Russia in 1839 -Empire of the Czar: A Journey Through Eternal Russia

THE HISTORY OF THELENEF.131

his beloved sister, raised her from the earth, and pressed her for a long time to his heart; then replacing her gently and respectfully on the grass, he addressed his tormentors with that calm, composed air that appears natural to the Orientals, even in the most tragical moments of life.

" You must not touch her. God has laid his hand upon her: she is mad."

" Mad !" responded the superstitious crowd: " God is with her!"

" It is he, it is the traitor, her lover, who has told her to counterfeit madness ! No, no! we must make a finish with all the enemies of God and of men," cried the most ferocious of the savages ; " besides, our oath binds us: let us do our duty! Our father (the Emperor) has willed it, and he will recompense us."

" Approach her, then, if you dare ! " once more cried Fedor, in the delirium of despair ; " she has suffered me to press her in my arms without resistance; you see she must be mad. But she speaks! Listen ! "

They approached, and heard these words : £í It was I, then, whom he loved!"

Fedor, who alone understood the meaning of this sentence, fell on his knees, and thanking God, burst into tears.

The executioners drew back from Xenie with involuntary respect. " She is mad !" they repeated to

each other, in an under tone.

*****

Since that day she has never passed an hour without repeating the same words —" It was I, then, whom he loved!"

Many, in seeing her so calm, would question her g 6