AtmidnightVaninkareturnedwithherfather。Ahiddenfeverhadbeenconsumingheralltheevening：neverhadshelookedsolovely，andshehadbeenoverwhelmedbythehomageofthemostdistinguishednoblesandcourtiers。Whenshereturned，shefoundAnnouschkainthevestibulewaitingtotakehercloak。Asshegaveittoher，Vaninkasentheroneofthosequestioningglancesthatseemtoexpresssomuch。"Itisdone，"saidthegirlinalowvoice。Vaninkabreathedasighofrelief，asifamountainhadbeenremovedfromherbreast。
　　Greataswasherself-control，shecouldnolongerbearherfather’spresence，andexcusedherselffromremainingtosupperwithhim，onthepleaofthefatiguesoftheevening。Vaninkawasnosoonerinherroom，withthedooronceclosed，thanshetoretheflowersfromherhair，thenecklacefromherthroat，cutwithscissorsthecorsetswhichsuffocatedher，andthen，throwingherselfonherbed，shegavewaytohergrief。AnnouschkathankedGodforthisoutburst；hermistress’scalmnesshadfrightenedhermorethanherdespair。Thefirstcrisisover，Vaninkawasabletopray。Shespentanhouronherknees，then，yieldingtotheentreatiesofherfaithfulattendant，wenttobed。Annouschkasatdownatthefootofthebed。
　　Neitherslept，butwhendaycamethetearswhichVaninkahadshedhadcalmedher。
　　Annouschkawasinstructedtorewardherbrother。Toolargeasumgiventoaslaveatoncemighthavearousedsuspicion，thereforeAnnouschkacontentedherselfwithtellingIvanthatwhenhehadneedofmoneyhehadonlytoaskherforit。
　　Gregory，profitingbyhislibertyandwishingtomakeuseofhisthousandroubles，boughtalittletavernontheoutskirtsofthetown，where，thankstohisaddressandtotheacquaintanceshehadamongtheservantsinthegreathouseholdsofSt。Petersburg，hebegantodevelopanexcellentbusiness，sothatinashorttimetheRedHouse（whichwasthenameandcolourofGregory’sestablishment）
　　hadagreatreputation。Anothermantookoverhisdutiesaboutthepersonofthegeneral，andbutforFoedor’sabsenceeverythingreturnedtoitsusualroutineinthehouseofCountTchermayloff。
　　Twomonthswentbyinthisway，withoutanybodyhavingtheleastsuspicionofwhathadhappened，whenonemorningbeforetheusualbreakfast-hourthegeneralbeggedhisdaughtertocomedowntohisroom。Vaninkatrembledwithfear，forsincethatfatalnighteverythingterrifiedher。Sheobeyedherfather，andcollectingallherstrength，madeherwaytohischamber，Thecountwasalone，butatthefirstglanceVaninkasawshehadnothingtofearfromthisinterview：thegeneralwaswaitingforherwiththatpaternalsmilewhichwastheusualexpressionofhiscountenancewheninhisdaughter’spresence。
　　Sheapproached，therefore，withherusualcalmness，and，stoopingdowntowardsthegeneral，gavehimherforeheadtokiss。
　　Hemotionedtohertositdown，andgaveheranopenletter。Vaninkalookedathimforamomentinsurprise，thenturnedhereyestotheletter。
　　Itcontainedthenewsofthedeathofthemantowhomherhandhadbeenpromised：hehadbeenkilledinaduel。
　　Thegeneralwatchedtheeffectoftheletteronhisdaughter’sface，andgreataswasVaninka’sself-control，somanydifferentthoughts，suchbitterregret，suchpoignantremorseassailedherwhenshelearntthatshewasnowfreeagain，thatshecouldnotentirelyconcealheremotion。Thegeneralnoticedit，andattributedittothelovewhichhehadforalongtimesuspectedhisdaughterfeltfortheyoungaide-de-camp。
