"  I  am  the  Abbe  Samuel,  the  countess's  confessor."

"And  I  am  Ivan  Behrend,  the  countess's  next
neighbor."

The  abbe  lowered  his  pistol,  and  changed  his  tone  to
one  of  courtesy.
"You  must  confess  that  it  is  rather  an  unusual  hour
for  you  to  come,"  he  said,  smiling.
"  Honi  soit  qui  mal  y  pense,"  said  Ivan,  putting  his
weapon  into  his  pocket.  "  I  came  at  this  unusual  hour
in  consequence  of  a  letter  which  I  received  this  very
night,  in  which  I  was  informed  that  the  castle  was  in  a
state  of  confusion,  and  the  countess  was  in  great  need
of  help."

"  The  cause  of  the  confusion — "

"  Oh,  I  know  ,  that  was  also  in  the  letter.  Therefore,
I  have  come  to  do  what  I  can,  although  I  am  aware  the
countess  admits  no  man  into  her  house,  especially  at
this  hour."

"  She  will  receive  you  most  certainly.  Allow  me  first
to  close  the  door.  There  is  absolutely  no  one  in  the
house.  Take  care  of  the  dog  on  the  left-hand  side  ;  he
is  still  alive."

"You  have  shot  the  other  ?"

"  Yes  ;  you  heard  the  shot  and  drew  your  revolver  ?"


"an  obstinate  fellow"  135

"  Naturally.  I  did  not  know  who  might  have  fired
the  pistol."

Both  men  ascended  to  the  apartments  of  the  countess.
The  abbe  entered  first  to  prepare  her.
