第2章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"Vaninka",免费读到尾

  blewabitterrainintothefacesoftheRussians;theFrenchprofitedbythiscircumstancetobeataretreat,evacuatingthevalleyofUrsern,crossingtheReuss,andtakinguptheirpositionontheheightsoftheFurkaandGrimsel。OneportionoftheRussianarmy’sdesignhadbeenachieved,theyweremastersoftheSt。

  Gothard。Itistruethatassoonastheymarchedfartheron,theFrenchwouldretakeitandcutofftheirretreat;butwhatdidthismattertoSouvarow?Didhenotalwaysmarchforward?

  Hemarchedon,then,withoutworryingaboutthatwhichwasbehindhim,reachedAndermatt,clearedTroud’Ury,andfoundLecourbeguardingthedefileoftheDevil’sBridgewithfifteenhundredmen。

  Therethestrugglebeganagain;forthreedaysfifteenhundredFrenchmenkeptthirtythousandRussiansatbay。Souvarowragedlikealiontrappedinasnare,forhecouldnotunderstandthischangeoffortune。Atlast,onthefourthday,heheardthatGeneralKorsakoff,whohadprecededhimandwhowastorejoinhimlater,hadbeenbeatenbyMolitor,andthatMassenahadrecapturedZurichandoccupiedthecantonofGlaris。SouvarownowgaveuptheattempttoproceedupthevalleyoftheReuss,andwrotetoKorsakoffandJallachieh,\"Ihastentoretrieveyourlosses;standfirmasramparts:youshallanswertomewithyourheadsforeverystepinretreatthatyoutake。\"Theaide-de-campwasalsochargedtocommunicatetotheRussianandAustriangeneralsaverbalplanofbattle。GeneralsLinskenandJallachiehweretoattacktheFrenchtroopsseparatelyandthentojointheforcesinthevalleyofGlaris,intowhichSouvarowhimselfwastodescendbytheKlon-Thal,thushemmingMolitorinbetweentwowallsofiron。

  Souvarowwassosurethatthisplanwouldbesuccessful,thatwhenhearrivedonthebordersofthelakeofKlon-Thal,hesentabearerwithaflagoftruce,summoningMolitortosurrender,seeingthathewassurroundedoneveryside。

  Molitorreplied,tothefield-marshalthathisproposedmeetingwithhisgeneralshadfailed,ashehadbeatenthemoneaftertheother,anddriventhembackintotheGrisons,andthatmoreover,inretaliation,asMassenawasadvancingbyMuotta,itwashe,Souvarow,whowasbetweentwofires,andthereforehecalleduponhimtolaydownhisarmsinstead。

  Onhearingthisstrangereply,Souvarowthoughtthathemustbedreaming,butsoonrecoveringhimselfandrealisingthedangerofhispositioninthedefiles,hethrewhimselfonGeneralMolitor,whoreceivedhimatthepointofthebayonet,andthenclosingupthepasswithtwelvehundredmen,theFrenchsucceededinholdingfifteentoeighteenthousandRussiansincheckforeighthours。Atlengthnightcame,andMolitorevacuatedtheKlonThal,andretiredtowardstheLinth,todefendthebridgesofNoefelsandMollis。

  Theoldfield-marshalrushedlikeatorrentoverGlarisandMiltodi;

  therehelearntthatMolitorhadtoldhimthetruth,andthatJallachiehandLinskenhadbeenbeatenanddispersed,thatMassenawasadvancingonSchwitz,andthatGeneralRosenberg,whohadbeengiventhedefenceofthebridgeofMuotta,hadbeenforcedtoretreat,sothathefoundhimselfinthepositioninwhichhehadhopedtoplaceMolitor。

  Notimewastobelostinretreating。SouvarowhurriedthroughthepassesofEngi,Schwauden,andElm。Hisflightwassohurriedthathewasobligedtoabandonhiswoundedandpartofhisartillery。

  ImmediatelytheFrenchrushedinpursuitamongtheprecipicesandclouds。Onesawwholearmiespassingoverplaceswherechamois-

  hunterstookofftheirshoesandwalkedbarefoot,holdingonbytheirhandstopreventthemselvesfromfalling。Threenationshadcomefromthreedifferentpartstoameeting-placeinthehomeoftheeagles,asiftoallowthosenearestGodtojudgethejusticeoftheircause。Thereweretimeswhenthefrozenmountainschangedintovolcanoes,whencascadesnowfilledwithbloodfellintothevalleys,andavalanchesofhumanbeingsrolleddownthedeepestprecipices。

  Deathreapedsuchaharvesttherewherehumanlifehadneverbeenbefore,thatthevultures,becomingfastidiousthroughtheabundance,pickedoutonlytheeyesofthecorpsestocarrytotheiryoung——atleastsosaysthetraditionofthepeasantsofthesemountains。

  SouvarowwasabletorallyhistroopsatlengthintheneighbourhoodofLindau。HerecalledKorsakoff,whostilloccupiedBregenz;butallhistroopstogetherdidnotnumbermorethanthirtythousandmen-

  allthatremainedoftheeightythousandwhomPaulhadfurnishedashiscontingentinthecoalition。InfifteendaysMassenahaddefeatedthreeseparatearmies,eachnumericallystrongerthanhisown。Souvarow,furiousathavingbeendefeatedbythesesameRepublicanswhomhehadsworntoexterminate,blamedtheAustriansforhisdefeat,anddeclaredthatheawaitedordersfromhisemperor,towhomhehadmadeknownthetreacheryoftheallies,beforeattemptinganythingfurtherwiththecoalition。

  Paul’sanswerwasthatheshouldimmediatelyreturntoRussiawithhissoldiers,arrivingatSt。Petersburgassoonaspossible,whereatriumphalentryawaitedthem。

  ThesameukasedeclaredthatSouvarowshouldbequarteredintheimperialpalacefortherestofhislife,andlastlythatamonumentshouldberaisedtohiminoneofthepublicplacesofSt。

  Petersburg。

  FoedorwasthusabouttoseeVaninkaoncemore。Throughoutthecampaign,wheretherewasachanceofdanger,whetherintheplainsofItaly,inthedefilesofTesino,orontheglaciersofMountPragal,hewasthefirsttothrowhimselfintoit,andhisnamehadfrequentlybeenmentionedasworthyofdistinction。Souvarowwastoobravehimselftobeprodigalofhonourswheretheywerenotmerited。

