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He paused for a minute, then, thinking, reached out. Alexander readily shrugged it.
— Everything is quite chivalrous… Undoubtedly, I can respect your feelings, — Minich said calmly, — but only as the lady herself decides! ‘he finished with a laugh.
And, three junkers, just rolling with laughter, rolled out of the comrades’ room. Burlin, not understanding much, shook the stoves, and said:
— What kind of duel on schlegers? I have not heard of this.
— Fight in armor, with an open face, not leaving the place. Injections are applied precisely to the face, — Albrecht answered quite casually, — I’m afraid the authorities will be furious if they find out.
Alexey hardly imagined such a fight. Yes, the fight would require complete concentration, dexterity and iron will. And, a steel blade in front of your eyes…
— Let’s go Alexey, it’s time. Yes, Fedor is late.
— There, at the theater we catch up. We will go on a two-wheeler, Sidor rules the horses perfectly.
***
Fedor dressed up in a simple dress, becoming like a tradesman. and the leather apron only complemented his image. And the wheelbarrow, with heavy wheels, was very appropriate. The dipping batman decided that this was very suitable for his image, a craftsman who came on business. In the wheelbarrow lay a voluminous bag, an empty tub, and a brush. He rolled his instrument, sometimes bowing to other workers who passed him. Those sometimes answered back, or simply passed. In front of passing or passing bars, Fedka, without a doubt, broke his hat and bowed low. The case, for the former serf, was very familiar. Here, a white front garden appeared, from flat boards, painted with fresh twists, and nearby, his friend, Prokhor, was walking, with garden scissors in his hands. Just in front of the stone greenhouse, with huge windows allowing so much light inside. Fedor was simply tormented by doubts, but now, the money given by the owner unspeakably warmed the soul, and encouraged him to feats. Denshchik sighed, coughed for solidity.
— Oh, Fedor, are you here?
— Fyodor Nikitich, for you. Well, I came to the case, Proshka, for a reason. Do you want to buy a bouquet of roses for three rubles.
— You’re a sly… No flowers. Everything has been sold out. And they ordered a whole basket from the palace.
— Come on, Prokhor Fomich, surely you won’t sell seven flowers for two rubles? You have how much grows.
— There is a village… You can’t, I say…
— And look what I have…
And Fedor, slowly, slowly, put a large silver round with the face of the Russian emperor. And how Proshka’s eyes do not come off such a seductive coin.
— There are three of them, Fedor. And get your flowers.
— Right now?
— Of course. Wait a bit, I’ll take it all out. Give your tub that would be imperceptible.
The gardener briskly grabbed the handle, so much so that the side hit him on the knee. He cried out so offended, but ran inside. And Fedor with a smart look took up the panicle, and began to preen the garden path.
— Good day, Fedor, you’re good at it. What did you forget here? Or, do you want to taste the rose?
The voice seemed vaguely familiar, so much so that the batman almost dropped the broom. It’s important to sweat all…
— So on the case, Natalya Petrovna… — he said quietly.
Actually, in front of him stood Princess Drubetskaya, in a dark velvet dress. It went to her unusually, but Fedka was afraid to waste compliments, it was not the case. And not the time, and not the place, but who was he?
And the princess’s face stretched out, her lips were pursed, and her eyes, as if embers from the stove were burning. She held a fan in her hand as if it were a sharp knife, and with this blade she seemed to want to stick it in his heart.
— You, dear, here not otherwise, for flowers, for this Italian came? she said very softly.
Fedor noticed how angry the young lady was. It means that it is his master’s business to keep her evil. It’s good that a lady of noble rank, there is a hope that she will not throw herself with a knife or an ax, but then, as she sparkles with her eyes, he thought cautiously.
— I won’t lie, young lady… For flowers… — the batman answered carefully.
Drubetskaya stamped her foot, turned away, and it seemed to the batman, it seemed that she was crying. Just whispered:
— I’m going to check…
Fedor to be honest, fooled. Yes, I noticed that the girl was not joking, and began to explain:
— So it is possible, young lady… Only Mr. Albrecht sent me for flowers, not Alexei Mikhailovich… Such a thing, you are not angry.
