sades, and the church with the belfrey. quarter of an hour we entered the Belogorsk.

in another fortress of

CHAPTER XII.

THE ORPHAN.

We drove to the commander's house.

The people recognised Pugatschew's carriage, and followed us in Schwabrin received the usurper upon the stairs. He wore a Cossack dress and had allowed his

masses.

beard to grow. The traitor helped Pugatschew to descend, and tried to express his joy and his zeal in the most rampant terms. When he perceived me he became crest-fallen, but soon rallied, and offered me his hand, saying:

"You also, belong to us now. long ago."

It should have been so

I turned away from him without answering.

My heart bled when we entered the well-known room. in which, the brevet of the late captain was stil hanging upon the wall, like a complaining epitaph of the past.

Pugatschew sat down upon the same sofa on which Iwan Kusmitsch, was in the habit of taking his nap, generally lulled to sleep by the grumbling of his spouse. Schwabrin himself served brandy to

his chief, who, emptying his glass, pointed tome and said, "fill also a glass for this gentleman." Schwabrin presented one to me, but I again turned away from him. He seemed to have lost entirely his presence of mind. With his usual sharp-sightedness he had, no doubt,divined that Pugatschew was dissatisfied with him. He was afraid of him and

mistrusted me. Pugatschew questioned him about the state of the fortress, about the rumors which circulated concerning the enemy's troops and other simelar subjects. All at once he asked him unexpectedly, "Tell me what sort of girl is that which you keep a close prisoner? Show her to me.

Schwabrin turned pale as death “ My Lord" he said with a trembling voice. she is not a prisoner she is ill. . . . . she is in the upper room. "Then take me to her" said the usurper rising Further excuses were unavailable. Schwabrin led Pugatschew to Mary's room. Upon the stairs Schwabrin stopped and said "My Lord, you have a right to ask of me allow a stranger to enter the

I followed them.

every thing, but do not room of my wife. "

I was as if struck by palsy. "You are married then I asked" and should have liked to tear him to pieces. "Silence" interrupted Pugatschew.

business. And you

"That is my

"he continued addressing Schwabrin, " do not reason with me or make any difficulties about it; she may be your wife or not, I shall take whom, I like to her. "Come along, sir Ensign.

At the door of the room Schwabrin again stoppe

and said stuttering: "My Lord, I tell you in advance, r she has a nervous fever, and since three days her mind is wandering.

Open the door!" exclaimed Pugatschew.

Schwabrin felt his pockets and said he had forgotten to take the key. Thereupon Pugatschew kicked the door with his foot; the lock gave way and we entered. I stared at what I saw, and stood like a statue. Crouched in a corner upon the floor, was Mary, clad in a torn pensants dress, pale, thin, her hair in disorder. Before her was a pitcher filled with water, upon it a piece of bread. When she saw me she shuddered and screamed. What I felt at the time. . . . . I cannot tell. Pugatschew looked upon Schwabrin and said with a bitter smile; you have a queer hospital." Then approaching Mary "he said,” my little dove, what is it for that your husband punishes you in this way? What have you done to him.?

"My husband" she repeated. "He is not my husband. I shall never be his wife! I would prefer to die and I shall die if I am not freed from him."

Pugatschew threw a menacing glance at Schwabrin. "You have dared to belie me! he exclaimed." Do you know, wretch, what you have deserved ?

Schwabrin fell upon his knees. . . . . At that moment the sentiment of contempt replaced in my bosom those of rage and anger. With loathing I looked upon the nobleman, who could kneel to a run away Cossack. Pugatschew was softened. "This time I shall yet pardon you" he said to Schwabrin, "but

remember, if I find you again guilty, this fault of yours will also be taken into account. Thereupon he turned to Mary and said to her in a frindly manner "go my pretty child, I give you your liberty, I am the Emperor.

She

Mary threw a rapid glance at him, and guessed that before her stood the murderer of her father. covered her face with both hands, and fell down senseless. I ran towards her; but at that moment my old acquaintance Palascha forced her way daringly into the room and flew to the assistance of her mistress Pugatschew left the room and we all three went down into the parlour.

"Well, My dear sir," said Pugatschew laughing. "The pretty child is now free. What do you think, shall we send for the priest and make him perform the marriage ceremony for his niece? I shall be most happy to give the bride away. Schwabrin will be the bride groom, we shall feast and drink — and all will be well.

What I most feared then came to pass. When Schwabrin heard the proposition of Pugatschew, he My Lord " he exclaimed in 'forgive me I have told you

was beside himself.

the utmost excitement,

66

66

an untruth, nor has Grinew dealt fairly with you. This young lady is not the niece of the priest, she is the daughter of Iwan Mironów, who was executed after the taking of this fortress."

Pugatschew fixed his fiery eyes upon me.

is all this" he asked doubtingly.

"What

"Schwabrin has told the truth" I replied firmly.

4

"You have not told me this before,' Pugatschew observed, his countenance growing more and more sombre.

"Judge for yourself" I said, "how could I tell in the presence of your people, that a daughter of Mironow was alive? They would have torn her to pieces nothing could have saved her!"

6.

"That is but too true" answered Pugatschew smiling. My drunkards would not have let the poor girl escape. The pastor's wife has dore well. "Listen " I continued, when I

to deceive them. perceived his good temper. "I do not know how I shall call you, nor do I care; but God is my witness, that I would sacrifice my life to reward you for what you have done for me! Only do not ask any thing, which is against my honor or my conscience as a Christian. You are my benefactor, finish the work you have begun, let me depart with the poor orphan; and we, where ever you shall be, and what ever may happen to you, we shall daily pray to God, that he may save your sinful soul.

"Pugatsehew's cold heart seemed touched." "Let it be so" he replied

"" as I said before when

I punish, I punish well, when I pardon I pardon

entirely, that is my way. with her where ever you

Take your lady love, go like, and may God bless you with love and concord. Then he turned to Schwabrin and ordered him to write out a passport, that I may pass freely through all the gates of the towns and fortresses under his sway.

Schwabrin seemed thunderstruck.

Pugatschew