recognised the lady of the garden.

The tzarina spoke graciously to her, telling Marya that it was a
happiness to grant her prayer.

"I have had it all looked into, and I am convinced of the innocence of
your betrothed. Here is a letter for your father-in-law. Do not be
uneasy about the future. I know you are not rich, but I owe a debt to
the daughter of Captain Mironoff."

Marya, all in tears, fell at the feet of the tzarina, who raised her and
kissed her forehead. The tzarina almost overwhelmed the orphan before
she dismissed her.

That same day Marya hastened back to my father's house in the country,
without even having the curiosity to see the sights of Petersburg.

I was released from captivity at the end of the year 1774, and, as it
happened, I was present in Moscow when Pugatchef was executed in the
following year. The famous robber chief recognised me as I stood in the
crowd, and bade me farewell with a silent movement of his head. A few
moments later and the executioner held up the lifeless head for all the
people to look upon.

Chvabrine I never saw again after the day I was confronted with him at
my trial.

Soon after Pugatchef's death, Marya and I were married from my father's
house.

An autograph letter from the tzarina, Catherine II., framed and glazed,
is carefully preserved. It is addressed to the father of Peter Grineff,
and contains, with the acquittal of his son, many praises of the
intelligence and good heart of the daughter of Captain Mironoff.

* * * * *

FRANCOIS RABELAIS

Gargantua and Pantagruel

Francois Rabelais was born at Seuille in Touraine, France,
about 1483. Brought up in a Franciscan convent, he was made a
priest in 1520. During his monastic career he conceived a deep
and lasting contempt for monkish life, and he obtained
permission from the Pope to become a secular priest. He then
studied medicine, and became a physician. After wandering
about France for many years, he was appointed parish priest of
Meudon in 1551, and he died at Paris in 1553. "The Great and
Inestimable Chronicles of the Grand and Enormous Giant
Gargantua" ("Les Grandes et Inestimables Chroniques du Grande
et Enorme Geant Gargantua"), and its sequel, "Pantagruel,"
appeared between 1533 and 1564. Had these appeared during
Rabelais' life, his career would probably have been shorter
than it was,