AstoMr。NicholasB。，sub-lieutenantof1808，lieutenantof1813
intheFrencharmy，andforashorttimeOfficierd’OrdonnanceofMarshalMarmont;afterwardcaptaininthe2dRegimentofMountedRiflesinthePolisharmy——suchasitexistedupto1830inthereducedkingdomestablishedbytheCongressofVienna——Imustsaythatfromallthatmoredistantpast，knowntometraditionallyandalittledevisu，andcalledoutbythewordsofthemanjustgoneaway，heremainsthemostincompletefigure。ItisobviousthatImusthaveseenhimin’64，foritiscertainthathewouldnothavemissedtheopportunityofseeingmymotherforwhathemusthaveknownwouldbethelasttime。Frommyearlyboyhoodtothisday，ifItrytocalluphisimage，asortofmistrisesbeforemyeyes，mistinwhichIperceivevaguelyonlyaneatlybrushedheadofwhitehair（whichisexceptionalinthecaseoftheB。family，whereitistheruleformentogobaldinabecomingmannerbeforethirty）andathin，curved，dignifiednose，afeatureinstrictaccordancewiththephysicaltraditionoftheB。family。Butitisnotbythesefragmentaryremainsofperishablemortalitythathelivesinmymemory。Iknew，ataveryearlyage，thatmygranduncleNicholasB。wasaKnightoftheLegionofHonourandthathehadalsothePolishCrossforvalourVirtutiMilitari。Theknowledgeofthesegloriousfactsinspiredinmeanadmiringveneration;yetitisnotthatsentiment，strongasitwas，whichresumesformetheforceandthesignificanceofhispersonality。Itisoverbornebyanotherandcompleximpressionofawe，compassion，andhorror。Mr。
NicholasB。remainsformetheunfortunateandmiserable（butheroic）beingwhoonceuponatimehadeatenadog。
ItisagoodfortyyearssinceIheardthetale，andtheeffecthasnotwornoffyet。Ibelievethisistheveryfirst，say，realistic，storyIheardinmylife;butallthesameIdon’tknowwhyIshouldhavebeensofrightfullyimpressed。OfcourseIknowwhatourvillagedogslooklike——butstill……No！Atthisveryday，recallingthehorrorandcompassionofmychildhood，IaskmyselfwhetherIamrightindisclosingtoacoldandfastidiousworldthatawfulepisodeinthefamilyhistory。Iaskmyself——isitright？——especiallyastheB。familyhadalwaysbeenhonourablyknowninawidecountrysideforthedelicacyoftheirtastesinthematterofeatinganddrinking。
Butuponthewhole，andconsideringthatthisgastronomicaldegradationovertakingagallantyoungofficerliesreallyatthedooroftheGreatNapoleon，Ithinkthattocoveritupbysilencewouldbeanexaggerationofliteraryrestraint。Letthetruthstandhere。TheresponsibilityrestswiththeManofSt。
HelenainviewofhisdeplorablelevityintheconductoftheRussiancampaign。ItwasduringthememorableretreatfromMoscowthatMr。NicholasB。，incompanyoftwobrotherofficers——astowhosemoralityandnaturalrefinementIknownothing——baggedadogontheoutskirtsofavillageandsubsequentlydevouredhim。AsfarasIcanremembertheweaponusedwasacavalrysabre，andtheissueofthesportingepisodewasrathermoreofamatteroflifeanddeaththanifithadbeenanencounterwithatiger。ApicketofCossackswassleepinginthatvillagelostinthedepthsofthegreatLithuanianforest。
Thethreesportsmenhadobservedthemfromahiding-placemakingthemselvesverymuchathomeamongthehutsjustbeforetheearlywinterdarknesssetinatfouro’clock。Theyhadobservedthemwithdisgustand，perhaps，withdespair。Lateinthenighttherashcounselsofhungerovercamethedictatesofprudence。
CrawlingthroughthesnowtheycreptuptothefenceofdrybrancheswhichgenerallyenclosesavillageinthatpartofLithuania。Whattheyexpectedtogetandinwhatmanner，andwhetherthisexpectationwasworththerisk，goodnessonlyknows。
However，theseCossackparties，inmostcaseswanderingwithoutanofficer，wereknowntoguardthemselvesbadlyandoftennotatall。Inaddition，thevillagelyingatagreatdistancefromthelineofFrenchretreat，theycouldnotsuspectthepresenceofstragglersfromtheGrandArmy。Thethreeofficershadstrayedawayinablizzardfromthemaincolumnandhadbeenlostfordaysinthewoods，whichexplainssufficientlytheterriblestraitstowhichtheywerereduced。Theirplanwastotryandattracttheattentionofthepeasantsinthatoneofthehutswhichwasnearesttotheenclosure;butastheywerepreparingtoventureintotheveryjawsofthelion，sotospeak，adog（itismightystrangethattherewasbutone），acreaturequiteasformidableunderthecircumstancesasalion，begantobarkontheothersideofthefence……
Atthisstageofthenarrative，whichIheardmanytimes（byrequest）fromthelipsofCaptainNicholasB。’ssister-in-law，mygrandmother，Iusedtotremblewithexcitement。
Thedogbarked。Andifhehaddonenomorethanbark，threeofficersoftheGreatNapoleon’sarmywouldhaveperishedhonourablyonthepointsofCossacks’lances，orperchanceescapingthechasewouldhavedieddecentlyofstarvation。Butbeforetheyhadtimetothinkofrunningawaythatfatalandrevoltingdog，beingcarriedawaybytheexcessofthezeal，dashedoutthroughagapinthefence。Hedashedoutanddied。
Hishead，Iunderstand，wasseveredatoneblowfromhisbody。I
understandalsothatlateron，withinthegloomysolitudesofthesnow-ladenwoods，when，inashelteringhollow，afirehadbeenlitbytheparty，theconditionofthequarrywasdiscoveredtobedistinctlyunsatisfactory。Itwasnotthin——onthecontrary，itseemedunhealthilyobese;itsskinshowedbarepatchesofanunpleasantcharacter。However，theyhadnotkilledthatdogforthesakeofthepelt。Hewaslarge……Hewaseaten……
Therestissilence……
Asilenceinwhichasmallboyshuddersandsaysfirmly：
"Icouldnothaveeatenthatdog。"
Andhisgrandmotherremarkswithasmile：
"Perhapsyoudon’tknowwhatitistobehungry。"
Ihavelearnedsomethingofitsince。NotthatIhavebeenreducedtoeatdog。Ihavefedontheemblematicalanimal，which，inthelanguageofthevolatileGauls，iscalledlavacheenragee;Ihavelivedonancientsaltjunk，Iknowthetasteofshark，oftrepang，ofsnake，ofnondescriptdishescontainingthingswithoutaname——butoftheLithuanianvillagedog——never！
IwishittobedistinctlyunderstoodthatitisnotI，butmygranduncleNicholas，ofthePolishlandedgentry，ChevalierdelaLegiond’Honneur，etc。，whoinhisyoungdays，hadeatentheLithuaniandog。
Iwishhehadnot。Thechildishhorrorofthedeedclingsabsurdlytothegrizzledman。Iamperfectlyhelplessagainstit。Still，ifhereallyhadto，letuscharitablyrememberthathehadeatenhimonactiveservice，whilebearingupbravelyagainstthegreatestmilitarydisasterofmodernhistory，and，inamanner，forthesakeofhiscountry。Hehadeatenhimtoappeasehishunger，nodoubt，butalsoforthesakeofanunappeasableandpatrioticdesire，intheglowofagreatfaiththatlivesstill，andinthepursuitofagreatillusionkindledlikeafalsebeaconbyagreatmantoleadastraytheeffortofabravenation。
Propatria！
Lookedatinthatlight，itappearsasweetanddecorousmeal。
Andlookedatinthesamelight，myowndietoflavacheenrageeappearsafatuousandextravagantformofself-indulgence;forwhyshouldI，thesonofalandwhichsuchmenasthesehaveturnedupwiththeirplowsharesandbedewedwiththeirblood，undertakethepursuitoffantasticmealsofsaltjunkandhardtackuponthewideseas？Onthekindestviewitseemsanunanswerablequestion。Alas！Ihavetheconvictionthattherearemenofunstainedrectitudewhoarereadytomurmurscornfullytheworddesertion。Thusthetasteofinnocentadventuremaybemadebittertothepalate。Thepartoftheinexplicableshouldbeallowedforinappraisingtheconductofmeninaworldwherenoexplanationisfinal。Nochargeoffaithlessnessoughttobelightlyuttered。Theappearancesofthisperishablelifearedeceptive，likeeverythingthatfallsunderthejudgmentofourimperfectsenses。Theinnervoicemayremaintrueenoughinitssecretcounsel。Thefidelitytoaspecialtraditionmaylastthroughtheeventsofanunrelatedexistence，followingfaithfully，too，thetracedwayofaninexplicableimpulse。
