Dubrovsky

At this moment the clerks appeared in the windows, trying to break the double glazing. But then the roof collapsed with a bang, and wails subsided.
Soon all the servants poured out into the yard. Women screaming hurry to save their junk, kids jumping, admiring the fire. Sparks flew fiery snowstorm, hut caught fire.
- Now everything is okay, - Arkhip said, - what lights, a? tea, Intercession of nice to watch.
At this moment a new phenomenon has attracted his attention; cat ran along the roof of the blazing barn, wondering, where to jump; surrounded on all sides by the flame. The poor animal pathetic mewing call for help. The boys died laughing, Despite her despair. "What are you laughing, imps, - told them angrily kuznets.-
Are not you afraid of God: God's creature dies, and you foolishly rejoice ", - and, put the ladder on the fire on the roof, He reached for the cat. She understood his intention and facing a hasty thanks clutched at his sleeve. Poluobgorely blacksmith with his prey climbed down. "Well, guys, Farewell, - he said, embarrassed servants, - I have nothing to do here. Happily, REMEMBER me not a disaster ".
smith left; fire raged several times. finally subsided, and coal piles without flame brightly lit in the dark overnight, and they wandered about Pogorelov residents Kistenevka.
Chapter VII
The next day the news of the fire spread throughout the neighborhood. All talked about it with different guesses and assumptions. others assured, people Dubrovsky, drunk are drunk at the funeral, lit house of negligence, others blamed the clerks, podhulyavshyh on novoselyy, many argue, that he burnt with Zemsky court and with all the serf. Some guessed the truth and claimed, that the perpetrator of this terrible disaster was Dubrovsky himself, driven by anger and despair. Troyekurov came the next day at the site of the fire, and he produced a result. It turned, that the police captain, Zemsky court assessor, solicitor and clerk, as well as Vladimir Dubrovsky, Babysitter Egorovna, serf Gregory, coachman Anton, and the blacksmith Arkhip disappeared who knows where. All the servants revealed, that the clerks were burnt while, as the roof collapsed; their charred bones were dug. Baba and Lusha said Vasilisa, that Dubrovsky and Arkhip the blacksmith they had seen a few minutes before the fire. blacksmith Arkhip, for universal indication, He was alive and probably the main, if not the only, fire culprit. Dubrovsky lay on a strong suspicion. Kiril Petrovitch sent the Governor a detailed description of the whole incident, and struck up a new business.
Soon other lead given other foods curiosity and gossip. AT ** robbers appeared and spread terror in all neighborhoods. measures, Opposite them are taken by the Government, It proved to be insufficient. treacherously, One other remarkable, followed one another. There was no security on the roads, nor in the villages. several triples, full of robbers, traveled day across the province, stopped travelers and mail, We came to the village, manor houses robbed and betrayed them to the fire. The chief of a gang known for wit, Brave and some generosity. It was said of him wonders; Dubrovsky's name was on the lips of all, all were confident, what he, and no one else, chaired brave villains. wondered one: manor Troekurova were spared; thieves robbed his single barn, We never stopped the cart. With his usual haughtiness of Troyekurov attributed these things to fear exclusion, that he knew how to inspire the whole province, also perfectly good police, they wound up in his village. At first, neighbors laughed among themselves over the arrogance Troekurova and every day expected, to uninvited guests visited Pokrovskoye, where they had something to make money, but finally they were forced to agree with him and confess, that the robbers had given him strange respect ... Troyekurov and triumphed whenever news of a new rob Dubrovsky showered taunts about Governor, The police captain and company commanders, from whom Dubrovsky always came away unscathed.
Meanwhile came the 1st of October - the day of the temple festival in the village Troekurova. But before we proceed to the description of this celebration and further accidents, we have to introduce the reader to the new faces for him, or about which we are only slightly mentioned in the beginning of our story.
Chapter VIII
Reader, probably, I have guessed, Kiril Petrovitch's daughter, which we were told is still only a few words, is the heroine of our story. In an era, we have described, she was 17 years old, and her beauty was in full color. He loved her to distraction, but he treated her with his usual waywardness, is trying to cater to her slightest whim, the scaring her stern, and sometimes abuse. Confident of her affection, never could he get her a power of attorney. She used to hide it from their feelings and thoughts, because she could never know maybe, how they will be taken. She had no friends and grew up in seclusion. The wives and daughters of neighbors rarely travel to the Kiril Petrovich, whose ordinary conversations and amusements demanded partnership men, rather than the presence of the ladies. Occasionally our beauty was in the midst of the guests, pyruyuschyh Cyril Petrovich. huge library, composed for the most part of the works of the French writers of the XVIII century, It was given at its disposal. her father, I never read anything, but "perfect cook", I could not be guided by it in choosing books, and Mary, naturally, all kinds of writings break, He stopped on the novels. Thus she committed her upbringing, once started under the guidance of Mademoiselle Mimi, Kiril Petrovitch which provided great power of attorney and favor and that he was finally forced to send quietly in another estate, when this fellowship investigation were too explicit. Mademoiselle Mimi left a rather pleasant memory. She was a good girl and never for evil did not use influence, which apparently had over Kiril Petrovich, what distinguished it from other confidantes, they constantly revocable. Sam Cyril P., it seemed, I loved her more than the other, and black-eyed boy, varmint nine years, reminding midday features m-lle Mimi, I brought up with him, and his son was found, despite, that many barefoot children, as two drops of water similar to Kiril Petrovitch, They ran in front of his windows and considered serf. Kiril Petrovich wrote from Moscow for his little Sasha a French teacher, who arrived at Pokrovskoye during accidents, We are now described.
