"Ah, bah! Petr' Andrejitch! By what chance, and where do you drop from?
Good day, brother, won't you punt a card?"
"Thanks--rather give me a lodging."
"What, lodging do you want? Stay with me."
"I cannot. I am not alone."
"Well, bring your comrade too."
"I am not with a comrade. I am--with a lady."
"With a lady--where did you pick her up, brother?"
After saying which words Zourine began to whistle so slyly that all the
others began to laugh, and I remained confused.
"Well," continued Zourine, "then there is nothing to be done. I'll give
you a lodging. But it is a pity; we would have had a spree like last
time. Hullo! there, boy, why is not Pugatchef's gossip brought up? Is
she refractory? Tell her she has nothing to fear, that the gentleman
who wants her is very good, that he will not offend her in any way, and
at the same time shove her along by the shoulder."
"What are you talking about?" I said to Zourine; "of what gossip of
Pugatchef's are you speaking? It is the daughter of Captain Mironoff. I
have delivered her from captivity, and I am taking her now to my
father's house, where I shall leave her."
"What? So it's you whom they came to announce a while ago? In heaven's
name, what does all this mean?"
"I'll tell you all about it presently. But now I beg of you, do reassure
the poor girl, whom your hussars have frightened dreadfully."
Zourine directly settled matters. He went out himself into the street to
make excuses to Marya for the involuntary misunderstanding, and ordered
the Quartermaster to take her to the best lodging in the town. I stayed
to sleep at Zourine's house. We supped together, and as soon as I found
myself alone with Zourine, I told him all my adventures.
He heard me with great attention, and when I had done, shaking his
head-"All that's very well, brother," said he, "but one thing is not well.
Why the devil do you want to marry? As an honest officer, as a good
fellow, I would not deceive you. Believe me, I implore you, marriage is
but a folly. Is it wise of you to bother yourself with a wife and rock
babies? Give up the idea. Listen to me; part with the Commandant's
daughter. I have cleared and made safe the road to Simbirsk; send her
to-morrow to your parents alone, and you stay in my detachment. If you
fall again into the hands of the rebels it will not be easy for you to
get off another time. In this way, your love fit will cure itself, and
all will be for the best."
Though I did not completely agree with him, I yet felt that duty and
honour alike required my presence in the Tzarina's army; so I resolved
to follow in part Zourine's advice, and send Marya to my parents, and
stay in his troop.