The rumor of my arrest hit my whole family. Marya Ivanovna so simply told my parents about my strange acquaintance with Pugachev, that it not only did not bother them, but it also made me laugh often from the bottom of my heart. Father did not want to believe, so I can be implicated in a heinous riot, whose goal was the overthrow of the throne and the extermination of the noble family. He severely interrogated Savelich. Uncle didn't hide it, that the master was visiting Emelka Pugachev and that the villain still complained about him; but swore, that he had never heard of any betrayal. The old people calmed down and began to look forward to favorable news.. Marya Ivanovna was greatly alarmed, but silent, for she was eminently gifted with modesty and caution.
Several weeks have passed ... All of a sudden, Father receives a letter from St. Petersburg from our relative, Prince B **. The prince wrote to him about me. After an ordinary attack, he announced to him, that my suspicions about my participation in the plans of the rioters, unluckily, turned out to be too solid, that a rough execution should have befallen me, but what the sovereign, out of respect for the merits and advanced years of the father, decided to pardon the criminal son and, delivering him from a shameful execution, ordered only to be exiled to a remote region of Siberia for an eternal settlement.
This unexpected blow nearly killed my father. He lost his usual hardness, and his sorrow (usually mute) poured out in bitter complaints. "How! - he repeated, losing my temper. - My son participated in Pugachev's plans! God is righteous, how long did I live! The Empress saves him from execution! Does this make it easier for me? Not terrible penalty: my ancestor died on the place of execution, defending that, what he considered the shrine of his conscience; my father suffered along with Volynsky and Khrushchev *. But a nobleman to change his oath, connect with the robbers, with the killers, with runaway servants!.. Shame and disgrace to our kind!..Frightened by his despair, his mother did not dare to cry in front of him and tried to restore his vigor, talking about the infidelity of the rumor, about the precariousness of human opinion. My father was inconsolable.
Marya Ivanovna suffered the most. Being sure, what could I justify, whenever you want, she guessed the truth and considered herself the culprit of my misfortune. She hid her tears and suffering from everyone, and meanwhile she constantly thought about the means, how to save me.
One evening the father was sitting on the sofa, turning over the pages of the court calendar; but his thoughts were far away, and reading did not perform its usual action on him. He was whistling an old march. Mother silently knitted a woolen sweatshirt, and tears occasionally dripped on her work. Suddenly Maria Ivanovna, sitting right there at work, announced, that necessity compels her to go to Petersburg, and that she asks to be given a way to go. Mother was very upset. "Why do you need to go to Petersburg? - she said. - Really, Marya Ivanovna, you want to leave us?» Maria Ivanovna replied, that her whole future fate depends on this journey, that she is going to seek protection and help from strong people, like a man's daughter, victim for his loyalty.
My father bowed his head: every word, reminiscent of the alleged crime of the son, it was painful for him and seemed like a sharp reproach. "Go, mother! he said to her with a sigh. - We do not want to interfere with your happiness. God bless you good man, not a defamated traitor". He got up and left the room.
Marya Ivanovna, left alone with mother, partly explained her assumptions to her. Matushka hugged her with tears and prayed to God for a happy end to the plot.. Marya Ivanovna was equipped, and a few days later she set off on the road with the faithful Broadsword and with the faithful Savelich, which the, forcibly separated from me, consoled at least in thought, what serves my betrothed fiancee.
Marya Ivanovna arrived safely in Sofia and, having learned at the post yard, that the Dvor was at that time in Tsarskoe Selo, decided to stop here. She was given a corner behind the partition. The caretaker's wife immediately started talking to her., announced, that she is the niece of the court stoker, and initiated her into all the mysteries of court life. She said, at what time did the empress usually wake up, add coffee, was walking; what nobles were at that time with her; what did she deign to say yesterday at her table, whom did you receive in the evening, - in short, Anna Vlasyevna's conversation was worth several pages of historical notes and would be precious for posterity. Marya Ivanovna listened to her with attention.. They went to the garden. Anna Vlasyevna told the story of every alley and every bridge, and, having a walk, they returned to the station very pleased with each other.
The next day, early in the morning, Marya Ivanovna woke up, got dressed and quietly went into the garden. The morning was beautiful, the sun illuminated the tops of the lindens, yellowed already under the fresh breath of autumn. The wide lake shone still. Awakened swans importantly swam out from under the bushes, overshadowing the shore. Marya Ivanovna went near the beautiful meadow, where a monument has just been erected in honor of the recent victories of Count Peter Alexandrovich Rumyantsev. Suddenly a white dog* of English breed barked and ran towards her.. Marya Ivanovna was frightened and stopped. At that very moment, a pleasant female voice rang out.: "Do not be afraid, she won't bite". And Marya Ivanovna saw the lady, sitting on a bench opposite the monument. Marya Ivanovna sat down at the other end of the bench.. The lady gazed at her; a Marya Ivanovna, for its part, throwing a few indirect glances, got to see her from head to toe. She was in a white morning dress, in a night cap and a shower jacket. She seemed to be forty years old. her face, full and ruddy, expressed importance and calmness, and blue eyes and a slight smile had an inexplicable charm. The lady was the first to break the silence.
