The red star

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THE AUTONYM LIBRARY

THE AUTONYM LIBRARY.

I

I T was in the autumn of 1806 that Captain Basil Pahlen, of the Russian Imperial Guards, rode out of General Benningsen’s cantonments to be married to the Countess Halka Mnizek. He went unwillingly, regretting his fate, and felt himself the victim of untoward circumstances and the whim of others. His betrothal had taken place before the Austrian campaign in the previous year in the presence of the Emperor, the bride being a Polish girl whom he had never seen till that hour. He had strong personal reasons for not wishing to go through the ceremony, and these rose so vividly before him as he went along the broken track that answered for a road, that to his fancy they acquired body and form, and, flitting at his horse’s head, kept their warning eyes upon his face.

The sun had just set, and the topmost needles of the pine-tree on his right had caught the after-glow. The skeleton of a horse lying by the roadside had also taken a rosy tint. A crow sat on the skull driving its beak into one of the eye sockets. Wolves as well as carrion birds had helped to clean its bones ; and he had seen a grey form steal in among the pines as he had ridden up.

Drawing a letter from his sabretache, he read it slowly through. It bore the address. Count Pahlen^ and was written in red ink, the crabbed writing in parts being all but illegible.

Basil VassiliMtch^ it ran. His Majesty the Tzar hath given me leave and doth order that your marriage with the Countess Halka Mnizek shall take place at whatsoever hour or day I may deem necessary. Therefore^ having at this time several powerful and urgent

^Tbe IReD Star reasons for knowing that the time for fulfilment has come^ I command you to hasten to my house — an Imperial order having been sent to General Benningsen to permit your departure from the camp — that the will of all concerned in this matter may he carried out, Maste^ haste ^ and delay not.

Count Adam Mnizek,

The words looked as if they had been written in blood as the red ink caught the fast fading glow. A fancy seized him. He sprang to the ground, and, wrapping the letter round a stone, flung it into a pool of water by the side of the road. It sank among the starwort, and a frog leapt out of the stagnant water to the reeds on the bank. He felt by the act as if he had drowned and hidden out of sight something that was hateful and a menace to his liberty.

Swinging across his horse, he rode into the twilight, with a hard, set look in his eyes. He was twenty-five, and liked the draught of life he had drunk ; but now there was gall in the cup, and his own deed had been his undoing.

The road he followed wound through plains of trampled oats or dense woods. When the weather changed and the rain fell it would be as muddy and impassable as the fields themselves. Ruts like gashes cut across the way, full of fallen leaves ; and as he guided his horse by one of the worst he saw a group of men standing near the edge of the wood. All appeared to be peasants, with the exception of a man on horseback, who rode armed, and under whose cloak the glitter of gold embroidery could be seen. His voice was raised and angry as he spoke to the serfs.

Pahlen caught the answer of a peasant as he rode nearer to the trees.

“ Highness,’' the man said, doggedly, “ our minds are made up. Not one in the province will take up arms unless we have a Mnizek to lead us. If his high excellency rides to the war we will follow him.”

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“ You cowards and dogs ! ” cried the horseman. Do you expect the half-mad old man who owns you to lead you to battle ? ''

Without his excellency’s word we will not rise. If a Mnizek orders us to risk our necks we shall obey,” answered the peasant, stolidly.

Then a Mnizek shall lead you, dogs ! If you are not at the point I have told you of by the third day you shall be hung, and your wives and children shall have their homes burnt over their heads when we ride by.”

We hear your high nobility,” said the serf, in a more abject tone, and if a Mnizek is there we will follow him, as our duty is.”

The horseman wheeled round suddenly at the sound of hoofs, and found himself face to face with Pahlen. His companions looked, alarmed, and drew closer together. The sight of the Russian’s uniform froze their blood, and one by one they gradually slunk into the wood.

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Pahlen rode slowly up, returning the man’s stare. He guessed at once that he was one of the emissaries of Prince Poniatowski, who since the approach of the French had been trying to raise regiments among his countrymen to help Napoleon,

As Pahlen ordered him to halt he backed his horse into the wood, and, with a defiant flourish of his hand, disappeared among the trees. Night by this time had fallen, and, as the wood was deep, the officer knew that it would be useless to follow him.

The incident diverted his thoughts. The girl to whom he was to be married that night bore the name that alone had power to stir the serfs from their apathy. If by the mercy of devil or saint a Mnizek joined the French the whole family would fall into disgrace, and, if the marriage were delayed, she would not be forced upon him. But how delay it ? Fate rode apace, and within two hours she would be considered his wife.

