Chapter XII
A few days later, and nothing happened to discover,. The life of the inhabitants of the Intercession was monotonous. Kiril Petrovitch went out hunting every day; reading, walks and music lessons occupied Marya Kirilovna, especially music lessons. She was beginning to understand his own heart, and confessed, with involuntary vexation, that it was not indifferent to the merits of the young Frenchman. He for his part did not come out of the limits of respect and strict propriety and the assured her pride and timid doubts. She was more and more gullible indulged fascinating habit. She missed without Deforge, in his presence continually engaged in them, all wanted to know his opinion and always agreed with him. May be, she was not still in love, but at the first obstacle or random nezapnom persecution fate flame of passion it was to break her heart.
One day, on entering the hall, where he expected her teacher, Maria Kirilovna amazement saw embarrassment on his pale face. She opened the piano, I sang a few notes, Dubrovsky but a headache apologized, interrupted the lesson and, closing notes, He handed her a note by stealth. Maria Kirilovna, not having time to think again, He took her and repented at the same moment, but Dubrovsky was no longer in the room. Maria Kirilovna went to her room, I unfolded the note and read the following:
"Be today 7 hours in the gazebo by the creek. I need to talk to you ".
Her curiosity was aroused. It is long overdue recognition, wanting and fearing him. She was pleased to hear confirmation, what she guessed, but she felt, that it would be improper to hear such an explanation from the person, which as his could not hope to ever get her hand. She decided to go on a date, but ranged in one: how will she teacher recognized, Whether with aristocratic indignation, Does friendship with admonitions, with hilarious jokes, or with a silent participation. Meanwhile, she constantly glancing at the clock. dusk, filed candles, Kiril Petrovitch sat down to play boston with visiting neighbors. Cutlery clock struck the third quarter of the seventh, and Maria Kirilovna quietly out on the porch, I looked around in all directions and ran into the garden.
The night was dark, the sky is covered with clouds, a stone's throw away from you could not see anything, but Maria Kirilovna was in the dark on familiar paths, and a moment later found herself in the arbor; then she stopped, in order to catch his breath and to appear before Desforges overlooking indifferent and unhurried. But Desforges was standing in front of her.
- Thank you, - he said to her in a low and sad voice, - that you have not denied my request. I would be in despair, if you did not agree on the.
Maria Kirilovna answered anything-:
- Hopefully, that you do not make me repent of my indulgence.
He was silent and, sound, I brace up.
- Circumstances demand ... I must leave you, - he said at last ... - You will soon, may be, hear ... But before we part I have to explain myself to you ...
Maria Kirilovna no reply. In these words she saw a preface to the expected recognition.
- I'm not, that you expect, - he continued, potupya head, - I'm not French Deforzh, I Dubrovsky.
Cried Maria Kirilovna.
- Do not be afraid, for god's sake, you should not be afraid of my name. Yes, I have the unfortunate, whom your father deprived of bread, expelled from the paternal house, and sent to rob on the highways. But you have no need to be afraid of me - not for himself, us about it. Its end. I forgave him. Listen, you saved it. My first bloody deed was supposed to happen on it. I walked near his home, appointing, where the fire break out, where to enter his bedroom, how to stop him all the way to escape, the minute you walked past me, as a heavenly vision, and my heart is humbled. I understood, that the house, where you inhabit, priesthood, that no single entity, to contact you by blood, It can not be my curse. I refused revenge, both from the madness. Whole days I wandered around the gardens Pokrovsky hoping to see from a distance your white dress. In your incautious walks I followed you, prokradyvayas from bush to bush, Happy thoughts, that you guard, that for you there is no danger, where I attend secretly. Finally the case was presented. I lived in your home. These three weeks were my days of happiness. Their memories will delight sad my life ... Today, I received the news, after which is impossible for me to stay here any longer. I leave you now ... this very hour ...
But first I had to open up to you, so you will not curse me, not despised. Think sometimes of Dubrovsky, know, that he was born for a different purpose, that his soul was able to love you, What never…
Then came the soft whistle, and Dubrovsky stopped. He grabbed her hand and pressed it to the flaming lips. whistling repeated.
- Sorry, - said Dubrovsky, - My name is, minute can kill me. - He went out, Maria Kirilovna stood still. Dubrovsky returned and again took her hand.
- If you ever, - he said to her gentle and touching voice, - if you ever have the misfortune to befall you and no one will not wait for any help, no protection, in this case, if you promise me to resort, just ask me for your salvation? Do you promise not to reject my devotion?
Maria Kirilovna crying silently. Whistling sounded for a third time.
