But I had purposely forgotten my sword, and returned to fetch it; I had a presentiment that I should find Maria Ivanovna alone. Indeed, she met me at the door, and handed my sword to me.
"Good-bye, Piotr Andrevitch," said she, her eyes dim with tears; "I am sent away to Orenburg. May health and happiness attend you; perhaps, God willing, we may meet again, but if not"
Here she broke into sobs. I embraced her.
"Good-bye, my angel," said I, "good-bye, my dear one. Happen what may to me, believe that my last thought, my last prayer, will be for thee!"
Masha wept on my breast. I kissed her passionately, and hurried out of the room.
CHAPTER VII.
THE ASSAULT.
I did not sleep that night, nor indeed did I take off my clothes. It had been my intention to proceed at daylight to the gate of the fortress, at which Maria Ivanovna was to leave, and there bid her a last farewell. I felt that a great change had come over me; the agitation of my soul was far less painful to me than that depression, which I had so recently experienced. An undefined but sweet sensation, the impatient expectation of danger and a noble ambition, were all mingled with my sorrow at parting. The night passed away imperceptibly. I was
