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48 said that her parents would no doubt be rejoiced at her happiness.

"But reflect well," she added, "will there be no hindrance on the part of thy parents?"

I became pensive. I could not entertain any doubt of my mother's tenderness for me; but knowing the disposition and mode of thinking of my father, I felt that my attachment would not affect him much, and that he would merely consider it a young man's fancy. I candidly admitted this to Maria Ivanovna, making up my mind, however, to write an eloquent letter to my father, to ask for his parental blessing. I showed my letter to Maria Ivanovna, who thought it so convincing and so touching, that she did not doubt its success, and gave herself up to the feelings of her tender heart in all the confidence of youth and love.

I made my peace with Shvabrine during the first days of my convalescence. When reprimanding me for fighting the duel, Ivan Kouzmitch said—

"Ah! Piotr Andrevitch! I ought to put thee under arrest; but thou art already sufficiently punished. As to Aleksey Ivanovitch, he is a prisoner in the bread-room with a sentry over him, and Vassilissa Yegorovna has his sword under lock and key. Let him have time to reflect and repent."

I was too happy to suffer any ill-will to dwell in my heart. I interceded in behalf of Shvabrine, and the good commandant, with his wife's consent, released him. Shvabrine came to me; he expressed his deep regret at what had taken place between us; confessed that the