Twenty minutes later he passed through the gateway leading to Count Mnizek’s mansion, and walked his horse up an avenue deep in shadows. Again and again he cursed the necessity that compelled him to go through the wedding ceremony. One loophole of escape, indeed, he was aware was open to him ; but if he used it he would have to face the wrath of his master and his own disgrace.

He tried to silence his conscience by recalling the resolution that he had taken. There was a risk attached to it that placed it among the uncertainties of his life, for the mood of a girl was to settle his future. It was with grim satisfaction he realised this. He felt as if he had made atonement to his injured honour.

Drawing rein before the great, rambling buildings in which the Mnizeks for two hundred years had dispensed their hospitality to other great nobles and had received their kings, he knocked at a door, and soon after he was admitted into the house.

A servant led him across a large, lO lighted hall to a room where an old man in a black velvet suit was sitting, tapping his fingers impatiently on a table by his side. A bottle of wodhi with some richly cut glasses stood near his elbow. Two fanglike teeth that hung over his underlip gave him an animal look ; his closely set eyes peered up at the young man as he came forward.

It is well, Basil Vassilievitch, that you have obeyed my summons,” he said, rising to greet Pahlen. The times grow worse and worse,” he added, after he had embraced him, and I wish to place Countess Halka in safety.”

‘‘ And pray what am I to do with a wife in the war ? ” said Pahlen, twirling his moustache and looking at the floor.

‘‘You will send her into Russia, of course,” replied the old man. “ And I must remark. Count Basil, upon the strange reluctance you have shown to the marriage being completed. Three times I have wished it to take place, and you have

II been ready with an excuse on each occasion. And even now it has required an Imperial order to make you keep your promise. The Tzar has been gracious enough to allow the marriage to take place in the Holy Catholic Church, though you were betrothed in the Greek, in consideration of the bride’s faith and the dangers of the times which have made it impossible for you to return to Russia.’’

His Majesty ” began Pahlen,

still looking down, but the Count interrupted him.

“ His Majesty is much interested in the marriage,” he said. ‘‘ I have a letter here from Prince Volkhonsky in answer to my petition to the Tzar that it might not be delayed. He says. For the sake of his late Minister of War^ Count Pahlen^ father of the bridegroom^ His Majesty is most anxious that this alliance should take place. As to the reluctance which you hint Basil Vassilie'vitch has shown^ I may add on this point that he imll incur the serious displeasure of the Tzar if he breaks his

^bc IRcb Star troth and the solemn oath he swore in His Majesty's presence. The warning cannot be stronger, young man.”

‘‘For God’s sake get it over, then ! ” said Pahlen, rising to his feet, his sword and spurs clanking and jingling in the impatience of his movement.

“ In the name of God, I will,” answered the Count, getting up briskly from his chair. “ Follow me.”

He led the way from the room and across the hall, pausing suddenly in a long corridor to fix a curious, searching gaze on Pahlen’s face.

“ There is danger,” he said, impressively, pointing a lean, yellow finger, like the leg of a crow, in the direction where the chapel lay.

Pahlen could have groaned. He knew that well enough, without this old fool reminding him of it, he thought. But his fear and Count Adam Mnizek’s, he was aware, were most certainly not the same. He did not, however, show his discomposure as he asked —

“ From the French ?

‘‘Ah ! ” cried the old man, eagerly. “Yes, that is it ! From the French.”

Pahlen had not expected this. reply ; he had put the question as the first that had occurred to him. Standing tall and erect in his white uniform of the horse guards, he looked down with absent, uninterested eyes at the crooked, lean old Pole.

“ They want me — me, a feeble old man near my end, to — to, ah, yes — to lead them. Lead them against what ? Ha, ha ! the knout and the rope and Siberia.”

A gleam of interest flashed suddenly into Pahlen's eyes.

“ And you will ? ” he demanded, quickly.

The Count grinned. “ As soon as I would to hell?” he replied, and moved on.

But when they reached the door leading into the chapel he paused again to hint his fears, combing the long hairs of his white beard with his fingers, and stuttering in his excitement

“Young man, take care of your bride,’' he said. “ She and I are the last of our name. She thinks the French a great race, and Napoleon the saviour of oppressed nations. She forgets that God Himself will not be strong enough to save us from you when they have recrossed the Vistula.”

“ When they have ! ” said Pahlen, with cold indifference.

The Count appeared about to speak again ; then, with nervous haste, flung the door wide open and entered the chapel.