　　"Well，"hesaid，smiling，"Iseeitisallforthebest。"
　　"Howisthat，father？"askedVaninka。
　　"Doubtless，"saidthegeneral。"DidnotFoedorleavebecausehelovedyou？"
　　"Yes，"murmuredtheyounggirl。
　　"Well，nowhemayreturn，"saidthegeneral。
　　Vaninkaremainedsilent，hereyesfixed，herlipstrembling。
　　"Return！"shesaid，afteramoment’ssilence。
　　"Yes，certainlyreturn。Weshallbemostunfortunate，"continuedthegeneral，smiling，"ifwecannotfindsomeoneinthehousewhoknowswhereheis。Come，Vaninka，tellmetheplaceofhisexile，andI
　　willundertaketherest。"
　　"NobodyknowswhereFoedoris，"murmuredVaninkainahollowvoice；
　　"nobodybutGod，nobody！"
　　"What！"saidthegeneral，"hehassentyounonewssincethedayheleft？"
　　Vaninkashookherheadindenial。Shewassoheart-brokenthatshecouldnotspeak。
　　Thegeneralinhisturnbecamegloomy。"Doyoufearsomemisfortune，then？"saidhe。
　　"IfearthatIshallneverbehappyagainonearth，"criedVaninka，givingwayunderthepressureofhergrief；thenshecontinuedatonce，"Letmeretire，father；IamashamedofwhatIhavesaid。"
　　Thegeneral，whosawnothinginthisexclamationbeyondregretforhavingallowedtheconfessionofherlovetoescapeher，kissedhisdaughteronthebrowandallowedhertoretire。Hehopedthat，inspiteofthemournfulwayinwhichVaninkahadspokenofFoedor，thatitwouldbepossibletofindhim。ThesamedayhewenttotheemperorandtoldhimoftheloveofFoedorforhisdaughter，andrequested，sincedeathhadfreedherfromherfirstengagement，thathemightdisposeofherhand。Theemperorconsented，andthegeneralthensolicitedafurtherfavour。Paulwasinoneofhiskindlymoods，andshowedhimselfdisposedtograntit。ThegeneraltoldhimthatFoedorhaddisappearedfortwomonths；thateveryone，evenhisdaughter，wasignorantofhiswhereabouts，andbeggedhimtohaveinquiriesmade。Theemperorimmediatelysentforthechiefofpolice，andgavehimthenecessaryorders。
　　Sixweekswentbywithoutanyresult。Vaninka，sincethedaywhenthelettercame，wassadderandmoremelancholythanever。Vainlyfromtimetotimethegeneraltriedtomakehermorehopeful。
　　Vaninkaonlyshookherheadandwithdrew。Thegeneralceasedtospeak，ofFoedor。
　　Butitwasnotthesameamongthehousehold。Theyoungaide-de-camphadbeenpopularwiththeservants，and，withtheexceptionofGregory，therewasnotasoulwhowishedhimharm，sothat，whenitbecameknownthathehadnotbeensentonamission，buthaddisappeared，thematterbecametheconstantsubjectofconversationintheantechamber，thekitchen，andthestables。Therewasanotherplacewherepeoplebusiedthemselvesaboutitagreatdeal——thiswastheRedHouse。
　　>FromthedaywhenheheardofFoedor’smysteriousdepartureGregoryhadhissuspicions。HewassurethathehadseenFoedorenterVaninka’sroom，andunlesshehadgoneoutwhilehewasgoingtoseekthegeneral，hedidnotunderstandwhythelatterhadnotfoundhiminhisdaughter’sroom。Anotherthingoccupiedhismind，whichitseemedtohimmightperhapshavesomeconnectionwiththisevent——theamountofmoneyIvanhadbeenspendingsincethattime，averyextraordinaryamountforaslave。Thisslave，however，wasthebrotherofVaninka’scherishedfoster-sister，sothat，withoutbeingsure，Gregoryalreadysuspectedthesourcefromwhencethismoneycame。Anotherthingconfirmedhiminhissuspicions，whichwasthatIvan，whohadnotonlyremainedhismostfaithfulfriend，buthadbecomeoneofhisbestcustomers，neverspokeofFoedor，heldhistongueifhewerementionedinhispresence，andtoallquestions，howeverpressingtheywere，madebutoneanswer："Letusspeakofsomethingelse。"
