The Daughter of the Commandant

From this moment I hourly got better. It was the barber of the regiment

who dressed my wound, for there was no other doctor in all the fort,

and, thank God, he did not attempt any doctoring. Youth and nature

hastened my recovery. All the Commandant's family took the greatest

care of me. Marya Ivanofna scarcely ever left me. It is unnecessary to

say that I seized the first favourable opportunity to resume my

interrupted proposal, and this time Marya heard me more patiently. She

naively avowed to me her love, and added that her parents would, in all

probability, rejoice in her happiness.

"But think well about it," she used to say to me. "Will there be no

objections on the part of your family?"

These words made me reflect. I had no doubt of my mother's tenderness;

but knowing the character and way of thinking of my father, I foresaw

that my love would not touch him very much, and that he would call it

youthful folly. I frankly confessed this to Marya Ivanofna, but in spite

of this I resolved to write to my father as eloquently as possible to

ask his blessing. I showed my letter to Marya Ivanofna, who found it so

convincing and touching that she had no doubt of success, and gave

herself up to the feelings of her heart with all the confidence of youth

and love.

I made peace with Chvabrine during the early days of my convalescence.

Ivan Kouzmitch said to me, reproaching me for the duel-"You know, Petr' Andrejitch, properly speaking, I ought to put you under

arrest; but you are already sufficiently punished without that. As to

Alexey Ivanytch, he is confined by my order, and under strict guard, in

the corn magazine, and Vassilissa Igorofna has his sword under lock and

key. He will have time to reflect and repent at his ease."

I was too happy to cherish the least rancour. I began to intercede for

Chvabrine, and the good Commandant, with his wife's leave, agreed to set

him at liberty. Chvabrine came to see me. He expressed deep regret for

all that had occurred, declared it was all his fault, and begged me to

forget the past. Not being of a rancorous disposition, I heartily

forgave him both our quarrel and my wound. I saw in his slander the

irritation of wounded vanity and rejected love, so I generously forgave

my unhappy rival.

I was soon completely recovered, and was able to go back to my quarters.

I impatiently awaited the answer to my letter, not daring to hope, but

trying to stifle sad forebodings that would arise. I had not yet

attempted any explanation as regarded Vassilissa Igorofna and her

husband. But my courtship could be no surprise to them, as neither Marya

nor myself made any secret of our feelings before them, and we were sure

beforehand of their consent.