  Foedorwasreturning,ashehadpromised,worthyofhisnobleprotector’sfriendship,andwhoknows,perhapsworthyofVaninka’slove。Field-MarshalSouvarowhadmadeafriendofhim,andnonecouldknowtowhatthisfriendshipmightnotlead;forPaulhonouredSouvarowlikeoneoftheancientheroes。

  ButnoonecouldrelyuponPaul,forhischaracterwasmadeupofextremeimpulses。Withouthavingdoneanythingtooffendhismaster,andwithoutknowingthecauseofhisdisgrace,Souvarow,onarrivingatRiga,receivedaprivateletterwhichinformedhim,intheemperor’sname,that,havingtoleratedaninfractionofthelawsofdisciplineamonghissoldiers,theemperordeprivedhimofallthehonourswithwhichhehadbeeninvested,andalsoforbadehimtoappearbeforehim。

  Suchtidingsfelllikeathunderboltupontheoldwarrior,alreadyembitteredbyhisreverses:hewasheart-brokenthatsuchstorm-

  cloudsshouldtarnishtheendofhisgloriousday。

  Inconsequenceofthisorder,heassembledallhisofficersinthemarket-placeofRiga,andtookleaveofthemsorrowfully,likeafathertakingleaveofhisfamily。Havingembracedthegeneralsandcolonels,andhavingshakenhandswiththeothers,hesaidgood-byetothemoncemore,andleftthemfreetocontinuetheirmarchtotheirdestination。

  Souvarowtookasledge,and,travellingnightandday,arrivedincognitointhecapital,whichhewastohaveenteredintriumph,andwasdriventoadistantsuburb,tothehouseofoneofhisnieces,wherehediedofabrokenheartfifteendaysafterwards。

  Onhisownaccount,Foedortravelledalmostasrapidlyashisgeneral,andenteredSt。Petersburgwithouthavingsentanylettertoannouncehisarrival。Ashehadnoparentinthecapital,andashisentireexistencewasconcentratedinoneperson,hedrovedirecttothegeneral’shouse,whichwassituatedintheProspectofNiewski,atanangleoftheCatherineCanal。

  Havingarrivedthere,hesprangoutofhiscarriage,enteredthecourtyard,andboundedupthesteps。Heopenedtheante-chamberdoor,andprecipitatedhimselfintothemidstoftheservantsandsubordinatehouseholdofficers。Theycriedoutwithsurpriseuponseeinghim:heaskedthemwherethegeneralwas;theyrepliedbypointingtothedoorofthediningroom;hewasinthere,breakfastingwithhisdaughter。

  Then,throughastrangereaction,Foedorfelthiskneesfailinghim,andhewasobligedtoleanagainstawalltopreventhimselffromfalling。Atthismoment,whenhewasabouttoseeVaninkaagain,thissoulofhissoul,forwhomalonehehaddonesomuch,hedreadedlestheshouldnotfindherthesameaswhenhehadlefther。

  Suddenlythedining-roomdooropened,andVaninkaappeared。Seeingtheyoungman,sheutteredacry,and,turningtothegeneral,said,\"Father,itisFoedor\";andtheexpressionofhervoiceleftnodoubtofthesentimentwhichinspiredit。

  \"Foedor!\"criedthegeneral,springingforwardandholdingouthisarms。

  FoedordidnotknowwhethertothrowhimselfatthefeetofVaninkaorintothearmsofherfather。Hefeltthathisfirstrecognitionoughttobedevotedtorespectandgratitude,andthrewhimselfintothegeneral’sarms。Hadheactedotherwise,itwouldhavebeenanavowalofhislove,andhehadnorighttoavowthislovetillheknewthatitwasreciprocated。

  Foedorthenturned,andasatparting,sankonhiskneebeforeVaninka;butamomenthadsufficedforthehaughtygirltobanishthefeelingshehadshown。Theblushwhichhadsuffusedhercheekhaddisappeared,andshehadbecomeagaincoldandhaughtylikeanalabasterstatue-amasterpieceofpridebegunbynatureandfinishedbyeducation。Foedorkissedherhand;itwastremblingbutcoldhefelthisheartsink,andthoughthewasabouttodie。

  \"Why,Vaninka,\"saidthegeneral——\"whyareyousocooltoafriendwhohascausedussomuchanxietyandyetsomuchpleasure?Come,Fordor,kissmydaughter。\"

  Foedorroseentreatingly,butwaitedmotionless,thatanotherpermissionmightconfirmthatofthegeneral。

  \"Didyounothearmyfather?\"saidVaninka,smiling,butneverthelesspossessingsufficientself-controltopreventtheemotionshewasfeelingfromappearinginhervoice。

  FoedorstoopedtokissVaninka,andasheheldherhandsitseemedtohimthatshelightlypressedhisownwithanervous,involuntarymovement。Afeeblecryofjoynearlyescapedhim,when,suddenlylookingatVaninka,hewasastonishedatherpallor:herlipswereaswhiteasdeath。

  ThegeneralmadeFoedorsitdownatthetable:Vaninkatookherplaceagain,andasbychanceshewasseatedwithherbacktothelight,thegeneralnoticednothing。

  BreakfastpassedinrelatingandlisteningtoanaccountofthisstrangecampaignwhichbeganundertheburningsunofItalyandendedintheglaciersofSwitzerland。AstherearenojournalsinSt。

  Petersburgwhichpublishanythingotherthanthatwhichispermittedbytheemperor,Souvarow’ssuccesseswerespreadabroad,buthisreverseswereignored。Foedordescribedtheformerwithmodestyandthelatterwithfrankness。

  Onecanimagine,theimmenseinterestthegeneraltookinFoedor’sstory。Histwocaptain’sepauletsandthedecorationsonhisbreastprovedthattheyoungmanhadmodestlysuppressedhisownpartinthestoryhehadtold。Butthegeneral,toocourageoustofearthathemightshareinSouvarow’sdisgrace,hadalreadyvisitedthedyingfield-marshal,andhadheardfromhimanaccountofhisyoungprotege’sbravery。Therefore,whenFoedorhadfinishedhisstory,itwasthegeneral’sturntoenumerateallthefinethingsFoedorhaddoneinacampaignoflessthanayear。Havingfinishedthisenumeration,headdedthatheintendednextdaytoasktheemperor’spermissiontotaketheyoungcaptainforhisaide-de-camp。Foedorhearingthiswishedtothrowhimselfatthegeneral’sfeet,buthereceivedhimagaininhisarms,andtoshowFoedorhowcertainhewasthathewouldbesuccessfulinhisrequest,hefixedtheroomsthattheyoungmanwastooccupyinthehouseatonce。

