e only that exposed himself to all these misfortunes. If he did
not clear himself before his judges, it was because he would not drag
me before the authorities." Marie then related with warmth all that the
reader knows.

"Where do you lodge?" asked the lady, when the young girl had finished
her recital. Upon hearing that she was staying with the postmaster's
wife, she nodded, and said with a smile: "Ah! I know her. Adieu! tell no
one of our meeting. I hope you will not have long to wait for the answer
to your petition."

She rose and went away by a covered path. Marie went back to Anna's,
full of fair hope. The postmaster's wife was surprised that Marie took
so early a promenade, which might in Autumn, prove injurious to a young
girl's health. She brought the _Somovar_, and with her cup of tea was
going to relate one of her interminable stories, when a carriage with
the imperial escutcheon stopped before the door. A lackey, wearing the
imperial livery, entered and announced that her Majesty deigned to order
to her presence the daughter of Captain Mironoff!

"Ah!" exclaimed Anna, "the Empress orders you to Court! How did she know
you were with me? You can not present yourself--you do not know how to
walk in courtly fashion! I ought to go with you. Shall I not send to the
doctor's wife and get her yellow dress with flounces, for you?"

The lackey declared that he had orders to take Marie alone, just as
she was. Anna did not dare to disobey, and Marie set out. She had a
presentiment that her destiny was now to be decided. Her heart beat
violently. In a few minutes the carriage was at the palace, and Marie,
having crossed a long suite of apartments, vacant and sumptuous, entered
the _boudoir_ of the Empress. The nobles who surrounded their sovereign
respectfully made way for the young girl.

The Empress, in whom Marie recognized the lady of the garden, said,
graciously: "I am pleased to be able to grant your prayer. Convinced of
the innocence of your betrothed, I have arranged everything. Here is a
letter for your future father-in-law."

Marie, in tears, fell at the feet of the Empress, who raised her up and
kissed her, saying:

"I know that you are not rich; but I have to acquit myself of a debt
to the daughter of a brave man, Captain Mironoff." Treating Marie with
tenderness, the Empress dismissed her. That day Marie set out for my
father's country-seat, not having even glanced at Saint Petersburg.

*****