Itwouldtaketoolongtoexplaintheintimateallianceofcontradictionsinhumannaturewhichmakesloveitselfwearattimesthedesperateshapeofbetrayal。Andperhapsthereisnopossibleexplanation。Indulgence——assomebodysaid——isthemostintelligentofallthevirtues。Iventuretothinkthatitisoneoftheleastcommon，ifnotthemostuncommonofall。I
wouldnotimplybythisthatmenarefoolish——orevenmostmen。
Farfromit。Thebarberandthepriest，backedbythewholeopinionofthevillage，condemnedjustlytheconductoftheingenioushidalgo，who，sallyingforthfromhisnativeplace，broketheheadofthemuleteer，puttodeathaflockofinoffensivesheep，andwentthroughverydolefulexperiencesinacertainstable。Godforbidthatanunworthychurlshouldescapemeritedcensurebyhangingontothestirrup-leatherofthesublimecaballero。Hiswasaverynoble，averyunselfishfantasy，fitfornothingexcepttoraisetheenvyofbasermortals。Butthereismorethanoneaspecttothecharmofthatexaltedanddangerousfigure。He，too，hadhisfrailties。Afterreadingsomanyromanceshedesirednaivelytoescapewithhisverybodyfromtheintolerablerealityofthings。Hewishedtomeet，eyetoeye，thevalorousgiantBrandabarbaran，LordofArabia，whosearmourismadeoftheskinofadragon，andwhoseshield，strappedtohisarm，isthegateofafortifiedcity。
Oh，amiableandnaturalweakness！Oh，blessedsimplicityofagentleheartwithoutguile！Whowouldnotsuccumbtosuchaconsolingtemptation？Nevertheless，itwasaformofself-indulgence，andtheingenioushidalgoofLaManchawasnotagoodcitizen。Thepriestandthebarberwerenotunreasonableintheirstrictures。WithoutgoingsofarastheoldKingLouis-Philippe，whousedtosayinhisexile，"Thepeopleareneverinfault"——onemayadmitthattheremustbesomerighteousnessintheassentofawholevillage。Mad！Mad！Hewhokeptinpiousmeditationtheritualvigil-of-armsbythewellofaninnandkneltreverentlytobeknightedatdaybreakbythefat，slyrogueofalandlordhascomeverynearperfection。Heridesforth，hisheadencircledbyahalo——thepatronsaintofalllivesspoiledorsavedbytheirresistiblegraceofimagination。Buthewasnotagoodcitizen。
Perhapsthatandnothingelsewasmeantbythewell-rememberedexclamationofmytutor。
Itwasinthejollyyear1873，theverylastyearinwhichIhavehadajollyholiday。Therehavebeenidleyearsafterward，jollyenoughinawayandnotaltogetherwithouttheirlesson，butthisyearofwhichIspeakwastheyearofmylastschool-boyholiday。
ThereareotherreasonswhyIshouldrememberthatyear，buttheyaretoolongtostateformallyinthisplace。Moreover，theyhavenothingtodowiththatholiday。WhathastodowiththeholidayisthatbeforethedayonwhichtheremarkwasmadewehadseenVienna，theUpperDanube，Munich，theFallsoftheRhine，theLakeofConstance，——infact，itwasamemorableholidayoftravel。OflatewehadbeentrampingslowlyuptheValleyoftheReuss。Itwasadelightfultime。Itwasmuchmorelikeastrollthanatramp。LandingfromaLakeofLucernesteamerinFluelen，wefoundourselvesattheendofthesecondday，withtheduskovertakingourleisurelyfootsteps，alittlewaybeyondHospenthal。Thisisnotthedayonwhichtheremarkwasmade：intheshadowsofthedeepvalleyandwiththehabitationsofmenleftsomewaybehind，ourthoughtsrannotupontheethicsofconduct，butuponthesimplerhumanproblemofshelterandfood。Theredidnotseemanythingofthekindinsight，andwewerethinkingofturningbackwhensuddenly，atabendoftheroad，wecameuponabuilding，ghostlyinthetwilight。
AtthattimetheworkontheSt。GothardTunnelwasgoingon，andthatmagnificententerpriseofburrowingwasdirectlyresponsiblefortheunexpectedbuilding，standingallaloneupontheveryrootsofthemountains。Itwaslong，thoughnotbigatall;itwaslow;itwasbuiltofboards，withoutornamentation，inbarrack-hutstyle，withthewhitewindow-framesquiteflushwiththeyellowfaceofitsplainfront。Andyetitwasahotel;ithadevenaname，whichIhaveforgotten。Buttherewasnogoldlaceddoorkeeperatitshumbledoor。Aplainbutvigorousservant-girlansweredourinquiries，thenamanandwomanwhoownedtheplaceappeared。Itwasclearthatnotravellerswereexpected，orperhapsevendesired，inthisstrangehostelry，whichinitsseverestyleresembledthehousewhichsurmountstheunseaworthy-lookinghullsofthetoyNoah’sArks，theuniversalpossessionofEuropeanchildhood。However，itsroofwasnothingedanditwasnotfulltothebrimofslab-sidedandpaintedanimalsofwood。Eventhelivetouristanimalwasnowhereinevidence。Wehadsomethingtoeatinalong，narrowroomatoneendofalong，narrowtable，which，tomytiredperceptionandtomysleepyeyes，seemedasifitwouldtiltuplikeaseesawplank，sincetherewasnooneattheotherendtobalanceitagainstourtwodustyandtravel-stainedfigures。
Thenwehastenedupstairstobedinaroomsmellingofpineplanks，andIwasfastasleepbeforemyheadtouchedthepillow。
Inthemorningmytutor（hewasastudentoftheCracowUniversity）wokemeupearly，andasweweredressingremarked：
"Thereseemstobealotofpeoplestayinginthishotel。Ihaveheardanoiseoftalkinguptilleleveno’clock。"Thisstatementsurprisedme;Ihadheardnonoisewhatever，havingsleptlikeatop。
Wewentdown-stairsintothelongandnarrowdining-roomwithitslongandnarrowtable。Thereweretworowsofplatesonit。Atoneofthemanycurtainedwindowsstoodatall，bonymanwithabaldheadsetoffbyabunchofblackhairaboveeachear，andwithalong，blackbeard。Heglancedupfromthepaperhewasreadingandseemedgenuinelyastonishedatourintrusion。Byandbymoremencamein。Notoneofthemlookedlikeatourist。Notasinglewomanappeared。Thesemenseemedtoknoweachotherwithsomeintimacy，butIcannotsaytheywereaverytalkativelot。Thebald-headedmansatdowngravelyattheheadofthetable。Itallhadtheairofafamilyparty。Byandby，fromoneofthevigorousservant-girlsinnationalcostume，wediscoveredthattheplacewasreallyaboardinghouseforsomeEnglishengineersengagedattheworksoftheSt。GothardTunnel;
andIcouldlistenmyfilltothesoundsoftheEnglishlanguage，asfarasitisusedatabreakfast-tablebymenwhodonotbelieveinwastingmanywordsonthemereamenitiesoflife。
ThiswasmyfirstcontactwithBritishmankindapartfromthetouristkindseeninthehotelsofZurichandLucerne——thekindwhichhasnorealexistenceinaworkadayworld。Iknownowthatthebald-headedmanspokewithastrongScotchaccent。Ihavemetmanyofhiskindashoreandafloat。ThesecondengineerofthesteamerMavis，forinstance，oughttohavebeenhistwinbrother。Icannothelpthinkingthathereallywas，thoughforsomereasonofhisownheassuredmethatheneverhadatwinbrother。Anyway，thedeliberate，bald-headedScotwiththecoal-blackbeardappearedtomyboyisheyesaveryromanticandmysteriousperson。
Weslippedoutunnoticed。Ourmapped-outrouteledovertheFurcaPasstowardtheRhoneGlacier，withthefurtherintentionoffollowingdownthetrendoftheHasliValley。Thesunwasalreadydecliningwhenwefoundourselvesonthetopofthepass，andtheremarkalludedtowaspresentlyuttered。
