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Elizaveta Ivanovna was simply magnificent, and Alexei recalled the proverb, and quietly spoke aloud, wanting to flatter the woman:
— Et vera icessu patuiit dea, the Goddess can be seen by her gait, as Virgil himself said.
The woman quickly threw a bright look from under the slightly lowered eyelashes, and slightly squeezed his fingers in response.
The dance did not seem to want to end. The orchestra wanted to surpass itself, trying to impress high society, and especially Alexander Pavlovich.
Landler to Mozart’s music. They walked along the line of dance, raised, they made a complete turn without separating their hands. Alexey circled the lady around him, holding his right hand and his left, then, touched each other’s palms. Elizabeth, spinning, slightly moved away from Burlin to the right, walked a little forward, and turned to him. Alexey, sliding to the music, stood with his back to the lady, and, with a sharp movement, found themselves facing each other, and Glinskaya put right hand to cavalier on right shoulder. The dance continued, Burlin, saw the beautiful eyes of the princess burning with heavy fire, she did not take her gaze away from him.
“You know how to impress, Alexey,” whispered the princess.
— Always at your service, — the young man accepted this game.
The woman nodded, in the last figure of the dance. Junker, slowly, slightly holding Elizabeth by the fingertips, brought her to her husband. He nodded quickly, and honestly, very honestly said:
“Thank you, Prince.
“You dance excellently, Burlin. I am glad to meet us, — Fedor Ivanovich Glinsky answered favorably.
Junker, in high spirits, approached the table at which the other junkers were standing. Albrecht, was near, with an empty glass in his hand, and looked, a little to the side. Alexey saw who his friend was looking at. It was that Italian, Isabella Lancini, who was in the possession of two junkers, in the uniforms of the Life Hussar Regiment.
— Burlin, don’t you waste any time? Timrot remarked.
“You’re a genius in the Landler!” That’s right, partner, was crazy! — added Zimin, — yes, I drove you into the paint, Burlin! Excuse me…
And, junker with a laugh, he bowed a little. It didn’t even make much sense to be angry here. Moreover, they were junkers of their regiment. Well, here, there were junkers from the label hussar? And Burlin grinned, having conceived a kind of caverza.
— Albrecht, come on? Alexey said quietly, “Mrs. Lancini said there.
— Why not? Junker readily answered.
Two cavalry guards approached, Albrecht nodded ceremoniously to the lady, and said loudly:
— I beg you for a catillon, my kindest lady.
“That would be nice,” the black-eyed beauty answered.
“But, Senorita Lancini, did you want to dance with me?” Hussar intervened.
But, Albrecht hastily carried the lady to the floor. Music sounded, a ringing melody of a perky cotillion rang out. Couples swirled in the dance.
— Apparently, you could not convince the lady, — Alexey reminded of himself, — Junker Burlin, at your service, gentlemen…
“Would you like to walk to the pond towards dawn?” There is a great place. Juncker Shemnitsky, at your service. I suppose your mate would keep us company? And this, and my friend, Junker Reader.
“Don’t mind. It’s a great evening, and the company is nice. I understand that there will be pistols, gentlemen?
Burlin, as he himself believed now, spoke briefly and harshly. It was not enough to drop the honor in front of the life hussars! He didn’t think about the rest now. To be honest, he was angered by the very appearance of this hussar cadet.
— Yes, and I wouldn’t want to waste time on swords, — Alexey added.
“Excellent thought. Reader, come on, there is a beautiful Rhine! — Shemnitsky remembered the important, — and you, Burlin. Should we get to know each other properly? And then it is completely indecent to shoot with a stranger!
At the table, everything was burning with hussar raspberry mentics. Here, only fellow soldiers of Alexey’s new acquaintances gathered.
— Ah, knight, and all in white! — the officer spoke loudly and laughed, — Rotmister Tsyganov! — called the cordial khoyain of the table, — Here, and your glass of wine! Shemnitsky, I look, do you find new friends?
“Not without that,” the young man remarked a little evasively.
Well, Burlin, without a shadow of somneia, drained a glass of wine. However, immediately filled again. While intoxication did not take him. Rather, he was getting a little hot.
