"Where should I have gone--into the hands of the Cossacks, at Baidar?"
"Towards Kharkoff, at all events."
I coloured at this very pointed remark, as it was to that province in the Ukraine that the Russians had transmitted many of the prisoners taken during the war.
"Here I felt myself on a special footing."
"How, Herr Captain?"
"As the guest of the Volhonskis," said I, sternly.
"Though an enemy of Russia?"
"Politically or professionally, yes: but I have the honour to be viewed as a friend by the Count, and also by his sister."
"Ah, indeed! I have heard as much. The Hospoza Valerie is, you see, beautiful."
"Wondrously so," said I, with fervour, glad that I could cordially agree with this odious fellow in one thing at least.