  ThenextdaythegeneralreturnedfromthepalaceofSt。Michelwiththepleasantnewsthathisrequesthadbeengranted。

  Foedorwasoverwhelmedwithjoy:fromthistimehewastoformpartofthegeneral’sfamily。LivingunderthesameroofasVaninka,seeingherconstantly,meetingherfrequentlyintherooms,seeingherpasslikeanapparitionattheendofacorridor,findinghimselftwiceadayatthesametablewithher,allthiswasmorethanFoedorhadeverdaredhope,andhethoughtforatimethathehadattainedcompletehappiness。

  Forherpart,Vaninka,althoughshewassoproud,atthebottomofherhearttookakeeninterestinFoedor。Hehadleftherwiththecertaintythathelovedher,andduringhisabsenceherwoman’spridehadbeengratifiedbythegloryhehadacquired,inthehopeofbridgingthedistancewhichseparatedthem。Sothat,whenshesawhimreturnwiththisdistancebetweenthemlessened,shefeltbythebeatingofherheartthatgratifiedpridewaschangingintoamoretendersentiment,andthatforherpartshelovedFoedorasmuchasitwaspossibleforhertoloveanyone。

  Shehadneverthelessconcealedthesefeelingsunderanappearanceofhaughtyindifference,forVaninkawasmadeso:sheintendedtoletFoedorknowsomedaythatshelovedhim,butuntilthetimecamewhenitpleasedhertorevealit,shedidnotwishtheyoungmantodiscoverherlove。Thingswentoninthiswayforseveralmonths,andthecircumstanceswhichhadatfirstappearedtoFoedorastheheightofhappinesssoonbecameawfultorture。

  Toloveandtofeelhishearteveronthepointofavowingitslove,tobefrommorningtillnightinthecompanyofthebelovedone,tomeetherhandatthetable,totouchherdressinanarrowcorridor,tofeelherleaningonhisarmwhentheyenteredasalonorleftaballroom,alwaystohaveceaselesslytocontroleveryword,look,ormovementwhichmightbetrayhisfeelings,nohumanpowercouldenduresuchastruggle。

  VaninkasawthatFoedorcouldnotkeephissecretmuchlonger,anddeterminedtoanticipatetheavowalwhichshesaweverymomentonthepointofescapinghisheart。

  Onedaywhentheywerealone,andshesawthehopelesseffortstheyoungmanwasmakingtohidehisfeelingsfromher,shewentstraightuptohim,and,lookingathimfixedly,said:

  \"Youloveme!\"

  \"Forgiveme,forgiveme,\"criedtheyoungman,claspinghishands。

  \"Whyshouldyouaskmetoforgiveyou,Foedor?Isnotyourlovegenuine?\"

  \"Yes,yes,genuinebuthopeless。\"

  \"Whyhopeless?Doesnotmyfatherloveyouasason?\"saidVaninka。

  \"Oh,whatdoyoumean?\"criedFoedor。\"Doyoumeanthatifyourfatherwillbestowyourhanduponme,thatyouwillthenconsent——?\"

  \"Areyounotbothnobleinheartandbybirth,Foedor?Youarenotwealthy,itistrue,butthenIamrichenoughforboth。\"

  \"ThenIamnotindifferenttoyou?\"

  \"IatleastpreferyoutoanyoneelseIhavemet。\"

  \"Vaninka!\"Theyounggirldrewherselfawayproudly。

  \"Forgiveme!\"saidFoedor。\"WhatamIdoing?Youhavebuttoorder:

  Ihavenowishapartfromyou。IdreadlestIshalloffendyou。

  Tellmewhattodo,andIwillobey。\"

  \"Thefirstthingyoumustdo,Foedor,istoaskmyfather’sconsent。\"

  \"Soyouwillallowmetotakethisstep?\"

  \"Yes,butononecondition。\"

  \"Whatisit?Tellme。\"

  \"Myfather,whateverhisanswer,mustneverknowthatIhaveconsentedtoyourmakingthisapplicationtohim;noonemustknowthatyouarefollowingmyinstructions;theworldmustremainignorantoftheconfessionIhavejustmadetoyou;and,lastly,youmustnotaskme,whateverhappens,tohelpyouinanyotherwaythanwithmygoodwishes。\"

  \"Whateveryouplease。Iwilldoeverythingyouwishmetodo。DoyounotgrantmeathousandtimesmorethanIdaredhope,andifyourfatherrefusesme,doInotknowmyselfthatyouaresharingmygrief?\"criedFoedor。

  \"Yes;butthatwillnothappen,Ihope,\"saidVaninka,holdingoutherhandtotheyoungofficer,whokisseditpassionately。

  \"Nowbehopefulandtakecourage;\"andVaninkaretired,leavingtheyoungmanahundredtimesmoreagitatedandmovedthanshewasherself,womanthoughshewas。

  ThesamedayFoedoraskedforaninterviewwiththegeneral。Thegeneralreceivedhisaide-de-campasusualwithagenialandsmilingcountenance,butwiththefirstwordsFoedorutteredhisfacedarkened。However,whenheheardtheyoungman’sdescriptionofthelove,sotrue,constant,andpassionate,thathefeltforVaninka,andwhenheheardthatthispassionhadbeenthemotivepowerofthosegloriousdeedshehadpraisedsooften,heheldouthishandtoFoedor,almostasmovedastheyoungsoldier。

  Andthenthegeneraltoldhim,thatwhilehehadbeenaway,andignorantofhisloveforVaninka,inwhomhehadobservednotraceofitsbeingreciprocated,hehad,attheemperor’sdesire,promisedherhandtothesonofaprivycouncillor。Theonlystipulationthatthegeneralhadmadewas,thatheshouldnotbeseparatedfromhisdaughteruntilshehadattainedtheageofeighteen。Vaninkahadonlyfivemonthsmoretospendunderherfather’sroof。Nothingmorecouldbesaid:inRussiatheemperor’swishisanorder,andfromthemomentthatitisexpressed,nosubjectwouldopposeit,eveninthought。However,therefusalhadimprintedsuchdespairontheyoungman’sface,thatthegeneral,touchedbyhissilentandresignedsorrow,heldouthisarmstohim。Foedorflunghimselfintothemwithloudsobs。

  Thenthegeneralquestionedhimabouthisdaughter,andFoedoranswered,ashehadpromised,thatVaninkawasignorantofeverything,andthattheproposalcamefromhimalone,withoutherknowledge。Thisassurancecalmedthegeneral:hehadfearedthathewasmakingtwopeoplewretched。

