I did not witness everything that remains for me to inform the reader about; but I have heard stories about it so often that the slightest... the details are etched into my memory and it seems to me as if I were there, invisibly present.
Marya Ivanovna was received by my parents with that sincere cordiality that distinguished the people of the old century. They saw the grace of God in the fact that they had the opportunity to shelter and caress a poor orphan. Soon they became sincerely attached to her, because it was impossible to recognize her and not love her. My love no longer seemed like an empty whim to my father; and mother only wanted her Petrusha to marry the captain’s sweet daughter.
The rumor of my arrest shocked my entire family. Marya Ivanovna told my parents so simply about my strange acquaintance with Pugachev that not only did it not bother them, but it also made them often laugh from the bottom of their hearts. Father did not want to believe that I could be involved in a vile rebellion, whose goal was the overthrow of the throne and extermination noble family. He strictly interrogated Savelich. The uncle did not hide the fact that the master was visiting Emelka Pugachev, and that the villain did favor him; but he swore that he had never heard of any treason. The old people calmed down and began to eagerly await favorable news. Marya Ivanovna was greatly alarmed, but remained silent, because in highest degree was gifted with modesty and caution.
Several weeks have passed... Suddenly the priest receives a letter from our relative Prince B** from St. Petersburg. The prince wrote to him about me. After the usual attack, he announced to him that the suspicions about my participation in the plans of the rebels unfortunately turned out to be too solid, that an exemplary execution should have befallen me, but that the empress, out of respect for the merits and advanced years of her father, decided to pardon the criminal son and, saving him from a shameful execution, she only ordered him to be exiled to the remote region of Siberia for eternal settlement.
This unexpected blow almost killed my father. He lost his usual firmness, and his grief (usually silent) poured out in bitter complaints. "How!" - he repeated, losing his temper. - “My son participated in Pugachev’s plans! Good God, what have I lived to see! The Empress spares him from execution! Does this make it any easier for me? It is not the execution that is terrible: my ancestor died on frontal place, defending what he considered sacred in his conscience; my father suffered along with Volynsky and Khrushchev. But for a nobleman to betray his oath, to unite with robbers, with murderers, with runaway slaves!.. Shame and disgrace to our family!..” Frightened by his despair, his mother did not dare to cry in front of him and tried to restore his cheerfulness, talking about the untruthfulness of the rumor, about the unsteadiness human opinion. My father was inconsolable.
Marya Ivanovna suffered more than anyone. Being sure that I could justify myself whenever I wanted, she guessed the truth and considered herself to be the culprit of my misfortune. She hid her tears and suffering from everyone, and meanwhile she constantly thought about ways to save me.
One evening the priest was sitting on the sofa, turning over the pages of the Court Calendar; but his thoughts were far away, and reading did not produce its usual effect on him. He whistled an old march. Mother silently knitted a woolen sweatshirt and tears occasionally dripped onto her work. Suddenly Marya Ivanovna, who was sitting right there at work, announced that necessity was forcing her to go to St. Petersburg, and that she was asking for a way to go. Mother was very upset. “Why do you need to go to St. Petersburg?” - she said. - “Do you really want to leave us, Marya Ivanovna?” Marya Ivanovna answered that all future destiny she depends on this journey that she goes to seek protection and help from strong people, as the daughter of a man who suffered for his fidelity.
My father lowered his head: every word reminiscent of his son’s imaginary crime was painful to him and seemed like a caustic reproach. “Go, mother!” - he told her with a sigh. - “We don’t want to interfere with your happiness. May God bless you kind person, not a defamed traitor." He stood up and left the room.
Marya Ivanovna, left alone with her mother, partially explained her assumptions to her. Mother hugged her with tears and prayed to God for a successful end to her planned business. Marya Ivanovna was equipped, and a few days later she set off on the road with the faithful Palash and with the faithful Savelich, who, being forcibly separated from me, was consoled at least by the thought that he was serving my betrothed bride.
Marya Ivanovna arrived safely in Sofia and, having learned at the post office that the Court was at that time in Tsarskoe Selo, she decided to stop here. She was given a corner behind the partition. The caretaker's wife immediately started talking to her, announced that she was the niece of the court stoker, and initiated her into all the mysteries of court life. She told what time the empress usually woke up, ate coffee, and took a walk; what nobles were with her at that time; that she deigned to speak at her table yesterday, who she received in the evening - in a word, Anna Vlasyevna’s conversation was worth several pages of historical notes and would be precious for posterity. Marya Ivanovna listened to her with attention. They went to the garden. Anna Vlasyevna told the story of each alley and each bridge, and, having walked around, they returned to the station very pleased with each other.
