AtmidnightVaninkareturnedwithherfather。Ahiddenfeverhadbeenconsumingheralltheevening：neverhadshelookedsolovely，andshehadbeenoverwhelmedbythehomageofthemostdistinguishednoblesandcourtiers。Whenshereturned，shefoundAnnouschkainthevestibulewaitingtotakehercloak。Asshegaveittoher，Vaninkasentheroneofthosequestioningglancesthatseemtoexpresssomuch。\"Itisdone，\"saidthegirlinalowvoice。Vaninkabreathedasighofrelief，asifamountainhadbeenremovedfromherbreast。
Greataswasherself-control，shecouldnolongerbearherfather’spresence，andexcusedherselffromremainingtosupperwithhim，onthepleaofthefatiguesoftheevening。Vaninkawasnosoonerinherroom，withthedooronceclosed，thanshetoretheflowersfromherhair，thenecklacefromherthroat，cutwithscissorsthecorsetswhichsuffocatedher，andthen，throwingherselfonherbed，shegavewaytohergrief。AnnouschkathankedGodforthisoutburst；hermistress’scalmnesshadfrightenedhermorethanherdespair。Thefirstcrisisover，Vaninkawasabletopray。Shespentanhouronherknees，then，yieldingtotheentreatiesofherfaithfulattendant，wenttobed。Annouschkasatdownatthefootofthebed。
Neitherslept，butwhendaycamethetearswhichVaninkahadshedhadcalmedher。
Annouschkawasinstructedtorewardherbrother。Toolargeasumgiventoaslaveatoncemighthavearousedsuspicion，thereforeAnnouschkacontentedherselfwithtellingIvanthatwhenhehadneedofmoneyhehadonlytoaskherforit。
Gregory，profitingbyhislibertyandwishingtomakeuseofhisthousandroubles，boughtalittletavernontheoutskirtsofthetown，where，thankstohisaddressandtotheacquaintanceshehadamongtheservantsinthegreathouseholdsofSt。Petersburg，hebegantodevelopanexcellentbusiness，sothatinashorttimetheRedHouse（whichwasthenameandcolourofGregory’sestablishment）
hadagreatreputation。Anothermantookoverhisdutiesaboutthepersonofthegeneral，andbutforFoedor’sabsenceeverythingreturnedtoitsusualroutineinthehouseofCountTchermayloff。
Twomonthswentbyinthisway，withoutanybodyhavingtheleastsuspicionofwhathadhappened，whenonemorningbeforetheusualbreakfast-hourthegeneralbeggedhisdaughtertocomedowntohisroom。Vaninkatrembledwithfear，forsincethatfatalnighteverythingterrifiedher。Sheobeyedherfather，andcollectingallherstrength，madeherwaytohischamber，Thecountwasalone，butatthefirstglanceVaninkasawshehadnothingtofearfromthisinterview：thegeneralwaswaitingforherwiththatpaternalsmilewhichwastheusualexpressionofhiscountenancewheninhisdaughter’spresence。
Sheapproached，therefore，withherusualcalmness，and，stoopingdowntowardsthegeneral，gavehimherforeheadtokiss。
Hemotionedtohertositdown，andgaveheranopenletter。Vaninkalookedathimforamomentinsurprise，thenturnedhereyestotheletter。
Itcontainedthenewsofthedeathofthemantowhomherhandhadbeenpromised：hehadbeenkilledinaduel。
Thegeneralwatchedtheeffectoftheletteronhisdaughter’sface，andgreataswasVaninka’sself-control，somanydifferentthoughts，suchbitterregret，suchpoignantremorseassailedherwhenshelearntthatshewasnowfreeagain，thatshecouldnotentirelyconcealheremotion。Thegeneralnoticedit，andattributedittothelovewhichhehadforalongtimesuspectedhisdaughterfeltfortheyoungaide-de-camp。
