Page:Tolstoy - Tales from Tolstoi.djvu/197

Rh beware lest I make something warm him yet more!"

On hearing these words Ivan immediately returned to the court.

"Ye just judges! He has begun to threaten me! Listen, he has spoken before witnesses!"

Gabriel was sent for.

"Is it true that you said something?"

"I said nothing. Flay me, since you have the power! It is plain that I have to suffer, though in the right; and he may do anything he likes."

Gabriel would have said something more, but his lips began to tremble, and his cheeks. And he turned him round to the wall. Even the judges were shocked when they looked at Gabriel.

"How now," thought they, "if he were straightway to do some great mischief to his neighbour or to himself?"

And the oldest of the judges said: "Come now, my friends, 'twill be better than good if ye make it up. Now, friend Gabriel, canst thou say thou didst well in striking that woman? Good then! God will forgive thee whatsoever be thy sin! 'Tis good so, isn't it? Thou dost confess thy fault and beg his pardon, and he'll forgive thee. We will reverse our former judgment."

The clerk heard this and said: "That is impossible, because, according to article 117 of the Code, the preliminary reconciliation has not yet been shown to have taken place, so the sentence of the court alone remains valid, and that sentence ought to be enforced" 147