The next day, early in the morning, Marya Ivanovna woke up, got dressed and quietly went into the garden. The morning was beautiful, the sun illuminated the tops of the linden trees, which had already turned yellow under the fresh breath of autumn. The wide lake shone motionless. The awakened swans swam importantly from under the bushes that shaded the shore. Marya Ivanovna walked near a beautiful meadow, where a monument had just been erected in honor of the recent victories of Count Pyotr Alexandrovich Rumyantsev. All of a sudden white dog The English breed barked and ran towards her. Marya Ivanovna got scared and stopped. At that very moment there was a pleasant female voice: “Don’t be afraid, she won’t bite.” And Marya Ivanovna saw a lady sitting on a bench opposite the monument. Marya Ivanovna sat down at the other end of the bench. The lady looked at her intently; and Marya Ivanovna, for her part, casting several indirect glances, managed to examine her from head to toe. She was wearing white morning dress, in a night cap and a shower jacket. She seemed to be about forty years old. Her face, plump and rosy, expressed importance and calmness, and Blue eyes and the light smile had an inexplicable charm. The lady was the first to break the silence.
Worldly rumor -
Sea wave.
Proverb.
I was sure that my unauthorized absence from Orenburg was to blame. I could easily justify myself: not only was horse riding never prohibited, but it was also encouraged by all means. I could have been accused of being too hot-tempered, not of disobedience. But my friendly relations with Pugachev could be proven by many witnesses and should have seemed at least very suspicious. All the way I thought about the interrogations awaiting me, pondered my answers and decided to declare the real truth before the court, believing this method of justification to be the simplest, and at the same time the most reliable. I arrived in Kazan, devastated and burned. Along the streets, instead of houses, there were piles of coals and smoky walls without roofs or windows sticking out. Such was the trail left by Pugachev! I was brought to a fortress that had survived in the middle of a burnt city. The hussars handed me over to the guard officer. He ordered to call the blacksmith. They put a chain on my feet and chained it tightly. Then they took me to prison and left me alone in a cramped and dark cell, with only bare walls and a window blocked by an iron grate. This beginning did not bode well for me. However, I did not lose either courage or hope. I resorted to the consolation of all the mourners and, for the first time tasting the sweetness of prayer poured out from a pure but torn heart, I calmly fell asleep, not caring about what would happen to me. The next day the prison guard woke me up with an announcement that they wanted me to serve on the commission. Two soldiers led me across the courtyard to the commandant's house, stopped in the hallway and let one into the inner rooms. I entered a rather large hall. Two people were sitting at a table covered with papers: an elderly general, looking stern and cold, and a young guard captain, about twenty-eight years old, very pleasant in appearance, dexterous and free in his manners. A secretary sat at the window at a special table with a pen behind his ear, bending over the paper, ready to write down my testimony. The interrogation began. I was asked about my name and rank. The general inquired if I was the son of Andrei Petrovich Grinev? And to my answer he objected sternly: “It’s a pity that such a respectable man has such an unworthy son!” I calmly replied that whatever the accusations weighing on me, I hoped to dispel them with a sincere explanation of the truth. He didn't like my confidence. “You, brother, are a fool,” he told me, frowning, “but we’ve seen others like him!” Then the young man asked me: on what occasion and at what time did I enter Pugachev’s service and on what orders was I employed by him? I answered with indignation that I, as an officer and a nobleman, could not enter into any service with Pugachev and could not accept any orders from him. “How is it,” my interrogator objected, “that a nobleman and an officer alone were spared by an impostor, while all his comrades were villainously killed?” How does this same officer and nobleman feast in a friendly manner with the rebels, accept gifts, a fur coat, a horse and half a piece of money from the main villain? Why did such a strange friendship arise and on what is it based, if not on betrayal or at least on vile and criminal cowardice? I was deeply offended by the words of the guards officer and eagerly began my justification. I told how my acquaintance with Pugachev began in the steppe, during a snowstorm; how, during the capture of the Belogorsk fortress, he recognized me and spared me. I said that the sheepskin coat and the horse, however, I was not ashamed to accept from the impostor; but what Belogorsk fortress I defended against the villain to the last extreme. Finally, I referred to my general, who could testify to my zeal during the disastrous siege of Orenburg. The stern old man took an open letter from the table and began to read it aloud: - “In response to your Excellency’s request regarding Ensign Grinev, who was allegedly involved in the current turmoil and entered into relations with the villain, whose service was prohibited and the oath of duty was contrary, I have the honor to explain: this Ensign Grinev was in service in Orenburg from the beginning of October last 1773 