The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia
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been arranged. The conspiratorsdeparted a few at a time, each man as he reached the open air, shroudinghimself in his cloak, and bending his steps in various directions acrossthe mass of ruins, so that no two persons sought the same path at thesame time.
As Ivan was about to depart, he was accosted by the friend who hadbrought him to the meeting.
"You have acted well, and nobly," said he; "and I trust that you maynever have reason to repent, that you have engaged in this just cause.Ere we go, I will explain to you the secrets of this place of meeting.This large vaulted chamber was a cellar belonging to a mansion,destroyed at the burning of the city, during the French occupation. Theformer inhabitants of the place have all died, or have left Moscow; andno one knows of this vault, save the owner of the new house, and he isone of the principal and most active members of the Association. Hediscovered the vault amid the ruins, and prepared it for our meetings:he himself never approaching it, except at night, and by the many secretexits, he has formed with indefatigable labour. In every avenue aretrusty guards in various disguises, so that there is but littlelikelihood of a surprise; yet, should we by any chance be discovered, weare prepared to sell our lives dearly. I will now lead you forth;follow--but at a short distance behind me." Threading several passages,they gained the open air, and passing from the garden by a differentgate, to that by which they had entered, after a short walk, Ivan foundhimself in a part of the city, with which he was acquainted; his guidethen bidding him farewell, he returned to his temporary home.
Volume 1, Chapter X.
It has been the constant aim of the Imperial Court to draw within itsfocus the noblesse from all quarters of the Empire, with a view to keepthem more entirely under the eye of government, tempting them withribbons, stars, and titles.
However well the plan has succeeded with the poorer nobles and manyindeed of the more powerful, attracted by the pomp and magnificence ofSt. Petersburg, no lures have been found to decoy others equally richand influential, who prefer the independence and freedom they enjoy intheir palaces at Moscow, and country-seats, to the formality and tediousetiquette of the court. The Czar, therefore, naturally regards with ajealous eye, those who shun his presence,--as inimical to his rule, andnone more so perhaps, than the proud and wealthy patricians of Moscow,known to possess the liberal principles so subversive of despotism: menwho prefer to reside with their families among the ancient retainers oftheir house, and to enjoy the freedom, and surpassing beauty of theirnative city.
Not so, however, the Count Erintoff; he kept at a distance from thecourt, and the eye of authority, that he might enjoy greater license forhis vices and profligacy. His palace stood in the environs of the city,and was furnished with all the magnificence and luxury for which hisfortune gave ample means.
It was a stately mansion, and had been rebuilt after the conflagrationby his father; a nobleman every way qualified to fill the high stationhe held; but who with culpable indulgence had not paid that attention tothe education of his son, which would qualify him to be a worthysuccessor to himself. Magnificent mirrors and pictures adorned thewalls; couches and hangings from the East; objects of virtu from Italy;of decoration, from France; and furniture and all the appurtenances ofcomfort from England, filled the rooms.
The Count was pacing through his spacious galleries with hasty steps,when a servant submissively approached him.
"How now knave! what want you here?" said the Count, angrily; withoutnoticing the person of the intruder.
"I come to bring you the information you sent me to gain," answered theman. "I have been partly successful."
"Ah, Groff! is it you, faithful villain. I did not expect you so soon,"said the noble. "What is the information you bring me? for if Irecollect right, you had a variety of commissions to perform."
"Why, what I should think would please you most--about the Gipsy girl,who before slipped through our fingers," answered the man.
"What of her, knave?" said the Count, in an angry tone at his servant'sfreedom of speech; but the man seemed unmoved as he answered, "She isnow in Moscow, I passed her just now on my way here, and I have formed aplan by which I think I can induce her to come here."
"Tell me not of your plans, knave!" answered the Count. "I require nosuggestion but must have execution, and you shall then have the reward Ipromised. But say, when do you expect to succeed with this most notableplan you talk of? The girl is not to be entrapped so easily as youanticipate."