\"Well，\"hesaid，smiling，\"Iseeitisallforthebest。\"
\"Howisthat，father？\"askedVaninka。
\"Doubtless，\"saidthegeneral。\"DidnotFoedorleavebecausehelovedyou？\"
\"Yes，\"murmuredtheyounggirl。
\"Well，nowhemayreturn，\"saidthegeneral。
Vaninkaremainedsilent，hereyesfixed，herlipstrembling。
\"Return！\"shesaid，afteramoment’ssilence。
\"Yes，certainlyreturn。Weshallbemostunfortunate，\"continuedthegeneral，smiling，\"ifwecannotfindsomeoneinthehousewhoknowswhereheis。Come，Vaninka，tellmetheplaceofhisexile，andI
willundertaketherest。\"
\"NobodyknowswhereFoedoris，\"murmuredVaninkainahollowvoice；
\"nobodybutGod，nobody！\"
\"What！\"saidthegeneral，\"hehassentyounonewssincethedayheleft？\"
Vaninkashookherheadindenial。Shewassoheart-brokenthatshecouldnotspeak。
Thegeneralinhisturnbecamegloomy。\"Doyoufearsomemisfortune，then？\"saidhe。
\"IfearthatIshallneverbehappyagainonearth，\"criedVaninka，givingwayunderthepressureofhergrief；thenshecontinuedatonce，\"Letmeretire，father；IamashamedofwhatIhavesaid。\"
Thegeneral，whosawnothinginthisexclamationbeyondregretforhavingallowedtheconfessionofherlovetoescapeher，kissedhisdaughteronthebrowandallowedhertoretire。Hehopedthat，inspiteofthemournfulwayinwhichVaninkahadspokenofFoedor，thatitwouldbepossibletofindhim。ThesamedayhewenttotheemperorandtoldhimoftheloveofFoedorforhisdaughter，andrequested，sincedeathhadfreedherfromherfirstengagement，thathemightdisposeofherhand。Theemperorconsented，andthegeneralthensolicitedafurtherfavour。Paulwasinoneofhiskindlymoods，andshowedhimselfdisposedtograntit。ThegeneraltoldhimthatFoedorhaddisappearedfortwomonths；thateveryone，evenhisdaughter，wasignorantofhiswhereabouts，andbeggedhimtohaveinquiriesmade。Theemperorimmediatelysentforthechiefofpolice，andgavehimthenecessaryorders。
Sixweekswentbywithoutanyresult。Vaninka，sincethedaywhenthelettercame，wassadderandmoremelancholythanever。Vainlyfromtimetotimethegeneraltriedtomakehermorehopeful。
Vaninkaonlyshookherheadandwithdrew。Thegeneralceasedtospeak，ofFoedor。
Butitwasnotthesameamongthehousehold。Theyoungaide-de-camphadbeenpopularwiththeservants，and，withtheexceptionofGregory，therewasnotasoulwhowishedhimharm，sothat，whenitbecameknownthathehadnotbeensentonamission，buthaddisappeared，thematterbecametheconstantsubjectofconversationintheantechamber，thekitchen，andthestables。Therewasanotherplacewherepeoplebusiedthemselvesaboutitagreatdeal——thiswastheRedHouse。
>FromthedaywhenheheardofFoedor’smysteriousdepartureGregoryhadhissuspicions。HewassurethathehadseenFoedorenterVaninka’sroom，andunlesshehadgoneoutwhilehewasgoingtoseekthegeneral，hedidnotunderstandwhythelatterhadnotfoundhiminhisdaughter’sroom。Anotherthingoccupiedhismind，whichitseemedtohimmightperhapshavesomeconnectionwiththisevent——theamountofmoneyIvanhadbeenspendingsincethattime，averyextraordinaryamountforaslave。Thisslave，however，wasthebrotherofVaninka’scherishedfoster-sister，sothat，withoutbeingsure，Gregoryalreadysuspectedthesourcefromwhencethismoneycame。Anotherthingconfirmedhiminhissuspicions，whichwasthatIvan，whohadnotonlyremainedhismostfaithfulfriend，buthadbecomeoneofhisbestcustomers，neverspokeofFoedor，heldhistongueifhewerementionedinhispresence，andtoallquestions，howeverpressingtheywere，madebutoneanswer：\"Letusspeakofsomethingelse。\"
