AbouttheendofthereignoftheEmperorPaulI——thatistosay，towardsthemiddleofthefirstyearofthenineteenthcentury——justasfouro’clockintheafternoonwassoundingfromthechurchofSt。
PeterandSt。Paul，whosegildedvaneoverlookstherampartsofthefortress，acrowd，composedofallsortsandconditionsofpeople，begantogatherinfrontofahousewhichbelongedtoGeneralCountTchermayloff，formerlymilitarygovernorofafair-sizedtowninthegovernmentofPultava。Thefirstspectatorshadbeenattractedbythepreparationswhichtheysawhadbeenmadeinthemiddleofthecourtyardforadministeringtorturewiththeknout。Oneofthegeneral’sserfs，hewhoactedasbarber，wastobethevictim。
AlthoughthiskindofpunishmentwasacommonenoughsightinSt。
Petersburg，itneverthelessattractedallpassers-bywhenitwaspubliclyadministered。Thiswastheoccurrencewhichhadcausedacrowd，asjustmentioned，beforeGeneralTchermayloff’shouse。
Thespectators，evenhadtheybeeninahurry，wouldhavehadnocausetocomplainofbeingkeptwaiting，forathalf-pastfourayoungmanofaboutfive-and-twenty，inthehandsomeuniformofanaide-de-camp，hisbreastcoveredwithdecorations，appearedonthestepsatthefartherendofthecourt-yardinfrontofthehouse。
Thesestepsfacedthelargegateway，andledtothegeneral’sapartments。
Arrivedonthesteps，theyoungaide-de-campstoppedamomentandfixedhiseyesonawindow，thecloselydrawncurtainsofwhichdidnotallowhimtheleastchanceofsatisfyinghiscuriosity，whatevermayhavebeenitscause。Seeingthatitwasuselessandthathewasonlywastingtimeingazinginthatdirection，hemadeasigntoabeardedmanwhowasstandingnearadoorwhichledtotheservants’
quarters。Thedoorwasimmediatelyopened，andtheculpritwasseenadvancinginthemiddleofabodyofserfsandfollowedbytheexecutioner。Theserfswereforcedtoattendthespectacle，thatitmightserveasanexampletothem。Theculpritwasthegeneral’sbarber，aswehavesaid，andtheexecutionerwasmerelythecoachman，who，beingusedtothehandlingofawhip，wasraisedordegraded，whichyouwill，totheofficeofexecutionereverytimepunishmentwiththeknoutwasordered。Thisdutydidnotdeprivehimofeithertheesteemoreventhefriendshipofhiscomrades，fortheywellknewthatitwashisarmalonethatpunishedthemandthathisheartwasnotinhiswork。AsIvan’sarmaswellastherestofhisbodywasthepropertyofthegeneral，andthelattercoulddoashepleasedwithit，noonewasastonishedthatitshouldbeusedforthispurpose。Morethanthat，correctionadministeredbyIvanwasnearlyalwaysgentlerthanthatmetedoutbyanother；foritoftenhappenedthatIvan，whowasagood-naturedfellow，juggledawayoneortwostrokesoftheknoutinadozen，orifhewereforcedbythoseassistingatthepunishmenttokeepastrictcalculation，hemanoeuvredsothatthetipofthelashstruckthedealplankonwhichtheculpritwaslying，thustakingmuchofthestingoutofthestroke。Accordingly，whenitwasIvan’sturntobestretcheduponthefatalplankandtoreceivethecorrectionhewasinthehabitofadministering，onhisownaccount，thosewhomomentarilyplayedhispartasexecutioneradoptedthesameexpedients，rememberingonlythestrokessparedandnotthestrokesreceived。Thisexchangeofmutualbenefits，therefore，wasproductiveofanexcellentunderstandingbetweenIvanandhiscomrades，whichwasneversofirmlyknitasatthemomentwhenafreshexecutionwasabouttotakeplace。Itistruethatthefirsthourafterthepunishmentwasgenerallysofullofsufferingthattheknoutedwassometimesunjusttotheknouter，butthisfeelingseldomout-lastedtheevening，anditwasrarewhenitheldoutafterthefirstglassofspiritsthattheoperatordranktothehealthofhispatient。
TheserfuponwhomIvanwasabouttoexercisehisdexteritywasamanoffiveorsix-and-thirty，redofhairandbeard，alittleaboveaverageheight。HisGreekoriginmightbetracedinhiscountenance，whicheveninitsexpressionofterrorhadpreserveditshabitualcharacteristicsofcraftandcunning。
