I told him that we would go out into the world together; empty-handed
we would fare forth together and defy the world. I said that he should
be my knight-errant, my paladin!
Otto said he would be it.
He has consented. But he says we must not fare forth empty-handed. I do
not know why he thinks this, but he is firm, and I yield to my lord. He
is making all our preparations.
Each morning I bring to the meadow a little bundle of my things and
give them to my knight-errant and he takes them to the inn where he is
staying.
Last week I brought my jewel-case, and yesterday, at his request, I
took my money from the bank and brought it to my paladin. It will be so
safe with him.
To-day he said that I shall need some little things to remember my
father and mother by when we are gone. So I am to take my father’s gold
watch while he is asleep. My hero! How thoughtful he is of my
happiness.
Next Day.
All is ready. To-morrow I am to meet Otto at the meadow with the watch
and the rest of the things.
To-morrow night we are to flee together. I am to go down to the little
gate at the foot of the garden, and Otto will be there.
To-day I have wandered about the house and garden and have said
good-bye. I have said good-bye to my Tchupvskja flower, and to the
birds and the bees.
To-morrow it will be all over.
Next Evening.
How can I write what has happened! My soul is shattered to its depths.
All that I dreaded most has happened. How can I live!
Alexis has come back. He and Otto have fought.
Ah God! it has been terrible.
I stood with Otto in the meadow. I had brought him the watch, and I
gave it to him, and all my love and my life with it.
Then, as we stood, I turned and saw Alexis Alexovitch striding towards
us through the grass.
How tall and soldierly he looked! And the thought flashed through my
mind that if Otto killed him he would be lying there a dead, inanimate
thing.
“Go, Otto,” I cried, “go, if you stay you will kill him.”
Otto looked and saw Alexis coming. He turned one glance at me: his face
was full of infinite meaning.
Then, for my sake, he ran. How noble he looked as he ran. Brave heart!
he dared not stay and risk the outburst of his anger.
But Alexis overtook him.
Then beside the river-bank they fought. Ah! but it was terrible to see
them fight. Is it not awful when men fight together?