The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia

against the Emperor! Is it forthis I have brought you up--have educated you; and would have made youwealthy and noble? I have treated you as my own son, and never wishedyou to know that I was not your father. Who has dared to fill your mindwith such dreams? They shall richly repent their interference andfolly."

  "She, who has escaped from the reach of your power," answered Ivan:"she, Sir, who devoted her life to me, who was my only friend--mymother!"

  "What! have I been deceived, then, by the wit of a frail woman; and haveI been nourishing a young viper, for years past, within my bosom, thatnow rises to sting me. I recall the offer I made to you. Begone, leavemy presence! and henceforth, let me see your face no more. From thismoment I discard you--I throw you off for ever; and beware, lest yousuffer as a traitor and rebel to the Emperor. Even now you should beseized: you have uttered treason and sedition, which merit fullpunishment. Before long, Siberia shall be your destination, where youmay proclaim such fantastic nonsense without fear of injuring any. Butwith such pestiferous notions you shall no longer abide under my roof.Begone, quit my presence, or I will send my slaves to drive you hence.Am I to be thus bearded by a boy?--my offers despised?--no gratitudeshown for my paternal care and liberality! Begone! Again I say, I willhear no reply."

  Overwhelmed by so many various and contending emotions, Ivan could withdifficulty collect his thoughts, sufficiently, to determine how to act.He felt that the Baron had, indeed, afforded him many advantages, andhad but just now made him what, at all events, appeared to be a generousoffer; although he had, at the same time, treated his mother withcruelty and injustice, which might counterbalance all kindness shewn tohimself. His better feelings, however, conquered; and as he slowlyquitted the apartment, he turned, and was about to express them, when heencountered the fierce look of the Baron, and saw that further discoursewould but increase his anger.

  When left alone, the Baron, with furious gestures, paced the apartment.

  "I would yet tame," he muttered to himself, "that proud and haughtyspirit, which, otherwise directed, might have fully answered to mywishes. No, no, I will let him range at large; his means will soon beexhausted, and I shall then find him returning to crouch at my feet.Ah! that will satisfy my vengeance; and I may then do with him as Ilist. He shall no longer remain here, nor return, until he comes asuppliant before me."

  Summoning his attendants, he exclaimed, "Let a horse be given to therebellious youth who has just left me, and you, Karl! take whateverbelongs to him from hence, and bear it wherever he lists. Henceforth hereturns here no more. Do you hear me, slaves? Depart, and obey myorders!"

  The frightened servants hurried out to obey their fierce Lord'scommands, and the dwarf Ladislau, who had stolen in unperceived amongthem, no sooner heard the order given, than he hastened to report it toIvan.

  "My best--my only true friend!" said Ladislau, in tears, "alas! you arebanished for ever from hence, for I know that the Baron will not relent!nor shall I be allowed to see you again. I know not what course youmean to pursue; but this I know, my dear Ivan, that wherever you go, youwill require money. Now I have no need of any myself, and therefore, ifyou have any regard for me, if you would not break my heart before itstime, accept this purse. You will find in it enough to supply yourwants for some time to come, and I shall never feel the loss of it."

  Ivan was affected to tears by this mark of affection from his diminutivefriend, but at the same time he hesitated in depriving him of his meansof existence, should he, like himself, be turned out into the world; butthe excitable Ladislau broke out into a violent flood of tears, as he atfirst refused the gift, and swore that he himself would never touch it,if Ivan did not make use of it. So that at last, much against hisinclination, he was obliged to accept a small portion, sufficient hetrusted to carry him to the shores of Circassia.

  After waiting some time, in the hope that the Baron's anger would cool,he sent a message requesting permission to see him again before hisdeparture; but a stern refusal was the answer, and an order that heshould quit the house without further delay. His proud spirit thusirritated, he no longer hesitated to obey the stern command, aftertaking an affectionate leave of Ladislau, who refused to be comforted.

