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Pougatcheff gave a furious look at Alexis, and said: "Do you dare to deceive me, knave?"

Alexis fell on his knees Conteeance I saith disgust, a gentle at the feet of a Cossack deserter

"I pardon you, this tiand, "but remember, your next fault will recall this one" He turned to Marie, and said, gently: "Coirl, you are free I am the Czar!"

Marie looked at him, hid her face in her hands and fell on the floor unconscious She had no doubt divined that he had caused her parents' death I rushed to aid her, when my old acquaintance, Polacca, boldly entered, and hastened to revive her atcheff, Alexis and I went down to the reception rooirl, what say you? Shall we not send for Father Garasie ceremony for his niece? If you like, I will be your father by proxy, Alexis your grooates andthis speech, lost his self-control

"Czar," said he, in a fury, "I auilty; I have lied to you, but Grineff also deceives you This young girl is not Father Garasilared at me "What does that mean?" said he to me

"Alexis says truly," I replied, firmly

"You did not tell e of it yourself Could I declare before your people that Marie was Captain Mironoff's daughter? They would have torn her to pieces No one could have saved her"

"You are right," said Pougatcheff, "my drunkards would not have spared the child Accoulina did well to deceive theood humor, "I do not know your real name, and I do not want to know it But before God, I am ready to pay you withcontrary to honor, and o with this orphan, and hatever happens to you, wherever you may be, we shall pray God to save your soul"

"Be it as you desire," said he, "punish to the end, or pardon completely, that's my way Take your proive you love and happiness" He turned to Alexis, and ordered him to write me a passport for all the forts subject to his power Alexis was petrified with astonishatcheff went off to inspect the fortress; Alexis followed him; I remained