«Oh, that is as true as if living!» said Marysia, placing her hands together.
«And the king,--have you seen him often?» asked Zonia.
«I have spoken with him as with you. After the battle of Berestechko he pressed my head. He is a valiant lord, and so kind that whoso has once seen him must love him.»
«We love him without having seen him. Has he the crown always on his head?»
«If he were to go around every day in the crown, his head would need to be iron. The crown rests in the church, from which its importance increases; but his Grace the King wears a black cap studded with diamonds from which light flashes through the whole castle.»
«They say that the castle of the king is even grander than that at Kyedani?»
«That at Kyedani! The Kyedani castle is a mere plaything in comparison. The