　　InthemeantimetheFeastofKingsarrived。ThisisagreatdayinSt。Petersburg，foritisalsothedayforblessingthewaters。
　　AsVaninkahadbeenpresentattheceremony，andwasfatiguedafterstandingfortwohoursontheNeva，thegeneraldidnotgooutthatevening，andgaveIvanleavetodoso。IvanprofitedbythepermissiontogototheRedHouse。
　　Therewasanumerouscompanythere，andIvanwaswelcomed；foritwasknownthathegenerallycamewithfullpockets。Thistimehedidnotbeliehisreputation，andhadscarcelyarrivedbeforehemadethesorok-kopecksring，tothegreatenvyofhiscompanions。
　　AtthiswarningsoundGregoryhastenedupwithallpossibledeference，abottleofbrandyineachhand；forheknewthatwhenIvansummonedhimhegainedintwoways，asinnkeeperandasbooncompanion。Ivandidnotdisappointthesehopes，andGregorywasinvitedtoshareintheentertainment。Theconversationturnedonslavery，andsomeoftheunhappymen，whohadonlyfourdaysintheyearofrespitefromtheireternallabour，talkedloudlyofthehappinessGregoryhadenjoyedsincehehadobtainedhisfreedom。
　　"Bah！"saidIvan，onwhomthebrandyhadbeguntotakeeffect，"therearesomeslaveswhoarefreerthantheirmasters。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"saidGregory，pouringhimoutanotherglassofbrandy。
　　"Imeanttosayhappier，"saidIvanquickly。
　　"Itisdifficulttoprovethat，"saidGregorydoubtingly。
　　"Whydifficult？Ourmasters，themomenttheyareborn，areputintothehandsoftwoorthreepedants，oneFrench，anotherGerman，andathirdEnglish，andwhethertheylikethemornot，theymustbecontentwiththeirsocietytilltheyareseventeen，andwhethertheywishtoornot，mustlearnthreebarbarouslanguages，attheexpenseofournobleRussiantongue，whichtheyhavesometimescompletelyforgottenbythetimetheothersareacquired。Again，ifoneofthemwishesforsomecareer，hemustbecomeasoldier：ifheisasublieutenant，heistheslaveofthelieutenant；ifheisalieutenant，heistheslaveofthecaptain，andthecaptainofthemajor，andsoonuptotheemperor，whoisnobody’sslave，butwhoonefinedayissurprisedatthetable，whilewalking，orinhisbed，andispoisoned，stabbed，orstrangled。Ifhechoosesacivilcareer，itismuchthesame。Hemarriesawife，anddoesnotloveher；childrencometohimheknowsnothow，whomhehastoprovidefor；hemuststruggleincessantlytoprovideforhisfamilyifheispoor，andifheisrichtopreventhimselfbeingrobbedbyhisstewardandcheatedbyhistenants。Isthislife？Whilewe，gentlemen，weareborn，andthatistheonlypainwecostourmothers——alltherestisthemaster’sconcern。Heprovidesforus，hechoosesourcalling，alwayseasyenoughtolearnifwearenotquiteidiots。Areweill？Hisdoctorattendsusgratis；itisalosstohimifwedie。Arewewell？Wehaveourfourcertainmealsaday，andagoodstovetosleepnearatnight。Dowefallinlove？
　　Thereisneveranyhindrancetoourmarriage，ifthewomanlovesus；
　　themasterhimselfasksustohastenourmarriage，forhewishesustohaveasmanychildrenaspossible。Andwhenthechildrenareborn，hedoesforthemintheirturnallhehasdoneforus。Canyoufindmemanygreatlordsashappyastheirslaves？"