Wesatdownbythesideoftheroadtocontinuetheargumentbegunhalfamileorsobefore。Iamcertainitwasanargument，becauseIrememberperfectlyhowmytutorarguedandhowwithoutthepowerofreplyIlistened，withmyeyesfixedobstinatelyontheground。Astirontheroadmademelookup——andthenIsawmyunforgettableEnglishman。Thereareacquaintancesoflateryears，familiars，shipmates，whomIrememberlessclearly。Hemarchedrapidlytowardtheeast（attendedbyahang-dogSwissguide），withthemienofanardentandfearlesstraveller。Hewascladinaknickerbockersuit，butasatthesametimeheworeshortsocksunderhislacedboots，forreasonswhich，whetherhygienicorconscientious，weresurelyimaginative，hiscalves，exposedtothepublicgazeandtothetonicairofhighaltitudes，dazzledthebeholderbythesplendouroftheirmarble-likeconditionandtheirrichtoneofyoungivory。Hewastheleaderofasmallcaravan。Thelightofaheadlong，exaltedsatisfactionwiththeworldofmenandthesceneryofmountainsilluminedhisclean-cut，veryredface，hisshort，silver-whitewhiskers，hisinnocentlyeagerandtriumphanteyes。Inpassinghecastaglanceofkindlycuriosityandafriendlygleamofbig，sound，shinyteethtowardthemanandtheboysittinglikedustytrampsbytheroadside，withamodestknapsacklyingattheirfeet。Hiswhitecalvestwinkledsturdily，theuncouthSwissguidewithasurlymouthstalkedlikeanunwillingbearathiselbow;asmalltrainofthreemulesfollowedinsinglefiletheleadofthisinspiringenthusiast。Twoladiesrodepast，onebehindtheother，butfromthewaytheysatIsawonlytheircalm，uniformbacks，andthelongendsofblueveilshangingbehindfardownovertheiridenticalhat-brims。Histwodaughters，surely。Anindustriousluggage-mule，withunstarchedearsandguardedbyaslouching，sallowdriver，broughtuptherear。Mytutor，afterpausingforalookandafaintsmile，resumedhisearnestargument。
Itellyouitwasamemorableyear！OnedoesnotmeetsuchanEnglishmantwiceinalifetime。Washeinthemysticorderingofcommoneventstheambassadorofmyfuture，sentouttoturnthescaleatacriticalmomentonthetopofanAlpinepass，withthepeaksoftheBerneseOberlandformuteandsolemnwitnesses？Hisglance，hissmile，theunextinguishableandcomicardourofhisstriving-forwardappearance，helpedmetopullmyselftogether。
ItmustbestatedthatonthatdayandintheexhilaratingatmosphereofthatelevatedspotIhadbeenfeelingutterlycrushed。ItwastheyearinwhichIhadfirstspokenaloudofmydesiretogotosea。Atfirstlikethosesoundsthat，rangingoutsidethescaletowhichmen’searsareattuned，remaininaudibletooursenseofhearing，thisdeclarationpassedunperceived。Itwasasifithadnotbeen。Lateron，bytryingvarioustones，Imanagedtoarousehereandthereasurprisedmomentaryattention——the"Whatwasthatfunnynoise？"——sortofinquiry。Lateronitwas："Didyouhearwhatthatboysaid？
Whatanextraordinaryoutbreak！"Presentlyawaveofscandalizedastonishment（itcouldnothavebeengreaterifIhadannouncedtheintentionofenteringaCarthusianmonastery）ebbingoutoftheeducationalandacademicaltownofCracowspreaditselfoverseveralprovinces。Itspreaditselfshallowbutfar-reaching。
Itstirredupamassofremonstrance，indignation，pityingwonder，bitterirony，anddownrightchaff。Icouldhardlybreatheunderitsweight，andcertainlyhadnowordsforananswer。PeoplewonderedwhatMr。T。B。woulddonowwithhisworryingnephewand，Idaresay，hopedkindlythathewouldmakeshortworkofmynonsense。
WhathedidwastocomedownallthewayfromUkrainetohaveitoutwithmeandtojudgebyhimself，unprejudiced，impartial，andjust，takinghisstandonthegroundofwisdomandaffection。AsfarasispossibleforaboywhosepowerofexpressionisstillunformedIopenedthesecretofmythoughtstohim，andheinreturnallowedmeaglimpseintohismindandheart;thefirstglimpseofaninexhaustibleandnobletreasureofclearthoughtandwarmfeeling，whichthroughlifewastobeminetodrawuponwithanever-deceivedloveandconfidence。Practically，afterseveralexhaustiveconversations，heconcludedthathewouldnothavemelateronreproachhimforhavingspoiledmylifebyanunconditionalopposition。ButImusttaketimeforseriousreflection。AndImustthinknotonlyofmyselfbutofothers;
weightheclaimsofaffectionandconscienceagainstmyownsincerityofpurpose。"Thinkwellwhatitallmeansinthelargerissues——myboy，"heexhortedme，finally，withspecialfriendliness。"Andmeantimetrytogetthebestplaceyoucanattheyearlyexaminations。"
Thescholasticyearcametoanend。Itookafairlygoodplaceattheexams，whichforme（forcertainreasons）happenedtobeamoredifficulttaskthanforotherboys。InthatrespectIcouldenterwithagoodconscienceuponthatholidaywhichwaslikealongvisitpourprendrecongeofthemainlandofoldEuropeIwastoseesolittleofforthenextfour-and-twentyyears。Such，however，wasnottheavowedpurposeofthattour。Itwasrather，Isuspect，plannedinordertodistractandoccupymythoughtsinotherdirections。Nothinghadbeensaidformonthsofmygoingtosea。Butmyattachmenttomyyoungtutorandhisinfluenceovermeweresowellknownthathemusthavereceivedaconfidentialmissiontotalkmeoutofmyromanticfolly。Itwasanexcellentlyappropriatearrangement，asneitherhenorIhadeverhadasingleglimpseoftheseainourlives。ThatwastocomebyandbyforbothofusinVenice，fromtheoutershoreofLido。MeantimehehadtakenhismissiontoheartsowellthatI
begantofeelcrushedbeforewereachedZurich。Hearguedinrailwaytrains，inlakesteamboats，hehadarguedawayformetheobligatorysunriseontheRighi，byJove！Ofhisdevotiontohisunworthypupiltherecanbenodoubt。Hehadproveditalreadybytwoyearsofunremittingandarduouscare。Icouldnothatehim。Buthehadbeencrushingmeslowly，andwhenhestartedtoargueonthetopoftheFurcaPasshewasperhapsnearerasuccessthaneitherheorIimagined。Ilistenedtohimindespairingsilence，feelingthatghostly，unrealized，anddesiredseaofmydreamsescapefromtheunnervedgripofmywill。
TheenthusiasticoldEnglishmanhadpassed——andtheargumentwenton。WhatrewardcouldIexpectfromsuchalifeattheendofmyyears，eitherinambition，honour，orconscience？Anunanswerablequestion。ButIfeltnolongercrushed。Thenoureyesmetandagenuineemotionwasvisibleinhisaswellasinmine。Theendcameallatonce。Hepickeduptheknapsacksuddenlyandgotontohisfeet。
"Youareanincorrigible，hopelessDonQuixote。That’swhatyouare。"
Iwassurprised。Iwasonlyfifteenanddidnotknowwhathemeantexactly。ButIfeltvaguelyflatteredatthenameoftheimmortalknightturningupinconnectionwithmyownfolly，assomepeoplewouldcallittomyface。Alas！Idon’tthinktherewasanythingtobeproudof。Minewasnotthestuffofprotectorsofforlorndamsels，theredressersofthisworld’swrongaremadeof;andmytutorwasthemantoknowthatbest。
Therein，inhisindignation，hewassuperiortothebarberandthepriestwhenheflungatmeanhonourednamelikeareproach。
Iwalkedbehindhimforfullfiveminutes;thenwithoutlookingbackhestopped。TheshadowsofdistantpeakswerelengtheningovertheFurcaPass。WhenIcameuptohimheturnedtomeandinfullviewoftheFinsterAarhorn，withhisbandofgiantbrothersrearingtheirmonstrousheadsagainstabrilliantsky，puthishandonmyshoulderaffectionately。
"Well！That’senough。Wewillhavenomoreofit。"
Andindeedtherewasnomorequestionofmymysteriousvocationbetweenus。Therewastobenomorequestionofitatall，nowhereorwithanyone。WebeganthedescentoftheFurcaPassconversingmerrily。
Elevenyearslater，monthformonth，IstoodonTowerHillonthestepsoftheSt。Katherine’sDockhouse，amasterintheBritishMerchantService。ButthemanwhoputhishandonmyshoulderatthetopoftheFurcaPasswasnolongerliving。
ThatveryyearofourtravelshetookhisdegreeofthePhilosophicalFaculty——andonlythenhistruevocationdeclareditself。Obedienttothecall，heenteredatonceuponthefour-yearcourseoftheMedicalSchools。Adaycamewhen，onthedeckofashipmooredinCalcutta，Iopenedalettertellingmeoftheendofanenviableexistence。HehadmadeforhimselfapracticeinsomeobscurelittletownofAustrianGalicia。Andtheletterwentontotellmehowallthebereavedpoorofthedistrict，ChristiansandJewsalike，hadmobbedthegooddoctor’scoffinwithsobsandlamentationsattheverygateofthecemetery。
Howshorthisyearsandhowclearhisvision！Whatgreaterrewardinambition，honour，andconsciencecouldhehavehopedtowinforhimselfwhen，onthetopoftheFurcaPass，hebademelookwelltotheendofmyopeninglife？