This teacher Kiril Petrovitch liked his pleasant appearance and simple handling. He presented Kiril Petrovitch his certificates and a letter from one of the relatives Troekurova, tutor with whom he lived for four years. Kiril Petrovich everything is revised and was unhappy with his youth odnoyu Frenchman - not because, that would suggest that the lack of this kind incompatible with the patient and experienced, so necessary in the unfortunate title of teacher, but he had his doubts, that once and I decided to explain to him. For this he ordered summoned Masha (Kiril Petrovitch in French is not spoken, and she served as his interpreter).
- Come here, Masha; tell you that Monsieur, it so be, I accept it; only so, so I have it for my girls did not dare to drag, not that I had, dog son ... translate it to him, Masha.
Masha blushed and, ask the teacher, I said to him in French, her father hopes for his modesty and decent behavior.
The Frenchman bowed to her and answered, he hopes to earn respect, even if it will be denied in favor.
Masha translated word for word his response.
- Good, Good, - said Cyril P., - no need for it any favors, or respect. His case to go after Sasha and to teach grammar, geography yes, translate it to him.
Maria Kirilovna softened in his translation of rude expressions father, and Kiril Petrovitch dismissed his Frenchman to the wing, where he was appointed room.
Masha did not pay any attention to the young Frenchman, brought up in aristocratic prejudices, teacher was her kind of servant or artisan, and the servant il artisan seemed to her a male. She did not notice and impressions, it produced on the m-r Deforge, nor his embarrassment, nor his awe, or change the voice. Several days in succession then she met him quite often, not much care udostoivaya. Surprisingly, she had about him an entirely new concept.
In the courtyard at Kiril Petrovitch raised usually several cubs and were one of the main pastimes Pokrovsky landlord. In the first of his youth the cubs were reducible to the living room on a daily basis, where Kiril Petrovitch was busy for hours on end with them, pitting them with cats and puppies. Vozmuzhav, they had been planted on a chain, in anticipation of this persecution. Socially withdrawn before the manor house and the windows rolled up them the empty wine barrel, studded nails; bear sniffed it, then quietly to her feet dotrogivalsya stabbed himself, angry, pushing her harder, and the pain became stronger. He was a perfect fury, with a roar rushed to the barrel, meanwhile not otymali the poor beast vain object of his fury. It happened, that harnessed a couple of bears in the cart, We will and unwillingly put in her guests and let them ride on the will of God. But the best joke revered by Kiril Petrovich next.
Progladavshegosya bear zaprut, happened, in an empty room, by tying it with a cord for the ring, screwed into the wall. The rope was almost the length of the room, so that only one corner contradistinction could be safe from the attack of the terrible beast. Usually led newcomer to the door of the room, inadvertently shoved him to bear, doors were locked, and poor victim left alone with shaggy hermit. poor guest, with the skirt of his coat torn and scratched and bleeding, soon sought out safe angle, but it was forced to sometimes three hours to stand against the wall and see, like an angry beast in two steps from his roaring, jumping, reared, I struggled and strained to reach it. Such were the noble amusements Russian master! A few days after the arrival of the teacher, Troyekurov remembered him and set out to treat him in a bear room: for this, I called him one morning, He took with him his dark corridors; suddenly a side door opened,, two servants pushed the Frenchman into it and locked it with a key. Recovered, the teacher saw a bear tied, beast began to snort, sniffing distance of their guest, and suddenly, standing on hind legs, went at it ... The Frenchman did not hesitate, I did not run and was waiting for the attack. bear approaching, Desforges took from his pocket a small pistol, He puts his ear to the hungry beast and shot. bear fell. all came running, the door opened, Entering Cyril P., Amazed decoupling their jokes. Kiril Petrovitch wanted to necessarily explain the entire case: who prefaced Deforge a joke, for him predugotovlennoy, or why in his pocket was a loaded pistol. He sent for Masha, Mary ran and took a Frenchman father questions.
