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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Marie, by Alexander Pushkin
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Marie
+
+Author: Alexander Pushkin
+
+Release Date: August, 2003 [Etext# 4344]
+Posting Date: January 11, 2010
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARIE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Hanh Vu and Douglas Levy
+
+
+
+
+
+MARIE
+
+A Story of Russian Love
+
+By Alexander Pushkin
+
+
+Translated by Marie H. de Zielinska
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+         I. THE SERGEANT OF THE GUARDS.
+        II. THE GUIDE.
+       III. THE FORTRESS.
+        IV. THE DUEL.
+         V. LOVE.
+        VI. POUGATCHEFF.
+       VII. THE ASSAULT.
+      VIII. THE UNEXPECTED VISIT.
+        IX. THE SEPARATION.
+         X. THE SIEGE.
+        XI. THE REBEL CAMP.
+       XII. MARIE.
+      XIII. THE ARREST.
+       XIV. THE SENTENCE.
+
+
+
+
+TRANSLATOR'S NOTE.
+
+
+Alexander Pushkin, the most distinguished poet of Russia, was born at
+Saint Petersburg, 1799. When only twenty-one years of age he entered
+the civil service in the department of foreign affairs. Lord Byron's
+writings and efforts for Greek independence exercised great influence
+over Pushkin, whose "Ode to Liberty" cost him his freedom. He was exiled
+to Bessarabia [A region of Moldova and western Ukraine] from 1820 to
+1825, whence he returned at the accession of the new emperor, Nicholas,
+who made him historiographer of Peter the Great. Pushkin's friends
+now looked upon him as a traitor to the cause of liberty. It is not
+improbable that an enforced residence at the mouth of the Danube
+somewhat cooled his patriotic enthusiasm. Every Autumn, his favorite
+season for literary production, he usually passed at his country seat
+in the province Pekoff. Here from 1825 to 1829 he published "Pultowa,"
+"Boris Godunoff," "Eugene Onegin," and "Ruslaw and Ludmila," a tale
+in verse, after the Manner of Ariosto's "Orlando Furioso." This is
+considered as the first great poetical work in the Russian language,
+though the critics of the day attacked it, because it was beyond their
+grasp; but the public devoured it.
+
+In 1831 Pushkin married, and soon after appeared his charming novel,
+"Marie," a picture of garrison life on the Russian plains. Peter and
+Marie of this Northern story are as pure as their native snows, and
+whilst listening to the recital, we inhale the odor of the steppe, and
+catch glimpses of the semi-barbarous Kalmouk and the Cossack of the Don.
+
+A duel with his brother-in-law terminated the life of Pushkin in the
+splendor of his talent. The emperor munificently endowed the poet's
+family, and ordered a superb edition of all his works to be published at
+the expense of the crown. His death was mourned by his countrymen as a
+national calamity. M. H. de Z.
+
+Chicago, Nov. 1, 1876.
+
+
+
+
+
+MARIE.
+
+
+
+
+I. THE SERGEANT OF THE GUARDS.
+
+
+My father, Andrew Peter Grineff, having served in his youth under Count
+Munich, left the army in 17--, with the grade of First Major. From that
+time he lived on his estate in the Principality of Simbirsk, where he
+married Avoditia, daughter of a poor noble in the neighborhood. Of
+nine children, the issue of this marriage, I was the only survivor. My
+brothers and sisters died in childhood.
+
+Through the favor of a near relative of ours, Prince B---, himself
+a Major in the Guards, I was enrolled Sergeant of the Guards in the
+regiment of Semenofski. It was understood that I was on furlough till my
+education should be finished. From my fifth year I was confided to the
+care of an old servant Saveliitch, whose steadiness promoted him to the
+rank of my personal attendant. Thanks to his care, when I was twelve
+years of age I knew how to read and write, and could make a correct
+estimate of the points of a hunting dog.
+
+At this time, to complete my education, my father engaged upon a salary
+a Frenchman, M. Beaupre, who was brought from Moscow with one year's
+provision of wine and oil from Provence. His arrival of course
+displeased Saveliitch.
+
+Beaupre had been in his own country a valet, in Prussia a soldier, then
+he came to Russia to be a tutor, not knowing very well what the word
+meant in our language. He was a good fellow, astonishingly gay and
+absent-minded. His chief foible was a passion for the fair sex. Nor was
+he, to use his own expression, an enemy to the bottle--that is to say,
+_a la Russe_, he loved drink. But as at home wine was offered only at
+table, and then in small glasses, and as, moreover, on these occasions,
+the servants passed by the pedagogue, Beaupre soon accustomed himself
+to Russian brandy, and, in time, preferred it, as a better tonic, to
+the wines of his native country. We became great friends, and although
+according to contract he was engaged to teach me French, German, and
+_all the sciences_, yet he was content that I should teach him to
+chatter Russian. But as each of us minded his own business, our
+friendship was constant, and I desired no mentor. However, destiny very
+soon separated us, in consequence of an event which I will relate.
+
+Our laundress, a fat girl all scarred by small-pox, and our dairymaid,
+who was blind of an eye, agreed, one fine day, to throw themselves at my
+mother's feet and accuse the Frenchman of trifling with their innocence
+and inexperience!
+
+My mother would have no jesting upon this point, and she in turn
+complained to my father, who, like a man of business, promptly ordered
+"that dog of a Frenchman" into his presence. The servant informed him
+meekly that Beaupre was at the moment engaged in giving me a lesson.
+
+My father rushed to my room. Beaupre was sleeping upon his bed the sleep
+of innocence. I was deep in a most interesting occupation. They had
+brought from Moscow, for me, a geographical map, which hung unused
+against the wall; the width and strength of its paper had been to me
+a standing temptation. I had determined to make a kite of it, and
+profiting that morning by Beaupre's sleep, I had set to work. My father
+came in just as I was tying a tail to the Cape of Good Hope! Seeing
+my work, he seized me by the ear and shook me soundly; then rushing to
+Beaupre's bed, awakened him without hesitating, pouring forth a volley
+of abuse upon the head of the unfortunate Frenchman. In his confusion
+Beaupre tried in vain to rise; the poor pedagogue was dead drunk! My
+father caught him by the coat-collar and flung him out of the room. That
+day he was dismissed, to the inexpressible delight of Saveliitch.
+
+Thus ended my education. I now lived in the family as the eldest son,
+not of age whose career is yet to open; amusing myself teaching pigeons
+to tumble on the roof, and playing leap-frog in the stable-yard with the
+grooms. In this way I reached my sixteenth year.
+
+One Autumn day, my mother was preserving fruit with honey in the family
+room, and I, smacking my lips, was looking at the liquid boiling; my
+father, seated near the window, had just opened the _Court Almanac_
+which he received every year. This book had great influence over him; he
+read it with extreme attention, and reading prodigiously stirred up his
+bile. My mother, knowing by heart all his ways and oddities, used to try
+to hide the miserable book, and often whole months would pass without a
+sight of it. But, in revenge whenever he did happen to find it, he would
+sit for hours with the book before his eyes.
+
+Well, my father was reading the _Court Almanac_, frequently shrugging
+his shoulders, and murmuring: "'General!' Umph, he was a sergeant in
+my company. 'Knight of the Orders of Russia.' Can it be so long since
+we--?"
+
+Finally he flung the _Almanac_ away on the sofa and plunged into deep
+thought; a proceeding that never presaged anything good.
+
+"Avoditia," said he, brusquely, to my mother, "how old is Peter?"
+
+"His seventeenth precious year has just begun," said my mother. "Peter
+was born the year Aunt Anastasia lost her eye, and that was--"
+
+"Well, well," said my father, "it is time he should join the army. It is
+high time he should give up his nurse, leap-frog and pigeon training."
+
+The thought of a separation so affected my poor mother that she let the
+spoon fall into the preserving pan, and tears rained from her eyes.
+
+As for me, it is difficult to express my joy. The idea of army service
+was mingled in my head with that of liberty, and the pleasures offered
+by a great city like Saint Petersburg. I saw myself an officer in the
+Guards, which, in my opinion was the height of felicity.
+
+As my father neither liked to change his plans, nor delay their
+execution, the day of my departure was instantly fixed. That evening,
+saying that he would give me a letter to my future chief, he called for
+writing materials.
+
+"Do not forget, Andrew," said my mother, "to salute for me Prince B.
+Tell him that I depend upon his favor for my darling Peter."
+
+"What nonsense," said my father, frowning, "why should I write to Prince
+B.?"
+
+"You have just said that you would write to Peter's future chief."
+
+"Well, what then?"
+
+"Prince B. is his chief. You know very well that Peter is enrolled in
+the Semenofski regiment."
+
+"Enrolled! what's that to me? Enrolled or not enrolled, he shall not go
+to Saint Petersburg. What would he learn there? Extravagance and folly.
+No! let him serve in the army, let him smell powder, let him be a
+soldier and not a do-nothing in the Guards; let him wear the straps of
+his knapsack out. Where is the certificate of his birth and baptism?"
+
+My mother brought the certificate, which she kept in a little box with
+my baptismal robe, and handed it to my father. He read it, placed it
+before him on the table, and commenced his letter.
+
+I was devoured by curiosity. Where am I going, thought I, if not to
+Saint Petersburg? I did not take my eyes from the pen which my father
+moved slowly across the paper.
+
+At last, the letter finished, he put it and my certificate under the
+same envelope, took off his spectacles, called me and said:
+
+"This letter is addressed to Andrew Karlovitch, my old friend and
+comrade. You are going to Orenbourg to serve under orders."
+
+All my brilliant dreams vanished. In place of the gay life of Saint
+Petersburg, ennui awaited me in a wild and distant province of the
+empire. Military life seemed now a calamity.
+
+The next morning a kibitka was at the door; my trunk was placed on it,
+and also a case holding tea and a tea-service, with some napkins full
+of rolls and pastry, the last sweet bits of the paternal home. Both my
+parents gave me their solemn benediction. My father said, "Adieu, Peter.
+Serve faithfully him to whom your oath is given; obey your chiefs;
+neither seek favor, nor solicit service, but do not reject them; and
+remember the proverb: 'Take care of thy coat whilst it is new, and thy
+honor whilst it is fresh.'"
+
+My darling mother, all in tears, told me to take care of my health; and
+counseled Saveliitch to guard her child from danger.
+
+I was wrapped up in a short touloup lined with hare-skin, and over that
+a pelisse lined fox-skin. I took my seat in the kibitka with Saveliitch,
+and shedding bitter tears, set out for my destination.
+
+That night I arrived at Simbirsk, where I was to stay twenty-four hours,
+in order that Saveliitch might make various purchases entrusted to him.
+Early in the morning Saveliitch went to the shops, whilst I stayed in
+the inn. Tired of gazing out of the window upon a dirty little street,
+I rambled about the inn, and at last entered the billiard-room. I
+found there a tall gentleman, some forty years of age, with heavy black
+moustaches, in his dressing-gown, holding a cue and smoking his pipe.
+He was playing with the marker, who was to drink a glass of brandy and
+water if he gained, and if he lost was to pass, on all-fours, under the
+billiard table. I watched them playing. The more they played the more
+frequent became the promenades on all-fours, so that finally the marker
+stayed under the table. The gentleman pronounced over him some energetic
+expression, as a funeral oration, and then proposed that I should play
+a game with him. I declared that I did not know how to play billiards.
+That seemed strange to him. He looked at me with commiseration.
+
+However, we opened a conversation. I learned that his name was Ivan
+Zourine; that he was a chief of a squadron of Hussars stationed then at
+Simbirsk recruiting soldiers, and that his quarters were at my inn. He
+invited me to mess with him, soldier-fashion, pot-luck. I accepted with
+pleasure, and we sat down to dinner. Zourine drank deeply, and invited
+me to drink also, saying that I must become accustomed to the service.
+He told stories of garrison life which made me laugh till I held my
+sides, and we rose from the table intimate friends. He then proposed
+to teach me how to play billiards. "It is," said he, "indispensable
+for soldiers like ourselves. For example, suppose we arrive in a town,
+what's to be done? We can not always make sport of the Jews. As a last
+resort there is the inn and the billiard-room; but to play billiards,
+one must know how." These reasons convinced me, and I set about learning
+with enthusiasm.
+
+Zourine encouraged me in a loud tone; he was astonished at my rapid
+progress, and after a few lesson he proposed to play for money, were it
+only two kopecks, not for the gain, merely to avoid playing for nothing,
+which was, according to him, a very bad habit. I agreed. Zourine ordered
+punch, which he advised me to taste in order to become used to the
+service, "for," said he, "what kind of service would that be without
+punch?"
+
+I took his advice, and we continued to play; the more I tasted of my
+glass the bolder I grew. I made the balls fly over the cushions; I was
+angry with the marker who was counting. Heaven knows why. I increased
+the stake, and behaved, altogether, like a boy just cut free, for the
+first time, from his mother's apron-strings. The time passed quickly. At
+last, Zourine glanced at the clock, laid down his cue, and said that I
+had lost a hundred roubles to him.
+
+I was in great confusion, because my money was all in the hands of
+Saveliitch. I began to mumble excuses, when Zourine exclaimed, "Oh!
+well! Good God! I can wait till morning; don't be distressed about
+it. Now let us go to supper." What could I do? I finished the day as
+foolishly as I began it.
+
+Zourine never ceased pouring out drinks for me; advising me to become
+accustomed to the service. Rising from table, I could scarcely stand. At
+midnight Zourine brought me back to the inn.
+
+Saveliitch met us at the door, and uttered a cry of horror when he saw
+the unmistakable signs of my "zeal for the service."
+
+"What has happened to thee?" said he, in heart-broken accents; "where
+have you been filling yourself like a sack? Oh! heavenly father! a
+misfortune like this never came before."
+
+"Silence! old owl," said I, stammering, "I am sure you are drunk
+yourself; go to bed, but first put me there."
+
+I awoke next morning with a severe headache; the events of the evening
+I recalled vaguely, but my recollections became vivid at the sight of
+Saveliitch who came to me with a cup of tea.
+
+"You begin young, Peter Grineff," said the old men, shaking his head.
+"Eh! from whom do you inherit it? Neither your father nor grandfather
+were drunkards. Your mother's name can not be mentioned; she never
+deigned to taste any thing but cider. Whose fault is it then? That
+cursed Frenchman's; he taught three fine things, that miserable
+dog--that pagan--for thy teacher, as if his lordship, thy father, had
+not people of his own."
+
+I was ashamed before the old man; I turned my face away saying, "I
+do not want any tea, go away, Saveliitch." It was not easy to stop
+Saveliitch, once he began to preach.
+
+"Now, Peter, you see what it is to play the fool. You have a headache,
+you have no appetite, a drunkard is good for nothing. Here, take some of
+this decoction of cucumber and honey, or half a glass of brandy to sober
+you. What do you say to that?"
+
+At that instant a boy entered the room with a note for me from Zourine.
+I unfolded it and read as follows:
+
+"Do me the favor, my dear Peter, to send me by my servant the hundred
+roubles that you lost to me yesterday. I am horribly in want of money.
+Your devoted. ZOURINE."
+
+As I was perfectly in his power, I assumed an air of indifference, and
+ordered Saveliitch to give a hundred roubles to the boy.
+
+"What? why?" said the old man, surprised.
+
+"I owe that sum," said I, coolly.
+
+"You owe it? When had you time enough to contract such a debt?" said
+he, with redoubled astonishment. "No, no, that's impossible. Do what you
+like, my lord, but I can not give the money."
+
+I reflected that if in this decisive moment I did not oblige the
+obstinate old fellow to obey me, it would be impossible in the future to
+escape from his tutelage. Looking at him therefore, haughtily, I said,
+"I am thy master; thou art my servant. The money is mine, and I lost
+because I chose to lose it; I advise thee to obey when ordered, and not
+assume the airs of a master."
+
+My words affected Saveliitch so much that he clasped his hands and stood
+bowed down mute and motionless.
+
+"What are you doing there like a post?" I cried out, angrily.
+
+Saveliitch was in tears.
+
+"Oh! my dear master Peter," stammered he, with trembling voice, "do not
+kill me with grief. Oh my light, listen to me, an old man; write to
+that brigand that you were jesting, that we never had so much money. A
+hundred roubles! God of goodness! Tell him thy parents strictly forbade
+thee to play for any thing but nuts."
+
+"Silence," said I, with severity, "give the money or I'll chase you out
+of the room."
+
+Saveliitch looked at me with agony, and went for the money. I pitied the
+good old man, but I wanted to emancipate myself, and prove that I was no
+longer a child. Saveliitch sent the money to Zourine, and then hastened
+our departure from that cursed inn.
+
+I left Simbirsk with a troubled conscience; a secret remorse oppressed
+me. I took no leave of my teacher, not dreaming that I should ever meet
+him again.
+
+
+
+
+II. THE GUIDE.
+
+
+My reflections during the journey were not very agreeable. According to
+the value of money at that time my loss was of some importance. I could
+not but admit to myself that my conduct at the inn at Simbirsk had been
+very silly, and I felt guilty toward Saveliitch. The old man was seated
+on the front of the vehicle in dull silence; from time to time turning
+his head and coughing a cough of ill humor. I had firmly resolved to
+make friends with him, but I did not know which way to begin. At last I
+said to him, "Come, come Saveliitch, let us put an end to this; I know I
+was wrong; I was a fool yesterday, and offended you without cause, but
+I promise to listen to you in future. Come, do not be angry, let us make
+friends!"
+
+"Ah! My dear Peter," said he with a sigh, "I am angry with myself. It's
+I who was wrong in every thing. How could I have left you alone at
+the inn? How could it have been avoided? The devil had a hand in it! I
+wanted to go and see the deacon's wife, who is my god-mother, and as the
+proverb says: 'I left the house and fell into the prison.'"
+
+What a misfortune! what a misfortune! How can I appear before the eyes
+of my masters? What will they say, when they shall hear that their child
+is a drunkard and a gambler. To console dear old Saveliitch, I gave
+him my word, that for the future I would not dispose of single kopeck
+without his consent. Little by little he became calm, which did not,
+however, prevent him from grumbling out, now and then shaking his head:
+"A hundred roubles! It is easy to talk!"
+
+I drew near the place of my destination. Around me extended a desert,
+sad and wild, broken be little hills and deep ravines, all covered with
+snow. The sun was setting.
+
+My kibitka followed the narrow road, or rather trace, left by peasants'
+sledges. Suddenly my coachman, looking at a certain point and addressing
+me, "My lord," said he, taking off his cap, "do you not command us to
+retrace our steps?"
+
+"What for?"
+
+"The weather is uncertain. There is some wind ahead; do you see it drive
+the snow on the surface?"
+
+"What matter?"
+
+"And do you not see what is over yonder?" pointing with his whip to the
+east.
+
+"I see nothing more than the white steppes and the clear sky."
+
+"There! there! that little cloud!"
+
+I saw indeed upon the horizon a little white cloud that I had at first
+taken for a distant hill. My coachman explained to me that this little
+cloud foretold a _chasse-neige_--a snowdrift. I had heard of the
+drifting snows of this region, and I know that at times, storms
+swallowed up whole caravans. Saveliitch agreed with the coachman, and
+advised our return.
+
+But to me the wind did not seem very strong. I hoped to arrive in time
+for the next relay of horses. I gave orders, therefore, to redouble our
+speed. The coachman put his horses to the gallop, and kept his eyes to
+the east.
