self; but why should I be a witness to the affair? What for? What is there strange, that people should choose to fight, may I ask? Thank goodness, I fought against the Swede and the Turk; there is nothing new in it." I endeavoured to explain the duties of a second, but Ivan Ignatitch was quite unable to comprehend me. "Do as you please," said he, "but if I were to assent to be mixed up in this affair, it would, perhaps, only be to go to Ivan Kouzmitch and report to him officially, that a crime is contemplated in the fortress, contrary to the interests of the Crown; and would the commandant be pleased to take the necessary measures . . . .?"
I became alarmed, and entreated Ivan Ignatitch "not to say anything to the commandant;" I prevailed upon him, with great difficulty, and having exacted his promise, I left.
The evening was spent, as usual, at the commandant's house. I tried to appear cheerful and unconcerned, so as not to excite suspicion, and to escape importunate questions; but I own I did not feel as unconcerned as persons in my position usually boast themselves to be. That evening, I felt sentimental and impressionable. Maria Ivanovna pleased me more than ever. The thought that I was perhaps looking upon her for the last time, added something touching to her appearance in my sight. Shvabrine was also there. I took him aside and apprised him of my conversation with Ivan Ignatitch. "What should we want seconds for?" said he, dryly; "we can do without them." It was convened that we should fight behind the haystacks in the vicinity of the fortress, the
