Unexpected sight struck him *. Full-length dance halls, at the sound of the most dismal music, ladies and gentlemen stood in two rows facing each other; gentlemen bowed low, ladies squatted even lower, first right against self, then turn right, then to the left, then again right, again to the right and so on. Korsakov, In spite of these things intricate pastime, He bugged out his eyes and bit his lip. Squats and bowing lasted about half an hour; Finally they stopped, and the stout gentleman with a bunch proclaimed, that the ceremonial dances were over, and ordered the musicians to play the minuet. Korsakov was delighted and ready to shine. Between the young guests, one in particular he liked. She was about 16 years old, She was wearing a richly, but tasteful, and sat beside men older years, mind an important and severe. Korsakov her shattered and asked to do honor to dance with him. Young beauty looking at him with confusion and, it seemed, dont know, what to say. The man, sitting beside her, He frowned more. Korsakov was waiting for her decision, but the gentleman with the bouquet came up to him, he took the middle of the room and said it is important to: "My lord, you guilty: First of all, podoshed to this young person, not giving her three must curtsy; and secondly, taking care of its very select, whereas in the minuet entitled to these things befitting a lady, not Cavalieri; for this you have to be very punished, it is to drink a cup of a great eagle ". Korsakov by the hour more he marveled. One minute he was surrounded by guests, loudly demanding the immediate implementation of the law. Peter, Hearing these cries and laughter, I came from another room, I am very fond to be present in such penalties. The crowd parted in front of him, and he joined the circle, where he stood in front of him and convicted Marshal Assembly with a huge cup, filled Malvasia. He vainly tried to persuade the offender voluntarily obey the law. "To her, - Peter said,, seeing Korsakov, - I caught, brother! Very well also, monsieur, drink and not to wince ". There was nothing. poor dandy, without taking the spirit, He drained all the cup and gave it to Marshal. "Listen, * Korsakov - Peter said to him, - Pants something on your velvet, What I do not wear, and I love you much richer. This extravagance; look, so I'm not scolding you ". After hearing this rebuke, Korsakov wanted to get out of the circle, but I staggered and almost fell, to the indescribable pleasure of the emperor and the whole merry company. This episode not only damaged the unity and entertaining main action, but also revived him. Knights began to bow and scrape, and the ladies squat and tapping heels with great diligence, and certainly not by observing cadence. Korsakov could not participate in the general gladness. lady, they selected, at the command of his father, Gavrila Afanasevicha, I came to Ibrahim and, lowered her blue eyes, timidly she gave him her hand. Ibrahim danced a minuet with her and took her to their original location; after, finding Korsakov, He brought him out of the room, I sat in the carriage and drove home. Korsakov way snachala nevnyatno lepetal: "Cursed Assembly!.. damn cup of a great eagle!..», but soon fell into a deep sleep, not felt, he came home, as he stripped and put; and I woke up the next day with a headache, vaguely remembering shuffling, squat, tobacco smoke, gentleman with a bouquet and a cup of a great eagle.
Chapter IV
Long time our ancestors ate,
Long time to move the circles
buckets, silver bowls
Boiling beer and wine.
Ruslan and Ludmila.
Now I should indulgent reader to acquaint with Gavril Afanasyevitch Rzhevsky. He was descended from the ancient boyar family, owned vast estates, It was hospitable, I loved falconry; his servants was plentiful. in short, He was a native Russian master, in his words, I not tolerate the German spirit and tried in the home to save his amiable manners of antiquity.
His daughters were 17 years of age. As a child, she lost her mother. She was brought up in the old, t. is. surrounded Mammy, nanny, girlfriends and girls sennymi, She sewed with gold and was illiterate; her father, despite his aversion from all overseas, I could not resist her desire to learn dances from the German captive Swedish officer, living in their home. This honored dancing master had years 50 old, right leg was he shot in Narva and therefore was not quite able to Minuet and chime, but left with amazing skill and ease to fabricate the most difficult pas. A pupil did honor her efforts. Natalya Gavrilovna was famous at the assemblies better dancer, which was partly the cause of wrongdoing Korsakov, that the next day came to apologize to Gavril Afanasyevitch; but the skill and panache of the young dandy did not like the proud boyar, who nicknamed him wittily French monkey.
