,*APT] #ae 

#aidaid 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,L\ISE ,MAUDE 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,AYLM] ,MAUDE 

,TEXT 3 

,! REPORT WAS DISPAT*$ FROM ,TIFLIS ON ! #b#d? ( ,DECEMB] #a#h#e#a1 & ON ,NEW ,YE>'S ,EVE A C\RI]1 HAV+ OV]DRIV5 A DOZ5 HORSES & BEAT5 A DOZ5 DRIV]S TILL !Y BL$1 DELIV]$ IT TO ,PR9CE ,*]NY%OV :O AT ?AT TIME WAS ,M9I/] ( ,W>2 & ON ! #a/ ( ,JANU>Y #aheb ,*]NY%OV TOOK ,VORONTSOV'S REPORT1 AMONG O!R PAP]S1 TO ! ,EMP]OR ,NI*OLAS4 

,*]NY%OV DISLIK$ ,VORONTSOV BECAUSE ( ! G5]AL RESPECT 9 :I* ! LATT] WAS HELD & BECAUSE ( HIS IMM5SE WEAL?1 & ALSO BECAUSE ,VORONTSOV WAS A REAL >I/OCRAT :ILE ,*]NY%OV1 AFT] ALL1 WAS A P>V5U1 BUT ESPECIALLY BECAUSE ! ,EMP]OR WAS P>TICUL>LY WELL DISPOS$ T[>DS ,VORONTSOV4  ,!RE=E AT EV]Y OPPORTUNITY ,*]NY%OV TRI$ TO 9JURE ,VORONTSOV4 

,:5 HE HAD LA/ PRES5T$ ! REPORT AB\T ,CAUCASIAN AFFAIRS HE HAD SUCCE$$ 9 >\S+ ,NI*OLAS'S DISPLEASURE AGA9/ ,VORONTSOV BECAUSE -- ?R\< ! C>ELESSNESS ( ?OSE 9 COMM& -- ALMO/ ! :OLE ( A SMALL ,CAUCASIAN DETA*M5T HAD BE5 DE/ROY$ BY ! M\NTA9E]S4  ,HE N[ 9T5D$ TO PRES5T ! /EPS TAK5 BY ,VORONTSOV 9 RELATION TO ,HAJJI ,MURAD 9 AN UNFAVORABLE LI<T4  ,HE WI%$ TO SUGGE/ TO ! ,EMP]OR ?AT ,VORONTSOV ALWAYS PROTECT$ & EV5 9DULG$ ! NATIVES TO ! DETRIM5T ( ! ,RUSSIANS1 & ?AT HE HAD ACT$ UNWISELY 9 ALL[+ ,HAJJI ,MURAD TO REMA9 9 ! ,CAUCASUS = !RE WAS EV]Y REASON TO SUSPECT ?AT HE HAD ONLY COME OV] TO SPY ON \R MEANS ( DEF5SE1 & ?AT IT W\LD !RE=E BE BETT] TO TRANSPORT HIM TO ,C5TRAL ,RUSSIA & MAKE USE ( HIM ONLY AFT] HIS FAMILY HAD BE5 RESCU$ FROM ! M\NTA9E]S & IT HAD BECOME POSSIBLE TO CONV9CE \RSELVES ( HIS LOYALTY4 

,*]NY%OV'S PLAN DID NOT SUCCE$ M]ELY BECAUSE ON ?AT ,NEW ,YE>'S ,DAY ,NI*OLAS WAS 9 P>TICUL>LY BAD SPIRITS1 & \T ( P]V]SITY W\LD NOT HAVE ACCEPT$ ANY SUGGE/ION :ATEV] FROM ANYONE1 LEA/ ( ALL FROM ,*]NY%OV :OM HE ONLY TOL]AT$ -- REG>D+ HIM AS 9DISP5SABLE = ! TIME BE+ BUT LOOK+ UPON HIM AS A BLACKGU>D1 = ,NI*OLAS KNEW ( HIS 5DEAVORS AT ! TRIAL ( ! ,DECEMBRI/S TO SECURE ! CONVICTION ( ,ZA*>Y ,*]NY%OV1 & ( HIS ATTEMPT TO OBTA9 ,ZA*>Y'S PROP]TY = HIMSELF4  ,SO ?ANKS TO ,NI*OLAS'S ILL TEMP] ,HAJJI ,MURAD REMA9$ 9 ! ,CAUCASUS1 & HIS CIRCUM/ANCES W]E NOT *ANG$ AS !Y MI<T HAVE BE5 HAD ,*]NY%OV PRES5T$ HIS REPORT AT ANO!R TIME4 

