DUEL.
If you please, get into position.
Look, I'll pierce your figure!
Knyazhnin.
Several weeks passed, and my life in the Belogorsk fortress became not only bearable for me, but even pleasant. In the commandant's house I was received like family. The husband and wife were the most respectable people. Ivan Kuzmich, who became an officer from the children of soldiers, was an uneducated and simple man, but the most honest and kind. His wife managed him, which was consistent with his carelessness. Vasilisa Yegorovna looked at the affairs of the service as if they were her master’s, and ruled the fortress as accurately as she ruled her house. Marya Ivanovna soon stopped being shy with me. We met. I found in her a prudent and sensitive girl. In an imperceptible way, I became attached to the good family, even to Ivan Ignatich, the crooked garrison lieutenant, about whom Shvabrin invented that he was in an impermissible relationship with Vasilisa Yegorovna, which did not have the slightest plausibility: but Shvabrin did not worry about that.
I was promoted to officer. The service did not burden me. In the God-saved fortress there were no inspections, no exercises, no guards. The commandant, of his own accord, sometimes taught his soldiers; but I still could not get them all to know which side was right and which was left, although many of them, so as not to be mistaken, placed the sign of the cross on themselves before each turn. Shvabrin had several French books. I began to read, and the desire for literature awakened in me. In the mornings I read, practiced translations, and sometimes wrote poetry. He almost always dined at the commandant's, where he usually spent the rest of the day, and where in the evening Father Gerasim sometimes appeared with his wife Akulina Pamfilovna, the first messenger in the entire district. Of course, I saw A.I. Shvabrin every day; but hour by hour his conversation became less pleasant for me. I really didn’t like his usual jokes about the commandant’s family, especially his caustic remarks about Marya Ivanovna. There was no other society in the fortress, but I didn’t want anything else.
Despite the predictions, the Bashkirs were not indignant. Calm reigned around our fortress. But the peace was interrupted by a sudden civil strife.
I have already said that I studied literature. My experiments, for that time, were considerable, and Alexander Petrovich Sumarokov, several years later, praised them very much. Once I managed to write a song that I was pleased with. It is known that writers sometimes, under the guise of demanding advice, look for a favorable listener. So, having rewritten my song, I took it to Shvabrin, who alone in the entire fortress could appreciate the works of the poet. After a short introduction, I took my notebook out of my pocket and read him the following poems:
Destroying the thought of love,
I try to forget the beautiful
And oh, avoiding Masha,
I'm thinking of getting the liberty!
But the eyes that captivated me
Every minute before me;
They confused my spirit,
They destroyed my peace.
You, having learned my misfortunes,
Have pity on me, Masha;
In vain me in this fierce part,
And that I'm captivated by you.
“How do you find this?” I asked Shvabrin, expecting praise, like a tribute, which would certainly follow. But to my great chagrin, Shvabrin, usually condescending, decisively declared that my song was not good.
- Why is that? - I asked him, hiding my annoyance.
“Because,” he answered, “that such poems are worthy of my teacher, Vasily Kirilych Tredyakovsky, and very much remind me of his love couplets.”
Then he took the notebook from me and began to mercilessly analyze every verse and every word, mocking me in the most caustic way. I couldn’t bear it, I snatched my notebook from his hands and said that I would never show him my writings. Shvabrin laughed at this threat too. “Let’s see,” he said, “if you keep your word: poets need a listener, like Ivan Kuzmich needs a decanter of vodka before dinner. And who is this Masha, to whom you express your tender passion and love’s adversity? Isn’t it Marya Ivanovna?
“It’s none of your business,” I answered, frowning, “whoever this Masha is.” I don’t ask for your opinion or your guesses.
"Wow! A proud poet and a modest lover!" - Shvabrin continued, irritating me more and more hour by hour; - “but listen to some friendly advice: if you want to be on time, then I advise you not to act with songs.”
- What does this mean, sir? Please explain.
“With pleasure. This means that if you want Masha Mironova to come to you at dusk, then instead of tender poems, give her a pair of earrings.”
My blood began to boil. - Why do you have such an opinion about her? - I asked, barely containing my indignation.
“And because,” he answered with a hellish grin, “I know her character and customs from experience.”
- You're lying, you bastard! - I cried in rage, - you are lying in the most shameless way.
Shvabrin's face changed. “This won’t work for you,” he said, squeezing my hand. - “You will give me satisfaction.”
- Please; when you want to! - I answered, delighted. At that moment I was ready to tear him to pieces.
I immediately went to Ivan Ignatyich and found him with a needle in his hands: on instructions from the commandant, he was stringing mushrooms to dry for the winter. "Ah, Pyotr Andreich!" - he said when he saw me; - “Welcome! How did God bring you? For what purpose, I dare ask?” I explained to him in short words that I had quarreled with Alexei Ivanovich, and I asked him, Ivan Ignatich, to be my second. Ivan Ignatich listened to me with attention, staring at me with his only eye. “You deign to say,” he told me, “that you want to stab Alexei Ivanovich and want me to be a witness? Is that so? I dare to ask.”
- Exactly.
“For mercy, Pyotr Andreich! What are you up to! Did you and Alexei Ivanovich quarrel? It’s a great misfortune! Scolding doesn’t hang at the door. He scolded you, and you scold him; he’s in your snout, and you’re in his ear, in the other, in third - and separate; and we will reconcile you. Otherwise, is it a good thing to stab your neighbor, I dare ask? And it would be a good thing for you to stab him; God be with him, with Alexei Ivanovich; I myself am not a fan of him. Well, and if he drills you? What will it be like? Who would be the fool, dare I ask?"
The reasoning of the prudent lieutenant did not sway me. I stuck to my intention. “As you please,” said Ivan Ignatich: “do it as you understand.” Why should I be a witness here? Why on earth? People are fighting, what an unprecedented thing, dare I ask? Thank God, I went under the Swede and under the Turk: I’ve seen enough of everything.”
I somehow began to explain to him the position of a second, but Ivan Ignatich could not understand me. “Your will,” he said. - “If I were to intervene in this matter, would it be better to go to Ivan Kuzmich and inform him, out of duty, that a crime contrary to the government’s interests is being hatched in the fort: would it not please the commandant to take appropriate measures...”
I got scared and began to ask Ivan Ignatich not to tell the commandant anything; I persuaded him by force; he gave me his word, and I decided to break it.
I spent the evening, as usual, with the commandant. I tried to appear cheerful and indifferent, so as not to give any suspicion and avoid annoying questions; but I confess that I did not have that composure that those in my position almost always boast of. That evening I was in a mood for tenderness and tenderness. I liked Marya Ivanovna more than usual. The thought that perhaps I was seeing her for the last time gave her something touching in my eyes. Shvabrin appeared immediately. I took him aside and notified him of my conversation with Ivan Ignatich. “Why do we need seconds,” he told me dryly: “we can manage without them.” We agreed to fight behind the stacks that were located near the fortress, and to appear there the next day at seven o'clock in the morning. We were talking, apparently, so friendly that Ivan Ignatich blurted out with joy. “It would have been like this a long time ago,” he told me with a pleased look; - “A bad peace is better than a good quarrel, and even if it’s dishonest, it’s healthy.”
"What, what, Ivan Ignatich?" - said the commandant, who was telling fortunes with cards in the corner: “I didn’t listen.”
Ivan Ignatich, noticing signs of displeasure in me and remembering his promise, became embarrassed and did not know what to answer. Shvabrin came to his aid.
“Ivan Ignatich,” he said, “approves of our world.”
- And with whom, my father, were you quarreling? e
“We had a pretty big argument with Pyotr Andreich.”
- Why is this happening?
“For a mere trifle: for a song, Vasilisa Egorovna.”
- We found something to quarrel about! for the song!... how did this happen?
“Yes, here’s how: Pyotr Andreich recently composed a song and today he sang it in front of me, and I began to sing my favorite:
Captain's daughter
Don't go out at midnight.
There was a discord. Pyotr Andreich became angry; but then I decided that everyone is free to sing whatever they want. That was the end of the matter."
Shvabrin's shamelessness almost enraged me; but no one except me understood his crude innuendos; By at least, no one paid attention to them. From the songs the conversation turned to poets, and the commandant noticed that they were all dissolute people and bitter drunkards, and he friendly advised me to leave poetry, as something contrary to the service and leading to nothing good.
Shvabrin's presence was unbearable to me. I soon said goodbye to the commandant and his family; I came home, examined my sword, tried its end, and went to bed, ordering Savelich to wake me up at seven o’clock.
The next day, at the appointed time, I was already standing behind the stacks, waiting for my opponent. Soon he appeared. “They might catch us,” he told me; - “we must hurry.” We took off our uniforms, remained in only camisoles and drew our swords. At that moment, Ivan Ignatich and about five disabled people suddenly appeared from behind a stack. He demanded us to see the commandant. We obeyed with annoyance; the soldiers surrounded us, and we went to the fortress following Ivan Ignatich, who led us in triumph, walking with amazing importance.