- I never heard of a bear, - I replied Desforges, - but I always carry a gun, because it is not going to tolerate insult, for which, in my Ranks, I can not meet demand.
Masha looked at him with amazement and translated his words Kiril Petrovitch. Kiril Petrovitch made no answer, He ordered to pull the bear and take off his skin; after, turning to his men, said: "What is done! not chickened, by God, not a coward ". From the moment he fell in love with Deforge I did not think much of his taste.
But this case is made even more of an impression on Maria Kirillovna. Her imagination was struck: she saw the dead bear and Deforge, quietly standing over him and quietly talking with her. She saw, the courage and proud self-esteem is not only belong to one caste, and since then began to have respect for a young teacher, that the hour was getting closer. Between them established themselves some relations. Masha had a beautiful voice and great musical talent; Desforges offered to give her lessons. Once the reader is not difficult to guess, Masha fell in love with him, she still is not admitting to yourself.
Volume two
Chapter IX
On the eve of the guests began to arrive, others stayed in the manor house and in the wings, in other clerk, third priest, fourth in rich peasants. The stables were full of horses road, yards and sheds encumbered with different crews. At nine o'clock in the morning to Mass zablagovestili, and everything was pulled to the new stone church, Kiril Petrovitch built annually adorn his offerings. Gathered so many honorable pilgrims, that the simple peasants could not fit into the church and stood on the porch and in the yard of. Mass did not begin, Kirill Petrovich waited. He arrived in a carriage gears and went triumphantly into place, followed by Mary Kirilovna. The eyes of men and women approached her; first surprised her beauty, second attentively examined her outfit. It began mass, home choristers sang in Krylos, Kiril Petrovitch himself pulled up, I prayed, without looking to the right, or to the left, and with a proud humility, he bowed to the ground, when Deacon publicly mentioned about this temple zizhditele.
Mass ended. Kiril Petrovich first went to the cross. All followed him, Then the neighbors came up to him with reverence. Ladies surrounded Masha. Cyril P., leaving the church, invited everyone to dinner, He got into his carriage and went home. All went after him. The rooms were filled with guests. Constantly included new faces and could hardly get to the host. The ladies sat sedate semicircle, dressed in a belated fashion, in shabby and expensive clothes, all in pearls and diamonds, men crowded about caviar and vodka, a noisy disagreement talking among themselves. The room was covered table 80 instruments. servants bustled, placing bottles and decanters and prilazhivaya tablecloths. At last the butler announced: "Kushanye put", - and Kiril Petrovich first went to sit at the table, behind it moved ladies and it is important to take their seats, watching some seniority, ladies hesitating between them, as a timid herd of goats, and chose a seat next to one another. Against them fit men. At the end of the table sat the teacher next to little Sasha.
The servants began to carry plates of ranks, in the case of perplexity guided lafaterskimi guesses *, and almost always correctly. Clinking of plates and spoons merged with the noisy guests say, Kiril Petrovich fun surveyed their meal and enjoy the happiness quite hospitable. At this time, the carriage drove into the courtyard, drawn by six horses. "Who is this?"- said the owner. "Anton Pafnutyitch", - answered several voices. the door opened, Anton Pafnutyitch Spitsin, fat man of about 50 with a round and pockmarked face, decorated with a triple chin, I burst into the dining room, bowing, smiling and already going to apologize ... "The device here, - I cried Cyril P., - welcome, Anton Pafnutyitch, sit down, and tell us, what does it mean: I was not at my Mass and a dinner late. It's not like you: you and praying mantises, and love to eat ". - "I'm sorry, - replied Anton Pafnutyitch, tying a napkin in his buttonhole pea coat, - guilty, Father Cyril P., I was too early to set out on the road, but did not have time to drive off, and ten miles, Suddenly the bus from the front wheel in half - that Lawless? Fortunately, it was not far from the village; long before it dragged themselves, but found a blacksmith, yes all somehow settled, held exactly three hours, there was nothing. Go near Kistenevka way through the forest, I did not dare, and launched into a detour ... "
- Ege! - interrupted Cyril P., - yes you, know, not because of the brave dozen; what are you afraid of?
- As what I'm afraid, Father Cyril P., Dubrovsky and something; and look to get caught in his paws. He is not a fool, nobody will descend, and with me, perhaps, and two skins sderet.
- For what, brother, this difference?
- As for that, Father Cyril P.? followed suit a deceased Andrew Gavrilovic. Am I not in your pleasure, t. is. conscience and justice, showed, that Dubrovsky own Kistenevka without any right, but solely for your indulgence. And the dead (Rest in peace) promised in a familiar way with me perevedatsya, and son, perhaps, He keeps his word for father. Hitherto the Lord spared. All-on-all robbed me one Anbar, yes and look to get to the manor.