,IT WAS HALF-PA/ N9E O'CLOCK :5 ?R\< ! MI/ ( ! COLD MORN+ 7! !RMOMET] %[$ #ac DEGREES BEL[ Z]O ,FAHR5HEIT7 ,*]NY%OV'S FAT1 BE>D$ COA*MAN1 SITT+ ON ! BOX ( A SMALL SL$GE 7LIKE ! ONE ,NI*OLAS DROVE AB\T 97 ) A %>P-ANGL$1 CU%ION-%AP$ AZURE VELVET CAP ON HIS HEAD1 DREW UP AT ! 5TRANCE ( ! ,W9T] ,PALACE & GAVE A FRI5DLY NOD TO HIS *UM1 ,PR9CE ,DOLGORUKY'S COA*MAN -- :O HAV+ BR\<T HIS MA/] TO ! PALACE HAD HIMSELF LONG BE5 WAIT+ \TSIDE1 9 HIS BIG COAT ) ! ?ICKLY WADD$ SKIRTS1 SITT+ ON ! RE9S & RUBB+ HIS NUMB$ H&S TOGE!R4  ,*]NY%OV HAD ON A LONG CLOAK ) A L>GE CAP & A FLUFFY COLL> ( SILV] BEAV]1 & A REGULATION ?REE-CORN]$ HAD ) COCKS' FEA!RS4  ,HE ?REW BACK ! BE>SK9 APRON ( ! SL$GE & C>EFULLY DIS5GAG$ HIS *ILL$ FEET1 ON :I* HE HAD NO OV]-%OES 7HE PRID$ HIMSELF ON NEV] WE>+ ANY74  ,CLANK+ HIS SPURS ) AN AIR ( BRAVADO HE ASC5D$ ! C>PET$ /EPS & PASS$ ?R\< ! HALL DOOR :I* WAS RESPECTFULLY OP5$ = HIM BY ! PORT]1 & 5T]$ ! HALL4  ,HAV+ ?R[N (F HIS CLOAK :I* AN OLD ,C\RT LACKEY HURRI$ =W>D TO TAKE1 HE W5T TO A MIRROR & C>EFULLY REMOV$ ! HAT FROM HIS CURL$ WIG4  ,LOOK+ AT HIMSELF 9 ! MIRROR1 HE >RANG$ ! HAIR ON HIS TEMPLES & ! TUFT ABOVE HIS =EHEAD ) AN ACCU/OM$ MOVEM5T ( HIS OLD H&S1 & ADJU/$ HIS CROSS1 ! %\LD]-KNOTS ( HIS UNI=M1 & HIS L>GE-9ITIAL$ EPAULETS1 & !N W5T UP ! G5TLY ASC5D+ C>PET$ /AIRS1 HIS NOT V]Y RELIABLE OLD LEGS FEEBLY M\NT+ ! %ALL[ /EPS4  ,PASS+ ! ,C\RT LACKEYS 9 GALA LIV]Y :O /OOD OBSEQUI\SLY B[+1 ,*]NY%OV 5T]$ ! WAIT+-ROOM4  ,HE WAS RESPECTFULLY MET BY A NEWLY APPO9T$ AIDE- DE-CAMP ( ! ,EMP]OR'S 9 A %9+ NEW UNI=M ) EPAULETS & %\LD]-KNOTS1 :OSE FACE WAS /ILL FRE% & ROSY & :O HAD A SMALL BLACK MU/A*E1 & ! HAIR ON HIS TEMPLES BRU%$ T[>DS HIS EYES 9 ! SAME WAY AS ! ,EMP]OR4 

,PR9CE ,VASILI ,DOLGORUKY1 ,ASSI/ANT-,M9I/] ( ,W>1 ) AN EXPRESSION ( 5NUI ON HIS DULL FACE -- :I* WAS ORNAM5T$ ) SIMIL> :ISK]S1 MU/A*ES1 & TEMPLE TUFTS BRU%$ =W>D LIKE ,NI*OLAS'S -- GREET$ HIM4 

0,L'EMP]EUR80 SAID ,*]NY%OV1 ADDRESS+ ! AIDE-DE-CAMP & LOOK+ 9QUIR+LY T[>DS ! DOOR LEAD+ TO ! CAB9ET4 

0,SA MAJE/E VI5T DE R5TR]10 REPLI$ ! AIDE-DE-CAMP1 EVID5TLY 5JOY+ ! S\ND ( HIS [N VOICE1 & /EPP+ SO S(TLY & /EADILY ?AT HAD A TUMBL] ( WAT] BE5 PLAC$ ON HIS HEAD NONE ( IT W\LD HAVE BE5 SPILL$1 HE APPROA*$ ! DOOR & DISAPPE>$1 HIS :OLE BODY EV9C+ REV]5CE = ! SPOT HE WAS AB\T TO VISIT4 

,DOLGORUKY MEAN:ILE OP5$ HIS PORTFOLIO TO SEE ?AT IT CONTA9$ ! NECESS>Y PAP]S1 :ILE ,*]NY%OV1 FR[N+1 PAC$ UP & D[N TO RE/ORE ! CIRCULATION 9 HIS NUMB$ FEET1 & ?\<T OV] :AT HE WAS AB\T TO REPORT TO ! ,EMP]OR4  ,HE WAS NE> ! DOOR ( ! CAB9ET :5 IT OP5$ AGA9 & ! AIDE- DE-CAMP1 EV5 MORE RADIANT & RESPECTFUL ?AN BE=E1 CAME \T & ) A GE/URE 9VIT$ ! M9I/] & HIS ASSI/ANT TO 5T]4 

,! ,W9T] ,PALACE HAD BE5 REBUILT AFT] A FIRE SOME CONSID]ABLE TIME BE=E ?IS1 BUT ,NI*OLAS WAS /ILL OCCUPY+ ROOMS 9 ! UPP] /ORY4  ,! CAB9ET 9 :I* HE RECEIV$ ! REPORTS ( HIS M9I/]S & O!R HI< (FICIALS WAS A V]Y L(TY AP>TM5T ) F\R L>GE W9D[S4  ,A BIG PORTRAIT ( ! ,EMP]OR ,ALEX&] ,I HUNG ON ! FRONT SIDE ( ! ROOM4  ,TWO BUREAUX /OOD BETWE5 ! W9D[S1 & SEV]AL *AIRS W]E RANG$ ALONG ! WALLS4  ,9 ! MIDDLE ( ! ROOM WAS AN 5ORM\S WRIT+ TABLE & AN >M *AIR BE=E IT = ,NI*OLAS1 & O!R *AIRS = ?OSE TO :OM HE GAVE AUDI5CE4 