+
+The wind blew harder and harder. The little cloud soon became a great
+white mass, rising heavily, growing, extending, and finally invading the
+whole sky. A fine snow began to fall, which suddenly changed to immense
+flakes. The wind whistled and howled. It was a _chasse-neige_--a
+snowdrift.
+
+In an instant the somber sky was confounded with the sea of snow which
+the wind raised up from the earth. Every thing was indistinguishable.
+
+"Woe, to us! my lord," cried the coachman, "it is a whirlwind of snow!"
+
+I put my head out of the kibitka--darkness and storm. The wind blew with
+an expression so ferocious that it seemed a living creature.
+
+The snow fell in large flakes upon us, covering us. The horses went at a
+walking pace, but very soon stood still.
+
+"Why do you not go on?" I said to the coachman.
+
+"Go where?" he replied, as he got down from the kibitka. "God knows
+where we are now! There is no road; all is darkness."
+
+I began to scold him. Saveliitch took up his defense:
+
+"Why did you not listen to him," said he, angrily; "you could have
+returned, taken some tea and slept till morning; the storm would have
+been over, and we could then have set out. Why this haste? as if you
+were going to your wedding?"
+
+Saveliitch was right. What was to be done? The snow continued to fall;
+it was heaped up around the kibitka; the horses stood motionless, now
+and then shivering. The coachman walked around them adjusting their
+harness, as if he had nothing else to do.
+
+Saveliitch grumbled.
+
+I strained my eyes in every direction, hoping to see signs of a
+dwelling, or of a road, but I could only see the whirling of the
+snow-drift. All at once I thought I saw some thing black. "Halloo!
+coachman," I cried out, "what is that black thing yonder?"
+
+The coachman looked attentively where I indicated. "God knows, my lord,"
+he replied, re-mounting to his seat; "it is not a kibitka, nor a tree;
+it seems to be moving. It must be a wolf or a man!"
+
+I ordered him to go in the direction of the unknown object which was
+coming toward us. In two minutes we were on a line with it, and I
+recognized a man.
+
+"Halloo! good man!" shouted my coachman; "tell us, do you know the
+road?"
+
+"This is the road," replied the man. "I am on solid ground, but what the
+devil is the good of that."
+
+"Listen, my good peasant," said I; "do you know this country? Can you
+lead us to a shelter for the night?"
+
+"This country! Thank God, I have been over it on foot and in carriage,
+from one end to the other. But one can not help losing the road in this
+weather. It is better to stop here and wait till the hurricane ceases:
+then the sky will clear, and we can find the way by the stars."
+
+His coolness gave me courage. I had decided to trust myself to the mercy
+of God and pass the night on the steppe, when the traveler, seating
+himself on the bench which was the coachman's seat, said to the driver:
+
+"Thank God, a dwelling is near. Turn to the right and go on."
+
+"Why should I turn to the right?" said the coachman, sulkily, "where do
+you see a road?"
+
+"Must I say to you these horses, as well as the harness, belong to
+another? then use the whip without respite."
+
+I thought my coachman's view rational.
+
+"Why do you believe," said I to the new-comer, "that a dwelling is not
+far off?"
+
+"The wind blows from that quarter," said he, "and I have smelled
+smoke--proof that a dwelling is near."
+
+His sagacity, the delicacy of his sense of smell, filled me with
+admiration; I ordered my coachman to go wherever the other wished. The
+horses walked heavily through the deep snow. The kibitka advanced but
+slowly, now raised on a hillock, now descending into a hollow, swaying
+from side like a boat on a stormy sea.
+
+Saveliitch, falling over on me every instant, moaned. I pulled down the
+hood of the kibitka, wrapped myself up in my pelisse, and fell asleep,
+rocked by the swaying of the vehicle, and lulled by the chant of the
+tempest.
+
+The horses stopped. Saveliitch was holding my hand.
+
+"Come out, my lord," said he, "we have arrived."
+
+"Where have we arrived?" said I, rubbing my eyes.
+
+"At the shelter. God has helped us; we have stumbled right upon
+the hedge of the dwelling. Come out, my lord, quick; come and warm
+yourself."
+
+I descended from the kibitka; the hurricane had not ceased, but it had
+moderated; sight was useless, it was so dark. The master of the house
+met us at the door, holding a lantern under the flaps of his long coat,
+the Cossack cafetan. He led us into a small, though no untidy room,
+lighted by a pine torch. In the centre hung a carabine and a high
+Cossack cap.
+
+Our host, a Cossack from the river Iaik, was a peasant of some sixty
+years, still fresh and green.
+
+Saveliitch brought in the case containing my tea-service; he asked for
+fire to make me a few cups of tea, of which I never had greater need.
+The host hastened to serve us.
+
+"Where is our guide?" I asked of Saveliitch.
+
+"Here, your lordship," replied a voice from above. I raised my eyes to
+the loft, and saw a black beard and two sparkling black eyes.
+
+"Well, are you cold?"
+
+"How could I help being cold in this little cafetan full of holes.
+What's the use of concealment? I had a touloup, but I left it yesterday
+in pledge with the liquor-seller; then the cold did not seem so great."
+
+At this moment our host entered with the portable furnace and boiler,
+the Russian _Somovar_. I offered our guide a cup of tea. Down he came
+at once. As he stood in the glare of the pine torch his appearance was
+remarkable. A man about forty years of age, medium height, slight but
+with broad shoulders. His black beard was turning grey; large, quick,
+restless eyes, gave him an expression full of cunning, and yet not at
+all disagreeable. He was dressed in wide Tartar pantaloons and an old
+jacket. His hair was cut evenly round.
+
+I offered him a cup of tea. He tasted it and made a grimace.
+
+"Do me the favor, my lord, to order me a glass of brandy; tea is not the
+Cossack's drink."
+
+I willingly granted the request. The host took from the shelf of a
+closet a bottle and a glass, and going up to him, looking him full in
+the face, said:
+
+"Ah! ah! here you are again in our district. Whence has God brought
+you?"
+
+My guide winked in the most significant fashion and replied by the
+well-know proverb: "'The sparrow was in the orchard eating flax-seed;
+the grandmother threw a stone at it, and missed.' And you? how are all
+yours?"
+
+"How are we?" said the host, and continuing in proverbs: "'They began to
+ring the bell for Vespers, but the priest's wife forbade it. The priest
+went visiting, and the devils are in the graveyard.'"
+
+"Be silent, uncle," said the vagabond.
+
+"'When there shall be rain, there will be mushrooms, and when there
+shall be mushrooms, there will be a basket to put them in. Put thy
+hatchet behind thy back, the forest guard is out walking.'"
+
+"To your lordship's health." Taking the glass, he made the sign of the
+cross, and at one gulp swallowed his brandy. He then saluted me and
+remounted to his loft. I did not understand a word of this thief's
+slang. It was only in the sequel that I learned that they spoke of
+the affairs of the army of the Iaik, which had just been reduced to
+obedience after the revolt of 1772. Saveliitch listened and glanced
+suspiciously from host to guide.
+
+The species of inn where we were sheltered was in the very heart of the
+steppes, far from the road and every inhabited spot, and looked very
+much like a rendezvous of robbers. But to set off again on our journey
+was impossible. The disgust of Saveliitch amused not a little; however,
+he finally decided to mount upon the roof of the stove, the ordinary bed
+of the Russian peasant. The warm bricks of the hot-air chamber of the
+stove diffused a grateful heat, and soon the old man and the host, who
+had laid himself on the floor, were snoring. I stretched myself upon
+a bench, and slept like a dead. Awaking next morning quite late, I saw
+that the hurricane was over. The sun shone out, the snow extended in the
+distance like a sheet of dazzling white damask. The horses were already
+at the door, harnessed. I paid our host, who asked so small a pittance
+that even Saveliitch did not, as usual, haggle over the price. His
+suspicions of the evening before had entirely disappeared. I called the
+guide to thank him for the service he had done us, and told Saveliitch
+to give him half a rouble. Saveliitch frowned.
+
+"Half a rouble," said he; "What for? Because you yourself deigned to
+bring him to the inn? Your will be done, my lord, but we have not a
+rouble to spare. If we begin by giving drink money to every one we shall
+end by dying of hunger."
+
+It was useless to argue with him; my money, according to my promise, was
+entirely at his discretion. But it was very unpleasant not to be able to
+reward a man who had extricated me from danger, perhaps death.
+
+"Well," said I, coolly, "if you will not give him half a rouble, give
+one of my coats--he is too thinly clad; give him the hare-skin touloup."
+
+"Have mercy on me! My dear Peter," said Saveliitch, "what does he want
+with your touloup? He will drink its price, the dog, at the first inn."
+
+"That, my good old man, is none of your business," said the vagabond;
+"his lordship following the custom of royalty to vassals, gives me a
+coat from his own back, and your duty as serf is not to dispute, but to
+obey."
+
+"You have not the fear of God, brigand that you are," said Saveliitch,
+angrily; "you see that the child has not yet attained to full reason,
+and there you are, glad to pillage him, thanks to his kind heart. You
+can not even wear the pelisse on your great, cursed shoulders."
+
+"Come," said I, "do not play the logician; bring the touloup quickly."
+
+"Oh, Lord!" said the old man, moaning--"a touloup of hare-skin! Quite
+new,--to give it to a drunkard in rags."
+
+It was brought, however, and the vagabond began to get into it. It
+was rather tight for me, and was much too small for him. He put it
+on, nevertheless, but with great difficulty, bursting all the seams.
+Saveliitch uttered something like a smothered howl, when he heard the
+threads crack. As for the vagabond, he was well pleased with my present.
+He re-conducted me to my kibitka, and said, with a profound bow:
+"Thanks, my lord, may god reward you. I shall never forget your
+goodness."
+
+He went his way,--I set out on mine, paying no attention to the
+sullenness of Saveliitch. I soon forgot the hurricane and the guide, as
+well as the touloup of hare-skin.
+
+Arrived at Orenbourg, I presented myself at once to the General. He was
+a tall man, bent by age, with long hair quite white. An old, worn-out
+uniform, recalled the soldier of the times of the Empress Anne, and his
+speech betrayed a strong German accent.
+
+I gave him my father's letter.
+
+Reading my name, he glanced at me quickly. "Mein Gott," said he, "it is
+so short a time since Andrew Grineff was your age, and now, see what a
+fine fellow of a son he has. Ah! time! time!" He opened the letter and
+began to run it over with a commentary of remarks.
+
+"'Sir, I hope your Excellency,'--What is this; what is the meaning of
+this ceremony? discipline, of course before all, but is this the way
+to write to an old friend? Hum--'Field-marshal Munich--little
+Caroline--brother.' Ah! then he remembers--'Now to business. I send you
+my son; hold him with porcupine gloves.'
+
+"What does that mean?" said he, "that must be a Russian proverb."
+
+"It means," said I, with an air of innocence, "to treat a person mildly,
+to give one liberty."
+
+"Hum!" said he, reading, "'and give him no liberty.' No," he continued,
+"your proverb does not mean liberty. Well, my son," said he, having
+finished the letter, "every thing shall be done for you. You shall be an
+officer in the ---- regiment, and not to lose time, go tomorrow to the
+fort of Belogorsk, where you will serve under Captain Mironoff, a brave
+and honest man. There you will see service and learn discipline. You
+have nothing to do here at Orenbourg, and amusements are dangerous to a
+young man. Today I invite you to dine with me."
+
+From bad to worse, thought I. What was the use of being a Sergeant in
+the Guards almost from my mother's womb? To what has it led? To the
+regiment of ----, and an abandoned fortress on the frontier of the
+steppes!
+
+I dined at the General's in company with his old Aid-de-camp. Severe
+German economy reigned at table, and I think the fear of having an
+occasional guest the more had something to do with sending me to a
+distant garrison.
+
+The next day I took my leave of the General and set out for Belogorsk.
+
+
+
+
+III. THE FORTRESS.
+
+
+The fortress of Belogorsk is situated forty versts from Orenbourg. The
+route from this city is along the high banks of the river Iaik. The
+stream was not yet frozen, and its lead-colored waters took a black tint
+between banks whitened by the snow. Before me lay the Kirghis steppes. I
+fell into a moody train of thought, for to me garrison life offered few
+attractions. I tried to picture my future chief, Captain Mironoff.
+I imagined a severe, morose old man, knowing nothing outside of the
+service, ready to arrest me for the least slip. Dusk was falling; we
+were advancing rapidly.
+
+"How far is it from here to the fortress?" said I to the coachman.
+
+"You can see it now," he answered.
+
+I looked on all sides, expecting to see high bastions, a wall, and
+a ditch. I saw nothing but a little village surrounded by a wooden
+palisade. On one side stood some hay-stacks half covered with snow; on
+the other a wind-mill, leaning to one side; the wings of the mill, made
+of the heavy bark of the linden tree, hung idle.
+
+"Where is the fortress?" I asked, astonished.
+
+"There it is," said the coachman, pointing to the village which we had
+just entered. I saw near the gate an old iron cannon. The streets were
+narrow and winding, and nearly all the huts were thatched with straw.
+I ordered the coachman to drive to the Commandant's, and almost
+immediately my kibitka stopped before a wooden house built on an
+eminence near the church, which was also of wood. From the front door
+I entered the waiting-room. An old pensioner, seated on a table, was
+sewing a blue piece on the elbow of a green uniform. I told him to
+announce me.
+
+"Enter, my good sir," said he, "our people are at home."
+
+I entered a very neat room, furnished in the fashion of other days. On
+one side stood a cabinet containing the silver. Against the wall hung
+the diploma of an officer, with colored engravings arranged around its
+frame; notably, the "Choice of the Betrothed," the "Taking of Kurstrin,"
+and the "Burial of the Cat by the Mice." Near the window sat an old
+woman in a mantilla, her head wrapped in a handkerchief. She was winding
+a skein of thread held on the separated hands of a little old man, blind
+of one eye, who was dressed like an officer.
+
+"What do you desire, my dear sir?" said the woman to me, without
+interrupting her occupation. I told her that I had come to enter the
+service, and that, according to rule, I hastened to present myself to
+the captain. In saying this, I turned to the one-eyed old man, whom I
+took for the commandant. The good lady interrupted the speech which I
+had prepared in advance:
+
+"Ivan Mironoff is not at home; he is gone to visit Father Garasim;
+but it is all the same; I am his wife. Deign to love us and have us in
+favor! Take a seat, my dear sir." She ordered a servant to send her the
+Corporal. The little old man gazed at me curiously, with his only eye.
+
+"May I dare to ask," said he, "in what regiment you have deigned to
+serve?"
+
+I satisfied him on that point.
+
+"And may I dare to ask why you changed from the Guards to our garrison?"
+
+I replied that it was by the orders of authority.
+
+"Probably for actions little becoming an officer of the Guards?" resumed
+the persistent questioner.
+
+"Will you stop your stupidities?" said the Captain's wife to him. "You
+see the young man is fatigued by the journey; he has something else to
+do besides answering you. Hold your hands better! And you my dear sir,"
+continued she, turning to me, "do not be too much afflicted that you are
+thrust into our little town; you are not the first, and will not be the
+last. Now, there is Alexis Chabrine, who has been transferred to us for
+a term of four years for murder. God knows what provocation he had. He
+and a lieutenant went outside the city with their swords, and before two
+witnesses Alexis killed the lieutenant. Ah! misfortune has no master."
+
+Just then the Corporal entered, a young and handsome Cossack. "Maxim,"
+said the Captain's wife, "give this officer a clean lodging."
+
+"I obey, Basilia," replied the Cossack; "shall I lodge him with Ivan
+Pologoff?"
+
+"You are doting, Maxim, he has too little space now; besides, he is
+my child's godfather; and, moreover, he never forgets that we are his
+chiefs. What is your name, my dear sir?"
+
+"Peter Grineff."
+
+"Then conduct Peter Grineff to the quarters of Simeon Kieff. That rascal
+let his horse into my vegetable garden. Is all right, Maxim?"
+
+"Thank God, all is quiet, except that Corporal Kourzoff quarreled with
+the woman Augustina about a pail of warm water."
+
+"Ignatius," said the Captain's wife to the one-eyed man, "judge between
+the two--decide which one is guilty, and punish both. Go, Maxim, God be
+with you. Peter Grineff, Maxim will conduct you to your lodgings."
+
+I took my leave; the Corporal led me to a cabin placed on the high bank
+near the river's edge, at the end of the fortress. Half of the cabin was
+occupied by the family of Simeon Kieff, the other was given up to me.
+My half of the cabin was a large apartment divided by a partition.
+Saveliitch began at once to install us, whilst I looked out of the
+narrow window. Before me stretched the bleak and barren steppe; nearer
+rose some cabins; at the threshold of one stood a woman with a bowl in
+her hand calling the pigs to feed; no other objects met my sight, save
+a few chickens scratching for stray kernels of corn in the street. And
+this was the country to which I was condemned to pass my youth! I turned
+from the window, seized by bitter sadness, and went to bed without
+supper, notwithstanding the supplications of Saveliitch, who with
+anguish cried aloud: "Oh! he will not deign to eat! O Lord! what will my
+mistress say, if the child should fall ill!"
+
+The next morning I had scarcely begun to dress, when a young officer
+entered my room. He was of small size, with irregular features, but his
+sun-burned face had remarkable vivacity. "Pardon me," said he in French,
+"that I come so unceremoniously to make your acquaintance. I learned
+yesterday of your arrival, and the desire of seeing at last a human
+face so took possession of me that I could wait no longer. You will
+understand this when you shall have lived here some time!"
+
+I easily guessed that he was the officer dismissed from the Guards for
+the affair of the duel--Alexis Chabrine. He was very intelligent; his
+conversation was sprightly and interesting. He described with impulse
+and gayety the Commandant's family, society, and in general the whole
+country round. I was laughing heartily, when Ignatius, the same
+old pensioner whom I had seen mending his uniform in the Captain's
+waiting-room, entered, and gave me an invitation to dinner from Basilia
+Mironoff, the Captain's wife. Alexis declared that he would accompany
+me.
+
+Approaching the Commandant's house we saw on the square some twenty
+little old pensioners, with long queues and three-cornered hats.
+These old men were drawn up in line of battle. Before them stood
+the Commandant, a fresh and vigorous old man of high stature, in
+dressing-gown and cotton cap. As soon as he saw us, he approached,
+addressed me a few affable words, and then resumed his drill. We
+were going to stay to see the manoeuvering, but he begged us to go on
+immediately to the house, promising to join us at once; "for," said he,
+"there is really nothing to be seen here."
+
+Basilia received us kindly, and with simplicity, treating me like an
+old acquaintance. The pensioner and the maid Polacca were laying the
+table-cloth.
+
+"What is the matter with my dear Ivan Mironoff, today, that he is so
+long instructing his troops?" said the mistress. "Polacca, go and
+bring him to dinner. And where is my child, Marie?" Scarcely had she
+pronounced this name, than a young girl about sixteen entered the
+room;--a rosy, round-faced girl, wearing her hair in smooth bandeaux
+caught behind her ears, which were red with modesty and shyness. She did
+not please me very much at the first glance; I was prejudiced against
+her by Alexis, who had described the Captain's daughter to me as a fool.
