"
Saveliitch clasped his hands with a look of surprise and stupefaction
impossible to describe.
Saveliitch clasped his hands with a look of surprise and stupefaction
impossible to describe.
Pushkin - Daughter of the Commandant
I have cleared and made safe the road to Simbirsk; send her
to-morrow to your parents alone, and you stay in my detachment. If you
fall again into the hands of the rebels it will not be easy for you to
get off another time. In this way, your love fit will cure itself, and
all will be for the best. "
Though I did not completely agree with him, I yet felt that duty and
honour alike required my presence in the Tzarina's army; so I resolved
to follow in part Zourine's advice, and send Marya to my parents, and
stay in his troop.
Saveliitch came to help me to undress. I told him he would have to be
ready to start on the morrow with Marya Ivanofna. He began by showing
obstinacy.
"What are you saying, sir? How can you expect me to leave you? Who will
serve you, and what will your parents say? "
Knowing the obstinacy of my retainer, I resolved to meet him with
sincerity and coaxing.
"My friend, Arkhip Saveliitch," I said to him, "do not refuse me. Be my
benefactor. Here I have no need of a servant, and I should not be easy
if Marya Ivanofna were to go without you. In serving her you serve me,
for I have made up my mind to marry her without fail directly
circumstances will permit.
"
Saveliitch clasped his hands with a look of surprise and stupefaction
impossible to describe.
"Marry! " repeated he, "the child wants to marry. But what will your
father say? And your mother, what will she think? "
"They will doubtless consent," replied I, "when they know Marya
Ivanofna. I count on you. My father and mother have full confidence in
you. You will intercede for us, won't you? "
The old fellow was touched.
"Oh! my father, Petr' Andrejitch," said he, "although you do want to
marry too early, still Marya Ivanofna is such a good young lady it would
be a sin to let slip so good a chance. I will do as you wish. I will
take her, this angel of God, and I will tell your parents, with all due
deference, that such a betrothal needs no dowry. "
I thanked Saveliitch, and went away to share Zourine's room.
In my emotion I again began to talk.
to-morrow to your parents alone, and you stay in my detachment. If you
fall again into the hands of the rebels it will not be easy for you to
get off another time. In this way, your love fit will cure itself, and
all will be for the best. "
Though I did not completely agree with him, I yet felt that duty and
honour alike required my presence in the Tzarina's army; so I resolved
to follow in part Zourine's advice, and send Marya to my parents, and
stay in his troop.
Saveliitch came to help me to undress. I told him he would have to be
ready to start on the morrow with Marya Ivanofna. He began by showing
obstinacy.
"What are you saying, sir? How can you expect me to leave you? Who will
serve you, and what will your parents say? "
Knowing the obstinacy of my retainer, I resolved to meet him with
sincerity and coaxing.
"My friend, Arkhip Saveliitch," I said to him, "do not refuse me. Be my
benefactor. Here I have no need of a servant, and I should not be easy
if Marya Ivanofna were to go without you. In serving her you serve me,
for I have made up my mind to marry her without fail directly
circumstances will permit.
"
Saveliitch clasped his hands with a look of surprise and stupefaction
impossible to describe.
"Marry! " repeated he, "the child wants to marry. But what will your
father say? And your mother, what will she think? "
"They will doubtless consent," replied I, "when they know Marya
Ivanofna. I count on you. My father and mother have full confidence in
you. You will intercede for us, won't you? "
The old fellow was touched.
"Oh! my father, Petr' Andrejitch," said he, "although you do want to
marry too early, still Marya Ivanofna is such a good young lady it would
be a sin to let slip so good a chance. I will do as you wish. I will
take her, this angel of God, and I will tell your parents, with all due
deference, that such a betrothal needs no dowry. "
I thanked Saveliitch, and went away to share Zourine's room.
In my emotion I again began to talk.