- And in the estate-that is it expanse, - Cyril P. zametyl, - I tea, Red casket full full ...
- Where, Father Cyril P.. It was full, and now quite empty!
- Fully lie, Anton Pafnutyitch. We know you; where you spend money, home live pig pig, nobody taking, their men stripped, Know kopish and only.
- You all are you going next joke, Father Cyril P., - he muttered with a smile Anton Pafnutyitch, - and we, by God, ruined, - Anton Pafnutyitch began seizing lordly joke host bold piece of pie. Kiril Petrovitch left him and turned to the new police captain, for the first time to visit him to come and was sitting at the other end of the table next to the teacher.
- What, Mr. Ispravnik, though you catch Dubrovsky?
The police captain coward, bow, He smiled, I stuttered and finally said - Let's try, Your Excellency.
- Um, try. then, for a long time trying to, and much good is still there. that justice, Why and catch it. Dubrovsky's robberies grace for police officer: patrols, investigation, carts, And the money in his pocket. As such benefactor lime? Isn't it fair?, Mr. Ispravnik?
- plain truth, Your Excellency, - I answered completely embarrass the police captain.
Guests zahohotali.
- I like the young man for his sincerity, - said Cyril P., - which is a pity our deceased police officer Taras Alexeyevich; if it had not burned it, so in the neighborhood would be quieter. And you can hear about Dubrovsky? where he was last seen?
- I have, Cyril P., - squeaked a fat lady's voice, - Last Tuesday, he dined at me ...
All eyes turned to Anna Savishna Globovu, pretty simple widow, for all your favorite kind and cheerful disposition. All curiously prepared to hear her story.
- You must know, that three weeks ago I sent a bailiff to the post office with money for my Vanya. Son, I did not indulge, and not in a position to indulge, though and wanted; however please know yourself: Guard officer need to support themselves decently, I am sharing with Vanyusha, how I can, its dohodishkami. That sent him 2000 rubles, though Dubrovsky not just come into my head, I think, yes: city ​​near, only seven miles, maybe God will carry. Look: evening my bailiff returns, mealy, ragged and Pesch - I gasped and. - "What? that the matter with you?"He told me: "Mother Anna Savishna, thieves robbed; very nearly killed, Dubrovsky himself was there, I wanted to hang me, so I moved with compassion and released, but just robbed, and I took a horse and cart '. I froze; my heavenly king, What will happen to my Vanyusha? Nothing to do: I wrote a letter to his son, He told everything, and sent him his blessing without a penny of money.
Week later, other - suddenly pulls me into the yard stroller. Some General asks to see my: welcome; It comes to me a man of about 35 years, dark, black-haired, mustache, beard, a mere portrait Kulneva *, It recommended to me as a friend and colleague of her late husband, Ivan Andreyevich; he de drove by and could not help but call to his widow, knowing, I live here. I treat him what God has sent, We are talking about this and that, Finally and Dubrovsky. I told him my sorrow. Gen. my frown. "This is strange, - he said, - I heard, that Dubrovsky attacks not at all, and on well-known wealthy, but even then divided them, instead of robbing clean, and murders no one accuses; whether there roguery, tell them a minute to call your steward ". Followed clerk, he was; only saw General, he was stunned and. "Tell me, brother, how Dubrovsky robbed you, and how he wanted to hang you ". My bailiff trembled and fell at the feet of the general. "Father, wrong - a sin misled - lied ". - "When so, - answer general, - so if you please also tell your mistress, how the whole thing happened, and I'll listen ". The clerk could not recover. "Well, - continued the general, - tell: where you met Dubrovsky?"-" The two pines, father, two pines ". - "What he said to you?"-" He asked me,, whose art thou, where you are going and why?"-" Well,, and after?"-" And after he demanded money and a letter ". - "Well". - "I gave him a letter and money". - "And he?.. Well - and he?"-" Father, guilty ". - "Well,, what did he do?.."-" He returned me the money and a letter said yes: means go with god, Give it to the post office ". - "Well,, and you?"-" Father, guilty ". - "I'm with you, " - And, DRIVING, - said sternly General, - and you, madam, order the search box that rascal and give it to me in his arms, I teach him a lesson. Know, that Dubrovsky himself was an officer in the Guards, he does not want to offend a friend ". I guessed, who was his excellency, I was nothing to him to interpret. Coachmen tied the clerk for the devils stroller. money found; General I have dined, then immediately I went and took with him the steward. My clerk found the next day in the woods, tied to the oak tree and skinned as sticky.
All listened in silence the story of Anna Savishna, especially girls. Many of them secretly to him dobrozhelatelstvovali, seeing him as a hero of romantic, especially Maria Kirilovna, passionate dreamer, satiate the mysterious horrors Radcliffe *.

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