  Atdinner-timeVaninkacamedownstairsandfoundherfatheralone。

  Foedorhadnotenoughcouragetobepresentatthemealandtomeetheragain,justwhenhehadlostallhope:hehadtakenasleigh,anddrivenouttotheoutskirtsofthecity。

  DuringthewholetimedinnerlastedVaninkaandthegeneralhardlyexchangedaword,butalthoughthissilencewassoexpressive,Vaninkacontrolledherfacewithherusualpower,andthegeneralaloneappearedsadanddejected。

  Thatevening,justwhenVaninkawasgoingdownstairs,teawasbroughttoherroom,withthemessagethatthegeneralwasfatiguedandhadretired。Vaninkaaskedsomequestionsaboutthenatureofhisindisposition,andfindingthatitwasnotserious,shetoldtheservantwhohadbroughtherthemessagetoaskherfathertosendforherifhewantedanything。Thegeneralsenttosaythathethankedher,butheonlyrequiredquietandrest。Vaninkaannouncedthatshewouldretirealso,andtheservantwithdrew。

  HardlyhadhelefttheroomwhenVaninkaorderedAnnouschka,herfoster-sister,whoactedashermaid,tobeonthewatchforFoedor’sreturn,andtoletherknowassoonashecamein。

  Ateleveno’clockthegateofthemansionopened:Foedorgotoutofhissleigh,andimmediatelywentuptohisroom。Hethrewhimselfuponasofa,overwhelmedbyhisthoughts。Aboutmidnightheheardsomeonetappingatthedoor:muchastonished,hegotupandopenedit。ItwasAnnouschka,whocamewithamessagefromhermistress,thatVaninkawishedtoseehimimmediately。Althoughhewasastonishedatthismessage,whichhewasfarfromexpecting,Foedorobeyed。

  HefoundVaninkaseated,dressedinawhiterobe,andasshewaspalerthanusualhestoppedatthedoor,foritseemedtohimthathewasgazingatamarblestatue。

  \"Comein,\"saidVaninkacalmly。

  Foedorapproached,drawnbyhervoicelikesteeltoamagnet。

  Annouschkashutthedoorbehindhim。

  \"Well,andwhatdidmyfathersay?\"saidVaninka。

  Foedortoldherallthathadhappened。Theyounggirllistenedtohisstorywithanunmovedcountenance,butherlips,theonlypartofherfacewhichseemedtohaveanycolour,becameaswhiteasthedressing-gownshewaswearing。Foedor,onthecontrary,wasconsumedbyafever,andappearednearlyoutofhissenses。

  \"Now,whatdoyouintendtodo?\"saidVaninkainthesamecoldtoneinwhichshehadaskedtheotherquestions。

  \"YouaskmewhatIintendtodo,Vaninka?Whatdoyouwishmetodo?

  WhatcanIdo,butfleefromSt。Petersburg,andseekdeathinthefirstcornerofRussiawherewarmaybreakout,inordernottorepaymypatron’skindnessbysomeinfamousbaseness?\"

  \"Youareafool,\"saidVaninka,withamixedsmileoftriumphandcontempt;forfromthatmomentshefelthersuperiorityoverFoedor,andsawthatshewouldrulehimlikeaqueenfortherestofherlife。

  \"Thenorderme——amInotyourslave?\"criedtheyoungsoldier。

  \"Youmuststayhere,\"saidVaninka。

  \"Stayhere?\"

  \"Yes;onlywomenandchildrenwillthusconfessthemselvesbeatenatthefirstblow:aman,ifhebeworthyofthename,fights。\"

  \"Fight!——againstwhom?——againstyourfather?Never!\"

  \"Whosuggestedthatyoushouldcontendagainstmyfather?Itisagainsteventsthatyoumuststrive;forthegeneralityofmendonotgovernevents,butarecarriedawaybythem。Appeartomyfatherasthoughyouwerefightingagainstyourlove,andhewillthinkthatyouhavemasteredyourself。AsIamsupposedtobeignorantofyourproposal,Ishallnotbesuspected。Iwilldemandtwoyears’morefreedom,andIshallobtainthem。Whoknowswhatmayhappeninthecourseoftwoyears?Theemperormaydie,mybetrothedmaydie,myfather——mayGodprotecthim!——myfatherhimselfmaydie——!\"

  \"Butiftheyforceyoutomarry?\"

  \"Forceme!\"interruptedVaninka,andadeepflushrosetohercheekandimmediatelydisappearedagain。\"Andwhowillforcemetodoanything?Father?Helovesmetoowell。Theemperor?Hehasenoughworriesinhisownfamily,withoutintroducingthemintoanother’s。Besides,thereisalwaysalastresourcewheneveryotherexpedientfails:theNevaonlyflowsafewpacesfromhere,anditswatersaredeep。\"

  Foedorutteredacry,forintheyounggirl’sknitbrowsandtightlycompressedlipstherewassomuchresolutionthatheunderstoodthattheymightbreakthischildbutthattheywouldnotbendher。ButFoedor’sheartwastoomuchinharmonywiththeplanVaninkahadproposed;hisobjectionsonceremoved,hedidnotseekfreshones。

  Besides,hadhehadthecouragetodoso;Vaninka’spromisetomakeupinsecrettohimforthedissimulationshewasobligedtopractiseinpublicwouldhaveconqueredhislastscruples。

  Vaninka,whosedeterminedcharacterhadbeenaccentuatedbyhereducation,hadanunboundedinfluenceoverallwhocameincontactwithher;eventhegeneral,withoutknowingwhy,obeyedher。Foedorsubmittedlikeachildtoeverythingshewished,andtheyounggirl’slovewasincreasedbythewishessheopposedandbyafeelingofgratifiedpride。

  Itwassomedaysafterthisnocturnaldecisionthattheknoutinghadtakenplaceatwhichourreadershaveassisted。Itwasforsomeslightfault,andGregoryhadbeenthevictim;Vaninkahavingcomplainedtoherfatherabouthim。Foedor,whoasaide-de-camphadbeenobligedtopresideoverGregory’spunishment,hadpaidnomoreattentiontothethreatstheserfhadutteredonretiring。