The day was a holiday. Gavrila Afanasievich expecting some relatives and friends. The old hall was covered with a long table. Guests gathered with their wives and daughters, Finally freed from the seclusion of home decrees of the sovereign and his own example. Natalya Gavrilovna brought to each guest a silver tray, laden with gold goblet, and each drank his, sparing, the kiss, obtained in the old in this case, I went much of the habit. Come to table. At the first place, near owner, I sat his father in law, Boris A. Lykov Prince, semydesyatyletnyy lord; other guests, observing seniority and the kind of remembering happy times localism, sat - men on one side, women on the other. At the end they took their usual places: lordly lady in an old shushune and Kichke; pelvis, Thirty Years baby, prim and wrinkled, and the captive Swede in blue uniform worn. Table, laden with a variety of dishes, It was surrounded by the bustle and numerous servants, which distinguishes between strict butler's eye, belly fat and majestic immobility. The first minutes of afternoon were devoted solely on the attention to the writings of the ancient of our cuisine; clinking of plates and spoons of activity angered one general silence. finally the owner, see, it's time to take guests pleasant conversation, he turned and asked,: "And where Ekimovna? Call her here ". Several servants had rushed in different directions, but at the same moment an old woman, nabelennaya and narumyanennaya, adorned with flowers and tinsel, in damask robronde, with an open neck and chest, came humming and podplyasyvaya. Her appearance made a total pleasure.
- Hello, Ekimov, - Prince Lykov said, - what are you doing?
- Podobru-Greet, best man: poyuchi to plyashuchi, Zhenishke podzhidayuchi.
- Where have you been, fool? - I asked the owner.
- Dress Up, best man, for dear guests, for the feast of God, by royal order, by boyar order, ridiculed around the world, after nemeckomu manner.
With these words, a loud roar rose, and I became a fool in his place, chair of the host.
- A fool a lie, lying, to justice and sovret, - said Tatiana Afanasyevna, older sister host, heart they respected. - genuinely, current orders for a laugh around the world. If so and you, gracious, He shaved his beard and put on his coat stumpy, so about women's rags to interpret, of course, there is nothing: a, right, Unfortunately sundress, girlish ribbons and ochipok. After all, look at the current beauties, and laughter and pity: hairs something whipped, that felt, nasalenы, bombarded with French flour, tummy will draw well, not that barely perervetsya, ispodnitsy pulled on hoops: It sits sideways in the rattletrap; in doors included - Duck Down. neither become, or sit, nor take breath - mere martyr, my dear.
- Oh, Mother Tatiana Afanasyevna, - said Kiril Petrovich T., former governor in Ryazan, which has amassed 3000 shower and a young wife, Both muddle. - According to my wife dressed as you like: though Kutafia, though boldyhanom; just not for every month ordered a new dress, and still throws novoshenkie. used to, granddaughter of dowry accrue to grandma sundress, and the current robrondy - look - today's mistress, and tomorrow to the servant. What to do? destruction of Russian nobility! trouble, and only. - With these words, he sighed and looked at his Marya Ilinichnu, which, it seemed, not liked any praise antiquity, nor censure modern customs. Other beauty shared her displeasure, but silent, For modesty revered then necessary supplies young woman.
- And who is to blame, - said Gabriel Afanasievich, napenya mug cabbage. - Do not we ourselves? Young women play the fool, and we indulge them.
- What do we do, if not our will? - said Kiril Petrovich. - Another was glad to shut his wife in the mansion, and it requires a drumbeat on the Assembly; husband of the whip, and the wife of outfits. Oh, so the Assembly! Lord punished us by them for our trespasses.
Mary Ilinichna sitting on pins and needles; her tongue and sverbel; Finally, she could not restrain herself and, turning to her husband, I asked him with a sour smile, that he finds wrong in assemblies?
- And what is bad in them, - posted flushed with spouse, - that since, they bred, husbands do not cope with their wives. Wife forgot the word apostolic: let the wife fear her husband; not fussing about the economy, and on Refresh; do not think, how to please her husband, and look and feel as if the officers-vertopraham. Yes, and quite li, madam, Russian Boyarinya or boyaryshne be with-Tabachnik Germans and their female employees? whether the case has been heard, until night to dance and talk with young men? and welcome to another with relatives, and even with strangers, with strangers.
- I would say a word, that wolf nedalečko, - I said,, frowning, Gavrila Afanasʹevič;- and I admit - the Assembly and I do not like: and look to, that drunken natolkneshsya, Al and most fun of drunk will give to drink. That and look, to some playboy no mischief which her daughter; but now young people so spoiled, that no matter what does not seem. here, eg, son of the late Yevgraf Sergeevich Korsakov at the last assembly made such a noise and Natasha, that led me to paint. Next day, I look, roll me right into the courtyard; I thought, someone God has, Oh Did not Prince Alexander Danilovich? Not a bit of it: Ivan Evgrafovich! I suppose he could not stop at the gates so to work hard to walk to the porch - Kuzia! flown! bowed! razboltalsya!.. Dura Ekimovna his hilariously mimics; by the way: imagine, fool, overseas monkey.
Dura Ekimovna grabbed the lid from one dish, He took under his arm like a hat and began to wriggle, shuffling and bowing in all directions, sentencing: "Monsieur ... ... Mademoiselle Assembly sorry ...". - Total and prolonged laughter again expressed pleasure guests.