III
ThedevouringinadismalforestofalucklessLithuaniandogbymygranduncleNicholasB。incompanyoftwoothermilitaryandfamishedscarecrows，symbolized，tomychildishimagination，thewholehorroroftheretreatfromMoscow，andtheimmoralityofaconqueror’sambition。AnextremedistasteforthatobjectionableepisodehastingedtheviewsIholdastothecharacterandachievementsofNapoleontheGreat。Ineednotsaythattheseareunfavourable。Itwasmorallyreprehensibleforthatgreatcaptaintoinduceasimple-mindedPolishgentlemantoeatdogbyraisinginhisbreastafalsehopeofnationalindependence。Ithasbeenthefateofthatcredulousnationtostarveforupwardofahundredyearsonadietoffalsehopesand——well——dog。Itis，whenonethinksofit，asingularlypoisonousregimen。Someprideinthenationalconstitutionwhichhassurvivedalongcourseofsuchdishesisreallyexcusable。
Butenoughofgeneralizing。Returningtoparticulars，Mr。
NicholasB。confidedtohissister-in-law（mygrandmother）inhismisanthropicallylaconicmannerthatthissupperinthewoodshadbeennearly"thedeathofhim。"Thisisnotsurprising。Whatsurprisesmeisthatthestorywaseverheardof;forgranduncleNicholasdifferedinthisfromthegeneralityofmilitarymenofNapoleon’stime（andperhapsofalltime）thathedidnotliketotalkofhiscampaigns，whichbeganatFriedlandandendedsomewhereintheneighbourhoodofBar-le-Duc。HisadmirationofthegreatEmperorwasunreservedineverythingbutexpression。Likethereligionofearnestmen，itwastooprofoundasentimenttobedisplayedbeforeaworldoflittlefaith。Apartfromthatheseemedascompletelydevoidofmilitaryanecdotesasthoughhehadhardlyeverseenasoldierinhislife。Proudofhisdecorationsearnedbeforehewastwenty-five，herefusedtoweartheribbonsatthebuttonholeinthemannerpractisedtothisdayinEuropeandevenwasunwillingtodisplaytheinsigniaonfestiveoccasions，asthoughhewishedtoconcealtheminthefearofappearingboastful。
"ItisenoughthatIhavethem，"heusedtomutter。Inthecourseofthirtyyearstheywereseenonhisbreastonlytwice——atanauspiciousmarriageinthefamilyandatthefuneralofanoldfriend。ThattheweddingwhichwasthushonouredwasnottheweddingofmymotherIlearnedonlylateinlife，toolatetobearagrudgeagainstMr。NicholasB。，whomadeamendsatmybirthbyalongletterofcongratulationcontainingthefollowingprophecy："Hewillseebettertimes。"Eveninhisembitteredhearttherelivedahope。Buthewasnotatrueprophet。
Hewasamanofstrangecontradictions。Livingformanyyearsinhisbrother’shouse，thehomeofmanychildren，ahousefulloflife，ofanimation，noisywithaconstantcomingandgoingofmanyguests，hekepthishabitsofsolitudeandsilence。
Consideredasobstinatelysecretiveinallhispurposes，hewasinrealitythevictimofamostpainfulirresolutioninallmattersofcivillife。Underhistaciturn，phlegmaticbehaviourwashiddenafacultyofshort-livedpassionateanger。Isuspecthehadnotalentfornarrative;butitseemedtoaffordhimsombresatisfactiontodeclarethathewasthelastmantorideoverthebridgeoftheriverElsterafterthebattleofLeipsic。
Lestsomeconstructionfavourabletohisvalourshouldbeputonthefacthecondescendedtoexplainhowitcametopass。ItseemsthatshortlyaftertheretreatbeganhewassentbacktothetownwheresomedivisionsoftheFrencharmy（andamongthemthePolishcorpsofPrinceJosephPoniatowski），jammedhopelesslyinthestreets，werebeingsimplyexterminatedbythetroopsoftheAlliedPowers。Whenaskedwhatitwaslikeinthere，Mr。
NicholasB。mutteredonlytheword"Shambles。"HavingdeliveredhismessagetothePrincehehastenedawayatoncetorenderanaccountofhismissiontothesuperiorwhohadsenthim。Bythattimetheadvanceoftheenemyhadenvelopedthetown，andhewasshotatfromhousesandchasedallthewaytotheriver-bankbyadisorderlymobofAustrianDragoonsandPrussianHussars。Thebridgehadbeenminedearlyinthemorning，andhisopinionwasthatthesightofthehorsemenconvergingfrommanysidesinthepursuitofhispersonalarmedtheofficerincommandofthesappersandcausedtheprematurefiringofthecharges。Hehadnotgonemorethantwohundredyardsontheothersidewhenheheardthesoundofthefatalexplosions。Mr。NicholasB。
concludedhisbaldnarrativewiththeword"Imbecile，"utteredwiththeutmostdeliberation。Ittestifiedtohisindignationatthelossofsomanythousandsoflives。Buthisphlegmaticphysiognomylightedupwhenhespokeofhisonlywound，withsomethingresemblingsatisfaction。Youwillseethattherewassomereasonforitwhenyoulearnthathewaswoundedintheheel。"LikehisMajestytheEmperorNapoleonhimself，"heremindedhishearers，withassumedindifference。Therecanbenodoubtthattheindifferencewasassumed，ifonethinkswhataverydistinguishedsortofwounditwas。Inallthehistoryofwarfarethereare，Ibelieve，onlythreewarriorspubliclyknowntohavebeenwoundedintheheel——AchillesandNapoleon——demigodsindeed——towhomthefamilialpietyofanunworthydescendantaddsthenameofthesimplemortal，NicholasB。
TheHundredDaysfoundMr。NicholasB。stayingwithadistantrelativeofours，ownerofasmallestateinGalicia。HowhegotthereacrossthebreadthofanarmedEurope，andafterwhatadventures，Iamafraidwillneverbeknownnow。Allhispapersweredestroyedshortlybeforehisdeath;butiftherewasamongthem，asheaffirmed，aconciserecordofhislife，thenIamprettysureitdidnottakeupmorethanahalfsheetoffoolscaporso。ThisrelativeofourshappenedtobeanAustrianofficerwhohadlefttheserviceafterthebattleofAusterlitz。UnlikeMr。NicholasB。，whoconcealedhisdecorations，helikedtodisplayhishonourabledischargeinwhichhewasmentionedasunschreckbar（fearless）beforetheenemy。Noconjunctioncouldseemmoreunpromising，yetitstandsinthefamilytraditionthatthesetwogotonverywelltogetherintheirruralsolitude。
WhenaskedwhetherhehadnotbeensorelytemptedduringtheHundredDaystomakehiswayagaintoFranceandjointheserviceofhisbelovedEmperor，Mr。NicholasB。usedtomutter："Nomoney。Nohorse。Toofartowalk。"
ThefallofNapoleonandtheruinofnationalhopesaffectedadverselythecharacterofMr。NicholasB。Heshrankfromreturningtohisprovince。Butforthattherewasalsoanotherreason。Mr。NicholasB。andhisbrother——mymaternalgrandfather——hadlosttheirfatherearly，whiletheywerequitechildren。Theirmother，youngstillandleftverywelloff，marriedagainamanofgreatcharmandofanamiabledisposition，butwithoutapenny。Heturnedoutanaffectionateandcarefulstepfather;itwasunfortunate，though，thatwhiledirectingtheboys’educationandformingtheircharacterbywisecounsel，hedidhisbesttogetholdofthefortunebybuyingandsellinglandinhisownnameandinvestingcapitalinsuchamannerastocoverupthetracesoftherealownership。Itseemsthatsuchpracticescanbesuccessfulifoneischarmingenoughtodazzleone’sownwifepermanently，andbraveenoughtodefythevainterrorsofpublicopinion。Thecriticaltimecamewhentheelderoftheboysonattaininghismajority，intheyear1811，askedfortheaccountsandsomepartatleastoftheinheritancetobeginlifeupon。Itwasthenthatthestepfatherdeclaredwithcalmfinalitythattherewerenoaccountstorenderandnopropertytoinherit。Thewholefortunewashisveryown。Hewasverygood-naturedabouttheyoungman’smisapprehensionofthetruestateofaffairs，but，ofcourse，feltobligedtomaintainhispositionfirmly。Oldfriendscameandwentbusily，voluntarymediatorsappearedtravellingonmosthorribleroadsfromthemostdistantcornersofthethreeprovinces;andtheMarshaloftheNobility（ex-officioguardianofallwell-bornorphans）