  Ivan,thecoachman,whoafterhavingbeenexecutionerhadbecomesurgeon,hadappliedcompressesofsaltandwatertohealupthescarredshouldersofhisvictim。Gregoryhadremainedthreedaysintheinfirmary,andduringthistimehehadturnedoverinhismindeverypossiblemeansofvengeance。Thenattheendofthreedays,beinghealed,hehadreturnedtohisduty,andsooneveryoneexcepthehadforgottenthepunishment。IfGregoryhadbeenarealRussian,hewouldsoonhaveforgottenitall;forthispunishmentistoofamiliartotheroughMuscoviteforhimtorememberitlongandwithrancour。Gregory,aswehavesaid,hadGreekbloodinhisveins;hedissembledandremembered。AlthoughGregorywasaserf,hisdutieshadlittlebylittlebroughthimintogreaterfamiliaritywiththegeneralthananyoftheotherservants。Besides,ineverycountryintheworldbarbershavegreatlicencewiththosetheyshave;thisisperhapsduetothefactthatamanisinstinctivelymoregracioustoanotherwhofortenminuteseverydayholdshislifeinhishands。

  Gregoryrejoicedintheimmunityofhisprofession,anditnearlyalwayshappenedthatthebarber’sdailyoperationonthegeneral’schinpassedinconversation,ofwhichheborethechiefpart。

  Onedaythegeneralhadtoattendareview:hesentforGregorybeforedaybreak,andasthebarberwaspassingtherazorasgentlyaspossibleoverhismaster’scheek,theconversationfell,ormorelikelywasled,onFoedor。Thebarberpraisedhimhighly,andthisnaturallycausedhismastertoaskhim,rememberingthecorrectiontheyoungaide-decamphadsuperintended,ifhecouldnotfindsomefaultinthismodelofperfectionthatmightcounterbalancesomanygoodqualities。GregoryrepliedthatwiththeexceptionofpridehethoughtFoedorirreproachable。

  \"Pride?\"askedtheastonishedgeneral。\"ThatisafailingfromwhichIshouldhavethoughthimmostfree。\"

  \"PerhapsIshouldhavesaidambition,\"repliedGregory。

  \"Ambition!\"saidthegeneral。\"Itdoesnotseemtomethathehasgivenmuchproofofambitioninenteringmyservice;forafterhisachievementsinthelastcampaignhemighteasilyhaveaspiredtothehonourofaplaceintheemperor’shousehold。\"

  \"Ohyes,heisambitious,\"saidGregory,smiling。\"Oneman’sambitionisforhighposition,another’sanillustriousalliance:theformerwilloweeverythingtohimself,thelatterwillmakeastepping-stoneofhiswife,thentheyraisetheireyeshigherthantheyshould。\"

  \"Whatdoyoumeantosuggest?\"saidthegeneral,beginningtoseewhatGregorywasaimingat。

  \"Imean,yourexcellency,\"repliedGregory,\"therearemanymenwho,owingtothekindnessshownthembyothers,forgettheirpositionandaspiretoamoreexaltedone;havingalreadybeenplacedsohigh,theirheadsareturned。\"

  \"Gregory,\"criedthegeneral,\"believeme,youaregettingintoascrape;foryouaremakinganaccusation,andifItakeanynoticeofit,youwillhavetoproveyourwords。\"

  \"BySt。Basilius,general,itisnoscrapewhenyouhavetruthonyourside;forIhavesaidnothingIamnotreadytoprove。\"

  \"Then,\"saidthegeneral,\"youpersistindeclaringthatFoedorlovesmydaughter?\"

  \"Ah!Ihavenotsaidthat:itisyourexcellency。IhavenotnamedtheladyVaninka,\"saidGregory,withtheduplicityofhisnation。

  \"Butyoumeantit,didyounot?Come,contrarytoyourcustom,replyfrankly。\"

  \"Itistrue,yourexcellency;itiswhatImeant。\"

  \"And,accordingtoyou,mydaughterreciprocatesthepassion,nodoubt?\"

  \"Ifearso,yourexcellency。\"

  \"Andwhatmakesyouthinkthis,say?\"

  \"First,Mr。FoedornevermissesachanceofspeakingtotheladyVaninka。\"

  \"Heisinthesamehousewithher,wouldyouhavehimavoidher?\"

  \"WhentheladyVaninkareturnslate,andwhenperchanceMr。Foedorhasnotaccompaniedyou,whateverthehourMr。Foedoristhere,ready,tohelpheroutofthecarriage。\"

  \"Foedorattendsme,itishisduty,\"saidthegeneral,beginningtobelievethattheserf’ssuspicionswerefoundedonslightgrounds。

  \"Hewaitsforme,\"he,continued,\"becausewhenIreturn,atanyhourofthedayornight,Imayhaveorderstogivehim。\"

  \"NotadaypasseswithoutMr。FoedorgoingintomyladyVaninka’sroom,althoughsuchafavourisnotusuallygrantedtoayoungmaninahouselikethatofyourexcellency。\"

  \"UsuallyitisIwhosendhimtoher,\"saidthegeneral。

  \"Yes,inthedaytime,\"repliedGregory,\"butatnight?\"

  \"Atnight!\"criedthegeneral,risingtohisfeet,andturningsopalethat,afteramoment,hewasforcedtoleanforsupportonatable。

  \"Yes,atnight,yourexcellency,\"answeredGregoryquietly;\"andsince,asyousay,Ihavebeguntomixmyselfupinabadbusiness,I

  mustgoonwithit;besides,evenifthereweretoresultfromitanotherpunishmentforme,evenmoreterriblethanthatIhavealreadyendured,Ishouldnotallowsogood,amastertobedeceivedanylonger。\"

  \"Beverycarefulaboutwhatyouaregoingtosay,slave;forIknowthemenofyournation。Takecare,iftheaccusationyouaremakingbywayofrevengeisnotsupportedbyvisible,palpable,andpositiveproofs,youshallbepunishedasaninfamousslanderer。\"

  \"TothatIagree,\"saidGregory。

  \"DoyouaffirmthatyouhaveseenFoedorentermydaughter’schamberatnight?\"

  \"IdonotsaythatIhaveseenhimenterit,yourexcellency。IsaythatIhaveseenhimcomeout。\"

  \"Whenwasthat?\"

  \"Aquarterofanhourago,whenIwasonmywaytoyourexcellency。\"

  \"Youlie!\"saidthegeneral,raisinghisfist。

  \"Thisisnotouragreement,yourexcellency,\"saidtheslave,drawingback。\"IamonlytobepunishedifIfailtogiveproofs。\"

  \"Butwhatareyourproofs?\"

  \"Ihavetoldyou。\"