　　"Allthisistrue，"saidGregory，pouringhimoutanotherglassofbrandy；"but，afterall，youarenotfree。"
　　"Freetodowhat？"askedIvan。
　　"Freetogowhereyouwillandwhenyouwill。"
　　"Iamasfreeastheair，"repliedIvan。
　　"Nonsense！"saidGregory。
　　"Freeasair，Itellyou；forIhavegoodmasters，andaboveallagoodmistress，"continuedIvan，withasignificantsmile，"andIhaveonlytoaskanditisdone。"
　　"What！ifafterhavinggotdrunkhereto-day，youaskedtocomebackto-morrowtogetdrunkagain？"saidGregory，whoinhischallengetoIvandidnotforgethisowninterests，——"ifyouaskedthat？"
　　"Ishouldcomebackagain，"saidIvan。
　　"To-morrow？"saidGregory。
　　"To-morrow，thedayafter，everydayifIliked……"
　　"Thefactis，Ivanisouryounglady’sfavourite，"saidanotherofthecount’sslaveswhowaspresent，profitingbyhiscomradeIvan’sliberality。
　　"Itisallthesame，"saidGregory；"forsupposingsuchpermissionweregivenyou，moneywouldsoonrunshort。"
　　"Never！"saidIvan，swallowinganotherglassofbrandy，"neverwillIvanwantformoneyaslongasthereisakopeckinmylady’spurse。"
　　"Ididnotfindhersoliberal，"saidGregorybitterly。
　　"Oh，youforget，myfriend；youknowwellshedoesnotreckonwithherfriends：rememberthestrokesoftheknout。"
　　"Ihavenowishtospeakaboutthat，"saidGregory。"Iknowthatsheisgenerouswithblows，buthermoneyisanotherthing。Ihaveneverseenthecolourofthat。"
　　"Well，wouldyouliketoseethecolourofmine？"saidIvan，gettingmoreandmoredrunk。"Seehere，herearekopecks，sorok-kopecks，bluenotesworthfiveroubles，rednotesworthtwentyfiveroubles，andto-morrow，ifyoulike，Iwillshowyouwhitenotesworthfiftyroubles。AhealthtomyladyVaninka！"AndIvanheldouthisglassagain，andGregoryfilledittothebrim。
　　"Butdoesmoney，"saidGregory，pressingIvanmoreandmore，——"doesmoneymakeupforscorn？"
　　"Scorn！"saidIvan，——"scorn！Whoscornsme？Doyou，becauseyouarefree？Finefreedom！Iwouldratherbeawell-fedslavethanafreemandyingofhunger。"
　　"Imeanthescornofourmasters，"repliedGregory。
　　"Thescornofourmasters！AskAlexis，askDanielthere，ifmyladyscornsme。"
　　"Thefactis，"saidthetwoslavesinreply，whobothbelongedtothegeneral’shousehold，"Ivanmustcertainlyhaveacharm；foreveryonetalkstohimasiftoamaster。"
　　"BecauseheisAnnouschka’sbrother，"saidGregory，"andAnnouschkaismylady’sfoster-sister。"
　　"Thatmaybeso，"saidthetwoslaves。
　　"Forthatreasonorforsomeother，"saidIvan；"but，inshort，thatisthecase。"
　　"Yes；butifyoursistershoulddie？"saidGregory。"Ah！"
　　"Ifmysistershoulddie，thatwouldbeapity，forsheisagoodgirl。Idrinktoherhealth！Butifsheshoulddie，thatwouldmakenodifference。Iamrespectedformyself；theyrespectmebecausetheyfearme。"
　　"FearmylordIvan！"saidGregory，withaloudlaugh。"Itfollows，then，thatifmylordIvanweretiredofreceivingorders，andgavetheminhisturn，mylordIvanwouldbeobeyed。"
　　"Perhaps，"saidIvan。
　　"Hesaid’perhaps，’repeatedGregory，laughinglouderthanever，——"hesaid’perhaps。’Didyouhearhim？"
　　"Yes，"saidtheslaves，whohaddrunksomuchthattheycouldonlyanswerinmonosyllables。
　　"Well，Inolongersay’perhaps，’Inowsay’forcertain。’"
　　"Oh，Ishouldliketoseethat，"saidGregory；"Iwouldgivesomethingtoseethat。"