Whenhearrivedatthespotwherethepunishmentwastotakeplace，theculpritstoppedandlookedupatthewindowwhichhadalreadyclaimedtheyoungaide-de-camp’sattention；itstillremainedshut。
Withaglanceroundthethrongwhichobstructedtheentranceleadingtothestreet，heendedbygazing，withahorror-strickenshudderupontheplankonwhichhewastobestretched。TheshudderdidnotescapehisfriendIvan，who，approachingtoremovethestripedshirtthatcoveredhisshoulders，tooktheopportunitytowhisperunderhisbreath——
"Come，Gregory，takecourage！"
"Yourememberyourpromise？"repliedtheculprit，withanindefinableexpressionofentreaty。
"Notforthefirstlashes，Gregory；donotcountonthat，forduringthefirststrokestheaide-de-campwillbewatching；butamongthelateronesbeassuredIwillfindmeansofcheatinghimofsomeofthem。"
"Beyondeverythingyouwilltakecareofthetipofthelash？"
"Iwilldomybest，Gregory，Iwilldomybest。DoyounotknowthatIwill？"
"Alas！yes，"repliedGregory。
"Now，then！"saidtheaide-de-camp。
"Weareready，noblesir，"repliedIvan。
"Wait，waitonemoment，yourhighorigin，"criedpoorGregory，addressingtheyoungcaptainasthoughhehadbeenacolonel，"VacheVoussoKorodie，"inordertoflatterhim。"IbelievethattheladyVaninka’swindowisabouttoopen！"
Theyoungcaptainglancedeagerlytowardsthespotwhichhadalreadyseveraltimesclaimedhisattention，butnotafoldofthesilkencurtains，whichcouldbeseenthroughthepanesofthewindow，hadmoved。
"Youaremistaken，yourascal，"saidtheaide-decamp，unwillinglyremovinghiseyesfromthewindow，asthoughhealsohadhopedtoseeitopen，"youaremistaken；andbesides，whathasyournoblemistresstodowithallthis？"
"Pardon，yourexcellency，"continuedGregory，gratifyingtheaide-de-
campwith，yethigherrank，——"pardon，butitisthroughherordersI
amabouttosuffer。Perhapsshemighthavepityuponawretchedservant！"
"Enough，enough；letusproceed，"saidthecaptaininanoddvoice，asthoughheregrettedaswellastheculpritthatVaninkahadnotshownmercy。
"Immediately，immediately，noblesir，"saidIvan；thenturningtoGregory，hecontinued，"Come，comrade；thetimehascome。"
Gregorysighedheavily，threwalastlookupatthewindow，andseeingthateverythingremainedthesamethere，hemusteredupresolutionenoughtoliedownonthefatalplank。Atthesametimetwootherserfs，chosenbyIvanforassistants，tookhimbythearmsandattachedhiswriststotwostakes，oneateithersideofhim，sothatitappearedasthoughhewerestretchedonacross。Thentheyclampedhisneckintoanironcollar，andseeingthatallwasinreadinessandthatnosignfavourabletotheculprithadbeenmadefromthestillcloselyshutwindow，theyoungaide-de-campbeckonedwithhishand，saying，"Now，then，begin！"
"Patience，mylord，patience，"saidIvan，stilldelayingthewhipping，inthehopethatsomesignmightyetbemadefromtheinexorablewindow。"Ihaveaknotinmyknout，andifIleaveitGregorywillhavegoodrighttocomplain。"
Theinstrumentwithwhichtheexecutionerwasbusyinghimself，andwhichisperhapsunknowntoourreaders，wasaspeciesofwhip，withahandleabouttwofeetlong。Aplaitedleatherthong，aboutfourfeetlongandtwoinchesbroad，wasattachedtothishandle，thisthongterminatinginanironorcopperring，andtothisanotherbandofleatherwasfastened，twofeetlong，andatthebeginningaboutoneandahalfinchesthick：thisgraduallybecamethinner，tillitendedinapoint。Thethongwassteepedinmilkandthendriedinthesun，andonaccountofthismethodofpreparationitsedgebecameaskeenandcuttingasaknife；further，thethongwasgenerallychangedateverysixthstroke，becausecontactwithbloodsoftenedit。