  \"Anddoyouexpectmetobelieveyourwordalone?\"

  \"No;butIexpectyoutobelieveyourowneyes。\"

  \"How?\"

  \"ThefirsttimethatMr。FoedorisinmyladyVaninka’sroomaftermidnight,Ishallcometofindyourexcellency,andthenyoucanjudgeforyourselfifIlie;butuptothepresent,yourexcellency,alltheconditionsoftheserviceIwishtorenderyouaretomydisadvantage。\"

  \"Inwhatway?\"

  \"Well,ifIfailtogiveproofs,Iamtobetreatedasaninfamousslanderer;butifIgivethem,whatadvantageshallIgain?\"

  \"Athousandroublesandyourfreedom。\"

  \"Thatisabargain,then,yourexcellency,\"repliedGregoryquietly,replacingtherazorsonthegeneral’stoilet-table,\"andIhopethatbeforeaweekhaspassedyouwillbemorejusttomethanyouarenow。\"

  Withthesewordstheslavelefttheroom,leavingthegeneralconvincedbyhisconfidencethatsomedreadfulmisfortunethreatenedhim。

  >Fromthistimeonward,asmightbeexpected,thegeneralweighedeverywordandnoticedeverygesturewhichpassedbetweenVaninkaandFoedorinhispresence;buthesawnothingtoconfirmhissuspicionsonthepartoftheaide-de-camporofhisdaughter;onthecontrary,Vaninkaseemedcolderandmorereservedthanever。

  Aweekpassedinthisway。Abouttwoo’clockinthemorningoftheninthday,someoneknockedatthegeneral’sdoor。ItwasGregory。

  \"Ifyourexcellencywillgointoyourdaughter’sroom,\"saidGregory,\"youwillfindMr。Foedorthere。\"

  Thegeneralturnedpale,dressedhimselfwithoututteringaword,andfollowedtheslavetothedoorofVaninka’sroom。Havingarrivedthere,withamotionofhishandhedismissedtheinformer,who,insteadofretiringinobediencetothismutecommand,hidhimselfinthecornerofthecorridor。

  Whenthegeneralbelievedhimselftobealone,heknockedonce;butallwassilent。Thissilence,however,provednothing;forVaninkamightbeasleep。Heknockedasecondtime,andtheyounggirl,inaperfectlycalmvoice,asked,\"Whoisthere?\"

  \"ItisI,\"saidthegeneral,inavoicetremblingwithemotion。

  \"Annouschka!\"saidthegirltoherfoster-sister,whosleptintheadjoiningroom,\"openthedoortomyfather。Forgiveme,father,\"

  shecontinued;\"butAnnouschkaisdressing,andwillbewithyouinamoment。\"

  Thegeneralwaitedpatiently,forhecoulddiscovernotraceofemotioninhisdaughter’svoice,andhehopedthatGregoryhadbeenmistaken。

  Inafewmomentsthedooropened,andthegeneralwentin,andcastalonglookaroundhim;therewasnooneinthisfirstapartment。

  Vaninkawasinbed,palerperhapsthanusual,butquitecalm,withthelovingsmileonherlipswithwhichshealwayswelcomedherfather。

  \"Towhatfortunatecircumstance,\"askedtheyounggirlinhersoftesttones,\"doIowethepleasureofseeingyouatsolateanhour?\"

  \"Iwishedtospeaktoyouaboutaveryimportantmatter,\"saidthegeneral,\"andhoweverlateitwas,Ithoughtyouwouldforgivemefordisturbingyou。\"

  \"Myfatherwillalwaysbewelcomeinhisdaughter’sroom,atwhateverhourofthedayornighthepresentshimselfthere。\"

  Thegeneralcastanothersearchinglookround,andwasconvincedthatitwasimpossibleforamantobeconcealedinthefirstroom——butthesecondstillremained。

  \"Iamlistening,\"saidVaninka,afteramomentofsilence。

  \"Yes,butwearenotalone,\"repliedthegeneral,\"anditisimportantthatnootherearsshouldhearwhatIhavetosaytoyou。\"

  \"Annauschka,asyouknow,ismyfoster-sister,\"saidVaninka。

  \"Thatmakesnodifference,\"saidthegeneral,goingcandleinhandintothenextroom,whichwassomewhatsmallerthanhisdaughter’s。

  \"Annouschka,\"saidhe,\"watchinthecorridorandseethatnooneoverhearsus。\"

  Ashespokethesewords,thegeneralthrewthesamescrutinizingglanceallroundtheroom,butwiththeexceptionoftheyounggirltherewasnoonethere。

  Annouschkaobeyed,andthegeneralfollowedherout,and,lookingeagerlyroundforthelasttime,re-enteredhisdaughter’sroom,andseatedhimselfonthefootofherbed。Annouschka,atasignfromhermistress,leftheralonewithherfather。ThegeneralheldouthishandtoVaninka,andshetookitwithouthesitation。

  \"Mychild,\"saidthegeneral,\"Ihavetospeaktoyouaboutaveryimportantmatter。\"

  \"Whatisit,father?\"saidVaninka。

  \"Youwillsoonbeeighteen,\"continuedthegeneral,\"andthatistheageatwhichthedaughtersoftheRussiannobilityusuallymarry。\"

  ThegeneralpausedforamomenttowatchtheeffectofthesewordsuponVaninka,butherhandrestedmotionlessinhis。\"Forthelastyearyourhandhasbeenengagedbyme,\"continuedthegeneral。

  \"MayIknowtowhom?\"askedVaninkacoldly。

  \"TothesonoftheCouncillor-in-Ordinary,\"repliedthegeneral。

  \"Whatisyouropinionofhim?\"

  \"Heisaworthyandnobleyoungman,Iamtold,butIcanhaveformednoopinionexceptfromhearsay。HashenotbeeningarrisonatMoscowforthelastthreemonths?\"

  \"Yes,\"saidthegeneral,\"butinthreemonths’timeheshouldreturn。\"

  Vaninkaremainedsilent。

  \"Haveyounothingtosayinreply?\"askedthegeneral。

  \"Nothing,father;butIhaveafavourtoaskofyou。\"

  \"Whatisit?\"

  \"IdonotwishtomarryuntilIamtwentyyearsold。\"

  \"Whynot?\"

  \"Ihavetakenavowtothateffect。\"

  \"Butifcircumstancesdemandedthebreakingofthisvow,andmadethecelebrationofthismarriageimperativelynecessary?\"

