send to the doctor's wife and get her yellow dress with flounces, for
you?"

The lackey declared that he had orders to take Marie alone, just as she
was. Anna did not dare to disobey, and Marie set out. She had a
presentiment that her destiny was now to be decided. Her heart beat
violently. In a few minutes the carriage was at the palace, and Marie,
having crossed a long suite of apartments, vacant and sumptuous,
entered the _boudoir_ of the Empress. The nobles who surrounded their
sovereign respectfully made way for the young girl.

The Empress, in whom Marie recognized the lady of the garden, said,
graciously: "I am pleased to be able to grant your prayer. Convinced
of the innocence of your betrothed, I have arranged everything. Here
is a letter for your future father-in-law."

Marie, in tears, fell at the feet of the Empress, who raised her up and
kissed her, saying:

"I know that you are not rich; but I have to acquit myself of a debt to
the daughter of a brave man, Captain Mironoff." Treating Marie with
tenderness, the Empress dismissed her. That day Marie set out for my
father's country-seat, not having even glanced at Saint Petersburg.




Here terminate the memoirs of Peter Grineff. We know by family
tradition that he was set free about the end of the year 1774. We
know too, that he was present at the execution of Pougatcheff, who,