- You are ruining me! - cried Dubrovsky. - I will not leave you, until you give me an answer. Do you promise or not?
- promise, - whispered the poor beauty.
Agitated date with Dubrovsky, Maria Kirilovna returning from the garden. It seemed, that all the people ran, the house was in motion, the yard was crowded, the porch stood a triple, from a distance, she heard the voice of Cyril Petrovich and hurried to enter the room, fear, so that its absence was not noticed. The room met her Kiril Petrovich, guests surrounded by police officer, our acquaintance, and showered him with questions. The police captain in traveling dress, armed from head to toe, He answered them with a view of the mysterious and fussy.
- Where have you been, Masha, - Cyril P. sprosyl, - Have you not met m-r Deforge? - Masha violence could respond negatively.
- Imagine, - Cyril P. prodolzhal, - of police came to seize him, and assures me, it was Dubrovsky himself.
- All signs, Your Excellency, - respectfully said the police captain.
- Source, brother, - interrupted Cyril P., - Get out, know where, with its trappings. I'll not betray my French, meanwhile he can not make out the case. How can you believe in the words of Anton Pafnutyitch, coward and liar: he dreamed, that the teacher wanted to rob him. Why is he in the same morning, he told me that word?
- Frenchman intimidate him, Your Excellency, - replied the police captain, - and made him swear to be silent ...
- Vranje, - Cyril P. reshyl, - Now I will bring everything to clean water. - Where is the teacher? - he asked the servant entered.
- Nowhere to find,, - servant answered.
- So find it, - shouted Troyekurov, beginner sumnevatsya. - Show me your vaunted signs, - he said the police captain, which immediately and handed him a paper. - Um, um, 23 ... It is a year since, but it does not prove anything. What the teacher?
- Do not find-a, - it was again the answer. Kiril Petrovitch began to worry, Maria Kirilovna was more dead than alive.
- You're pale, Masha, - said her father, - You scared.
- Not, papa, - Masha answered, - I have a headache.
- Come, Masha, to my room and do not worry. - Masha kissed his hand and went to his room soon, there she threw herself on the bed and sobbed in a hysterical fit. Maids ran, stripped of its, hardly, hardly managed to calm her down with cold water and all kinds of alcohols, it was put, and she fell into a doze.
Meanwhile, the Frenchman was not found. Kiril Petrovich paced up and down the hall, ominously whistling 'Thunder victory peal ". Guests were whispering among themselves,, police captain seemed a fool, Frenchman did not find. probably, He managed to escape, having been warned. But who and how? it remained a mystery.
There were 11, and no one thought about the dream. Finally Kiril Petrovich said angrily police captain:
- Well? do not light up as you stay here, My house is not a tavern, not with your agility, brother, catch Dubrovsky, if so it Dubrovsky. Go-ka back home so forth whether rastoropnee. And you go home, - he continued, addressed the guests. - Make the pledge, And i want to sleep.
So ungraciously Troyekurov parted with their guests!
Chapter XIII
Some time passed without any remarkable event. But at the beginning of next summer, there have been many changes in family life Kiril Petrovich.
At 30 miles from it was rich estate Prince Vereisky. Prince has long been in foreign lands, all the substance of his ran a retired major, and no relations existed between the Pokrovsky and Arbatov. But at the end of the month of May the Prince returned from abroad and came to his village, which-old had not yet seen. Accustomed to distraction, he could not endure solitude, and on the third day after his arrival went to dinner at Troyekurov, which I was once a sign.
Prince was about 50 years old, but he seemed much older. all kinds of excesses exhausting his health and put on him his indelible stamp. Although his appearance was pleasant, remarkable, and the habit of being always gave him some courtesy in society, especially with women. He had incessant need of scattering and continually missed. Kiril Petrovitch was extremely pleased with his visit to, taking signified a sign of respect of human, knowing the light; he became his habit to treat its review of its institutions and led to the kennel yard. But the prince almost suffocated in the atmosphere and the dog was in a hurry to go out, pinching his nose with a handkerchief, Spray the perfume. The ancient garden with its clipped lime trees, Foursquare pond and right lanes he did not like; he liked English gardens and the so-called nature, but he praised and admired; a servant came to report, that the meal was delivered. They went to dinner. Prince was limping, tired from his walk and is already regretting his visit.