+Marie seated herself in a corner and began to sew. The soup was brought
+on the table. Basilia, not seeing her husband coming, sent the maid a
+second time to call him.
+
+"Tell the master that his inspection can wait; the soup is cooling.
+Thank God! the drills need not be lost; there will be time enough yet to
+use his voice at his leisure."
+
+The captain soon appeared with his one-eyed officer.
+
+"What's this, my dear," said Basilia; "the table has been served some
+time, and no one could make you come."
+
+"You see, Basilia, I was busy with the service, instructing my good
+soldiers."
+
+"Come, come, Ivan Mironoff, that's boasting. The service does not suit
+them, and as for you, you know nothing about it. You should have stayed
+at home and prayed God, that suits you much better. My dear guests, to
+table."
+
+We took our places for dinner. Basilia was not silent a moment; she
+overwhelmed me with questions: Who were my parents? Were they living?
+Where did they reside? What was their fortune? When she learned that my
+father owned three hundred serfs, she exclaimed:
+
+"You see there are some rich people in the world--and we, my dear sir,
+in point of souls, we possess only the maid Polacca. Yet, thank God, we
+live, somehow or other. We have but one care, that is Marie, a girl that
+must be married off. And what fortune has she? The price of two baths
+per annum. If only she could find a worthy husband. If not, there she
+is, eternally a maid."
+
+I glanced at Marie; she blushed, tears were dropping into her soup. I
+pitied her, and hastened to change the conversation. "I have heard that
+the Bashkirs intend to attack your fortress?"
+
+"Who said so," replied Ivan Mironoff.
+
+"I heard it at Orenbourg."
+
+"All nonsense," said Ivan, "we have not heard the least word about it;
+the Bashkirs are an intimidated people; and the Kirghis have also had
+some good lessons. They dare not attack us, and if they should even
+dream of it, I would give them so great a fright that they would not
+move again for ten years."
+
+"Do you not fear," I continued, addressing Basilia, "to stay in a
+fortress exposed to these dangers?"
+
+"A matter of habit, my dear," she replied, "twenty years ago, when we
+were transferred here from the regiment, you could not believe how I
+feared the pagans. If I chanced to see their fur caps, if I heard their
+shouts, believe me, my heart was ready to faint; but now I am so used
+to this life, that if told that the brigands were prowling around us, I
+would not stir from the fortress."
+
+"Basilia is a very brave lady," observed Alexis, gravely. "Ivan Mironoff
+knows some thing about it."
+
+"Oh, you see," said Ivan, "she does not belong to the regiment of
+poltroons."
+
+"And Marie," I asked of her mother "is she as bold as you?"
+
+"Marie?" said the lady. "No! Marie is a coward. Up to the present she
+has not heard the report of a gun without trembling in every limb.
+Two years ago Ivan had a pleasant fancy to fire off his cannon on my
+birthday; the poor pigeon was so frightened that she almost went into
+the next world. Since that day the miserable cannon has not spoken."
+
+We rose from the table. The captain and his wife went to take their
+siesta. I went with Alexis to his room, where we passed the evening
+together.
+
+
+
+
+IV. THE DUEL.
+
+
+Several weeks elapsed, during which my life in the fortress became not
+only supportable, but even agreeable. I was received as a member of the
+family in the Commandant's house. The husband and wife were excellent
+people. Ivan Mironoff, from being the adopted child of the regiment,
+rose to officer's rank. He was a plain, simple, uneducated man, but
+thoroughly good and loyal. His wife governed him, and that suited his
+natural indolence. Basilia directed the affairs of the garrison, as she
+did her household, and commanded through the fortress as she did in
+her own kitchen. Marie soon lost her shyness, and as we became
+better acquainted I found that she was a girl full of affection and
+intelligence. Little by little I became deeply attached to this good
+family.
+
+I was promoted, and ranked as an officer. Military service did not
+oppress me. In this fortress, blessed by God, there was no duty to
+do, no guard to mount, nor review to pass. Occasionally, for his own
+amusement, the Commandant drilled his soldiers. He had not yet succeeded
+in teaching them which was the right flank and which the left.
+
+Alexis had some French books, and in my idleness I set work to read, so
+that a taste for literature awoke within me. I read every morning, and
+essayed some translations, even metrical compositions. Almost every day
+I dined at the Commandant's, where, as a general thing, I spent the
+rest of the day. In the evening, Father Garasim came with his wife,
+Accoulina, the greatest gossip of the place. Of course Alexis and I met
+daily, yet gradually his society displeased me. His perpetual jokes upon
+the Commandant's family, and above all his biting remarks about Marie,
+rendered his conversation very disagreeable to me. I had no other
+society than this family in the fortress, and I desired no other. All
+predictions to the contrary, the Bashkirs did not revolt, and peace
+reigned around us.
+
+I have already said that I busied myself somewhat with literature. One
+day I happened to write a little song, of which I was proud. It is well
+known that authors, under pretext of asking advice, willingly seek a
+kindly audience. I copied my little song and took it to Alexis, the
+only one in the fortress who could appreciate a poetical work. After
+preluding a little, I drew my pages from my pocket and read my verses to
+him.
+
+"How do you like that?" said I, expecting praise as a tribute due me. To
+my great annoyance, Alexis, who was generally pleased with my writings,
+declared frankly that my song was worth nothing.
+
+"What do you mean?" said I, with forced calmness. He took the paper out
+of my hand and began to criticize without pity, every verse, every word,
+tearing me up in the most malicious fashion. It was too much. I snatched
+the paper from him, declaring that never again would I show him any of
+my compositions.
+
+"We shall see," said he, "if you can keep your word; poets need a
+listener as Ivan Mironoff needs a decanter of brandy before dinner. Who
+is this Marie to whom you declare your tender feelings? Might it not be
+Marie Mironoff?"
+
+"That is none of your business," said I, frowning. "I want neither your
+advice nor supposition."
+
+"Oh! oh! vain poet; discreet lover," continued Alexis, irritating me
+more and more, "listen to friendly counsel: if you want to succeed do
+not confine yourself to songs."
+
+"What do you mean, sir? Explain!"
+
+"With pleasure," he replied. "I mean that if you wish to form an
+intimacy with Marie Mironoff, you have only to give her a pair of
+earrings instead of your lackadaisical verses."
+
+All my blood boiled. "Why have you this opinion of her?" I asked, with
+much effort restraining my anger.
+
+"Because," said he, "of my own experience."
+
+"You lie, wretch," I cried, with furry, "you lie, shamelessly."
+
+Alexis was enraged.
+
+"That shall not pass so," he said, grasping my hand. "You shall give me
+satisfaction."
+
+"When ever you like," I replied, joyfully, for at that moment I was
+ready to tear him to pieces. I ran at once to see Ivan Ignatius, whom
+I found with a needle in his hand. According to orders from the
+Commandant's wife, he was stringing mushrooms which were to be dried for
+winter use.
+
+"Ah! Peter Grineff, be welcome. Dare I ask on what business God sends
+you here?"
+
+In a few words I told him of my quarrel with Alexis, and begged him,
+Ignatius, to be my second. Ignatius heard me to the end with great
+attention, opening wide his only eye.
+
+"You deign to say that you want to kill Alexis, and desire that I should
+witness the act? Is that what you mean, dare I ask?"
+
+"Precisely."
+
+"Ah! what folly; you have had some words with Alexis. What then? A harsh
+word can not be hung up by the neck. He gives you impertinence, give
+him the same; if he give you a slap, return the blow; he a second, you
+a third; in the end we will compel you to make peace. Whilst if you
+fight--well, if _you_ should kill _him_, God be with him! for I do not
+like him much; but if he should perforate you, what a nice piece of
+business! Then who will pay for the broken pots?"
+
+The arguments of the prudent officer did not shake my resolution.
+
+"Do as you like," said Ignatius, "but what's the use of having me as a
+witness? People fight--that's nothing extraordinary--I have often been
+quite close to Swedes and Turks, and people of all shades of color."
+
+I tried to explain to him the duties of a second; Ignatius would not, or
+could not understand me. "Follow your own fashion," said he, "if I were
+to meddle in this affair, it would be to announce to Ivan Mironoff,
+according to rule, that a plot is being made in the fortress for the
+commission of a criminal action--one contrary to the interests of the
+crown."
+
+I was alarmed, and begged Ignatius to say nothing to the Commandant. He
+gave me his word that he would be silent, and I left him in peace. As
+usual I passed the evening at the Commandant's, forcing myself to
+be calm and gay, in order not to awaken suspicions and to avoid
+questioning. I confess that I had not the coolness of which people boast
+who have been in a similar position. I was disposed to tenderness. Marie
+Mironoff seemed more attractive than ever. The idea that perhaps I saw
+her for the last time, gave her a touching grace.
+
+Alexis entered. I took him aside and told him of my conversation with
+Ignatius.
+
+"What's the good of seconds," said he, dryly. "We can do without them."
+
+We agreed to fight behind the haystack the next morning at six o'clock.
+
+Seeing us talking amicably, Ignatius, full of joy, nearly betrayed us.
+"You should have done that long ago, for a bad peace is better than a
+good quarrel."
+
+"What! what! Ignatius," said the Captain's wife, who was playing
+patience in a corner, "I do not quite understand?"
+
+Ignatius, seeing my displeasure, remembered his promise, became confused
+and knew not what to answer. Alexis came to his relief: "He approves of
+peace."
+
+"With whom had you quarreled?" said she.
+
+"With Peter Grineff--a few high words."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"For a mere nothing--a song."
+
+"Fine cause for a quarrel! a song! Tell me how it happened."
+
+"Willingly: Peter has recently been composing, and this morning he sang
+his song for me. Then I chanted mine:
+
+
+    'Daughter of the Captain, walk not forth at midnight.'
+
+
+As we were not on the same note, Peter was angry, forgetting that every
+one is at liberty to sing what he pleases."
+
+The insolence of Alexis made me furious. No one but myself understood
+his allusions. From poetry the conversation passed to poets in general.
+The Commandant observed that they were all debauchees and drunkards, and
+advised me, as a friend, to renounce poetry as contrary to the service,
+and leading to nothing good.
+
+As the pretence of Alexis was to me insupportable, I hastened to take
+leave of the family. In my own apartment I examined my sword, tried
+its point, and went to bed, having ordered Saveliitch to wake me in the
+morning at six o'clock.
+
+The next day at the appointed time I was behind the haystack awaiting my
+adversary, who did not fail to appear. "We may be surprised," he
+said; "be quick." We laid aside our uniforms, drew our swords from the
+scabbards, when Ignatius, followed by five pensioners, came out from
+behind a haystack. He ordered us to repair to the presence of the
+Commandant. We obeyed. The soldiers surrounded us. Ignatius conducted
+us in triumph, marching military step, with majestic gravity. We entered
+the Commandant's house; Ignatius opened the folding doors, and exclaimed
+with emphasis: "They are taken!"
+
+Basilia ran toward us: "What does this mean? plotting an assassination
+in our fortress! Ivan Mironoff, arrest them! Peter Grineff, Alexis, give
+up your swords to the garret. Peter, I did not expect this of you;
+are you not ashamed? As for Alexis, it is quite different; he was
+transferred to us from the Guards for having caused a soul to perish;
+and he does not believe in our blessed Saviour."
+
+Ivan Mironoff approved increasingly all that his wife said: "You see!
+You see! Basilia is right, duels are forbidden by the military code."
+
+Meantime Polacca had carried off our swords to the garret. I could not
+help smiling at this scene. Alexis preserved all his gravity, and said
+to Basilia: "Notwithstanding all my respect for you, I must say you take
+useless pains to subject us to your tribunal. Leave that duty to Ivan
+Mironoff; it is his business."
+
+"What! what! my dear sir," said the lady, "are not man and wife the same
+flesh and spirit? Ivan Mironoff, are you trifling? Lock up these boys
+instantly; put them in separate rooms--on bread and water, to expel this
+stupid idea of theirs. Let Father Garasim give them a penance on order
+that they may repent before God and man."
+
+Ivan Mironoff did not know what to do. Marie was extremely pale. The
+tempest, however, subsided little by little. Basilia ordered us to
+embrace each other, and the maid was sent for our swords. We left the
+house, having in appearance made friends. Ignatius re-conducted us.
+
+"Are you not ashamed of yourself," I said to him, "to have denounced us
+to the Commandant, after having given me your word you would not do so?"
+
+"As God is holy, I said nothing to Ivan Mironoff. Basilia drew it all
+from me. She took all the necessary measures without the knowledge of
+the Commandant. Thank God it finished as it did." He went to his room; I
+remained with Alexis.
+
+"Our affair can not end thus," I remarked.
+
+"Certainly not," replied Alexis. "You shall pay me with your blood for
+your impertinence, but as undoubtedly we shall be watched, let us feign
+for a few days. Until then, adieu!"
+
+We separated as if nothing had happened. I returned to the Commandant's,
+and seated myself as usual near Marie. Her father was absent and her
+mother busy with household duties. We spoke in subdued tones. Marie
+reproached me gently for the pain my quarrel with Alexis gave her. "My
+heart failed me," she said, "when I heard you were going to fight with
+swords. How strange men are! For a word, they are ready to strangle each
+other, and sacrifice, not only their own life, but even the honor and
+happiness of those who-- I am sure you did not begin the quarrel? Alexis
+was the aggressor?"
+
+"Why do you think so?"
+
+"Because he is so sarcastic. I do not like him, and yet I would not
+displease him, although he is quite disagreeable to me."
+
+"What do you think, Marie, are you pleasing to him or not?"
+
+Marie blushed. "It seems," said she, "that I please him."
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"Because he made me an offer of marriage."
+
+"He made you an offer of marriage! When?"
+
+"Last year, two months before your arrival."
+
+"You did not accept?"
+
+"Evidently not, as you see. Alexis is a most intelligent man, of an
+excellent family and not without fortune, but the mere idea that beneath
+the crown, on my marriage day, I should be obliged to kiss him before
+every one! No! no! not for any thing in the world."
+
+Marie's words opened my eyes. I understood the persistence of Alexis
+in aspersing her character. He had probably remarked our mutual
+inclination, and was trying to turn us from each other. The words which
+had provoked our quarrel seemed to me the more infamous, as instead of
+being a vulgar joke, it was deliberate calumny. The desire to punish
+this shameless liar became so strong that I waited impatiently the
+favorable moment. I had not long to wait. The next day, occupied
+composing an elegy, biting my pen in the expectation of a rhyme, Alexis
+knocked at my window. I put down my pen, took my sword, and went out of
+the house.
+
+"Why defer?" said Alexis, "we are no longer watched, let us go down to
+the river-side; there none will hinder us."
+
+We set out in silence, and having descended a steep path, we stopped at
+the water's edge and crossed swords. Alexis was more skillful than I in
+the use of arms, but I was stronger and bolder. Mons. Beaupre, who had
+been, amongst other things, a soldier, had taught me fencing. Alexis did
+not expect to find in me an adversary of so dangerous a character.
+
+For some minutes neither gained any advantage over the other, but
+at last noticing that Alexis was growing weak, I attacked him
+energetically, and almost drove him backward into the river, when
+suddenly I heard my name pronounced in a high voice. Turning my head
+rapidly, I saw Saveliitch running toward me down the path. As I turned
+my head, I felt a sharp thrust in the breast under the right shoulder,
+and I fell, unconscious.
+
+
+
+
+V. LOVE.
+
+
+When I came to myself, I neither knew what had happened nor where I was.
+I felt very weak; the room was strange, there was Saveliitch standing
+before me, a light in his hand, and some one arranging the bandages that
+bound my chest and shoulder. Gradually I recalled my duel, and easily
+divined that I had been wounded. The door at this instant moaned gently
+on its hinges.
+
+"Well, how is he?" whispered a voice that made me start.
+
+"Still in the same state," sighed Saveliitch, "now unconscious four
+days." I wanted to turn on my bed, but I had not the strength. "Where
+am I?" said I, with effort, "who is here?" Marie approached, and bending
+over me said, gently, "How do you feel?"
+
+"Thank God, I am well. Is that Marie? tell me--?" I could not finish.
+Saveliitch uttered a cry of joy, his delight showing plainly in his
+face. "He recovers! he recovers! Thanks to thee, O God! Peter, how you
+frightened me!--four days! It is easy to talk--!"
+
+Marie interrupted him: "Do not, Saveliitch, speak too much to him; he is
+still very weak." She went out, shutting the door noiselessly. I must be
+in the Commandant's house, or Marie could not come to see me. I wished
+to question Saveliitch, but the old man shook his head and put his
+fingers in his ears. I closed my eyes from ill-humor--and fell asleep.
+
+Upon awaking, I called Saveliitch; instead of him, I saw before me
+Marie, whose gentle voice greeted me. I seized her hand and bathed it
+with my tears. Marie did not withdraw it, and suddenly I felt upon my
+cheek the impression, humid and delicious, of her lips! A thrill shot
+through my whole being.
+
+"Dear, good Marie, be my wife, and make me the happiest of men!"
+
+"In the name of heaven be calm," she said, withdrawing her hand, "your
+wound may reopen; for my sake be careful."
+
+She left the room. I was in a daze. I felt life returning. "She will be
+mine!" I kept repeating, "she loves me!" I grew better, hour by hour.
+The barber of the regiment dressed my wounds, for there was no other
+physician in the fortress, and thank God, he did not merely play the
+doctor. Youth and nature completed the cure.
+
+The Commandant's whole family surrounded me with care. Marie scarcely
+ever left me. I need not say that I took the first favorable moment to
+continue my interrupted declaration. This time Marie listened with more
+patience. She frankly acknowledged her affection for me. And added
+that her parents would be happy in her happiness; "but," she continued,
+"think well of it? Will there be no objection on the part of your
+family?"
+
+I did not doubt my mother's tenderness, but knowing my father's
+character, I foresaw that my love would not be received by him
+favorably, and that in all probability he would treat it as one of my
+youthful follies. This I avowed plainly to Marie, but nevertheless I
+resolved to write to my father as eloquently as possible, and ask his
+blessing on our marriage. I showed the letter to Marie, who thought
+it so touching and convincing that she did not doubt of success, and
+abandoned herself, with all the confidence of youth and love, to the
+feelings of her heart.
+
+I made peace with Alexis in the first days of my convalescence. Ivan
+Mironoff said, reproaching me for the duel: "You see, Peter, I ought
+to put you under arrest, but indeed you have been well punished without
+that. Alexis is, by my orders, under guard in the barn, and his sword is
+under lock and key in Basilia's keeping."
+
+I was too happy to harbor spite, so I entreated for Alexis, and the kind
+Commandant, with his wife's permission, consented to set him at liberty.
+Alexis came at once to see me. He expressed regret for all that had
+happened, confessing that the fault was all his, and begged me to
+forget the past. Being naturally incapable of revenge, I pardoned him,
+forgiving both our quarrel and my wound. In his calumny I now saw the
+irritation of wounded vanity and despised love. I generously forgave my
+unfortunate rival. As soon as completely cured I returned to my lodging.
+I awaited impatiently the reply to my letter, not daring to hope, yet
+trying to stifle all sad presentiments. I had not yet had an explanation
+with Basilia and her husband, but my suit could not surprise them.
+Neither Marie nor I had concealed our feelings, and we were sure in
+advance of their consent.
