Page:Julian Niemcewicz - Notes of my Captivity in Russia.djvu/226

peared,” or, “Nothing can be done without the Archbishop of Nowogorod.” This was sufficient to make me guess the happy event which alone could break my chains. “The old fury is dead,” said I immediately to my servant, “and we shall soon be free. Take away, I cannot eat any more, and pay the greatest attention to every thing the soldiers say.” “It will be of no avail,” answered he, “as I have seen the Praporszczyk assembling them, and speaking to them with an air of importance and menace; there is no doubt of his ordering them to keep the secret.” I soon convinced myself that my Francis had not been deceived. After dinner, the officer went out, and all our soldiers were standing in the corridor, each at the door of his prisoner. When an event is concerned, which is to decide on our happiness, we would wish to have it a thousand times repeated and confirmed. Thus I was all ear. I took off my slippers, and approached the door on tiptoe to listen attentively. The silence which prevailed in the place was of great use to me on this occasion. I heard the soldiers say-