in point of souls, we possess only the maid Polacca. Yet, thank God,
we live, somehow or other. We have but one care, that is Marie, a girl
that must be married off. And what fortune has she? The price of two
baths per annum. If only she could find a worthy husband. If not,
there she is, eternally a maid."

I glanced at Marie; she blushed, tears were dropping into her soup.
I pitied her, and hastened to change the conversation. "I have heard
that the Bashkirs intend to attack your fortress?"

"Who said so," replied Ivan Mironoff.

"I heard it at Orenbourg."

"All nonsense," said Ivan, "we have not heard the least word about it;
the Bashkirs are an intimidated people; and the Kirghis have also had
some good lessons. They dare not attack us, and if they should even
dream of it, I would give them so great a fright that they would not
move again for ten years."

"Do you not fear," I continued, addressing Basilia, "to stay in a
fortress exposed to these dangers?"

"A matter of habit, my dear," she replied, "twenty years ago, when we
were transferred here from the regiment, you could not believe how I
feared the pagans. If I chanced to see their fur caps, if I heard
their shouts, believe me, my heart was ready to faint; but now I am so
used to this life, that if told that the brigands were prowling around
us, I would not stir from the fortress."