Vladimir Galaktionovich Korolenko

“ After a week they called me before the chief, and also before this non-commissioned officer.
“We appoint you,” said the chief, “to an expedition, and it is necessary to set out at once. This is your assistant,” and he pointed to me. He had not yet been appointed, remember. He said: “Not to gape; show that you are no roistering blade if it happens that you have to drive out a young lady from a palace. Here you have the instructions,” he said, “and go with God’s help.” ”

“ Then she said: “What a strange man? You are quite foolish. You think I will take your tea?”
Can you imagine, sir, how her words affected me? When I think even now of them my heart aches. Well, sir, then you know it is not an abomination to eat with us either bread or salt. We drove the squire, Rudakoff, and he did not despise us, but she did! Afterwards she ordered the tea-urn to be put on the other table. She paid thrice! Strange girl!
The narrator ceased to speak and for a certain time silence reigned in the room, only disturbed by the even breathing of a young gendarme. ”

“ Even the hostess left her distaff and yarn, and, having put out the fire went to bed. Darkness and silence prevailed everywhere, only occasionally interrupted by the roar of an approaching violent gust of wind!
I could not sleep for the hurricane raised sad thoughts in my mind and this continued....
“As I see sleep does not come to you”—said one of the “leaders.” He was an old man, pleasant enough, and prudent with an amiable face, one could almost call him intelligent, knew his duty very well, although he was not severe. ”

“ Our major was my compatriot, and he, seeing my grief, called me one day to him and said, “Now, Gavriloff, I will introduce you as a candidate for becoming a non-commissioned officer: have you ever been in commissions?” ”

“ One hears how the snow creaks under the runners: the cold becomes more intense, the north wind roars more lustily in the dark forest, and the branches of the fir-trees are spreading out towards the forest-path, swinging heavily at the fall of dusk. It is cold and uncomfortable. This small closed carriage is too narrow, so that it confines on both sides, and that serves to hinder us ”

“ You are an educated man, and ought to understand their speech: now I will tell you what I have retained. When they began to talk more calmly and softly I listened to them. These words fell into my soul, and still to-day I remember them, only I do not know their exact meaning. The young man addressed her with these words:
“You ought to understand,” he said, “that the forgiveness does not matter, but that a man’s acknowledgment does signify. To forgive is another thing,” he added ”

“ When we passed the station again she ordered Ivanoff to sit on the coach-box. He murmured, but dared not contradict. He was less tipsy now. I sat beside her. We drove on for three days and nights without staying anywhere. The first instruction was: Do not stop for a night’s lodging, only in case of great fatigue and then only in towns in which there is a guard. Well, you know what towns are like here. Still she hurried continually, for she wished to be at her place of destination as soon as possible. At last we came to the end of our journey ”

“ They said: “Yes, but she acted strangely when she first came here; she went at once to see one of the ‘offenders,’ and from that time nobody has seen her; she is living with him.... Some say she is ill, while others gossip and affirm that she is pregnant, and that she is living with him as unmarried.... How people can invent!”
And I knew, then, why she lived with him; I recollected that she had said once: “I desire only to die among my own people.” Such curiosity overwhelmed me; it was not curiosity alone, but something more, which drew me towards her.... ”

“ The hostess brought in the tea-urn (samovar) to our astonishment. Thank God for that! We were getting warm cups of tea brought, which we drank, and then ate bread with onions, which the hostess presented in a basket. In the meantime outside a raging snowstorm was going on. The snow beat against the window coming down copiously, and noisily striking against the wall, a flame of fire flickered and sometimes appeared inclined to go out.
“It is impossible for you people to drive farther,” she said—“remain here for the night!” ”

“ The young lady opened the window of the compartment and leant out and sat thus. According to instruction, you know, one was not allowed to open the window, and my Ivanoff, as he entered the carriage, began at once to swear, and I did not dare then to say anything to her about it. Afterwards I ventured to approach her, and said, “Will you, Miss, please close the window.” She did not answer or pay any attention any more than if I had not spoken to her, yet I knew well she had heard all. I waited a little, then addressed her again: “You will catch cold, Miss; it is very cold.” ”

“ The non-commissioned officer Ivanoff drove off with me as his superior officer. All instructions were given into his hands, he received all money, gave all information, and a private soldier was appointed to help him when needed, to be sent anywhere, or to watch anything, to do this or that....
Very well.... In the early morning at day-break, going out from my chief, I looked and found my Ivanoff had already been drinking whisky. He was a man, in truth, not at all suitable for his office. ”

“ I know well what it means, but notwithstanding that I will not go into the hospital. Thank you.... I prefer already to die at liberty than in your prison hospital. You think, perhaps,” she said, “that I feel ill from the wind or that I am catching cold, but is it so...?” ”

“ I awoke Ivanoff, and we went to the station. I ordered them to heat the samovar (tea-urn) . From that town vessels are allowed to pass only according to instructions, and we were not permitted to drive on. But although for such persons as ourselves it was more convenient to exercise thereby some economy, yet it was not quite safe. In the harbour, as you know, policemen are stationed, and the “friend” (gendarme) is always ready to lay some intrigue.
And now our young lady said: “I will not drive with a post-chaise any longer ”