Before Fedor was a year old, his grandmother, Anna Pavlovna, was struck down by a mortal complaint.  A few days before her death, when she could no longer rise from her bed, she told her husband in the presence of the priest, while her dying eyes swam with timid tears, that she wished to see her daughter-in-law, and to bid her farewell, and to bless her grandson.  The old man, who was greatly moved, bade her set her mind at rest, and immediately sent his own carriage for his daughter-in-law, calling her, for the first time, Malania Sergievna.[A] Malania arrived with her boy, and with Marfa Timofeevna, whom nothing would have induced to allow her to go alone, and who was determined not to allow her to meet with any harm.  Half dead with fright, Malania Sergievna entered her father-in-law’s study, a nurse carrying Fedia behind her.  Peter Andreich looked at her in silence.  She drew near and took his hand, on which her quivering lips could scarcely press a silent kiss.

[Footnote A:  That is to say, no longer speaking of her as if she were still a servant.]

“Well, noble lady,"[A] he said at last,—­“Good-day to you; let’s go to my wife’s room.”

[Footnote A:  Literally “thrashed-while-damp noblewoman,” i.e., hastily ennobled.  Much corn is thrashed in Russia before it has had time to get dry.]

He rose and bent over Fedia; the babe smiled and stretched out its tiny white hands towards him.  The old man was touched.

“Ah, my orphaned one!” he said.  “You have successfully pleaded your father’s cause.  I will not desert you, little bird.”

As soon as Malania Sergievna entered Anna Pavlovna’s bed-room, she fell on her knees near the door.  Anna Pavlovna, having made her a sign to come to her bedside, embraced her, and blessed her child.  Then, turning towards her husband a face worn by cruel suffering, she would have spoken to him, but he prevented her.

“I know, I know what you want to ask,” he said; “don’t worry yourself.  She shall remain with us, and for her sake I will forgive Vanka."[A]

[Footnote A:  A diminutive of Ivan, somewhat expressive of contempt Vanya is the affectionate form.]

Anna Pavlovna succeeded by a great effort in getting hold of her husband’s hand and pressing it to her lips.  That same evening she died.

Peter Andreich kept his word.  He let his son know that out of respect to his mother’s last moments, and for the sake of the little Fedor, he gave him back his blessing, and would keep Malania Sergievna in his house.  A couple of small rooms up-stairs were accordingly given to Malania, and he presented her to his most important acquaintances, the one-eyed Brigadier Skurekhine and his wife.  He also placed two maid-servants at her disposal, and a page to run her errands.