HALFanhourafterwards，MichaelandNadiahadleftTomsk。
ManyothersoftheprisonerswerethatnightabletoescapefromtheTartars，forofficersandsoldiers，allmoreorlessintoxicated，hadunconsciouslyrelaxedthevigilantguardwhichtheyhadhithertomaintained。Nadia，afterhavingbeencarriedoffwiththeotherprisoners，hadbeenabletoescapeandreturntothesquare，atthemomentwhenMichaelwasledbeforetheEmir。There，minglingwiththecrowd，shehadwitnessedtheterriblescene。Notacryescapedherwhenthescorchingbladepassedbeforehercompanion’seyes。
Shekept，byherstrengthofwill，muteandmotionless。
AprovidentialinspirationbadeherrestrainherselfandretainherlibertythatshemightleadMarfa’ssontothatgoalwhichhehadsworntoreach。HerheartforaninstantceasedtobeatwhentheagedSiberianwomanfellsenselesstotheground，butonethoughtrestoredhertoherformerenergy。
“Iwillbetheblindman’sdog，“saidshe。