- You are definitely not from here.? - she said.
- Exactly like that: I just arrived yesterday from the province.
- You came with your family?
- Not at all. I came alone.
- One! But you are still so young.
- I don't have a father., no mother.
- Are you here, of course, on some business?
- Exactly like that. I came to submit a request to the empress.
- you are an orphan: probably, you complain about injustice and resentment?
- Not at all. I came to ask for mercy, not justice.
- Let me ask, who are you?
- I am the daughter of Captain Mironov.
- Captain Mironov! the same, that he was a commandant in one of the Orenburg fortresses?
- Exactly like that.
lady, it seemed, was touched. "Excuse me, she said in an even softer voice., - if I interfere in your affairs; but I am at the court; explain to me, what is your request, and, may be, I can help you".
Marya Ivanovna got up and respectfully thanked her.. Everything in the unknown lady involuntarily attracted the heart and inspired confidence. Marya Ivanovna took a folded paper out of her pocket and handed it to her unfamiliar patroness., who began to read it to herself.
At first she read with an attentive and benevolent air.; but suddenly her face changed, - and Maria Ivanovna, following her every move with her eyes, frightened by the stern expression of this face, for a minute so pleasant and calm.
- You ask for Grinev? - said the lady with a cold look. – The Empress cannot forgive him. He did not stick to the impostor out of ignorance and credulity., but as an immoral and mischievous villain.
- Brother, injustice! - screamed Marya Ivanovna.
- How untrue! - objected the lady, all flushed.
- Injustice, by God, injustice! I know everything, I'll tell you everything. He did everything for me alone, what happened to him. And if he did not justify before the court, Is it only because, didn't mean to confuse me. - Then she told everything with fervor., what my reader already knows.
The lady listened to her with attention. "Where did you stay?' she asked later.; and heard, what about Anna Vlasyevna, said with a smile: "A! know. Farewell, don't tell anyone about our meeting. I hope, that you will not wait long for an answer to your letter".
With that word, she got up and entered the covered alley., and Marya Ivanovna returned to Anna Vlasyevna, full of joyful hope.
The hostess scolded her for an early autumn walk, harmful, according to her, for the health of a young girl. She brought a samovar and, over a cup of tea, only began to talk endlessly about the courtyard., when suddenly the court carriage stopped at the porch, and the footman entered with an announcement, that the empress deigns to invite the girl Mironova to her.
Anna Vlasyevna was amazed and got busy. "Ahti, God! she screamed. - The empress demands you to the court. How did she know about you? How about you, mother, introduce yourself to the empress? You, I tea, and you don't know how to step like a courtier ... Shouldn't I see you off?? Still, I can warn you about something.. And how can you ride in a road dress? Should I send to the midwife for her yellow robron?» Lackey announced, whatever the sovereign wanted, so that Marya Ivanovna would ride alone and in that, what will they find her in. There was nothing: Marya Ivanovna got into the carriage and went to the palace., accompanied by the advice and blessings of Anna Vlasyevna.
Marya Ivanovna foresaw the decision of our fate; her heart was beating fast and dying. A few minutes later the carriage stopped at the palace. Marya Ivanovna tremblingly went up the stairs.. Doors opened wide before her.. She walked a long row of empty, magnificent rooms; footman showed the way. Finally, approached the locked doors, he announced, what will report about it now, and left her alone.
The thought of seeing the Empress face to face terrified her so much., that she could hardly stand on her feet. A minute later the doors opened, and she entered the empress's dressing-room.
The Empress sat at her toilet. Several courtiers surrounded her and respectfully let Marya Ivanovna pass.. The empress addressed her affectionately, and Marya Ivanovna recognized in her that lady, with whom she spoke so frankly a few minutes ago. The empress called her and said with a smile: "I'm glad, that she could keep her word to you and fulfill your request. Your business is over. I am convinced of the innocence of your fiancé. Here is the letter, which you yourself will bother to take to the future father-in-law ”.
Marya Ivanovna accepted the letter with a trembling hand and, I cried, fell at the feet of the empress, who picked her up and kissed her. The Empress spoke to her. "I know, that you are not rich, - she said;- but I am indebted to the daughter of Captain Mironov. Don't worry about the future. I undertake to arrange your condition ".