InthemeantimetheFeastofKingsarrived。ThisisagreatdayinSt。Petersburg，foritisalsothedayforblessingthewaters。
AsVaninkahadbeenpresentattheceremony，andwasfatiguedafterstandingfortwohoursontheNeva，thegeneraldidnotgooutthatevening，andgaveIvanleavetodoso。IvanprofitedbythepermissiontogototheRedHouse。
Therewasanumerouscompanythere，andIvanwaswelcomed；foritwasknownthathegenerallycamewithfullpockets。Thistimehedidnotbeliehisreputation，andhadscarcelyarrivedbeforehemadethesorok-kopecksring，tothegreatenvyofhiscompanions。
AtthiswarningsoundGregoryhastenedupwithallpossibledeference，abottleofbrandyineachhand；forheknewthatwhenIvansummonedhimhegainedintwoways，asinnkeeperandasbooncompanion。Ivandidnotdisappointthesehopes，andGregorywasinvitedtoshareintheentertainment。Theconversationturnedonslavery，andsomeoftheunhappymen，whohadonlyfourdaysintheyearofrespitefromtheireternallabour，talkedloudlyofthehappinessGregoryhadenjoyedsincehehadobtainedhisfreedom。
\"Bah！\"saidIvan，onwhomthebrandyhadbeguntotakeeffect，\"therearesomeslaveswhoarefreerthantheirmasters。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"saidGregory，pouringhimoutanotherglassofbrandy。
\"Imeanttosayhappier，\"saidIvanquickly。
\"Itisdifficulttoprovethat，\"saidGregorydoubtingly。
\"Whydifficult？Ourmasters，themomenttheyareborn，areputintothehandsoftwoorthreepedants，oneFrench，anotherGerman，andathirdEnglish，andwhethertheylikethemornot，theymustbecontentwiththeirsocietytilltheyareseventeen，andwhethertheywishtoornot，mustlearnthreebarbarouslanguages，attheexpenseofournobleRussiantongue，whichtheyhavesometimescompletelyforgottenbythetimetheothersareacquired。Again，ifoneofthemwishesforsomecareer，hemustbecomeasoldier：ifheisasublieutenant，heistheslaveofthelieutenant；ifheisalieutenant，heistheslaveofthecaptain，andthecaptainofthemajor，andsoonuptotheemperor，whoisnobody’sslave，butwhoonefinedayissurprisedatthetable，whilewalking，orinhisbed，andispoisoned，stabbed，orstrangled。Ifhechoosesacivilcareer，itismuchthesame。Hemarriesawife，anddoesnotloveher；childrencometohimheknowsnothow，whomhehastoprovidefor；hemuststruggleincessantlytoprovideforhisfamilyifheispoor，andifheisrichtopreventhimselfbeingrobbedbyhisstewardandcheatedbyhistenants。Isthislife？Whilewe，gentlemen，weareborn，andthatistheonlypainwecostourmothers——alltherestisthemaster’sconcern。Heprovidesforus，hechoosesourcalling，alwayseasyenoughtolearnifwearenotquiteidiots。Areweill？Hisdoctorattendsusgratis；itisalosstohimifwedie。Arewewell？Wehaveourfourcertainmealsaday，andagoodstovetosleepnearatnight。Dowefallinlove？
Thereisneveranyhindrancetoourmarriage，ifthewomanlovesus；
themasterhimselfasksustohastenourmarriage，forhewishesustohaveasmanychildrenaspossible。Andwhenthechildrenareborn，hedoesforthemintheirturnallhehasdoneforus。Canyoufindmemanygreatlordsashappyastheirslaves？\"