calledameetingoflandownersto"ascertaininafriendlywayhowthemisunderstandingbetweenXandhisstepsonshadarisenanddevisepropermeasurestoremovethesame。"AdeputationtothateffectvisitedX，whotreatedthemtoexcellentwines，butabsolutelyrefusedhiseartotheirremonstrances。Astotheproposalsforarbitrationhesimplylaughedatthem;yetthewholeprovincemusthavebeenawarethatfourteenyearsbefore，whenhemarriedthewidow，allhisvisiblefortuneconsisted（apartfromhissocialqualities）inasmartfour-horseturnoutwithtwoservants，withwhomhewentaboutvisitingfromhousetohouse;andastoanyfundshemighthavepossessedatthattimetheirexistencecouldonlybeinferredfromthefactthathewasverypunctualinsettlinghismodestlossesatcards。Butbythemagicpowerofstubbornandconstantassertion，therewerefoundpresently，hereandthere，peoplewhomumbledthatsurely"theremustbesomethinginit。"However，onhisnextname-day（whichheusedtocelebratebyagreatthreedays’shootingparty），ofalltheinvitedcrowdonlytwogueststurnedup，distantneighboursofnoimportance;onenotoriouslyafool，andtheotheraverypiousandhonestperson，butsuchapassionateloverofthegunthatonhisownconfessionhecouldnothaverefusedaninvitationtoashootingpartyfromthedevilhimself。Xmetthismanifestationofpublicopinionwiththeserenityofanunstainedconscience。Herefusedtobecrushed。Yethemusthavebeenamanofdeepfeeling，because，whenhiswifetookopenlythepartofherchildren，helosthisbeautifultranquillity，proclaimedhimselfheartbroken，anddroveheroutofthehouse，neglectinginhisgrieftogiveherenoughtimetopackhertrunks。
Thiswasthebeginningofalawsuit，anabominablemarvelofchicane，whichbytheuseofeverylegalsubterfugewasmadetolastformanyyears。Itwasalsotheoccasionforadisplayofmuchkindnessandsympathy。Alltheneighbouringhousesflewopenforthereceptionofthehomeless。Neitherlegalaidnormaterialassistanceintheprosecutionofthesuitwaseverwanting。X，onhisside，wentaboutsheddingtearspubliclyoverhisstepchildren’singratitudeandhiswife’sblindinfatuation;
butasatthesametimehedisplayedgreatclevernessintheartofconcealingmaterialdocuments（hewasevensuspectedofhavingburnedalotofhistoricallyinterestingfamilypapers）thisscandalouslitigationhadtobeendedbyacompromiselestworseshouldbefall。Itwassettledfinallybyasurrender，outofthedisputedestate，infullsatisfactionofallclaims，oftwovillageswiththenamesofwhichIdonotintendtotroublemyreaders。Afterthislameandimpotentconclusionneitherthewifenorthestepsonshadanythingtosaytothemanwhohadpresentedtheworldwithsuchasuccessfulexampleofself-helpbasedoncharacter，determination，andindustry;andmygreat-grandmother，herhealthcompletelybrokendown，diedacoupleofyearslaterinCarlsbad。Legallysecuredbyadecreeinthepossessionofhisplunder，Xregainedhiswontedserenity，andwentonlivingintheneighbourhoodinacomfortablestyleandinapparentpeaceofmind。Hisbigshootswerefairlywellattendedagain。Hewasnevertiredofassuringpeoplethatheborenogrudgeforwhatwaspast;heprotestedloudlyofhisconstantaffectionforhiswifeandstepchildren。Itwastrue，hesaid，thattheyhadtriedtostriphimasnakedasaTurkishsaintinthedeclineofhisdays;andbecausehehaddefendedhimselffromspoliation，asanybodyelseinhisplacewouldhavedone，theyhadabandonedhimnowtothehorrorsofasolitaryoldage。Nevertheless，hisloveforthemsurvivedthesecruelblows。
Andtheremighthavebeensometruthinhisprotestations。Verysoonhebegantomakeoverturesoffriendshiptohiseldeststepson，mymaternalgrandfather;andwhenthesewereperemptorilyrejectedhewentonrenewingthemagainandagainwithcharacteristicobstinacy。Foryearshepersistedinhiseffortsatreconciliation，promisingmygrandfathertoexecuteawillinhisfavourifheonlywouldbefriendsagaintotheextentofcallingnowandthen（itwasfairlycloseneighbourhoodfortheseparts，fortymilesorso），orevenofputtinginanappearanceforthegreatshootonthename-day。Mygrandfatherwasanardentloverofeverysport。Histemperamentwasasfreefromhardnessandanimosityascanbeimagined。Pupiloftheliberal-mindedBenedictineswhodirectedtheonlypublicschoolofsomestandingtheninthesouth，hehadalsoreaddeeplytheauthorsoftheeighteenthcentury。InhimChristiancharitywasjoinedtoaphilosophicalindulgenceforthefailingsofhumannature。Butthememoryofthosemiserablyanxiousearlyyears，hisyoungman’syearsrobbedofallgenerousillusionsbythecynicismofthesordidlawsuit，stoodinthewayofforgiveness。
Heneversuccumbedtothefascinationofthegreatshoot;andX，hisheartsettothelastonreconciliation，withthedraftofthewillreadyforsignaturekeptbyhisbedside，diedintestate。
Thefortunethusacquiredandaugmentedbyawiseandcarefulmanagementpassedtosomedistantrelativeswhomhehadneverseenandwhoevendidnotbearhisname。
MeantimetheblessingofgeneralpeacedescendeduponEurope。
Mr。NicholasB。，biddinggood-byetohishospitablerelative，the"fearless"Austrianofficer，departedfromGalicia，andwithoutgoingnearhisnativeplace，wheretheodiouslawsuitwasstillgoingon，proceededstraighttoWarsawandenteredthearmyofthenewlyconstitutedPolishkingdomunderthesceptreofAlexanderI，AutocratofalltheRussias。
Thiskingdom，createdbytheViennaCongressasanacknowledgmenttoanationofitsformerindependentexistence，includedonlythecentralprovincesoftheoldPolishpatrimony。AbrotheroftheEmperor，theGrandDukeConstantine（Pavlovitch），itsViceroyandCommander-in-Chief，marriedmorganaticallytoaPolishladytowhomhewasfiercelyattached，extendedthisaffectiontowhathecalled"MyPoles"inacapriciousandsavagemanner。Sallowincomplexion，withaTartarphysiognomyandfiercelittleeyes，hewalkedwithhisfistsclenched，hisbodybentforward，dartingsuspiciousglancesfromunderanenormouscockedhat。Hisintelligencewaslimited，andhissanityitselfwasdoubtful。
Thehereditarytaintexpresseditself，inhiscase，notbymysticleaningsasinhistwobrothers，AlexanderandNicholas（intheirvariousways，foronewasmysticallyliberalandtheothermysticallyautocratic），butbythefuryofanuncontrollabletemperwhichgenerallybrokeoutindisgustingabuseontheparadeground。Hewasapassionatemilitaristandanamazingdrill-master。HetreatedhisPolisharmyasaspoiledchildtreatsafavouritetoy，exceptthathedidnottakeittobedwithhimatnight。Itwasnotsmallenoughforthat。Butheplayedwithitalldayandeveryday，delightinginthevarietyofprettyuniformsandinthefunofincessantdrilling。Thischildishpassion，notforwar，butformeremilitarism，achievedadesirableresult。ThePolisharmy，initsequipment，initsarmament，andinitsbattle-fieldefficiency，asthenunderstood，became，bytheendoftheyear1830，afirst-ratetacticalinstrument。Polishpeasantry（notserfs）servedintheranksbyenlistment，andtheofficersbelongedmainlytothesmallernobility。Mr。NicholasB。，withhisNapoleonicrecord，hadnodifficultyinobtainingalieutenancy，butthepromotioninthePolisharmywasslow，because，beingaseparateorganization，ittooknopartinthewarsoftheRussianEmpireagainsteitherPersiaorTurkey。Itsfirstcampaign，againstRussiaitself，wastobeitslast。In1831，ontheoutbreakoftheRevolution，Mr。
NicholasB。wastheseniorcaptainofhisregiment。Sometimebeforehehadbeenmadeheadoftheremountestablishmentquarteredoutsidethekingdominoursouthernprovinces，whencealmostallthehorsesforthePolishcavalryweredrawn。ForthefirsttimesincehewentawayfromhomeattheageofeighteentobeginhismilitarylifebythebattleofFriedland，Mr。NicholasB。breathedtheairofthe"Border，"hisnativeair。Unkindfatewaslyinginwaitforhimamongthescenesofhisyouth。AtthefirstnewsoftherisinginWarsawalltheremountestablishment，officers，"vets。，"andtheverytroopers，wereputpromptlyunderarrestandhurriedoffinabodybeyondtheDniepertothenearesttowninRussiaproper。Fromtheretheyweredispersedtothedistantpartsoftheempire。OnthisoccasionpoorMr。