- Neither give nor take - Korsakov, - said the old Prince Lykov, wiping tears of laughter, When calm was restored little by little. - And let's be honest? He was not the first, he is not the last gate of the holy Rus nemetchiny buffoon. What our children learn there? Sharkaty, chatting, God knows on what dialect, not read older but run after other men's wives. Of all the young people, brought up in a foreign land (free lords), royal arap all more human like.
- Of course, - said Gabriel Afanasievich, - a man he staid and respectable, no match ... This carminative who have entered into the gate of the courtyard? I do not whether the monkey overseas again? Are you yawn, cattle? - he continued, referring to servants: - Run, refuse; Yes to continue ...
- old beard, Do not delusional? - interrupted fool Ekimovna. - Ali you're blind: sled a sovereign, the king came.
Gavrila Afanasievich rose hastily from the table; all rushed to the windows; and in fact we saw the Emperor, who climbed to the porch, leaning on the shoulder of his batman. Made turmoil. The owner rushed to meet Peter; the servant ran, both gone crazy, guests get the wind up, some even thought, how to get out as quickly as possible back home. Suddenly in front of Peter's voice sounded gromozvuchny, all was quiet, and the king entered, accompanied by the host, struck dumb with joy. "It's great, gentlemen ", - said Peter with a happy face. All bowed low. Quick glances king found in the crowd young daughter; he called her. Natalya Gavrilovna approaching pretty safe, but blushing not only for the ears, and even on the shoulder. "You're prettier by the hour, - I told her sire, and as was his custom kissed her on the head; after, addressed the guests: - What? I disturb you. You had dinner; Please sit down again, and me, Gavrila Afanasʹevič, let me anisette ". The owner rushed to the majestic butler, He snatched his tray, he filled a gold glass of vodka and handed it with a bow emperor. Peter, drinking, He ate a pretzel and a second invited guests keep lunch. All took their former places, except the dwarf lord and lady, who did not dare to remain at the table, awarded the royal presence. Peter sat down next to the owner and asked for some boiling. Sovereign orderly handed him a wooden spoon, rimmed ivory, knife and fork with green bone handles, because Peter never tried another instrument, except his. Dinner, a minute before a lively noisy rejoicing, and talkative, He continued in silence and constraint. Master, of reverence and joy, ate nothing, guests also were repaired and listened reverently, the emperor of German prisoners Swede talked to about the campaign 1701 of the year*. Dura Ekimova, several times to inquire of the Emperor, He answered with a sort of timid coldness, what (I note in passing,) It does not prove its natural stupidity. Finally, dinner was over. Sovereign rose, him and all the guests. "Gavrila Afanasʹevič! - he said to the host: - I need to speak to you alone "- and, taking his arm, He led into the living room and shut the door behind him. Guests stayed in the dining room, whispered interpreting this unexpected visit, and, fear of being indiscreet, soon departed one after the other, without thanking the owner for his bread and salt. his father in law, daughter and sister accompanied them quietly to the door and left alone in the dining room, expecting output Tsar.
Chapter V
I have pursued completion
Ile Melnyk I will not. *
Alexander Ablesimov, opera Miller.
Half an hour later the door opened, and he went out,. Important inclination of the head, he responded to a triple bow Prince Lykov, Afanasevny Tatiana and Natasha and went straight to the front. The owner gave him his red coat, I accompanied him to the sled and the porch has thanked for the honor. Peter went.
Returning to the dining room, Gavrila Afanasievich seemed very concerned. Angrily he ordered the servants to the table, gather the, Natasha was sent to her room, and, declaring his sister and father in law, that he needed to talk to them, He led them in the bedchamber, where he usually rested after lunch. The old prince went on an oak bed, Afanasyevna Tatiana sat on the old stuffed chairs, pridvinuv under foot stool; Gavrila Afanasievich locked all the doors, sat on the bed at the feet of the Prince Lykov, and began in a low voice the following conversation:
- No wonder the Emperor granted to me; guess, what he was pleased with me to talk?
- How do we know, father-brother, - said Tatiana Afanasyevna.
- Do not you king ordered to be in charge of any province? - in-law said,. - It is high time. Ali proposed to be at the Embassy? What? after all, the nobles, Some clerks are not sent to foreign sovereigns.
- Not, - posted in-law, frowning. - I'm a man of the old school, now, our service does not need, though, may be, Orthodox Russian nobleman stands today beginners, Blinnikov yes Basurmanov, - but it's a special article.
- So what, brother, - said Tatiana Afanasyevna, - I was pleased he had so long with you to interpret? I do not whether some misfortune befallen thee? Lord save us and have mercy!
- The trouble is not trouble, and I confess, I had pondered.
- What is, brother? what matter?
- The case of Natasha: King came to woo her.