We entered the commandant's house. Ivan Ignatich opened the doors, solemnly proclaiming “brought!” Vasilisa Egorovna met us. “Oh, my fathers! What does it look like? How? What? To start a murder in our fortress! Ivan Kuzmich, now they are under arrest! Pyotr Andreich! Alexey Ivanovich! bring your swords here, bring them, bring them. Broadsword, take these swords to closet. Pyotr Andreich! I didn’t expect this from you. Aren’t you ashamed? Good Alexey Ivanovich: he was discharged from the guard for murder and from the guards, he doesn’t even believe in the Lord God; and what are you doing? Are you going to get into this?"
Ivan Kuzmich completely agreed with his wife and said: “And listen, Vasilisa Egorovna speaks the truth. Fights are formally prohibited in the military article.” Meanwhile, Palashka took our swords from us and took them to the closet. I couldn't help but laugh. Shvabrin retained his importance. “With all due respect to you,” he told her calmly, “I cannot help but notice that you are in vain to worry about subjecting us to your trial. Leave this to Ivan Kuzmich: this is his business.” - Ah! my father! - the commandant objected; - aren’t husband and wife one spirit and one flesh? Ivan Kuzmich! Why are you yawning? Now seat them in different corners on bread and water so that their stupidity will go away; Yes, let Father Gerasim impose penance on them, so that they pray to God for forgiveness and repent before people.
Ivan Kuzmich did not know what to decide. Marya Ivanovna was extremely pale. Little by little the storm subsided; The commandant calmed down and made us kiss each other. Broadsword brought us our swords. We left the commandant apparently reconciled. Ivan Ignatich accompanied us. “Aren’t you ashamed,” I told him angrily, “to report us to the commandant after they gave me their word not to do it?” “As God is holy, I didn’t tell Ivan Kuzmich that,” he answered; “Vasilisa Egorovna found out everything from me. She ordered everything without the knowledge of the commandant. However, thank God that it all ended like that.” With this word he turned home, and Shvabrin and I were left alone. “Our business cannot end like this,” I told him. “Of course,” answered Shvabrin; - “You will answer me with your blood for your insolence; but they will probably keep an eye on us. We will have to pretend for a few days. Goodbye!” - And we parted as if nothing had happened.
Returning to the commandant, I, as usual, sat down next to Marya Ivanovna. Ivan Kuzmich was not at home; Vasilisa Egorovna was busy with housekeeping. We spoke in low voices. Marya Ivanovna tenderly reprimanded me for the anxiety caused to everyone by my quarrel with Shvabrin. “I just froze,” she said, “when they told us that you intend to fight with swords. How strange men are! For one word, which in a week they would surely have forgotten, they are ready to cut themselves and sacrifice not only their lives, but and the conscience and well-being of those who... But I am sure that you are not the instigator of the quarrel. Alexey Ivanovich is surely to blame."
- Why do you think so, Marya Ivanovna? e
“Yes, so... he’s such a mocker! I don’t like Alexei Ivanovich. He’s very disgusting to me; but it’s strange: I wouldn’t want him to like me just as much. That would worry me with fear.”
- What do you think, Marya Ivanovna? Does he like you or not?
Marya Ivanovna stuttered and blushed. “I think,” she said, “I think I like you.”
- Why do you think so?
"Because he wooed me."
- Wooed! Did he marry you? When? e
"Last year. About two months before your arrival."
- And you didn’t go?
“As you please see. Alexey Ivanovich is of course a smart man, and has a good family name, and has a fortune; but when I think that it will be necessary to kiss him at the altar in front of everyone... No way! No prosperity!”
Marya Ivanovna’s words opened my eyes and explained a lot to me. I understood the persistent slander with which Shvabrin pursued her. He probably noticed our mutual inclination and tried to distract us from each other. The words that gave rise to our quarrel seemed even more vile to me when, instead of rude and obscene ridicule, I saw in them deliberate slander. The desire to punish the impudent evil-tonguer became even stronger in me, and I began to eagerly await the opportunity.
I didn't wait long. The next day, when I was sitting at my elegy and chewing my pen in anticipation of a rhyme, Shvabrin knocked under my window. I left the pen, took the sword and went out to him. "Why put it off?" - Shvabrin told me: “They’re not watching us. Let’s go to the river. No one will bother us there.” We set off in silence. Having gone down a steep path, we stopped right next to the river and drew our swords. Shvabrin was more skilled than me, but I am stronger and braver, and Monsieur Beaupre, who was once a soldier, gave me several lessons in fencing, which I took advantage of. Shvabrin did not expect to find such a dangerous opponent in me. For a long time we could not do each other any harm; Finally, noticing that Shvabrin was weakening, I began to attack him with alacrity and drove him almost into the river. Suddenly I heard my name spoken loudly. I looked back and saw Savelich running towards me along the mountain path....... At that very time I was strongly stabbed in the chest below the right shoulder; I fell and fainted.
***
If you please, get into position.
Look, I'll pierce your figure!
Knyazhnin
Several weeks passed, and my life in the Belogorsk fortress became not only bearable for me, but even pleasant. In the commandant's house I was received like family. The husband and wife were the most respectable people. Ivan Kuzmich, who became an officer from the children of soldiers, was an uneducated and simple man, but the most honest and kind. His wife managed him, which was consistent with his carelessness. Vasilisa Yegorovna looked at the affairs of the service as if they were her master’s, and ruled the fortress as accurately as she ruled her house. Marya Ivanovna soon stopped being shy with me. We met. I found in her a prudent and sensitive girl. In an imperceptible way, I became attached to a good family, even to Ivan Ignatich, the crooked garrison lieutenant, about whom Shvabrin invented that he was in an impermissible relationship with Vasilisa Yegorovna, which did not have even a shadow of plausibility; but Shvabrin didn’t worry about that.
I was promoted to officer. The service did not burden me. In the God-saved fortress there were no inspections, no exercises, no guards. The commandant, of his own accord, sometimes taught his soldiers; but I still could not get them all to know which side was right and which was left, although many of them, so as not to be mistaken, placed the sign of the cross on themselves before each turn. Shvabrin had several French books. I began to read, and the desire for literature awakened in me. In the mornings I read, practiced translations, and sometimes wrote poetry. He almost always dined at the commandant's, where he usually spent the rest of the day and where in the evening Father Gerasim sometimes appeared with his wife Akulina Pamfilovna, the first messenger in the entire region. Of course, I saw A.I. Shvabrin every day; but hour by hour his conversation became less pleasant for me. I really didn’t like his usual jokes about the commandant’s family, especially his caustic remarks about Marya Ivanovna. There was no other society in the fortress, but I didn’t want anything else.
Despite the predictions, the Bashkirs were not indignant. Calm reigned around our fortress. But the peace was interrupted by a sudden civil strife.
I have already said that I studied literature. My experiments, for that time, were considerable, and Alexander Petrovich Sumarokov, several years later, praised them very much. Once I managed to write a song that I was pleased with. It is known that writers sometimes, under the guise of demanding advice, look for a favorable listener. So, having rewritten my song, I took it to Shvabrin, who alone in the entire fortress could appreciate the works of the poet. After a short introduction, I took my notebook out of my pocket and read him the following poems:
Destroying the thought of love,
I try to forget the beautiful
And oh, avoiding Masha,
I'm thinking of getting the liberty!
But the eyes that captivated me
Every minute before me;
They confused my spirit,
They destroyed my peace.
You, having learned my misfortunes,
Have pity on me, Masha,
In vain me in this fierce part,
And that I'm captivated by you.
How do you find it? - I asked Shvabrin, expecting praise, like a tribute, which was certainly due to me. But, to my great chagrin, Shvabrin, usually condescending, decisively declared that my song was not good.
Why is that? - I asked him, hiding my annoyance.
Because,” he answered, “such poems are worthy of my teacher, Vasily Kirilych Tredyakovsky, and they remind me very much of his love couplets.”
Then he took the notebook from me and began to mercilessly analyze every verse and every word, mocking me in the most caustic way. I couldn’t bear it, I snatched my notebook from his hands and said that I would never show him my writings. Shvabrin laughed at this threat too. “Let's see,” he said, “if you keep your word: poets need a listener, like Ivan Kuzmich needs a decanter of vodka before dinner. And who is this Masha, to whom you express your tender passion and love misfortune? Isn’t it Marya Ivanovna?”
“It’s none of your business,” I answered, frowning, “whoever this Masha is.” I don’t ask for your opinion or your guesses.
Wow! Proud poet and modest lover! - continued Shvabrin, irritating me more and more hour by hour, - but listen to friendly advice: if you want to be on time, then I advise you to act not with songs.
What does this mean, sir? Please explain.
With pleasure. This means that if you want Masha Mironova to come to you at dusk, then instead of tender poems, give her a pair of earrings.
My blood began to boil.
Why do you have such an opinion about her? - I asked, barely containing my indignation.
“And because,” he answered with a hellish grin, “I know her character and customs from experience.”