  \"Whatcircumstances?\"askedVaninka。

  \"Foedorlovesyou,\"saidthegeneral,lookingsteadilyatVaninka。

  \"Iknowthat,\"saidVaninka,withaslittleemotionasifthequestiondidnotconcernher。

  \"Youknowthat!\"criedthegeneral。

  \"Yes;hehastoldmeso。\"

  \"When?\"

  \"Yesterday。\"

  \"Andyoureplied——?\"

  \"Thathemustleavehereatonce。\"

  \"Andheconsented?\"

  \"Yes,father。\"

  \"Whendoeshego?\"

  \"Hehasgone。\"

  \"Howcanthatbe?\"saidthegeneral:\"heonlyleftmeatteno’clock。\"

  \"Andheleftmeatmidnight,\"saidVaninka。

  \"Ah!\"saidthegeneral,drawingadeepbreathofrelief,\"youareanoblegirl,Vaninka,andIgrantyouwhatyouask-twoyearsmore。

  Butrememberitistheemperorwhohasdecideduponthismarriage。\"

  \"MyfatherwilldomethejusticetobelievethatIamtoosubmissiveadaughtertobearebellioussubject。\"

  \"Excellent,Vaninka,excellent,\"saidthegeneral。\"So,then,poorFoedorhastoldyouall?\"

  \"Yes,\"saidVaninka。

  \"Youknewthatheaddressedhimselftomefirst?\"

  \"Iknewit。\"

  \"Thenitwasfromhimthatyouheardthatyourhandwasengaged?\"

  \"Itwasfromhim。\"

  \"Andheconsentedtoleaveyou?Heisagoodandnobleyoungman,whoshallalwaysbeundermyprotectionwhereverhegoes。Oh,ifmywordhadnotbeengiven,Ilovehimsomuchthat,supposingyoudidnotdislikehim,Ishouldhavegivenhimyourhand。\"

  \"Andyoucannotrecallyourpromise?\"askedVaninka。

  \"Impossible,\"saidthegeneral。

  \"Well,then,Isubmittomyfather’swill,\"saidVaninka。

  \"Thatisspokenlikemydaughter,\"saidthegeneral,embracingher。

  \"Farewell,Vaninka;Idonotaskifyoulovehim。Youhavebothdoneyourduty,andIhavenothingmoretoexact。\"

  Withthesewords,heroseandlefttheroom。Annouschkawasinthecorridor;thegeneralsignedtoherthatshemightgoinagain,andwentonhisway。AtthedoorofhisroomhefoundGregorywaitingforhim。

  \"Well,yourexcellency?\"heasked。

  \"Well,\"saidthegeneral,\"youarebothrightandwrong。Foedorlovesmydaughter,butmydaughterdoesnotlovehim。Hewentintomydaughter’sroomateleveno’clock,butatmidnightheleftherforever。Nomatter,cometometomorrow,andyoushallhaveyourthousandroublesandyourliberty。\"

  Gregorywentoff,dumbwithastonishment。

  Meanwhile,Annouschkahadre-enteredhermistress’sroom,asshehadbeenordered,andclosedthedoorcarefullybehindher。

  Vaninkaimmediatelysprangoutofbedandwenttothedoor,listeningtotheretreatingfootstepsofthegeneral。Whentheyhadceasedtobeheard,sherushedintoAnnouschka’sroom,andbothbegantopullasideabundleoflinen,throwndown,asifbyaccident,intotheembrasureofawindow。Underthelinenwasalargechestwithaspringlock。Annouschkapressedabutton,Vaninkaraisedthelid。

  Thetwowomenutteredaloudcry:thechestwasnowacoffin;theyoungofficer,stifledforwantofair,laydeadwithin。

  Foralongtimethetwowomenhopeditwasonlyaswoon。Annouschkasprinkledhisfacewithwater;Vaninkaputsaltstohisnose。Allwasinvain。Duringthelongconversationwhichthegeneralhadhadwithhisdaughter,andwhichhadlastedmorethanhalfanhour,Foedor,unabletogetoutofthechest,asthelidwasclosedbyaspring,haddiedforwantofair。Thepositionofthetwogirlsshutupwithacorpsewasfrightful。AnnouschkasawSiberiacloseathand;Vaninka,todoherjustice,thoughtofnothingbutFoedor。

  Bothwereindespair。However,asthedespairofthemaidwasmoreselfishthanthatofhermistress,itwasAnnouschkawhofirstthoughtofaplanofescapingfromthesituationinwhichtheywereplaced。

  \"Mylady,\"shecriedsuddenly,\"wearesaved。\"Vaninkaraisedherheadandlookedatherattendantwithhereyesbathedintears。

  \"Saved?\"saidshe,\"saved?Weare,perhaps,butFoedor!\"

  \"Listennow,\"saidAnnouschka:\"yourpositionisterrible,Igrantthat,andyourgriefisgreat;butyourgriefcouldbegreaterandyourpositionmoreterriblestill。Ifthegeneralknewthis。\"

  \"Whatdifferencewoulditmaketome?\"saidVaninka。\"Ishallweepforhimbeforethewholeworld。\"

  \"Yes,butyouwillbedishonouredbeforethewholeworld!To-morrowyourslaves,andthedayafterallSt。Petersburg,willknowthatamandiedofsuffocationwhileconcealedinyourchamber。Reflect,mylady:yourhonouristhehonourofyourfather,thehonourofyourfamily。\"

  \"Youareright,\"saidVaninka,shakingherhead,asiftodispersethegloomythoughtsthatburdenedherbrain,——\"youareright,butwhatmustwedo?\"

  \"DoesmyladyknowmybrotherIvan?\"

  \"Yes。\"

  \"Wemusttellhimall。\"

  \"Ofwhatareyouthinking?\"criedVaninka。\"Toconfideinaman?A

  man,doIsay?Aserf!aslave!\"

  \"Thelowerthepositionoftheserfandslave,thesaferwilloursecretbe,sincehewillhaveeverythingtogainbykeepingfaithwithus。\"

  \"Yourbrotherisadrunkard,\"saidVaninka,withmingledfearanddisgust。

  \"Thatistrue,\"saidAnnouschka;\"butwherewillyoufindaslavewhoisnot?Mybrothergetsdrunklessthanmost,andisthereforemoretobetrustedthantheothers。Besides,inthepositioninwhichwearewemustrisksomething。\"

  \"Youareright,\"saidVaninka,recoveringherusualresolution,whichalwaysgrewinthepresenceofdanger。\"Goandseekyourbrother。\"