,NI*OLAS SAT AT ! TABLE 9 A BLACK COAT ) %\LD]- /RAPS BUT NO EPAULETS1 HIS 5ORM\S BODY -- ) HIS OV]GR[N /OMA* TI<TLY LAC$ 9 -- WAS ?R[N BACK1 & HE GAZ$ AT ! NEWCOM]S ) FIX$1 LIFELESS EYES4  ,HIS LONG PALE FACE1 ) ITS 5ORM\S REC$+ =EHEAD BETWE5 ! TUFTS ( HAIR :I* W]E BRU%$ =W>D & SKILLFULLY JO9$ TO ! WIG ?AT COV]$ HIS BALD PAT*1 WAS SPECIALLY COLD & /ONY ?AT DAY4  ,HIS EYES1 ALWAYS DIM1 LOOK$ DULL] ?AN USUAL1 ! COMPRESS$ LIPS UND] HIS UPTURN$ MU/A*ES1 ! HI< COLL> :I* SUPPORT$ HIS *91 & HIS FAT FRE%LY %AV5 *EEKS ON :I* SYMMETRICAL SAUSAGE-%AP$ BITS ( :ISK]S HAD BE5 LEFT1 GAVE HIS FACE A DISSATISFI$ & EV5 IRATE EXPRESSION4  ,HIS BAD MOOD WAS CAUS$ BY FATIGUE1 DUE TO ! FACT ?AT HE HAD BE5 TO A MASQU]ADE ! NI<T BE=E1 & :ILE WALK+ AB\T AS WAS HIS WONT 9 HIS ,HORSE ,GU>DS' UNI=M ) A BIRD ON ! HELMET1 AMONG ! PUBLIC :I* CR[D$ R\ND & TIMIDLY MADE WAY = HIS 5ORM\S1 SELF-ASSUR$ FIGURE1 HE HAD AGA9 MET ! MASK :O AT ! PREVI\S MASQU]ADE HAD >\S$ HIS S5ILE S5SUALITY BY H] :IT5ESS1 H] BEAUTIFUL FIGURE1 & H] T5D] VOICE4  ,AT ?AT =M] MASQU]ADE %E HAD DISAPPE>$ AFT] PROMIS+ TO MEET HIM AT ! NEXT ONE4 

,AT YE/]DAY'S MASQU]ADE %E HAD COME UP TO HIM1 & ?IS TIME HE HAD NOT LET H] GO1 BUT HAD L$ H] TO ! BOX SPECIALLY KEPT READY = ?AT PURPOSE1 :]E HE C\LD BE ALONE ) H]4  ,HAV+ >RIV$ 9 SIL5CE AT ! DOOR ( ! BOX ,NI*OLAS LOOK$ R\ND TO F9D ! ATT5DANT1 BUT HE WAS NOT !RE4  ,HE FR[N$ & PU%$ ! DOOR OP5 HIMSELF1 LETT+ ! LADY 5T] FIR/4 

0,IL Y A QUELQ'UN60 SAID ! MASK1 /OPP+ %ORT4 

,& ! BOX ACTUALLY WAS OCCUPI$4  ,ON ! SMALL VELVET- COV]$ S(A1 CLOSE TOGE!R1 SAT AN ,UHLAN (FIC] & A PRETTY1 FAIR CURLY-HAIR$ Y\NG WOMAN 9 A DOM9O1 :O HAD REMOV$ H] MASK4  ,ON CAT*+ SI<T ( ! ANGRY FIGURE ( ,NI*OLAS DRAWN UP TO ITS FULL HEI<T1 %E QUICKLY REPLAC$ H] MASK1 BUT ! ,UHLAN (FIC]1 RIGID ) FE>1 GAZ$ AT ,NI*OLAS ) FIX$ EYES )\T RIS+ FROM ! S(A4 

,US$ AS HE WAS TO ! T]ROR HE 9SPIR$ 9 O!RS1 ?AT T]ROR ALWAYS PLEAS$ ,NI*OLAS1 & BY WAY ( CONTRA/ HE SOMETIMES LIK$ TO A/\ND ?OSE PLUNG$ 9 T]ROR BY ADDRESS+ K9DLY WORDS TO !M4  ,HE DID SO ON ?IS OCCASION4 

0,WELL1 FRI5D60 SAID HE TO ! (FIC]1 0,Y\ >E Y\NG] ?AN ,I & MI<T GIVE UP Y\R PLACE TO ME40 

,! (FIC] JUMP$ TO HIS FEET1 & GR[+ FIR/ PALE & !N R$ & B5D+ ALMO/ D\BLE1 HE FOLL[$ HIS P>TN] SIL5TLY \T ( ! BOX1 LEAV+ ,NI*OLAS ALONE ) HIS LADY4 

,%E PROV$ TO BE A PRETTY1 TW5TY-YE>-OLD VIRG91 ! DAU<T] ( A ,SW$I% GOV]NESS4  ,%E TOLD ,NI*OLAS H[ :5 QUITE A *ILD %E HAD FALL5 9 LOVE ) HIM FROM HIS PORTRAITS2 H[ %E ADOR$ HIM & HAD MADE UP H] M9D TO ATTRACT HIS ATT5TION AT ANY CO/4  ,N[ %E HAD SUCCE$$ & WANT$ NO?+ MORE -- SO %E SAID4 

,! GIRL WAS TAK5 TO ! PLACE :]E ,NI*OLAS USUALLY HAD R5DEZV\S ) WOM51 & !RE HE SP5T MORE ?AN AN H\R ) H]4 

,:5 HE RETURN$ TO HIS ROOM ?AT NI<T & LAY ON ! H>D N>R[ B$ AB\T :I* HE PRID$ HIMSELF1 & COV]$ HIMSELF ) ! CLOAK :I* HE CONSID]$ TO BE 7& SPOKE ( AS BE+7 AS FAM\S AS ,NAPOLEON'S HAT1 IT WAS A LONG TIME BE=E HE C\LD FALL ASLEEP4  ,HE ?\<T N[ ( ! FRI<T5$ & ELAT$ EXPRESSION ON ?AT GIRL'S FAIR FACE1 & N[ ( ! FULL1 P[]FUL %\LD]S ( HIS E/ABLI%$ MI/RESS1 ,NELIDOVA1 & HE COMP>$ ! TWO4  ,?AT PR(LIGACY 9 A M>RI$ MAN WAS A BAD ?+ DID NOT ONCE 5T] HIS HEAD1 & HE W\LD HAVE BE5 GREATLY SURPRIS$ HAD ANYONE C5SUR$ HIM = IT4  ,YET ?\< CONV9C$ ?AT HE HAD ACT$ RI<TLY1 SOME K9D ( UNPLEASANT AFT]-TA/E REMA9$1 & TO /IFLE ?AT FEEL+ HE DWELT ON A ?\<T ?AT ALWAYS TRANQUILIZ$ HIM -- ! ?\<T ( HIS [N GREATNESS4 