The princess, quite simply, quietly sniffed. She had her back to him. She wiped her face with a handkerchief, unfolded the fan, hiding behind it, and only then turned around to him.
— Do not lie? she said quietly.
She said, in such a tone, as if she had threatened at once and immediately hoped that the batman would not deceive her, would not turn and play with words.
— Well, as you can, young lady… — Fedor answered calmly, — the true truth, here is the holy cross for you! — and dawned on himself.
— Okay… Here, just keep silent about everything. That I met, and about the conversation it is also silent. And then you can’t buy it, do not doubt it, and put a heavy coin in his hand.
Fedor, by the simplicity of his soul, sadly thought that such a small coin would be stuck in his hand. Even now, it became a shame, listened, nodded, agreed with everything, but far away — only two-faced. But, he looked quickly, a yellow round flashed dimly, and all his grievances seemed to have melted away. There was also a real “lobanchik,” a chervonets, so cool and beautiful.
Here the Denchik with a big hunt bowed. He would have shuffled with his leg, but he did not know how to do it foldably, he did not want to spoil the impression.
— And the flowers? — he remembered with difficulty about the assignment of the master, — it is very necessary… For Mr. Albrecht.
— Okay, I’ll leave, but you quickly leave, as the gardener will endure the flowers. And that’s what, tell Alexey… ‘she began, but immediately waved hastily and left quickly.
Fedor sighed here. True, the door of the greenhouse opened with a terrible creak, and Proshka’s nose leaned out, and then, extremely frightened face.
— Are you a maid of honor? ‘he asked, with clear doubt and hope in his voice.
— You see, no. Color come on!
— There are two rubles.
— Here, the ruble, as promised. Do not fool, you cut the flowers, back, you will not stick now!
— You are, clever what! Okay, take it. Remember my kindness!
Fedor parted with the money, and quickly hid the flowers in a tub, covering them with colored paper. Actually, I didn’t have to buy it, the two-mannered batman considered it honestly earned. Like two rubles that I received from the master. A fair price for work and fears such.
I picked up my wheelbarrow and rolled it away from here. I barely held out so as not to run away from here. And then, while here he was engaged in business, two carriages arrived, with emblems. And the dozen guides who stood on the steps stared at him with obvious suspicion. And then, the crew door opened, and the unfortunate Fedor saw the smiling face of Princess Glinskaya, Elizabeth Ivanovna herself.
The unfortunate batman almost spat out of annoyance, but came to his senses in time, bowed so low. And Glinskaya beckoned him with her finger. Fedor, with a wheelbarrow, approached closer.
— What is there, your owner does not come to visit me? I heard that Alexey will be present at the concert today? Is the master yours?
— Exactly so… — Fedor answered uncertainly.
“You’ll give him that note, please. And in words, let him stay in the lobby, wait for me. Did you understand well?
— As you please, your ladyship…
— Wow, you for your work.
— So of course, — the batman answered cheerfully, having received another coin, — I will fulfill everything, in the best possible form.
— Right, go.
Fedor wiped the sweat from his nose with his sleeve, but quickly went back to his home. I thought, otherwise, he won’t have to meet anyone else, so for sure, until the end of the day. The greed car jumped on bumps, but the batman did not pay attention to such small obstacles. He walked, but looked around, all expecting what else could happen to him here. However, God was merciful, and the batman fatally rolled his load to the fence of the theater. And, then I heard the long-awaited words of the master:
— And, Fedor, the sight of the master suits you.
Denshchik turned around, habitually removed the cap from his head and bowed. Hesitating a little, he replied:
— All that you are joking, master… But now, that’s it, for Alexander Ivanovich. He brought it as promised.
— Let me look, — the junker continued impatiently, — do not pull…
— So here, in the tub, everything is laid out, in the best possible way.
Burlin opened the paper, freed the bundle. He gasped only, pricking his fingers with spikes on the stem. He nodded to Albrecht, who was standing next to him. He looked at these seven beautiful roses with pleasure, then carefully wrapped them in colored paper and took them away.