  With heavy heart, and agitated feelings, he sallied forth for the lasttime from the gates of the chateau, amid looks of sadness and regretdepicted on the faces of the servants, who dared in no other way toexpress their sentiments; and as he passed through the domain, many anaffectionate regard was uttered by the serfs whom he met, grateful forhis many acts of kindness to them; he then pursued his journey towardsMoscow. On his arrival he repaired to the same hotel where he hadbefore resided; he now had to undergo the pain of parting from thehonest serf Karl, when he felt how few there were who cared for him; andthis man having been his particular attendant from his childhood, hecould not but feel grieved at the separation. The poor fellow, whowould willingly and gladly have followed his fortunes, shed many tearsas he embraced his master's knees; but it was useless for him to repine,the stern law of the land forbade him. He was a slave chained to thesoil, and obliged to obey the owner whoever he might be; and the Baronhad ordered him to return to the chateau without delay.

  It was long before he could tear himself away from the youth, whom hehad attended from his boyhood, and for whom he felt a faithfulattachment; but at length, bathed in tears, he rushed from him, mountedhis horse and returned to his place of bondage, mourning over his ownabject state, which should thus prevent him from following where hisinclinations led. He had never before thought or dreamed of quittingthe domain where he was born and bred; but now the wish to be freeseized him, to throw off the yoke which could thus enchain hismovements. He returned discontented and unhappy to his father's hut,determining to seize the first opportunity to emancipate himself frombondage.

  Ivan immediately despatched a messenger to acquaint his friend Thaddeuswith the circumstances which had occurred; summoning him to his aid andcounsel. He had now entered a new era in his existence; henceforth hefelt that he must entirely depend on his own judgment and courage, toconduct him through the difficult and perilous way of life he hadchosen, in preference to the one the Baron had offered.

  His thoughts reverted to the days of his light-hearted boyhood, and hefelt himself to be a man, indeed, with all the cares and anxietiesalmost inseparable from that stage of life; but he also felt that it wasnot a time for needless meditation--action, decided and instant action,was now become necessary.

  He had devoted himself to assist in forwarding a great cause, thefreedom of Russia; but then again, he felt that his own country had aprior claim to his services. He hesitated in deciding which plan it wasmost incumbent on him to pursue. Whether, at once to carry his sword tothe aid of Circassia, or to fulfil the first engagements he had enteredinto, when he thought himself a Russian, and to assist in the liberationof Russia from despotism.

  It occurred to him, at the same time, that by following the latter plan,he might be more effectually aiding his own country, for should freedomonce be established among the Russians, he supposed it but natural thatthat people would desist from their unjust endeavours to depriveCircassia of her liberty.

  Ivan determined, therefore, to wait a short time, at least, the courseof events before he set off on his expedition in search of all whichcould now be dear to him. Country--home--father--and relations. He hadto begin a new life: to throw off many of his old habits; to make newfriends; and to consider those as enemies whom he had hitherto lookedupon as countrymen. While these ideas were rapidly passing through hismind, he recollected that that evening had been fixed upon for a generalmeeting of the conspirators; and as soon as night arrived, he salliedforth amid the bustling crowds who hurried by, heedless of him and hisintentions.

  But there was one who anxiously had been waiting to observe hismovements. As he left the house, that person, who was no other than hisintended murderer, Groff, followed his steps, cautiously threading hisway among the crowd, or retiring, when
requisite, from observation torecommence his trail.

  As Ivan walked quickly onwards, it struck him that he was followed, ashe had been on a former occasion, and he prepared himself for any suddenencounter. Without any impediment, however, he reached the place ofmeeting, where he found the greater number of the chief conspiratorsassembled, and several new recruits among them.

  On his entrance, all turned their faces towards him, and started fromtheir seats.

  "What! is it Ivan Galetzoff we see before us?" exclaimed one, advancingtowards him with surprise on his countenance. "Is it possible that youstand before us alive and well?"

  "Indeed," answered Ivan, "I know it to be perfectly possible, although Ido not understand the drift of your observations. Are you inclined tobe merry? Yet I should suppose our affairs were too important tofurnish matter for jesting!"

  "Here's some