Tidings of the bridegroom’s arrival had been brought to the group of persons assembled there. The priest stood by the altar, and the witnesses — servants of the household and an official from the village — were already in their places.

While Pahlen went slowly up the nave, the Count passed out by a side door, returning almost immediately with a girl veiled and in white, whom he led to the altar.

The guardsman’s eyes rested steadily, even defiantly, upon her, the trbe IRcD Star bride whom he had not chosen, in whose hands his fate was lying. The beams of a lamp fell on her figure, giving her veil a sheeny, dazzling appearance ; it seemed to him that she held her head like some angel of judgment.

The Count beckoned him forward, and he went up to her side as a man who knows he is doomed. She turned her face away as if to avoid his gaze ; but his heart was gnawed by anxiety and fear, and he had no desire to look at her. They appeared a handsome couple to the spectators. The Countess was tall and fair ; so tall, indeed, that her head came well above her companion’s shoulder, though he stood six feet. Pahlen was blond, with keen, grey-blue eyes ; and his manner was usually alert and cool. Though originally of German extraction, his family had lived for some generations in Russia, where they had filled high posts in the empire. At present his assurance had left him, and he cursed himself in his heart for a coward and a fool after every i6 answer he gave the priest, while a sense of shame seized him each time he heard the girl’s replies.

He made no attempt to salute her when the ceremony was over. They stood in absolute silence by each other’s side, while the priest extinguished the candles on the altar and the Count signed to the servants to depart. Then the old man took the bride’s hand and kissed her.

Safe, imprisoned, a bride ! ” he said, smiling. “ Rest now in your husband’s love.” He turned to Pahlen.

The latter’s face was set and wretched, and his eyes hard and cold.

“ Count, may I ask you to leave us alone ? ” he said a strange ring in his voice. “ The Countess and I will follow you in a moment.”

The girl stirred slightly, and her cousin gave Pahlen a half-apprehensive glance.

‘‘ Certainly,” he answered. “ The notary and I shall wait for you in my own room.”

He moved off, followed by the priest and the official. Pahlen looked rigidly in front of him till he heard the chapel door open and close again. Then he turned and fixed his eyes upon Halka who had left his side, and had paused by the altar before the brass crucifix which was half hidden by the autumn violets. She raised her veil, and a bright colour rushed to her cheeks. For a full minute neither spoke.

“ In the name of God, how shall I begin ! ” thought Pahlen ; then he rushed on his fate.

‘‘ Countess Halka,’' he said, and his voice was curiously even and hard, “ I am about to throw myself on your mercy. I have a confession to make. You will think me both a

coward and a blackguard. I ”

he paused as her eyes turned upon

him with a look of surprise. I

we have been through a ceremony which is a farce. It does not make you my wife because — ” for a moment he hesitated — “ because I am already married.” His eyes fell at the words before hers.

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One of those tense pauses followed that are a whole Day of Judgment to a man. He had looked death coolly enough in the face during the campaign in Austria the previous year ; but the eyes of his own shame were harder things just then than death to meet.

It was broken by Halka turning to the altar. Oh, this is the sign ! '' she exclaimed, speaking as if to a third person, her face suddenly lit up and exalted ; and she knelt for a second.

Her words relaxed the tension he was suffering. He raised his head ; he felt that he grasped his manhood again, and that a defence was even possible.

‘‘ It must seem to you that my honour is dead,’’ he said in the same hard, even tone as she rose. “ I had not the courage to face my ruin. I was afraid.”

In an instant the enthusiastic light in her eyes died out, and a look of insulted womanhood took its place.

“ And you dared to mock me, sir ! ”

A flush of shame and anger rushed to his face. For a moment he felt that her contempt was worse than the Tzar’s wrath. He even forgot that his fate was still uncertain, and that in a few days he might be arrested.

“ It would have been my ruin ! ” he exclaimed, almost passionately.

Before you judge me hear my story. God knows I have been forced into this position. I did not choose it.”

‘‘And I by obeying my father’s wish ! Oh, the dead can give hard commands ! ”

A deep silence followed ; the thought of the oath he had sworn before the Tzar to marry the girl seemed to clutch at Pahlen’s throat like a hand. In Halka’s heart surprise and indignation had welled up, and a burning sense of insult seized her.

Presently he went on, keenly aware that every word he uttered must make his position worse. His eyes never left the ground.