+
+At last, one pleasant day Saveliitch came to my room, letter in hand.
+The address was written in my father's hand. This sight prepared me for
+something grave, for usually my mother wrote me, and he only added a few
+lines at the end. Long I hesitated to break the seal. I read again and
+again the solemn superscription:
+
+             "To my Son,
+                 Peter Grineff,
+                     Principality of Orenbourg,
+                            Fortress of Belogorsk."
+
+I tried to discover by my father's writing his mood of mind when he
+wrote that letter. At last I broke that seal. I saw from the first lines
+that our hopes were crushed! Here is the letter:
+
+
+"MY SON PETER: We received the 15th of this month the letter in which
+you ask our paternal benediction and consent to your marriage with
+Mironoff's daughter. Not only have I no intention of giving either my
+consent or benediction, but I have a great mind to go to you and punish
+you for your childish follies, notwithstanding your officer's rank,
+because you have proved that you are not worthy to bear the sword which
+was given you for the defense of your country, and not for the purpose
+of fighting a duel with a fool of your own stamp. I shall write
+instantly to Andrew Karlovitch to transfer you from the fortress of
+Belogorsk to some still more distant place. Upon hearing of your wound
+your mother was taken ill, and is still confined to her bed. What will
+become of you? I pray God to reform you, but can scarcely hope for so
+much from his goodness. Your father, A.G."
+
+
+The harsh expressions which my father had not spared, wounded me sorely;
+the contempt with which he treated Marie seemed to me as unjust as it
+was undignified. Then the mere idea of being sent from this fortress
+alarmed me; but above all, I grieved for my mother's illness. Saveliitch
+came in for a share of my indignation, not doubting but that he informed
+my parents of the duel. After having paced up and down my little
+chamber, I stopped suddenly before the old man and said: "It seems that
+it is not enough that you caused my wound, and brought me almost to the
+brink of the grave, but that you want to kill my mother too!"
+
+Saveliitch was as motionless as if lightning had struck him. "Have mercy
+on me! my lord," said he, "what do you deign to tell me? I caused your
+wound? God sees that I was running to put my breast before you, to
+receive the sword of Alexis. This cursed age of mine hindered me. But
+what have I done to your mother?"
+
+"What have you done? Who charged you to write an accusation against me?
+Were you taken into my service to play the spy on me?"
+
+"I write an accusation?" replied the old man, quite broken down, "O God!
+King of heaven! Here, read what the master writes me, and you shall see
+if I denounced thee." At the same time he drew from his pocket a letter
+which he gave me, and I read what follows:
+
+"Shame upon you, you old dog, that notwithstanding my strict orders
+you wrote me nothing regarding my son, leaving to strangers the duty of
+telling me of his follies. Is it thus you do your duty and fulfill your
+master's will? I shall send you to keep the pigs, for having concealed
+the truth, and for your condescension to the young man. Upon receipt of
+this letter inform me immediately of the state of his health, which is,
+I hear, improving, and tell me precisely the place of his wound, and
+whether he has well attended."
+
+Evidently Saveliitch was not in the wrong, and I had offended him by my
+suspicions and reproaches. I asked him to forgive me, but the old man
+was inconsolable. "See to what I have lived!" he repeated; "see what
+thanks I have merited from my masters for all my long services! I am an
+old dog! I am a swine-herd, and more than all that, I caused your wound.
+No, no, Peter, I am not in fault, it is the cursed Frenchman who taught
+thee to play with these steel blades, and to stamp and dance, as if by
+thrusting and dancing you could defend yourself from a bad man."
+
+Now, then, who had taken the pains to accuse me to my father? The
+General, Andrew Karlovitch? He did not trouble himself much about me;
+moreover, Ivan Mironoff had not thought it worth while to report my duel
+to him. My suspicions fell on Alexis. He only would find some advantage
+in this information, the consequence of which might be my dismissal from
+the fortress and separation from the Commandant's family. I went to tell
+every thing to Marie. She met me on the doorstep.
+
+"What has happened to you? how pale you are!"
+
+"All's over," I replied, handing her my father's letter.
+
+It was her turn to blanch. Having read the letter she returned it, and
+said in a trembling voice: "It was not my destiny. Your parents do not
+wish me in their family; may the will of God be done! He knows better
+than we what is best for us. There is nothing to be done in the matter,
+Peter; you, at least, may be happy."
+
+"It shall not be so," I exclaimed, taking her hand. "You love me, I am
+ready for any fate. Let us go and throw ourselves at your parents' feet.
+They are simple people; they are neither haughty nor cruel; they will
+give us their benediction; we will marry; and in time, I am sure, we
+will soften my father. My mother will intercede for us, and he will
+pardon me."
+
+"No, Peter, I will not marry you without the benediction of your
+parents. You would not be happy without their blessing. Let us submit to
+the will of God. If you meet another bride, if you love her, may God be
+with you! I, Peter, I will pray for both of you." Tears interrupted her,
+and she went away; I wished to follow her into the house, but I was
+not master of myself, and I went to my own quarters. I was plunged in
+melancholy, when Saveliitch came to interrupt my reflections.
+
+"There, my lord," said he, presenting me a sheet of paper all covered
+with writing, "see if I am a spy on my master, and if I try to embroil
+father and son."
+
+I took the paper from his hand; it was his reply to my father's letter.
+
+I could not help smiling at the old man's letter. I was in no condition
+to write to my father, and to calm my mother his letter seemed
+sufficient.
+
+From that day, Marie scarcely spoke to me, and even tried to avoid me.
+The Commandant's house became insupportable, and I accustomed myself,
+little by little, to remain alone in my room. At first Basilia reasoned
+with me, but seeing my persistency she let me alone. I saw Ivan Mironoff
+only when the service required it. I had but rare interviews with
+Alexis, for whom my antipathy increased, because I thought I discovered
+in him a secret enmity which confirmed my suspicions. Life became a
+burden; I gave myself up to a melancholy which was fed by solitude and
+inaction. Love burned on in silence and tortured me, more and more.
+I lost all taste for reading and literature; I let myself become
+completely depressed; and I feared that I should either become a lunatic
+or rush into dissipation, when events occurred that had great influence
+on my life and give a strong and healthy tone to my mind.
+
+
+
+
+VI. POUGATCHEFF.
+
+
+Before beginning the recital of the strange events of which I was
+witness, I ought to say a few words about the situation of affairs
+toward the end of the year 1773. The rich and vast province of Orenbourg
+was inhabited by a number of tribes, half civilized, who had just
+recognized the sovereignty of the Russian Czars. Their continual
+revolts, their impatience of law and civilized life, their inconstancy
+and cruelty, demanded on the part of the government a constant
+watchfulness to reduce them to obedience. Fortresses had been erected in
+favorable places, and Cossacks, the former possessors of the shores of
+the Iaik, in many places formed a part of the garrisons. But these very
+Cossacks, who should have guaranteed the peace and security of their
+districts, were restless and dangerous subjects of the empire. In 1772
+a riot occurred in one of their chief towns. This riot was caused by the
+severity of the measures employed by General Traubenberg to bring the
+army to obedience. The only result of these measures was the barbarous
+murder of Traubenberg, a change of Imperial officers, and in the end, by
+force of grape and canister, the suppression of the riot.
+
+This happened shortly before my arrival at the fortress of Belogorsk.
+Then all seemed quiet. But the authorities had too easily believed in
+the feigned repentance of the rebels, who nursed their hate in silence,
+and only awaited a propitious moment to recommence the struggle.
+
+I return to my story. Once evening, it was in the month of October,
+1773, I was alone in the house, listening to the whistling of the Autumn
+winds, and watching the clouds gliding rapidly before the moon. An
+order came from the Commandant, calling me to his presence. I went
+that instant. I found there Alexis, Ignatius and the Corporal of the
+Cossacks, but neither the wife nor daughter of the Commandant. My chief
+bade me good evening, had the door closed, and every one seated, except
+the Corporal who remained standing; then he drew a paper from his pocket
+and said to us:
+
+"Gentlemen, important news! Listen to what the General writes." He put
+on his spectacles and read:
+
+"To the Commandant of the Fortress of Belogorsk, Captain Mironoff.
+_Confidential_. I hereby inform you that the deserter and turbulent
+Cossack of the Don, Imiliane Pougatcheff, after having been guilty of
+the unpardonable insolence of usurping the name of the deceased Emperor
+Peter III, has assembled a troop of brigands, disturbed the villages of
+the Iaik, and has even taken and destroyed several fortresses, at the
+same time committing everywhere robberies and assassinations. Therefore,
+upon the receipt of this, you will, Captain, bethink you of the measures
+to be taken to repulse the said robber and usurper; and if possible,
+in case he turn his arms against the fortress confided to your care, to
+completely exterminate him."
+
+"It is easy to talk," said the Commandant, taking off his spectacles,
+and folding the paper; "but we must use every precaution. The rascal
+seems strong, and we have only 130 men, even adding the Cossacks,
+upon whom there is no dependence, be it said without reproach to thee,
+Maxim." The Corporal of the Cossacks smiled. "Gentlemen, let us do our
+part; be vigilant, post sentries, establish night patrols; in case of an
+attack, shut the gates and call out the soldiers. Maxim, watch well your
+Cossacks. It is necessary to examine the cannon and clean it; and above
+all to keep the secret, that no one in the fortress should know any
+thing before the time."
+
+Having given his orders, Ivan Mironoff dismissed us. I went out with
+Alexis, speculating on what we had heard. "What do you think of it? How
+will this end?" I asked him.
+
+"God knows," he replied, "we shall see. At present there is no danger."
+And he began, as if thinking, to hum a French air.
+
+Notwithstanding our precautions the news of the apparition of
+Pougatcheff spread through the fortress. However great the respect of
+Ivan Mironoff for his wife, he would not reveal to her for anything in
+the world a military secret. When he had received the General's letter
+he very adroitly rid himself of Basilia by telling her that the Greek
+priest had received from Orenbourg extraordinary news which he kept a
+great mystery. Thereupon Basilia desired to pay a visit to Accouline,
+the clergyman's wife, and by Mironoff's advice Marie went also. Master
+of the situation, Ivan Mironoff locked up the maid in the kitchen and
+assembled us.
+
+Basilia came home without news, and learned that during her absence a
+council of war had been held, and that Polacca was imprisoned in
+the kitchen. She suspected that her husband had deceived her, and
+overwhelmed him with questions. He was prepared for the attack, and
+stoutly replied to his curious better-half:
+
+"You see, my dear, the women about the country have been using straw
+to kindle their fires; now as that might be dangerous, I assembled my
+officers, and gave them orders to prevent these women lighting fires
+with anything but fagots and brushwood."
+
+"And why did you lock up Polacca in the kitchen till my return?" Ivan
+Mironoff had not foreseen that question, and muttered some incoherent
+words. Basilia saw at once her husband's perfidy, but knowing that
+she could extract nothing from him at that moment, she ceased her
+questioning, and spoke of the pickled cucumbers which Accouline knew
+how to prepare in a superior fashion. That night Basilia never closed an
+eye, unable to imagine what it was that her husband knew that she could
+not share with him.
+
+The next day, returning from mass, she saw Ignatius cleaning the cannon,
+taking out rags, pebbles, bits of wood, and all sorts of rubbish
+which the small boys had stuffed there. "What means these warlike
+preparations?" thought the Commandant's wife? "Is an attack from the
+Kirghis feared? Is it possible that Mironoff would hide from me so
+mere a trifle?" She called Ignatius, determined to know the secret that
+excited her woman's curiosity. Basilia began by making some remarks
+about household matters, like a judge who begins his interrogation with
+questions foreign to the affair, in order to reassure the accused, and
+throw him off his guard. Then having paused a moment she sighed and
+shook her head, saying: "O God! what news! what news! What will become
+of us?"
+
+"My dear lady," said Ignatius, "the Lord is merciful; we have soldiers
+and plenty of powder; I have cleaned the cannon. We may repulse this
+Pougatcheff. If the Lord is with us, the wolf will eat no one here."
+
+"Who is Pougatcheff?" asked the Commandant's wife.
+
+Ignatius saw that he had gone too far, and he bit his tongue. But it was
+too late. Basilia constrained him to tell her all, having given her word
+to keep the secret. She kept her word, and indeed told no one except
+Accoulina, whose cow was still on the steppe and might be carried off by
+the brigands. Soon every one talked of Pougatcheff, the current reports
+being very different. The Commandant sent out the Corporal to pick up
+information about him in all the neighboring villages and little forts.
+The Corporal returned after an absence of two days, and declared that
+he had seen on the steppe, sixty versts from the fortress, a great many
+fires, and that he had heard the Bashkirs say that an innumerable force
+was advancing. He could not tell anything definitely, having been afraid
+to venture farther.
+
+Great agitation was soon after this observed amongst the Cossacks of
+our garrison. They assembled in groups in the streets, speaking in a
+low tone amongst themselves, and dispersing as soon as they perceived
+a dragoon or other Russian soldier. Orders were given to watch them.
+Zoulac, a baptized Kalmouk, made a very grave revelation to the
+Commandant. According to the Kalmouk, the Cossack made a false report;
+for to his comrades the perfidious Corporal said that he had advanced to
+the rebel camp, had been presented to their rebel chief, had kissed his
+hand and conversed with him. The Commandant ordered the Corporal under
+arrest, and replaced him by the Kalmouk. This change was received by
+the Cossacks with visible discontent. They openly murmured and Ignatius,
+when executing the Commandant's order, heard them say, with his own
+ears, "wait, garrison rat, wait!"
+
+The Commandant decided to examine the Corporal that same day, but he
+had escaped, no doubt, by the aid of his brother Cossacks. Another
+event increased the Captain's uneasiness. A Bashkir was seized bearing
+seditious letters. Upon this occasion, the Commandant decided to call
+at once a council, and in order to do so, wished to send away his wife
+under some specious pretext. But as Mironoff was the simplest and most
+truthful of men, he could think of no other device than that already
+employed.
+
+"You see, Basilia," said he, coughing several times, "Father Garasim
+has, it is said, been to the city--"
+
+"Silence! silence!" interrupted his wife; "you are going to call another
+council and talk in my absence of Imiliane Pougatcheff, but this time
+you can not deceive me."
+
+The Captain stared; "Eh! well! my dear," said he, "since you know all,
+stay; we may as well speak before you."
+
+"You cannot play the fox," said his wife; "send for the officers."
+
+We assembled again. The Commandant read, before his wife, Pougatcheff's
+proclamation, written by some half-educated Cossack. The brigand
+declared to us his intention of marching directly upon our fortress,
+inviting the Cossacks and soldiers to join him, and advising the
+chiefs not to resist, threatening, in that case, extremest torture. The
+proclamation was written in vulgar but energetic terms, and must have
+produced an impression upon simple-minded people.
+
+"What a rascal!" exclaimed the Captain's wife. "Just see what he
+proposes. To go out and meet him and lay our flags at his feet. Ah! the
+son of a dog! He does not know that we have been forty years in service,
+and that, thank God, we have seen all sorts of military life. Is it
+possible to find a Commandant cowardly enough to obey this robber?"
+
+"It ought not to be," replied the Captain, "but it is said that the
+villain has taken possession of several fortress."
+
+"It appears he is quite strong," said Alexis.
+
+"We shall instantly know his real force," continued the Commandant;
+"Basilia, give me the key of the garret. Ignatius, bring the Bashkir
+here, and tell Zoulac to bring the rods."
+
+"Wait a little, my dear," said the Commandant's wife, leaving her seat;
+"let me take Marie out of the house, or else she will hear the screams
+and be frightened. And, to tell the truth, I am, myself, not very
+curious about such investigations. Until I see you again, adieu."
+
+Torture was then so rooted in the customs of justice, that the humane
+Ukase of Catherine II, who had ordered its abolition, remained long
+without effect. It was thought that the confession of the accused was
+indispensable to his condemnation, an idea not only unreasonable, but
+contrary to the most simple good sense in matters of jurisprudence; for
+if the denial of the accused is not accepted as proof of his innocence,
+the confession which is torn from him by torture ought to serve still
+less as proof of his guilt. Even now I sometimes hear old judges regret
+the abolition of this barbarous custom. But in the time of our story no
+one doubted the necessity of torture, neither the judges nor the accused
+themselves. For this reason the Captain's order did not astonish any
+of us. Ignatius went for the Bashkir, and a few minutes later he
+was brought to the waiting-room. The Commandant ordered him into the
+council-room where we were.
+
+The Bashkir crossed the threshold with difficulty, for his feet were
+shackled. He took off his high Cossack cap and stood near the door. I
+looked at him and shuddered, involuntarily. Never shall I forget that
+man; he seemed at least seventy years of age, and had neither nose nor
+ears. His head was shaved; a few sparse gray hairs took the place of
+beard. He was small of stature, thin and bent; but his Tartar eyes still
+sparkled.
+
+"Eh! eh!" said the Commandant, who recognized by these terrible signs
+one of the rebels punished in 1741. "You are an old wolf, I see; you
+have already been caught in our snares. This is not your first offense,
+for your head is so well planed off."
+
+The old Bashkir was silent, and looked at the Commandant with an air of
+complete imbecility.
+
+"Well! why are you silent?" continued the Captain; "do you not
+understand Russian? Zoulac, ask him, in your tongue, who sent him into
+our fortress."
+
+The Kalmouk repeated in the Tartar language the Captain's question. But
+the Bashkir looked at him with the same expression and without answering
+a word.
+
+"I will make you answer," exclaimed the Captain, with a Tartar oath.
+"Come, take off his striped dressing-gown, his fool's garment, and
+scourge him well."
+
+Two pensioners commenced to remove the clothing from the shoulders of
+the old man. Then, sore distress was vividly depicted on the face of
+the unfortunate man. He looked on all sides, like a poor little animal
+caught by children. But when one of the pensioners seized his hands to
+turn them around his neck and lift up the old man on his shoulders; when
+Zoulac took the rods and raised his hand to strike, then the Bashkir
+uttered a low, but penetrating moan, and raising his head, opened his
+mouth, where, in place of a tongue, moved a short stump!
+
+We were still debating, when Basilia rushed breathlessly into the room
+with a terrified air. "What has happened to you?" asked the Commandant,
+surprised.
+
+"Misfortune! misfortune!" replied she. "A fort was taken this morning;
+Father Garasim's boy has just returned. He saw how it was captured.
+The Commandant and all the officers are hanged, all the soldiers made
+prisoners, and the rebels are coming here."
+
+This unexpected news made a deep impression on me, for I knew the
+Commandant of that fortress. Two months ago, the young man, traveling
+with his bride coming from Orenbourg, had paid a visit to Captain
+Mironoff. The fort he commanded was only twenty-five versts from ours,
+so that from hour to hour we might expect an attack from Pougatcheff.
+
+My imagination pictured the fate of Marie, and I trembled for her.
+
+"Listen, Captain Mironoff," said I to the Commandant, "our duty is to
+defend the fortress to our last breath; that is understood, but the
+safety of the women must be thought of; send them to a more distant
+fortress,--to Orenbourg, if the route be still open."
+
+Mironoff turned to his wife. "You see my dear! indeed it would be well
+to send you somewhere farther off until we shall have defeated the
+rebels."
