me, and again I turned my back upon him. Pougatcheff asked him a
few questions about the condition of the fortress, and then, in an
unpremeditated manner, said: "Tell me, who is this young girl that
you have under guard?"

Alexis became pale as death. "Czar," said he, a tremor in his voice,
"she is in her own room; she is not locked up."

"Take me to her room," said the usurper, rising.

Hesitation was impossible. Alexis led the way to Marie's room. I
followed. On the stairs Alexis stopped: "Czar, demand of me what
you will, but do not permit a stranger to enter my wife's room."

"You are married?" I shouted, ready to tear him to pieces.

"Silence!" interrupted the brigand, "this is my business. And you,"
said he, turning to Alexis, "do not be too officious. Whether she
be your wife or not, I shall take whom I please into her room. Your
lordship, follow me."

At the door of the room Alexis stopped again: "Czar, she has had a
fever these three days; she is delirious."

"Open," said Pougatcheff.

Alexis fumbled in his pockets, and at last said that he had forgotten
the key. Pougatcheff kicked the door; the lock yielded, the door
opened and we entered.