,?\< HE HAD FALL5 ASLEEP SO LATE1 HE ROSE BE=E EI<T1 & AFT] ATT5D+ TO HIS TOILET 9 ! USUAL WAY -- RUBB+ HIS BIG WELL-F$ BODY ALL OV] ) ICE -- & SAY+ HIS PRAY]S 7REPEAT+ ?OSE HE HAD BE5 US$ TO FROM *ILDHOOD -- ! PRAY] TO ! ,VIRG91 ! APO/LES' ,CRE$1 & ! ,LORD'S ,PRAY]1 )\T ATTA*+ ANY K9D ( MEAN+ TO ! WORDS HE UTT]$71 HE W5T \T ?R\< ! SMALL] PORTICO ( ! PALACE ONTO ! EMBANKM5T 9 HIS MILIT>Y CLOAK & CAP4 

,ON ! EMBANKM5T HE MET A /UD5T 9 ! UNI=M ( ! ,S*OOL ( ,JURISPRUD5CE1 :O WAS AS 5ORM\S AS HIMSELF4  ,ON RECOGNIZ+ ! UNI=M ( ?AT S*OOL1 :I* HE DISLIK$ = ITS FRE$OM ( ?\<T1 ,NI*OLAS FR[N$1 BUT ! /ATURE ( ! /UD5T & ! PA9/AK+ MANN] 9 :I* HE DREW HIMSELF UP & SALUT$1 O/5TATI\SLY /ICK+ \T HIS ELB[1 MOLLIFI$ HIS DISPLEASURE4 

0,Y\R NAME80 SAID HE4 

0,POLOSATOV1 Y\R ,IMP]IAL ,MAJE/Y40 

0444F9E FELL[60 

,! /UD5T CONT9U$ TO /& ) HIS H& LIFT$ TO HIS HAT4 

,NI*OLAS /OPP$4 

0,DO Y\ WI% TO 5T] ! >MY80 

0,NOT AT ALL1 Y\R ,IMP]IAL ,MAJE/Y40 

0,BLOCKHEAD60  ,& ,NI*OLAS TURN$ AWAY & CONT9U$ HIS WALK1 & BEGAN UTT]+ AL\D ! FIR/ WORDS ?AT CAME 9TO HIS HEAD4 

0,KOP]V9E444,KOP]V9E -- 0 HE REPEAT$ SEV]AL TIMES 7IT WAS ! NAME ( YE/]DAY'S GIRL74  0,HORRID 444 HORRID -- 0 ,HE DID NOT ?9K ( :AT HE WAS SAY+1 BUT /IFL$ HIS FEEL+S BY LI/5+ TO ! WORDS4 

0,YES1 :AT W\LD ,RUSSIA BE )\T ME80 SAID HE1 FEEL+ HIS =M] DISSATISFACTION RETURN+4  0,:AT W\LD -- NOT ,RUSSIA ALONE BUT ,EUROPE BE1 )\T ME80 & CALL+ TO M9D ! WEAKNESS & /UPIDITY ( HIS BRO!R-9-LAW ! ,K+ ( ,PRUSSIA1 HE %OOK HIS HEAD4 

,AS HE WAS RETURN+ TO ! SMALL PORTICO1 HE SAW ! C>RIAGE ( ,HEL5A ,PAVLOVNA1 ) A R$-LIV]I$ FOOTMAN1 APPROA*+ ! ,SALTYKOV 5TRANCE ( ! PALACE4 

,HEL5A ,PAVLOVNA WAS TO HIM ! P]SONIFICATION ( ?AT FUTILE CLASS ( PEOPLE :O DISCUSS$ NOT M]ELY SCI5CE & POETRY1 BUT EV5 ! WAYS ( GOV]N+ M53  IMAG9+ ?AT !Y C\LD GOV]N !MSELVES BETT] ?AN HE1 ,NI*OLAS1 GOV]N$ !M6  ,HE KNEW ?AT H[EV] MU* HE CRU%$ SU* PEOPLE !Y REAPPE>$ AGA9 & AGA91 & HE RECALL$ HIS BRO!R1 ,MI*AEL ,PAVLOVI*1 :O HAD DI$ NOT LONG BE=E4  ,A FEEL+ ( SADNESS & VEXATION CAME OV] HIM & ) A D>K FR[N HE AGA9 BEGAN :ISP]+ ! FIR/ WORDS ?AT CAME 9TO HIS HEAD1 :I* HE ONLY CEAS$ DO+ :5 HE RE5T]$ ! PALACE4 

,ON REA*+ HIS AP>TM5TS HE SMOO!D HIS :ISK]S & ! HAIR ON HIS TEMPLES & ! WIG ON HIS BALD PAT*1 & TWI/$ HIS MU/A*ES UPW>DS 9 FRONT ( ! MIRROR1 & !N W5T /RAI<T TO ! CAB9ET 9 :I* HE RECEIV$ REPORTS4 

,HE FIR/ RECEIV$ ,*]NY%OV1 :O AT ONCE SAW BY HIS FACE1 & ESPECIALLY BY HIS EYES1 ?AT ,NI*OLAS WAS 9 A P>TICUL>LY BAD HUMOR ?AT DAY1 & KN[+ AB\T ! ADV5TURE ( ! NI<T BE=E HE UND]/OOD ! CAUSE4  ,HAV+ COLDLY GREET$ HIM & 9VIT$ HIM TO SIT D[N1 ,NI*OLAS FIX$ ON HIM A LIFELESS GAZE4  ,! FIR/ MATT] ,*]NY%OV REPORT$ UPON WAS A CASE ( EMBEZZLEM5T BY COMMISS>IAT (FICIALS :I* HAD JU/ BE5 DISCOV]$2 ! NEXT WAS ! MOVEM5T ( TROOPS ON ! ,PRUSSIAN FRONTI]2 !N CAME A LI/ ( REW>DS TO BE GIV5 AT ! ,NEW ,YE> TO SOME PEOPLE OMITT$ FROM A =M] LI/2 !N ,VORONTSOV'S REPORT AB\T ,HAJJI ,MURAD2 & LA/LY SOME UNPLEASANT BUS9ESS CONC]N+ AN ATTEMPT BY A /UD5T ( ! ,ACADEMY ( ,M$IC9E ON ! LIFE ( A PR(ESSOR4 