  \"Wecandonothingthismorning,\"saidAnnouschka,drawingbackthewindowcurtains。\"Look,thedawnisbreaking。\"

  \"Butwhatcanwedowiththebodyofthisunhappyman?\"criedVaninka。

  \"Itmustremainhiddenwhereitisallday,andthisevening,whileyouareattheCourtentertainment,mybrothershallremoveit。\"

  \"True,\"murmuredVaninkainastrangetone,\"ImustgotoCourtthisevening;tostayawaywouldarousesuspicion。Oh,myGod!myGod!\"

  \"Helpme,mylady,\"saidAnnouschka;\"Iamnotstrongenoughalone。\"

  Vaninkaturneddeadlypale,but,spurredonbythedanger,shewentresolutelyuptothebodyofherlover;then,liftingitbytheshoulders,whilehermaidraiseditbythelegs,shelaiditoncemoreinthechest。ThenAnnouschkashutdownthelid,lockedthechest,andputthekeyintoherbreast。Thenboththrewbackthelinenwhichhadhiddenitfromtheeyesofthegeneral。Daydawned,asmightbeexpected,eresleepvisitedtheeyesofVaninka。

  Shewentdown,however,atthebreakfasthour;forshedidnotwishtoarousetheslightestsuspicioninherfather’smind。Onlyitmighthavebeenthoughtfromherpallorthatshehadrisenfromthegrave,butthegeneralattributedthistothenocturnaldisturbanceofwhichhehadbeenthecause。

  LuckhadservedVaninkawonderfullyinpromptinghertosaythatFoedorhadalreadygone;fornotonlydidthegeneralfeelnosurprisewhenhedidnotappear,buthisveryabsencewasaproofofhisdaughter’sinnocence。Thegeneralgaveapretextforhisaide-

  de-camp’sabsencebysayingthathehadsenthimonamission。AsforVaninka,sheremainedoutofherroomtillitwastimetodress。

  Aweekbefore,shehadbeenattheCourtentertainmentwithFoedor。

  Vaninkamighthaveexcusedherselffromaccompanyingherfatherbyfeigningsomeslightindisposition,buttwoconsiderationsmadeherfeartoactthus:thefirstwasthefearofmakingthegeneralanxious,andperhapsofmakinghimremainathomehimself,whichwouldmaketheremovalofthecorpsemoredifficult;thesecondwasthefearofmeetingIvanandhavingtoblushbeforeaslave。Shepreferred,therefore,tomakeasuperhumanefforttocontrolherself;

  and,goingupagainintoherroom,accompaniedbyherfaithfulAnnouschka,shebegantodresswithasmuchcareasifherheartwerefullofjoy。Whenthiscruelbusinesswasfinished,sheorderedAnnouschkatoshutthedoor;forshewishedtoseeFoedoroncemore,andtobidalastfarewelltohimwhohadbeenherlover。Annouschkaobeyed;andVaninka,withflowersinherhairandherbreastcoveredwithjewels,glidedlikeaphantomintoherservant’sroom。

  Annouschkaagainopenedthechest,andVaninka,withoutsheddingatear,withoutbreathingasigh,withtheprofoundanddeath-likecalmofdespair,leantdowntowardsFoedorandtookoffaplainringwhichtheyoungmanhadonhisfinger,placeditonherown,betweentwomagnificentrings,thenkissinghimonthebrow,shesaid,\"Goodbye,mybetrothed。\"

  Atthismomentsheheardstepsapproaching。Itwasagroomofthechamberscomingfromthegeneraltoaskifshewereready。

  Annouschkaletthelidofthechestfall,andVaninkagoingherselftoopenthedoor,followedthemessenger,whowalkedbeforeher,lightingtheway。

  Suchwashertrustinherfoster-sisterthatshelefthertoaccomplishthedarkandterribletaskwithwhichshehadburdenedherself。

  Aminutelater,Annouschkasawthecarriagecontainingthegeneralandhisdaughterleavebythemaingateofthehotel。

  Shelethalfanhourgoby,andthenwentdowntolookforIvan。ShefoundhimdrinkingwithGregory,withwhomthegeneralhadkepthisword,andwhohadreceivedthesamedayonethousandroublesandhisliberty。Fortunately,therevellerswereonlybeginningtheirrejoicings,andIvaninconsequencewassoberenoughforhissistertoentrusthersecrettohimwithouthesitation。

  IvanfollowedAnnouschkaintothechamberofhermistress。TheresheremindedhimofallthatVaninka,haughtybutgenerous,hadallowedhissistertodoforhim。The,fewglassesofbrandyIvanhadalreadyswallowedhadpredisposedhimtogratitude(thedrunkennessoftheRussianisessentiallytender)。IvanprotestedhisdevotionsowarmlythatAnnouschkahesitatednolonger,and,raisingthelidofthechest,showedhimthecorpseofFoedor。AtthisterriblesightIvanremainedaninstantmotionless,buthesoonbegantocalculatehowmuchmoneyandhowmanybenefitsthepossessionofsuchasecretwouldbringhim。Hesworebythemostsolemnoathsnevertobetrayhismistress,andoffered,asAnnouschkahadhoped,todisposeofthebodyoftheunfortunateaide-decamp。

  Thethingwaseasilydone。InsteadofreturningtodrinkwithGregoryandhiscomrades,Ivanwenttoprepareasledge,filleditwithstraw,andhidatthebottomanironcrowbar。Hebroughtthistotheoutsidegate,andassuringhimselfhewasnotbeingspiedupon,heraisedthebodyofthedeadmaninhisarms,hiditunderthestraw,andsatdownaboveit。Hehadthegateofthehotelopened,followedNiewskiStreetasfarastheZunamenieChurch,passedthroughtheshopsintheRejestwenskoidistrict,drovethesledgeoutontothefrozenNeva,andhaltedinthemiddleoftheriver,infrontofthedesertedchurchofSte。Madeleine。There,protectedbythesolitudeanddarkness,hiddenbehindtheblackmassofhissledge,hebegantobreaktheice,whichwasfifteeninchesthick,withhispick。Whenhehadmadealargeenoughhole,hesearchedthebodyofFoedor,tookallthemoneyhehadabouthim,andslippedthebodyheadforemostthroughtheopeninghehadmade。Hethenmadehiswaybacktothehotel,whiletheimprisonedcurrentoftheNevaboreawaythecorpsetowardstheGulfofFinland。Anhourafter,anewcrustoficehadformed,andnotevenatraceoftheopeningmadebyIvanremained。

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