But in the hall I greeted them Maria Kirilovna, and an old tape was struck by her beauty. Troyekurov sat beside her guest. Prince was animated by her presence, was gay and had several times to get her attention with his stories curious. After dinner Kiril Petrovitch offered ride, but the Prince apologized, pointing to his velvet boots and joking over his gout; he chose to walk in the lineup, In order not to be separated from his neighbor miloyu. line laid. The old men and the beauty and drove the three of us sat down. The conversation is not interrupted. Maria Kirilovna gladly listened to the flattering and cheerful greeting of a man, suddenly Verey, obratyas for Kirill Petrovich, I asked him, that means it Pogoreloye structure and whether it belongs to him?.. Kiril Petrovitch frowned; memories, excited it Pogorelaya MANOR, It was to his liking. he answered, that the earth is now his and that it belonged to Dubrovsky before.
- Dubrovsky, - repeated Verey, - as, this glorious thief?..
- his Father, - posted Troyekurov, - and my father was a respectable robber.
- Where will become of our Rinaldo *? I live on, if he caught?
- I prefer alive and, and meanwhile we will at the same time police officer with thieves, Until then, he will not be caught; by the way, prince, Dubrovsky went after you in Arbatov?
- Yes, last year he, it seems, something burned or looted ... Is not, Maria Kirilovna, it would be interesting to meet shorter with this romantic hero?
- What is interesting! - said Troyekurov, - She knew him: it is the whole three weeks teaching her music, that the glory of God, I do not take anything for the lessons. - Here Kiril Petrovitch began to tell the story of his Frenchman, teacher. Maria Kirilovna sitting on pins and needles. Verey listened with profound attention, I found it all very strange, and changed the subject. returning, he ordered his carriage and feeding, despite vehemently requests Kiril Petrovich stay the night, I left immediately after tea. But before Kiril Petrovitch asked to come to visit him with Marya Kirilovna, and proud Troyekurov promised, for, taking in respect of the princely dignity, two stars and 3000 shower family estate, it is to some extent regarded as rulers of Verey unmatched.
Two days after this visit Kiril Petrovitch went with her daughter to visit Prince Vereisky. Approaching Arbatov, he could not help but admire the clean and cheerful huts of the peasants and a stone manor house, ranked in the style of English castles. Front of the house stretched a dark-green meadow, at any Swiss cows grazing, ringing their bells. An extensive park surrounds the house on all sides. The owner greeted guests on the porch and held out his hand young beauty. They entered a magnificent hall, where the table was set for three instruments. Prince led the guests to the window, and they opened a charming view. The Volga flowed in front of windows, on it were loaded barges strained under sail and fishing boats flitted, so eloquently dubbed gas van. We stretched beyond the river hills and fields, several villages liven up the neighborhood. Then they take up the gallery of pictures, Prince bought in foreign lands. Prince explained Mary Kirilovna their different content, painters story, pointed out the advantages and disadvantages. He spoke about the pictures not on the agreed language pedantic connoisseur, but with feeling and imagination. Maria Kirilovna listened to him with pleasure. Come to table. Troyekurov give full justice to his Amphitryon * wines and the art of his chef, and Maria Kirilovna did not feel the slightest embarrassment or constraint in a conversation with a man, which she had seen only the second time after birth. After dinner, the owner offered to guests in the garden. They drank the coffee in an arbor on the bank of a wide lake, dotted with islands. Suddenly there was a brass band, and shestiveselnaya boat moored to the most gazebo. They went across the lake, around the islands, We visited some of them, one is a marble statue, on another a solitary cave, the third a monument with a mysterious inscription, Mary is excited to Kirilovna girlish curiosity, not quite satisfied courteous omissions Prince; time passed unnoticed, dusk. Prince under the pretext of freshness and dew in a hurry to return home; samovar was waiting for them. Prince requested Maria Kirillovna hosting in the house of an old bachelor. She poured out the tea, listening to the stories of the kind inexhaustible talker; Suddenly a shot rang out, and revenge racket sky. Prince handed Marya Kirilovna shawl and called her and Troekurova balcony. Front of the house in the dark colored lights flashed, whirled, climbed up ears, palm trees, fountains, poured rain, stars, faded and flared up again. Maria Kirilovna had fun as a child. Prince of Vereya pleased her delight, Troyekurov and was extremely pleased with, For taking tous les frais # Prince, as the signs of respect and a desire to please him.
Dinner in dignity is not inferior to dinner. Guests went to the room, reserved for them, and the next morning broke with amiable host, giving each other a promise to meet again soon.
Chapter XIV
Maria Kirilovna sitting in her room, embroidering in the hoop, in front of an open window. It is not to be confused with silk, like a lover Conrad *, which in love abstraction rose embroidered green silk. Under her needle outline pattern repeated unmistakably original, even though her mind did not follow the work, they were far.