HoweverunwillinglyandclumsilyIvansetaboutuntyingtheknot，ithadtocomeundoneatlast。Besides，thebystanderswerebeginningtogrumble，andtheirmutteringdisturbedthereverieintowhichtheyoungaide-de-camphadfallen。Heraisedhishead，whichhadbeensunkonhisbreast，andcastalastlooktowardsthewindow；thenwithaperemptorysign；andinavoicewhichadmittedofnodelay，heorderedtheexecutiontoproceed。
Nothingcouldputitoffanylonger：Ivanwasobligedtoobey，andhedidnotattempttofindanynewpretextfordelay。Hedrewbacktwopaces，andwithaspringhereturnedtohisplace，andstandingontiptoe，hewhirledtheknoutabovehishead，andthenlettingitsuddenlyfall，hestruckGregorywithsuchdexteritythatthelashwrappeditselfthriceroundhisvictim’sbody，encirclinghimlikeaserpent，butthetipofthethongstrucktheplankuponwhichGregorywaslying。Nevertheless，inspiteofthisprecaution，Gregoryutteredaloudshriek，andIvancounted"One。"
Attheshriek，theyoungaide-de-campagainturnedtowardsthewindow；butitwasstillshut，andmechanicallyhiseyeswentbacktotheculprit，andherepeatedtheword"One。"
TheknouthadtracedthreebluefurrowsonGregory’sshoulders。Ivantookanotherspring，andwiththesameskillasbeforeheagainenvelopedtheculprit’sbodywiththehissingthong，evertakingcarethatthetipofitshouldnottouchhim。Gregoryutteredanothershriek，andIvancounted"Two。"Thebloodnowbegantocolourtheskin。
Atthethirdstrokeseveraldropsofbloodappeared；atthefourththebloodspurtedout；atthefifthsomedropsspatteredtheyoungofficer’sface；hedrewback，andwipedthemawaywithhishandkerchief。Ivanprofitedbyhisdistraction，andcountedseveninsteadofsix：thecaptaintooknonotice。AttheninthstrokeIvanstoppedtochangethelash，andinthehopethatasecondfraudmightpassoffasluckilyasthefirst，hecountedeleveninsteadoften。
AtthatmomentawindowoppositetoVaninka’sopened，andamanaboutforty-fiveorfiftyingeneral’suniformappeared。Hecalledoutinacarelesstone，"Enough，thatwilldo，"andclosedthewindowagain。
Immediatelyonthisapparitiontheyoungaide-de-camphadturnedtowardshisgeneral，saluting，andduringthefewsecondsthatthegeneralwaspresentheremainedmotionless。Whenthewindowhadbeenshutagain，herepeatedthegeneral’swords，sothattheraisedwhipfellwithouttouchingtheculprit。
"Thankhisexcellency，Gregory，"saidIvan，rollingtheknout’slashroundhishand，"forhavingsparedyoutwostrokes；"andheadded，bendingdowntoliberateGregory’shand，"thesetwowiththetwoI
wasabletomissoutmakeatotalofeightstrokesinsteadoftwelve。
Come，now，youothers，untiehisotherhand。"
ButpoorGregorywasinnostatetothankanybody；nearlyswooningwithpain，hecouldscarcelystand。
Twomoujikstookhimbythearmsandledhimtowardstheserfs’
quarters，followedbyIvan。Havingreachedthedoor，however，Gregorystopped，turnedhishead，andseeingtheaide-de-campgazingpitifullyathim，"Ohsir，"hecried，"pleasethankhisexcellencythegeneralforme。AsfortheladyVaninka，"headdedinalowtone，"Iwillcertainlythankhermyself。"
"Whatareyoumutteringbetweenyourteeth？"criedtheyoungofficer，withanangrymovement；forhethoughthehaddetectedathreateningtoneinGregory’svoice。
"Nothing，sir，nothing，"saidIvan。"Thepoorfellowismerelythankingyou，Mr。Foedor，forthetroubleyouhavetakeninbeingpresentathispunishment，andhesaysthathehasbeenmuchhonoured，thatisall。"
"Thatisright，"saidtheyoungman，suspectingthatIvanhadsomewhatalteredtheoriginalremarks，butevidentlynotwishingtobebetterinformed。"IfGregorywishestosparemethistroubleanothertime，lethimdrinklessvodka；orelse，ifhemustgetdrunk，lethimatleastremembertobemorerespectful。"
Ivanbowedlowandfollowedhiscomrades，Foedorenteredthehouseagain，andthecrowddispersed，muchdissatisfiedthatIvan’strickeryandthegeneral’sgenerosityhaddeprivedthemoffourstrokesoftheknout——exactlyathirdofthepunishment。