You're lying, you bastard! - I cried in rage, - you are lying in the most shameless way.
Shvabrin's face changed.
This won’t work out for you,” he said, squeezing my hand. - You will give me satisfaction.
Please; when you want to! - I answered, delighted. At that moment I was ready to tear him to pieces.
I immediately went to Ivan Ignatich and found him with a needle in his hands: on instructions from the commandant, he was stringing mushrooms to dry for the winter. “Ah, Pyotr Andreich! - he said, seeing me, - welcome! How did God bring you? for what purpose, may I ask?” I explained to him in short words that I had quarreled with Alexei Ivanovich, and I asked him, Ivan Ignatich, to be my second. Ivan Ignatich listened to me with attention, staring at me with his only eye. “You deign to say,” he told me, “that you want to stab Alexei Ivanovich and want me to be a witness? Is not it? I dare you to ask.”
Exactly.
Have mercy, Pyotr Andreich! What are you up to! Did you and Alexey Ivanovich have a fight? Great trouble! Hard words break no bones. He scolded you, and you scold him; he hits you in the snout, and you hit him in the ear, in another, in the third - and go your separate ways; and we will make peace between you. And then: is it a good thing to stab your neighbor, I dare ask? And it would be good if you stabbed him: God be with him, with Alexei Ivanovich; I'm not a fan of it myself. Well, what if he drills you? What will it be like? Who will be the fool, dare I ask?
The reasoning of the prudent lieutenant did not sway me. I stuck to my intention. “As you please,” said Ivan Ignatich, “do as you understand. Why should I be a witness here? Why on earth? People are fighting, what an unprecedented thing, dare I ask? Thank God, I went under the Swede and under the Turk: I’ve seen enough of everything.”
I somehow began to explain to him the position of a second, but Ivan Ignatich could not understand me. “Your will,” he said. “If I were to intervene in this matter, would it be better to go to Ivan Kuzmich and inform him, out of duty, that an atrocity is being planned in the fort that is contrary to the government’s interests: wouldn’t it please the commandant to take the appropriate measures...”
I got scared and began to ask Ivan Ignatich not to tell the commandant anything; I persuaded him by force; he gave me his word, and I decided to break it.
I spent the evening, as usual, with the commandant. I tried to appear cheerful and indifferent, so as not to give any suspicion and avoid annoying questions; but, I confess, I did not have that composure that those in my position almost always boast of. That evening I was in a mood for tenderness and tenderness. I liked Marya Ivanovna more than usual. The thought that perhaps I was seeing her for the last time gave her something touching in my eyes. Shvabrin appeared immediately. I took him aside and notified him of my conversation with Ivan Ignatich. “Why do we need seconds,” he told me dryly, “we can manage without them.” We agreed to fight behind the stacks that were located near the fortress, and to appear there the next day at seven o'clock in the morning. We were talking, apparently, so friendly that Ivan Ignatich blurted out with joy.
“It would have been like this a long time ago,” he told me with a pleased look, “a bad peace is better than a good quarrel, and even if it’s dishonest, it’s healthy.”
What, what, Ivan Ignatich? - said the commandant, who was telling fortunes with cards in the corner, - I didn’t listen.
Ivan Ignatich, noticing signs of displeasure in me and remembering his promise, became embarrassed and did not know what to answer. Shvabrin came to his aid.
Ivan Ignatyich, he said, approves of our world.
And with whom, my father, were you quarreling?
We had a pretty big argument with Pyotr Andreich.
Why is this so?
For a mere trifle: for a song, Vasilisa Egorovna.
We found something to quarrel about! for the song!.. but how did this happen?
Well, here’s how: Pyotr Andreich recently composed a song and today he sang it in front of me, and I began to sing my favorite:
Captain's daughter
Don't go for a walk at midnight...
There was a discord. Pyotr Andreich became angry; but then I decided that everyone is free to sing whatever they want. That was the end of the matter.
Shvabrin's shamelessness almost enraged me; but no one except me understood his crude innuendos; at least no one paid attention to them. From the songs the conversation turned to poets, and the commandant noticed that they were all dissolute people and bitter drunkards, and he friendly advised me to leave poetry, as something contrary to the service and leading to nothing good.
Shvabrin's presence was unbearable to me. I soon said goodbye to the commandant and his family; I came home, examined my sword, tried its end and went to bed, ordering Savelich to wake me up at seven o’clock.
The next day, at the appointed time, I was already standing behind the stacks, waiting for my opponent. Soon he appeared. “We might be caught,” he told me, “we must hurry.” We took off our uniforms, remained in only camisoles and drew our swords. At that moment, Ivan Ignatich and about five disabled people suddenly appeared from behind a stack. He demanded us to see the commandant. We obeyed with annoyance; the soldiers surrounded us, and we went to the fortress following Ivan Ignatich, who led us in triumph, walking with amazing importance.
We entered the commandant's house. Ivan Ignatich opened the doors, proclaiming solemnly: “Brought!” Vasilisa Egorovna met us. “Oh, my fathers! What does it look like? How? What? start a murder in our fortress! Ivan Kuzmich, they are now under arrest! Pyotr Andreich! Alexey Ivanovich! bring your swords here, bring them, bring them. Broadsword, take these swords to the closet. Pyotr Andreich! I didn't expect this from you. How are you not ashamed? Good Alexey Ivanovich: he was discharged from the guard for murder and from the guard, he doesn’t even believe in God; and what about you? Is that where you’re going?”
Ivan Kuzmich completely agreed with his wife and said: “And listen, Vasilisa Yegorovna is telling the truth. Fights are formally prohibited in the military article.” Meanwhile, Palashka took our swords from us and took them to the closet. I couldn't help but laugh. Shvabrin retained his importance. “With all due respect to you,” he told her calmly, “I cannot help but notice that you are in vain deigning to worry by subjecting us to your judgment. Leave it to Ivan Kuzmich: it’s his business.” - “Ah! my father! - objected the commandant, - aren’t husband and wife one spirit and one flesh? Ivan Kuzmich! Why are you yawning? Now seat them in different corners on bread and water so that their stupidity will go away; Yes, let Father Gerasim impose penance on them, so that they pray to God for forgiveness and repent before people.”
Ivan Kuzmich did not know what to decide. Marya Ivanovna was extremely pale. Little by little the storm subsided; The commandant calmed down and made us kiss each other. Broadsword brought us our swords. We left the commandant, apparently reconciled. Ivan Ignatich accompanied us. “Aren’t you ashamed,” I told him angrily, “to report us to the commandant after they gave me their word not to do it?” “As God is holy, I didn’t tell Ivan Kuzmich that,” he answered, “Vasilisa Yegorovna found out everything from me. She ordered everything without the knowledge of the commandant. However, thank God that it all ended this way.” With this word he turned home, and Shvabrin and I were left alone. “Our business cannot end like this,” I told him. “Of course,” answered Shvabrin, “you will answer me with your blood for your insolence; but they will probably keep an eye on us. We'll have to pretend for a few days. Goodbye!" And we parted as if nothing had happened.
Returning to the commandant, I, as usual, sat down next to Marya Ivanovna. Ivan Kuzmich was not at home; Vasilisa Egorovna was busy with housekeeping. We spoke in low voices. Marya Ivanovna tenderly reprimanded me for the anxiety caused to everyone by my quarrel with Shvabrin. “I just froze,” she said, “when they told us that you intend to fight with swords. How strange men are! For one word, which they would surely forget about in a week, they are ready to cut themselves and sacrifice not only their lives, but also the conscience and well-being of those who... But I am sure that you are not the instigator of the quarrel. That’s right, Alexey Ivanovich is to blame.”
Why do you think so, Marya Ivanovna?
Yes, so... he's such a mocker! I don't like Alexey Ivanovich. He disgusts me very much; But it’s strange: I wouldn’t want him to like me just as much. This would worry me fear.
What do you think, Marya Ivanovna? Does he like you or not?
Marya Ivanovna stuttered and blushed.
“I think,” she said, “I think I like you.”
Why do you think so?
Because he wooed me.
Wooed! Did he marry you? When?
Last year. Two months before your arrival.
And you didn't go?
As you please see. Alexey Ivanovich, of course, is an intelligent man, has a good family name, and has a fortune; but when I think that it will be necessary to kiss him under the aisle in front of everyone... No way! not for any well-being!
Marya Ivanovna’s words opened my eyes and explained a lot to me. I understood the persistent slander with which Shvabrin pursued her. He probably noticed our mutual inclination and tried to distract us from each other. The words that gave rise to our quarrel seemed even more vile to me when, instead of rude and obscene ridicule, I saw in them deliberate slander. The desire to punish the impudent evil-tonguer became even stronger in me, and I began to eagerly await the opportunity.
