"Basilia is a very brave lady," observed Alexis, gravely. "Ivan
Mironoff knows some thing about it."

"Oh, you see," said Ivan, "she does not belong to the regiment of
poltroons."

"And Marie," I asked of her mother "is she as bold as you?"

"Marie?" said the lady. "No! Marie is a coward. Up to the present
she has not heard the report of a gun without trembling in every limb.
Two years ago Ivan had a pleasant fancy to fire off his cannon on my
birthday; the poor pigeon was so frightened that she almost went into
the next world. Since that day the miserable cannon has not spoken."

We rose from the table. The captain and his wife went to take their
siesta. I went with Alexis to his room, where we passed the evening
together.




IV. THE DUEL.


Several weeks elapsed, during which my life in the fortress became not
only supportable, but even agreeable. I was received as a member of
the family in the Commandant's house. The husband and wife were
excellent people. Ivan Mironoff, from being the adopted child of the
regiment, rose to officer's rank. He was a plain, simple, uneducated
man, but thoroughly good and loyal. His wife governed him, and that