I dashed up to the porch. The sentries did not think of holding me back, and I ran straight into the room, where some six hussar officers were playing faro. The major was keeping the bank. What was my amazement when, glancing at him, I recognized Ivan Ivanovich Zurin, who once upon a time had beaten me at billiards in the Simbirsk inn!
“Can it be?” I cried. “Ivan Ivanych! Is it you?”
“Well, well, well, Pyotr Andreich! What wind blows you here? Where from? Greetings, brother. Want to stake on a card?”
“Thanks. Better tell them to show me to some quarters.”
“What quarters? Stay with me.”
“I can’t: I’m not alone.”
“Well, bring your comrade here, too.”
“I’m not with a comrade; I’m…with a lady.”
“A lady! Where did you pick her up? Ho-ho, brother!” (With those words Zurin whistled so expressively that they all burst out laughing, and I became completely embarrassed.)
“Well,” Zurin continued, “so be it. You’ll have your quarters. A pity, though…We could have feasted a bit like the old days…Hey, boy! Why don’t they bring Pugachev’s lady friend? Or is she holding back? Tell her not to be afraid, the master’s a fine gentleman, he won’t do her any harm—and give her a good shove.”
“What do you mean?” I said to Zurin. “What Pugachev’s lady friend? She’s the daughter of the late Captain Mironov. I rescued her from captivity, and I’m now accompanying her to my father’s estate, where I will leave her.”
“How’s that? So you’re the one they just reported to me? Good Lord, what does it mean?”
“I’ll tell you everything later. But now, for God’s sake, reassure the poor girl; your hussars have frightened her badly.”
Zurin saw to it at once. He went out himself to apologize to Marya Ivanovna for the unintentional misunderstanding and ordered the sergeant to take her to the best quarters in town. I spent the night at his place.
We had supper, and when the two of us were left alone, I told him my adventures. Zurin listened to me with great attention. When I finished, he shook his head and said:
“That’s all very good, brother; just one thing isn’t good: why the devil do you want to get married? As an honest officer, I don’t want to deceive you: believe me, marriage is folly. I mean, why go bothering with a wife and fussing with little kids? Ah, spit on it. Listen to me: unhitch yourself from the captain’s daughter. I’ve cleared the road to Simbirsk and it’s safe. Send her to your parents tomorrow on her own; and you stay with my detachment. There’s no need for you to go back to Orenburg. If you wind up in the hands of the rebels again, it’s unlikely you’ll shake them off a second time. This way your amorous folly will go away by itself, and all will be well.”
Although I did not entirely agree with him, nevertheless I felt that the duty of honor demanded my presence in the empress’s army. I decided to follow Zurin’s advice: to send Marya Ivanovna to the estate and stay in his detachment.
Savelyich came to help me undress; I told him that the next day he should be ready to travel with Marya Ivanovna. He began to protest.
“What do you mean, sir? How can I abandon you? Who will take care of you? What will your parents say?”
Knowing my tutor’s stubbornness, I decided to persuade him by means of gentleness and sincerity.
“My dear friend Arkhip Savelyich!” I said to him. “Don’t refuse me, be my benefactor; I’ll have no need of a servant here, and I won’t be at peace if Marya Ivanovna travels without you. Serving her, you serve me, because, as soon as circumstances permit, I’m firmly resolved to marry her.”
Here Savelyich clasped his hands with a look of indescribable amazement.
“Marry!” he repeated. “The little one wants to marry! And what will your father say, and what will your mother think?”
“They’ll agree, they’re sure to agree,” I replied, “once they get to know Marya Ivanovna. I’m also relying on you. My father and mother trust you: you’ll intercede for us, won’t you?”
The old man was touched.
“Ah, my dearest Pyotr Andreich!” he replied. “Though it’s a bit early for you to think of marrying, still Marya Ivanovna is such a good young lady that it would be a sin to miss the chance. Let it be your way! I’ll go with the little angel, and faithfully tell your parents that such a bride even needs no dowry.”
I thanked Savelyich and went off to sleep in the same room with Zurin. Flushed and excited, I chattered away. At first Zurin talked to me willingly; but his words gradually became fewer and less coherent; finally, instead of an answer to some question, he snored and whistled. I fell silent and soon followed his example.
The next morning I went to see Marya Ivanovna. I informed her of my proposals. She acknowledged that they were sensible and agreed with me at once. Zurin’s detachment was to leave town that same day. There could be no tarrying. I took leave of Marya Ivanovna there and then, having entrusted her to Savelyich and given her a letter to my parents. Marya Ivanovna wept.