until February 24 this year, on which date he left the city and since then has not been on my team. And we hear from defectors that he was with Pugachev in the settlement and went with him to the Belogorsk fortress, where he had previously served; as for his behavior, I can...” Here he interrupted his reading and said to me sternly: “What will you tell yourself now as an excuse?” I wanted to continue as I began and explain my connection with Marya Ivanovna as sincerely as everything else. But suddenly I felt an irresistible disgust. It occurred to me that if I named her, the commission would demand her to answer; and the thought of entangling her name among the vile reports of villains and bringing her herself into a confrontation with them - this terrible thought struck me so much that I hesitated and became confused. My judges, who seemed to begin to listen to my answers with some favor, were again prejudiced against me at the sight of my embarrassment. The guards officer demanded that I be confronted with the main informer. The general ordered to click yesterday's villain. I quickly turned to the door, awaiting the appearance of my accuser. A few minutes later the chains rattled, the doors opened, and Shvabrin walked in. I was amazed at his change. He was terribly thin and pale. His hair, recently jet black, was completely grey; his long beard was unkempt. He repeated his accusations in a weak but bold voice. According to him, I was sent by Pugachev to Orenburg as a spy; went out every day to shootouts in order to convey written news about everything that was happening in the city; that at last he had clearly given himself over to the impostor, he traveled with him from fortress to fortress, trying in every possible way to destroy his fellow traitors in order to take their places and enjoy the rewards distributed from the impostor. I listened to him in silence and was pleased with one thing: Marya Ivanovna’s name was not uttered by the vile villain, perhaps because his pride suffered at the thought of the one who rejected him with contempt; Is it because in his heart was hidden a spark of the same feeling that forced me to remain silent - be that as it may, the name of the daughter of the Belogorsk commandant was not uttered in the presence of the commission. I was even more confirmed in my intention, and when the judges asked how I could refute Shvabrin’s testimony, I answered that I adhered to my first explanation and could not say anything else to justify myself. The general ordered us to be taken out. We went out together. I looked calmly at Shvabrin, but didn’t say a word to him. He grinned an evil grin and, lifting his chains, got ahead of me and quickened his steps. I was again taken to prison and from then on I was no longer required to be interrogated. I did not witness everything that remains for me to inform the reader about; but I heard stories about it so often that the slightest details were etched into my memory and that it seemed to me as if I were there, invisibly present. Marya Ivanovna was received by my parents with that sincere cordiality that distinguished people of the old century. They saw the grace of God in the fact that they had the opportunity to shelter and caress a poor orphan. Soon they became sincerely attached to her, because it was impossible to recognize her and not love her. My love no longer seemed like an empty whim to my father; and mother only wanted her Petrusha to marry the captain’s sweet daughter. The rumor of my arrest shocked my entire family. Marya Ivanovna told my parents so simply about my strange acquaintance with Pugachev that not only did it not bother them, but it also made them often laugh from the bottom of their hearts. Father did not want to believe that I could be involved in a vile rebellion, whose goal was the overthrow of the throne and the extermination of the noble family. He strictly interrogated Savelich. The uncle did not hide the fact that the master was visiting Emelka Pugachev and that the villain did favor him; but he swore that he had never heard of any treason. The old people calmed down and began to eagerly await favorable news. Marya Ivanovna was greatly alarmed, but remained silent, for she was extremely gifted with modesty and caution. Several weeks have passed... Suddenly the priest receives a letter from our relative Prince B** from St. Petersburg. The prince wrote to him about me. After the usual attack, he announced to him that the suspicions about my participation in the plans of the rebels, unfortunately, turned out to be too solid, that an exemplary execution should have befallen me, but that the empress, out of respect for the merits and advanced years of her father, decided to pardon the criminal son and, sparing him from a shameful execution, she only ordered him to be exiled to the remote region of Siberia for eternal settlement. This unexpected blow almost killed my father. He lost his usual firmness, and his grief (usually silent) poured out in bitter complaints. "How! - he repeated, losing his temper. - My son participated in Pugachev’s plans! Good God, what have I lived to see! The Empress spares him from execution! Does this make it any easier for me? It is not the execution that is terrible: my ancestor died on the execution site, defending what he considered sacred to his conscience; my father suffered along with Volynsky and Khrushchev. But for a nobleman to betray his oath, to unite with robbers, with murderers, with runaway slaves!.. Shame and disgrace to our