　　"Well，sendawaythesefellows，whoaregettingdrunklikepigs，andfornothing，youwillfind。"
　　"Fornothing？"saidGregory。"Youarejesting。DoyouthinkI
　　shouldgivethemdrinkfornothing？"
　　"Well，weshallsee。Howmuchwouldbetheirscore，foryouratrociousbrandy，iftheydrankfromnowtillmidnight，whenyouareobligedtoshutupyourtavern？"
　　"Notlessthantwentyroubles。"
　　"Herearethirty；turnthereout，andletusremainbyourselves。"
　　"Friends，"saidGregory，takingouthiswatchasiftolookatthetime，"itisjustuponmidnight；youknowthegovernor’sorders，soyoumustgo。"Themen，habituatedlikeallRussianstopassiveobedience，wentwithoutamurmur，andGregoryfoundhimselfalonewithIvanandthetwootherslavesofthegeneral。
　　"Well，herewearealone，"saidGregory。"Whatdoyoumeantodo？"
　　"Well，whatwouldyousay，"repliedIvan，"ifinspiteofthelatehourandthecold，andinspiteofthefactthatweareonlyslaves，myladyweretoleaveherfather’shouseandcometodrinkourhealths？"
　　"Iwouldsaythatyououghttotakeadvantageofit，"saidGregory，shrugginghisshoulders，"andtellhertobringatthesametimeabottleofbrandy。Thereisprobablybetterbrandyinthegeneral’scellarthaninmine。"
　　"Thereisbetter，"saidIvan，asifhewasperfectlysureofit，"andmyladyshallbringyouabottleofit。"
　　"Youaremad！"saidGregory。
　　"Heismad！"repeatedtheothertwoslavesmechanically。
　　"Oh，Iammad？"saidIvan。"Well，willyoutakeawager？"
　　"Whatwillyouwager？"
　　"Twohundredroublesagainstayearoffreedrinkinginyourinn。"
　　"Done！"saidGregory。
　　"Areyourcomradesincluded？"saidthetwomoujiks。
　　"Theyareincluded，"saidIvan，"andinconsiderationofthemwewillreducethetimetosixmonths。Isthatagreed？"
　　"Itisagreed，"saidGregory。
　　Thetwowhoweremakingthewagershookhands，andtheagreementwasperfected。Then，withanairofconfidence，assumedtoconfoundthewitnessesofthisstrangescene，Ivanwrappedhimselfinthefurcoatwhich，likeacautiousman，hehadspreadonthestove，andwentout。
　　Attheendofhalfanhourhereappeared。
　　"Well！"criedGregoryandthetwoslavestogether。
　　"Sheisfollowing，"saidIvan。
　　Thethreetipplerslookedatoneanotherinamazement，butIvanquietlyreturnedtohisplaceinthemiddleofthem，pouredoutanewbumper，andraisinghisglass，cried——
　　"Tomylady’shealth！Itistheleastwecandowhensheiskindenoughtocomeandjoinusonsocoldanight，whenthesnowisfallingfast。"
　　"Annouschka，"saidavoiceoutside，"knockatthisdoorandaskGregoryifhehasnotsomeofourservantswithhim。"
　　Gregoryandthetwootherslaveslookedatoneanother，stupefied：
　　theyhadrecognisedVaninka’svoice。AsforIvan，heflunghimselfbackinhischair，balancinghimselfwithmarvellousimpertinence。
　　Annouschkaopenedthedoor，andtheycouldsee，asIvanhadsaid，thatthesnowwasfallingheavily。
　　"Yes，madam，"saidthegirl；"mybrotheristhere，withDanielandAlexis。"
　　Vaninkaentered。
　　"Myfriends，"saidshe，withastrangesmile，"Iamtoldthatyouweredrinkingmyhealth，andIhavecometobringyousomethingtodrinkitagain。HereisabottleofoldFrenchbrandywhichIhavechosenforyoufrommyfather’scellar。Holdoutyourglasses。"
　　Gregoryandtheslavesobeyedwiththeslownessandhesitationofastonishment，whileIvanheldouthisglasswiththeutmosteffrontery。
