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were found for more than half a million of roubles. In his life-time he never heard of or from any of his relations, and indeed Mr. Shtoseen on several occasions kept out of his way, when he wanted assistance: but no sooner was there any scent of his inheritance than up started some dozens of relations, who, in honour of the memory of the deceased, went to law with one another. The departure of Mrs. Shtoseen was fixed to take place within a week, and her return at an indefinite time. After weeping together, we renewed our bonds of eternal love and fidelity, and agreed to write one another every post, till I should find an opportunity for setting off to Orenburg. I made that promise to Groonya without thinking how I should perform it. Next day I related every thing to my friend Vorovaateen, who immediately promised to assist me throughout, and even to take me to Orenburg, where, according to his advice, it behoved me to follow up my addresses to Groonya, to marry her, and in quality of heir to the rich Krigheezian superintendant, to sue for my share in a court of law, if Mrs. Shtoseen would not give up the inheritance by fair means; Groonya, according to law, being nearest of kin to her father.

In the meantime, Grabeelen learned somehow that I had left the boarding-school; and, as he had formerly driven me out of the house to school, so he now fell to work to drive me into the service. I resolved to convert his dislike for me to my own use.

It would be in vain to describe the tears, sighs, sobbings, and faintings, at parting with Groonya. These are disagreeable affairs known to every body. She had scarcely set off for Orenburg, when I began to look out for means to hasten after her. Vorovaateen condoled with me amidst my grief, and resolved immediately to conduct me to my beloved, and even advised me to set off without my aunt's permission. But I would not agree to that, and in a month after Groonya's departure, I succeeded in getting my aunt's permission by the following contrivance.

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"Aunt," said I to her, "I have been promised a good situation in the Mint at Moscow: but, as some experience is necessary in the first place, to qualify me for it, one of my acquaintances, who serves in the mining department, wishes to take me with him to Orenburg. He will not be

there for more than four months, for the revision of business, and I will be with him in the capacity of letter-writer. On my return to Moscow, I shall have a fair claim for a situation in the public service, and my protector vouches for my immediate reception into the service, upon his representation, and as a reward for my previous labours. Give me your consent, aunt! Is it not better that I should be obliged to myself and my own labour for my fortune, than to your friends, who, I suspect, do not love me over much? You know that, without an officer's rank, I cannot appear in good company." It was long before my aunt would consent to part with me; but when I told Mr. Grabeelen this story, which was invented by Vorovaateen, he obliged my aunt to let me go. One of Vorovaateen's friends undertook to play the part of the officer of the Mining-department at my aunt's house, and gave her the fullest assurance that he would take me under his special protection, promising at the same time all possible advantages in the service. My aunt equipped me for the road, and filled my pocketbook pretty handsomely. Even Grabeelen made me a present of fifty silver roubles. The good old gentleman, prince Tchvanoff, who had never broken off from his old practice of visiting my aunt daily, also gave me money, and a letter of recommendation to the Governor. After bidding

adieu to my aunt, I seated myself in the carriage with Vorovaateen's friend, and he himself waited us beyond the barrier. I was just like a man in a fever, from the ebullition of opposite feelings-love to my aunt, commiseration and grief that I was leaving her, on the one hand; and on the other, the joyful hope of meeting again with Groonya, of marrying her, and the delightful idea of acquiring wealth. and envy. The scattering of the attention by the variety of objects on the road, quieted my spirits a little, but involuntarily I always thought more of my aunt than of Groonya.

....

CHAPTER XI.

I get better acquainted with Vorovaateen's character-Conversation overheard-Presentiments-A provincial dealer in justice.

"How much money have you?" said Vorovaateen to me at the first stage. "A hundred and fifty silver roubles." A goodly capital," answered Vorovaateen.

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few at your time of life that have so much money in their hands: you are richer than I, Vanya. Justice requires that you should pay the half of the travelling expences." "I never intended otherwise," replied I, "and resolved to settle with you on our arrival at the place." "It is all the " said Vorovaateen; but, as you are not yet accustomed to handle money, give it to my care. "I think it lies quite safe in my own portmanteau." It will be better in my trunk which has a lock to it," returned Vorovaateen. "Just as you please," said I, and immediately gave him the money, retaining only a few silver roubles for my own petty expenses. For some stages, Vorovaateen was in a silent and thoughtful mood, and at last he renewed the conversation in a very grave and cold tone of voice. "Is it possible that your aunt should never have said any thing to you about your father?" asked Vorovaateen, darting at me a penetrating look. Nothing but what I told you. "It is strange, very strange," 'retorted Vorovaateen. "I do not see the smallest strangeness," said I. "If there had been any thing particularly curious in my late father's life, my aunt would certainly have told me of it. But, perhaps, you know something?" added I, looking again at Vorovaateen :

