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After receiving Zourine's affectionate farewell I got into my "telega," two hussars, with drawn swords, seated themselves, one on each side of me, and we took the road to Khasan. I did not doubt that the cause of my arrest was my departure from Orenburg without leave.
As Zourine's detachment was to leave the town that same day, and it was no longer possible to hesitate, I parted with Marya after entrusting her to Savéliitch, and giving him a letter for my parents. Marya bid me good-bye all forlorn; I could answer her nothing, not wishing to give way to the feelings of my heart before the bystanders.
I returned to Zourine's silent and thoughtful; he wished to cheer me. I hoped to raise my spirits; we passed the day noisily, and on the morrow we marched. It was near the end of the month of February. The winter, which had rendered manoeuvres difficult, was drawing to a close, and our Generals were making ready for a combined campaign.
"Oh! my father, Petr' Andréjïtch," said he, "although you do want to marry too early, still Marya Ivánofna is such a good young lady it would be a sin to let slip so good a chance. I will do as you wish. I will take her, this angel of God, and I will tell your parents, with all due deference, that such a betrothal needs no dowry." I thanked Savéliitch, and went away to share Zourine's room.
"O Peter!" said he, "you are too young to marry, but the young lady is an angel, and it would be a sin to let the chance slip. I will do as you desire." The next day I made known my plans to Marie. As Zourine's detachment was to leave the city that same day, delay was impossible. I confided Marie to my dear old Saveliitch, and gave him a letter for my father. Marie, in tears, took leave of me.
In this way, your love fit will cure itself, and all will be for the best." Though I did not completely agree with him, I yet felt that duty and honour alike required my presence in the Tzarina's army; so I resolved to follow in part Zourine's advice, and send Marya to my parents, and stay in his troop. Savéliitch came to help me to undress.
I resolved to follow, in part, Zourine's advice. Saveliitch came to prepare my room for the night. I told him to be ready to set out in the morning with Marie. "Who will attend you, my lord?" "My old friend," said I, trying to soften him, "I do not need a servant here, and in serving Marie, you serve me, for I shall marry her as soon as the war is over."
But now I beg of you, do reassure the poor girl, whom your hussars have frightened dreadfully." Zourine directly settled matters. He went out himself into the street to make excuses to Marya for the involuntary misunderstanding, and ordered the Quartermaster to take her to the best lodging in the town. I stayed to sleep at Zourine's house.
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