- Thank God, - said Tatiana Afanasyevna, perekrestyas. - A girl of marriageable age, Q: What a wedding guest, so is the bride, - God forbid love and concord, and often very. Whom the king woos her?
- Um, - Gabriel grunted Afanasievich, - for whom? to-this, for whom.
- And for whom? - repeated Prince Lykov, It is already beginning to doze.
- Otgadayte, - said Gabriel Afanasievich.
- Father-Brother, - the old lady answered, - how can we guess? Do a little at the court of suitors: Just glad to take for themselves your Natasha. Dolgoruky, whether?
- Not, not Dolgoruky.
- Yes, and God with him: It hurts EUSR. Shein, Troyekurov?
- Not, neither one nor the other.
- Yeah, and to me they are not the heart: vetrogonы, too ponabrali German spirit. Well Miloslavsky?
- Not, not he.
- And God bless him: rich that stupid. What? Eletskii? lions? Not? Surely Raguzinsky? done: I'll never know. But for someone w king Woo Natasha?
- For the Arabs Ibragim.
The old woman gasped and her hands splesnula. Prince Lykov raised his head from the pillow, and repeated in amazement: "For the Arabs Ibragim!»
- Father-Brother, - said the old woman a tearful voice, - do not ruin my darling child of, do not let you in the Natasha claws black devil.
- But how, - said Gabriel Afanasievich, - refuse the emperor, which promises us for mercy, me and all our family?
- How, - said the old prince, whose sleep was quite, - Natasha, my granddaughter, give a bought negro!
- It is not a simple race, - said Gabriel Afanasievich, - he is the son arapskogo Saltan. Basurmane captured him and sold him in Constantinople, and our messenger came to the rescue and gave it to the king. Older brother negro came to Russia with a noble ransom and ...
- Father, Gavrila Afanasʹevič, - interrupted starushka, - We have heard the tale of Prince Bova-yes Eruslan Lazarevic. Tell us a better-TKO, how you answered the Emperor on his matchmaking.
- I said, that his power with us, lackeys and our business to obey him in everything.
At that moment there was a noise outside the door. Gavrila Afanasievich went to open it, but, sensing resistance, he strongly pushed her, door opened - and saw Natasha, fainting prostrate on the blood-stained floor.
Heart it sank, when the Emperor locked himself with her father. A premonition whispered, that it comes to it, and when Gabriel sent her Afanasievich, declaring, I should talk to her aunt and grandfather, she could not resist the attraction of female curiosity, quietly crept through the inner chambers of the bedchamber to the door and did not miss a single word of all the horrible conversation; when she heard her father's last words, the poor girl fainted, and, falling, rasshiblas head of forged Chest, which kept her dowry.
people ran; Natasha raised, suffered to her room and laid on the bed. After some time she came, She opened her eyes, but I did not recognize neither father, or aunt. Showed a high fever, she tverdili Breda in the imperial socks, the wedding - and suddenly cried out in a plaintive and piercing voice: "Valerian, dear, Valerian, my life! save me: here they are, here they are!.."Tatiana Afanasyevna glanced anxiously at his brother, which paled, He bit his lip and silently left the Svetlitsa. He returned to the old prince, which the, Morris did not climb the stairs, He remained at the bottom.
- What Natasha? - he asked.
God -, - posted distressed father, - worse than I thought: she is unconscious raves Valerian.
- Who is this Valerian? - asked the old man worried. - Is the orphan, strelets son, that was brought up at your house?
- On I, - she replied Gavrila Afanasievich. - In my trouble, his father during a riot saved my life, and the devil take me to guess at his house cursed cub. When, Besides the two year, at his request,, recorded his regiment, Natasha, saying goodbye to him, cry, and he stood petrified. I found it suspicious, and I talked about my sister. But since then, Natasha has not mentioned, and about him there was no hearing, not spirit. I thought, she forgot it; Hunting, it is seen, not. agreed: she will marry Moor.
Prince Lykov did not contradict: it would be in vain. He went home; Tatiana Afanasyevna stayed at Natasha's bed; Gavrila Afanasʹevič, glorified for doctors, He locked himself in his room, and in his house all became quiet and sad.
Unexpected matchmaking surprised Ibrahim, at least as, as Gavrila Afanasevicha. Here's how it happened: Peter, doing chores with Ibrahim, told him:
- I notice, brother, you cast down; Speak right: What you lack? - Ibrahim assured the sovereign, that he was satisfied with his best and does not want to.
- Good, - Sovereign said, - if you miss no reason, yes I know, than to cheer you up.
Upon completion of the Peter asked Ibrahim.
- Do you like the girl, with which you danced the minuet in the last assembly?
- She is, prince, very sweet and, it seems, girl humble and kind.
- So I'll introduce you to her shorter. Do you want to marry her?
- I, prince?..