Nowthatwehaveintroducedourreaderstosomeofthecharactersinthishistory，wemustmakethembetteracquaintedwiththosewhohavemadetheirappearance，andmustintroducethosewhoarestillbehindthecurtain。
GeneralCountTchermayloff，aswehavesaid，afterhavingbeengovernorofoneofthemostimportanttownsintheenvironsofPultava，hadbeenrecalledtoSt。PetersburgbytheEmperorPaul，whohonouredhimwithhisparticularfriendship。Thegeneralwasawidower，withonedaughter，whohadinheritedhermother’sfortune，beauty，andpride。Vaninka’smotherclaimeddescentfromoneofthechieftainsoftheTartarrace，whohadinvadedRussia，undertheleadershipofD’Gengis，inthethirteenthcentury。Vaninka’snaturallyhaughtydispositionhadbeenfosteredbytheeducationshehadreceived。Hiswifebeingdead，andnothavingtimetolookafterhisdaughter’seducationhimself，GeneralTchermayloffhadprocuredanEnglishgovernessforher。Thislady，insteadofsuppressingherpupil’sscornfulpropensities，hadencouragedthem，byfillingherheadwiththosearistocraticideaswhichhavemadetheEnglisharistocracytheproudestintheworld。AmongstthedifferentstudiestowhichVaninkadevotedherself，therewasoneinwhichshewasspeciallyinterested，andthatonewas，ifonemaysocallit，thescienceofherownrank。SheknewexactlytherelativedegreeofnobilityandpowerofalltheRussiannoblefamilies——thosethatwereagradeaboveherown，andthoseofwhomshetookprecedence。Shecouldgiveeachpersonthetitlewhichbelongedtotheirrespectiverank，noeasythingtodoinRussia，andshehadthegreatestcontemptforallthosewhowerebelowtherankofexcellency。Asforserfsandslaves，forhertheydidnotexist：theyweremerebeardedanimals，farbelowherhorseorherdoginthesentimentswhichtheyinspiredinher；andshewouldnotforoneinstanthaveweighedthelifeofaserfagainsteitherofthoseinterestinganimals。
Likeallthewomenofdistinctioninhernation，Vaninkawasagoodmusician，andspokeFrench，Italian，German，andEnglishequallywell。
Herfeatureshaddevelopedinharmonywithhercharacter。Vaninkawasbeautiful，butherbeautywasperhapsalittletoodecided。Herlargeblackeyes，straightnose，andlipscurlingscornfullyatthecorners，impressedthosewhosawherforthefirsttimesomewhatunpleasantly。Thisimpressionsoonworeoffwithhersuperiorsandequals，towhomshebecamemerelyanordinarycharmingwoman，whilsttosubalternsandsuchlikesheremainedhaughtyandinaccessibleasagoddess。AtseventeenVaninka’seducationwasfinished，andhergovernesswhohadsufferedinhealththroughthesevereclimateofSt。Petersburg，requestedpermissiontoleave。ThisdesirewasgrantedwiththeostentatiousrecognitionofwhichtheRussiannobilityarethelastrepresentativesinEurope。ThusVaninkawasleftalone，withnothingbutherfather’sblindadorationtodirecther。Shewashisonlydaughter，aswehavementioned，andhethoughtherabsolutelyperfect。
Thingswereinthisstateinthe-general’shousewhenhereceivedaletter，writtenonthedeathbedofoneofthefriendsofhisyouth。
CountRomayloffhadbeenexiledtohisestates，asaresultofsomequarrelwithPotemkin，andhiscareerhadbeenspoilt。Notbeingabletorecoverhisforfeitedposition，hehadsettleddownaboutfourhundredleaguesfromSt。Petersburg；broken-hearted，distressedprobablylessonaccountofhisownexileandmisfortunethanoftheprospectsofhisonlyson，Foedor。Thecountfeelingthathewasleavingthissonaloneandfriendlessintheworld，commendedtheyoungman，inthenameoftheirearlyfriendship，tothegeneral，hopingthat，owingtohisbeingafavouritewithPaulI，hewouldbeabletoprocurealieutenancyinaregimentforhim。Thegeneralimmediatelyrepliedtothecountthathissonshouldfindasecondfatherinhimself；butwhenthiscomfortingmessagearrived，Romayloffwasnomore，andFoedorhimselfreceivedtheletterandcarrieditbackwithhimtothegeneral，whenhewenttotellhimofhislossandtoclaimthepromisedprotection。Sogreatwasthegeneral’sdespatch，thatPaulI，athisrequest，grantedtheyoungmanasub-lieutenancyintheSemonowskoiregiment，sothatFoedorenteredonhisdutiestheverynextdayafterhisarrivalinSt。
