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The kibitka stopped before the Conized the usurper's bells and equipage, and had come out in crowds to meet him Alexis, dressed like a Cossack, and bearded like one, helped the brigand to descend froht ofhimself, he said: "You are one of us?" I turnede entered the roo, like an epitaph, the diploatcheff seated himself upon the same sofa where many a time Ivan Mironoff had dozed to the hum of his wife's voice Alexis' own hand presented the brandy to his chief Pougatcheff drank a glass and said, pointing to lass to his lordship" Alexis approached atcheff asked him a few questions about the condition of the fortress, and then, in an unpreirl that you have under guard?"

Alexis became pale as death "Czar," said he, a tremor in his voice, "she is in her own room; she is not locked up"

"Take

Hesitation was impossible Alexis led the way to Marie's room I followed On the stairs Alexis stopped: "Czar, deer to enter my wife's room"

"You are married?" I shouted, ready to tear hiand, "this isto Alexis, "do not be too officious Whether she be your wife or not, I shall take whom I please into her room Your lordship, follow ain: "Czar, she has had a fever these three days; she is delirious"

"Open," said Pougatcheff

Alexis fuotten the key Pougatcheff kicked the door; the lock yielded, the door opened and we entered

I glanced into the room, and nearly fainted On the floor, in the coarse dress of a peasant, Marie was seated, pale, thin, her hair in disorder; before her on the floor stood a pitcher of water covered by a piece of bread Upon seeing lanced at Alexis, smiled bitterly, and said: "Your hospital is in nice order?"

"Tell me, my little dove, why does your husband punish you in this way?"

"My husband! he is not my husband I am resolved to die rather than marry him; and I shall die, if not soon released"