Page:The Czar, A Tale of the Time of the First Napleon.djvu/142

132 because if our lady the countess will not be persuaded to go away, as all other folk are doing who have brains in their heads, she—my wife I mean—must stay, too, of course, and be murdered by the Nyemtzi."

"Murdered by the Nyemtzi shall our women never be, Joseph," said Ivan, with a flash in his eyes. "At the worst, we know what to do. Tell thy wife the countess must be induced to quit this house before to-morrow night. If she will not leave the city, like a sensible woman, at least she must go to the Devitshei Convent, and Maria must go with her. I suppose even the infidel French will scarcely outrage that asylum. Meanwhile, send in this mujik; perhaps he brings tidings."

A tall figure entered, with a bandaged arm, and wearing a rough, soiled caftan, and heavy Russia leather boots that left their traces on the inlaid floor.

Ivan looked up, started, hesitated, then exclaimed in great surprise, "Michael Ivanovitch! One-eared Michael!"

"One-handed Michael now, at your service, Ivan Barrinka; and well if that were the only loss I had to tell of."

"Have you come from Nicolofsky?" asked Ivan.

"Yes, I come from Nicolofsky. Barrinka, the Nyemtzi have been there."

"Ah!" cried Ivan. "Curse them!"

"I have done with cursing them, Ivan Barrinka—I cannot find words—so I leave them to God. He knows what wages they have earned, and he will pay them one day. But as for me, my heart is hot and dry, and unless I can go and fight and kill some of them I shall die."

"What has happened, Michael? what have they done to you?"

"At Christmas I was to be married to Anna Popovna. You remember her, Ivan Barrinka?"

"Remember her!" cried Ivan angrily. "Of what are you dreaming, Michael? Do you not know that I—I—"