However, here, like a certain uninvited angel, another acquaintance, Princess Natalya Drubetskaya, appeared. She frowned a little, watching such a funny gathering. Fanned, sighed with displeasure, folded this decoration at once, touching her left hand. I made one small step towards the cavalry guard in a white colet. To hesitate would be just an insult, and the junker could not do this. Burlin, hastily got rid of the glass here, and went up to the princess, and politely, with meaning, bowed.
— Alexey, I remember, promised you a cotillion, — she said imperiously, — come on, here we are not interested.
— Of course, Natalia Petrovna!
Junker led the lady to the dancers, and they also joined this cheerful army. It was the first cotillion at the ball, but apparently not the last.
— Be careful, Alexey. That hussar, Shemnitsky, a fair zabiyaka. Already fought in duels a dozen times. If not for his mother, so long ago he would have been sent from the Life Guards to the Sumy Regiment, and maybe to the Orenburg line.
“We just talked. Brought acquaintance. Quite a pleasant interlocutor.
— And Mr. Albrecht is dancing with this Italian woman? This will anger Baroness Wolf. It’s so careless.
“Why?” Burlin did not understand.
Drubetskaya changed a little in her face, smiling mysteriously. Yes, it painted her so much, making her almost beautiful. Her dark eyes settled on the junker’s face, and she hurriedly lowered them and slowly said:
— Baroness has three daughters to issue… Your friend, this is an absolutely important party for the Wolf family. The widow has to take over the family’s affairs. But, don’t tell Albrecht about it, I hope for your delicacy, knight…
— Just impassable wilds for me… Above all intelligence.
“Nothing too complicated. Here, the career of your squadron chief was decided thanks to the influence of his wife, — the princess noted condescendingly.
— I noticed how Varvara Alekseevna is very attached to her husband. It does not really resemble a marriage of convenience, excuse me.
— Of course… But, she is from Razumovsky… The most influential, richest family at the court of the sovereign.
And, Natalya Petrovna, smiling kindly, interrupted the conversation. She made a graceful turn here, holding only her fingertips on his palm. This girl was sweet and attractive, and very smart, judging by the words. Burlin, however, decided that Anna Grigorievna was much more beautiful than Princess Drubetskaya. Let’s say, like a rose lush with beauty, and a cute, pleasant snowdrop. And who was Glinskaya? What kind of flower could you compare it with, choose the right words? Such a question just turned around in his head, depriving him of peace. Well, rather, an orchid, passionate and dangerous for its heavy beauty.
Here, however, Princess Drubetskaya smiled so charmingly and sweetly at him. Her full lips curved a little, becoming so attractive, unique.
“Are you thinking again?” — asked Drubetskaya, again tearing Alexei out of his dreams, — is it possible to be bored at the ball?
— No… Rather, there was the thought of my Coal, my horse, you know…
The answer was given with the expectation of arousing the wrath of the girl… But she only smiled slyly.
— At the ball, you dream of a stallion… However, Alexey, so you will surpass everyone with wit.
But then, the orchestra came to the aid of the cadet, stopping in order to rest a little. The cavaliers took the ladies, where slightly tired pretenders could sit a little on the sofas, and taste the cool crewchon. Burlin also bowed to Drubetskaya, thanks to the girl for the dance, and also seated the princess next to the maids of honor. Those threw assessing glances at him, and, the junker, slightly cheekily flicking his heels, then hastily retreated, leaving Natalia alone.
Drubetskaya turned to Countess Orlova, calmly said:
— Glad you’re here… Agree, Count Rumyantsev made a great ball. Such a wonderful evening.
— Yes, fine. And most importantly, Natalie, that you are not wasting time, — agreed the countess, — spend time in such an excellent society.
“Yes, in the end, the Cavalier Guards not only protect the peace of the Sovereign,” noted Tatishcheva, who was sitting next to Orlova, “but also do not miss the ladies from society. Pamper, they do it best. And your gentleman is very good with himself. Very sweet boy.
The two state ladies looked at each other, smiling in agreement. Natalia was a little hurt by their words, but why, she knew the morals of the court. And I should not pay attention to every barb.
