"Now, your lordship, we have released the pretty girl, what say you?
Shall we not send for Father Garasim, and have him perform the marriage
ceremony for his niece? If you like, I will be your father by proxy,
Alexis your groomsman; then we'll shut the gates and make merry!"

As I anticipated, Alexis, hearing this speech, lost his self-control.

"Czar," said he, in a fury, "I am guilty; I have lied to you, but
Grineff also deceives you. This young girl is not Father Garasim's
niece. She is Ivan Mironoff's daughter."

Pougatcheff glared at me. "What does that mean?" said he to me.

"Alexis says truly," I replied, firmly.

"You did not tell me that," said the usurper, whose face darkened.

"Judge 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 them."

"Listen," I said, seeing his good 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
with my life, for what you have done for me. Only, ask me nothing
contrary to honor, and my conscience as a Christian. You are my
benefactor. Let me go with this orphan, and we, whatever happens to
you, wherever you may be, we shall pray God to save your soul."