　　Vaninkafilledthemtothebrimherself，andthen，astheyhesitatedtodrink，"Come，drinktomyhealth，friends，"saidshe。
　　"Hurrah！"criedthedrinkers，reassuredbythekindandfamiliartoneoftheirnoblevisitor，astheyemptiedtheirglassesatadraught。
　　Vaninkaatoncepouredthemoutanotherglass；thenputtingthebottleonthetable，"Emptythebottle，myfriends，"saidshe，"anddonottroubleaboutme。AnnouschkaandI，withthepermission2668
　　ofthemasterofthehouse，willsitnearthestovetillthestormisover。"
　　Gregorytriedtoriseandplacestoolsnearthestove，butwhetherhewasquitedrunkorwhethersomenarcotichadbeenmixedwiththebrandy，hefellbackonhisseat，tryingtostammeroutanexcuse。
　　"Itisallright，"saidVaninka："donotdisturbyourselves；drink，myfriends，drink。"
　　Therevellersprofitedbythispermission，andeachemptiedtheglassbeforehim。ScarcelyhadGregoryemptiedhisbeforehefellforwardonthetable。
　　"Good！"saidVaninkatohermaidinalowvoice："theopiumistakingeffect。"
　　"Whatdoyoumeantodo？"saidAnnouschka。
　　"Youwillsoonsee，"wastheanswer。
　　Thetwomoujiksfollowedtheexampleofthemasterofthehouse，andfelldownsidebysideontheground。Ivanwasleftstrugglingagainstsleep，andtryingtosingadrinkingsong；butsoonhistonguerefusedtoobeyhim，hiseyesclosedinspiteofhim，andseekingthetunethatescapedhim，andmutteringwordshewasunabletopronounce，hefellfastasleepnearhiscompanions。
　　ImmediatelyVaninkarose，fixedthemwithflashingeyes，andcalledthembynameoneafteranother。Therewasnoresponse。
　　Thensheclappedherhandsandcriedjoyfully，"Themomenthascome！"
　　Goingtothebackoftheroom，shebroughtthenceanarmfulofstraw，placeditinacorneroftheroom，anddidthesameintheothercorners。Shethentookaflamingbrandfromthestoveandsetfireinsuccessiontothefourcornersoftheroom。
　　"Whatareyoudoing？"saidAnnouschka，wildwithterror，tryingtostopher。
　　"Iamgoingtoburyoursecretintheashesofthishouse，"answeredVaninka。
　　"Butmybrother，mypoorbrother！"saidthegirl。
　　"Yourbrotherisawretchwhohasbetrayedme，andwearelostifwedonotdestroyhim。"
　　"Oh，mybrother，mypoorbrother！"
　　"Youcandiewithhimifyoulike，"saidVaninka，accompanyingtheproposalwithasmilewhichshowedshewouldnothavebeensorryifAnnouschkahadcarriedsisterlyaffectiontothatlength。
　　"Butlookatthefire，madam——thefire！"
　　"Letusgo，then，"saidVaninka；and，draggingouttheheart-brokengirl，shelockedthedoorbehindherandthrewthekeyfarawayintothesnow。
　　"InthenameofHeaven，"saidAnnouschka，"letusgohomequickly：I
　　cannotgazeuponthisawfulsight！"
　　"No，letusstayhere！"saidVaninka，holdingherbackwithagraspofalmostmasculinestrength。"Letusstayuntilthehousefallsinonthem，sothatwemaybecertainthatnotoneofthemescapes。"
　　"Oh，myGod！"criedAnnouschka，fallingonherknees，"havemercyuponmypoorbrother，fordeathwillhurryhimunpreparedintoThypresence。"
　　"Yes，yes，pray；thatisright，"saidVaninka。"Iwishtodestroytheirbodies，nottheirsouls。"
