The Queen of Spades and other stories

d her bonnet, when the Countess sent for

] at her side. She felt him take her by the hand, lost her head, and found, when the young officer

d. When they were in the carriage together the Countes

hat is the name of this bridge? What

surd answers, and was accordi

ou thinking about? Or do you really not hear me? I speak distin

e letter contained protestations of love. It was tender, respectful, and translated word for word from a German novel. But Lisaveta did not read German, and she was quite delighted. She was, however, much embarras

sue? She had no friend, no one to advise her. She at last decided to send an answer. She sat down at her little table, took pen and paper, and began to think. More than once she wrote a sentence an

ish to offend me by any thoughtless conduct. But you must understand that our acquaintance cannot begi

ery, and went into the drawing-room, opened the ventilator, and threw her l

g

INTO A HUN

g

ner's shop in order to read it. Finding nothing discouraging in it, he w

Lisaveta wondered what she could want, and suspected, as she received her, some secret intention. She was mu

" she said; "this le

milliner, with a slight smil

it. Hermann was aski

quest, and at the manner in which it was made. "This letter is

r it up? You should have given it me back, that

isaveta, quite

ll the person who gave you this one t

g

ated from the German. Hermann wrote under the influence of a commanding passion, and spoke a language which was his own. Lisaveta could not hold out against such torrents of eloquence. She

Enter as soon as it strikes eleven, and go upstairs as fast as possible. If you find anyone in the ante-chamber, ask whether the Countess is at home, and you will be told that she is out, and, in that case, you must resign yourself, and go away. In all probability, however, you will meet no one. The Countess's women are together in a distant r

wn by a wretched hack, on the look-out for a fare. Covered by a thick overcoat, Hermann felt neither the wind nor the snow. At last the Countesses carriage drew up. He saw two huge footmen come forward and take beneath the arms a dilapidated spectre, and place it on th

p the staircase and reached the ante-chamber. There, before a lamp, a footman was sleeping, stretched out in a dirty greasy dressing-gown. Hermann passed quickly before him and crossed the dining-room and the drawing-room, where there was no light. But the lamp of the ante-chamber helped him to see. At last he reached the Countess's bedroom. Before a screen covered with old icons (sacred pictures) a golden lamp was burning. Gilt arm-chairs, sofas of faded colours, furnished with soft cushions, were arranged symmetrically along the walls, which were hung with China silk. He saw two large portraits

N A GREASY D

g

the right leading to the dark room, the one on the left to the corridor. He opened the latter, saw the stai

of a man determined to brave all dangers he might have to meet, because he knows them to be inevitable. He heard one o'clock strike; then two; and soon afterwards the distant roll of a carriage. He now, in spite of himself, experienced some emotion. The carriage approach

w Lisaveta pass close to him, and heard her hurried step as she went up the[Pg 47] little winding staircase

E MAN HAD

parated from her own hair,[Pg 48] which was very short and quite white. Pins fell in showers around her. At last she

t, and the room was lighted only by the lamp which burned before the holy images. The Countess, sallow and wrinkled, balanced herself gently from right to left. In her dull eyes

; the lips ceased to tremble, and the eyes became a

s Her

ctly. "For the love of Heaven, do not be alarmed. I do not wish to do you

and. Thinking she was deaf,[Pg 49] he leaned towards her ear and

fe, and without its costing you a farthing.

w understood wh

terrupted. "I swear to

angry tone. "Remember Tchaplitzki

her features expressed strong emotion; b

me," said Hermann, "

e value of money. Of what profit would your three cards be to them? They are debauchees. The man who cannot keep his inheritance will die in want,

ply. The[Pg 50] Countess did not utte

caused your heart to beat, I entreat you by the love of a husband, a lover, a mother, by all that is sacred in life, not to reject my prayer. Tell me your secret! Reflect! You are

tess answere

d drew a pistol

imed, "I will m

agitation. Her head shook violently she stretched out her hands as

mann. "I adjure you for the last ti

er. Hermann saw that she