by Mór Jókai
CHAPTER XXXV
SPARKS AND ASHES
Zeneida's gondola glided quickly past the funeral barge back toKreskowsky Island. Her guests were entertaining themselves without her.They were used to do so.
The conspirators were largely represented; even Pestel, from far-offNikolajevsk, was there. To-night the conflicting parties were to measurethemselves; the decision was to be made which plan should be theaccepted one: the one which should give freedom by means of the Czar; orthat which, regardless of him, living or dead, should carry the work toits completion.
As the fireworks commenced, the Bojars withdrew from the gay scene tothe roulette chamber.
There were three-and-twenty men and Zeneida. Prince Ghedimin alone wasstill expected; he was to come direct from the Czar.
He came.
He had a long envelope, sealed with five seals, in his hand.
In extreme agitation all awaited the opening of the document. The Princecut the seals with a pair of scissors, opened the envelope, and therefell from it the ashes of some burned sheets of paper, as they had beenreclaimed from the fire. It was the anxiously awaited _charta_--reducedto ashes.
"I said so!" exclaimed Pestel, with triumphant countenance. "The wholething was a comedy. Scarce three months has it lasted. There's an end offine words. Now to dark deeds!"
Nothing was left but to decide if _the deed_ should be consummated.
They voted openly and by name.
There were twelve ayes and twelve noes.
"There is still one to give the casting vote," said Pestel. "Here is the'Votum Minervae.' Here is Zeneida. Her vote shall decide it."
Zeneida saw the deadly pallor which had overspread Ghedimin's face.
With calm voice she said, "Aye."
Thirteen to twelve the majority for the deed. But when? That was thenext question.
Pestel said, "At once."
Ryleieff moved that in September would be their best opportunity, at theconcentration of the army.
"To-day," growled Jakuskin. "Not to-morrow!"
Fresh votes had to be taken.
"At once, or in September?"
Once more the votes were twelve to twelve. Once more Zeneida was calledupon to give the casting vote.
Upon her breath hung the decision whether the world at that very hourshould be shattered to its foundations.
"In September," she said; and Ghedimin gave a deep breath of relief.
Pestel shrugged his shoulders wrathfully.
"Then it were better to put it off until May, to try the success of theconcentration of the army in Kiew. There in the South we are themasters."
"Shame upon us!" growled Jakuskin. "We are twelve to their twelve, anddare not do the deed. Every one of us a Brutus! More than an Armada!Were I alone I would do it myself."
The concluding set piece of the fireworks was greeted by the crowdwithout with clapping of hands. The golden rain fell like a shower ofstars from the sky.
"Very well. The 20th of September," whispered the conspirators, as theyshook hands with each other. Loud peals of laughter were heard among thegay company; the health of the lady of the house was drunk with acclaim.
Upon the smooth surface of the Neva, under the shower of golden rain,gently glided the funeral barge to its destination; the dead lay withface serene; and amid the applause and hand-clapping of the spectatorsarose the dirge:
"Ah, the day of tears and mourning, From the dust of earth returning, Man for judgment must prepare him."
The psalm and noisy crowd were silenced. The golden sparks died out, theashes were extinguished. Morning began to dawn. Not a soul was to beseen on the Neva. Every one had gone home to sleep through the graymorning hours; the forenoon in St. Petersburg is good for nothing else.
Even morning here has its special characteristics. The sky is white, andas it is reflected on the calm surface of the Neva it seems like oneplate of burnished silver, upon which the long streaks of cloud and theheavy foliage of the trees stand out black as night. Pomp of death insky and earth!