"Well! well! let us send Marie away," said the Captain's wife, "but
do not dream of asking me to go, for I will do nothing of the kind.
It is not becoming, in my old age, to separate myself from thee and
seek a solitary grave in a strange place. We have lived together;
let us die together."

"You are right," said the Commandant. "Go, and equip Marie; there
is no time to lose; tomorrow, at the dawn of day, she shall set out;
she must have a convoy, though indeed there is no one to spare. Where
is she?"

"She is at Accoulina's," said his wife. "She fainted upon hearing that
the fortress had been taken."

Basilia went to prepare for her daughter's departure. The discussion
still continued at the Commandant's, but I took no further part in it.
Marie reappeared at supper with eyes red from tears. We supped in
silence and rose from the table sooner than usual. Having bade the
family good night, each one sought his room. I forgot my sword, on
purpose, and went back for it; I anticipated finding Marie alone.
In truth she met me at the door and gave me my sword.

"Adieu, Peter," she said, weeping, "they send me to Orenbourg. Be
happy. Perhaps God will permit us to meet again; if not--"

She burst into tears. I folded her in my arms.

"Adieu, my angel!" I said, "adieu my cherished, my beloved; what ever
happens, be sure that my last thought, my last prayer, will be for
thee." Leaning of my breast, Marie wept. I kissed her and rushed out.