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"On the word of a Major, madam, I am not a Russian if I lie! May

I be the son of a bitch if I lie! Ask, and all the officers will

bear witness, all the army will tell you that in the second army,

ninth corps, second division of infantry, fiftieth yager

regiment, Major Plut is the foremost dancer of the mazurka. Come

on, young lady! Don't be so skittish, for I shall punish you in

officer's fashion."

So saying he jumped up, seized Telimena's hand, and imprinted a

broad kiss on her white shoulder; but Thaddeus, darting in from

the side, slapped his face. The kiss and the blow resounded

together, one after the other, as word after word.