I didn't wait long. The next day, when I was sitting at my elegy and chewing my pen in anticipation of a rhyme, Shvabrin knocked under my window. I left the pen, took the sword and went out to him. “Why put it off? - Shvabrin told me, “they are not watching us.” Let's go to the river. No one will bother us there." We set off in silence. Having descended a steep path, we stopped at the very river and drew our swords. Shvabrin was more skilled than me, but I am stronger and braver, and Monsieur Beaupre, who was once a soldier, gave me several lessons in fencing, which I took advantage of. Shvabrin did not expect to find such a dangerous opponent in me. For a long time we could not do each other any harm; Finally, noticing that Shvabrin was weakening, I began to attack him with alacrity and drove him almost into the river. Suddenly I heard my name spoken loudly. I looked back and saw Savelich running down the mountain path towards me... At that very time I was stabbed strongly in the chest below my right shoulder; I fell and fainted.
The chapter opens with the biography of Peter Grinev: his father served, retired, there were 9 children in the family, but everyone except Peter died in infancy. Even before his birth, Grinev was enrolled in the Semenovsky regiment. Until he reached adulthood, he was considered to be on vacation. The boy is raised by Uncle Savelich, under whose guidance Petrusha masters Russian literacy and learns to judge the merits of a greyhound dog.
Later, the Frenchman Beaupré was assigned to him, who was supposed to teach the boy “French, German and other sciences,” but he was not involved in raising Petrusha, but drank and went to the girls’ rooms. The father soon discovers this and throws the Frenchman out. When Peter is seventeen years old, his father sends him to serve, but not to St. Petersburg, as his son had hoped, but to Orenburg.
In parting words to his son, the father tells him to take care of “his dress again, but his honor from a young age.” Upon arrival in Simbirsk, Grinev meets captain Zurin in a tavern, who teaches him to play billiards, gets him drunk and wins 100 rubles from him. Grinev “behaved like a boy who had broken free.” The next morning Zurin demands the winnings. Grinev, who wants to show his character, forces Savelich, despite his protests, to give out money and, ashamed, leaves Simbirsk.
Chapter 2 Counselor On the way, Grinev asks Savelich for forgiveness for his stupid behavior. On the way they are caught in a snowstorm. They go astray.
They meet a man whose “sharpness and subtlety of instinct” amazes Grinev; the man asks to accompany them to the nearest home. In the wagon, Grinev has a dream that he arrives at the estate and finds his father near death. Peter approaches him for a blessing and sees a man with a black beard instead of his father. Grinev’s mother assures him that this is his imprisoned father. The man jumps up, begins to swing an ax, the room is filled with dead bodies. The man smiles at Peter and calls him for his blessing.
At the inn, Grinev looks at the counselor. “He was about forty, average height, thin and broad-shouldered.
His black beard showed streaks of gray, and his large, lively eyes darted about. His face had a rather pleasant, but roguish expression. His hair was cut into a circle, he was wearing a tattered army coat and Tatar trousers.” The counselor talks to the owner in “allegorical language”: “I flew into the garden, pecked hemp; Grandma threw a pebble, but missed it.” Grinev brings the counselor a glass of wine and gives him a rabbit sheepskin coat. From Orenburg, my father's old friend Andrei Karlovich R.
sends Grinev to serve in the Belogorsk fortress (40 versts from the city). Chapter 3 Fortress The fortress is like a village. Everything is in charge of a reasonable and kind old woman, the commandant’s wife, Vasilisa Egorovna. The next morning, Grinev meets Alexei Ivanovich Shvabrin, a young officer “of short stature, with a dark face and extremely ugly, but extremely lively.” Shvabrin was transferred to the fortress for the duel.
Shvabrin tells Grinev about life in the fortress, describes the commandant’s family, and speaks especially unflatteringly about the commandant Mironov’s daughter, Masha. Shvabrin and Grinev are invited to dinner at the commandant's family.
Along the way, Grinev sees a “training”: commandant Ivan Kuzmich Mironov commands a platoon of disabled people. At the same time, he himself is dressed “in a cap and a Chinese robe.” Chapter 4 The Duel Grinev becomes very attached to the commandant’s family. He is promoted to officer. Grinev communicates a lot with Shvabrin, but he likes him less and less, and especially his caustic remarks about Masha. Grinev dedicates mediocre love poems to Masha. Shvabrin sharply criticizes them and insults Masha in a conversation with Grinev.
Grinev calls him a liar, Shvabrin demands satisfaction. Before the duel, on the orders of Vasilisa Yegorovna, they are arrested, the courtyard girl Palashka even takes away their swords. After some time, Grinev learns from Masha that Shvabrin wooed her, but she refused (this explains Shvabrin’s persistent slander towards the girl). The duel resumes, Grinev is wounded. Chapter 5 Lyubov Masha and Savelich are caring for the wounded. Grinev proposes to Masha.
Writes a letter to parents. Shvabrin comes to visit Grinev and admits that he himself was to blame. Grinev's father denies his son a blessing (he also knows about the duel, but not from Savelich. Grinev decides that Shvabrin told his father). Masha avoids Grinev, does not want a wedding without the consent of her parents.
Grinev stops visiting the Mironovs’ house and loses heart. Chapter 6 Pugachevism The commandant receives notification of Emelyan Pugachev’s band of robbers attacking the fortress. Vasilisa Egorovna finds out everything, and rumors about the attack spread throughout the fortress. Pugachev calls on the enemy to surrender.
One of the appeals falls into the hands of Mironov through a captured Bashkir who has no nose, ears or tongue (consequences of torture). Ivan Kuzmich decides to send Masha away from the fortress. Masha says goodbye to Grinev. Vasilisa Egorovna refuses to leave and remains with her husband.
Chapter 7 Attack At night, the Cossacks leave the Belogorsk fortress under the banners of Pugachev. The Pugachevites attack the fortress. The commandant and the few defenders of the fortress are defending themselves, but the forces are unequal. Pugachev, who captured the fortress, organizes a “trial.” Ivan Kuzmich and his comrades are executed (hanged). When it’s Grinev’s turn, Savelich throws himself at Pugachev’s feet, begging him to spare the “master’s child,” and promises a ransom.
Pugachev agrees. Residents of the city and garrison soldiers swear allegiance to Pugachev. A naked Vasilisa Yegorovna is taken out onto the porch and killed. Pugachev leaves. Chapter 8 Uninvited Guest Grinev is tormented by the thought of Masha’s fate. She is hidden by the priest, from whom Grinev learns that Shvabrin has gone over to Pugachev’s side. Savelich tells Grinev that he recognized Pugachev as a counselor.
Pugachev calls Grinev to his place. Grinev leaves. “Everyone treated each other as comrades and did not show any special preference to their leader...
Everyone boasted, offered their opinions and freely challenged Pugachev.” The Pugachevites sing a song about the gallows (“Don’t make noise, mother green oak tree”). Pugachev's guests disperse.
Face to face, Grinev honestly admits that he does not consider Pugachev a tsar. Pugachev: “Isn’t there good luck for the daring? Didn’t Grishka Otrepiev reign in the old days? Think what you want about me, but don’t leave me behind.” Pugachev releases Grinev to Orenburg, despite the fact that he promises to fight against him.
Chapter 9 Separation Pugachev orders Grineva to inform the Orenburg governor that the Pugachevites will be in the city in a week. Pugachev himself leaves the Belogorsk fortress, leaving Shvabrin as commandant.
Savelich gives Pugachev a “register” of the lord’s plundered goods; Pugachev, in a “fit of generosity,” leaves him without attention and without punishment. He favors Grinev with a horse and a fur coat from his shoulder. Masha gets sick. Chapter 10 Siege of the city Grinev goes to Orenburg to see General Andrei Karlovich. At the military council “there was not a single military person.” “All the officials talked about the unreliability of the troops, about the unfaithfulness of luck, about caution and the like. Everyone believed that it was more prudent to remain under the cover of cannons behind a strong stone wall than to experience the happiness of weapons in an open field.”
Officials offer to bribe Pugachev's people (put a high price on his head). The constable brings Grinev a letter from Masha from the Belogorsk fortress (Shvabrin forces her to marry him). Grinev asks the general to give him a company of soldiers and fifty Cossacks to clear the Belogorsk fortress. The general, of course, refuses.
Chapter 11 Rebellious settlement Grinev and Savelich go alone to help Masha. On the way, they are grabbed by Pugachev’s people. Pugachev interrogates Grinev about his intentions in the presence of his confidants. “One of them, a frail and hunched old man with a gray beard, had nothing remarkable about himself except a blue ribbon worn over his shoulder over his gray overcoat. But I will never forget his comrade. He was tall, portly and broad-shouldered, and seemed to me to be about forty-five years old. A thick red beard, gray sparkling eyes, a nose without nostrils and reddish spots on his forehead and cheeks gave his pockmarked wide face an inexplicable expression.”
Grinev admits that he is going to save an orphan from Shvabrin’s claims. The confidants propose to deal not only with Shvabrin, but also with Grinev - to hang both of them. Pugachev treats Grinev with obvious sympathy (“debt is paid in good faith”), promises to marry him to Masha. In the morning, Grinev goes to the fortress in Pugachev’s wagon. In a confidential conversation, Pugachev tells him that he would like to go to Moscow, but “my street is cramped; I have little will. My guys are smart. They are thieves.