‘‘It was my father’s wish that I should marry you,” he said, gloomily. “ Life was a pleasant enough game for me. I did not care about the future. To put it frankly, if brutally, he wanted an heiress for his son. It was easy enough to swear an oath in the Tzar’s presence. Then — then I met a woman who pleased my senses.”

He paused, but the girl’s voice rang out like a cry of pain — pain at her own humiliation.

“ Go on, sir ! — and this woman who pleased your senses ? ”

“ My father was dead ” — the dark red colour rushed over his face again — “ I thought myself my own master. I married her privately in the country.”

“ That must have been the time I cried my eyes out that I had been betrothed to you ! I did it every night. I — I did not want to marry you ! ”

“ Our madness did not last long,”

Zhc 1Re& Star said Pahlen, bitterly. In a month we were sick of each other.''

“ And then you planned this insult ! "

“ Before God, no. I held back till there was no escape."

She gave a little moan of anger and shame, and turned her eyes on the altar.

“ May I go on ? " he asked in a hard, shamed tone.

She made him no answer, and he gathered himself together for the last of his confession.

This — this woman and I knew what fools we had been. We understood it most completely — my God ! yes. Then we parted. Neither of us was to betray the other. I am not doing it now ; I keep her name."

She flashed round upon him. Oh, I do not doubt your honour ! Are you trying to excuse yourself to me? "

“ No," he replied, let me go on. I am a coward, but not the blackguard you think."

Her face had grown white and trbe IReb Star contemptuous ; she turned her head aside.

I was ordered to Austria. The Tzar spoke to me at the Winter Palace a few hours before I left for the front. He spoke of our marriage. Then I went to Prince Volkhonsky and entreated him to help me. I did not tell him I was already married. I have no excuse to offer. I was simply afraid. He assured me that the Tzar has such a regard for personal honour that if I broke my troth and the oath I had made to my father I should be ruined. I have had to choose between that and the chance that you might not betray me. I had no right to expect your mercy, but I was desperate.’'

She made no sign of having heard him, and he went on.

I meant to keep my oath — I never meant to break it — but the devil and a face were too strong for me,” his voice broke off abruptly.

“ And do you think I wanted you to keep it ? ” The proud note in the girFs voice could not quite disguise the ring of wounded dignity. No ! I have a love too ; but mine will last now and for ever. It is strong as eternity. It has my heart, my soul, my being ! '' She put her hand over her eyes for a few seconds ; her bright gaze was clouded by tears.

The scene was so acutely painful that Pahlen hastened to end it. Would she spare him or not was the thought uppermost in his mind. But mingled with his own strong personal fears was a measure of sympathy for her. He had placed her in this position ; the fault was his.

I would say on my honour, only you think I have none,’' he said, with feeling, ‘‘ that I tried to prevent this moment. I made every excuse I could — every excuse but my marriage. Condemn me ! Yes. I am a coward. I like life. I do not wish to be blotted out socially, have every prospect ruined. I held back. I made a dozen plans. But I was forced on. Count Adam petitioned the Tzar. I had to come — and — and now we stand here supposed man and wife/’

But while he was speaking a change had come over Halka. A weighty thought in her little head had begun to overpower her indignation. Under its influence the insult pressed less sharply, and even began to sink out of sight. Her own words had been the spring whence this feeling had arisen.

Pahlen stood waiting for his sentence, unable — for the very unmanliness of the act — to plead for mercy. Indifferent to his suspense, she suddenly drew her wedding ring from her finger and threw it towards him. The blood rushed again to his face as the hoop spun for a moment at his feet.

“ Am I pardoned ? ” he asked, hoarsely, as he gave her back her own.

She started and coloured, but her new mood looked from her eyes. The future seemed more actual and near to her than the present. Then it flashed across her that he was in her power. What a chance ! she thought. ‘‘ I could frighten him and punish him for having made me a fool — only I have not time.'*

Are you afraid ? ” she said aloud, steadily, and he winced under her tone as under a red-hot knife. “ You need not be. I shall spare you because I think you are too weak and cowardly to be remembered. I shall forget you. You are not even worth hating. You, who for your own safety could hurt and shame a woman ! ”

He stood silent, but raised one hand and nervously twitched his moustache.

I shall even keep your secret,’' she went on, with careless contempt, because — because you might have kept it from me."

Only then he fully knew what his fear had been in the sense of relief that mingled with his shame. He had meant to kill himself if she had betrayed him.

Thank you for that mercy," he answered, his eyes still on the ground. “ But you are not safe ! " she continued, in the same cutting tone. “ One woman may, but two never could keep a secret."’

“ The other married last month,” was all Pahlen could utter.