Suddenly the window gently stretched hand, someone put a letter in the hoop and disappeared, before Maria Kirilovna managed senses. At this time the servant came to her and invited her to Kiril Petrovitch. She hid the letter with trembling of the scarf and rushed to his father's office.
Kiril Petrovitch was not alone. Prince Verey sat him. When the Mary Kirilovna Prince stood up and bowed to her with embarrassment for him extraordinary.
- Come here, Masha, - said Cyril P., - I'll tell you the news, which, I hope, you rejoice. Here's the bridegroom, Prince you Woo.
Masha was dumbfounded, death pallor overspread her face. she was silent. The prince approached her, He took her hand and asked, with a view of untouched: whether it agrees to make him happy. Masha was silent.
- Agree, of course, agree, - said Cyril P., - but you know, prince: the girl is hard to utter the word. Well, children, kiss and be happy.
Masha stood motionless, old Prince kissed her hand, Suddenly tears ran down her pale face. The prince frowned.
- Went, gone, gone, - said Cyril P., - I will dry up your tears, and return to us veseleshenka. They all cry when engagement, - he continued, turning to Vereisky, - it is because they really opened ... Now, prince, talk business, t. is. the dowry.
Maria Kirilovna eagerly took advantage of the permission to retire. She ran to her room, He locked the door and gave vent to his tears, imagining themselves old Prince's wife; He suddenly seemed to her disgusting and hateful marriage frightened her ..., as a scaffold, as the grave ... "No., not, - she repeated in despair, - it is better to die, better in the monastery, better go for Dubrovsky ". Then she remembered the letter and read it greedily rushed, foreseeing, that it was from him. In fact it was written to them and to conclude only the following words:
"In the evening, 10 time. in the same place ".
Chapter XV
The moon shone, July night was quiet, occasionally ascended breeze, and a slight rustle ran around the garden.
As light shadow, young beauty close to your destination goodbye. Yet no one was visible, suddenly from behind the arbor Dubrovsky found himself in front of her.
- I know everything, - he said to her in a low and sad voice. - Remember your promise.
- Do you offer me your protection, - Masha answered, - but do not be angry: it scares me. How will render you help me?
- I could save you from a hated man.
- Works of God, do not touch him, Do not you dare touch him, if you love me. I do not want to blame any horror ...
- I did not touch him, your will for me is sacred. He owe you life. Do not be evil committed in the name of your. You must be clean and even in my crimes. But how do you save from a cruel father?
- There is still hope. I hope to touch it with my tears and despair. he is stubborn, but he loves me.
- Do not hope in vain: in those tears, he sees only the ordinary timidity and aversion, common to all young girls, when they are married not passion, but from prudent calculation; what, if he takes it into his head to make your happiness in spite of yourself; if the force will carry you down the aisle, to ever betray your destiny in the power of the old man?
- Then, while doing nothing, yavytes me, I'll be your wife.
Dubrovsky trembled, pale face was covered with a purple blush, and at that moment it became paler than before. He was silent for a long time, potupya head.
- Get together with the whole soul, begs her father, throw yourself at his feet, Imagine the horror of his future, your youth, fading near the sickly and depraved old man, decide upon a cruel explanation: tell, that if he remains adamant, then ... then you will find a terrible defense ... tell, that wealth does not bring you happiness, and one minute; luxury comforts one poverty, and that the habit for a moment; keep up with him, do not be afraid nor his anger, no threats, yet it remains a shadow of hope, for god's sake, keep up. If it is not already another tool ...
Here Dubrovsky hid his face in his hands, he, it seemed, panted. Mary was crying ...
- Poor, my poor fate, - he said, bitter sigh. - For you, I would give life, see you from a distance, touch your hand was my delight. And when you open the opportunity for me to squeeze you to the fermented heart and say: angel, die! poor, I must beware of bliss, I have to postpone it by all means. I dare not fall at your feet, thank heaven for incomprehensible undeserved award. ABOUT, how should I hate him ... but I feel, Now in my heart there is no place for hatred.
He gently put his arm around her waist and slender quietly drew her to his heart. She trustingly leaned her head on the shoulder of a young robber. Both were silent.
time flew. "Pora", - finally said Masha. Dubrovsky seemed to awake from slumber. He took her hand and slipped the ring on her finger.
- If you decide to resort to me, - he said, - bring the ring here, place it in the hollow of an oak. I will know, what to do.
Dubrovsky kissed her hand and disappeared among the trees.
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