire to see Jurand as soon as possible and learn something from him. They therefore rode as fast as they could along the snow-covered road. When they arrived it was already after midnight, and the Christmas feast (lit-Shepherd ceremony) was just ended in the castle chapel. Zbyszko heard the lowing of oxen and the bleating of goats, which voices were produced in accordance with the ancient religious custom, in remembrance that the nativity took place in a stable. After the mass, the princess came to Zbyszko. She looked distressed and frightened, and began to question him: "And Danuska?" "Is she not here, has Jurand said nothing, for according to what I gathered she lives?" "Merciful Jesus!... God's punishment and woe to us! Jurand has not spoken and he lies like a log." "Fear not, gracious lady. Danuska remained in Spychow." "How do you know?" "Because there is no trace of ladies' apparel found in any of the sleighs; she could not have left with only her traveling dress." "True, as God is dear to me!" Her eyes immediately were lit up with joy and after a while she exclaimed: "Hej! It seems that Christ the Infant, who was born to-day is not angry with you, but has a blessing upon us!" The only thing which surprised her was the presence of Jurand without his daughter. Then she continued questioning him: "What caused him to leave her at home?" Zbyszko explained to her his own reason, which seemed to her just, but she did not comprehend it sufficiently. "Jurand will now be thankful to us for his life," she said, "and forsooth he owes it to you because you went to dig him out. His heart would be of stone if he were still to continue his opposition to you. In this there is also God's warning to him not to oppose the holy sacrament. I shall tell him so as soon as he comes to his senses and is able to speak." "It is necessary for him first to recover consciousness, because we do not yet know why he has not brought Danuska with him. Perhaps she is sick?" "Do not say that something has happened I I feel so much troubled that she is not here. If she were sick he would not have left her." "True!" said Zbyszko. They went to Jurand. The heat in the room was intense, as in a bath. It was light, because there were big pine logs in the fireplace. Father Wyszoniek kept watch over the patient, who lay in bed, covered with a bear-skin; his face was pale, his hair matted with perspiration, and his eyes closed. His mouth was open, and his chest laboring with difficulty, but with such force that his breathing moved the bear-skin covering up and down. "How is he doing?" inquired the princess. "I poured a mug of hot wine into his mouth," replied the priest, "and perspiration ensued."