,NI*OLAS HE>D ! REPORT ( ! EMBEZZLEM5T SIL5TLY ) COMPRESS$ LIPS1 HIS L>GE :ITE H& -- ) ONE R+ ON ! F\R? F+] -- /ROK+ SOME %EETS ( PAP]1 & HIS EYES /EADILY FIX$ ON ,*]NY%OV'S =EHEAD & ON ! TUFT ( HAIR ABOVE IT4 

,NI*OLAS WAS CONV9C$ ?AT EV]YBODY /OLE4  ,HE KNEW HE W\LD HAVE TO PUNI% ! COMMISS>IAT (FICIALS N[1 & DECID$ TO S5D !M ALL TO S]VE 9 ! RANKS1 BUT HE ALSO KNEW ?AT ?IS W\LD NOT PREV5T ?OSE :O SUCCE$$ !M FROM ACT+ 9 ! SAME WAY4  ,IT WAS A *>ACT]I/IC ( (FICIALS TO /EAL1 BUT IT WAS HIS DUTY TO PUNI% !M = DO+ SO1 & TIR$ AS HE WAS ( ?AT DUTY HE CONSCI5TI\SLY P]=M$ IT4 

0,IT SEEMS !RE IS ONLY ONE HONE/ MAN 9 ,RUSSIA60 SAID HE4 

,*]NY%OV AT ONCE UND]/OOD ?AT ?IS ONE HONE/ MAN WAS ,NI*OLAS HIMSELF1 & SMIL$ APPROV+LY4 

0,IT LOOKS LIKE IT1 Y\R ,IMP]IAL ,MAJE/Y10 SAID HE4 

0,LEAVE IT -- ,I WILL GIVE A DECISION10 SAID ,NI*OLAS1 TAK+ ! DOCUM5T & PUTT+ IT ON ! LEFT SIDE ( ! TABLE4  

,!N ,*]NY%OV  REPORT$ ! REW>DS TO BE GIV5 & AB\T MOV+ ! >MY ON ! ,PRUSSIAN FRONTI]4 

,NI*OLAS LOOK$ OV] ! LI/ & /RUCK \T SOME NAMES1 & !N BRIEFLY & FIRMLY GAVE ORD]S TO MOVE TWO DIVISIONS TO ! ,PRUSSIAN FRONTI]4  ,HE C\LD NOT =GIVE ! ,K+ ( ,PRUSSIA = GRANT+ A ,CON/ITUTION TO HIS PEOPLE AFT] ! EV5TS ( #a#h#d#h1 & !RE=E :ILE EXPRESS+ MO/ FRI5DLY FEEL+S TO HIS BRO!R-9-LAW 9 LETT]S & CONV]SATION1 HE CONSID]$ IT NECESS>Y TO KEEP AN >MY NE> ! FRONTI] 9 CASE ( NE$4  ,HE MI<T WANT TO USE !SE TROOPS TO DEF5D HIS BRO!R-9-LAW'S ?RONE IF ! PEOPLE ( ,PRUSSIA REBELL$ 7,NI*OLAS SAW A READ9ESS = REBELLION EV]Y:]E7 AS HE HAD US$ TROOPS TO SUPPRESS ! RIS+ 9 ,HUNG>Y A FEW YE>S PREVI\SLY4  !Y W]E ALSO ( USE TO GIVE MORE WEI<T & 9FLU5CE TO SU* ADVICE AS HE GAVE TO ! ,K+ ( ,PRUSSIA4 

0,YES -- :AT W\LD ,RUSSIA BE LIKE N[ IF IT W]E NOT = ME80 HE AGA9 ?\<T4 

0,WELL1 :AT ELSE IS !RE80 SAID HE4 

0,A C\RI] FROM ! ,CAUCASUS10 SAID ,*]NY%OV1 & HE REPORT$ :AT ,VORONTSOV HAD WRITT5 AB\T ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S SURR5D]4 

0,WELL1 WELL60 SAID ,NI*OLAS4  0,IT'S A GOOD BEG9N+60 

0,EVID5TLY ! PLAN DEVIS$ BY Y\R ,MAJE/Y BEG9S TO BE> FRUIT10 SAID ,*]NY%OV4 

?IS APPROVAL ( HIS /RATEGIC TAL5TS WAS P>TICUL>LY PLEASANT TO ,NI*OLAS BECAUSE1 ?\< HE PRID$ HIMSELF UPON !M1 AT ! BOTTOM ( HIS HE>T HE KNEW ?AT !Y DID NOT REALLY EXI/1 & HE N[ DESIR$ TO HE> MORE DETAIL$ PRAISE ( HIMSELF4 

0,H[ DO Y\ MEAN80 HE ASK$4 

0,I MEAN ?AT IF Y\R ,MAJE/Y'S PLANS HAD BE5 ADOPT$ BE=E1 & WE HAD MOV$ =W>D SL[LY & /EADILY1 CUTT+ D[N =E/S & DE/ROY+ ! SUPPLIES ( FOOD1 ! ,CAUCASUS W\LD HAVE BE5 SUBJUGAT$ LONG AGO4  ,I ATTRIBUTE ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S SURR5D] 5TIRELY TO HIS HAV+ COME TO ! CONCLUSION ?AT !Y CAN HOLD \T NO LONG]40 