Petersburg。
Althoughtheyoungmanhadonlypassedthroughthegeneral’shouseonhiswaytothebarracks，whichweresituatedintheLitenoiquarter，hehadremainedtherelongenoughforhimtohaveseenVaninka，andshehadproducedagreatimpressionuponhim。Foedorhadarrivedwithhisheartfullofprimitiveandnoblefeelings；hisgratitudetohisprotector，whohadopenedacareerforhim，wasprofound，andextendedtoallhisfamily。Thesefeelingscausedhimperhapstohaveanexaggeratedideaofthebeautyoftheyounggirlwhowaspresentedtohimasasister，andwho，inspiteofthistitle，receivedhimwiththefrigidityandhauteurofaqueen。
Nevertheless，herappearance，inspiteofhercoolandfreezingmanner，hadleftalastingimpressionupontheyoungman’sheart，andhisarrivalinSt。Petersburghadbeenmarkedbyfeelingstillthenneverexperiencedbeforeinhislife。
AsforVaninka，shehadhardlynoticedFoedor；forwhatwasayoungsub-lieutenant，withoutfortuneorprospects，toher？Whatshedreamedofwassomeprincelyalliance，thatwouldmakeheroneofthemostpowerfulladiesinRussia，andunlesshecouldrealisesomedreamoftheArabianNights，Foedorcouldnotofferhersuchafuture。
Sometimeafterthisfirstinterview，Foedorcametotakeleaveofthegeneral。HisregimentwastoformpartofacontingentthatField-MarshalSouvarowwastakingtoItaly，andFoedorwasabouttodie，orshowhimselfworthyofthenoblepatronwhohadhelpedhimtoacareer。
Thistime，whetheronaccountoftheelegantuniformthatheightenedFoedor’snaturalgoodlooks，orbecausehisimminentdeparture，glowingwithhopeandenthusiasm，lentaromanticinteresttotheyoungman，Vaninkawasastonishedatthemarvellouschangeinhim，anddeigned，atherfather’srequest，togivehimherhandwhenheleft。ThiswasmorethanFoedorhaddaredtohope。Hedroppeduponhisknee，asthoughinthepresenceofaqueen，andtookVaninka’sbetweenhisowntremblinghands，scarcelydaringtotouchitwithhislips。Lightthoughthekisshadbeen，Vaninkastartedasthoughshehadbeenburnt；shefeltathrillrunthroughher，andsheblushedviolently。Shewithdrewherhandsoquickly，thatFoedor，fearingthisadieu，respectfulthoughitwas，hadoffendedher，remainedonhisknees，andclaspinghishands，raisedhiseyeswithsuchanexpressionoffearinthem，thatVaninka，forgettingherhauteur，reassuredhimwithasmile。Foedorrose，hisheartfilledwithinexplicablejoy，andwithoutbeingabletosaywhathadcausedthisfeeling，heonlyknewthatithadmadehimabsolutelyhappy，sothat，althoughhewasjustabouttoleaveVaninka，hehadneverfeltgreaterhappinessinhislife。
Theyoungmanleftdreaminggoldendreams；forhisfuture，beitgloomyorbright，wastobeenvied。Ifitendedinasoldier’sgrave，hebelievedhehadseeninVaninka’seyesthatshewouldmournhim；ifhisfuturewasglorious，glorywouldbringhimbacktoSt。
Petersburgintriumph，andgloryisaqueen，whoworksmiraclesforherfavourites。
ThearmytowhichtheyoungofficerbelongedcrossedGermany，descendedintoItalybytheTyrolesemountains，andenteredVeronaonthe14thofApril1799。SouvarowimmediatelyjoinedforceswithGeneralMelas，andtookcommandofthetwoarmies。GeneralChastelernextdaysuggestedthattheyshouldreconnoitre。Souvarow，gazingathimwithastonishment，replied，"Iknowofnootherwayofreconnoitringtheenemythanbymarchinguponhimandgivinghimbattle。"
AsamatteroffactSouvarowwasaccustomedtothisexpeditioussortofstrategy：throughithehaddefeatedtheTurksatFolkschanyandIsmailoff；andhehaddefeatedthePoles，afterafewdays’campaign，andhadtakenPragueinlessthanfourhours。Catherine，outofgratitude，hadsenthervictoriousgeneralawreathofoak-leaves，intertwinedwithpreciousstones，andworthsixhundredthousandroubles，aheavygoldfield-marshal’sbatonencrustedwithdiamonds；