I have to keep my ears open; at the first failure, they will ransom their neck with my head.” Pugachev tells Grinev a Kalmyk tale about an eagle and a raven (the raven pecked carrion, but lived up to 300 years, and the eagle agreed to starve, “it’s better to get drunk with living blood,” but not to eat the carrion, “and then what God will give”). Chapter 12 Orphan In the fortress, Pugachev finds out that Shvabrin is mocking Masha, starving her. Pugachev “by the will of the sovereign” frees the girl and wants to immediately marry her to Grinev. Shvabrin reveals that she is the daughter of Captain Mironov. Pugachev decides that “execute, so execute, favor, so favor” and releases Grinev and Masha. Chapter 13 Arrest On the way from the fortress, soldiers arrest Grinev, mistaking him for a Pugachevite, and take him to their superior, who turns out to be Zurin.
Reading time 35 minChapter I
GUARD SERGEANT
“My father Andrei Petrovich Grinev in his youth served under Count Minich and retired as prime minister in 17.... Since then, he lived in his Simbirsk village, where he married the girl Avdotya Vasilievna Yu., the daughter of a poor nobleman there. There were nine of us children. All my brothers and sisters died in infancy.
Mother was still pregnant with me, as I had already been enlisted in the Semenovsky regiment as a sergeant, by the grace of Guard Major Prince B., a close relative of ours.”
Then a teacher was hired for the boy French named Bop-re. He loved to drink, was “fickle and dissolute to the extreme. His main weakness was his passion for the fair sex.” But soon they had to separate.
The washerwoman Palashka complained that Monsieur had seduced her. Andrei Petrovich Grinev immediately kicked him out. “That was the end of my upbringing. I lived as a teenager, chasing pigeons and playing leapfrog with the yard boys. Meanwhile, I was sixteen years old. Then my fate changed."
The father decided to send Petrusha to the service. The boy was very happy. He imagined himself as a guard officer living in St. Petersburg. But Petrusha was sent to Andrei Karlovich R., an old friend of his father, in Orenburg. Savelich went with him.
In Simbirsk, in a tavern, Peter met Ivan Ivanovich Zurin, captain of the hussar regiment. He convinced the boy that a soldier must learn to play billiards and learn to drink punch. Which is what both of them did. At the end of the game, Zurin announced to Peter that he had lost a hundred rubles. But Savelich had the money. Ivan Ivanovich agreed to wait and invited Petrusha to go to Arinushka for now.
We had dinner at Arinushka's. Peter got pretty drunk, then both returned to the tavern. And Zurin only repeated that you need to get used to the service. In the morning, Savelich reproached his owner for starting to walk too early. And then there’s the debt of a hundred rubles...
“Savelich looked at me with deep sorrow and went to collect my debt. I felt sorry for the poor old man; but I wanted to break free and prove that I was no longer a child. The money was delivered to Zurin.”
Chapter II
COUNSELOR
Only on the road did Peter manage to reconcile with Savelich.
And then a snowstorm overtook the travelers. Peter saw some black dot, the coachman drove the horses towards it. It turned out to be a road person. He invited everyone to go to the inn, which was located nearby. The wagon slowly began to move along the high snow. While we were driving, Petrusha had a dream that he could never forget. “It seemed to me that the storm was still raging, and we were still wandering through the snowy desert...
Suddenly I saw a gate and drove into the manor’s courtyard of our estate. My first thought was the fear that my father would be angry with me for my involuntary return to my parents’ roof and would consider it deliberate disobedience. With anxiety, I jumped out of the wagon and saw: mother met me on the porch with an appearance of deep grief. Hush,” she tells me, “your father is sick and dying and wants to say goodbye to you.” Struck with fear, I follow her into the bedroom. I see the room is dimly lit; there are people with sad faces standing by the bed. I quietly approach the bed; Mother lifts the curtain and says: “Andrei Petrovich, Petrusha has arrived; he returned after learning about your illness; bless him." I knelt down and fixed my eyes on the patient. Well?... Instead of my father, I see a man with a black beard lying in bed, looking at me cheerfully. I turned to my mother in bewilderment, telling her: “What does this mean? This is not father. And why should I ask for a man’s blessing?” “It doesn’t matter, Petrusha,” my mother answered me, “this is your imprisoned father; kiss his hand and may he bless you...” I did not agree. Then the man jumped out of bed, grabbed the ax from behind his back and began swinging it in all directions. I wanted to run... and couldn’t; the room was filled with dead bodies; I stumbled over bodies and slid in bloody puddles... The scary man called me affectionately, saying: “Don’t be afraid, come under my blessing...” Horror and bewilderment took possession of me... And at that moment I woke up; the horses stood; Savelich tugged at my hand, saying: “Come out, sir: we’ve arrived.”
“The owner, a Yaik Cossack by birth, seemed to be a man of about sixty, still fresh and vigorous. The guide “was about forty years old, of average height, thin and broad-shouldered... His face had a rather pleasant, but roguish expression.” He visited these parts more than once. The guide and the owner began talking in thieves' jargon about the affairs of the Yaitsky army, which at that time had just been pacified after the riot of 1772. Savelich looked at his interlocutors with suspicion. The inn looked very much like a robber influx. Petrusha was only amused by this.
In the morning the storm subsided. They harnessed the horses and paid the owner. And Peter gave the guide his sheepskin coat. The tramp was extremely pleased with the gift.
Arriving in Orenburg, we went straight to the general. Tomorrow was scheduled to move to the Belogorsk fortress to Captain Mironov, a kind and honest man.
Chapter III
FORTRESS
The fortress was a village surrounded by a log fence. From the old captain's wife, Peter learned that officers were transferred here for indecent acts. For example, Alexey Ivanovich Shvabrin was transferred for murder. “God knows what sin befell him; As you can see, he went out of town with one lieutenant, and they took swords with them, and, well, they stabbed each other; and Alexey Ivanovich stabbed the lieutenant, and in front of two witnesses! What do you want me to do? There is no master of sin."
The constable, a young and stately Cossack, entered. Vasilisa Yegorovna asked Maksimych to give the officer a cleaner apartment.
Pyotr Andreich was taken to Semyon Kuzov. The hut stood on a high bank of the river, at the very edge of the fortress. Half of the hut was occupied by the family of Semyon Kuzov, the other was given to Peter.
In the morning Shvabrin came to Petrusha. We met. The officer told Peter about life in the fortress. The commandant invited both of them to dinner. He turned out to be a vigorous old man, tall. “A girl of about eighteen entered the room, chubby, ruddy, with light brown hair, combed smoothly behind her ears, which were on fire. At first glance I didn't really like her. I looked at her with prejudice: Shvabrin described Masha, the captain’s daughter, to me as a complete fool. At dinner they talked about how many souls Father Peter had; what do you have captain's daughter Wash just a dowry, that “a fine comb, a broom, and an altyn of money... Well, if you can find it a kind person; Otherwise you’ll sit as an eternal bride among the girls.”
Marya Ivanovna blushed all over at this conversation, and even tears dripped onto her plate. Peter felt sorry for her and hastened to change the conversation.
Chapter IV
DUEL
Several weeks passed, and Peter got used to life in the Belogorsk fortress. In the commandant's house he was received like family. In Marya Ivanovna, the officer found a prudent and sensitive girl.
Shvabrin had several French books. Peter began to read, and a desire for literature awakened in him.
“Calm reigned around our fortress. But the peace was interrupted by sudden civil strife.”
Peter wrote a song and took it to Shvabrin, who alone in the entire fortress could appreciate such a work.
Destroying the thought of love, I strive to forget the beautiful, And ah, avoiding Masha, I think of getting freedom! But the eyes that captivated me are always before me; They confused my spirit, crushed my peace. You, having recognized my misfortunes, take pity on me, Masha, in vain for me in this fierce part, and that I am captivated by you.
Shvabrin resolutely declared that the song was not good because it resembled “love couplets.” And in the image of Masha, Shvabrin saw the captain’s daughter.
Then Shvabrin said: “...if you want Masha Mironova to come to you at dusk, then instead of tender poems, give her a pair of earrings.” This phrase completely infuriated Peter. We agreed on a duel. But Ivan Ignatich began to dissuade the young officer.
“I spent the evening, as usual, with the commandant. I tried to appear cheerful and indifferent, so as not to give any suspicion and avoid annoying questions; but I confess that I did not have that composure that those in my position almost always boast of. That evening I was in a mood for tenderness and tenderness. I liked Marya Ivanovna more than usual. The thought that perhaps I was seeing her for the last time gave her something touching in my eyes.”
Shvabrin and I agreed to fight over the stacks the next day at seven o’clock in the morning.
“We took off our uniforms, remained in only camisoles and drew our swords. At that moment, Ivan Ignatich and about five disabled people suddenly appeared from behind a stack.