\"Allthisistrue，\"saidGregory，pouringhimoutanotherglassofbrandy；\"but，afterall，youarenotfree。\"
\"Freetodowhat？\"askedIvan。
\"Freetogowhereyouwillandwhenyouwill。\"
\"Iamasfreeastheair，\"repliedIvan。
\"Nonsense！\"saidGregory。
\"Freeasair，Itellyou；forIhavegoodmasters，andaboveallagoodmistress，\"continuedIvan，withasignificantsmile，\"andIhaveonlytoaskanditisdone。\"
\"What！ifafterhavinggotdrunkhereto-day，youaskedtocomebackto-morrowtogetdrunkagain？\"saidGregory，whoinhischallengetoIvandidnotforgethisowninterests，——\"ifyouaskedthat？\"
\"Ishouldcomebackagain，\"saidIvan。
\"To-morrow？\"saidGregory。
\"To-morrow，thedayafter，everydayifIliked……\"
\"Thefactis，Ivanisouryounglady’sfavourite，\"saidanotherofthecount’sslaveswhowaspresent，profitingbyhiscomradeIvan’sliberality。
\"Itisallthesame，\"saidGregory；\"forsupposingsuchpermissionweregivenyou，moneywouldsoonrunshort。\"
\"Never！\"saidIvan，swallowinganotherglassofbrandy，\"neverwillIvanwantformoneyaslongasthereisakopeckinmylady’spurse。\"
\"Ididnotfindhersoliberal，\"saidGregorybitterly。
\"Oh，youforget，myfriend；youknowwellshedoesnotreckonwithherfriends：rememberthestrokesoftheknout。\"
\"Ihavenowishtospeakaboutthat，\"saidGregory。\"Iknowthatsheisgenerouswithblows，buthermoneyisanotherthing。Ihaveneverseenthecolourofthat。\"
\"Well，wouldyouliketoseethecolourofmine？\"saidIvan，gettingmoreandmoredrunk。\"Seehere，herearekopecks，sorok-kopecks，bluenotesworthfiveroubles，rednotesworthtwentyfiveroubles，andto-morrow，ifyoulike，Iwillshowyouwhitenotesworthfiftyroubles。AhealthtomyladyVaninka！\"AndIvanheldouthisglassagain，andGregoryfilledittothebrim。
\"Butdoesmoney，\"saidGregory，pressingIvanmoreandmore，——\"doesmoneymakeupforscorn？\"
\"Scorn！\"saidIvan，——\"scorn！Whoscornsme？Doyou，becauseyouarefree？Finefreedom！Iwouldratherbeawell-fedslavethanafreemandyingofhunger。\"
\"Imeanthescornofourmasters，\"repliedGregory。
\"Thescornofourmasters！AskAlexis，askDanielthere，ifmyladyscornsme。\"
\"Thefactis，\"saidthetwoslavesinreply，whobothbelongedtothegeneral’shousehold，\"Ivanmustcertainlyhaveacharm；foreveryonetalkstohimasiftoamaster。\"
\"BecauseheisAnnouschka’sbrother，\"saidGregory，\"andAnnouschkaismylady’sfoster-sister。\"
\"Thatmaybeso，\"saidthetwoslaves。
\"Forthatreasonorforsomeother，\"saidIvan；\"but，inshort，thatisthecase。\"
\"Yes；butifyoursistershoulddie？\"saidGregory。\"Ah！\"
\"Ifmysistershoulddie，thatwouldbeapity，forsheisagoodgirl。Idrinktoherhealth！Butifsheshoulddie，thatwouldmakenodifference。Iamrespectedformyself；theyrespectmebecausetheyfearme。\"
\"FearmylordIvan！\"saidGregory，withaloudlaugh。\"Itfollows，then，thatifmylordIvanweretiredofreceivingorders，andgavetheminhisturn，mylordIvanwouldbeobeyed。\"
\"Perhaps，\"saidIvan。
\"Hesaid’perhaps，’repeatedGregory，laughinglouderthanever，——\"hesaid’perhaps。’Didyouhearhim？\"
\"Yes，\"saidtheslaves，whohaddrunksomuchthattheycouldonlyanswerinmonosyllables。
\"Well，Inolongersay’perhaps，’Inowsay’forcertain。’\"
\"Oh，Ishouldliketoseethat，\"saidGregory；\"Iwouldgivesomethingtoseethat。\"