family!..” Frightened by his despair, his mother did not dare to cry in front of him and tried to restore his cheerfulness, talking about the untruthfulness of the rumor, about the unsteadiness human opinion. My father was inconsolable. Marya Ivanovna suffered more than anyone. Being sure that I could justify myself whenever I wanted, she guessed the truth and considered herself to be the culprit of my misfortune. She hid her tears and suffering from everyone and meanwhile constantly thought about ways to save me. One evening the priest was sitting on the sofa, turning over the sheets of the Court Calendar; but his thoughts were far away, and reading did not produce its usual effect on him. He whistled an old march. Mother silently knitted a woolen sweatshirt, and tears occasionally dripped onto her work. Suddenly Marya Ivanovna, who was sitting right there at work, announced that necessity was forcing her to go to St. Petersburg and that she was asking for a way to go. Mother was very upset. “Why do you need to go to St. Petersburg? - she said. “Do you really want to leave us, Marya Ivanovna?” Marya Ivanovna replied that her entire future fate depended on this journey, that she was going to seek protection and help from strong people, as the daughter of a man who had suffered for his fidelity. My father lowered his head: every word reminiscent of his son’s imaginary crime was painful to him and seemed like a caustic reproach. “Go, mother! - he told her with a sigh. “We don’t want to interfere with your happiness.” May God give you a good man as your groom, not a defamed traitor.” He stood up and left the room. Marya Ivanovna, left alone with her mother, partially explained her assumptions to her. Mother hugged her with tears and prayed to God for a successful end to her planned business. Marya Ivanovna was equipped, and a few days later she set off on the road with the faithful Palash and with the faithful Savelich, who, being forcibly separated from me, was consoled at least by the thought that he was serving my betrothed bride. Marya Ivanovna arrived safely in Sofia and, having learned at the post office that the Court was at that time in Tsarskoe Selo, she decided to stop here. She was given a corner behind the partition. The caretaker's wife immediately started talking to her, announced that she was the niece of the court stoker, and initiated her into all the mysteries of court life. She told what time the empress usually woke up, ate coffee, and took a walk; what nobles were with her at that time; that she deigned to talk at her table yesterday, who she received in the evening - in a word, Anna Vlasyevna’s conversation was worth several pages of historical notes and would be precious for posterity. Marya Ivanovna listened to her with attention. They went to the garden. Anna Vlasyevna told the story of each alley and each bridge, and, having walked around, they returned to the station very pleased with each other. The next day, early in the morning, Marya Ivanovna woke up, got dressed and quietly went into the garden. The morning was beautiful, the sun illuminated the tops of the linden trees, which had already turned yellow under the fresh breath of autumn. The wide lake shone motionless. The awakened swans swam importantly from under the bushes that shaded the shore. Marya Ivanovna walked near a beautiful meadow, where a monument had just been erected in honor of the recent victories of Count Pyotr Alexandrovich Rumyantsev. Suddenly a white dog of the English breed barked and ran towards her. Marya Ivanovna got scared and stopped. At that very moment a pleasant female voice rang out: “Don’t be afraid, she won’t bite.” And Marya Ivanovna saw a lady sitting on a bench opposite the monument. Marya Ivanovna sat down at the other end of the bench. The lady looked at her intently; and Marya Ivanovna, for her part, casting several indirect glances, managed to examine her from head to toe. She was in a white morning dress, a nightcap and a shower jacket. She seemed to be about forty years old. Her face, plump and rosy, expressed importance and calmness, and her blue eyes and light smile had an inexplicable charm. The lady was the first to break the silence. -You're not from here, are you? - she said. - Exactly so, sir: I just arrived from the provinces yesterday. — Did you come with your family? - No way, sir. I came alone. - One! But you are still so young. - I have neither father nor mother. - You are here, of course, on some business? - Exactly so, sir. I came to submit a request to the Empress. - You are an orphan: probably you complain about injustice and insult? - No way, sir. I came to ask for mercy, not justice. - Let me ask, who are you? - I am the daughter of Captain Mironov. - Captain Mironov! the same one who was the commandant in one of the Orenburg fortresses?