He demanded us to see the commandant. We obeyed with annoyance; the soldiers surrounded us, and we went to the fortress following Ivan Ignatich, who led us in triumph, walking with amazing importance.”
Ivan Kuzmich scolded his ardent opponents. When they were left alone, Pyotr Andreich told Shvabrin that this matter would not end there.
“Return to the commandant; as usual, I sat down with Marya Ivanovna. Ivan Kuzmich was not at home; Vasilisa Egorovna was busy with housekeeping. We spoke in low voices. Marya Ivanovna tenderly reprimanded me for the anxiety caused to everyone by my quarrel with Shvabrin.”
Marya Ivanovna admitted that she liked Alexey Ivanovich Shvabrin, because he was wooing her. Then Peter realized that Shvabrin noticed their mutual sympathy and tried to distract them from each other. The very next day Alexey Ivanovich came to Peter.
We went to the river and began to fight with swords. But then Savelich’s voice was heard, Peter turned around... “At that very time, I was strongly stabbed in the chest below the right shoulder; I fell and fainted.”
Chapter V
LOVE
“When I woke up, I could not come to my senses for some time and did not understand what had happened to me. I lay on the bed, in an unfamiliar room, and felt very weak. Savelich stood in front of me with a candle in his hands. Someone carefully developed the slings with which my chest and shoulder were tied.”
It turned out that Peter lay unconscious for five days. Marya Ivanovna leaned towards the duelist. “I grabbed her hand and clung to her, shedding tears of tenderness. Masha didn’t tear her away... and suddenly her lips touched my cheek, and I felt their hot and fresh kiss.”
Peter asks Masha to become his wife. “Marya Ivanovna did not leave my side. Of course, at the first opportunity, I began the interrupted explanation, and Marya Ivanovna listened to me more patiently. She, without any affectation, admitted to me her heartfelt inclination and said that her parents would certainly be happy about her happiness.” But what will his parents say? Peter wrote a letter to his father.
The officer made peace with Shvabrin in the first days of recovery. Ivan Kuzmich did not punish Pyotr Andreich. And Alexei Ivanovich was put in a bakery store under guard, “until he repents.”
Finally, Peter received an answer from the priest. He was not going to give his son either his blessing or his consent. In addition, my father was going to ask for Peter to be transferred from the Belogorsk fortress somewhere far away.
But Pyotr Andreich didn’t write anything about the fight in his letter! Peter's suspicions focused on Shvabrin.
The officer went to Masha. He asked her to get married without his parents' consent, but she refused.
“Since then, my position has changed. Marya Ivanovna hardly spoke to me and tried in every possible way to avoid me. The commandant's house became hateful to me. Little by little I learned to sit alone at home. At first Vasilisa Egorovna blamed me for this; but seeing my stubbornness, she left me alone. I saw Ivan Kuzmich only when the service required it. I met Shvabrin rarely and reluctantly, especially since I noticed in him a hidden hostility towards myself, which confirmed my suspicions. My life has become unbearable for me.”
Chapter VI
PUGACHEVSHCHINA
At the end of 1773, the Orenburg province was inhabited by many semi-savage peoples, who had recently recognized the dominion of the Russian sovereigns. “Their constant indignation, unfamiliarity with laws and civil life, frivolity and cruelty required constant supervision from the government to keep them in obedience. The fortresses were built in places considered convenient and were inhabited for the most part by Cossacks, long-time owners of the Yaik banks. But the Yaik Cossacks, who were supposed to protect the peace and security of this region, for some time were themselves restless and dangerous subjects for the government.
In 1772 there was a disturbance in their main town. The reason for this was the strict measures taken by Major General Traubenberg to bring the army to proper obedience. The consequence was the barbaric murder of Traubenberg, a willful change in government and finally the pacification of the rebellion with grapeshot and cruel punishments.”
One evening, at the beginning of October 1773, Peter was summoned to the commandant. Shvabrin, Ivan Ignatich and the Cossack constable were already there. The commandant read a letter from the general, in which it was reported that the Don Cossack and schismatic Emelyan Pugachev had escaped from the guard, “gathered a villainous gang, caused outrage in the Yaik villages and had already taken and destroyed” several fortresses, carrying out robberies and capital murders everywhere.” It was ordered to take appropriate measures to repel the aforementioned villain and impostor, and, if possible, to completely destroy him if he turns to the fortress entrusted to your care.”
It was decided to establish guards and night watches.
Vasilisa Egorovna turned out to be unaware of the matter. She decided to find out everything from Ivan Ignatich. He let it slip. Soon everyone was talking about Pugachev.
“The commandant sent a constable with instructions to thoroughly reconnoiter everything in the neighboring villages and fortresses. The constable returned two days later and announced that in the steppe, sixty miles from the fortress, he saw many lights and heard from the Bashkirs that an unknown force was coming. However, he could not say anything positive, because he was afraid to go further.”
Yulay, a baptized Kalmyk, told the commandant that the constable’s testimony was false: “on his return, the crafty Cossack announced to his comrades that he had been with the rebels, introduced himself to their leader himself, who allowed him into his hand and talked with him for a long time. The commandant immediately put the constable under guard, and appointed Yulay in his place.” The constable escaped from the guard with the help of his like-minded people.
It became known that Pugachev was going to immediately go to the fortress and was inviting Cossacks and soldiers into his gang. It was heard that the villain had already taken possession of many fortresses.
It was decided to send Masha to Orenburg to her godmother.
Chapter VII
ATTACK
At night the Cossacks set out from. fortress, taking Yulay with him by force. And unknown people were driving around the fortress. Marya Ivanovna did not have time to leave: the road to Orenburg was cut off; the fortress is surrounded.
Everyone went to the rampart. Masha also came - it’s worse at home alone. “...She looked at me and smiled forcefully. I involuntarily squeezed the hilt of my sword, remembering that the day before I had received it from her hands, as if to protect my beloved. My heart was burning. I imagined myself as her knight. I longed to prove that I was worthy of her trust, and began to eagerly await the decisive moment.”
Then Pugachev’s gang began to approach. “One of them held a piece of paper under his hat; the other had Yulay's head stuck on a spear, which he shook off and threw over the palisade to us. The poor Kalmyk’s head fell at the commandant’s feet.”
Ivan Kuzmich said goodbye to his wife and daughter and blessed them. The commandant and Masha left.
The fortress was surrendered. “Pugachev was sitting in an armchair on the porch of the commandant’s house. He was wearing a red Cossack caftan trimmed with braid. A tall sable cap with golden tassels was pulled down over his sparkling eyes. His face seemed familiar to me. Cossack elders surrounded him.
Father Gerasim, pale and trembling, stood at the porch, with a cross in his hands, and seemed to silently beg him for the upcoming sacrifices. A gallows was quickly erected in the square. When we approached, the Bashkirs dispersed the people and we were introduced to Pugachev.”
Ivan Kuzmich and Ivan Ignatyich were ordered to be hanged. Shvabrin was already among the rebel elders. His head was cut into a circle, and a Cossack caftan adorned his body. He approached Pugachev and said a few words in his ear.
Pugachev, without even looking at Peter, ordered him to be hanged. The executioners dragged him to the gallows, but suddenly stopped. Savelich threw himself at Pugachev’s feet and began to ask for pardon for the pupil and promised a ransom. Pyotr Andreich was released.
Residents began to swear oaths. And then a woman’s scream was heard. Several robbers dragged Vasilisa Yegorovna onto the porch, disheveled and stripped naked. One of them had already dressed up in her warmer. Others looted the apartment. In the end, the unfortunate old woman was killed.
Chapter VIII
UNINVITED GUEST
Most of all, Peter was tormented by the unknown about the fate of Marya Ivanovna. Palashka said that Marya Ivanovna was hidden with the priest Akulina Pamfilovna. But Pugachev went there for dinner!
Peter rushed to the priest's house. From the priest he learned that Pugachev had already gone to look at his “niece,” but did nothing to her. Peter Aedreich went home. Savelich remembered why the “murderer’s” face seemed familiar to him. It was the same “drunkard who lured the sheepskin coat from you at the inn!” The hare sheepskin coat is brand new; and he, the beast, tore it open, putting it on himself!”
Peter was amazed. “I could not help but marvel at the strange combination of circumstances: a children’s sheepskin coat, given to a tramp, saved me from the noose, and a drunkard, wandering around inns, besieged fortresses and shook the state!”
“Duty demanded that I appear where my service could still be useful to the fatherland in present, difficult circumstances... But love strongly advised me to stay with Marya Ivanovna and be her protector and patron. Although I foresaw a quick and undoubted change in circumstances, I still could not help but tremble, imagining the danger of her position.”
And then one of the Cossacks came with an announcement, “What? great sovereign demands you to come to him." He was in the commandant's house.
