He heard me with great attention, and when I had done, shaking his head—­

“All that’s very well, brother,” said he, “but one thing is not well.  Why the devil do you want to marry?  As an honest officer, as a good fellow, I would not deceive you.  Believe me, I implore you, marriage is but a folly.  Is it wise of you to bother yourself with a wife and rock babies?  Give up the idea.  Listen to me; part with the Commandant’s daughter.  I have cleared and made safe the road to Simbirsk; send her to-morrow to your parents alone, and you stay in my detachment.  If you fall again into the hands of the rebels it will not be easy for you to get off another time.  In this way, your love fit will cure itself, and all will be for the best.”

Though I did not completely agree with him, I yet felt that duty and honour alike required my presence in the Tzarina’s army; so I resolved to follow in part Zourine’s advice, and send Marya to my parents, and stay in his troop.

Saveliitch came to help me to undress.  I told him he would have to be ready to start on the morrow with Marya Ivanofna.  He began by showing obstinacy.

“What are you saying, sir?  How can you expect me to leave you?  Who will serve you, and what will your parents say?”

Knowing the obstinacy of my retainer, I resolved to meet him with sincerity and coaxing.

“My friend, Arkhip Saveliitch,” I said to him, “do not refuse me.  Be my benefactor.  Here I have no need of a servant, and I should not be easy if Marya Ivanofna were to go without you.  In serving her you serve me, for I have made up my mind to marry her without fail directly circumstances will permit.”

Saveliitch clasped his hands with a look of surprise and stupefaction impossible to describe.

“Marry!” repeated he, “the child wants to marry.  But what will your father say?  And your mother, what will she think?”

“They will doubtless consent,” replied I, “when they know Marya Ivanofna.  I count on you.  My father and mother have full confidence in you.  You will intercede for us, won’t you?”

The old fellow was touched.

“Oh! my father, Petr’ Andrejitch,” said he, “although you do want to marry too early, still Marya Ivanofna is such a good young lady it would be a sin to let slip so good a chance.  I will do as you wish.  I will take her, this angel of God, and I will tell your parents, with all due deference, that such a betrothal needs no dowry.”

I thanked Saveliitch, and went away to share Zourine’s room.

In my emotion I again began to talk.  At first Zourine willingly listened, then his words became fewer and more vague, and at last he replied to one of my questions by a vigorous snore, and I then followed his example.

On the morrow, when I told Marya my plans, she saw how reasonable they were, and agreed to them.

As Zourine’s detachment was to leave the town that same day, and it was no longer possible to hesitate, I parted with Marya after entrusting her to Saveliitch, and giving him a letter for my parents.  Marya bid me good-bye all forlorn; I could answer her nothing, not wishing to give way to the feelings of my heart before the bystanders.