+
+"What nonsense!" replied she. "Where is the fortress that balls have
+not reached? In what respect is our fortress unsafe? Thank God, we have
+lived here twenty and one years. We have seen Bashkirs and Kirghis;
+Pougatcheff can not be worse than they."
+
+"My dear, stay if you will, since your faith is so great in our
+fortress. But what shall we do with Marie? It will be all well if we
+can keep off the robber, or if help reach us in time. If the fortress,
+however, be taken--"
+
+Basilia could only stammer a few words, and was silent, choked by her
+feelings.
+
+"No, Basilia," continued the Commandant, who remarked that his words
+made a deep impression on his wife, perhaps for the first time in his
+life, "it is not advisable that Marie stay here. Let us send her to
+Orenbourg, to her god-mother's. That is a well-manned fortress, with
+stone walls and plenty of cannon. I would advise you to go there
+yourself; think what might happen to you were your fortress to be taken
+by assault."
+
+"Well! well! let us send Marie away," said the Captain's wife, "but do
+not dream of asking me to go, for I will do nothing of the kind. It is
+not becoming, in my old age, to separate myself from thee and seek a
+solitary grave in a strange place. We have lived together; let us die
+together."
+
+"You are right," said the Commandant. "Go, and equip Marie; there is no
+time to lose; tomorrow, at the dawn of day, she shall set out; she must
+have a convoy, though indeed there is no one to spare. Where is she?"
+
+"She is at Accoulina's," said his wife. "She fainted upon hearing that
+the fortress had been taken."
+
+Basilia went to prepare for her daughter's departure. The discussion
+still continued at the Commandant's, but I took no further part in
+it. Marie reappeared at supper with eyes red from tears. We supped
+in silence and rose from the table sooner than usual. Having bade the
+family good night, each one sought his room. I forgot my sword, on
+purpose, and went back for it; I anticipated finding Marie alone. In
+truth she met me at the door and gave me my sword.
+
+"Adieu, Peter," she said, weeping, "they send me to Orenbourg. Be happy.
+Perhaps God will permit us to meet again; if not--"
+
+She burst into tears. I folded her in my arms.
+
+"Adieu, my angel!" I said, "adieu my cherished, my beloved; what ever
+happens, be sure that my last thought, my last prayer, will be for
+thee." Leaning of my breast, Marie wept. I kissed her and rushed out.
+
+
+
+
+VII. THE ASSAULT.
+
+
+I could not sleep during the night, and did not even undress. I intended
+to be at the fortress gates at day-dawn to see Marie set out, and bid
+her a last adieu. I was completely changed. Excitement was less painful
+than my former melancholy, for with the grief of separation there
+mingled vague but secret hope, impatient expectation of danger, and a
+high ambition. Night passed quickly. I was on the point of going out,
+when my door opened, and the Corporal entered, saying that our Cossacks
+had deserted the fortress during the night, forcing with them Zoulac,
+the Christian Kalmouk, and that all around our ramparts, unknown people
+were riding. The idea that Marie had not been able to get off, froze me
+with terror. I gave, in haste, a few instructions to the Corporal, and
+ran to the Commandant's.
+
+Day was breaking. I was going down the street swiftly when I heard my
+name called. I stopped.
+
+"Where are you going, dare I ask?" said Ignatius, catching up with me;
+"the Captain is on the rampart and sends me for you. Pougatcheff is
+here."
+
+"Is Marie gone?" I said, shuddering.
+
+"She was not ready in time; communication with Orenbourg is cut off; the
+fortress is surrounded. Peter, this is bad work."
+
+We went to the rampart--a small height formed by nature and fortified
+by a palisade. The garrison was there under arms. The cannon had been
+dragged there the evening before. The Commandant was walking up and down
+before his little troop--the approach of danger had restored to the old
+warrior extraordinary vigor. On the steppe, not far from the fortress,
+there were some twenty horsemen, who looked like Cossacks; but amongst
+them were a few Bashkirs, easily recognized by their caps and quivers.
+The Commandant passed before the ranks of his small army and said to the
+soldiers: "Come, boys, let us fight today for our mother the Empress,
+and show the world that we are brave men and faithful to our oath."
+
+The soldiers, with loud shouts, testified their good will. Alexis was
+standing by me examining the enemy. The people on the steppe, seeing, no
+doubt, some movement in our fort, collected in groups and spoke amongst
+themselves. The Commandant ordered Ignatius to point the cannon upon
+them, he himself applying the light. The ball whistled over their heads
+without doing them any harm. The horsemen dispersed at once, setting
+off on a gallop, and the steppe became deserted. At this moment Basilia
+appeared on the rampart, followed by Marie, who would not leave her.
+
+"Well," said the Captain's wife, "how is the battle going? Where is the
+enemy?"
+
+"The enemy is not far off," replied Ivan, "but if God wills it, all will
+be well; and thou, Marie, art thou afraid?"
+
+"No, papa," said Marie, "I am more afraid by myself in the house." She
+glanced at me, and tried to smile. I pressed my sword, remembering that
+I had received it from her on the preceding eve, as if for her defense.
+My heart was on fire. I fancied myself her knight, and longed to prove
+myself worthy of her trust. I awaited the decisive moment impatiently.
+
+Suddenly coming from behind a hill, eight versts from the fortress,
+appeared new groups of horsemen, and soon the whole steppe was covered
+by men armed with lances and arrows. Amongst them, wearing a scarlet
+cafetan, sword in hand, could be distinguished a man mounted on a white
+horse. This was Pougatcheff himself. He halted, was surrounded by his
+followers, and very soon, probably by his orders, four men left the
+crowd and galloped to our ramparts. We recognized among them our
+traitors. One of them raised a sheet of paper above his cap and another
+carried on the point of his lance Zoulac's head, which he threw to us
+over the palisade. The poor Kalmouk's head rolled at the feet of the
+Commandant.
+
+The traitors shouted to us: "Do not fire, come out and receive the Czar.
+The Czar is here."
+
+"Fire!" shouted the Captain as sole reply.
+
+The soldiers discharged their pieces. The Cossack who held the letter,
+tottered and fell from his horse; the others fled. I glanced at Marie.
+Petrified by horror at the sight of the Kalmouk's head, dizzy from the
+noise of the discharge, she seemed lifeless. The Commandant ordered the
+Corporal to take the letter from the hand of the dead Cossack. Ignatius
+sallied out and returned, leading by the bridle the man's horse. He gave
+the letter to Ivan, who read it in a low voice and tore it up. Meantime
+the rebels were preparing for an attack. Very soon balls whistled about
+our ears, and arrows fell around us, buried deep in the ground.
+
+"Basilia," said the Captain, "women have nothing to do here; take away
+Marie; you see the child is more dead than alive." Basilia, whom the
+sound of the balls had rendered more yielding, glanced at the steppe
+where much movement was visible, and said: "Ivan, life and death are
+from God; bless Marie; come, child, to thy father."
+
+Pale and trembling, Marie came and knelt, bending low before him. The
+old Commandant made three times the sign of the cross over her, then
+raising, kissed her, and said in a broken voice: "Oh! my dear Marie!
+pray to God, he will never abandon thee. If an honest man seek thee, may
+God give you both love and goodness. Live together as we have lived; my
+wife and I. Adieu! my dear Marie! Basilia, take her away quickly."
+
+Marie put her arms around his neck and sobbed. The Captain's wife, in
+tears, said: "Embrace us also; adieu, Ivan; if ever I have crossed you,
+forgive me."
+
+"Adieu! adieu! my dear," said the Commandant, kissing his old companion.
+"Come! enough! go to the house, and if you have time dress Marie in her
+best; let her wear a sarafan, embroidered in gold, as is our custom for
+burial."
+
+Ivan Mironoff returned to us, and fixed all his attention upon the
+enemy. The rebels collected around their chief and suddenly began to
+advance. "Be firm, boys," said the Commandant, "the assault begins." At
+that instant savage war-cries were heard. The rebels were approaching
+the fortress with their accustomed fleetness. Our cannon was charged
+with grape and canister. The Commandant let them come within short
+range, and again put a light to his piece. The shot struck in the midst
+of the force, which scattered in every direction. Only their chief
+remained in advance, and he, waving his sabre, seemed to be rallying
+them. Their piercing shouts, which had ceased an instant, redoubled
+again. "Now, children," ordered the Captain, "open the gate, beat the
+drum, and advance! Follow me, for a sortie!"
+
+The Captain, Ignatius and I were in an instant beyond the parapet. But
+the frightened garrison had not moved from the square. "What are you
+doing, my children?" shouted the Captain; "if we must die, let us die;
+the imperial service demands it!"
+
+At this moment the rebels fell upon us, and forced the entrance to the
+citadel. The drum was silent; the garrison threw down their arms. I had
+been knocked down, but I rose and entered, pell-mell, with the crowds
+into the fortress. I saw the Commandant wounded on the head, and closed
+upon by a small troop of bandits, who demanded the keys. I was running
+to his aid when several powerful Cossacks seized me and bound me with
+their long sashes, crying out: "Wait there, traitor to the Czar, till we
+know what to do with you."
+
+We were dragged along the streets. The inhabitants came out of their
+houses offering bread and salt. The bells were rung. Suddenly, shouts
+announced that the Czar was on the square, awaiting to receive the oaths
+of the prisoners.
+
+Pougatcheff was seated in an arm-chair on the steps of the Commandant's
+house. He was robed in an elegant Cossack cafetan embroidered on the
+seams. A high cap of martin-skin, ornamented with gold tassels, covered
+his brow almost to his flashing eyes. His face seemed to me not unknown.
+Cossack chiefs surrounded him. Father Garasim, pale and trembling,
+stood, the cross in his hand, at the foot of the steps, and seemed to
+supplicate in silence for the victims brought before him.
+
+On the square itself, a gallows was hastily erected. When we approached,
+the Bashkirs opened a passage through the crowd and presented us to
+Pougatcheff. The bells ceased; the deepest silence prevailed. "Which is
+the Commandant?" asked the usurper. Our Corporal came out of the crowd
+and pointed to Mironoff. Pougatcheff looked at the old man with a
+terrible expression, and said to him: "How did you dare to oppose me,
+your emperor?"
+
+The Commandant, weakened by his wound, collected all his energy, and
+said, in a firm but faint voice: "You are not my emperor; you are a
+usurper and a brigand."
+
+Pougatcheff frowned and raised his white handkerchief. Immediately the
+old Captain was seized by Cossacks and dragged to the gibbet. Astride
+the cross-beam of the gallows, sat the mutilated Bashkirs who we had
+questioned; he held a rope in his hand, and I saw, an instant after,
+poor Ivan Mironoff suspended in the air. Then Ignatius was brought up
+before Pougatcheff.
+
+"Take the oath to the emperor, Peter Fedorovitch."
+
+"You are not our emperor," replied the Lieutenant, repeating his
+Captain's words, "you are a brigand and a usurper."
+
+Pougatcheff again made a signal with his handkerchief, and the kind
+Ignatius hung beside his ancient chief. It was my turn. I looked boldly
+at Pougatcheff, preparing to repeat the words of my brave comrades, when
+to my inexpressible astonishment I saw Alexis amongst the rebels. He had
+had time to cut his hair round, and exchange his uniform for a Cossack
+cafetan. He approached Pougatcheff and whispered to him. "Let him be
+hung," said Pougatcheff, not deigning to look at me. A rope was put
+around my neck. I uttered a prayer to God in a low voice, expressing
+sincere repentance for my sins, and imploring him to save all those dear
+to my heart. I was led beneath the gibbet. A shout was heard, "Stop!
+Stop!" The executioners paused. I looked. Saveliitch was kneeling at
+Pougatcheff's feet. "O my lord and master," said my dear old serf, "what
+do you want with that nobleman's child? Set him free, you will get a
+good ransom for his life; but for an example, and to frighten the rest,
+command that I, an old man, shall be hung."
+
+Pougatcheff made a sign. They unbound me at once. "Our emperor pardons
+you," they said. At the moment I did not know that my deliverance was a
+cause for joy or for sorrow. My mind was too confused. I was taken again
+before the usurper and made to kneel at his feet. Pougatcheff offered me
+his muscular hand. "Kiss his hand! Kiss his hand!" cried out all
+around me. But I would have preferred the most atrocious torture to a
+degradation so infamous. "My dear Peter," whispered Saveliitch, who was
+standing behind me, "do not play the obstinate; what does it cost? Kiss
+the brigand's hand."
+
+I did not move. Pougatcheff drew back his hand: "His lordship is
+stupefied with joy; raise him up," said he. I was at liberty. Then I
+witnessed the continuation of the infamous comedy.
+
+The inhabitants began to take the oath. They went one by one to kiss the
+cross and salute the usurper. After them came the garrison soldiers.
+The company's tailor, armed with his great blunt-pointed shears, cut off
+their queues; they shook their heads and kissed the hand of Pougatcheff,
+who declared them pardoned and received into his troops. This lasted for
+nearly three hours. At last Pougatcheff rose from his arm-chair and went
+down the steps, followed by his chiefs. A white horse richly caparisoned
+was led to him; tow Cossacks helped him into the saddle. He signified
+to Father Garasim that he would dine with him. At this moment wild
+heart-rending shrieks from a woman filled the air. Basilia, without her
+mantle, her hair in disorder, was dragged out on the steps; one the
+brigands had on her mantle; the others were carrying away her chests,
+her linen, and other household goods. "O good men," she cried, "let
+me go, take me to Ivan Mironoff." Suddenly she saw the gibbet and
+recognized her husband. "Wretches," she cried, "What have you done? O my
+light, Ivan! Brave soldier! no Prussian ball, nor Turkish sabre killed
+thee, but a vile condemned deserter."
+
+"Silence that old sorceress," said Pougatcheff.
+
+A young Cossack struck her with his sabre on the head. She fell dead at
+the foot of the steps. Pougatcheff rode off, all the people following.
+
+
+
+
+VIII. THE UNEXPECTED VISIT.
+
+
+I stood in the vacant square, unable to collect my thoughts, disturbed
+by so many terrible emotions. Uncertainty about Marie's fate tortured
+me. Where is she? Is she concealed? Is her retreat safe? I went to the
+Commandant's house. It was in frightful disorder; the chairs, tables,
+presses had been burned up and the dishes were in fragments. I rushed up
+the little stairs leading to Marie's room, which I entered for the
+first time in my life. A lamp still burned before the shrine which
+had enclosed the sacred objects revered by all true believers. The
+clothes-press was empty, the bed broke up. The robbers had not taken the
+little mirror hanging between the door and the window. What had become
+of the mistress of this simple, virginal abode? A terrible thought
+flashed through my mind. Marie in hands of the brigands! My heart was
+torn, and I cried aloud: "Marie! Marie!" I heard a rustle. Polacca,
+quite pale, came from her hiding-place behind the clothes-press.
+
+"Ah! Peter," said she, clasping her hands, "what a day! what horrors!"
+
+"Marie?" I asked impatiently, "Marie--where is she?"
+
+"The young lady is alive," said the maid, "concealed at Accoulina's, at
+the house of the Greek priest."
+
+"Great God!" I cried, with terror, "Pougatcheff is there!"
+
+I rushed out of the room, made a bound into the street and ran wildly
+to the priest's house. It was ringing with songs, shouts and laughter.
+Pougatcheff was at table there with his men. Polacca had followed me;
+I sent her in to call out Accoulina secretly. Accoulina came into the
+waiting-room, an empty bottle in her hand.
+
+"In the name of heaven, where is Marie?" I asked with agitation.
+
+"The little dove is lying on my bed behind the partition. Oh! Peter,
+what danger we have just escaped! The rascal had scarcely seated himself
+at table than the poor thing moaned. I thought I should die of fright.
+He heard her. 'Who is moaning in your room, old woman?' 'My niece,
+Czar.' 'Let me see your niece, old woman.' I saluted him humbly; 'My
+niece, Czar, has not strength to come before your grace.' 'Then I will
+go and see her.' And will you believe it, he drew the curtains and
+looked at our dove, with his hawk's eyes! The child did not recognize
+him. Poor Ivan Mironoff! Basilia! Why was Ignatius taken, and you
+spared? What do you think of Alexis? He has cut his hair and now hobnobs
+with them in there. When I spoke of my sick niece he looked at me as if
+he would run me through with his knife. But he said nothing, and we must
+be thankful for that."
+
+The drunken shouts of the guests, and the voice of Father Garasim now
+resounded together; the brigands wanted more wine, and Accoulina was
+needed. "Go back to your house, Peter," said she, "woe to you, if you
+fall into his hands!"
+
+She went to serve her guests; I, somewhat quieted, returned to my room.
+Crossing the square, I saw some Bashkirs stealing the boots from the
+bodies of the dead. I restrained my useless anger. The brigands had been
+through the fortress and had pillaged the officers' houses.
+
+I reached my lodging. Saveliitch met me at the threshold. "Thank God!"
+he cried. "Ah! master, the rascals have taken everything; but what
+matter, since they did not take your life. Did you not recognize their
+chief, master?"
+
+"No, I did not; who is he?"
+
+"What, my dear boy, have you forgotten the drunkard who cheated you
+out of the touloup the day of the snow-drift--a hare-skin touloup?--the
+rascal burst all the seams putting it on."
+
+My eyes were opened. The resemblance between the guide and Pougatcheff
+was striking. I now understood the pardon accorded me. I recalled with
+gratitude the lucky incident. A youth's touloup given to a vagabond had
+saved my neck; and this drunkard, capturing fortress, had shaken the
+very empire.
+
+"Will you not deign to eat something?" said Saveliitch, true to his
+instincts; "there is nothing in the house, it is true, but I will find
+something and prepare it for you."
+
+Left alone, I began to reflect that not to leave the fortress, now
+subject to the brigand, or to join his troops, would be unworthy of an
+officer. Duty required me to go and present myself where I could still
+be useful to my country. But love counseled me, with no less force, to
+stay near Marie, to be her protector and champion. Although I foresaw
+a near and inevitable change in the march of events, still I could not,
+without trembling, contemplate the danger of her position.
+
+My reflections were interrupted by the entrance of a Cossack, who came
+to announce that the "great Czar" called me to his presence. "Where is
+he?" I asked, preparing to obey. "In the commandant's house," replied
+the Cossack. "After dinner the Czar went to the vapor baths. It must be
+confessed that all his ways are imperial! He can do more than others; at
+dinner he deigned to eat two roast milk-pigs; afterward at the bath he
+endured the highest degree of heat; even the attendant could not stand
+it; he handed the brush to another and was restored to consciousness
+only by the application of cold water. It is said that in the bath, the
+marks of the true Czar were plainly seen on his breast--a picture of his
+own face and a double-headed eagle."
+
+I did not think it necessary to contradict the Cossack, and I followed
+him to the Commandant's, trying to fancy in advance my interview with
+Pougatcheff, and its result. The reader may imagine that I was not quite
+at ease. Night was falling as I reached the house. The gibbet with
+its victims still stood, black and terrible. The poor body of our good
+Basilia was lying under the steps, near which two Cossacks mounted
+guard. He who had brought me, entered to announce my arrival; he
+returned at once, and led me to the room where the evening before I had
+taken leave of Marie. At a table covered with a cloth, and laden with
+bottles and glasses, sat Pougatcheff, surrounded by some ten Cossack
+chiefs in colored caps and shirts, with flushed faces and sparkling
+eyes, the effect, no doubt, of the wine-cup.