“An extraordinary picture presented itself to me: at a table covered with a tablecloth and set with damasks and glasses, Pugachev and about ten Cossack elders were sitting, in hats and colored shirts, flushed with wine, with red faces and shining eyes. Between them there was neither Shvabrin nor our constable, the newly recruited traitors. “Ah, your honor! - said Pugachev, seeing me. - Welcome; honor and place, you are welcome.” The interlocutors made room. I sat down silently on the edge of the table."
Peter never touched the poured wine. The conversation turned to the fact that now the gang needs to go to Orenburg. The campaign was announced for tomorrow.
Pugachev was left alone with Peter. The chieftain said that “he would not yet favor his acquaintance” if he began to serve him.
“I answered Pugachev: “Listen; I'll tell you the whole truth. Judge, can I recognize you as a sovereign? You are a smart man: you would see for yourself that I am deceitful.”
“Who am I, in your opinion?” - “God knows you; but whoever you are, you are telling a dangerous joke.” Pugachev looked at me quickly. “So you don’t believe,” he said, “that I was Tsar Pyotr Fedorovich? Well, good. Isn't there good luck for the daring? Didn’t Grishka Otrepiev reign in the old days? Think what you want about me, but don’t lag behind me. What do you care about other things? Whoever is a priest is a dad. Serve me with faith and truth, and I will make you a field marshal and a prince. How do you think?"
“No,” I answered firmly. - I am a natural nobleman; I swore allegiance to the Empress: I cannot serve you. If you really wish me well, then let me go to Orenburg.”
Pugachev was struck by Peter’s courage and sincerity. The chieftain released him on all four sides.
Chapter IX
PARTING
“Early in the morning a drum woke me up. I went to the meeting place. There the Pugachev crowds were already forming around the gallows, where yesterday’s victims were still hanging. The Cossacks stood on horseback, the soldiers under arms. The banners fluttered. Several cannons, among which I recognized ours, were placed on traveling carriages. All the residents were there, waiting for the impostor. At the porch of the commandant's house, a Cossack was holding a beautiful white horse of the Kyrgyz breed by the bridle. I looked for the commandant's body with my eyes. It was moved a little to the side and covered with matting. Finally, Pugachev came out of the entryway. The people took off their hats. Pugachev stopped on the porch and greeted everyone. One of the elders handed him a bag of copper money, and he began to throw handfuls of them. The people rushed to pick them up screaming, and there was some injury.
Pugachev was surrounded by his main accomplices. Shvabrin stood between them.
Our eyes met; in mine he could read contempt, and he turned away with an expression of sincere anger and feigned mockery. Pugachev, seeing me in the crowd, nodded his head and called me to him.”
The ataman advised Peter to immediately go to Orenburg and announce from him to the governor and all the generals to expect Pugachev to come to them in a week. “Encourage them to meet me with childlike love and obedience; otherwise they will not be able to avoid cruel execution.”
Pugachev appointed Shvabrin as the new commander. “With horror I heard these words: Shvabrin became the commander of the fortress; Marya Ivanovna remained in his power! God, what will happen to her!
And then Savelich handed Pugachev the paper. All the things stolen by the robbers were listed there. Savelich wanted Pugachev to return the money for all this! Pyotr Andreich was afraid for the poor old man.
But “Pugachev was apparently in a fit of generosity. He turned away and drove away without saying another word. Shvabrin and the elders followed him.”
Peter hurried to the priest's house to see Marya Ivanovna. She developed a severe fever at night. She lay unconscious and delirious. The patient did not recognize her lover.
“Shvabrin tormented my imagination most of all. Invested with power from the impostor, leading the fortress where the unfortunate girl remained - the innocent object of his hatred, he could decide on anything. What was I supposed to do? How can I help her? How to free from the hands of the villain? There was only one remedy left: I decided to immediately go to Orenburg in order to hasten the liberation of the Belogorsk fortress and, if possible, assist in this. I said goodbye to the priest and Akulina Pamfilovna, eagerly entrusting to her the one whom I already considered to be my wife.”
Chapter X
SIEGE OF THE CITY
“Approaching Orenburg, we saw a crowd of convicts with shaved heads, with faces disfigured by the executioner’s tongs. They worked near the fortifications, under the supervision of garrison invalids. Others carried out in carts the rubbish that filled the ditch; others dug the ground with shovels; On the rampart, masons carried bricks and repaired the city wall.
At the gate the guards stopped us and demanded our passports. As soon as the sergeant heard that I was coming from the Belogorsk fortress, he took me straight to the general’s house.”
Peter told the general everything. Most of all, the old man was worried about the captain's daughter.
A council of war was appointed for the evening. “I stood up and, in short words, first describing Pugachev and his gang, I said affirmatively that there was no way for the impostor to resist the right weapon.”
But no one agreed to offensive movements. It was decided to repel the siege. Long days of hunger followed.
Peter accidentally met a police officer who gave him a letter. From it, the officer learned that Shvabrin forced Gerasim’s father to hand over Masha to him, “intimidating him with Pugachev.” Now she lives in her father's house under guard. Alexey Ivanovich forces her to marry him.
“Father Pyotr Andreich! you are my only patron; intercede for poor me. Ask the general and all the commanders to send the sikurs to us as soon as possible, and come yourself if you can. I remain your humble, poor orphan Marya Mironova.”
Peter rushed to the general and began to ask for a company of soldiers to clear the Belogorsk fortress. But the old man refused.
Chapter XI
REBEL SLOBODA
Peter decided to go to the fortress. Savelich went with him. On the way, the old man was captured by robbers. Again the travelers found themselves in the hands of Pugachev.
“A strange thought occurred to me: it seemed to me that Providence, which had led me to Pugachev for the second time, was giving me an opportunity to put my intention into action.”
Pyotr Andreich said that he wanted to free the orphan who was being abused in the Belogorsk fortress. Pugachev’s eyes sparkled, he promised to judge the offender Shvabrin. Peter said that the orphan was his bride. The chieftain became even more excited.
In the morning we harnessed the wagon and went to the Belogorsk fortress. “I remembered the reckless cruelty, the bloodthirsty habits of the one who volunteered to be the deliverer of my dear! Pugachev did not know that she was the daughter of Captain Mironov; the embittered Shvabrin could reveal everything to him; Pugachev could have discovered the truth in another way... Then what will happen to Marya Ivanovna? The cold ran through my body, and my hair stood on end...”
Chapter XII
ORPHAN
“The carriage drove up to the porch of the commandant’s house. The people recognized Pugachev's bell and ran after us in a crowd. Shvabrin met the impostor on the porch. He was dressed as a Cossack and grew a beard. The traitor helped Pugachev to get out of the wagon, expressing his joy and zeal in vile terms.”
Shvabrin guessed that Pugachev was dissatisfied with him. He cowered in front of him, and looked at Peter incredulously. The conversation turned to Masha. “Sovereign! - he said. - You have the power to demand from me whatever you want; but do not order a stranger to enter my wife’s bedroom.” Pugachev doubted that the girl was his wife. We entered.
“I looked and froze. On the floor, in a ragged peasant dress, sat Marya Ivanovna, pale, thin, with disheveled hair. In front of her stood a jug of water, covered with a slice of bread. Seeing me, she shuddered and screamed. I don’t remember what happened to me then.”
To Pugachev’s question, Marya Ivanovna replied that Shvabrin was not her husband. The chieftain released the girl.
“Marya Ivanovna quickly looked at him and guessed that in front of her was the murderer of her parents. She covered her face with both hands and fell down. feelings. I rushed to her; but at that moment my old friend Palash very boldly entered the room and began to court her young lady. Pugachev left the room, and the three of us went into the living room.”
“What, your honor? - said Pugachev, laughing. - Rescued the red maiden! Do you think we should send for the priest and force him to marry his niece? Perhaps I will be the imprisoned father, Shvabrin’s friend; Let’s party, drink, and lock the gate!”
And then Shvabrin confessed that Masha was the daughter of Ivan Mironov, who was executed during the capture of the local fortress. But Pugachev forgave Peter for this too. He gave him a pass to all the outposts and fortresses subject to the ataman.
When Marya Ivanovna and Pyotr Andreich finally met, they began to talk about what they should do next. “It was impossible for her to remain in the fortress, subject to Pugachev and controlled by Shvabrin. It was impossible to think about Orenburg, which was undergoing all the disasters of the siege. She did not have a single relative in the world. I suggested that she go to the village to visit my parents. At first she hesitated: my father’s well-known dislike frightened her. I calmed her down. I knew that my father would consider it a blessing and make it his duty to accept the daughter of an honored warrior who died for the fatherland.”
Pugachev and Peter parted on friendly terms.
Chapter XIII
ARREST
“We approached a town where, according to the bearded commandant, there was a strong detachment going to join the impostor. We were stopped by guards. To the question: who is going? - the coachman answered loudly: “The sovereign’s godfather is with his mistress.” Suddenly a crowd of hussars surrounded us with terrible abuse. “Come out, demonic godfather! - the mustachioed sergeant told me. “Now you’ll have a bath, and with your hostess!”