NicholasB。penetratedintoRussiamuchfartherthanheeverdidinthetimesofNapoleonicinvasion，ifmuchlesswillingly。
Astrakanwashisdestination。Heremainedtherethreeyears，allowedtoliveatlargeinthetown，buthavingtoreporthimselfeverydayatnoontothemilitarycommandant，whousedtodetainhimfrequentlyforapipeandachat。ItisdifficulttoformajustideaofwhatachatwithMr。NicholasB。couldhavebeenlike。Theremusthavebeenmuchcompressedrageunderhistaciturnity，forthecommandantcommunicatedtohimthenewsfromthetheatreofwar，andthisnewswassuchasitcouldbe——thatis，verybadforthePoles。Mr。NicholasB。receivedthesecommunicationswithoutwardphlegm，buttheRussianshowedawarmsympathyforhisprisoner。"AsasoldiermyselfIunderstandyourfeelings。You，ofcourse，wouldliketobeinthethickofit。Byheavens！Iamfondofyou。IfitwerenotforthetermsofthemilitaryoathIwouldletyougoonmyownresponsibility。
Whatdifferencecoulditmaketous，onemoreorlessofyou？"
Atothertimeshewonderedwithsimplicity。
"Tellme，NicholasStepanovitch"（mygreat-grandfather’snamewasStephen，andthecommandantusedtheRussianformofpoliteaddress）——"tellmewhyisitthatyouPolesarealwayslookingfortrouble？WhatelsecouldyouexpectfromrunningupagainstRussia？"
Hewascapable，too，ofphilosophicalreflections。
"LookatyourNapoleonnow。Agreatman。ThereisnodenyingitthathewasagreatmanaslongashewascontenttothrashthoseGermansandAustriansandallthosenations。Butno！HemustgotoRussialookingfortrouble，andwhat’stheconsequence？Suchasyouseeme;IhaverattledthissabreofmineonthepavementsofParis。"
AfterhisreturntoPolandMr。NicholasB。describedhimasa"worthymanbutstupid，"wheneverhecouldbeinducedtospeakoftheconditionsofhisexile。DecliningtheoptionofferedhimtoentertheRussianarmy，hewasretiredwithonlyhalfthepensionofhisrank。Hisnephew（myuncleandguardian）toldmethatthefirstlastingimpressiononhismemoryasachildoffourwasthegladexcitementreigninginhisparents’houseonthedaywhenMr。NicholasB。arrivedhomefromhisdetentioninRussia。
Everygenerationhasitsmemories。ThefirstmemoriesofMr。
NicholasB。mighthavebeenshapedbytheeventsofthelastpartitionofPoland，andhelivedlongenoughtosufferfromthelastarmedrisingin1863，aneventwhichaffectedthefutureofallmygenerationandhascolouredmyearliestimpressions。Hisbrother，inwhosehousehehadshelteredforsomeseventeenyearshismisanthropicaltimiditybeforethecommonestproblemsoflife，havingdiedintheearlyfifties，Mr。NicholasB。hadtoscrewhiscourageuptothesticking-pointandcometosomedecisionastothefuture。Afteralongandagonizinghesitationhewaspersuadedatlasttobecomethetenantofsomefifteenhundredacresoutoftheestateofafriendintheneighbourhood。
Thetermsoftheleasewereveryadvantageous，buttheretiredsituationofthevillageandaplain，comfortablehouseingoodrepairwere，Ifancy，thegreatestinducements。Helivedtherequietlyforabouttenyears，seeingveryfewpeopleandtakingnopartinthepubliclifeoftheprovince，suchasitcouldbeunderanarbitrarybureaucratictyranny。Hischaracterandhispatriotismwereabovesuspicion;buttheorganizersoftherisingintheirfrequentjourneysupanddowntheprovincescrupulouslyavoidedcomingnearhishouse。Itwasgenerallyfeltthatthereposeoftheoldman’slastyearsoughtnottobedisturbed。
Evensuchintimatesasmypaternalgrandfather，comrade-in-armsduringNapoleon’sMoscowcampaign，andlateronafellowofficerinthePolisharmy，refrainedfromvisitinghiscronyasthedateoftheoutbreakapproached。Mypaternalgrandfather’stwosonsandhisonlydaughterwerealldeeplyinvolvedintherevolutionarywork;hehimselfwasofthattypeofPolishsquirewhoseonlyidealofpatrioticactionwasto"getintothesaddleanddrivethemout。"Butevenheagreedthat"dearNicholasmustnotbeworried。"Allthisconsideratecautiononthepartoffriends，bothconspiratorsandothers，didnotpreventMr。
NicholasB。beingmadetofeelthemisfortunesofthatill-omenedyear。
Lessthanforty-eighthoursafterthebeginningoftherebellioninthatpartofthecountry，asquadronofscoutingCossackspassedthroughthevillageandinvadedthehomestead。Mostofthemremained，formedbetweenthehouseandthestables，whileseveral，dismounting，ransackedthevariousoutbuildings。Theofficerincommand，accompaniedbytwomen，walkeduptothefrontdoor。Alltheblindsonthatsideweredown。Theofficertoldtheservantwhoreceivedhimthathewantedtoseehismaster。Hewasansweredthatthemasterwasawayfromhome，whichwasperfectlytrue。
Ifollowherethetaleastoldafterwardbytheservanttomygranduncle’sfriendsandrelatives，andasIhavehearditrepeated。
OnreceivingthisanswertheCossackofficer，whohadbeenstandingintheporch，steppedintothehouse。
"Whereisthemastergone，then？"
"OurmasterwenttoJ————"（thegovernmenttownsomefiftymilesoff）"thedaybeforeyesterday。"
"Thereareonlytwohorsesinthestables。Wherearetheothers？"
"Ourmasteralwaystravelswithhisownhorses"（meaning：notbypost）。"Hewillbeawayaweekormore。HewaspleasedtomentiontomethathehadtoattendtosomebusinessintheCivilCourt。"
Whiletheservantwasspeakingtheofficerlookedaboutthehall。
Therewasadoorfacinghim，adoortotheright，andadoortotheleft。Theofficerchosetoentertheroomontheleft，andorderedtheblindstobepulledup。ItwasMr。NicholasB。’sstudy，withacoupleoftallbookcases，somepicturesonthewalls，andsoon。Besidesthebigcentre-table，withbooksandpapers，therewasaquitesmallwriting-table，withseveraldrawers，standingbetweenthedoorandthewindowinagoodlight;andatthistablemygranduncleusuallysateithertoreadorwrite。
Onpullinguptheblindtheservantwasstartledbythediscoverythatthewholemalepopulationofthevillagewasmassedinfront，tramplingdowntheflower-beds。Therewerealsoafewwomenamongthem。Hewasgladtoobservethevillagepriest（oftheOrthodoxChurch）comingupthedrive。Thegoodmaninhishastehadtuckeduphiscassockashighasthetopofhisboots。
Theofficerhadbeenlookingatthebacksofthebooksinthebookcases。Thenheperchedhimselfontheedgeofthecentretableandremarkedeasily：
"Yourmasterdidnottakeyoutotownwithhim，then？"
"Iamtheheadservant，andheleavesmeinchargeofthehouse。
It’sastrong，youngchapthattravelswithourmaster。If——Godforbid——therewassomeaccidentontheroad，hewouldbeofmuchmoreusethanI。"
Glancingthroughthewindow，hesawthepriestarguingvehementlyinthethickofthecrowd，whichseemedsubduedbyhisinterference。Threeorfourmen，however，weretalkingwiththeCossacksatthedoor。
"Andyoudon’tthinkyourmasterhasgonetojointherebelsmaybe——eh？"askedtheofficer。
"Ourmasterwouldbetoooldforthat，surely。He’swelloverseventy，andhe’sgettingfeeble，too。It’ssomeyearsnowsincehe’sbeenonhorseback，andhecan’twalkmuch，either，now。"
Theofficersatthereswinginghisleg，veryquietandindifferent。BythattimethepeasantswhohadbeentalkingwiththeCossacktroopersatthedoorhadbeenpermittedtogetintothehall。Oneortwomoreleftthecrowdandfollowedthemin。
Theywereseveninall，andamongthemtheblacksmith，anex-soldier。Theservantappealeddeferentiallytotheofficer。
"Won’tyourhonourbepleasedtotellthepeopletogobacktotheirhomes？Whatdotheywanttopushthemselvesintothehouselikethisfor？It’snotproperforthemtobehavelikethiswhileourmaster’sawayandIamresponsibleforeverythinghere。"
Theofficeronlylaughedalittle，andafterawhileinquired：
"Haveyouanyarmsinthehouse？"
"Yes。Wehave。Someoldthings。"