+
+I saw neither of our traitors, Alexis or the Corporal, amongst them.
+
+"Ah! your lordship, it is you?" said their chief, on seeing me. "Be
+welcome! Honor and place at the table!"
+
+The guests drew closer together. I took a place at the end of the table.
+My neighbor, a young Cossack of slender form and handsome face,
+poured out a bumper of brandy for me. I did not taste it. I was busy
+considering the assembly. Pougatcheff was seated in the place of honor,
+elbow on table, his heavy, black beard resting upon his muscular hand.
+His features, regular and handsome, had no ferocious expression. He
+often spoke to a man of some fifty years, calling him now Count, again
+Uncle. All treated each other as comrades, showing no very marked
+deference for their chief. They talked of the assault that morning; of
+the revolt, its success, and of their next operations. Each one boasted
+of his prowess, gave his opinions, and freely contradicted Pougatcheff.
+In this strange council of war, they resolved to march upon Orenbourg, a
+bold move, but justified by previous successes. The departure was fixed
+for the next day. Each one drank another bumper, and rising, took leave
+of Pougatcheff. I wished to follow them, but the brigand said: "Wait, I
+want to speak to you."
+
+Pougatcheff looked at me fixedly in silence for a few seconds, winking
+his left eye with the most cunning, mocking expression. At last he burst
+into a long peal of laughter, so hearty, that I, just from seeing him,
+began to laugh, without knowing why.
+
+"Well, my lord," said he, "confess that you were frightened, when my
+boys put the rope around your neck? The sky must have seemed to you then
+as big as a sheep-skin. And if not for your servant, you would have
+been swinging up there from the cross-beam; but at that very instant I
+recognized the old owl. Would you have thought that the man who led you
+to a shelter on the steppe was the great Czar himself?" Saying these
+words, he assumed a grave and mysterious air. "You have been very
+guilty," continued he, "but I have pardoned you, for having done me a
+kindness, when I was obliged to hide from my enemies. I shall load you
+with favors, when I shall have regained my empire. Do you promise to
+serve me with zeal?"
+
+The bandit's question and impudence made me smile.
+
+"Why do you laugh?" said he, frowning, "do you not believe that I am the
+great Czar? Answer frankly."
+
+I was troubled. I could not recognize a vagabond as the emperor; to
+call him an impostor to his face was to doom myself to death; and the
+sacrifice which I was ready to make under the gibbet that morning,
+before all the people, in the first flush of indignation, seemed now
+a useless bravado. Pougatcheff awaited my answer in fierce silence. At
+last (I still remember with satisfaction that duty triumphed over human
+weakness) I replied to Pougatcheff.
+
+"I will tell you the truth and let you decide. Should I recognize you
+as the Czar, as you are a man of intelligence, you would see that I am
+lying."
+
+"Then who am I? in your opinion."
+
+"God knows, but whoever you are, you are playing a dangerous game."
+
+Pougatcheff gave me a sharp, quick glance. "You do not believe that I am
+the emperor, Peter III? Be it so. Have not bold men succeeded before me
+and obtained the crown? Think what you please about me, but stay with
+me. What matters it whom you serve? Success is right. Serve under me,
+and I will make you a field-marshal, a prince. What say you?"
+
+"No," said I. "I am a nobleman. I have taken an oath to her majesty, the
+Empress; I can not serve with you. If truly you wish me well, send me to
+Orenbourg."
+
+Pougatcheff reflected. "If I send you there, you will, at least, promise
+not to bear arms against me?"
+
+"How can I promise that? If I am ordered to march against you, I must
+go. You are now a chief; you desire your subordinates to obey you. No,
+my life is in your hand; if you give me liberty, thanks; if you put me
+to death, may God judge you."
+
+My frankness pleased him. "Be it so," said he, slapping me on the
+shoulders, "pardon or punish to the end. You can go the four quarters of
+the world, and do as you like. Come tomorrow, and bid me good-bye. Now
+go to bed--I require rest myself."
+
+I went out into the street. The night was clear and cold; the moon and
+stars shone out in all their brightness, lighting up the square and the
+gibbet. All was quiet and dark in the rest of the fortress. At the inn
+some lights were visible, and belated drinkers broke the stillness by
+their shouts. I glanced at Accoulina's house; the doors and windows were
+closed, and all seemed perfectly quiet there. I went to my room, and
+found Saveliitch deploring my absence. I told him of my freedom. "Thanks
+to thee, O God!" said he, making the sign of the cross; "tomorrow we
+shall set out at daybreak. I have prepared something for you; eat
+and then sleep till morning, tranquil as if in the bosom of the Good
+Shepherd."
+
+I followed his advice, and after having supped, fell asleep on the bare
+floor, as fatigued in mind as in body.
+
+
+
+
+IX. THE SEPARATION.
+
+
+The drum awoke me early the next morning. I went out on the square.
+Pougatcheff's troops were there, falling into rank, around the gibbet,
+to which still hung the victims of yesterday. The Cossacks were mounted;
+the infantry and artillery, with our single gun, were accoutred ready
+for the march. The inhabitants were also assembled there awaiting the
+usurper. Before the steps of the Commandant's house a Cossack held by
+the bridle a magnificent white horse. My eyes sought the body of our
+good Basilia. It had been dragged aside and covered with an old bark
+mat. At last Pougatcheff came out on the steps, and saluted the crowd.
+All heads were bared. One of the chiefs handed him a bag of copper coin,
+which he threw by the handful among the people. Perceiving me in the
+crowd, he signed to me to approach.
+
+"Listen," said he, "go at once to Orenbourg, and say from me, to the
+Governor and all the Generals, that I shall be there in a week. Counsel
+them to receive me with submission and filial love, otherwise they shall
+not escape the direst torture. A pleasant journey to you." The principal
+followers of Pougatcheff surrounded him, Alexis amongst others. The
+usurper turned to the people, and pointing to Alexis, said: "Behold your
+new Commandant; obey him in every thing; he is responsible for you and
+for the fortress."
+
+The words made me shudder. What would become of Marie? Pougatcheff
+descended the steps and vaulted quickly into his saddle without the aid
+of his attendant Cossacks. At that moment Saveliitch came out of the
+crowd, approached the usurper, and presented him a sheet of paper.
+
+"What is this?" asked Pougatcheff, with dignity.
+
+"Read, you will deign to see," replied the serf.
+
+Pougatcheff examined the paper. "You write very illegibly; where is my
+Secretary?"
+
+A boy in corporal's uniform came running to the brigand. "Read aloud,"
+said he. I was curious to know for what purpose the old man had written
+to Pougatcheff. The Secretary began to spell out in a loud voice what
+follows:
+
+"Two dressing-gowns, one in percale, the other in striped silk, six
+roubles."
+
+"What does this mean?" said Pougatcheff, frowning.
+
+"Command him to read on," replied Saveliitch, with perfect calmness.
+
+The Secretary continued: "One uniform in fine green cloth, seven
+roubles; one pair of white cloth pantaloons, five roubles; twelve
+shirts of Holland linen, with cuffs, ten roubles; one case containing a
+tea-service, two roubles."
+
+"What nonsense is this?" said Pougatcheff.
+
+"What have I to do with tea-sets and Holland cuffs?"
+
+Saveliitch coughed to clear his voice, and began to explain: "That, my
+lord, deign to understand, is the bill of my master's goods carried off
+by the thieves."
+
+"What thieves?" asked Pougatcheff, with a terrible air.
+
+"Pardon me," said Saveliitch. "Thieves? No, they were not thieves; my
+tongue slipped; yet your boys went through everything and carried off
+plenty. That can not be denied. Do not be angry. The horse has four legs
+and yet he stumbles. Command that he read to the end."
+
+"Well, read," said Pougatcheff.
+
+"One Persian blanket, one quilt of wadded silk, four roubles; one
+pelisse of fox-skin, covered with red ratine, forty roubles; one small
+touloup of hare-skin left with your grace, on the steppe, fifteen
+roubles."
+
+"What?" cried Pougatcheff, with flashing eyes.
+
+I must say I feared for the old man, who was beginning new explanations,
+when the brigand interrupted him:
+
+"How dare you annoy me with these trifles?" said he, snatching the paper
+from the Secretary and throwing it in the old man's face. "You have been
+despoiled! old fool! great harm! You ought to thank God that you are not
+hanging up there, with the other rebels, both you and your master. I'll
+give you a hare-skin touloup! Do you know that I will have you flayed
+alive, that touloups may be made of you?"
+
+"As you please," replied Saveliitch; "but I am not a free man, and I am
+responsible for my master's goods."
+
+Pougatcheff, who was evidently playing the magnanimous, turned his head
+and set off without a word. Alexis and the other chiefs followed him.
+The whole army left the fortress in good order, the people forming an
+escort. I stayed alone on the square with Saveliitch, who held in his
+hand the bill and considered it with deep regret. I could not help
+laughing.
+
+"Laugh, my lord, laugh, but when the household is to be furnished again,
+we shall see if it be a laughing matter."
+
+I went to learn of Marie Mironoff. Accoulina met me and told me a sad
+piece of news. During the night a burning fever had seized the poor
+girl. Accoulina took me into her chamber. The invalid was delirious and
+did not recognize me. I was shocked by the change in her countenance.
+The position of this sorrowing orphan, without defenders, alarmed me as
+much as my inability to protect grieved me. Alexis, above all, was to
+be feared. Chief, invested with the usurper's authority, in the fortress
+with this unhappy girl, he was capable of any crime. What ought I to
+do to deliver her? To set out at once for Orenbourg, to hasten the
+deliverance of Belogorsk, and to co-operate in it, if possible. I took
+leave of Father Garasim and Accoulina, recommending to them Marie, who I
+already looked upon as my wife. I kissed the young girl's hand, and left
+the room.
+
+"Adieu, Peter Grineff," said Accoulina. "Do not forget us. Except you,
+Marie has no support or consolation." Choked by emotion, I did not
+reply. Out on the square, I stopped an instant before the gibbet. With
+bare head I reverently saluted the loyal dead, and took the road to
+Orenbourg, accompanied by Saveliitch, who would not abandon me. Thus
+plunged in thought, I walked on. Hearing horses galloping behind me, I
+turned my head and saw a Cossack from the fortress leading a horse, and
+making signs to me that I should wait. I recognized our Corporal. Having
+caught up with us, he dismounted from his own horse, and giving me the
+bridle of the other, said: "Our Czar makes you a gift of a horse, and
+a pelisse from his own shoulder." To the saddle was tied a sheep-skin
+touloup. I put it on, mounted the horse, taking Saveliitch up behind me.
+"You see, my lord," said my serf, "that my petition to the bandit was
+not useless! And although this old hack and this peasant's touloup are
+not worth half what the rascals stole, yet they are better than nothing.
+'A worthless dog yields even a handful of hair.'"
+
+
+
+
+X. THE SIEGE.
+
+
+Approaching Orenbourg, we saw a crowd of convicts, with shaved heads and
+faces disfigured by the pincers of the public executioner. At that time
+red-hot irons were applied to tear out the nostrils of the condemned.
+They were working at the fortifications of the place under the
+supervision of the garrison pensioners. Some carried away in
+wheel-barrows the rubbish that filled the ditch, others threw up the
+earth, while masons were examining and repairing the walls. The sentry
+stopped us at the gate and asked for our passports. When the sergeant
+heard that we were from Belogorsk he took me at once to the General, who
+was in his garden. I found him examining the apple trees, which
+autumnal winds had already despoiled of their leaves; assisted by an
+old gardener, he covered them carefully with straw. His face expressed
+calmness, good humor and health. He seemed very glad to see me, and
+questioned me about the terrible events I had witnessed. The old man
+heard me attentively, and whilst listening, cut off the dead branches.
+
+"Poor Mironoff!" said he, when I had finished my story; "it is a pity;
+he was a brave officer; and Madame Mironoff a kind lady, an expert in
+pickling mushrooms. What has become of Marie, the Captain's daughter?"
+
+"She is in the fortress, at the house of the Greek priest."
+
+"Aye! aye! aye!" exclaimed the General. "That's bad, very bad; for it is
+impossible to depend upon the discipline of brigands."
+
+I observed that the fortress of Belogorsk was not far off, and that
+probably his Excellency would send a detachment of troops to deliver the
+poor inhabitants.
+
+The General shook his head, doubtfully. "We shall see! we shall see!
+there is plenty of time to talk about it; come, I beg you, to take tea
+with me. Tonight there will be a council of war; you can give us some
+precise information regarding this Pougatcheff and his army. Meantime,
+go and rest."
+
+I went to my allotted quarters, where I found Saveliitch already
+installed. I awaited impatiently the hour indicated, and the reader may
+believe that I did not fail to be present at this council, which was
+to influence my whole life. I found at the General's a custom-house
+officer, the Director, as well as I can remember a little old man,
+red-faced and fat, wearing a robe of black watered silk. He questioned
+me about the fate of the Captain Mironoff, whom he called his chum,
+and often interrupted me by sententious remarks, which, if they did
+not prove him to be a man well versed in war, showed his natural
+intelligence and shrewdness. During this time other guests arrived. When
+all had taken their places, and to each had been offered a cup of tea,
+the General carefully stated the questions to be considered.
+
+"Now, gentlemen," said he, "we must decide what action is to be taken
+against the rebels. Shall we act offensively, or defensively? Each of
+these ways has its advantages and disadvantages. Offensive war presents
+more hope of a rapid extermination of the enemy, but defensive war
+is safer and offers fewer dangers. Let us then take the vote in legal
+order; that is, consult first the youngest in rank. Ensign," continued
+he, addressing me, "deign to give your opinion."
+
+I rose, and in a few words depicted Pougatcheff and his army. I affirmed
+that the usurper was not in a condition to resist disciplined forces.
+My opinion was received by the civil service employes with visible
+discontent. They saw nothing in it but the levity of a young man. A
+murmur arose, and I heard distinctly the word "hare-brained" murmured in
+a low voice. The General turned to me smiling, and said:
+
+"Ensign, the first votes (the youngest) in war councils, are for
+offensive measures. Now let us continue to collect the votes. The
+College Director will give us his opinion."
+
+The little old man in black silk, a College Director, as well as a
+customs officer, swallowed his third cup of tea, well dashed with a
+strong dose of rum, and hastened to speak:
+
+"Your Excellency," said he, "I think that we ought to act neither
+offensively nor defensively."
+
+"What's that, sir?" said the General, stupefied; "military tactics
+present no other means; we must act either offensively or defensively."
+
+"Your Excellency, act _subornatively_."
+
+"Eh! eh! Your opinion is judicious," said the General; "subornative
+acts--that is to say, indirect acts--are also admitted by the science
+of tactics, and we will profit by your counsel. We might offer for the
+rascal's head seventy or even a hundred roubles, to be taken out of the
+secret funds."
+
+"And then," interrupted the man in silk, "may I be a Kirghis ram,
+instead of a College Director, if the thieves do not bring their chief
+to you, chained hand and foot."
+
+"We can think about it," said the General. "But let us, in any case,
+take some military measures. Gentlemen, give your votes in legal order."
+
+All the opinions were contrary to mine. All agreed, that it was better
+to stay behind a strong stone wall, protected by cannon, than to tempt
+fortune in the open field. Finally, when all the opinions were known,
+the General shook the ashes from his pipe and pronounced the following
+discourse:
+
+"Gentlemen, I am of the Ensign's opinion, for it is according to the
+science of military tactics, which always prefers offensive movements to
+defensive." He stopped and stuffed the tobacco into his pipe. I glanced
+exultingly at the civil service employes, who, with discontented looks,
+were whispering to each other.
+
+"But, gentlemen," continued he, giving out with a sigh a long puff of
+smoke, "I dare not assume the responsibility. I go with the majority,
+which has decided that we await in this city the threatened siege,
+and repulse the enemy by the power of artillery, and if possible, by
+well-directed sorties."
+
+The council broke up. I could not but deplore the weakness of the worthy
+soldier, who, contrary to his own convictions, decided to follow the
+opinion of ignorant inexperience.
+
+Some days after this famous council of war, Pougatcheff, true to his
+word, approached Orenbourg. From the top of the city walls I made a
+reconnaissance of the rebel army. It seemed to me that their number had
+increased ten-fold. They had more artillery, taken from the small forts
+captured by Pougatcheff. Remembering our council, I foresaw a long
+captivity behind the walls of Orenbourg, and I was ready to cry with
+chagrin. Far from me the intention of describing the siege of Orenbourg,
+which belongs to history and not to family memoirs. Suffice it to say,
+that this siege was disastrous to the inhabitants, who had to
+suffer hunger and privations of every kind. Life at Orenbourg became
+insupportable. The decision of fate was awaited with anguish. Food was
+scarce; bombshells fell upon the defenseless houses of citizens. The
+attacks of Pougatcheff made very little excitement. I was dying of
+_ennui_. I had promised Accoulina that I would correspond with her, but
+communication was cut off, and I could not send or receive a letter
+from Belogorsk. My only pastime consisted in military sorties. Thanks
+to Pougatcheff I had an excellent horse, and I shared my meager pittance
+with it. I went out every day beyond the ramparts to skirmish with
+Pougatcheff's advance guards. The rebels had the best of it; they
+had plenty of food and were well mounted. Our poor cavalry were in no
+condition to oppose them. Sometimes our half-starved infantry went
+into the field; but the depth of the snow hindered them from acting
+successfully against the flying cavalry of the enemy. The artillery
+vainly thundered from the ramparts, and in the field it could not
+advance, because of the weakness of our attenuated horses. This was our
+way of making war; this is what the civil service employes of Orenbourg
+called prudence and foresight.
+
+One day when we had routed and driven before us quite a large troop, I
+overtook a straggling Cossack; my Turkish sabre was uplifted to strike
+him when he doffed his cap and cried out: "Good day, Peter, how fares
+your health?"
+
+I recognized our Corporal. I was delighted to see him.
+
+"Good day, Maxim. How long since you left Belogorsk?"
+
+"Not long, Peter. I came yesterday. I have a letter for you."
+
+"Where is it?" I cried, delighted.
+
+"Here," replied Maxim, putting his hand in his bosom. "I promised
+Polacca to try and give it to you." He gave me a folded paper, and set
+off on a gallop. I read with agitation the following lines:
+
+"By the will of God I am deprived of my parents, and except you, Peter,
+I know of no one who can protect me; Alexis commands in place of my late
+father. He so terrified Father Garasim that I was obliged to go and live
+at our house, where I am cruelly treated by Alexis. He will force me to
+become his wife. He says he saved my life by not betraying the trick of
+passing for the niece of Accoulina. I could rather die than be his wife.
+I have three days to accept his offer; after that I need expect no
+mercy from him. O, Peter! entreat your General to send us help, and if
+possible, come yourself. MARIE MIRONOFF."
+
+This letter nearly crazed me. I rushed back to the city, not sparing the
+spur to my poor horse. A thousand projects flashed through my mind to
+rescue her. Arrived in the city, I hurried to the General's and ran into
+his room. He was walking up and down smoking his meerschaum. Seeing me
+he stopped, alarmed at my abrupt entrance.
+
+"Your Excellency, I come to you, as to my own father; do not refuse me;
+the happiness of my life depends upon it."
+
+"But what is it?" said the General; "what can I do for you?"