- Exactly so, sir. The lady seemed touched. “Excuse me,” she said in an even more affectionate voice, “if I interfere in your affairs; but I am at court; Explain to me what your request is, and maybe I will be able to help you.” Marya Ivanovna stood up and thanked her respectfully. Everything about the unknown lady involuntarily attracted the heart and inspired confidence. Marya Ivanovna took a folded paper out of her pocket and handed it to her unfamiliar patron, who began to read it to herself. At first she read with an attentive and supportive look; but suddenly her face changed, and Marya Ivanovna, who followed all her movements with her eyes, was frightened by the stern expression of this face, so pleasant and calm for a minute. -Are you asking for Grinev? - said the lady with a cold look. “The Empress cannot forgive him.” He stuck to the impostor not out of ignorance and gullibility, but as an immoral and harmful scoundrel. - Oh, that’s not true! - Marya Ivanovna screamed. - How untrue! - the lady objected, flushing all over. - It’s not true, by God it’s not true! I know everything, I will tell you everything. For me alone, he was exposed to everything that befell him. And if he did not justify himself before the court, it was only because he did not want to confuse me. “Here she eagerly told everything that my reader already knew. The lady listened to her with attention. "Where are you staying?" - she asked later; and hearing what Anna Vlasyevna had, said with a smile: “Ah! I know. Goodbye, don't tell anyone about our meeting. I hope that you will not wait long for an answer to your letter." With this word, she stood up and entered the covered alley, and Marya Ivanovna returned to Anna Vlasyevna, filled with joyful hope. The hostess scolded her for an early autumn walk, which, according to her, was harmful to the young girl’s health. She brought a samovar and, over a cup of tea, was just about to begin endless stories about the court, when suddenly the court carriage stopped at the porch, and the chamberlain came in with the announcement that the empress would deign to invite the maiden Mironova. Anna Vlasyevna was amazed and worried. “Oh my God! - she screamed. - The Empress demands you to come to court. How did she find out about you? But how will you, mother, introduce yourself to the empress? You, I am tea, don’t even know how to step like a courtier... Should I escort you? Still, I can at least warn you about something. And how can you travel in a traveling dress? Should I send to the midwife for her yellow robron?” The chamberlain announced that the empress wanted Marya Ivanovna to travel alone and in what she would be found wearing. There was nothing to do: Marya Ivanovna got into the carriage and went to the palace, accompanied by the advice and blessings of Anna Vlasyevna. Marya Ivanovna foresaw the decision of our fate; her heart beat strongly and sank. A few minutes later the carriage stopped at the palace. Marya Ivanovna walked up the stairs with trepidation. The doors opened wide in front of her. She passed a long row of empty, magnificent rooms; the chamberlain showed the way. Finally, approaching the locked doors, he announced that he would now report on her, and left her alone. The thought of seeing the Empress face to face frightened her so much that she could hardly stand on her feet. A minute later the doors opened and she entered the empress’s dressing room. The Empress was sitting at her toilet. Several courtiers surrounded her and respectfully let Marya Ivanovna through. The Empress addressed her kindly, and Marya Ivanovna recognized her as the lady with whom she had spoken so frankly a few minutes ago. The Empress called her over and said with a smile: “I am glad that I could keep my word to you and fulfill your request. Your business is over. I am convinced of your fiance's innocence. Here is a letter that you yourself will take the trouble to take to your future father-in-law.” Marya Ivanovna accepted the letter with a trembling hand and, crying, fell at the feet of the Empress, who picked her up and kissed her. The Empress got into conversation with her. “I know that you are not rich,” she said, “but I am indebted to the daughter of Captain Mironov. Don't worry about the future. I take it upon myself to arrange your condition.” Having treated the poor orphan kindly, the empress released her. Marya Ivanovna left in the same court carriage. Anna Vlasyevna, impatiently awaiting her return, showered her with questions, to which Marya Ivanovna answered somehow. Although Anna Vlasyevna was dissatisfied with her unconsciousness, she attributed it to provincial shyness and generously excused her. That same day, Marya Ivanovna, not interested in looking at St. Petersburg, went back to the village... The notes of Pyotr Andreevich Grinev stop here. From family legends it is known that he was released from prison at the end of 1774, by personal order; that he was present at the execution of Pugachev, who recognized him in the crowd and nodded his head to him, which a minute later, dead and bloody, was shown to the people. Soon afterwards, Pyotr Andreevich married Marya Ivanovna. Their descendants prosper in the Simbirsk province. Thirty miles from *** there is a village owned by ten landowners. In one of the master's wings they show a handwritten letter from Catherine II behind glass and in a frame. It was written to the father of Pyotr Andreevich and contains justification for his son and praise for the mind and heart of Captain Mironov’s daughter. The manuscript of Pyotr Andreevich Grinev was delivered to us from one of his grandchildren, who learned that we were busy with work dating back to the times described by his grandfather. We decided, with the permission of our relatives, to publish it separately, adding a decent epigraph to each chapter and allowing ourselves to change some of our own names.
Oct 19 1836.
This work has entered the public domain. The work was written by an author who died more than seventy years ago, and was published during his lifetime or posthumously, but more than seventy years have also passed since publication. It may be freely used by anyone without anyone's consent or permission and without payment of royalties.
