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A lady about fifty years of age was seated on a rustic bench She was dressed in a white ht cap and a mantilla Her face, full and florid, was expressive of calmness and seriousness She was the first to speak: "You are evidently a stranger here?"

"That is true, madam I arrived from the country yesterday"

"You are with your parents?"

"No,to travel alone Are you here on business?"

"My parents are dead I came to present a petition to the Empress"

"You are an orphan; you have to complain of injustice, or injury?"

"Madam, I came to ask for a pardon, not justice"

"Perhter of Captain Mironoff"

"Of Captain Mironoff? of him who co?"

"The sa to Court Explain the object of your petition; perhaps I can aid you" Marie took from her pocket a paper which she handed to the lady, who read it attentively Marie, whose eyes followed every movement of her countenance, was alarracious a moment before

"You intercede for Grineff?" said the lady, in an icy tone "The Empress can not pardon hinorant believer, but as a depraved and dangerous good-for-nothing"

"It is not true!" exclai to the eyes

"Before God, it is not true I know all I will tell you all It was for me only that exposed himself to all these es, it was because he would not drag me before the authorities" Marie then related are?" asked the lady, when the young girl had finished her recital Upon hearing that she was staying with the postmaster's wife, she nodded, and said with a s I hope you will not have long to wait for the answer to your petition"

She rose and went away by a covered path Marie went back to Anna's, full of fair hope The postmaster's as surprised that Marie took so early a proirl's health She brought the So to relate one of her intere with the i the ined to order to her presence the daughter of Captain Mironoff!