There was silence; one could only hear the heavy, hoarse breathing of Macko, and the archers' calls. "Listen," Macko said, finally, in broken tones, "it was not shameful for _Kniaz_ Witold to escape from Krewo; it would not be for you, either." "Hej!"' answered Zbyszko, with sadness "You know! _Kniaz_ Witold is a great _kniaz_; he received a crown from the king's hand, also riches and dominion; but I, a poor nobleman, have only my honor." After a while he exclaimed in a sudden burst of anger: "Then you do not understand that I love you, and that I will not give your head instead of mine?" At this, Macko stood on his trembling feet, stretched out his hands, and although the nature of the people of those days, was hard, as if forged of iron, he cried suddenly in a heartbroken voice: "Zbyszku!" CHAPTER VIII. The next day, the court servants began to make preparations in the market square, to build the scaffold which was to be erected opposite the principal gate of the city hall. The princess, however, was still consulting with Wojciech Jastrzembiec, Stanislaw of Skarbimierz and other learned canons, who were familiar with the written laws and also with the laws sanctioned by custom. She was encouraged in these efforts by the castellan's words, when he said, that if they showed him "law or pretext," he would free Zbyszko. Therefore they consulted earnestly, to ascertain if there were any law or custom that would do. Although the _ksiondz_ Stanislaw, had prepared Zbyszko for death and administered the last sacraments, he went directly from the prison to the consultation, which lasted almost till daybreak.