— Well, thank you, Fedor.
And not just a “thank you,” but another whole one was felt in his tenacious hand by the batman. He was now extremely pleased with himself.
“Right word, today is absolutely wonderful, he thought, — he earned no less than four rubles. Yes, and a real chervonets, from the kindest Natalia Petrovna… And, here, I forgot to give the letter, the head is garden…”
— Barin, master! Fedka shouted, and ran with all his feet, catching up with Burlin.
He ran, so he did not immediately catch his breath, and, looking around, pulled off his cap, and from under the lining, solemnly handed the message to Burlin.
— So Alexey Mikhailovich, a letter to you, from Elizaveta Ivanovna. And in words, here, she said to wait for her in the lobby. I can’t know what it is.
“Be quiet, fool,” Alexey almost whispered.
— So silent, your nobility. Always and about everything.
— Go home, eat, rest, — Burlin added in another tone, — yes, keep quiet, look.. That’s it, go away quickly, do not pillar.
Resolutely, the day was not bad. as Fedor finally decided. They shouted, but for that, they send home to eat and sleep. No, he will certainly cope with such an order, grinning, decided for himself the batman.
***
Burlin, with a troubled conscience, eluded his comrades who rushed to the buffet. The selected guests of this action proceeded to the boxes. Juncker was able to look around a little, being left alone for now. Well, not to count two footmen standing at the entrance?
This theater, built for the imperial family in Peterhof, was called proudly “Opera House’. This masterpiece was erected by the great Rasstrelli himself during the reign of Elizaveta Petrovna. The building adjoined the Western fence of the Upper Garden, and looked very picturesque. Even the entrance itself was good, with ceilings decorated with stucco and murals. As Burlin understood, the artist depicted Melpomene herself and her exploits. More, in the amorous field than in the field of art.
— Come here, Alexey, — the lady spoke strictly and exactingly.
It was difficult not to recognize Princess Glinskaya, in such a beautiful outfit. Elizaveta Ivanovna is incredibly good now, in this dress made of silver brocade.
She quickly opened a small door, jerked her young gentleman inside, and quickly entered herself, and locked this shelter from the inside.
— Are you cute? Elizaveta Alekseevna demanded, wanting praise for herself.
The room was small, with a window tightly curtained with dark curtains. On the table, as if hidden in one corner, a lantern burned, flooding this shelter with reddish light. And against the wall, taking up most of the space, a bed shone in gold. A kind of work, as if coming from Poussin’s paintings. On the bedspread, picturesquely sagging to the floor, Glinskaya sat down.
— And so cute cavalier will stand? she cooed, I waited.
The lady was not going to wait long, took Alexei’s hand, and dug into his lips with a long kiss. Burlin felt the sweet taste of lipstick and the smell of his lady’s real perfume.
***
— Well, that’s it, my handsome man, go to your cadets, — the woman whispered.
She carefully rubbed his face from the traces of ardent kisses. Alexey helped tighten the lady’s corset, she jokingly lured herself onto it with a fan and smiled.
“We must go. In the week, I will help quench your ardor, my dear knight. And now, we need to be in time in the box. Stats-dama is dressed, — she noticed, looking at her small watch in a gold frame.
Alexey quickly left, passed the foyer, and was able to enter from the other side of the building. He went through the buffet to the auditorium, to the gallery. Here, in the twilight, stood his friends, and the cadets of other guards regiments.
And from the stage, built with incredible decorations by Rasstrelli himself, the beautiful Isabella Lancini sang. The sound of her angelic voice was reflected from the walls, covered with gilding, from the figured ceiling. The musicians of the orchestra brought out the divine aria of Beranadetto Marcello, “The Flame of the Heart” “Quella fiamma che m’assende,”. . “From the heart of the flame in my soul is warmly poured, and I will not let him die out.”