+
+"Your Excellency, permit me to take a battalion of soldiers and half a
+hundred Cossacks, to go and storm the fortress of Belogorsk."
+
+"Storm the fortress?" said the General.
+
+"I answer for the success of the attack, only let me go."
+
+"No, young man," said he; "at so great a distance the enemy would easily
+cut off all communication with the principal strategic point."
+
+I was frightened by his military wisdom, and hastened to interrupt him:
+"Captain Mironoff's daughter has written me, begging for relief. Alexis
+threatens to compel her to be his wife!"
+
+"Ah! Alexis, traitor! If he fall into my hands I shall try him in
+twenty-four hours, and he shall be shot on the glacis of the fortress!
+meantime patience."
+
+"Patience!" I cried; "in the interval Marie will be compelled to obey
+him."
+
+"Oh," said the General, "that would not be a misfortune--it is better
+that she should become the wife of Alexis, who can protect her. When we
+shall have shot the traitor, then she will find a better husband."
+
+"I would rather die," I said with fury, "than yield her to Alexis."
+
+"I understand it all now," said the old man. "You are, no doubt, in love
+yourself with Marie Mironoff. That's another thing. Poor boy! Still,
+I can not give you a battalion and fifty Cossacks. The thing is
+unreasonable." I hung my head in despair. But I had a plan of my own.
+
+
+
+
+XI. THE REBEL CAMP.
+
+
+I left the General and hastened to my quarters. Saveliitch received
+me with his usual remonstrance: "What pleasure, my lord, is there in
+fighting these drunken brigands? If they were Turks or Swedes, all
+right; but these sons of dogs--"
+
+I interrupted him: "How much money have I in all?"
+
+"You have plenty," said he with a satisfied air. "I knew how to whisk
+it out of sight of the rogues." He drew from his pocket a long knitted
+purse full of silver coin.
+
+"Saveliitch, give me half of what you have there, and keep the rest for
+yourself. I am off for the fortress of Belogorsk."
+
+"Oh, Peter!" said the old serf, "do you not fear God? The roads are cut
+off. Have pity on your parents; wait a little; our troops will come and
+disperse the brigands, and then you can go to the four quarters of the
+world."
+
+"It is too late to reflect. I must go. Do not grieve, Saveliitch; I make
+you a present of that money. Buy what you need. If I do not return in
+three days--"
+
+"My dear," said the old man, "I will go with you, were it on foot. If
+you go, I must first lose my senses before I will stay crouching behind
+stone walls."
+
+There was never any use disputing with the old man. In half an hour
+I was in the saddle, Saveliitch on an old, half-starved, limping
+rosinante, which a citizen, not having fodder, had given for nothing to
+the serf. We reached the city gates; the sentinels let us pass, and we
+were finally out of Orenbourg. Night was falling. My road lay before the
+town of Berd, the headquarters of Pougatcheff. This road was blocked up
+and hidden by snow; but across the steppe were traces of horses, renewed
+from day to day, apparently, and clearly visible. I was going at a
+gallop, Saveliitch could scarcely keep up and shouted, "Not so fast! My
+nag can not follow yours." Very soon we saw the lights of Berd. We were
+approaching deep ravines, which served as natural fortifications to the
+town. Saveliitch, without however being left behind, never ceased his
+lamentations. I was in hopes of passing safely the enemy's place, when
+I saw through the darkness five peasants armed with big
+sticks--Pougatcheff's extreme outpost.
+
+"_Qui vive_! Who goes there?"
+
+Not knowing the watchword, I was for going on without answering. But one
+of them seized my horse's bridle. I drew my sabre and struck the peasant
+of the head. His cap saved his life; he staggered and fell; the others,
+frightened, let me pass. The darkness, which was deepening, might
+have saved me from further hindrance; when, looking back, I saw that
+Saveliitch was not with me. What was I to do? The poor old man, with his
+lame horse, could not escape from the rascals. I waited a minute; then,
+sure that they must have seized him, I turned my horse's head to go and
+aid him. Approaching the ravine I heard voices, and recognized that of
+Saveliitch. Hastening my steps, was soon within sight of the peasants.
+They had dismounted the old man, and were about to garrote him. They
+rushed upon me; in an instant I was on foot. Their chief said I should
+be conducted to the Czar. I made no resistance. We crossed the ravine
+to enter the town, which was illuminated. The streets were crowded and
+noisy. We were taken to a hut on the corner of two streets. There were
+some barrels of wine and a cannon near the door. One of the peasants
+said: "Here is the palace; we will announce you." I glanced at
+Saveliitch; he was making signs of the cross, and praying. We waited a
+long time. At last the peasant re-appeared and said: "The Czar orders
+the officers to his presence."
+
+The palace, as the peasant called it, was lighted by two tallow candles.
+The walls were hung with gold paper. But every thing else, the benches,
+the table, the basin hung up by a cord, the towel on a nail in the wall,
+the shelf laden with earthen vessels, were exactly the same as in any
+other cabin. Pougatcheff, wearing his scarlet cafetan and high Cossack
+cap, with his hand on his hip, sat beneath the sacred pictures common to
+every Russian abode. Around him stood several of his chiefs. I could
+see that the arrival of an officer from Orenbourg had awakened
+some curiosity, and that they had prepared to receive me with pomp.
+Pougatcheff recognized me at once, and his assumed gravity disappeared.
+
+"Ah! it is your lordship! how are you? What brings you here?"
+
+I replied that I was traveling about my private business, when his
+people arrested me.
+
+"What business?" asked he. I did not know what to answer. Pougatcheff
+thinking that I would not speak before witnesses gave a sign to his
+comrades to leave. All obeyed except two. "Speak before these," said he;
+"conceal nothing from them."
+
+I glanced at these intimates of the usurper. One was an old man frail
+and bent, remarkable for nothing but a blue riband crossed over his
+coarse gray cloth cafetan; but I shall never forget his companion. He
+was tall, of powerful build, and seemed about forty-five. A thick red
+beard, piercing gray eyes, a nose without nostrils, marks of the searing
+irons on his forehead and cheeks, gave to his broad face, pitted by
+small-pox a most fierce expression. He wore a red shirt, a Kirghis robe,
+and wide Cossack pantaloons. Although wholly pre-occupied by my own
+feelings, yet this company deeply impressed me. Pougatcheff recalled me
+to myself quickly.
+
+"What business brought you from Orenbourg?"
+
+A bold idea suggested itself to my mind. It seemed to me that
+Providence, leading me a second time before this robber, gave me the
+means of accomplishing my work. I decided to seize the chance, and
+without reflecting on the step, I replied:
+
+"I am on the way to the fortress of Belogorsk to liberate an oppressed
+orphan there."
+
+Pougatcheff's eyes flashed. "Who dares to oppress an orphan? Were he
+seven feet high, he shall not escape my vengeance. Speak, who is the
+guilty one?"
+
+"Alexis; he holds in slavery that same young girl whom you saw at Father
+Garasim's, and wants to force her to marry him."
+
+"I shall give Alexis a lesson! I'll teach him to oppress my subjects. I
+shall hang him."
+
+"Permit me a word," said the man without nostrils. "You were too hasty
+giving the command to Alexis. You offended the Cossacks by giving them
+a noble as chief; do not offend the gentlemen by hanging one of them on
+the first accusation."
+
+"There is no need to pardon nor pity," said the man with the blue
+riband. "It would be no harm to hang Alexis, nor to question this
+gentleman. Why does he visit us? If he does not acknowledge you as Czar
+he has no justice to get at your hands; if he acknowledge you, why
+did he stay at Orenbourg with your enemies? Will you not order him to
+prison, and have a fire lighted there?"
+
+The old rascal's logic seemed plausible even to myself. I shuddered when
+I remembered into whose hands I had fallen. Pougatcheff saw my trouble.
+
+"Eh! eh! your lordship," said he, winking, "it seems my field-marshal is
+right. What do you think?"
+
+The jesting tone of the chief restored my courage. I replied calmly that
+I was in his power.
+
+"Well," said Pougatcheff, "tell me now the condition of your city?"
+
+"It is, thank God, in a good state."
+
+"A good condition," repeated the brigand, "when the people are dying of
+hunger."
+
+The usurper was right, but according to the duty imposed by my oath, I
+affirmed that it was a false report, and that the fort was sufficiently
+provisioned.
+
+"You see he deceives you," interrupted the man with the riband. "All
+the deserters are unanimous in saying that famine and pestilence are
+at Orenbourg; that thistles are eaten as dainties there. If you wish to
+hang Alexis, hang on the same gibbet this young fellow, that they may be
+equal."
+
+These words seemed to shake the chief. Happily the other wretch opposed
+this view.
+
+"Silence," said this powerful fellow. "You think of nothing but hanging
+and strangling. It becomes _you_ to play the hero. To look at you, no
+one knows where your soul is."
+
+"And which of the saints are you?" replied the old man.
+
+"Generals," said Pougatcheff, with dignity, "an end to your quarrels.
+It would be no great loss if all the mangy dogs from Orenbourg were
+dangling their legs under the same cross-beam; but it would be a
+misfortune if our own good dogs should bite each other."
+
+Feeling the necessity of changing the conversation, I turned to
+Pougatcheff with a smile, and said:
+
+"Ah! I forgot to thank you for the horse and touloup. Without your aid
+I should not have reached the city. I would have died from cold on the
+journey." My trick succeeded. Pougatcheff regained his good humor.
+
+"The beauty of debt is the payment thereof," said he, winking. "Tell
+me your story. What have you to do with the young girl that Alexis
+persecutes? Has she caught your heart, too?"
+
+"She is my promised bride," said I, seeing no risk in speaking the
+truth.
+
+"Your promised bride! Why did you not tell me sooner? We'll marry you,
+and be at your wedding. Listen, Field-marshal," said he. "We are old
+friends, his lordship and I. Lets us go to supper. Tomorrow we shall
+see what is to be done with him. Night brings wisdom, and the morning is
+better than the evening."
+
+I would gladly have excused myself from proposed honor, but it was
+impossible. Two Cossacks girls covered the table with a white cloth, and
+brought bread, soup made of fish, and pitchers of wine and beer. Thus,
+for the second time, I was at table with Pougatcheff and his terrible
+companions. The orgie lasted far into the night. Drunkenness at last
+triumphed. Pougatcheff fell asleep in his place, and his companions
+signed to me to leave him. I went out with them. The sentry locked me
+up in a dark hole, where I found Saveliitch. He was so surprised by all
+that he saw and heard, that he asked no questions. Lying in darkness, he
+soon fell asleep.
+
+The next morning Pougatcheff sent for me. Before his door stood a
+kibitka, with three horses abreast. The street was crowded. Pougatcheff,
+whom I met in the entry of his hut, was dressed for a journey, in a
+pelisse and Kirghis cap. His guests of the previous night surrounded
+him, and wore a look of submission which contrasted strongly with what
+I had seen on the preceding evening. Pougatcheff bade me good-morning
+gaily, and ordered me to sit beside him in the kibitka. We took our
+places.
+
+"To the fortress of Belogorsk," said Pougatcheff to the robust Tartar,
+who, standing, drove his horses. My heart beat violently. The Tartar
+horses shot off, the bells tinkled, the kibitka flew over the snow.
+
+"Stop! stop!" cried a voice I knew too well. "O Peter! do not abandon me
+in my old age, in the midst of the rob--"
+
+"Ah, you old owl!" said Pougatcheff, "sit up there in front."
+
+"Thanks, Czar, may God give you a long life."
+
+The horses set off again. The people in the streets stopped and bowed
+low, as the usurper passed. Pougatcheff saluted right and left. In an
+instant we were out of the town, taking our way over a well-defined
+road. I was silent. Pougatcheff broke in upon my reverie. "Why so
+silent, my lord?" said he.
+
+"I can not help thinking," said I, "of the chain of events. I am an
+officer, noble, yesterday at war with you; today I ride in the same
+carriage with you, and all the happiness of my life depends on you."
+
+"Are you afraid?"
+
+"You have already given me my life!"
+
+"You say truly. You know how my fellows looked upon you; only today they
+wanted to try you as a spy. The old one wanted to torture and then hang
+you; but I would not, because I remembered your glass of wine and your
+touloup. I am not bloodthirsty, as your friends say." I remembered the
+taking of our fortress, but I did not contradict him.
+
+"What do they say of me at Orenbourg?"
+
+"It is said there, that you will not be easily vanquished. It must be
+confessed that you have given us some work."
+
+"Yes; I am a great warrior. Do you think the King Prussia is as strong
+as I?"
+
+"What do you think yourself? Can you beat Frederick?"
+
+"Frederick the Great? Why not? Wait till I march to Moscow!"
+
+"You really intend to march on Moscow?"
+
+"God knows," said he, reflecting; "my road is narrow--my boys do not
+obey--they are thieves--I must listen--keep my ears open; at the first
+reverse they would save their own necks by my head."
+
+"Would it not be better," I said, "to abandon them now, before it is too
+late, and have recourse to the clemency of the Empress?"
+
+He smiled bitterly. "No; the time is passed. I shall end as I began. Who
+knows?"
+
+Our Tartar was humming a plaintive air; Saveliitch, sound asleep, swayed
+from side to side; our kibitka was gliding rapidly over the winter road.
+I saw in the distance a village well known to my eyes, with its palisade
+and church spire on the steep bank of the river Iaik. A quarter of an
+hour after we entered the fortress of Belogorsk.
+
+
+
+
+XII. MARIE.
+
+
+The kibitka stopped before the Commandant's house. The inhabitants had
+recognized the usurper's bells and equipage, and had come out in crowds
+to meet him. Alexis, dressed like a Cossack, and bearded like one,
+helped the brigand to descend from his kibitka. The sight of me troubled
+him, but soon recovering himself, he said: "You are one of us?" I turned
+my head away without replying. My heart was wrung when we entered
+the room that I know so well, where still upon the wall hung, like an
+epitaph, the diploma of the deceased Commandant. Pougatcheff seated
+himself upon the same sofa where many a time Ivan Mironoff had dozed to
+the hum of his wife's voice. Alexis' own hand presented the brandy to
+his chief. Pougatcheff drank a glass and said, pointing to me: "Offer a
+glass to his lordship." Alexis approached me, and again I turned my back
+upon him. Pougatcheff asked him a few questions about the condition of
+the fortress, and then, in an unpremeditated manner, said: "Tell me, who
+is this young girl that you have under guard?"
+
+Alexis became pale as death. "Czar," said he, a tremor in his voice,
+"she is in her own room; she is not locked up."
+
+"Take me to her room," said the usurper, rising.
+
+Hesitation was impossible. Alexis led the way to Marie's room. I
+followed. On the stairs Alexis stopped: "Czar, demand of me what you
+will, but do not permit a stranger to enter my wife's room."
+
+"You are married?" I shouted, ready to tear him to pieces.
+
+"Silence!" interrupted the brigand, "this is my business. And you," said
+he, turning to Alexis, "do not be too officious. Whether she be your
+wife or not, I shall take whom I please into her room. Your lordship,
+follow me."
+
+At the door of the room Alexis stopped again: "Czar, she has had a fever
+these three days; she is delirious."
+
+"Open," said Pougatcheff.
+
+Alexis fumbled in his pockets, and at last said that he had forgotten
+the key. Pougatcheff kicked the door; the lock yielded, the door opened
+and we entered.
+
+I glanced into the room, and nearly fainted. On the floor, in the coarse
+dress of a peasant, Marie was seated, pale, thin, her hair in disorder;
+before her on the floor stood a pitcher of water covered by a piece
+of bread. Upon seeing me, she started, and uttered a piercing shriek.
+Pougatcheff glanced at Alexis, smiled bitterly, and said: "Your hospital
+is in nice order?"
+
+"Tell me, my little dove, why does your husband punish you in this way?"
+
+"My husband! he is not my husband. I am resolved to die rather than
+marry him; and I shall die, if not soon released."
+
+Pougatcheff gave a furious look at Alexis, and said: "Do you dare to
+deceive me, knave?"
+
+Alexis fell on his knees. Contempt stifled all my feelings of hatred
+and vengeance. I saw with disgust, a gentleman kneeling at the feet of a
+Cossack deserter.
+
+"I pardon you, this time," said the brigand, "but remember, your next
+fault will recall this one." He turned to Marie, and said, gently: "Come
+out, my pretty girl, you are free. I am the Czar!"
+
+Marie looked at him, hid her face in her hands and fell on the floor
+unconscious. She had no doubt divined that he had caused her parents'
+death. I rushed to aid her, when my old acquaintance, Polacca, boldly
+entered, and hastened to revive her mistress. Pougatcheff, Alexis and I
+went down to the reception room.
+
+"Now, your lordship, we have released the pretty girl, what say you?
+Shall we not send for Father Garasim, and have him perform the marriage
+ceremony for his niece? If you like, I will be your father by proxy,
+Alexis your groomsman; then we'll shut the gates and make merry!"
+
+As I anticipated, Alexis, hearing this speech, lost his self-control.
+
+"Czar," said he, in a fury, "I am guilty; I have lied to you, but
+Grineff also deceives you. This young girl is not Father Garasim's
+niece. She is Ivan Mironoff's daughter."
+
+Pougatcheff glared at me. "What does that mean?" said he to me.
+
+"Alexis says truly," I replied, firmly.
+
+"You did not tell me that," said the usurper, whose face darkened.
+
+"Judge of it yourself. Could I declare before your people that Marie was
+Captain Mironoff's daughter? They would have torn her to pieces. No one
+could have saved her."
+
+"You are right," said Pougatcheff, "my drunkards would not have spared
+the child. Accoulina did well to deceive them."
+
+"Listen," I said, seeing his good humor, "I do not know your real name,
+and I do not want to know it. But before God, I am ready to pay you with
+my life, for what you have done for me. Only, ask me nothing contrary to
+honor, and my conscience as a Christian. You are my benefactor. Let me
+go with this orphan, and we, whatever happens to you, wherever you may
+be, we shall pray God to save your soul."
+
+"Be it as you desire," said he, "punish to the end, or pardon
+completely, that's my way. Take your promised bride wherever you choose,
+and may God give you love and happiness." He turned to Alexis, and
+ordered him to write me a passport for all the forts subject to his
+power. Alexis was petrified with astonishment. Pougatcheff went off to
+inspect the fortress; Alexis followed him; I remained.
+
+I ran up to Marie's room. The door was closed. I knocked.
+
+"Who is there?" asked Polacca.
+
+I gave my name. I heard Marie say: "In an instant, Peter, I shall join
+you at Accoulina's."
+
+Father Garasim and Accoulina came out to welcome me. I was honored with
+everything at the command of the hostess, whose voluble tongue never
+ceased. It was not long before Marie entered, quite pale; she had laid
+aside the peasant's dress, and was, as usual, clad in simplicity, but
+with neatness and taste. I seized her hand, unable to utter a word. We
+were both silent from full hearts. Our hosts left us, and I could now
+speak of plans for her safety. It was impossible that she should stay in
+a fortress subject to Pougatcheff, and commanded by the infamous Alexis.
+Neither could she find refuge at Orenbourg, suffering all the horrors of
+siege. I proposed that she should go to my father's country-seat. This
+surprised her. But I assured her that my father would hold it a duty
+and an honor to receive the daughter of a veteran who had died for his
+country. In conclusion, I said: "My dear Marie; I consider thee as my
+wife; these strange events have bound us for ever to each other."
