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I had only rare interviews with Chvabrine, whom I disliked the more that I thought I perceived in him a secret enmity, which confirmed all the more my suspicions. Life became a burden to me. I gave myself up, a prey to dark melancholy, which was further fed by loneliness and inaction. My love burnt the more hotly for my enforced quiet, and tormented me more and more.
It was she who took all the necessary measures unknown to the Commandant. As it is, heaven be praised that it has all ended in this way." After this reply he returned to his quarters, and I remained alone with Chvabrine. "Our affair can't end thus," I said to him. "Certainly not," rejoined Chvabrine. "You shall wash out your insolence in blood.
The Commandant passed down the ranks of the little army, saying to the soldiers "Now, children, let us do well to-day for our mother, the Empress, and let us show all the world that we are brave men, and true to our oaths." The soldiers by loud shouts expressed their goodwill and assent. Chvabrine remained near me, attentively watching the enemy.
She did not please me very much at first sight; I looked at her with prejudice. Chvabrine had described Marya, the Commandant's daughter, to me as being rather silly. She went and sat down in a corner, and began to sew. Still the "chtchi" had been brought in. Vassilissa Igorofna, not seeing her husband come back, sent Palashka for the second time to call him.
Chvabrine came to the rescue. "Iwán Ignatiitch," said he, "approves of the compact we have made." "And with whom, my little father, did you quarrel?" "Why, with Petr' Andréjïtch, to be sure, and we even got to high words." "What for?" "About a mere trifle, over a little song." "Fine thing to quarrel over a little song! How did it happen?" "Thus.
Pugatchéf asked him some questions on the condition of the fort, on what was said concerning the Tzarina's troops, and other similar subjects. Then suddenly and in an unexpected manner "Tell me, brother," asked he, "who is this young girl you are keeping under watch and ward? Show me her." Chvabrine became pale as death.
My heart failed me when we entered the little room I knew so well, where could still be seen on the wall the commission of the late deceased Commandant, as a sad memorial. Pugatchéf sat down on the same sofa where ofttimes Iván Kouzmitch had dozed to the sound of his wife's scolding. Chvabrine himself brought brandy to his chief. Pugatchéf drank a glass of it, and said to him, pointing to me
We started in silence, and after having gone down a rugged path we halted at the water's edge and crossed swords. Chvabrine was a better swordsman than I was, but I was stronger and bolder, and M. Beaupré, who had, among other things, been a soldier, had given me some lessons in fencing, by which I had profited. Chvabrine did not in the least expect to find in me such a dangerous foeman.
Take your pretty one, take her away wherever you like, and may God grant you love and wisdom." He turned towards Chvabrine, and bid him write me a safe conduct pass for all the gates and forts under his command. Chvabrine remained still, and as if petrified. I ran to Marya's room. The door was shut; I knocked. "Who is there?" asked Polashka. I gave my name.
Both husband and wife were excellent people, and I soon became attached to them, and to the daughter Marya, an affectionate and sensible girl. As for Chvabrine, he at first professed great friendship for me; but being in love with Marya, who detested him, he began to hate me when he saw a growing friendliness between Marya and myself. I was now an officer, but there was little work for me to do.