Marya Ivanovna arrived safely in Sofia and, having learned at the post office that the Court was at that time in Tsarskoe Selo, she decided to stop here. She was given a corner behind the partition. The caretaker's wife immediately started talking to her, announced that she was the niece of the court stoker, and initiated her into all the mysteries of court life. She told what time the Empress
I usually woke up, ate coffee, and walked; what nobles were with her at that time; that she deigned to speak at her table yesterday, who she received in the evening - in a word, Anna Vlasyevna’s conversation was worth several pages of historical notes and would be precious for posterity. Marya Ivanovna listened to her with attention. They went to the garden. Anna
Vlasyevna told the story of each alley and each bridge, and, having walked around, they returned to the station very pleased with each other.
The next day, early in the morning, Marya Ivanovna woke up, got dressed and quietly went into the garden. The morning was beautiful, the sun illuminated the tops of the linden trees, which had already turned yellow under the fresh breath of autumn. The wide lake shone motionless. The awakened swans swam importantly from under the bushes that shaded the shore. Marya Ivanovna walked near a beautiful meadow, where a monument had just been erected in honor of the recent victories of Count Pyotr Alexandrovich Rumyantsev. Suddenly a white dog of the English breed barked and ran towards her. Marya Ivanovna got scared and stopped. At that very moment a pleasant female voice rang out: “Don’t be afraid, she won’t bite.” Marya Ivanovna sat down at the other end of the bench.
The lady looked at her intently; and Marya Ivanovna, for her part, casting several indirect glances, managed to examine her from head to toe. She was in a white morning dress, a nightcap and a shower jacket. She seemed to be about forty years old. Her face, plump and rosy, expressed importance and calmness, and her blue eyes and light smile had an inexplicable charm. The lady was the first to interrupt
silence.
“Are you sure you’re not from here?” - she said.
- Exactly so, sir: I just arrived from the provinces yesterday. "
"Have you come with your family?"
- No way, sir. I came alone. "
"Alone! But you are still so young."
- I have neither father nor mother. "
“You are here on some business, of course?”
- Exactly so, sir. I came to submit a request to the Empress.
“You are an orphan: perhaps you complain of injustice and insult?”
- No way, sir. I came to ask for mercy, not justice.
"May I ask, who are you?"
- I am the daughter of Captain Mironov.
"Captain Mironov! the same one who was the commandant in one of the Orenburg fortresses?"
- Exactly so, sir.
The lady seemed touched. “Excuse me,” she said in a voice even more affectionate,
- “if I interfere in your affairs; but I am at court;
explain to me what your request is, and maybe I will be able to help you
help."
Marya Ivanovna stood up and thanked her respectfully. Everything about the unknown lady involuntarily attracted the heart and inspired confidence. Marya Ivanovna took a folded paper out of her pocket and handed it to her unfamiliar patron, who began to read it to herself. At first she read with an attentive and supportive look; but suddenly her face changed, and Marya
Ivanovna, who followed all her movements with her eyes, was frightened by the stern expression of this face, so pleasant and calm for a minute.
"Are you asking for Grinev?" - said the lady with a cold look. - “The Empress cannot forgive him. He stuck to the impostor not out of ignorance and gullibility, but as an immoral and harmful scoundrel.”
- Oh, that's not true! - Marya Ivanovna screamed.
"How untrue!" - the lady objected, flushing all over.
- It’s not true, by God, it’s not true! I know everything, I will tell you everything. For me alone, he was exposed to everything that befell him. And if he did not justify himself before the court, it was only because he did not want to confuse me. “Here she eagerly told everyone what my reader already knew.
The lady listened to her with attention. - "Where are you staying?" she asked later; and hearing what Anna Vlasyevna had, said with a smile: “Ah! I know. Goodbye, don’t tell anyone about our meeting. I hope that you won’t wait long for an answer to your letter.” With this word she stood up and entered the covered alley, a. Marya Ivanovna returned to Anna Vlasyevna, filled with joyful hope.
The hostess scolded her for an early autumn walk, which, according to her, was harmful to the young girl’s health. She brought a samovar, and over a cup of tea she was just about to begin endless stories about the court, when suddenly the court carriage stopped at the porch, and the chamberlain came in with the announcement that the empress would deign to invite the maiden Mironova. Anna Vlasyevna was amazed and worried.
"Oh my God!" - she screamed. - “The Empress demands you to come to court. How did she find out about you? But how can you, mother, introduce yourself to the Empress? You, I’m tea, and you can’t set foot on the court
you know how... Should I accompany you? Still, I can at least warn you about something. And how can you travel in a traveling dress? Shouldn't I send to the midwife for her yellow robe?" - The chamberlain announced that the empress wanted Marya Ivanovna to travel alone, and in what she would be found wearing. There was nothing to be done: Marya Ivanovna got into the carriage and drove off palace, accompanied by the advice and blessings of Anna Vlasyevna.