+
+Marie listened with dignity; she felt as I did, but repeated that
+without my parents' consent she would never be my wife. I could not
+reply to this objection. I folded her to my heart, and my project became
+our mutual resolve.
+
+An hour after, the Corporal brought me my passport, having the scratch
+which served as Pougatcheff's sign-manual, and told me that the Czar
+awaited me. I found him ready for his journey. To this man--why not
+tell the truth?--cruel and terrible to all but me, I was drawn by strong
+sympathy. I wanted to snatch him from the horde of robbers, whose chief
+he was; but the presence of Alexis and the crowd around him prevented
+any expression of these feelings. Our parting was that of friends. As
+the horses were moving, he leaned out of the kibitka and said to me:
+"Adieu, again, your lordship; perhaps we may meet once more."
+
+We did meet again, but under what circumstances!
+
+I returned to Father Garasim's, where our preparations were soon
+completed. Our baggage was put into the Commandant's old equipage. The
+horses were harnessed. Marie went, before setting off, to visit once
+more the tomb in the church-yard, and soon returned, having wept in
+silence over all that remained to her of her parents. Father Garasim and
+Accoulina stood on the steps. Marie, Polacca, and I sat in the interior
+of the kibitka. Saveliitch perched himself up in front.
+
+"Adieu, Marie, sweet little dove! Adieu, Peter, our handsome falcon!"
+exclaimed the kind Accoulina.
+
+Passing the Commandant's house, I saw Alexis, whose face expressed
+determined hate.
+
+
+
+
+XIII. THE ARREST.
+
+
+In two hours we reached the neighboring fortress, which also belonged
+to Pougatcheff. We there changed horses. By the celerity with which they
+served us, and the eager zeal of the bearded Cossack, whom Pougatcheff
+had made Commandant, I perceived that, thanks to the talk of our
+postilion, I was supposed to be a favorite with their master. When
+we started off again, it was dusk; we were drawing near a town where,
+according to the bearded Commandant, there ought to be a very strong
+detachment of Pougatcheff's forces. The sentinels stopped us and to the
+demand: "Who goes there?" our postilion answered in a loud voice: "A
+friend of the Czar, traveling with his wife."
+
+We were at once surrounded by a detachment of Russian hussars, who swore
+frightfully.
+
+"Come out," said a Russian officer, heavily mustached; "We'll give you a
+bath!"
+
+I requested to be taken before the authorities. Perceiving that I was
+an officer, the soldiers ceased swearing, and the officer took me to the
+Major's. Saveliitch followed, growling out: "We fall from the fire into
+the flame!"
+
+The kibitka came slowly after us. In five minutes we reached a small
+house, all lighted up. The officer left me under a strong guard, and
+entered to announce my capture. He returned almost instantly, saying
+that I was ordered to prison, and her ladyship to the presence of the
+Major.
+
+"Is he mad?" I cried.
+
+"I can not tell, your lordship."
+
+I jumped up the steps--the sentinels had not time to stop me--and burst
+into the room where six hussar officers were playing faro. The Major
+kept the bank. I instantly recognized the Major as Ivan Zourine, who had
+so thoroughly emptied my purse at Simbirsk. "Is it possible? is this you
+Ivan Zourine?"
+
+"Halloo! Peter; what luck? where are you from? will you take a chance?"
+
+"Thanks; I would rather have some apartments assigned me."
+
+"No need of apartments, stay with me."
+
+"I can not; I am not alone."
+
+"Bring your comrade with you."
+
+"I am not with a comrade; I am with--a lady."
+
+"A lady! where did you fish her out?" and he whistled in so rollicking a
+manner, that the rest burst out laughing.
+
+"Well," said Zourine, "then you must have a house in the town. Here,
+boy! why do you not bring in Pougatcheff's friend?"
+
+"What are you about," said I. "It is Captain Mironoff's daughter. I have
+just obtained her liberty, and I am taking her to my father's, where I
+shall leave her."
+
+"In the name of Heaven, what are _you_ talking about? Are _you_
+Pougatcheff's chum?"
+
+"I will tell you everything later; first go and see this poor girl, whom
+your soldiers have horribly frightened."
+
+Zourine went out into the street to excuse himself to Marie, and explain
+the mistake, and ordered the officer to place her and her maid in the
+best house in the city. I stayed with him. After supper, as soon as we
+were alone, I gave him the story of my adventures.
+
+He shook his head. "That's all very well; but why will you marry? As an
+officer and a comrade, I tell you marriage is folly! Now listen to
+me. The road to Simbirsk has been swept clean by our soldiers; you can
+therefore send the Captain's daughter to your parents tomorrow, and
+remain yourself in my detachment. No need to return to Orenbourg; you
+might fall again into the hands of the rebels."
+
+I resolved to follow, in part, Zourine's advice. Saveliitch came to
+prepare my room for the night. I told him to be ready to set out in the
+morning with Marie.
+
+"Who will attend you, my lord?"
+
+"My old friend," said I, trying to soften him, "I do not need a servant
+here, and in serving Marie, you serve me, for I shall marry her as soon
+as the war is over."
+
+"Marry!" repeated he, with his hands crossed, and a look of
+inexpressible blankness, "the child wants to marry! What will your
+parents say?"
+
+"They will, no doubt, consent as soon as they know Marie. You will
+intercede for us, will you not?"
+
+I had touched the old man's heart. "O Peter!" said he, "you are too
+young to marry, but the young lady is an angel, and it would be a sin to
+let the chance slip. I will do as you desire."
+
+The next day I made known my plans to Marie. As Zourine's detachment was
+to leave the city that same day, delay was impossible. I confided Marie
+to my dear old Saveliitch, and gave him a letter for my father. Marie,
+in tears, took leave of me. I did not dare to speak, lest the bystanders
+should observe my feelings.
+
+It was the end of the February; Winter, which had rendered manoeuvering
+difficult was now at a close, and our generals were preparing for a
+combined campaign. At the approach of our troops, revolted villages
+returned to their duty, while Prince Galitzin defeated the usurper,
+and raised the siege of Orenbourg, which was the death-blow to the
+rebellion. We heard of Pougatcheff in the Ural regions, and on the
+way to Moscow. But he was captured. The war was over. Zourine received
+orders to return his troops to their posts. I jumped about the room
+like a boy. Zourine shrugged his shoulders, and said: "Wait till you are
+married, and see how foolish you are!"
+
+I had leave of absence. In a few days I would be at home and united to
+Marie. One day Zourine came into my room with a paper in his hand, and
+sent away the servant.
+
+"What's the matter?" said I.
+
+"A slight annoyance," he answered, handing me the paper. "Read."
+
+It was confidential order addressed to all the chiefs of detachments to
+arrest me, and send me under guard to Khasan before the Commission
+of Inquiry, created to give information against Pougatcheff and his
+accomplices. The paper fell from my hands.
+
+"Do not be cast down," said Zourine, "but set out at once."
+
+My conscience was easy, but the delay! It would be months, perhaps,
+before I could get through the Commission. Zourine bade me an
+affectionate adieu. I mounted the telega (Summer carriage), two hussars
+withdrawn swords beside, and took the road to Khasan.
+
+
+
+
+XIV. THE SENTENCE.
+
+
+I had no doubt that I was arrested for having left the fortress of
+Orenbourg without leave, and felt sure that I could exculpate myself.
+Not only were we not forbidden, but on the contrary, we were
+encouraged to make forays against the enemy. My friendly relations with
+Pougatcheff, however, wore a suspicious look.
+
+Arriving at Khasan, I found the city almost reduced to ashes. Along
+the streets there were heaps of calcined material of unroofed walls
+of houses--a proof that Pougatcheff had been there. The fortress was
+intact. I was taken there and delivered to the officer on duty. He
+ordered the blacksmith to rivet securely iron shackles on my feet. I was
+then consigned to a small, dark dungeon, lighted only by a loop-hole,
+barred with iron. This did not presage anything good, yet I did not lose
+courage; for, having tasted the delight of prayer, offered by a heart
+full of anguish, I fell asleep, without a thought for the morrow. The
+next morning I was taken before the Commission. Two soldiers crossed
+the yard with me, to the Commandant's dwelling. Stopping in the
+ante-chamber, they let me proceed alone to the interior.
+
+I entered quite a spacious room. At a table, covered with papers, sat
+tow personages,--a General advanced in years, of stern aspect, and a
+young officer of the Guards, of easy and agreeable manners. Near the
+window, at another table, a secretary, pen on ear, bending over a paper,
+was ready to take my deposition.
+
+The interrogation began: "Your name and profession?" The General
+asked if I was the son of Andrew Grineff, and upon my replying in the
+affirmative, exclaimed: "It is a pity so honorable a man should have a
+son so unworthy of him!"
+
+I replied that I hoped to refute all charges against me, by a sincere
+avowal of the truth. My assurance displeased him.
+
+"You are a bold fellow," said he, frowning; "but we have seen others
+like you."
+
+The young officer asked how, and for what purpose I had entered the
+rebel service.
+
+I replied indignantly, that being an officer and a noble, I was
+incapable of enlisting in the usurper's army, and had never served him
+in any way.
+
+"How is it," said my judge, "that the 'officer and noble' is the only
+one spared by Pougatcheff? How is it that the 'officer and noble'
+received presents from the chief rebel, of a horse and a pelisse?
+Upon what is this intimacy founded, if not on treason, or at least
+unpardonable cowardice?"
+
+The words wounded me, and I undertook with warmth my own defense,
+finally invoking the name of my General who could testify to my zeal
+during the siege of Orenbourg. The severe old man took from the table an
+open letter, and read:
+
+     "With regard to Ensign Griness, I have the honor to declare,
+     that he was in the service at Orenbourg from the month of
+     October, 1773, till the following February. Since then, he
+     has not presented himself."
+
+Here the General said harshly: "What can you say now to justify your
+conduct?"
+
+My judges had listened with interest and even kindness, to the recital
+of my acquaintance with the usurper, from the meeting in the snowdrift
+to the taking of Belogorsk, where he gave me my life through gratitude.
+I was going to continue my defense, by relating frankly my relations
+with Marie, and her rescue. But if I spoke of her the Commission would
+force her to appear, and her name would become the theme of no very
+delicate remarks by the interrogated witnesses. These thoughts so
+troubled me that I stammered, and at last was silent.
+
+The judges were prejudiced against me by my evident confusion. The young
+Guardsman asked that I should be confronted by my chief accuser. Some
+minutes later the clank of iron fetters resounded, and Alexis entered.
+
+He was pale and thin. His hair, formerly black as a raven's wing, was
+turning gray. He repeated his accusation in a weak but decided tone.
+
+According to him, I was Pougatcheff's spy. I heard him to the end in
+silence, and rejoiced at one thing: he never pronounced the name of
+Marie Mironoff. Was it that his self-love smarted from her contemptuous
+rejection of him? or was there in his heart a spark of that same
+feeling which made me also silent on that point? This confirmed me in
+my resolution, and when asked what I had to answer to the charges of
+Alexis, I merely said that I held to my first declaration, and had
+nothing more to add.
+
+The General remanded us to prison. I looked at Alexis. He smiled with
+satisfied hate, raised up his shackles to hasten his pace and pass
+before me. I had no further examination. I was not an eye-witness of
+what remains to be told the reader; but I have so often heard the story,
+that the minutest particulars are engraved on my memory.
+
+Marie was received by my parents with the cordial courtesy which
+distinguished the preceding generation. They became very much attached
+to her, and my father no longer considered my love a folly. The news of
+my arrest was a fearful blow; but Marie and Saveliitch had so frankly
+told the origin of my connection with Pougatcheff, that the news did not
+seem grave. My father could not be persuaded that I would take part in
+an infamous revolt, whose object was the subversion of the throne and
+the extinction of the nobility. So better news was expected, and several
+weeks passed, when at last a letter came from our relative Prince B---.
+After the usual compliments, he told my father that the suspicions of
+my complicity in the rebel plots were only too well founded, as had been
+proved,--that an exemplary execution might have been my fate, were it
+not that the Empress, out of consideration for the father's white hair
+and loyal services, had commuted the sentence of the criminal son. She
+had exiled him for life to the depths of Siberia!
+
+The blow nearly killed my father, his firmness gave way, and his usually
+silent sorrow burst into bitter plaints: "What! my son plotting with
+Pougatcheff! The Empress gives him his life! Execution not the worst
+thing in the world! My grandfather died on the scaffold in defense of
+his convictions! But, that a noble should betray his oath, unite with
+bandits, knaves and revolted slaves! shame! shame forever on our face!"
+
+Frightened by his despair, my mother did not dare to show her grief, and
+Marie was more desolate than they. Persuaded that I could justify myself
+if I chose, she divined the motive of my silence, and believed that she
+was the cause of my suffering.
+
+One evening, seated on his sofa, my father was turning over the leaves
+of the "_Court Almanac_," but his thoughts were far away, and the book
+did not produce its usual effect upon him. My mother was knitting in
+silence, and from time to time a furtive tear dropped upon her work.
+Marie, who was sewing in the same room, without any prelude declared to
+my parents that she was obliged to go to St. Petersburg, and begged them
+to furnish her the means.
+
+My mother said: "Why will you leave us?"
+
+Marie replied that her fate depended on this journey; that she was going
+to claim the protection of those in favor at Court, as the daughter of a
+man who had perished a victim to his loyalty.
+
+My father bowed his head. A word which recalled the supposed crime of
+his son, seemed a sharp reproach.
+
+"Go," said he, at last, with a sigh; "we will not place an obstacle
+to your happiness. May God give you an honorable husband and not a
+traitor!"
+
+He rose and left the room. Alone with my mother, Marie confided to her,
+in part, the object of her journey. My mother, in tears, kissed her and
+prayed for the success of the project. A few days after, Marie, Polacca
+and Saveliitch left home.
+
+When Marie reached Sofia, she learned that the Court was at that moment
+in residence at the summer palace of Tzarskoie-Selo. She decided to stop
+there, and obtained a small room at the post-house. The post mistress
+came to chat with the new-comer. She told Marie, pompously, that she
+was the niece of an official attached to the Court--her uncle having the
+honor of attending to the fires in her Majesty's abode! Marie soon
+knew at what hour the Empress rose, took her coffee, and went on the
+promenade; in brief, the conversation of Anna was like a page from the
+memoirs of the times, and would be very precious in our days. The two
+women went together to the Imperial gardens, where Anna told Marie
+the romance of each pathway and the history of every bridge over the
+artificial streams. Next day very early Marie returned alone to the
+Imperial gardens. The weather was superb. The sun gilded the linden
+tops, already seared by the Autumn frosts. The broad lake sparkled, the
+swans, just aroused, came out gravely from the shore. Marie was going
+to a charming green sward, when a little dog, of English blood, came
+running to her barking. She was startled; but a voice of rare refinement
+said: "He will not bite you; do not be afraid."
+
+A lady about fifty years of age was seated on a rustic bench. She was
+dressed in a white morning-dress, a light cap and a mantilla. Her face,
+full and florid, was expressive of calmness and seriousness. She was the
+first to speak: "You are evidently a stranger here?"
+
+"That is true, madam. I arrived from the country yesterday."
+
+"You are with your parents?"
+
+"No, madam, alone."
+
+"You are too young to travel alone. Are you here on business?"
+
+"My parents are dead. I came to present a petition to the Empress."
+
+"You are an orphan; you have to complain of injustice, or injury?"
+
+"Madam, I came to ask for a pardon, not justice."
+
+"Permit me a question: Who are you?"
+
+"I am the daughter of Captain Mironoff."
+
+"Of Captain Mironoff? of him who commanded one of the fortresses in the
+province of Orenbourg?"
+
+"The same, madam."
+
+The lady seemed touched. "Pardon me, I am going to Court. Explain the
+object of your petition; perhaps I can aid you." Marie took from her
+pocket a paper which she handed to the lady, who read it attentively.
+Marie, whose eyes followed every movement of her countenance, was
+alarmed by the severe expression of face so calm and gracious a moment
+before.
+
+"You intercede for Grineff?" said the lady, in an icy tone. "The Empress
+can not pardon him. He went over to the usurper, not as an ignorant
+believer, but as a depraved and dangerous good-for-nothing."
+
+"It is not true!" exclaimed Marie.
+
+"What! not true?" said the lady, flushing to the eyes.
+
+"Before God, it is not true. I know all. I will tell you all. It was
+for me only that exposed himself to all these misfortunes. If he did
+not clear himself before his judges, it was because he would not drag
+me before the authorities." Marie then related with warmth all that the
+reader knows.
+
+"Where do you lodge?" asked the lady, when the young girl had finished
+her recital. Upon hearing that she was staying with the postmaster's
+wife, she nodded, and said with a smile: "Ah! I know her. Adieu! tell no
+one of our meeting. I hope you will not have long to wait for the answer
+to your petition."
+
+She rose and went away by a covered path. Marie went back to Anna's,
+full of fair hope. The postmaster's wife was surprised that Marie took
+so early a promenade, which might in Autumn, prove injurious to a young
+girl's health. She brought the _Somovar_, and with her cup of tea was
+going to relate one of her interminable stories, when a carriage with
+the imperial escutcheon stopped before the door. A lackey, wearing the
+imperial livery, entered and announced that her Majesty deigned to order
+to her presence the daughter of Captain Mironoff!
+
+"Ah!" exclaimed Anna, "the Empress orders you to Court! How did she know
+you were with me? You can not present yourself--you do not know how to
+walk in courtly fashion! I ought to go with you. Shall I not send to the
+doctor's wife and get her yellow dress with flounces, for you?"
+
+The lackey declared that he had orders to take Marie alone, just as
+she was. Anna did not dare to disobey, and Marie set out. She had a
+presentiment that her destiny was now to be decided. Her heart beat
+violently. In a few minutes the carriage was at the palace, and Marie,
+having crossed a long suite of apartments, vacant and sumptuous, entered
+the _boudoir_ of the Empress. The nobles who surrounded their sovereign
+respectfully made way for the young girl.
+
+The Empress, in whom Marie recognized the lady of the garden, said,
+graciously: "I am pleased to be able to grant your prayer. Convinced of
+the innocence of your betrothed, I have arranged everything. Here is a
+letter for your future father-in-law."
+
+Marie, in tears, fell at the feet of the Empress, who raised her up and
+kissed her, saying:
+
+"I know that you are not rich; but I have to acquit myself of a debt
+to the daughter of a brave man, Captain Mironoff." Treating Marie with
+tenderness, the Empress dismissed her. That day Marie set out for my
+father's country-seat, not having even glanced at Saint Petersburg.
+
+
+*****
+
+
+Here terminate the memoirs of Peter Grineff. We know by family tradition
+that he was set free about the end of the year 1774. We know too, that
+he was present at the execution of Pougatcheff, who, recognizing him in
+the crowd, gave him one last sign with the head which, a moment after,
+was shown to the people, bleeding and inanimate.
+
+Peter Grineff became the husband of Marie Mironoff. Their descendents
+still live, in the Province of Simbirsk, and in the hereditary manor
+is still shown the autograph letter of the Empress Catherine II. It is
+addressed to Andrew Grineff, and contains, with his son's justification,
+a touching and beautiful eulogium of Marie, the Captain's daughter.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Marie, by Alexander Pushkin
+
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