“ And yet she failed to please your mind ! ” The girl paused, a smile of disdain on her lips. The silence lasted a minute, and her eyes sudsenly grew reflective. Her mood again changed. Pahlen, who expected another burst of scorn, heard instead a voice that had something of the hesitation and shyness of a child’s.

“You have hurt me and insulted me,” she said ; “ will you grant me a favour ? ”

“ You have only to command me,” he murmured.

“ My cousin must think we are married. I must leave here with you to-night.”

He looked up for the first time since his confession, and saw the colour mount her face. This was certainly the arrangement he most wished for, but that she should propose it filled him with surprise.

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“ It is your desire that the Count should think you are my wife ? ’’ he said.

“ Yes/' she answered, haughtily, her eyes falling before his. “ It will suit you too, sir, I should imagine. We shall part a few leagues from here."

I shall order my horse at once," he replied.

‘‘You must speak to my cousin," she continued, and her tone became again hesitating and diffident. The bright colour burnt on her cheeks. “ You must tell him that to be nearer the army you mean to pass your honeymoon at Veseloff. He will understand."

“ And after that ? "

“ And after that, that you will send me into Russia. I shall send a packet of letters to your steward, and you must instruct him to forward them to my cousin at stated intervals."

“ I cannot thank you enough for this favour," said Pahlen. Her eyes flashed at him for a moment. The scorn in an instant withered his re-

^bc IRcb star turning self-assurance. Then, without another word, she left the altar, bringing the scent of the violets with her, and passed him in contemptuous silence.

But he was immensely relieved. She had proposed herself what he had not dared to ask, and was willing to carry on the farce. Considerable surprise, however, mingled with his satisfaction. What was her reason ? Not mercy for him, he was sure. He waited a few minutes after she had disappeared before he left the chapel, and returned to Count Adam’s room. The latter was bending over the register with the priest and notary. He looked up and asked for Halka.

She has gone to change her dress,” replied Pahlen, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword and glancing at the floor. “ I shall ask you to order the carriage at once. Count Adam.”

‘‘ The carriage ! ” was the surprised answer. “ Surely you have leave and can stay here to-night ? ”

“ It is impossible,” said Pahlen,

Zhc IReD Star briefly ; then he added listlessly, as if repeating a lesson, ‘‘ We intend to spend our honeymoon at Veseloff, as it is nearer the cantonments. After that my wife goes into Russia.’'

The Count looked keenly at him. He had taken care of his cousin’s child for years while that cousin followed his own risky career at the Russian Court. Now he was dead, and Count Adam secretly believed in hell, where perhaps he was better able to communicate with the earth than if he had been in heaven. It was very necessary, therefore, that all his wishes about his daughter should be carried out. Count Adam being old and nervous and in dread of devils, had trembled for Halka, having special reasons for doing so.

As he walked up and down the room stroking his beard, tapping the floor with his stick, and muttering to himself, Pahlen thought him half mad, and his impatience to end the scene increased. The guardsman felt so poor a hero, that he could in his anger and shame have leapt on his

Zbc 1Re^ Star horse there and then and galloped away from the house.

After some minutes had passed, a servant flung the door open, and Halka entered in a travelling dress. Pahlen gave her one brief glance as she came across the threshold. Her eyes looked bright and starry, and her face even radiant. Her gaze, however, which seemed to take in everything else in the room, avoided him ; he felt himself entirely ignored. Count Adam's voice fell on his ear bidding him sign, and he instantly obeyed. This was the completion of his crime ; he had now put himself in the power of the law.

Halka took the pen with a sudden access of colour. Pahlen turned his head aside : when he glanced at the book again her signature lay under his.

A glass of fiery wodhi was handed to him, and he drank it as he would have taken brimstone at the moment, though he hated the spirit. Then the old Count took Halka’s hand and looked at her with tenderness.

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“You little soul,” he said, with a quaver, remembering his duty and the devils, “ may God keep you.”

She kissed him and laughed. Pahlen noted that there was genuine gaiety in her manner.

“Yes, God shall keep me,” she replied, with sudden gravity.

“ And you spend the night at Veseloff.”

She stroked his hand, turning slightly aside.

“Yes,” said Pahlen, and the coolness of his own voice rather surprised him.

“ Basil Vassilievitch,” remarked Count Adam, “ do not stay long at Veseloff. It is too near the Vistula.”

“We intend to remain — ” began the young man, to whom this time of waiting was like eternity.

“ Only a few days,” put in Halka, swiftly, her face still averted.