Then Drubetskaya looked around, looking for Burlin. She noticed that he went with Albrecht to the door with the life hussars. I got up, about to leave, as I heard:
— Natalia Petrovna, but you promised to tell what happened to Countess Sheremeteva? Is that really true? How is this possible?
The gofmasterina herself spoke, and Drubetskaya could not leave, it would be just an insult to this lady. And, at that moment, her heart just shrank painfully, she felt that she was turning pale, and hastily covered her face with a fan. I tried to breathe deeper, but the corset pressed so hard on the ribs, it was simply unbearable. I could not calm down. What did this evil boy do to her! She did not want others to see her weakness. All that remained was to hope that everything would work out. She sat, trying to restrain herself, listened to Tatishcheva’s stupid speeches, and read a prayer to herself.
Duel
— Here is a good place, Albrecht, agree, — Shemnitsky calmly said, — the moon shines better than any lantern. There will be no need to light a fire.
Hussar walked along the trampled grass, as if he often visited this place. It was not noticeable that he was at least a little afraid of the undesirable outcome of the fight, as if he considered himself conspiratorial.
— Yes, glade, quite glorious. It suits us, — the cavalry guard deliberately calmly answered, looking around, — we will not give a miss.
The sky was indeed completely cloudless, the moon, shining with a yellowish disk, hung high above them. And her silver light perfectly illuminated everything around, however, it also generated long, deep black shadows, stretching, like greedy hands, from the trees that stood nearby. The thickets of hazel looked just charcoal, and their leaves sparkled with silver. The view turned out to be more mysterious than frightening.
— Two more will be seconds. They will charge two pairs of pistols. Do you mind? Shemnitsky asked.
— Two more will be seconds. They will charge two pairs of pistols. Do you mind? Shemnitsky asked.
— As well as these rules will suit, — agreed Albrecht.
Hussar nodded. Duelists stood by the trees, but the seconds were located on the stump, quickly loading two pairs of excellent pistols.
“Don’t worry, gentlemen. These pistols are Littich, excellent work, do not give misfires, — Reeder assured.
— It’s nice to hear, — Alexey noted.
I saw how calm Albrecht was, and the junker tried to follow the example of a friend. At these moments I did not want to show weakness in front of the life hussars, and especially in front of myself. True, Burlin heard the hasty whisper of another hussar:
— It’s against the rules, gentlemen… Doubles duel? I have not heard of such a thing!
— Nothing, it will cost… Kobrin, measure in steps…
And the hussar, nodding, began to wander. Ten steps later he stuck the saber into the ground, and another fifteen or two. Such an unpretentious action did not take much time. Then the seconds came, with open boxes, giving you the choice of pistols.
— This, perhaps, will do! Albrecht remarked.
— Well, this, me… — added Burlin.
Both stood on one side of the field, holding pistols in their right hands, so that the blued muzzle looked up. Opposite stood Reader and Shemnitsky. Their crimson uniforms seemed black in the moonlight.
One of the seconds came forward, taking over the duties of the manager, and spoke loudly:
— Gentlemen, you can agree on my command. You can shoot at will. Stop are obliged about fifteen steps, where sabers are stuck. Would you like to reconcile?
Actually, these words were an empty formality. No one even deigned to answer.
— Okay… — Kobrin continued loudly, — Converge, gentlemen!
Burlin walked calmly, however, was afraid to stumble, and seem ridiculous. I hoped that his legs would not tremble, or, this is not noticeable to others. However, he was excited, and his heart beat just furiously.
Opposite him was the enemy, Reader, still holding the pistol with the barrel up. Now Alexey remembered all the lessons of the governor Verdier, and with considerable gratitude. He argued that you should always shoot first:
“Alexis, understand… A person is always afraid… By this you will immediately deprive the enemy of peace. You miss it, well, but he will be excited, and almost certainly will not fall. Hands will shake… This is also chess, like any fight. And you have to think what you’re doing.”