\"Well，sendawaythesefellows，whoaregettingdrunklikepigs，andfornothing，youwillfind。\"
\"Fornothing？\"saidGregory。\"Youarejesting。DoyouthinkI
shouldgivethemdrinkfornothing？\"
\"Well，weshallsee。Howmuchwouldbetheirscore，foryouratrociousbrandy，iftheydrankfromnowtillmidnight，whenyouareobligedtoshutupyourtavern？\"
\"Notlessthantwentyroubles。\"
\"Herearethirty；turnthereout，andletusremainbyourselves。\"
\"Friends，\"saidGregory，takingouthiswatchasiftolookatthetime，\"itisjustuponmidnight；youknowthegovernor’sorders，soyoumustgo。\"Themen，habituatedlikeallRussianstopassiveobedience，wentwithoutamurmur，andGregoryfoundhimselfalonewithIvanandthetwootherslavesofthegeneral。
\"Well，herewearealone，\"saidGregory。\"Whatdoyoumeantodo？\"
\"Well，whatwouldyousay，\"repliedIvan，\"ifinspiteofthelatehourandthecold，andinspiteofthefactthatweareonlyslaves，myladyweretoleaveherfather’shouseandcometodrinkourhealths？\"
\"Iwouldsaythatyououghttotakeadvantageofit，\"saidGregory，shrugginghisshoulders，\"andtellhertobringatthesametimeabottleofbrandy。Thereisprobablybetterbrandyinthegeneral’scellarthaninmine。\"
\"Thereisbetter，\"saidIvan，asifhewasperfectlysureofit，\"andmyladyshallbringyouabottleofit。\"
\"Youaremad！\"saidGregory。
\"Heismad！\"repeatedtheothertwoslavesmechanically。
\"Oh，Iammad？\"saidIvan。\"Well，willyoutakeawager？\"
\"Whatwillyouwager？\"
\"Twohundredroublesagainstayearoffreedrinkinginyourinn。\"
\"Done！\"saidGregory。
\"Areyourcomradesincluded？\"saidthetwomoujiks。
\"Theyareincluded，\"saidIvan，\"andinconsiderationofthemwewillreducethetimetosixmonths。Isthatagreed？\"
\"Itisagreed，\"saidGregory。
Thetwowhoweremakingthewagershookhands，andtheagreementwasperfected。Then，withanairofconfidence，assumedtoconfoundthewitnessesofthisstrangescene，Ivanwrappedhimselfinthefurcoatwhich，likeacautiousman，hehadspreadonthestove，andwentout。
Attheendofhalfanhourhereappeared。
\"Well！\"criedGregoryandthetwoslavestogether。
\"Sheisfollowing，\"saidIvan。
Thethreetipplerslookedatoneanotherinamazement，butIvanquietlyreturnedtohisplaceinthemiddleofthem，pouredoutanewbumper，andraisinghisglass，cried——
\"Tomylady’shealth！Itistheleastwecandowhensheiskindenoughtocomeandjoinusonsocoldanight，whenthesnowisfallingfast。\"
\"Annouschka，\"saidavoiceoutside，\"knockatthisdoorandaskGregoryifhehasnotsomeofourservantswithhim。\"
Gregoryandthetwootherslaveslookedatoneanother，stupefied：
theyhadrecognisedVaninka’svoice。AsforIvan，heflunghimselfbackinhischair，balancinghimselfwithmarvellousimpertinence。
Annouschkaopenedthedoor，andtheycouldsee，asIvanhadsaid，thatthesnowwasfallingheavily。
\"Yes，madam，\"saidthegirl；\"mybrotheristhere，withDanielandAlexis。\"
Vaninkaentered。
\"Myfriends，\"saidshe，withastrangesmile，\"Iamtoldthatyouweredrinkingmyhealth，andIhavecometobringyousomethingtodrinkitagain。HereisabottleofoldFrenchbrandywhichIhavechosenforyoufrommyfather’scellar。Holdoutyourglasses。\"
Gregoryandtheslavesobeyedwiththeslownessandhesitationofastonishment，whileIvanheldouthisglasswiththeutmosteffrontery。
