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There was a church on one side； and on the other was a large stone
house； the outline of which seemed to me to be familiar。 I looked around
me in the twilight； and then I saw that we had been led back to Dobrova；
and that this house at the door of which we were waiting was the same
house of the priest at which we had stopped in the morning。 Here it was
that my charming Sophie in her innocence had translated the unlucky
message which had in some strange way led us to our ruin。 To think that
only a few hours before we had left this very spot with such high hopes
and all fair prospects for our mission； and now the remnants of us waited
as beaten and humiliated men for whatever lot a brutal enemy might
ordain！ But such is the fate of the soldier； my friends kisses to…day；
blows to…morrow。 Tokay in a palace； ditch…water in a hovel； furs or rags；
a full purse or an empty pocket； ever swaying from the best to the worst；
with only his courage and his honour unchanging。
The Russian horsemen dismounted； and my poor fellows were ordered
to do the same。 It was already late； and it was clearly their intention to
spend the night in this village。 There were great cheering and joy
amongst the peasants when they understood that we had all been taken；
and they flocked out of their houses with flaming torches； the women
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carrying out tea and brandy for the Cossacks。 Amongst others the old
priest came forth the same whom we had seen in the morning。 He was
all smiles now； and he bore with him some hot punch on a salver； the reek
of which I can remember still。 Behind her father was Sophie。 With
horror I saw her clasp Major Sergine's hand as she congratulated him upon
the victory he had won and the prisoners he had made。 The old priest；
her father； looked at me with an insolent face and made insulting remarks
at my expense； pointing at me with his lean and grimy hand。 His fair
daughter Sophie looked at me also； but she said nothing； and I could read
her tender pity in her dark eyes。 At last she turned to Major Sergine and
said something to him in Russian； on which he frowned and shook his
head impatiently。
She appeared to plead with him； standing there in the flood of light
which shone from the open door of her father's house。 My eyes were
fixed upon the two faces； that of the beautiful girl and of the dark； fierce
man； for my instinct told me that it was my own fate which was under
debate。 For a long time the soldier shook his head； and then； at last
softening before her pleadings； he appeared to give way。 He turned to
where I stood with my guardian sergeant beside me。
〃These good people offer you the shelter of their roof for the night；〃
said he to me； looking me up and down with vindictive eyes。 〃I find it
hard to refuse them； but I tell you straight that for my part I had rather see
you on the snow。 It would cool your hot blood； you rascal of a
Frenchman！〃
I looked at him with the contempt that I felt。
〃You were born a savage and you will die one；〃 said I。
My words stung him； for he broke into an oath； raising his whip as if
he would strike me。
〃Silence； you crop…eared dog！〃 he cried。 〃Had I my way some of the
insolence would be frozen out of you before morning。〃 Mastering his
passion； he turned upon Sophie with what he meant to be a gallant manner。
〃If you have a cellar with a good lock；〃 said he； 〃the fellow may lie in it
for the night； since you have done him the honour to take an interest in his
comfort。 I must have his parole that he will not attempt to play us any
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tricks； as I am answerable for him until I hand him over to the Hetman
Platoff to…morrow。〃
His supercilious manner was more than I could endure。
He had evidently spoken French to the lady in order that I might
understand the humiliating way in which he referred to me。
〃I will take no favour from you；〃 said I。 〃You may do what you like；
but I will never give you my parole。〃
The Russian shrugged his great shoulders； and turned away as if the
matter were ended。
〃Very well； my fine fellow； so much the worse for your fingers and
toes。 We shall see how you are in the morning after a night in the snow。〃
〃One moment； Major Sergine；〃 cried Sophie。 〃You must not be so
hard upon this prisoner。 There are some special reasons why he has a
claim upon our kindness and mercy。〃
The Russian looked with suspicion upon his face from her to me。
〃What are the special reasons？ You certainly seem to take a
remarkable interest in this Frenchman；〃 said he。
〃The chief reason is that he has this very morning of his own accord
released Captain Alexis Barakoff； of the Dragoons of Grodno。〃
〃It is true；〃 said Barakoff； who had come out of the house。 〃He
captured me this morning； and he released me upon parole rather than take
me back to the French army； where I should have been starved。〃
〃Since Colonel Gerard has acted so generously you will surely； now
that fortune has changed； allow us to offer him the poor shelter of our
cellar upon this bitter night；〃 said Sophie。 〃It is a small return for his
generosity。〃
But the Dragoon was still in the sulks。
〃Let him give me his parole first that he will not attempt to escape；〃
said he。 〃Do you hear； sir？ Do you give me your parole？〃
〃I give you nothing；〃 said I。
〃Colonel Gerard；〃 cried Sophie； turning to me with a coaxing smile；
〃you will give me your parole； will you not？〃
〃To you； mademoiselle； I can refuse nothing。 I will give you my
parole； with pleasure。〃
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〃There； Major Sergine；〃 cried S