Il miobel foco,
my passion fire,
denza cangiar mai tempre,
will never go out…
He listened, and could not take his eyes off the source of such a sweet song. Poems, music, as if it were about him, about what he felt now, felt with all his heart…
“Quella fiamma che m’assende,
The flame that burns me will never go out,
piace tanto all’alma mia,
So dear to my soul…
And he is not alone, all the spectators who gathered in the hall that evening simply froze in admiration. The song was like a prayer ascended by an Angel to God, and this Angel was standing on stage now. Isabella fell silent, having finished singing, tried to catch her breath.
And then Albrecht managed with a bouquet of lush scarlet roses. Junker bowed gracefully, and handed them to Senorita Lancini. She took them with both hands, as if the greatest gift. It was so amazing — red roses, tinted by the brilliance of the red brocade of her dress. Like the scarlet blood of the heart spilled on gold. The audience erupted in applause, everyone stood up, unable to hide their admiration. They brought whole baskets of flowers, but all this was not as bright and not as bold as with Albrecht’s bouquet. It looked like a kind of something important and beautiful, but only as a copy.
Actually, part of the applause was intended for this brave cadet, who was able to show the general experiences and admiration of the audience. Well, Burlin, only recently held captive by Cupid, was infinitely glad that he was here, in these moments. Well, Albrecht returned to the gallery.
“Albrecht, you are magnificent,” Comrade Minich praised.
— This was the act of a true cavalry guard, — Kropotkin also appreciated.
The rest of the cadets, in abundance of feelings, only shook hands with their comrade. Well, he himself, quietly said to Alexei:
— I owe you a lot, Burlin.
The concert continued, the singer with her heavenly voice led the audience farther and farther, as if into a wonderful paradise garden.
***
The concert ended, but the merry junkers settled down here, next to the theater. Rather, in the thickets of bushes adjacent to the building. Timrot got hold of a couple of bottles of wine, and junkers were applied to this dionysal moisture until they were completely emptied.
— Listen, Albrecht, — Timrot broadcast again, — here, next to it is an exit for theater ministers. Your beauty will come out, fall in front of her legs, ask for leniency. Why suffer so much?
— Yes, you should show madness, — Minich said uncertainly, — The regulation obliges..
His drunk wine penetrated more than others, he turned very red and often smiled. Repents, for no reason. However, he has not yet rampaged. The romantic hero himself was now silent.
An elegant black carriage drove up to the entrance, without emblems, but with rich and prominent horses drawn into it. Three ministers jumped off the steps, in dark clothes. Simple, philistine, but well sewn. They, these people, quickly, without a doubt and koleani, entered the door of the theater, as if to their home. We returned quickly, but not alone. Here Alexey shuddered, and Albrecht rushed forward, but he was stopped by Timrot and Minich.
— Wait, we are even without weapons. And these, they did not forget about pistols, — Minikh commanded, — Kropotkin, you are driving behind a carriage, without losing sight. And we, now, will capture sabers, raincoats and pistols. It will be stupid if we are recognized. Drive, Timrot, hurry.
— I’ll be back quickly!
Junker disappeared into the bushes, rushed to the horses standing at the leash. Only the roar of hooves on the ground could be heard.
— What did you think, Baron?
— Albrecht, we took the oath… — answered Minich, — But, as true knights, we can help not fall too low to Tsesarevich. And, our dignity will not suffer. And we will save the radiant person from this sin.
Kropotkin threw a frock coat over the stake, and drove after the black crew of the kidnappers.
Tsesarevich often behaved unworthily. He slandered his wife, Anna Fedorovna, slandered her, they say, she is in connection with captain Ivan Linev. What is even more shameful is that Linev served in the Cavalier Guard regiment. And Konstantin Pavlovich was now comforted in the arms of Princess Zhanetta Chetvertinskaya, like his brother Alexander, in the company of his sister, Maria Antonovna Naryshkina. The vile incident with Madame Araujo was heard by the whole world, as was her terrible death. So everyone knew the name of Major General Karl Fedorovich Bour, adjutant Konstantin Pavlovich, a participant in all these nastiness. It was just incredible, a descendant of an associate of Peter the Great, was involved in such worthless things.
— I will not let this happen, do not even hope! Albrecht whispered.