　　Vaninkastoodmotionless，herarmscrossed，brilliantlylitupbytheflames，whileherattendantprayed。Thefiredidnotlastlong：thehousewaswooden，withthecrevicesfilledwithoakum，likeallthoseofRussianpeasants，sothattheflames，creepingoutatthefourcorners，soonmadegreatheadway，and，fannedbythewind，spreadrapidlytoallpartsofthebuilding。Vaninkafollowedtheprogressofthefirewithblazingeyes，fearingtoseesomehalf-burntspectralshaperushoutoftheflames。Atlasttherooffellin，andVaninka，relievedofallfear，thenatlastmadeherwaytothegeneral’shouse，intowhichthetwowomenenteredwithoutbeingseen，thankstothepermissionAnnouschkahadtogooutatanyhourofthedayornight。
　　ThenextmorningthesoletopicofconversationinSt。PetersburgwasthefireattheRedHouse。Fourhalf-consumedcorpsesweredugoutfrombeneaththeruins，andasthreeofthegeneral’sslavesweremissing，hehadnodoubtthattheunrecognisablebodieswerethoseofIvan，Daniel，andAlexis：asforthefourth，itwascertainlythatofGregory。
　　Thecauseofthefireremainedasecretfromeveryone：thehousewassolitary，andthesnowstormsoviolentthatnobodyhadmetthetwowomenonthedesertedroad。Vaninkawassureofhermaid。HersecretthenhadperishedwithIvan。Butnowremorsetooktheplaceoffear：theyounggirlwhowassopitilessandinflexibleintheexecutionofthedeedquailedatitsremembrance。Itseemedtoherthatbyrevealingthesecretofhercrimetoapriest，shewouldberelievedofherterribleburden。Shethereforesoughtaconfessorrenownedforhisloftycharity，and，underthesealofconfession，toldhimall。Thepriestwashorrifiedbythestory。Divinemercyisboundless，buthumanforgivenesshasitslimits。HerefusedVaninkatheabsolutionsheasked。Thisrefusalwasterrible：itwouldbanishVaninkafromtheHolyTable；thisbanishmentwouldbenoticed，andcouldnotfailtobeattributedtosomeunheard-ofandsecretcrime。Vaninkafellatthefeetofthepriest，andinthenameofherfather，whowouldbedisgracedbyhershame，beggedhimtomitigatetherigourofthissentence。
　　Theconfessorreflecteddeeply，thenthoughthehadfoundawaytoobviatesuchconsequences。ItwasthatVaninkashouldapproachtheHolyTablewiththeotheryounggirls；thepriestwouldstopbeforeherasbeforealltheothers，butonlysaytoher，"Prayandweep"；
　　thecongregation，deceivedbythis，wouldthinkthatshehadreceivedtheSacramentlikehercompanions。ThiswasallthatVaninkacouldobtain。
　　Thisconfessiontookplaceaboutseveno’clockintheevening，andthesolitudeofthechurch，addedtothedarknessofnight，hadgivenitastillmoreawfulcharacter。Theconfessorreturnedhome，paleandtrembling。HiswifeElizabethwaswaitingforhimalone。ShehadjustputherlittledaughterArina，whowaseightyearsold，tobedinanadjoiningroom。Whenshesawherhusband，sheutteredacryofterror，sochangedandhaggardwashisappearance。Theconfessortriedtoreassureher，buthistremblingvoiceonlyincreasedheralarm。Sheaskedthecauseofhisagitation；theconfessorrefusedtotellher。Elizabethhadheardtheeveningbeforethathermotherwasill；shethoughtthatherhusbandhadreceivedsomebadnews。ThedaywasMonday，whichisconsideredanunluckydayamongtheRussians，and，goingoutthatday，Elizabethhadmetamaninmourning；theseomensweretoonumerousandtoostrongnottoportendmisfortune。
　　Elizabethburstintotears，andcriedout，"Mymotherisdead！"
　　Thepriestinvaintriedtoreassureherbytellingherthathisagitationwasnotduetothat。Thepoorwoman，dominatedbyoneidea，madenoresponsetohisprotestationsbutthiseverlastingcry，"Mymotherisdead！"
