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54 BY ORDER OF THE CZAR.

"Pauloff," called the General, ringing his bell. The attendant entered, Anna looked up.

" Pauloff, bring me pen and ink."

Pauloff went to a cabinet and brought the writing mate- rials. Petronovitch wrote upon a sheet of paper, folded it and handed it to Pauloff with these words " An order for the postponement of the punishment of the rabbi Losinski ; send a messenger to the commander of the prison forth- with."

Anna covered her face with her hands and wept tears of joy.

" Will you read the order, madame ? " said Petrono- vitch, showing it to her.

" No, no, I trust you."

" And the messenger will inform the commander that the order for Losinski's release shall follow, you under- stand ? "

" Yes, your Excellency," the man replied, leaving the room, Petronovitch following and quietly raising the portiere to bolt the door.

" There, we are not so black as we are painted, are we ? " he said, approaching Anna, and laying his hand upon her shoulder.

" You are very merciful," she said.

Petronovitch took a seat by her side.

" And what is to be my reward for all this, and the much more I am to do for you ? "

" Eternal thanks and prayers, and the blessed conscious- ness of a great act of charity ! "

"Just so," he said, his sensual face paling with the emotion of an unholy passion. " And so you are to marry the rabbi ? "

" Yes," said Anna, permitting his near approach without a movement one way or the other, willing, poor creature, to submit to some amount of insult for those she loved.