Minich nodded, agreeing. Actually, Burlin was entirely on the side of his comrade. They were simply obliged to act. And to stand and wait was simply unbearable.
— Here, gentlemen, brought everything! Timrot shouted triumphantly
Junker dropped two large coolies to the ground, one of which rang guho with steel. Minich turned his cool, looked at his sabers.
— Timrot, what crypt did you get it from? Blades are one hundred years old!
— What should I do? He took it off the walls. I couldn’t go to the tseikhgauz, I’m afraid. You can’t agree with the wahmister. I don’t want to spend another month in four walls.
— You are an excellent student with us, Timrot, — Minich praised him with a laugh, — now, hurry!
***
It has already begun to darken. Yes, such clothes, black and gray, were by the way, especially for such already dense dusk. They rode quickly, not sparing their thousandth horses. But for no reason, Minich raised his hand, urging him to stop.
— What is it? Albrecht asked impatiently, pale as death itself.
— Vot, Kropotkin’s stallion. Hurry up, gentlemen. Who will stay here to guard the horses? I suggest Essen.
— But, gentlemen…
“No time. Sorry, your friend decided so! Timrot muttered.
And young people, with sabers bald, moved along the path. Voices seem to be heard in the distance, and without saying a word, they moved on. Everything was perceived as a funny adventure. They did not doubt the success of this case.
— Do not fire from pistols right away, otherwise the young lady may suffer, — Timrot explained everything, — we will take a saber!
And their comrade came out to meet them, and led the horse about him.
“Are you here?” — the delighted Kropotkin noticed the cavalry guards, — here! They lead the girl to the hunting lodge! I followed them. But, carefully, I was not noticed!
“Well done to you. Okay, you can’t bother! Albrecht shouted, and rushed forward with a saber.
The rest did not even think. just ran after their mate. Who leaves friends in battle?
By a huge tree, they saw the unprecedented. Isabella was tied, tied, with her face covered with a sheet, only her black curls hanging out. The girl did not even break out, she was silent in exhaustion.
And these, three, with hidden faces, with swords in their hands, went to meet. Burlin, and not thinking about anything, only feeling the handle of an old blade in his hand, stood next to Albrecht, preparing to fight.
The tallest of them, raised his left hand up, and his right, with a sword in his hand. Slowly removed the mask from his face, and looked at the cavalry guards, without turning away.
— What do you say? Are you surprised, right? Yes, it happens. I see that you are so brave… And whoever wishes can cross a blade with me!
Albrecht, saluted with a saber, putting the hilt to his forehead, and stood in a rack, pointing the blade in front of him.
— What, I was always sure of you, junker. In your joy and valor. Well, it’s time for us, perhaps! said the man loudly, addressing his companions.
He never doubted his power. Self-confidence was just absolute, unshakable. He passed the cavalry guards, as if past inanimate marble statues in the Summer Garden.
Albrecht did not pay too much attention to this, but rushed to untie the Italian young lady from the tree. Burlin, putting the saber into the scabbard, was about to help, but Minich kept him.
— It is better to leave our George here alone with this Lesophia. The feat is accomplished, and there is no need to prevent the knight from receiving his reward. Gentlemen, we are right, we should leave, — Minikh broadcast confidently here.
Yes, this reckless junker was now clearly in his true hypostasis. Fun, fast, controlled very deftly, commanding comrades. But, no one was against it, they recognized his authority. Actually, they were happy to go after this young man.
— Minich, you are right, as always, — a little thought, added Kropotkin, — the true hero needs privacy. And good Essen will bring Rocinante to our knight. But what will we do? Will we report to the authorities? What do you say, Minich? And, Albrecht exposed the blade… How will it all end?
— Let’s go, gentlemen, what is there to stand… The character of this master is known to everyone… Albrecht will probably be asked to become an adjutant… It is clear that the epaulettes of the cornet have already been provided to him. And, most likely, he will be transferred to the first squadron, to the chef. Under the personal supervision of the highest persons.
— Why? Nevertheless, you exaggerate, Minich, — the junker said carelessly.
— It’s easy that he doesn’t talk too much. And forgot about today’s incident.