　　Then，tobringhertoreason，theconfessortoldherthathisemotionwasduetotheavowalofacrimewhichhehadjustheardintheconfessional。ButElizabethshookherhead：itwasatrick，shesaid，tohidefromherthesorrowwhichhadfallenuponher。Heragony，insteadofcalming，becamemoreviolent；hertearsceasedtoflow，andwerefollowedbyhysterics。Thepriestthenmadehersweartokeepthesecret，andthesanctityoftheconfessionwasbetrayed。
　　LittleArinahadawakenedatElizabeth’scries，andbeingdisturbedandatthesametimecuriousastowhatherparentsweredoing，shegotup，wenttolistenatthedoor，andheardall。
　　ThedayfortheCommunioncame；thechurchofSt。Simeonwascrowded。
　　Vaninkacametokneelattherailingofthechoir。Behindherwasherfatherandhisaides-de-camp，andbehindthemtheirservants。
　　Arinawasalsointhechurchwithhermother。TheinquisitivechildwishedtoseeVaninka，whosenameshehadheardpronouncedthatterriblenight，whenherfatherhadfailedinthefirstandmostsacredofthedutiesimposedonapriest。Whilehermotherwaspraying，sheleftherchairandglidedamongtheworshippers，nearlyasfarastherailing。
　　Butwhenshehadarrivedthere，shewasstoppedbythegroupofthegeneral’sservants。ButArinahadnotcomesofartobe，stoppedsoeasily：shetriedtopushbetweenthem，buttheyopposedher；shepersisted，andoneofthempushedherroughlyback。Thechildfell，struckherheadagainstaseat，andgotupbleedingandcrying，"Youareveryproudforaslave。IsitbecauseyoubelongtothegreatladywhoburnttheRedHouse？"
　　Thesewords，utteredinaloudvoice，inthemidstofthesilencewhichpreceded，thesacredceremony，wereheardbyeveryone。Theywereansweredbyashriek。Vaninkahadfainted。Thenextdaythegeneral，atthefeetofPaul，recountedtohim，ashissovereignandjudge，thewholeterriblestory，whichVaninka，crushedbyherlongstruggle，hadatlastrevealedtohim，atnight，afterthesceneinthechurch。
　　Theemperorremainedforamomentinthoughtattheendofthisstrangeconfession；then，gettingupfromthechairwherehehadbeensittingwhilethemiserablefathertoldhisstory，hewenttoabureau，andwroteonasheetofpaperthefollowingsentence：
　　"Thepriesthavingviolatedwhatshouldhavebeeninviolable，thesecretsoftheconfessional，isexiledtoSiberiaanddeprivedofhispriestlyoffice。Hiswifewillfollowhim：sheistobeblamedfornothavingrespectedhischaracterasaministerofthealtar。Thelittlegirlwillnotleaveherparents。
　　"Annouschka，theattendant，willalsogotoSiberiafornothavingmadeknowntohermasterhisdaughter’sconduct。
　　"Ipreserveallmyesteemforthegeneral，andImournwithhimforthedeadlyblowwhichhasstruckhim。
　　"AsforVaninka，Iknowofnopunishmentwhichcanbeinflicteduponher。Ionlyseeinherthedaughterofabravesoldier，whosewholelifehasbeendevotedtotheserviceofhiscountry。Besides，theextraordinarywayinwhichthecrimewasdiscovered，seemstoplacetheculpritbeyondthelimitsofmyseverity。Ileaveherpunishmentinherownhands。IfIunderstandhercharacter，ifanyfeelingofdignityremainstoher，herheartandherremorsewillshowherthepathsheoughttofollow。"
　　Paulhandedthepaperopentothegeneral，orderinghimtotakeittoCountPahlen，thegovernorofSt。Petersburg。
　　Onthefollowingdaytheemperor’sorderswerecarriedout。
　　Vaninkawentintoaconvent，wheretowardstheendofthesameyearshediedofshameandgrief。
　　ThegeneralfoundthedeathhesoughtonthefieldofAusterlitz。