Marya Ivanovna foresaw the decision of our fate; her heart beat strongly and sank. A few minutes later the carriage stopped at the palace. Marya Ivanovna walked up the stairs with trepidation. The doors opened wide in front of her. She passed a long row of empty, magnificent rooms; the chamberlain showed the way. Finally, he approached the locked doors, he announced that he was talking about her now
reported, and left her alone.
The thought of seeing the Empress face to face frightened her so much that she could hardly stand on her feet. A minute later the doors opened and she entered the empress’s dressing room. The Empress was sitting at her toilet. Several courtiers surrounded her and respectfully let Marya Ivanovna through. The Empress addressed her kindly, and Marya Ivanovna recognized her as the lady with whom
This is how she expressed herself frankly a few minutes ago. The Empress called her over and said with a smile: “I am glad that I could keep my word to you and fulfill your request. Your matter is over. I am convinced of the innocence of your fiancé. Here is a letter that you yourself will take the trouble to take to your future father-in-law.”
Marya Ivanovna accepted the letter with a trembling hand and, crying, fell at the feet of the Empress, who picked her up and kissed her. The Empress got into conversation with her. “I know that you are not rich,” she said; - “But I am indebted to the daughter of Captain Mironov. Don’t worry about the future. I take it upon myself to arrange your condition.”
Having treated the poor orphan kindly, the empress released her. Marya Ivanovna left in the same court carriage. Anna Vlasyevna, impatiently awaiting her return, showered her with questions, to which Marya Ivanovna answered somehow. Although Anna Vlasyevna was dissatisfied with her unconsciousness, she attributed it to provincial shyness and generously excused her. That same day, Marya Ivanovna, not interested in looking at St. Petersburg, went back to the village...
This unexpected blow almost killed my father. He lost his usual firmness, and his grief (usually silent) poured out in bitter complaints. "How! - he repeated, losing his temper. “My son participated in Pugachev’s plans!” Good God, what have I lived to see! The Empress spares him from execution! Does this make it any easier for me? It is not the execution that is terrible: my ancestor died on the execution site, defending what he considered sacred to his conscience; my father suffered along with Volynsky and Khrushchev. But for a nobleman to betray his oath, to unite with robbers, with murderers, with runaway slaves!.. Shame and disgrace to our family!..” Frightened by his despair, his mother did not dare to cry in front of him and tried to restore his cheerfulness, talking about the untruthfulness of the rumor, about the unsteadiness human opinion. My father was inconsolable.
Marya Ivanovna suffered more than anyone. Being sure that I could justify myself whenever I wanted, she guessed the truth and considered herself to be the culprit of my misfortune. She hid her tears and suffering from everyone and meanwhile constantly thought about ways to save me.
One evening the priest was sitting on the sofa, turning over the sheets of the Court Calendar; but his thoughts were far away, and reading did not produce its usual effect on him. He whistled an old march. Mother silently knitted a woolen sweatshirt, and tears occasionally dripped onto her work. Suddenly Marya Ivanovna, who was sitting right there at work, announced that necessity was forcing her to go to St. Petersburg and that she was asking for a way to go. Mother was very upset. “Why do you need to go to St. Petersburg? - she said. “Do you really want to leave us, Marya Ivanovna?” Marya Ivanovna replied that her entire future fate depended on this journey, that she was going to seek protection and help from strong people, as the daughter of a man who had suffered for his fidelity.
My father lowered his head: every word reminiscent of his son’s imaginary crime was painful to him and seemed like a caustic reproach. “Go, mother! - he told her with a sigh. “We don’t want to interfere with your happiness.” May God give you a good man as your groom, not a defamed traitor.” He stood up and left the room.
Marya Ivanovna, left alone with her mother, partially explained her assumptions to her. Mother hugged her with tears and prayed to God for a successful end to her planned business. Marya Ivanovna was equipped, and a few days later she set off on the road with the faithful Palash and with the faithful Savelich, who, being forcibly separated from me, was consoled at least by the thought that he was serving my betrothed bride.
Marya Ivanovna arrived safely in Sofia and, having learned at the post office that the Court was at that time in Tsarskoe Selo, she decided to stop here. She was given a corner behind the partition. The caretaker's wife immediately started talking to her, announced that she was the niece of the court stoker, and initiated her into all the mysteries of court life. She told what time the empress usually woke up, ate coffee, and took a walk; what nobles were with her at that time; that she deigned to speak at her table yesterday, who she received in the evening - in a word, Anna Vlasyevna’s conversation was worth several pages of historical notes and would be precious for posterity. Marya Ivanovna listened to her with attention. They went to the garden. Anna Vlasyevna told the story of each alley and each bridge, and, having walked around, they returned to the station very pleased with each other.
