"The officer quickly placed her in the chaise, and the horses had made their first spring forward when a great tumult arose in the street, and looking forth from a window of the vehicle, Nicholas beheld, to his dismay, half a score of imperial cavalry galloping furiously toward him.
"'Onward! onward!' he shouted to the drivers, and sank back upon his seat beside the fainting girl.
"At the top of their speed fled the four chaise horses, making the vehicle bounce from the earth as though it were composed entirely of springs; but they were no match for the full-blooded animals of the cavalry, and the latter soon came up with them.
"'Stop, in the name of the Czar,' said the leader, drawing his sword.
"At the command, the postillions dropped their reins, and the chaise came to a dead halt. Then the door was burst open; and Nicholas, with a pistol in each hand, sprang into the road.
"'Gentlemen,' he said hurriedly, 'you must allow me to proceed; the die is cast, and there is no turning back. Stand aside, sirs, I do not wish to shed your blood.'
"'Colonel Dimitri,' answered the leader, 'we are sorry that such is our duty, but the Czar has ordered us to apprehend you and your companion; and carry you before him; I therefore apprehend you in the name of Czar.'
"'This is tyranny and I will resist it to the last,' exclaimed the excited lover. 'I have not broken the
laws, and am no political criminal. Why should I be treated thus? You may take me gentlemen, but not alive.'
"'We must do our duty,' answered the other. 'Surround and disarm him,' he added, turning to his followers.