0,TRUE10 SAID ,NI*OLAS4 

,AL?\< ! PLAN ( A GRADUAL ADVANCE 9TO ! 5EMY'S T]RITORY BY MEANS ( FELL+ =E/S & DE/ROY+ ! FOOD SUPPLIES WAS ,]MOLOV'S & ,VELYAM9OV'S PLAN1 & WAS QUITE CONTR>Y TO ,NI*OLAS'S [N PLAN ( SEIZ+ ,%AMIL'S PLACE ( RESID5CE & DE/ROY+ ?AT NE/ ( ROBB]S -- :I* WAS ! PLAN ON :I* ! D>GO EXP$ITION 9 #ahde 7?AT CO/ SO MANY LIVES7 HAD BE5 UND]TAK5 -- ,NI*OLAS NEV]!LESS ATTRIBUT$ TO HIMSELF ALSO ! PLAN ( A SL[ ADVANCE & A SY/EMATIC FELL+ ( =E/S & DEVA/ATION ( ! C\NTRY4  ,IT W\LD SEEM ?AT TO BELIEVE ! PLAN ( A SL[ MOVEM5T BY FELL+ =E/S & DE/ROY+ FOOD SUPPLIES TO HAVE BE5 HIS [N W\LD HAVE NECESSITAT$ HID+ ! FACT ?AT HE HAD 9SI/$ ON QUITE CONTR>Y OP]ATIONS 9 #a#h#d#e4  ,BUT HE DID NOT HIDE IT & WAS PR\D ( ! PLAN ( ! #ahde EXP$ITION AS WELL AS ( ! PLAN  ( A SL[ ADVANCE -- ?\< ! TWO W]E OBVI\SLY CONTR>Y TO ONE ANO!R4  ,CONT9UAL BRAZ5 FLATT]Y FROM EV]YBODY R\ND HIM 9 ! TEE? ( OBVI\S FACTS HAD BR\<T HIM TO SU* A /ATE ?AT HE NO LONG] SAW HIS [N 9CONSI/5CIES OR MEASUR$ HIS ACTIONS & WORDS BY REALITY1 LOGIC1 OR EV5 SIMPLE COMMON S5SE2 BUT WAS QUITE CONV9C$ ?AT ALL HIS ORD]S1 H[EV] S5SELESS1 UNJU/1 & MUTUALLY CONTRADICTORY !Y MI<T BE1 BECAME REASONABLE1 JU/1 & MUTUALLY ACCORDANT SIMPLY BECAUSE HE GAVE !M4  ,HIS DECISION 9 ! CASE NEXT REPORT$ TO HIM -- ?AT ( ! /UD5T ( ! ,ACADEMY ( ,M$IC9E -- WAS ( ! ?AT S5SELESS K9D4 

,! CASE WAS AS FOLL[S3  ,A Y\NG MAN :O HAD TWICE FAIL$ 9 HIS EXAM9ATIONS WAS BE+ EXAM9$ A ?IRD TIME1 & :5 ! EXAM9] AGA9 W\LD NOT PASS HIM1 ! Y\NG MAN :OSE N]VES W]E D]ANG$1 CONSID]+ ?IS TO BE AN 9JU/ICE1 SEIZ$ A P5- KNIFE FROM ! TABLE 9 A P>OXYSM ( FURY1 & RU%+ AT ! PR(ESSOR 9FLICT$ ON HIM SEV]AL TRIFL+ W\NDS4 

0,:AT'S HIS NAME80 ASK$ ,NI*OLAS4 

0,BZHEZOVSKI40 

0,A ,POLE80 

0,( ,POLI% DESC5T & A ROMAN ,CA?OLIC10 ANSW]$ ,*]NY%OV4 

,NI*OLAS FR[N$4  ,HE HAD DONE MU* EVIL TO ! ,POLES4  ,TO JU/IFY ?AT EVIL HE HAD TO FEEL C]TA9 ?AT ALL ,POLES W]E RASCALS1 & HE CONSID]$ !M TO BE SU* & HAT$ !M 9 PROPORTION TO ! EVIL HE HAD DONE !M4 

0,WAIT A LITTLE10 HE SAID1 CLOS+ HIS EYES & B[+ HIS HEAD4 

,*]NY%OV1 HAV+ MORE ?AN ONCE HE>D ,NI*OLAS SAY SO1 KNEW ?AT :5 ! ,EMP]OR HAD TO TAKE A DECISION IT WAS ONLY NECESS>Y = HIM TO CONC5TRATE HIS ATT5TION = A FEW MOM5TS & ! SPIRIT MOV$ HIM1 & ! BE/ POSSIBLE DECISION PRES5T$ ITSELF AS ?\< AN 9N] VOICE HAD TOLD HIM :AT TO DO4  ,HE WAS N[ ?9K+ H[ MO/ FULLY TO SATISFY ! FEEL+ ( HATR$ AGA9/ ! ,POLES :I* ?IS 9CID5T HAD /IRR$ UP )9 HIM1 & ! 9N] VOICE SUGGE/$ ! FOLL[+ DECISION4  ,HE TOOK ! REPORT & 9 HIS L>GE H&WRIT+ WROTE ON ITS M>G9 ) ?REE OR?OGRAPHICAL MI/AKES3 

0,DIS]VES DE?1 BUT1 ?ANK ,GOD1 WE HAVE NO CAPITLE PUNI%M5T1 & IT IS NOT = ME TO 9TRODUCE IT4  ,MAKE HIM FUN ! GANTLET ( A ?\S& M5 TWELVE TIMES4 -- ,NI*OLAS40 

,HE SIGN$1 ADD+ HIS UNNATURALLY HUGE FL\RI%4 

,NI*OLAS KNEW ?AT TWELVE ?\S& /ROKES ) ! REGULATION RODS W]E NOT ONLY C]TA9 DEA? ) TORTURE1 BUT W]E A SUP]FLU\S CRUELTY1 = FIVE ?\S& /ROKES W]E SUFFICI5T TO KILL ! /RONGE/ MAN4  ,BUT IT PLEAS$ HIM TO BE RU?LESSLY CRUEL & IT ALSO PLEAS$ HIM TO ?9K ?AT WE HAVE ABOLI%$ CAPITAL PUNI%M5T 9 ,RUSSIA4 

,HAV+ WRITT5 HIS DECISION AB\T ! /UD5T1 HE PU%$ IT ACROSS TO ,*]NY%OV4 

0,!RE10 HE SAID1 0READ IT40 

,*]NY%OV READ IT1 & B[$ HIS HEAD AS A SIGN ( RESPECTFUL AMAZEM5T AT ! WISDOM ( ! DECISION4 

0,YES1 & LET ALL ! /UD5TS BE PRES5T ON ! DRILL- GR\ND AT ! PUNI%M5T10 ADD$ ,NI*OLAS4 

0,IT WILL DO !M GOOD6  ,I WILL ABOLI% ?IS REVOLUTION>Y SPIRIT & WILL TE> IT UP BY ! ROOTS60 HE ?\<T4 

0,IT %ALL BE DONE10 REPLI$ ,*]NY%OV2 & AFT] A %ORT PAUSE HE /RAI<T5$ ! TUFT ON HIS =EHEAD & RETURN$ TO ! ,CAUCASIAN REPORT4 

