第602页 / 共788页

"Even so may God forgive you too!" interrupted the Warden.

"Father Jacek, if you are now about to take the sacrament,

remember that I am no Lutheran or schismatic! I know that whoever

saddens the last moments of a dying man, commits sin. I will tell

you something that will surely comfort you. When my late master

had fallen wounded, and I was kneeling by him, bending over his

breast; when, wetting my sword in his wound, I vowed vengeance,

my lord shook his head and stretched out his hand towards the

door, towards the place where you were standing, and drew a cross

in the air; he could not speak, but he made a sign that he

forgave his murderer. I understood well, but I was so furious

with rage that I have never said even a word of that cross."