Then Burlin stopped, stood in a rack, sideways, putting his right leg forward, for stability, and began to aim. Reader did not stop. His mentic, crimson in color, seemed black, like a raven wing, and shiny in the moonlight. A little fluttered in the wind. But, there was no time to hesitate, as they indulge in doubts, and, at once pulling the trigger, Burlin fired. Thundered, white smoke rose, glistened, as if woven from foil. Junker, looked at the enemy, he felt the sleeve of the mentic. Alexey stood sideways at the saber, covering his chest with a pistol. And Reader, and rightly so, hesitated. Nearly dropped his gun, but then took aim and fired a shot. The bullet whistled somewhere nearby, Burlin, did not pay much attention to it.
Well, their comrades converged on the barrier itself. Shemnitsky fired first, knocking his hat off Albrecht. The same, after a little thought, discharged his pistol, firing into the air.
— Not otherwise, Albrecht, did you want to go to the moon? ‘the hussar joked.
“Why?” I shot you, Shemnitsky. I suddenly thought you were just floating in the clouds…
“How poetic,” chuckled the life hussar.
— Gentlemen! Do you think the duel is over? — the manager intervened.
— If, gentlemen Shemnitsky and Reader don’t mind? Burlin replied, as the gentlemen of the hussars would like.
“No, we’ve had enough. I, personally, am very happy to meet the cavalry guards!
Shemnitsky came closer, and, removing the glove of his right mouth, extended his hand to Albrecht. He, without hesitation, shook hands with a new comrade.
— Burlin hits perfectly from twenty steps. Remember, Eugene, — said Reader, with a laugh showing his friend a hole from a bullet in the sleeve of a mentic.
Alexey was a little embarrassed by what had happened. Well, just a little. Here, accidentally spoiled the new festive uniform of a new comrade. True, this man would have killed him without doubt and worries, but, the mentality was really beautiful, perfectly sewn, English cloth.
— Moreover, gentlemen… A great reason to drink. By the way, I propose to note our acquaintance! Shemnitsky suggested.
— It will be far from “Red Zucchini,” Shemnitsky, — Albrecht noted, — we will not have time to turn around.
— There is a public house and closer. With good wine, — replied the hussar, removing the pistols.
The main instigator looked thoughtfully at the boxes with discharged, still acutely smelling burnt gunpowder, and said loudly:
— Kobrin, do mercy, be kind, shout my batman, let him take the pistols.
— Now.
As Burlin noted, among the life hussars of his rank, Shemnitsky had considerable authority, and enjoyed this without hesitation. Modesty and shyness, of course, greatly bypassed him.
— Well, gentlemen? Will we continue the evening? Shemnitsky asked with a grin.
— Why not? Albrecht answered calmly.
To be honest, Burlin did not hurt all this, but it was not suitable to retreat in front of the hussars. Moreover, I already felt that this evening would not end with anything good.
New day
Who claimed that mornings could be kind? This is a completely stupid thought of a retrained philosopher. In fact, waking up from the dream world is always cruel. In place of sweet dreams comes cruel reality. The sound of the signal horn simply cut his ears desperately, and, the unfortunate Burlin sat on the edge of his bed and in complete exhaustion and grabbed his head. I had to get up, and before my eyes there were such magical dreams…
— Here, master, drink brine. Very, you know, helps. From the best cucumbers, only a new keg was opened…
— Thank you, Fedor.. And, wash. Uniform cook! Narrowing, brother…
A large clay mug was in the hand of a junker who was tired after last night. He carefully took one sip, then another, and drank everything to the bottom. Excellent brine, with currant leaf, with horseradish, the taste seemed simply extraordinary. He even closed his eyes from pleasure. But there was no time to bask, and Alexei instantly tore off a stale shirt that stuck to his body. And then, the batman brought a bowl and a jug of water, the young man began to wash. Splashed a little, immediately fatigue as a hand removed. And then the caring Fedor rubbed his back with a towel, so everything went away.
— Сoffee, master? asked about the important batman.
— Yes, give a couple of cups at once. And, I’m in the service
— You would sing… And then all day on the parade ground, but on the Manege later, I heard from Vakhmister Matyushin…
— Right, carry… — showed the mercy of Burlin.
No, now I wanted to eat scary. Yes, to admit that Fedor was again right, there was abstinence over the strength of the young man. Just, he said nothing, but took up the silver fork and knife.