Vaninkafilledthemtothebrimherself，andthen，astheyhesitatedtodrink，\"Come，drinktomyhealth，friends，\"saidshe。
\"Hurrah！\"criedthedrinkers，reassuredbythekindandfamiliartoneoftheirnoblevisitor，astheyemptiedtheirglassesatadraught。
Vaninkaatoncepouredthemoutanotherglass；thenputtingthebottleonthetable，\"Emptythebottle，myfriends，\"saidshe，\"anddonottroubleaboutme。AnnouschkaandI，withthepermission2668
ofthemasterofthehouse，willsitnearthestovetillthestormisover。\"
Gregorytriedtoriseandplacestoolsnearthestove，butwhetherhewasquitedrunkorwhethersomenarcotichadbeenmixedwiththebrandy，hefellbackonhisseat，tryingtostammeroutanexcuse。
\"Itisallright，\"saidVaninka：\"donotdisturbyourselves；drink，myfriends，drink。\"
Therevellersprofitedbythispermission，andeachemptiedtheglassbeforehim。ScarcelyhadGregoryemptiedhisbeforehefellforwardonthetable。
\"Good！\"saidVaninkatohermaidinalowvoice：\"theopiumistakingeffect。\"
\"Whatdoyoumeantodo？\"saidAnnouschka。
\"Youwillsoonsee，\"wastheanswer。
Thetwomoujiksfollowedtheexampleofthemasterofthehouse，andfelldownsidebysideontheground。Ivanwasleftstrugglingagainstsleep，andtryingtosingadrinkingsong；butsoonhistonguerefusedtoobeyhim，hiseyesclosedinspiteofhim，andseekingthetunethatescapedhim，andmutteringwordshewasunabletopronounce，hefellfastasleepnearhiscompanions。
ImmediatelyVaninkarose，fixedthemwithflashingeyes，andcalledthembynameoneafteranother。Therewasnoresponse。
Thensheclappedherhandsandcriedjoyfully，\"Themomenthascome！\"
Goingtothebackoftheroom，shebroughtthenceanarmfulofstraw，placeditinacorneroftheroom，anddidthesameintheothercorners。Shethentookaflamingbrandfromthestoveandsetfireinsuccessiontothefourcornersoftheroom。
\"Whatareyoudoing？\"saidAnnouschka，wildwithterror，tryingtostopher。
\"Iamgoingtoburyoursecretintheashesofthishouse，\"answeredVaninka。
\"Butmybrother，mypoorbrother！\"saidthegirl。
\"Yourbrotherisawretchwhohasbetrayedme，andwearelostifwedonotdestroyhim。\"
\"Oh，mybrother，mypoorbrother！\"
\"Youcandiewithhimifyoulike，\"saidVaninka，accompanyingtheproposalwithasmilewhichshowedshewouldnothavebeensorryifAnnouschkahadcarriedsisterlyaffectiontothatlength。
\"Butlookatthefire，madam——thefire！\"
\"Letusgo，then，\"saidVaninka；and，draggingouttheheart-brokengirl，shelockedthedoorbehindherandthrewthekeyfarawayintothesnow。
\"InthenameofHeaven，\"saidAnnouschka，\"letusgohomequickly：I
cannotgazeuponthisawfulsight！\"
\"No，letusstayhere！\"saidVaninka，holdingherbackwithagraspofalmostmasculinestrength。\"Letusstayuntilthehousefallsinonthem，sothatwemaybecertainthatnotoneofthemescapes。\"
\"Oh，myGod！\"criedAnnouschka，fallingonherknees，\"havemercyuponmypoorbrother，fordeathwillhurryhimunpreparedintoThypresence。\"
\"Yes，yes，pray；thatisright，\"saidVaninka。\"Iwishtodestroytheirbodies，nottheirsouls。\"