0,:AT DO Y\ COMM& ME TO WRITE 9 REPLY TO ,PR9CE ,VORONTSOV'S DISPAT*80 

0,TO KEEP FIRMLY TO MY SY/EM ( DE/ROY+ ! DWELL+S & FOOD SUPPLIES 9 ,*E*NYA & TO H>ASS !M BY RAIDS40 ANSW]$ ,NI*OLAS4 

0,& :AT >E Y\R ,MAJE/Y'S COMM&S ) REF]5CE TO ,HAJJI ,MURAD80 ASK$ ,*]NY%OV4 

0,WELL1 ,VORONTSOV WRITES ?AT HE WANTS TO MAKE USE ( HIM 9 ! ,CAUCASUS40 

0,IS IT NOT DANG]\S80 SAID ,*]NY%OV1 AVOID+ ,NI*OLAS'S GAZE4  0,PR9CE ,VORONTSOV IS TOO CONFID+1 ,I AM AFRAID40 

0,& Y\ -- :AT DO Y\ ?9K80 ASK$ ,NI*OLAS %>PLY1 DETECT+ ,*]NY%OV'S 9T5TION ( PRES5T+ ,VORONTSOV'S DECISION 9 AN UNFAVORABLE LI<T4 

0,WELL1 ,I %\LD HAVE ?\<T IT W\LD BE SAF] TO DEPORT HIM TO ,C5TRAL ,RUSSIA40 

0,Y\ W\LD HAVE ?\<T60 SAID ,NI*OLAS IRONICALLY4  0,BUT ,I DON'T ?9K SO1 & AGREE ) ,VORONTSOV4  ,WRITE TO HIM ACCORD+LY40 

0,IT %ALL BE DONE10 SAID ,*]NY%OV1 RIS+ & B[+ HIMSELF \T4 

,DOLGORUKY ALSO B[$ HIMSELF \T1 HAV+ DUR+ ! :OLE AUDI5CE ONLY UTT]$ A FEW WORDS 79 REPLY TO A QUE/ION FROM ,NI*OLAS7 AB\T ! MOVEM5T ( ! >MY4 

,AFT] ,*]NY%OV1 ,NI*OLAS RECEIV$ ,BIBIKOV1 ,G5]AL- ,GOV]NOR ( ! ,WE/]N ,PROV9CES4  ,HAV+ EXPRESS$ HIS APPROVAL ( ! MEASURES TAK5 BY ,BIBIKOV AGA9/ ! MUT9\S PEASANTS :O DID NOT WI% TO ACCEPT ! OR?ODOX ,FAI?1 HE ORD]$ HIM TO HAVE ALL ?OSE :O DID NOT SUBMIT TRI$ BY C\RT-M>TIAL4  ?AT WAS EQUIVAL5T TO S5T5C+ !M TO RUN ! GANTLET4  ,HE ALSO ORD]$ ! $ITOR ( A NEWSPAP] TO BE S5T TO S]VE 9 ! RANKS ( ! >MY = PUBLI%+ 9=MATION AB\T ! TRANSF] ( SEV]AL ?\S& ,/ATE PEASANTS TO ! IMP]IAL E/ATES4 

0,I DO ?IS BECAUSE ,I CONSID] IT NECESS>Y10 SAID ,NI*OLAS1 0& ,I WILL NOT ALL[ IT TO BE DISCUSS$40 

,BIBIKOV SAW ! CRUELTY ( ! ORD] CONC]N+ ! ,UNIATE PEASANTS & ! 9JU/ICE ( TRANSF]R+ ,/ATE PEASANTS 7! ONLY FREE PEASANTS 9 ,RUSSIA 9 ?OSE DAYS7 TO ! ,CR[N1 :I* MEANT MAK+ !M S]FS ( ! ,IMP]IAL FAMILY4  ,BUT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO EXPRESS DISS5T4  ,NOT TO AGREE ) ,NI*OLAS'S DECISIONS W\LD HAVE MEANT ! LOSS ( ?AT BRILLIANT POSITION :I* IT HAD CO/ ,BIBIKOV =TY YE>S TO ATTA9 & :I* HE N[ 5JOY$2 & HE !RE=E SUBMISSIVELY B[$ HIS D>K HEAD 7ALREADY T\*$ ) GRAY7 TO 9DICATE HIS SUBMISSION & HIS READ9ESS TO FULFILL ! CRUEL1 9S5SATE1 & DI%ONE/ SUPREME WILL4 

,HAV+ DISMISS$ ,BIBIKOV1 ,NI*OLAS /RET*$ HIMSELF1 ) A S5SE ( DUTY WELL FULFILL$1 GLANC$ AT ! CLOCK1 & W5T TO GET READY TO GO \T4  ,HAV+ PUT ON A UNI=M ) EPAULETS1 ORD]S1 & A RIBBON1 HE W5T \T 9TO ! RECEPTION HALL :]E MORE ?AN A HUNDR$ P]SONS -- M5 9 UNI=MS & WOM5 9 ELEGANT L[-NECK$ DRESSES1 ALL /&+ 9 ! PLACES ASSIGN$ TO !M -- AWAIT$ HIS >RIVAL ) AGITATION4 

,HE CAME \T TO !M ) A LIFELESS LOOK 9 HIS EYES1 HIS *E/ EXP&$1 HIS /OMA* BULG+ \T ABOVE & BEL[ ITS B&AGES1 & FEEL+ EV]YBODY'S GAZE TREMUL\SLY & OBSEQUI\SLY FIX$ UPON HIM HE ASSUM$ AN EV5 MORE TRIUMPHANT AIR4  ,:5 HIS EYES MET ?OSE ( PEOPLE HE KNEW1 REMEMB]+ :O WAS :O1 HE /OPP$ & ADDRESS$ A FEW WORDS TO !M SOMETIMES 9 ,RUSSIAN & SOMETIMES 9 ,FR5*1 & TRANSFIX+ !M ) HIS COLD GLASSY EYE LI/5$ TO :AT !Y SAID4 