The food was unwise but hearty. Boiled beef with bread, and a little mustard, to arouse appetite. The young man ate everything, leaving the plate clean. Indeed, it felt better, and the strength increased. Junker washed his hands, and undertook to equip himself. Now again, stabs, but ratings on buttons, with short boots. Not at the ball, I was going to the service. And Fedor combed, but powdered his head. He didn’t like it, but he had to endure it.
— Carry the sword, — recalled Burlin, — why froze?
— Now, sir… Yes, here’s another… When you left the hall, with the hussars, important ladies were looking for you. Not personally, but their servants. Here, Prokhor handed over letters from Princess Glinskaya, and Ivan, from Princess Drubetskaya. Very polite people, exactly…
— Why was he silent? — and Burlin strictly looked at the batman, — I always told you that you would start with the main thing, Fedor.
“Yes, Princess Drubetskaya was very worried. Personally came to your crew, threatened… In general… I forgot, worried.
Denshchik folded his hands in front of him, which he always did, as he was worried. And he did not want to upset the master.
— You, Fedka, as the face of the dastardly class, should not worry. I was just scared, so say so, — Burlin said harshly.
— And then… Lady, she is so strict… Well, the one that is younger. I kept quiet. Well, I listened, so… Agreed, did not mind.
— Well done, Fedor. Today I will write a letter, take Princess Drubetskaya.
— And then Prokhor said, in words, that on Sunday, Princess Glinskaya is waiting for you in her salon.
Here Burlin, moved his eyebrows, kind of angry. Well, the daddy in the estate has seen enough of how to impose severity on himself… Although, of course, it’s nice when the ladies pay more attention. After pausing, he calmly said:
“And I’ll write to her.
Burlin looked again at the letters, in almost identical brown envelopes, sealed with wax seals. Everything was safe and sound, and you won’t stick. All one, strictly looked at the batman, so as not to think of himself too much.
I sat down at the table and composed two messages. One for Glinskaya, the other for Drubetskaya. Even became pleased with his work,
— What, Fedor! I’m in the service, and you are serving by mail. Do not lose letters only.
— Got it, master. And who?
— This is for Princess Drubetskaya, and this is for Princess Glinskaya. Look, don’t mix it up!
Burlin said this, and strictly waved his finger in front of the denman’s nose. He did everything like Burlin Sr., and, calmed down, left the apartment. He was expected by the faithful and obedient, already saddled, Sooty, and the royal service.
Postman of Destiny
And the batman Fedor rubbed his chin in thoughtfulness, sighed heavily, and began to shave himself. He used, without any demand, a porcelain basin and a master’s razor. After all, the master sent to rich houses, and not he himself volunteered for such a service. I had to match, and therefore easily got rid of unnecessary doubts. Calmly soaked his cheeks and chin, and sat down in front of the mirror to enjoy the procedure. The blade glided across his skin like ice skates in winter. And, after some labors, he began to look quite adventurous, as his new friend Sidor, cadet Albrecht, liked to say. He put on a uniform, albeit not white, but gray, laid down by a non-combatant cavalry guard regiment. I prepared a brick, but slowly rolled along the road. The people were not surprised, did not pay much attention to him. Say the batman is going for himself, which means that he needs it. A lot of here on the affairs of servants on the roads walked, who on the case, and who and so, empty-handed schlendral. Fedor asked one of these:
— Hear, good man, you, here, don’t know where the house of princes Drubetsky?
— So in St. Petersburg, serving. And here, only Princess Natalya Petrovna Drubetskaya lives, since she serves the Empress Elizaveta Alekseevna herself.
— Thanks.
The clerk slapped the reins, sent forward his coward. The horse stubbornly shook his tail like a Sivka-Burka from a fairy tale, and, made mercy, took him to the fence. Well, like a fence — a solid painted carved palisade. Fedor got off the wagon, knocked on the gate. A janitor quickly approached, sober, and a representative child, with a blue caftan, black harem pants, in a apron and in a case with a visor.
— A letter to the lady Drubetskaya, from Alexei Mikhailovich Burlin, my master.
— Now, — the janitor muttered like a bear on a chain, — I will call the butler. It is necessary to report, the Lady is strict, ordered, not to accept any letters from the gentlemen of the officers.