“Why delay any longer?” said Chvabrine.  “They are not watching us any more.  Let us go to the river-bank; there nobody will interrupt us.”

We started in silence, and after having gone down a rugged path we halted at the water’s edge and crossed swords.

Chvabrine was a better swordsman than I was, but I was stronger and bolder, and M. Beaupre, who had, among other things, been a soldier, had given me some lessons in fencing, by which I had profited.

Chvabrine did not in the least expect to find in me such a dangerous foeman.  For a long while we could neither of us do the other any harm, but at last, noticing that Chvabrine was getting tired, I vigorously attacked him, and almost forced him backwards into the river.

Suddenly I heard my own name called in a loud voice.  I quickly turned my head, and saw Saveliitch running towards me down the path.  At this moment I felt a sharp prick in the chest, under the right shoulder, and I fell senseless.

CHAPTER V.

LOVE.

When I came to myself I remained some time without understanding what had befallen me, nor where I chanced to be.  I was in bed in an unfamiliar room, and I felt very weak indeed.  Saveliitch was standing by me, a light in his hand.  Someone was unrolling with care the bandages round my shoulder and chest.  Little by little my ideas grew clearer.  I recollected my duel and guessed without any difficulty that I had been wounded.  At this moment the door creaked slightly on its hinges.

“Well, how is he getting on?” whispered a voice which thrilled through me.

“Always the same still,” replied Saveliitch, sighing; “always unconscious, as he has now been these four days.”

I wished to turn, but I had not strength to do so.

“Where am I?  Who is there?” I said, with difficulty.  Marya Ivanofna came near to my bed and leaned gently over me.

“How do you feel?” she said to me.

“All right, thank God!” I replied in a weak voice.  “It is you, Marya Ivanofna; tell me—­”

I could not finish.  Saveliitch exclaimed, joy painted on his face—­

“He is coming to himself!—­he is coming to himself!  Oh! thanks be to heaven!  My father Petr’ Andrejitch, have you frightened me enough?  Four days!  That seems little enough to say, but—­”

Marya Ivanofna interrupted him.

“Do not talk to him too much, Saveliitch; he is still very weak.”

She went away, shutting the door carefully.

I felt myself disturbed with confused thoughts.  I was evidently in the house of the Commandant, as Marya Ivanofna could thus come and see me!  I wished to question Saveliitch; but the old man shook his head and turned a deaf ear.  I shut my eyes in displeasure, and soon fell asleep.  Upon waking I called Saveliitch, but in his stead I saw before me Marya Ivanofna, who greeted me in her soft voice.  I cannot describe the delicious feeling which thrilled through me at this moment, I seized her hand and pressed it in a transport of delight, while bedewing it with my tears.  Marya did not withdraw it, and all of a sudden I felt upon my cheek the moist and burning imprint of her lips.  A wild flame of love thrilled through my whole being.