uty. He
ordered the blacksmith to rivet securely iron shackles on my feet. I was
then consigned to a small, dark dungeon, lighted only by a loop-hole,
barred with iron. This did not presage anything good, yet I did not lose
courage; for, having tasted the delight of prayer, offered by a heart
full of anguish, I fell asleep, without a thought for the morrow. The
next morning I was taken before the Commission. Two soldiers crossed
the yard with me, to the Commandant's dwelling. Stopping in the
ante-chamber, they let me proceed alone to the interior.

I entered quite a spacious room. At a table, covered with papers, sat
tow personages,--a General advanced in years, of stern aspect, and a
young officer of the Guards, of easy and agreeable manners. Near the
window, at another table, a secretary, pen on ear, bending over a paper,
was ready to take my deposition.

The interrogation began: "Your name and profession?" The General
asked if I was the son of Andrew Grineff, and upon my replying in the
affirmative, exclaimed: "It is a pity so honorable a man should have a
son so unworthy of him!"

I replied that I hoped to refute all charges against me, by a sincere
avowal of the truth. My assurance displeased him.

"You are a bold fellow," said he, frowning; "but we have seen others
like you."

The young officer asked how, and for what purpose I had entered the
rebel service.

I replied indignantly, that being an officer and a noble, I was
incapable of enlisting in the usurper's army, and had never served him
in any way.

"How is it," said my judge, "that the 'officer and noble' is the only
one spared by Pougatcheff? How is it that the 'officer and noble'
received presents from the chief rebel, of a horse and a pelisse?
Upon what is this intimacy founded, if not on treason, or at least
unpardonable cowardice?"

The words wounded me, and I undertook with warmth my own defense,
finally invoking the name of my General who could testify to my zeal
during the siege of Orenbourg. The severe old man took from the table an
open letter, and read:

"With regard to Ensign Griness, I have the honor to declare,
that he was in the service at Orenbourg from the month of
October, 1773, till the following February. Since then, he
has not presented himself."

Here the General said harshly: "What can you say now to justify your
conduct?"

My judges had listened with interest and even kindness, to the recital
of my