Vaninkastoodmotionless，herarmscrossed，brilliantlylitupbytheflames，whileherattendantprayed。Thefiredidnotlastlong：thehousewaswooden，withthecrevicesfilledwithoakum，likeallthoseofRussianpeasants，sothattheflames，creepingoutatthefourcorners，soonmadegreatheadway，and，fannedbythewind，spreadrapidlytoallpartsofthebuilding。Vaninkafollowedtheprogressofthefirewithblazingeyes，fearingtoseesomehalf-burntspectralshaperushoutoftheflames。Atlasttherooffellin，andVaninka，relievedofallfear，thenatlastmadeherwaytothegeneral’shouse，intowhichthetwowomenenteredwithoutbeingseen，thankstothepermissionAnnouschkahadtogooutatanyhourofthedayornight。
ThenextmorningthesoletopicofconversationinSt。PetersburgwasthefireattheRedHouse。Fourhalf-consumedcorpsesweredugoutfrombeneaththeruins，andasthreeofthegeneral’sslavesweremissing，hehadnodoubtthattheunrecognisablebodieswerethoseofIvan，Daniel，andAlexis：asforthefourth，itwascertainlythatofGregory。
Thecauseofthefireremainedasecretfromeveryone：thehousewassolitary，andthesnowstormsoviolentthatnobodyhadmetthetwowomenonthedesertedroad。Vaninkawassureofhermaid。HersecretthenhadperishedwithIvan。Butnowremorsetooktheplaceoffear：theyounggirlwhowassopitilessandinflexibleintheexecutionofthedeedquailedatitsremembrance。Itseemedtoherthatbyrevealingthesecretofhercrimetoapriest，shewouldberelievedofherterribleburden。Shethereforesoughtaconfessorrenownedforhisloftycharity，and，underthesealofconfession，toldhimall。Thepriestwashorrifiedbythestory。Divinemercyisboundless，buthumanforgivenesshasitslimits。HerefusedVaninkatheabsolutionsheasked。Thisrefusalwasterrible：itwouldbanishVaninkafromtheHolyTable；thisbanishmentwouldbenoticed，andcouldnotfailtobeattributedtosomeunheard-ofandsecretcrime。Vaninkafellatthefeetofthepriest，andinthenameofherfather，whowouldbedisgracedbyhershame，beggedhimtomitigatetherigourofthissentence。
Theconfessorreflecteddeeply，thenthoughthehadfoundawaytoobviatesuchconsequences。ItwasthatVaninkashouldapproachtheHolyTablewiththeotheryounggirls；thepriestwouldstopbeforeherasbeforealltheothers，butonlysaytoher，\"Prayandweep\"；
thecongregation，deceivedbythis，wouldthinkthatshehadreceivedtheSacramentlikehercompanions。ThiswasallthatVaninkacouldobtain。
Thisconfessiontookplaceaboutseveno’clockintheevening，andthesolitudeofthechurch，addedtothedarknessofnight，hadgivenitastillmoreawfulcharacter。Theconfessorreturnedhome，paleandtrembling。HiswifeElizabethwaswaitingforhimalone。ShehadjustputherlittledaughterArina，whowaseightyearsold，tobedinanadjoiningroom。Whenshesawherhusband，sheutteredacryofterror，sochangedandhaggardwashisappearance。Theconfessortriedtoreassureher，buthistremblingvoiceonlyincreasedheralarm。Sheaskedthecauseofhisagitation；theconfessorrefusedtotellher。Elizabethhadheardtheeveningbeforethathermotherwasill；shethoughtthatherhusbandhadreceivedsomebadnews。ThedaywasMonday，whichisconsideredanunluckydayamongtheRussians，and，goingoutthatday，Elizabethhadmetamaninmourning；theseomensweretoonumerousandtoostrongnottoportendmisfortune。
Elizabethburstintotears，andcriedout，\"Mymotherisdead！\"
Thepriestinvaintriedtoreassureherbytellingherthathisagitationwasnotduetothat。Thepoorwoman，dominatedbyoneidea，madenoresponsetohisprotestationsbutthiseverlastingcry，\"Mymotherisdead！\"
