第2章

类别:其他 作者:Alexander Dumas, Pere字数:19235更新时间:19/01/04 13:47:53
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。