I caressed the poor orphan, the empress let her go. Marya Ivanovna left in the same court carriage.
Anna Vlasevna, impatiently awaiting her return, bombarded her with questions, to which Marya Ivanovna replied somehow. Anna Vlasyevna, although she was dissatisfied with her unconsciousness, but attributed it to provincial shyness and generously excused. On the same day Maria Ivanovna, not curious to look at St. Petersburg, went back to the village...
* * *
Here the notes of Pyotr Andreevich Grinev stop.. It is known from family tradition, that he was released from imprisonment at the end 1774 of the year, by personal order; that he was present at the execution of Pugachev, who recognized him in the crowd and nodded his head to him, which in a minute, dead and bloody, was shown to the people. Soon afterwards Pyotr Andreevich married Marya Ivanovna. Their offspring prosper in the Simbirsk province. - Thirty versts from *** there is a village, owned by ten landowners. - In one of the master's outbuildings they show a handwritten letter of Catherine II behind glass and in a frame. It is written to the father of Pyotr Andreevich and contains an excuse for his son and praise for the mind and heart of Captain Mironov's daughter. The manuscript of Pyotr Andreevich Grinev was delivered to us from one of his grandsons, who learned, that we were busy with work, pertaining to times, described by his grandfather. We made up our minds, with the permission of relatives, publish it separately, having found a decent epigraph for each chapter and allowing himself to change some of his own names.
Publisher.
19 oct. 1836.
ApplicationMissed chapter[8]
We were approaching the banks of the Volga; our regiment entered the village ** and stopped in it to spend the night. The headman announced to me, that on the other side all the villages rebelled, the Pugachev gangs roam everywhere. This news disturbed me greatly.. We were supposed to cross over another day in the morning. Impatience took over me. My father's village was 30 miles away on the other side of the river.. I asked, is there a carrier. All peasants were fishermen; there were many boats. I came to Grinev and announced to him my intention. "Beware, - he said to me,. - It's dangerous to travel alone. Wait for the morning. We will be the first to cross and bring you to visit your parents 50 a man of hussars just in case".
I stood my ground. The boat was ready. I got into it with two rowers. They set sail and struck the oars.
The sky was clear. The moon shone. The weather was calm. Volga rushed smoothly and calmly. A boat, gently rocking, quickly gliding through the dark waves. I plunged into dreams of imagination. It's been about half an hour. We have already reached the middle of the river ... suddenly the rowers began to whisper among themselves. "What?"- I asked, waking up. "We don't know, God knows", - answered the rowers, looking to one side. My eyes took the same direction, and I saw in the dusk something floating down the Volga. An unfamiliar object approached. I told the rowers to stop and wait for him. The moon has gone behind a cloud. The floating ghost has become even more obscure. He was close to me, and I still couldn't tell. "What was that, the rowers said. - A sail is not a sail, masts are not masts ... "- Suddenly the moon came out from behind a cloud and illuminated a terrible sight. The gallows floated towards us, raft approved, three bodies hung on a crossbar. Painful curiosity took possession of me. I wanted to look at the faces of the gallows.
At my order, the rowers hooked the raft with a hook, my boat pushed against the floating gallows. I jumped out and found myself between the terrible pillars. The bright moon lit up the disfigured faces of the unfortunate. One of them was an old Chuvash, another Russian peasant, strong and healthy young man in his 20s. But, glancing at the third one, I was greatly amazed and could not refrain from a plaintive exclamation: it was Vanka, my poor Vanka, foolishly adhering to Pugachev. A black board was nailed above them, on which was written in large white letters: "Thieves and rioters". The rowers looked indifferent and waited for me, holding the raft with a boat hook. I got into the boat again. The raft floated down the river. The gibbet blackened for a long time in the darkness. Finally she disappeared, and my boat moored to a high and steep shore ...
I paid handsomely to the rowers. One of them took me to the elected village, located at the transport. I went with him into the hut. Elective, hearing, that i need horses, received me rather rudely, but my counselor said a few words to him quietly, and his severity immediately turned into hasty servility. In one minute the troika was ready, I got into the cart and ordered myself to be taken to our village.
I rode the high road, past sleeping villages. I was afraid of one: be stopped on the road. If my night meeting on the Volga proved the presence of rioters, then together it was proof of the strong opposition of the government. Just in case, I had a pass in my pocket, issued to me by Pugachev, and Colonel Hrynev's order. But no one met me, and by morning I saw a river and a spruce grove, behind which was our village. The coachman hit the horses, and a quarter of an hour later I drove into **.