The next day, early in the morning, Marya Ivanovna woke up, got dressed and quietly went into the garden. The morning was beautiful, the sun illuminated the tops of the linden trees, which had already turned yellow under the fresh breath of autumn. The wide lake shone motionless. The awakened swans swam importantly from under the bushes that shaded the shore. Marya Ivanovna walked near a beautiful meadow, where a monument had just been erected in honor of the recent victories of Count Pyotr Alexandrovich Rumyantsev. Suddenly a white dog of the English breed barked and ran towards her. Marya Ivanovna got scared and stopped. At that very moment a pleasant female voice rang out: “Don’t be afraid, she won’t bite.” And Marya Ivanovna saw a lady sitting on a bench opposite the monument. Marya Ivanovna sat down at the other end of the bench. The lady looked at her intently; and Marya Ivanovna, for her part, casting several indirect glances, managed to examine her from head to toe. She was in a white morning dress, a nightcap and a shower jacket. She seemed to be about forty years old. Her face, plump and rosy, expressed importance and calmness, and her blue eyes and light smile had an inexplicable charm. The lady was the first to break the silence.
The next day, early in the morning, Marya Ivanovna woke up, got dressed and quietly went into the garden. The morning was beautiful, the sun illuminated the tops of the linden trees, which had already turned yellow under the fresh breath of autumn. The wide lake shone motionless. The awakened swans swam importantly from under the bushes that shaded the shore. Marya Ivanovna walked near a beautiful meadow, where a monument had just been erected in honor of the recent victories of Count Pyotr Alexandrovich Rumyantsev. Suddenly a white dog of the English breed barked and ran towards her. Marya Ivanovna got scared and stopped. At that very moment a pleasant female voice rang out: “Don’t be afraid, she won’t bite.” And Marya Ivanovna saw a lady sitting on a bench opposite the monument. Marya Ivanovna sat down at the other end of the bench. The lady looked at her intently; and Marya Ivanovna, for her part, casting several indirect glances, managed to examine her from head to toe. She was in a white morning dress, a nightcap and a shower jacket. She seemed to be about forty years old. Her face, full and rosy, expressed importance and calmness, and her blue eyes and light smile had an inexplicable charm. The lady was the first to break the silence.
-You're not from here, are you? - she said.
- Exactly so, sir: I just arrived from the provinces yesterday.
– Did you come with your family?
- No way, sir. I came alone.
- One! But you are still so young.
– I have neither father nor mother.
- You are here, of course, on some business?
- Exactly so, sir. I came to submit a request to the Empress.
– You are an orphan: probably you complain about injustice and insult?
- No way, sir. I came to ask for mercy, not justice.
- Let me ask, who are you?
– I am the daughter of Captain Mironov.
- Captain Mironov! the same one who was the commandant in one of the Orenburg fortresses?
- Exactly so, sir.
The lady seemed touched. “Excuse me,” she said in an even more affectionate voice, “if I interfere in your affairs; but I am at court; Explain to me what your request is, and maybe I will be able to help you.”
Marya Ivanovna stood up and thanked her respectfully. Everything about the unknown lady involuntarily attracted the heart and inspired confidence. Marya Ivanovna took a folded paper out of her pocket and handed it to her unfamiliar patron, who began to read it to herself.
At first she read with an attentive and supportive look; but suddenly her face changed, and Marya Ivanovna, who followed all her movements with her eyes, was frightened by the stern expression of this face, so pleasant and calm for a minute.
-Are you asking for Grinev? - said the lady with a cold look. “The Empress cannot forgive him.” He stuck to the impostor not out of ignorance and gullibility, but as an immoral and harmful scoundrel.
- Oh, that’s not true! - Marya Ivanovna screamed.
- How untrue! - the lady objected, flushing all over.
- It’s not true, by God it’s not true! I know everything, I will tell you everything. For me alone, he was exposed to everything that befell him. And if he did not justify himself before the court, it was only because he did not want to confuse me. Here she eagerly told everything that my reader already knew.
The lady listened to her with attention. "Where are you staying?" - she asked later; and hearing what Anna Vlasyevna had, said with a smile: “Ah! I know. Goodbye, don't tell anyone about our meeting. I hope that you will not wait long for an answer to your letter."
With this word, she stood up and entered the covered alley, and Marya Ivanovna returned to Anna Vlasyevna, filled with joyful hope.
(A.S. Pushkin, “ Captain's daughter»)