Then，tobringhertoreason，theconfessortoldherthathisemotionwasduetotheavowalofacrimewhichhehadjustheardintheconfessional。ButElizabethshookherhead：itwasatrick，shesaid，tohidefromherthesorrowwhichhadfallenuponher。Heragony，insteadofcalming，becamemoreviolent；hertearsceasedtoflow，andwerefollowedbyhysterics。Thepriestthenmadehersweartokeepthesecret，andthesanctityoftheconfessionwasbetrayed。
LittleArinahadawakenedatElizabeth’scries，andbeingdisturbedandatthesametimecuriousastowhatherparentsweredoing，shegotup，wenttolistenatthedoor，andheardall。
ThedayfortheCommunioncame；thechurchofSt。Simeonwascrowded。
Vaninkacametokneelattherailingofthechoir。Behindherwasherfatherandhisaides-de-camp，andbehindthemtheirservants。
Arinawasalsointhechurchwithhermother。TheinquisitivechildwishedtoseeVaninka，whosenameshehadheardpronouncedthatterriblenight，whenherfatherhadfailedinthefirstandmostsacredofthedutiesimposedonapriest。Whilehermotherwaspraying，sheleftherchairandglidedamongtheworshippers，nearlyasfarastherailing。
Butwhenshehadarrivedthere，shewasstoppedbythegroupofthegeneral’sservants。ButArinahadnotcomesofartobe，stoppedsoeasily：shetriedtopushbetweenthem，buttheyopposedher；shepersisted，andoneofthempushedherroughlyback。Thechildfell，struckherheadagainstaseat，andgotupbleedingandcrying，\"Youareveryproudforaslave。IsitbecauseyoubelongtothegreatladywhoburnttheRedHouse？\"
Thesewords，utteredinaloudvoice，inthemidstofthesilencewhichpreceded，thesacredceremony，wereheardbyeveryone。Theywereansweredbyashriek。Vaninkahadfainted。Thenextdaythegeneral，atthefeetofPaul，recountedtohim，ashissovereignandjudge，thewholeterriblestory，whichVaninka，crushedbyherlongstruggle，hadatlastrevealedtohim，atnight，afterthesceneinthechurch。
Theemperorremainedforamomentinthoughtattheendofthisstrangeconfession；then，gettingupfromthechairwherehehadbeensittingwhilethemiserablefathertoldhisstory，hewenttoabureau，andwroteonasheetofpaperthefollowingsentence：
\"Thepriesthavingviolatedwhatshouldhavebeeninviolable，thesecretsoftheconfessional，isexiledtoSiberiaanddeprivedofhispriestlyoffice。Hiswifewillfollowhim：sheistobeblamedfornothavingrespectedhischaracterasaministerofthealtar。Thelittlegirlwillnotleaveherparents。
\"Annouschka，theattendant，willalsogotoSiberiafornothavingmadeknowntohermasterhisdaughter’sconduct。
\"Ipreserveallmyesteemforthegeneral，andImournwithhimforthedeadlyblowwhichhasstruckhim。
\"AsforVaninka，Iknowofnopunishmentwhichcanbeinflicteduponher。Ionlyseeinherthedaughterofabravesoldier，whosewholelifehasbeendevotedtotheserviceofhiscountry。Besides，theextraordinarywayinwhichthecrimewasdiscovered，seemstoplacetheculpritbeyondthelimitsofmyseverity。Ileaveherpunishmentinherownhands。IfIunderstandhercharacter，ifanyfeelingofdignityremainstoher，herheartandherremorsewillshowherthepathsheoughttofollow。\"
Paulhandedthepaperopentothegeneral，orderinghimtotakeittoCountPahlen，thegovernorofSt。Petersburg。
Onthefollowingdaytheemperor’sorderswerecarriedout。
Vaninkawentintoaconvent，wheretowardstheendofthesameyearshediedofshameandgrief。
ThegeneralfoundthedeathhesoughtonthefieldofAusterlitz。
