Pagina 492 di 788

The cry went echoing to the mirror room, where slept the Count,

Gerwazy, and the jockeys. Gerwazy awoke, and in vain struggled to

free himself, for he was tied fast at full length to his own

sword; he looked about, and saw by the window armed men, in

short, black helmets and green uniforms. One of them, girt with a

scarf, held a sword, and with its point directed his company of

men, whispering: "Bind! Bind!" Around him lay the jockeys, tied

up like sheep; the Count was sitting unbound but without arms,

and by him stood two private soldiers with bare bayonets-Gerwazy

recognised them: alas! the Muscovites!!!