Jurand sat for awhile with his head between his hands; but finally he awakened as from a dream, and said with sadness and grief:
"I like you, young man, but I cannot give her to you; she is not destined for you, my poor boy."
Zbyszko hearing this, grew dumb and began to look at Jurand with wondering eyes.
But Danusia came to his help. Zbyszko was dear to her, and she was pleased to be considered not "a bush" but "a grown-up girl." She also liked the betrothal and the dainties which the knight used to bring her every day; therefore when she understood that she was likely to lose all this, she slipped down from the arm chair and having put her head on her father's lap, she began to cry:
"_Tatulu, Tatulu!_"[64] He evidently loved her better than anything else, for he put his hand softly on her head, while from his face disappeared all trace of deadly grudge and anger; only sadness remained.
In the meantime Zbyszko recovered his composure, and now said:
"How is it? Do you wish to oppose God's will?"
"If it be God's will, then you will get her; but I cannot give you my consent. Bah! I would be glad to do it, but I cannot."
Having said this, he arose, took Danusia in his arms, and went toward the door. When Zbyszko tried to detain him, he stopped for a moment and said:
"I will not be angry with you if you render her knightly services; but do not ask me any questions, because I cannot tell you anything."
The next day Jurand did not avoid Zbyszko at all; and he did not prevent him from performing for Danusia, during the journey, those different services which, being her knight, he was obliged to render her. On the contrary, Zbyszko noticed that the gloomy _Pan_ of Spychow looked at him kindly, as if he were regretting that he had been obliged to refuse his request. The young _wlodyka_ tried several times to have some conversation with him. After they started from Krakow, there were plenty of opportunities during the journey, because both accompanied the princess on horseback; but as soon as Zbyszko endeavored to learn something about the secret difficulties separating him from Danusia, the conversation was suddenly ended.
Jurand's face became gloomy, and he looked at Zbyszko uneasily as if he were afraid he would betray himself.