"Bringthemallhere，ontothistable。"
Theservantmadeanotherattempttoobtainprotection。
"Won’tyourhonourtellthesechaps……？"
Buttheofficerlookedathiminsilence，insuchawaythathegaveitupatonceandhurriedofftocallthepantry-boytohelphimcollectthearms。Meantime，theofficerwalkedslowlythroughalltheroomsinthehouse，examiningthemattentivelybuttouchingnothing。Thepeasantsinthehallfellbackandtookofftheircapswhenhepassedthrough。Hesaidnothingwhatevertothem。Whenhecamebacktothestudyallthearmstobefoundinthehousewerelyingonthetable。Therewasapairofbig，flint-lockholsterpistolsfromNapoleonictimes，twocavalryswords，oneoftheFrench，theotherofthePolisharmypattern，withafowling-pieceortwo。
Theofficer，openingthewindow，flungoutpistols，swords，andguns，oneafteranother，andhistroopersrantopickthemup。
Thepeasantsinthehall，encouragedbyhismanner，hadstolenafterhimintothestudy。Hegavenottheslightestsignofbeingconsciousoftheirexistence，and，hisbusinessbeingapparentlyconcluded，strodeoutofthehousewithoutaword。
Directlyheleft，thepeasantsinthestudyputontheircapsandbegantosmileateachother。
TheCossacksrodeaway，passingthroughtheyardsofthehomefarmstraightintothefields。Thepriest，stillarguingwiththepeasants，movedgraduallydownthedriveandhisearnesteloquencewasdrawingthesilentmobafterhim，awayfromthehouse。ThisjusticemustberenderedtotheparishpriestsoftheGreekChurchthat，strangerstothecountryastheywere（beingalldrawnfromtheinteriorofRussia），themajorityofthemusedsuchinfluenceastheyhadovertheirflocksinthecauseofpeaceandhumanity。Truetothespiritoftheircalling，theytriedtosoothethepassionsoftheexcitedpeasantry，andopposedrapineandviolence，whenevertheycould，withalltheirmight。Andthisconducttheypursuedagainsttheexpresswishesoftheauthorities。LateronsomeofthemweremadetosufferforthisdisobediencebybeingremovedabruptlytothefarnorthorsentawaytoSiberianparishes。
Theservantwasanxioustogetridofthefewpeasantswhohadgotintothehouse。Whatsortofconductwasthat，heaskedthem，towardamanwhowasonlyatenant，hadbeeninvariablygoodandconsideratetothevillagersforyears，andonlytheotherdayhadagreedtogiveuptwomeadowsfortheuseofthevillageherd？Heremindedthem，too，ofMr。NicholasB。’sdevotiontothesickintimeofcholera。Everywordofthiswastrue，andsofareffectivethatthefellowsbegantoscratchtheirheadsandlookirresolute。Thespeakerthenpointedatthewindow，exclaiming："Look！there’sallyourcrowdgoingawayquietly，andyousillychapshadbettergoafterthemandprayGodtoforgiveyouyourevilthoughts。"
Thisappealwasanunluckyinspiration。
Incrowdingclumsilytothewindowtoseewhetherhewasspeakingthetruth，thefellowsoverturnedthelittlewriting-table。Asitfelloverachinkofloosecoinwasheard。"There’smoneyinthatthing，"criedtheblacksmith。Inamomentthetopofthedelicatepieceoffurniturewassmashedandtherelayexposedinadrawereightyhalfimperials。GoldcoinwasararesightinRussiaevenatthattime;itputthepeasantsbesidethemselves。
"Theremustbemoreofthatinthehouse，andweshallhaveit，"
yelledtheex-soldierblacksmith。"Thisiswar-time。"Theotherswerealreadyshoutingoutofthewindow，urgingthecrowdtocomebackandhelp。Thepriest，abandonedsuddenlyatthegate，flunghisarmsupandhurriedawaysoasnottoseewhatwasgoingtohappen。
Intheirsearchformoneythatbucolicmobsmashedeverythinginthehouse，rippingwithknives，splittingwithhatchets，sothat，astheservantsaid，therewerenotwopiecesofwoodholdingtogetherleftinthewholehouse。Theybrokesomeveryfinemirrors，allthewindows，andeverypieceofglassandchina。
Theythrewthebooksandpapersoutonthelawnandsetfiretotheheapforthemerefunofthething，apparently。Absolutelytheonlyonesolitarythingwhichtheyleftwholewasasmallivorycrucifix，whichremainedhangingonthewallinthewreckedbedroomaboveawildheapofrags，brokenmahogany，andsplinteredboardswhichhadbeenMr。NicholasB。’sbedstead。
Detectingtheservantintheactofstealingawaywithajapannedtinbox，theytoreitfromhim，andbecauseheresistedtheythrewhimoutofthedining-roomwindow。Thehousewasononefloor，butraisedwellabovetheground，andthefallwassoseriousthatthemanremainedlyingstunnedtillthecookandastable-boyventuredforthatduskfromtheirhiding-placesandpickedhimup。Butbythattimethemobhaddeparted，carryingoffthetinbox，whichtheysupposedtobefullofpapermoney。
Somedistancefromthehouse，inthemiddleofafield，theybrokeitopen。TheyfoundinsidedocumentsengrossedonparchmentandthetwocrossesoftheLegionofHonourandForValour。Atthesightoftheseobjects，which，theblacksmithexplained，weremarksofhonourgivenonlybytheTsar，theybecameextremelyfrightenedatwhattheyhaddone。Theythrewthewholelotawayintoaditchanddispersedhastily。
OnlearningofthisparticularlossMr。NicholasB。brokedowncompletely。Themeresackingofhishousedidnotseemtoaffecthimmuch。Whilehewasstillinbedfromtheshock，thetwocrosseswerefoundandreturnedtohim。Ithelpedsomewhathisslowconvalescence，butthetinboxandtheparchments，thoughsearchedforinalltheditchesaround，neverturnedupagain。
HecouldnotgetoverthelossofhisLegionofHonourPatent，whosepreamble，settingforthhisservices，heknewbyhearttotheveryletter，andafterthisblowvolunteeredsometimestorecite，tearsstandinginhiseyesthewhile。Itstermshauntedhimapparentlyduringthelasttwoyearsofhislifetosuchanextentthatheusedtorepeatthemtohimself。Thisisconfirmedbytheremarkmademorethanoncebyhisoldservanttothemoreintimatefriends。"WhatmakesmyheartheavyistohearourmasterinhisroomatnightwalkingupanddownandprayingaloudintheFrenchlanguage。"
ItmusthavebeensomewhatoverayearafterwardthatIsawMr。
NicholasB。——or，morecorrectly，thathesawme——forthelasttime。Itwas，asIhavealreadysaid，atthetimewhenmymotherhadathreemonths’leavefromexile，whichshewasspendinginthehouseofherbrother，andfriendsandrelationswerecomingfromfarandneartodoherhonour。ItisinconceivablethatMr。
NicholasB。shouldnothavebeenofthenumber。Thelittlechildafewmonthsoldhehadtakenupinhisarmsonthedayofhishome-coming，afteryearsofwarandexile，wasconfessingherfaithinnationalsalvationbysufferingexileinherturn。Idonotknowwhetherhewaspresentontheverydayofourdeparture。
Ihavealreadyadmittedthatformeheismoreespeciallythemanwhoinhisyouthhadeatenroastdoginthedepthsofagloomyforestofsnow-loadedpines。Mymemorycannotplacehiminanyrememberedscene。Ahookednose，somesleekwhitehair，anunrelatedevanescentimpressionofameagre，slight，rigidfiguremilitarilybuttoneduptothethroat，isallthatnowexistsonearthofMr。NicholasB。;onlythisvagueshadowpursuedbythememoryofhisgrandnephew，thelastsurvivinghumanbeing，I
suppose，ofallthosehehadseeninthecourseofhistaciturnlife。
ButIrememberwellthedayofourdeparturebacktoexile。Theelongated，bizarre，shabbytravelling-carriagewithfourpost-horses，standingbeforethelongfrontofthehousewithitseightcolumns，fouroneachsideofthebroadflightofstairs。