The manor's house was at the other end of the village. The horses raced at full speed. Suddenly, in the middle of the street, the coachman began to hold them back.. "What?' I asked impatiently.. «The flag, hold", - answered the driver, with difficulty stopping their furious horses. Indeed, I saw a slingshot and a sentry with a club. A man came up to me and took off his hat, asking for passport. "What does it mean? - I asked him, - why is the slingshot here? Who are you guarding?"-" Yes, we, father, we rebel», - he answered, scratching himself.
- Where are your gentlemen?? – I asked with a sinking heart…
Where are our gentlemen?? - repeated the man. - Our Lords in the grain bin.
– Like in Anbar?
- Yes Andryukha, zemstvo*, planted, vish, put them in the stocks and wants to take them to the father-sovereign.
- Oh my God! Turn away, fool, slingshot. What are you yawning?
sentry lingered. I jumped out of the cart, cracked it (to blame) in the ear and pushed the slingshot away. My man looked at me with stupid bewilderment. I sat down again in the cart and ordered to gallop to the master's house. The bread anbar was in the yard. At the locked doors were two men, also with clubs. The cart stopped right in front of them.. I jumped out and charged right at them. "Open doors!"I told them. probably, my face was terrible. At least, both ran away, throwing clubs. I tried to knock down the lock, and break down the doors, but the doors were oak, and the huge castle is indestructible. At that moment a stately young muzhik came out of the people's hut and, with an air of haughtiness, asked me, how dare i rage. “Where is Andryushka Zemsky, I shouted to him. - Call him to me.
- I myself am Andrey Afanasyevich, not Andryushka, - he replied, proudly akimbo. - What do you need?
Instead of answering, I grabbed him by the collar and, dragged to the doors of the anbar, told them to open. Zemsky was stubborn, but his father's punishment had an effect on him. He took out the key and unlocked the anbar. I rushed over the threshold and into a dark corner, dimly lit by a narrow opening, cut into the ceiling, saw mother and father. Their hands were tied, pads were stuffed on the feet. I rushed to hug them and could not utter a word. Both looked at me in amazement., – three years of military life changed me so much, that they couldn't recognize me. Mother gasped and burst into tears.
Suddenly I heard a sweet familiar voice. "Pyotr Andreevich! It is you!"I was dumbfounded ... I looked around and saw Marya Ivanovna in the other corner, also related.
Father looked at me silently, not daring to believe in myself. Joy shone on his face. I was in a hurry to cut the knots of their ropes with a saber.
- Hello, Hello, Petrushka, my father told me, holding me to your heart, - thank God, waiting for you...
- Parsley, My friend, - mother said. How did the Lord bring you?! Are you healthy?
I was in a hurry to get them out of prison, - but, approached the door, I found it locked up again. "Andryushka, - I cried, - warm up!"-" How not so, - Zemsky answered from behind the door. - Sit right here. Let us teach you how to row and drag the sovereign officials by the gates.!»
I began to examine the anbar, looking for, was there any way to get out.
- Don't bother, - Father told me. - I'm not the owner, so that it was possible to enter and exit my dens through thieves' loopholes.
Mother, for a moment delighted by my appearance, fell into despair, see, that I had to share the death of the whole family. But I've been calmer since then, how he was with them and with Marya Ivanovna. I had a sword and two pistols with me., I could still withstand the siege. Grinev was supposed to arrive in time for the evening and free us.. I told all this to my parents and managed to calm my mother down. They indulged themselves completely in the joy of rendezvous.
- Well, Peter, my father told me, - you've done enough, and I was angry with you. But there is nothing to remember about the old. I hope, that now you have corrected and gone mad. I know, what did you serve, as befits an honest officer. Thanks. Comforted me, old man. If I owe you I will be deliverance, then life will be twice as pleasant for me.
I kissed his hand with tears and looked at Marya Ivanovna, who was so delighted with my presence, that seemed completely happy and calm.
Around noon we heard an unusual noise and cries. "What does it mean, - said the father, - Is it not your colonel who arrived in time?" - "Impossible, - I answered. “He won’t be back until evening.”. Noise multiplied. They beat the alarm. Equestrian people galloped around the yard; this minute into a narrow hole, cut into the wall, Savelich's gray-haired head stuck out, and my poor uncle said in a pitiful voice: "Andrei Petrovich, Avdotya Vasilievna, you are my father, Petr ANDREIĆ, Mother Maria Ivanovna, trouble! villains entered the village. And you know, Petr ANDREIĆ, who brought them? Schwabrin, Alexei Ivanovich, take it hard!» Hearing the hateful name, Marya Ivanovna clasped her hands and remained motionless..
- Listen, I said to Savelich, send someone on horseback * transportation, towards the hussars; and told the colonel to know about our danger.