"By to-morrow at furthest, or perchance this very day, if my messengercan find the girl, though he may have some difficulty in falling in withher; but you may have changed your mind, Sir. Is it still your pleasurethat she come here?"
"Yes, knave; and mark me, if you fail and disappoint me, you shallsuffer!" said the Count. "Now, tell me quickly, how you hope tosucceed; let me hear all you have to say."
"In the first place, fortune has favoured us, Sir," said Groff, "forwhile I was out concerning the affairs you sent me on, it appears thattwo Gipsy boys were singing and playing in front of the palace, to theidle porters and other servants, when a drosky, driven furiously by,knocked one of them down, and left him senseless on the ground. I knownot how it was, but Kruntz and some of the other men, were seized with afit of humanity, and brought the wounded boy within the palace, and whenhis companion was crying over him, some of them bathed his bruises andhurts. I arrived at that time, having just encountered the damsel ofthe same race where I told you. A thought struck me, that I might turnthe accident to some account. I found that the boys did not know inwhose palace they were; and after some talk with the one who was notwounded, I contrived to learn that he belonged to the same tribe as thegirl you are in search of. I accordingly hinted to the boy, where shewas likely to be found, and persuaded him to set off, in order to bringher to his brother, as she was better able to cure him than any doctor.I told him, therefore, that this was the palace of the PrinceRaziminski, into which she will not fear to enter; and having directedhim to mark it well so as not to forget it, sent him off to bring herhere immediately. Have I done well, Sir?"
"I have no great expectation, that your ill-contrived scheme willsucceed," answered the Count, stiffly; "I know she will not come! Whatelse have you to communicate?"
"Somewhat with respect to the son of the Baron Galetzoff. I think Sir,you may soon have your revenge on him."
"Ah!" exclaimed the Count, looking deeply interested, "what of thatyouth? could I wreak my vengeance on him, and win the girl into thebargain, I should be contented. What have you to say of him?"
"Why, Sir," replied Groff, "I have discovered where he resides, and havedogged his steps constantly; once or twice I have been nearlydiscovered; but have hitherto eluded him successfully. I know all hishaunts, his habits and his movements; and I find that he constantlypasses a spot where a dagger might reach his bosom, without fear of thedeed being discovered. You have thus a full opportunity of satisfyingyour vengeance."
"What, villain!" exclaimed the noble, indignantly, "do you think that Ihave become a common assassin, to strike my enemy in the dark? I wouldhave revenge; but not such as your dull brain can invent. In what partof the city, do you say you have seen him?"
Groff mentioned a part of Moscow, near the spot where the conspiratorsheld their meetings.
"And at what time did he usually pass by?"
"Soon after sun-set," answered Groff. "I marked him on his way from thehotel; but each time I lost sight of him, soon after he passed thatspot: I have then waited for hours till his return; but before long, Ihope to discover where he vanishes to, and he will be clever if he againescapes me. I have my suspicions, that he is not the only person whovisits that part of the city by stealth; for I confess that I have twicemade a mistake, and followed different people, when I was in search ofhim."
"That must be looked to," said the Count, "we may find that something isgoing forward worth discovering; beware, that you do not make a mistake.For myself, I would not imbue my hands with blood. It woul
d be butslight satisfaction to feel my dagger entering his bosom, and his warmlife-blood streaming from the wound: I leave those feelings to thepassionate, fiery-blooded Italians. Yet, mark me Groff! I hate theyoung Galetzoff, and it would be enough for me to know that he hadceased to live. There are many dark lanes in Moscow, and theIstvostchiks are great villains, and often commit murder with no betterobject, than for the sake of the paltry sums a person may have abouthim; you understand me. I loathe the very sight of that youth. Hefaces me with the coolest indifference, as if he had not injured me tothe utmost; and yet there is something in his eye, when he meets mygaze, by which I have strong suspicions that he knows me. I cannot resttill I am revenged on him. You will probably win one reward, and heretake half for what you