Onthesteps，groupsofservants，afewrelations，oneortwofriendsfromthenearestneighbourhood，aperfectsilence;onallthefacesanairofsoberconcentration;mygrandmother，allinblack，gazingstoically;myunclegivinghisarmtomymotherdowntothecarriageinwhichIhadbeenplacedalready;atthetopoftheflightmylittlecousininashortskirtofatartanpatternwithadealofredinit，andlikeasmallprincessattendedbythewomenofherownhousehold;theheadgouvernante，ourdear，corpulentFrancesca（whohadbeenforthirtyyearsintheserviceoftheB。family），theformernurse，nowoutdoorattendant，ahandsomepeasantfacewearingacompassionateexpression，andthegood，uglyMlle。Durand，thegoverness，withherblackeyebrowsmeetingoverashort，thicknose，andacomplexionlikepale-brownpaper。Ofalltheeyesturnedtowardthecarriage，hergood-naturedeyesonlyweredroppingtears，anditwashersobbingvoicealonethatbrokethesilencewithanappealtome："N’oubliepastonfrancais，moncheri。"Inthreemonths，simplybyplayingwithus，shehadtaughtmenotonlytospeakFrench，buttoreaditaswell。Shewasindeedanexcellentplaymate。Inthedistance，half-waydowntothegreatgates，alight，opentrap，harnessedwiththreehorsesinRussianfashion，stooddrawnupononeside，withthepolicecaptainofthedistrictsittinginit，thevizorofhisflatcapwitharedbandpulleddownoverhiseyes。
Itseemsstrangethatheshouldhavebeentheretowatchourgoingsocarefully。WithoutwishingtotreatwithlevitythejusttimiditesofImperialistsalltheworldover，Imayallowmyselfthereflectionthatawoman，practicallycondemnedbythedoctors，andasmallboynotquitesixyearsold，couldnotberegardedasseriouslydangerous，evenforthelargestofconceivableempiressaddledwiththemostsacredofresponsibilities。AndthisgoodmanIbelievedidnotthinkso，either。
Ilearnedafterwardwhyhewaspresentonthatday。Idon’trememberanyoutwardsigns;butitseemsthat，aboutamonthbefore，mymotherbecamesounwellthattherewasadoubtwhethershecouldbemadefittotravelinthetime。InthisuncertaintytheGovernor-GeneralinKievwaspetitionedtograntherafortnight’sextensionofstayinherbrother’shouse。Noanswerwhateverwasreturnedtothisprayer，butonedayatduskthepolicecaptainofthedistrictdroveuptothehouseandtoldmyuncle’svalet，whoranouttomeethim，thathewantedtospeakwiththemasterinprivate，atonce。Verymuchimpressed（hethoughtitwasgoingtobeanarrest），theservant，"moredeadthanalivewithfright，"asherelatedafterward，smuggledhimthroughthebigdrawing-room，whichwasdark（thatroomwasnotlightedeveryevening），ontiptoe，soasnottoattracttheattentionoftheladiesinthehouse，andledhimbywayoftheorangerytomyuncle’sprivateapartments。
Thepoliceman，withoutanypreliminaries，thrustapaperintomyuncle’shands。
"There。Prayreadthis。Ihavenobusinesstoshowthispapertoyou。Itiswrongofme。ButIcan’teithereatorsleepwithsuchajobhangingoverme。"
Thatpolicecaptain，anativeofGreatRussia，hadbeenformanyyearsservinginthedistrict。
Myuncleunfoldedandreadthedocument。ItwasaserviceorderissuedfromtheGovernor-General’ssecretariat，dealingwiththematterofthepetitionanddirectingthepolicecaptaintodisregardallremonstrancesandexplanationsinregardtothatillnesseitherfrommedicalmenorothers，"andifshehasnotleftherbrother’shouse"——itwentontosay——"onthemorningofthedayspecifiedonherpermit，youaretodespatchheratonceunderescort，direct"（underlined）"totheprison-hospitalinKiev，whereshewillbetreatedashercasedemands。"
"ForGod’ssake，Mr。B。，seethatyoursistergoesawaypunctuallyonthatday。Don’tgivemethisworktodowithawoman——andwithoneofyourfamily，too。Isimplycannotbeartothinkofit。"
Hewasabsolutelywringinghishands。Myunclelookedathiminsilence。
"Thankyouforthiswarning。Iassureyouthatevenifsheweredyingshewouldbecarriedouttothecarriage。"
"Yes——indeed——andwhatdifferencewoulditmake——traveltoKievorbacktoherhusband？Forshewouldhavetogo——deathornodeath。Andmind，Mr。B。，Iwillbehereontheday，notthatI
doubtyourpromise，butbecauseImust。Ihavegotto。Duty。
AllthesamemytradeisnotfitforadogsincesomeofyouPoleswillpersistinrebelling，andallofyouhavegottosufferforit。"
Thisisthereasonwhyhewasthereinanopenthree-horsetrappulledupbetweenthehouseandthegreatgates。Iregretnotbeingabletogiveuphisnametothescornofallbelieversintherightofconquest，asareprehensiblysensitiveguardianofImperialgreatness。Ontheotherhand，IaminapositiontostatethenameoftheGovernor-Generalwhosignedtheorderwiththemarginalnote"tobecarriedouttotheletter"inhisownhandwriting。Thegentleman’snamewasBezak。Ahighdignitary，anenergeticofficial，theidolforatimeoftheRussianpatrioticpress。
Eachgenerationhasitsmemories。
IV
Itmustnotbesupposedthat，insettingforththememoriesofthishalf-hourbetweenthemomentmyuncleleftmyroomtillwemetagainatdinner，Iamlosingsightof"Almayer’sFolly。"
Havingconfessedthatmyfirstnovelwasbeguninidleness——aholidaytask——IthinkIhavealsogiventheimpressionthatitwasamuch-delayedbook。Itwasneverdismissedfrommymind，evenwhenthehopeofeverfinishingitwasveryfaint。Manythingscameinitsway：dailyduties，newimpressions，oldmemories。Itwasnottheoutcomeofaneed——thefamousneedofself-expressionwhichartistsfindintheirsearchformotives。
Thenecessitywhichimpelledmewasahidden，obscurenecessity，acompletelymaskedandunaccountablephenomenon。Orperhapssomeidleandfrivolousmagician（theremustbemagiciansinLondon）hadcastaspellovermethroughhisparlourwindowasI
exploredthemazeofstreetseastandwestinsolitaryleisurelywalkswithoutchartandcompass。TillIbegantowritethatnovelIhadwrittennothingbutletters，andnotverymanyofthese。Inevermadeanoteofafact，ofanimpression，orofananecdoteinmylife。TheconceptionofaplannedbookwasentirelyoutsidemymentalrangewhenIsatdowntowrite;theambitionofbeinganauthorhadneverturnedupamongthosegraciousimaginaryexistencesonecreatesfondlyforoneselfattimesinthestillnessandimmobilityofaday-dream：yetitstandsclearasthesunatnoondaythatfromthemomentIhaddoneblackeningoverthefirstmanuscriptpageof"Almayer’sFolly"（itcontainedabouttwohundredwordsandthisproportionofwordstoapagehasremainedwithmethroughthefifteenyearsofmywritinglife），fromthemomentIhad，inthesimplicityofmyheartandtheamazingignoranceofmymind，writtenthatpagethediewascast。NeverhadRubiconbeenmoreblindlyfordedwithoutinvocationtothegods，withoutfearofmen。
ThatmorningIgotupfrommybreakfast，pushingthechairback，andrangthebellviolently，orperhapsIshouldsayresolutely，orperhapsIshouldsayeagerly——Idonotknow。Butmanifestlyitmusthavebeenaspecialringofthebell，acommonsoundmadeimpressive，liketheringingofabellfortheraisingofthecurtainuponanewscene。Itwasanunusualthingformetodo。
Generally，IdawdledovermybreakfastandIseldomtookthetroubletoringthebellforthetabletobeclearedaway;butonthatmorning，forsomereasonhiddeninthegeneralmysteriousnessoftheevent，Ididnotdawdle。AndyetIwasnotinahurry。Ipulledthecordcasually，andwhilethefainttinklingsomewheredowninthebasementwenton，IchargedmypipeintheusualwayandIlookedforthematch-boxwithglancesdistraughtindeed，butexhibiting，Iamreadytoswear，nosignsofafinefrenzy。Iwascomposedenoughtoperceiveaftersomeconsiderabletimethematch-boxlyingthereonthemantelpiecerightundermynose。Andallthiswasbeautifullyandsafelyusual。BeforeIhadthrowndownthematchmylandlady’sdaughterappearedwithhercalm，palefaceandaninquisitivelook，inthedoorway。Oflateitwasthelandlady’sdaughterwhoansweredmybell。Imentionthislittlefactwithpride，becauseitprovesthatduringthethirtyorfortydaysofmytenancyIhadproducedafavourableimpression。ForafortnightpastIhadbeensparedtheunattractivesightofthedomesticslave。ThegirlsinthatBessboroughGardenshousewereoftenchanged，butwhethershortorlong，fairordark，theywerealwaysuntidyandparticularlybedraggled，asifinasordidversionofthefairytaletheash-bincathadbeenchangedintoamaid。Iwasinfinitelysensibleoftheprivilegeofbeingwaitedonbymylandlady’sdaughter。Shewasneatifanemic。