I got out of the tent and demanded that they take me to their boss. Seeing the officer, the soldiers stopped cursing. The sergeant took me to the major. Savelich did not lag behind me, saying to himself: “Here is the sovereign’s godfather for you! Out of the frying pan and into the fire... O Lord! how will this all end? The carriage followed us at a step.
Five minutes later we came to a house, brightly lit. The sergeant left me on guard and went to report on me. He immediately returned, announcing to me that his nobility had no time to receive me, but that he ordered me to be taken to the prison and the hostess to be brought to him.”
Peter flew into a rage and rushed onto the porch. Ivan Ivanovich Zurin, who once beat Peter in the Simbirsk tavern, turned out to be highly honorable! They immediately made up. Zurin himself went out into the street to apologize to Marya Ivanovna in an involuntary misunderstanding and ordered the sergeant to give her the best apartment in the city. Peter stayed overnight with him and told him his adventures.
Zurin advised the old acquaintance to “get rid of” the captain’s daughter, send her to Simbirsk alone, and offered Petra to stay in his detachment.
“Although I did not entirely agree with him, I nevertheless felt that a duty of honor required my presence in the army of the empress. I decided to follow Zurin’s advice: send Marya Ivanovna to the village and stay in his detachment.”
“The next morning I came to Marya Ivanovna. I told her my assumptions. She recognized their prudence and immediately agreed with me. Zurin's detachment was supposed to leave the city on the same day. There was no point in delaying. I immediately parted with Marya Ivanovna, entrusting her to Savelich and giving her a letter to my parents. Marya Ivanovna began to cry."
In the evening we set out on a hike. “Gangs of robbers fled from us everywhere, and everything foreshadowed a quick and prosperous end. Soon, Prince Golitsyn, near the Tatishcheva fortress, defeated Pugachev, scattered his crowds, and liberated Orenburg. But still Pugachev himself was not caught. He appeared at the Siberian factories, gathered new gangs there and again began to commit villainy there with success. News arrived about the destruction of Siberian fortresses.
Soon Pugachev fled. After a while he was completely defeated, and he himself was caught.
“Zurin gave me a vacation. A few days later I was supposed to find myself again in the middle of my family, to see my Marya Ivanovna again... Suddenly an unexpected thunderstorm struck me. On the day appointed for departure, at the very moment when I was preparing to set off on the road, Zurin entered my hut, holding a paper in his hands, looking extremely preoccupied. Something pierced my heart. I was scared without knowing why. He sent my orderly away and announced that he had business with me.”
This was a secret order to all individual commanders to arrest me, wherever I was caught, and immediately send me under guard to Kazan to the Investigative Commission established in the Pugachev case. Probably, rumors about Peter’s friendly relations with Pugachev reached the government.
Chapter XIV
COURT
“I was sure that my unauthorized absence from Orenburg was to blame. I could easily justify myself: equestrianism was not only never prohibited, but was also encouraged by all means. I could have been accused of being too hot-tempered, not of disobedience. But my friendly relations with Pugachev could be proven by many witnesses and should have seemed at least very suspicious.”
In the Kazan fortress, Peter’s legs were chained, and then they took him to prison and left him alone in a cramped and dark kennel. The next day the prisoner was taken for interrogation. They asked about when and how the officer began to serve under Pugachev. Peter told everything as it is. And then they invited the one who accused Grinev. It turned out to be Shvabrin! “According to him, I was sent by Pugachev to Orenburg as a spy; went out every day to shootouts in order to convey written news about everything that was happening in the city; that at last he had clearly given himself over to the impostor, he traveled with him from fortress to fortress, trying in every possible way to destroy his fellow traitors in order to take their places and enjoy the rewards distributed from the impostor.”
Meanwhile, Marya Ivanovna was received by the groom's parents with sincere cordiality. They soon became attached to her, because it was impossible to recognize her and not love her. “My love no longer seemed like an empty whim to my father; and mother only wanted her Petrusha to marry the captain’s sweet daughter.”
The news of their son's arrest shocked the Grinev family. But no one believed that this matter could end unfavorably. Soon the priest received a letter from St. Petersburg stating that the suspicions about Peter’s participation “in the plans of the rebels, unfortunately, turned out to be too solid that an exemplary execution should have befallen me, but that the empress, out of respect for the merits and advanced years of my father, decided to pardon criminal son and, sparing him from a shameful execution, ordered only to be exiled to the remote region of Siberia for eternal settlement.”
The old man believed that his son was a traitor. He was inconsolable. “Marya Ivanovna suffered more than anyone. Being sure that I could justify myself whenever I wanted, she guessed the truth and considered herself to be the culprit of my misfortune. She hid her tears and suffering from everyone and meanwhile constantly thought about ways to save me.”
Marya Ivanovna, Palasha and Savelich went to Sofia. In the morning, the girl in the garden accidentally met a court lady, who began to question her about why she had come. Masha said that she was the daughter of Captain Mironov, that she had come to ask the Empress for mercy. The lady said that she happens to be at court. Then Marya Ivanovna took a folded paper out of her pocket and handed it to her unfamiliar patron, who began to read it to herself. But when the lady realized that the girl was asking for Grinev, she replied that the empress could not forgive him. But Masha tried to explain to the lady that Peter could not justify himself because he did not want to involve her in the matter. Then the stranger asked not to tell anyone about the meeting, promising that the girl would not have to wait long for an answer.
Soon the empress demanded Masha to come to court. When Masha saw the empress, she recognized her as the lady with whom she had spoken so openly in the garden! The Empress said that she was convinced of Peter’s innocence and gave a letter to his father.
“The notes of Pyotr Andreevich Grinev stop here. From family legends it is known that he was released from prison at the end of 1774, 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 a minute later, dead and bloody, was shown to the people. Soon afterwards, Pyotr Andreevich married Marya Ivanovna. Their descendants prosper in the Simbirsk province.”
&Working with the dictionary:
I draw your attention to the dictionary:
Newswoman(obsolete) – lover of telling news.
Adversity - troubles, grief, suffering.
Verse - stanza, part of a song.
Around the corner - hints
Camisole – short sleeveless men's clothing.
Group work
The life of Pyotr Grinev in the Belogorsk fortress became even pleasant. In the commandant's house he was received as if he were his own. Peter became friends with Maria Ivanovna. He was promoted to officer. His service is not weighed down: There were no inspections, no exercises, no guards in the fortress. In the mornings, Peter read, practiced translations, and sometimes composed poetry. He almost always dined at the commandant's, where he usually spent the rest of the day.
&Working with the dictionary:
burden – make it difficult; be a burden
Filling out the table:
The husband and wife were respectable people.
Ivan Kuzmich, who became an officer from the children of soldiers, was an uneducated and simple man, but the most honest and kind. His wife managed him, which was consistent with his carelessness.
Vasilisa Yegorovna ruled the fortress as precisely as she ruled her house.
Marya Ivanovna stopped being shy with him. In her, Peter found a prudent and sensitive girl.
& Working with a dictionary
Carefree – a person who doesn't worry about anything doesn't care.
Reasonable - reasonable, sensible
I saw A.I. Shvabrin every day; but hour by hour his conversation became less pleasant for him. Peter really didn’t like his jokes about the commandant’s family, especially his caustic remarks about Marya Ivanovna.
The reason for the quarrel is Shvabrin’s mockery of Grinev’s poems.
He wrote poetry because he was in love
Grinev expects understanding and participation from his friend, but finds merciless criticism.
Shvabrin himself is in love with Masha, the daughter of Captain Mironov. He insults and slanderes her. And in this the real reason quarrels of heroes.
Shvabrin hinted at Masha Mironova’s dishonesty: “If you want Masha Mironova to come to you at dusk, then instead of tender poems, give her a pair of earrings.”
Shvabrin's rude, shameless attitude towards the girl.
Grinev has a kind, respectful attitude, a desire to protect Masha’s honor, her dignity.
Vasilisa Egorovna expects anything from Shvabrin, because “he was discharged from the guard for murder, he does not believe in the Lord God.” Marya Ivanovna is “very disgusted” with him, because “he is such a mocker.” And Ivan Ignatich in general, being “not a hunter” for Shvabrin, says the following: “And it would be good if you stabbed him: God be with him, with Alexei Ivanovich...”
Ivan Ignatich told Vasilisa Yegorovna everything.
From point of view ordinary people, a duel is “suicide”, “nonsense” (Vasilisa Egorovna); to fight a duel means “to stab your neighbor” (Ivan Ignatievich); “to poke and trample with iron skewers” (Savelich); “to cut yourself” (Marya Ivanovna).
Alexey Ivanovich wooed Masha, but was refused.
The conflict between the characters is too intense.
Shvabrin cannot back down, this is not in his rules, he is proud and merciless. Grinev must protect the offended dignity of the unsuspecting Marya Ivanovna.
Savelich
in the chest below the shoulder.
Grinev: He fights honestly, bravely, defending the girl’s honor.
Shvabrin: Inflicts a treacherous blow on the defenseless Grinev when he turned to Savelich’s voice.
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