The Daughter of the Commandant

"Laugh, sir, laugh," said Saveliitch; "but when you are obliged to fit

up your household anew, we shall see if you still feel disposed to

laugh."

I ran to the pope's house to see Marya Ivanofna. The pope's wife came to

meet me with a sad piece of news. During the night high fever had set

in, and the poor girl was now delirious. Akoulina Pamphilovna brought me

to her room. I gently approached the bed. I was struck by the frightful

change in her face. The sick girl did not know me. Motionless before

her, it was long ere I understood the words of Father Garasim and his

wife, who apparently were trying to comfort me.

Gloomy thoughts overwhelmed me. The position of a poor orphan left

solitary and friendless in the power of rascals filled me with fear,

while my own powerlessness equally distressed me; but Chvabrine,

Chvabrine above all, filled me with alarm. Invested with all power by

the usurper, and left master in the fort, with the unhappy girl, the

object of his hatred, he was capable of anything. What should I do? How

could I help her? How deliver her? Only in one way, and I embraced it.

It was to start with all speed for Orenburg, so as to hasten the

recapture of Belogorsk, and to aid in it if possible.

I took leave of the pope and of Akoulina Pamphilovna, recommending

warmly to them her whom I already regarded as my wife. I seized the hand

of the young girl and covered it with tears and kisses.

"Good-bye," the pope's wife said to me, as she led me away. "Good-bye,

Petr' Andrejitch; perhaps we may meet again in happier times. Don't

forget us, and write often to us. Except you, poor Marya Ivanofna has no

longer stay or comforter."

Out in the Square I stopped a minute before the gallows, which I

respectfully saluted, and I then took the road to Orenburg, accompanied

by Saveliitch, who did not forsake me.

As I thus went along, deep in thought, I heard all at once a horse

galloping behind me. I turned round, and saw a Cossack coming up from

the fort, leading a Bashkir horse, and making signs to me from afar to

wait for him. I stopped, and soon recognized our "ouriadnik."

After joining us at a gallop, he jumped from the back of his own horse,

and handing me the bridle of the other-"Your lordship," said he, "our father makes you a present of a horse,

and a pelisse from his own shoulder." On the saddle was slung a plain

sheepskin "touloup." "And, besides," added he, hesitatingly, "he gives

you a half-rouble, but I have lost it by the way; kindly excuse it."

Saveliitch looked askance at him.