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. At first Zourine willingly
listened, then his words became fewer and more vague, and at last he
replied to one of my questions by a vigorous snore, and I then followed
his example.
On the morrow, when I told Marya my plans, she saw how reasonable they
were, and agreed to them.
As Zourine's detachment was to leave the town that same day, and it was
no longer possible to hesitate, I parted with Marya after entrusting her
to Saveliitch, and giving him a letter for my parents. Marya bid me
good-bye all forlorn; I could answer her nothing, not wishing to give
way to the feelings of my heart before the bystanders.
I returned to Zourine's silent and thoughtful; he wished to cheer me. I
hoped to raise my spirits; we passed the day noisily, and on the morrow
we marched.
It was near the end of the month of February. The winter, which had
rendered manoeuvres difficult, was drawing to a close, and our Generals
were making ready for a combined campaign.
Pugatchef had reassembled his troops, and was still to be found before
Orenburg. At the approach of our forces the disaffected villages
returned to their allegiance.