,HAV+ RECEIV$ ALL ! ,NEW YE> CONGRATULATIONS HE PASS$ ON TO *UR*1 :]E ,GOD1 ?R\< ,HIS S]VANTS ! PRIE/S1 GREET$ & PRAIS$ ,NI*OLAS JU/ AS WORLDLY PEOPLE DID2 & WE>Y AS HE WAS ( !SE GREET+S & PRAISES ,NI*OLAS DULY ACCEPT$ !M4  ,ALL ?IS WAS AS IT %\LD BE1 BECAUSE ! WELF>E & HAPP9ESS ( ! :OLE WORLD DEP5D$ ON HIM1 & WE>I$ ?\< HE WAS HE W\LD /ILL NOT REFUSE ! UNIV]SE HIS ASSI/ANCE4 

,:5 AT ! 5D ( ! S]VICE ! MAGNIFIC5TLY >RAY$ DEACON1 HIS LONG HAIR CRIMP$ & C>EFULLY COMB$1 BEGAN ! *ANT 0,MANY ,YE>S10 :I* WAS HE>TILY CAU<T UP BY ! SPL5DID *OIR1 ,NI*OLAS LOOK$ R\ND & NOTIC$ ,NELIDOVA1 ) H] F9E %\LD]S1 /&+ BY A W9D[1 & HE DECID$ ! COMP>ISON ) YE/]DAY'S GIRL 9 H] FAVOR4 

,AFT] ,MASS HE W5T TO ! EMPRESS & SP5T A FEW M9UTES 9 ! BOSOM ( HIS FAMILY1 JOK+ ) ! *ILDR5 & HIS WIFE4  !N PASS+ ?R\< ! ,H]MITAGE1 HE VISIT$ ! ,M9I/] ( ! ,C\RT1 ,VOLKONSKI1 & AMONG O!R ?+S ORD]$ HIM TO PAY \T ( A SPECIAL FUND A YE>LY P5SION TO ! MO!R ( YE/]DAY'S GIRL4  ,FROM !RE HE W5T = HIS CU/OM>Y DRIVE4 

,D9N] ?AT DAY WAS S]V$ 9 ! ,POMPEIAN ,HALL4  ,BESIDES ! Y\NG] SONS ( ,NI*OLAS & ,MI*AEL !RE W]E ALSO 9VIT$ ,B>ON ,LIEV51 ,C\NT ,RZHEVSKI1 ,DOLGORUKY1 ! ,PRUSSIAN ,AMBASSADOR1 & ! ,K+ ( ,PRUSSIA'S AIDE-DE-CAMP4 

,:ILE WAIT+ = ! APPE>ANCE ( ! ,EMP]OR & ,EMPRESS AN 9T]E/+ CONV]SATION TOOK PLACE BETWE5 ,B>ON ,LIEV5 & ! ,PRUSSIAN ,AMBASSADOR CONC]N+ ! DISQUIET+ NEWS FROM ,POL&4 

0,LA ,POLOGNE ET LE ,CAUCASES1 CE SONT LES DEUX CAUT]ES DE LA ,RUSSIE10 SAID ,LIEV54  0,IL N\S FAUT D5T MILLE HOMMES A PEU PRES1 DANS *CUN DE CES DEUX PAYS40 

,! ,AMBASSADOR EXPRESS$ A FICTITI\S SURPRISE ?AT IT %\LD BE SO4 

0,V\S DITES1 LA ,POLOGNE -- 0 BEGAN ! ,AMBASSADOR4 

0,OH1 \I1 C'ETAIT UN C\P DE MAITRE DE ,METT]NI* DE N\S 5 AVOIR LAISSE L'EMB>RAS4 444 0 

,AT ?IS PO9T ! ,EMPRESS1 ) H] TREMBL+ HEAD & FIX$ SMILE1 5T]$ FOLL[$ BY ,NI*OLAS4 

,AT D9N] ,NI*OLAS SPOKE ( ,HAJJI ,MURAD'S SURR5D] & SAID ?AT ! W> 9 ! ,CAUCASUS MU/ N[ SOON COME TO AN 5D 9 CONSEQU5CE ( ! MEASURES HE WAS TAK+ TO LIMIT ! SCOPE ( ! M\NTA9E]S BY FELL+ !IR =E/S & BY HIS SY/EM ( ]ECT+ A S]IES ( SMALL =TS4 

,! ,AMBASSADOR1 HAV+ EX*ANG$ A RAPID GLANCE ) ! AIDE-DE-CAMP -- TO :OM HE HAD ONLY ?AT MORN+ SPOK5 AB\T ,NI*OLAS'S UN=TUNATE WEAKNESS = CONSID]+ HIMSELF A GREAT /RATEGI/ -- W>MLY PRAIS$ ?IS PLAN :I* ONCE MORE DEMON/RAT$ ,NI*OLAS'S GREAT /RATEGIC ABILITY4 

,AFT] D9N] ,NI*OLAS DROVE TO ! BALLET :]E HUNDR$S ( WOM5 M>*$ R\ND 9 TI<TS & SCANTY CLO?+4  ,ONE ( ! SPECIALLY ATTRACT$ HIM1 & HE HAD ! ,G]MAN BALLET-MA/] S5T = & GAVE ORD]S ?AT A DIAMOND R+ %\LD BE PRES5T$ TO H]4 

,! NEXT DAY :5 ,*]NY%OV CAME ) HIS REPORT1 ,NI*OLAS AGA9 CONFIRM$ HIS ORD] TO ,VORONTSOV -- ?AT N[ ?AT ,HAJJI ,MURAD HAD SURR5D]$1 ! ,*E*5S %\LD BE MORE ACTIVELY H>ASS$ ?AN EV] & ! CORDON R\ND !M TI<T5$4 

,*]NY%OV WROTE 9 ?AT S5SE TO ,VORONTSOV2 & ANO!R C\RI]1 OV]DRIV+ MORE HORSES & BRUIS+ ! FACES ( MORE DRIV]S1 GALLOP$ TO ,TIFLIS4 

,FROM 3 ,WIKIS\RCE4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #aic 3 ,*APT] #ae -- ,PUBLICATION4 

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
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