ect that not to leave the fortress, now
subject to the brigand, or to join his troops, would be unworthy of an
officer. Duty required me to go and present myself where I could still
be useful to my country. But love counseled me, with no less force, to
stay near Marie, to be her protector and champion. Although I foresaw
a near and inevitable change in the march of events, still I could not,
without trembling, contemplate the danger of her position.

My reflections were interrupted by the entrance of a Cossack, who came
to announce that the "great Czar" called me to his presence. "Where is
he?" I asked, preparing to obey. "In the commandant's house," replied
the Cossack. "After dinner the Czar went to the vapor baths. It must be
confessed that all his ways are imperial! He can do more than others; at
dinner he deigned to eat two roast milk-pigs; afterward at the bath he
endured the highest degree of heat; even the attendant could not stand
it; he handed the brush to another and was restored to consciousness
only by the application of cold water. It is said that in the bath, the
marks of the true Czar were plainly seen on his breast--a picture of his
own face and a double-headed eagle."

I did not think it necessary to contradict the Cossack, and I followed
him to the Commandant's, trying to fancy in advance my interview with
Pougatcheff, and its result. The reader may imagine that I was not quite
at ease. Night was falling as I reached the house. The gibbet with
its victims still stood, black and terrible. The poor body of our good
Basilia was lying under the steps, near which two Cossacks mounted
guard. He who had brought me, entered to announce my arrival; he
returned at once, and led me to the room where the evening before I had
taken leave of Marie. At a table covered with a cloth, and laden with
bottles and glasses, sat Pougatcheff, surrounded by some ten Cossack
chiefs in colored caps and shirts, with flushed faces and sparkling
eyes, the effect, no doubt, of the wine-cup.

I saw neither of our traitors, Alexis or the Corporal, amongst them.

"Ah! your lordship, it is you?" said their chief, on seeing me. "Be
welcome! Honor and place at the table!"

The guests drew closer together. I took a place at the end of the table.
My neighbor, a young Cossack of slender form and handsome face,
poured out a bumper of brandy for me. I did not taste it. I was busy
considering the assembly. Pougatcheff was seated in the pla