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you will oblige me greatly, if you can tell me any thing on that head." "How should I know ?" answered Vorovaateen dryly. "If it gives you so little concern, why that scepticism?" "You do not know yet all the turnings and windings of the female character," said Vorovaateen. "When you suffer for your inexperience, your faith in their good qualities will not be so strong." "I have not the smallest cause for not putting confidence in my aunt, who. loves me as if I were her own son, has done every thing in her power for me, and is ready to sacrifice every thing on my account."

"That is the very thing," replied Vorovaa

teen, "which makes it difficult to believe that your aunt, who loves you so well, never said any thing to you about your father's condition, about your future hopes and so forth." Although you have given me many lectures in praise of incincerity, I have not yet learned implicitly to follow your instructions," said I with some chagrin. " I repeat what I have already said, that with regard to my father's condition and origin, my aunt told me every thing which she deemed necessary; his adventures, I suppose, were not interesting, as she said nothing about them. For the rest, on my return to Moscow, I shall question her more particularly on that head, which, till this moment, I conceived to be of little importance." "It is too late now,' " said Vorovaateen, with a constrained smile. Why should it be too late," asked I. Vorovaateen all at once got into a strange fit of laughing, and said, "We shall see by and by !" He turned the attention to other subjects, and endeavored to amuse me ; but grief had got possession of my heart, and I remained sad and silent. From thenceforth my confidence in Vorovaateen ceased, and I began to dread his ill-offices with Groonya, and to fear that he might make her acquainted with my previous condition. However, he began to caress me in his former manner, and to puff me up with hopes on the score of marriage and fortune.

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We stopped to pass the night in the post-house of a small town. Towards evening there arrived in a post-cart, a middle-aged man who also stopped there for the night. I observed from the window, that Vorovaateen accosted the new comer in a familiar tone, but he, on his part, behaved towards Vorovaateen with a distant respect, and did not put on his cap till he told him to be covered. They stepped aside to the gable of the house, against a wall where there was no window, and entered into conversation together; but, as the wind happened to blow from that side, by stepping into the innermost room,* I overheard part of their discourse. "You have been in too great a hurry, Paphnooteetch," said Vorovaateen; "you should have waited till I had lived some time in the place, and thought upon the means. You know we cannot tie a stone about his neck, and throw him into the water without more ado." "It is

* The rooms in Russian houses open into one another.

not my business to contrive how to get him off your hands," replied the new-comer "but the countess gave me no rest, and obliged me to go whether I would or not. It is said that the Count is on his return to Moscow."

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On this, the wind blew open the gate, and from the creaking and rapping, I did not hear the end of the sentence."Am I to blame that the Countess does not wish to have him dispatched? Whenever conscience interferes in a business." * * * * A carter who was in the courtyard, bawled out loudly to his comrade, and again I did not hear the end of Vorovaateen's speech. After that, the stranger said, “I was ordered to remain with you till the end of the business, to assist you throughout, and after it is finished, to return to the Countess, to her country seat near Moscow, at * * At these words, Vorovaateen and the stranger went out at the gate, and I remained at the window in a state of stupefaction and uneasiness on account of what I had heard. There could be no doubt but that Vorovaateen was brewing some mischief, and I, knowing the looseness of his principles, was convinced that neither the fear of God nor the voice of conscience would keep him from the commission of crime. But who could that unfortunate victim be, for whose destruction this plot was contrived? Who could that Countess be, who impatiently awaited for the news of her fellow-creature's misfortune ? Who, that Count? Who, the new-comer? That dreadful secret boding destruction to some one, made me shudder. I felt that it would be to no purpose to inquire of Vorovaateen, and to tell him that I had overheard part of his discourse with the unknown stranger. Besides, I dreaded, lest by discovering his intentions, I might draw down upon myself his anger and even vengeance; so I resolved to be silent, to have all my eyes about me, and, if it should be possible, to prevent the execution of this wicked project. Tormented with these thoughts, I paced up and down the room, aggitated with violent emotions. My heart beat strongly, my head felt heavy, my mouth was dry. I went into the postmaster's sitting room, in order to get a draught of water, and by chance saw the unknown stranger's podoroajney. From it I learned, that Vorovaateen's confederate

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