No More Learning

"You are right, lady; I only arrived yesterday from the country. "

"You came with your parents? "

"No, lady, alone. "

"Alone! but you are very young to travel by yourself. "

"I have neither father nor mother. "

"You are here on business? "

"Yes, lady, I came to present a petition to the Tzarina. "

"You are an orphan; doubtless you have to complain of injustice or
wrong. "

"No, lady, I came to ask grace, and not justice. "

"Allow me to ask a question: Who are you? "

"I am the daughter of Captain Mironoff. "

"Of Captain Mironoff? He who commanded one of the forts in the Orenburg
district? "

"Yes, lady.
"

The lady appeared moved.

"Forgive me," she resumed, in a yet softer voice, "if I meddle in your
affairs; but I am going to Court. Explain to me the object of your
request; perhaps I may be able to help you. "

Marya rose, and respectfully saluted her. Everything in the unknown lady
involuntarily attracted her, and inspired trust. Marya took from her
pocket a folded paper; she offered it to her protectress, who ran over
it in a low voice.

When she began she looked kind and interested, but all at once her face
changed, and Marya, who followed with her eyes her every movement, was
alarmed by the hard expression of the face lately so calm and gracious.

"You plead for Grineff," said the lady, in an icy tone. "The Tzarina
cannot grant him grace. He passed over to the usurper, not as an
ignorant and credulous man, but as a depraved and dangerous
good-for-nothing. "

"It's not true! " cried Marya.

"What! it's not true? " retorted the lady, flushing up to her eyes.

"It is not true, before God it is not true," exclaimed Marya.