andhadcreatedhimafield-marshal，withtherightofchoosingaregimentthatshouldbearhisnamefromthattimeforward。Besides，whenhereturnedtoRussia，shegavehimleaveofabsence，thathemighttakeaholidayatabeautifulestateshehadgivenhim，togetherwiththeeightthousandserfswholiveduponit。
WhatasplendidexampleforFoedor！Souvarow，thesonofahumbleRussianofficer，hadbeeneducatedattheordinarycadets’trainingcollege，andhadleftitasasub-lieutenantlikehimself。WhyshouldtherenotbetwoSouvarowsinthesamecentury？
SouvarowarrivedinItalyprecededbyanimmensereputation；
religious，strenuous，unwearied，impassible，lovingwiththesimplicityofaTartarandfightingwiththefuryofaCossack，hewasjustthemanrequiredtocontinueGeneralMelas’ssuccessesoverthesoldiersoftheRepublic，discouragedastheyhadbeenbytheweakvacillationsofScherer。
TheAustro-Russianarmyofonehundredthousandmenwasopposedbyonlytwenty-nineorthirtythousandFrench。Souvarowbeganasusualwithathunderingblow。On20thAprilheappearedbeforeBrescia，whichmadeavainattemptatresistance；afteracannonadeofabouthalfanhour’sduration，thePreschieragatewasforced，andtheKorsakowdivision，ofwhichFoedor’sregimentformedthevanguard，chargedintothetown，pursuingthegarrison，whichonlyconsistedoftwelvehundredmen，andobligedthemtotakerefugeinthecitadel。
PressedwithanimpetuositytheFrenchwerenotaccustomedtofindintheirenemies，andseeingthatthescalingladderswerealreadyinpositionagainsttheramparts，thecaptainBoucretwishedtocometoterms；buthispositionwastooprecariousforhimtoobtainanyconditionsfromhissavageconquerors，andheandhissoldiersweremadeprisonersofwar。
Souvarowwasexperiencedenoughtoknowhowbesttoprofitbyvictory；hardlymasterofBrescia，therapidoccupationofwhichhaddiscouragedourarmyanew，heorderedGeneralKraytovigorouslypressonthesiegeofPreschiera。GeneralKraythereforeestablishedhisheadquartersatValeggio，aplacesituatedatanequaldistancebetweenPreschieraandMantua，andheextendedfromthePotothelakeofGarda，onthebanksoftheMencio，thusinvestingthetwocitiesatthesametime。
Meanwhilethecommander-in-chiefhadadvanced，accompaniedbythelargerpartofhisforces，andhadcrossedtheOgliointwocolumns：
helaunchedonecolumn，underGeneralRosenberg，towardsBergamo，andtheother，withGeneralMelasincharge，towardstheSerio，whilstabodyofsevenoreightthousandmen，commandedbyGeneralKaimandGeneralHohenzollern，weredirectedtowardsPlacentiaandCremona，thusoccupyingthewholeoftheleftbankofthePo，insuchamannerthattheAustro-Russianarmyadvanceddeployingeightythousandmenalongafrontofforty-fivemiles。
Inviewoftheforceswhichwereadvancing，andwhichwerethreetimesaslargeashisown，Schererbeataretreatallalongtheline。
HedestroyedthebridgesovertheAdda，ashedidnotconsiderthathewasstrongenoughtoholdthem，and，havingremovedhisheadquarterstoMilan，heawaitedtherethereplytoadespatchwhichhehadsenttotheDirectory，inwhich，tacitlyacknowledginghisincapacity，hetenderedhisresignation。Asthearrivalofhissuccessorwasdelayed，andasSouvarowcontinuedtoadvance，Scherer，moreandmoreterrifiedbytheresponsibilitywhichresteduponhim，relinquishedhiscommandintothehandsofhismostablelieutenant。
ThegeneralchosenbyhimwasMoreau，whowasagainabouttofightthoseRussiansinwhoserankshewasdestinedtodieatlast。
Moreau’sunexpectednominationwasproclaimedamidsttheacclamationofthesoldiers。HehadbeencalledtheFrenchFabius，onaccountofhismagnificentcampaignontheRhine。Hepassedhiswholearmyinreview，salutedbythesuccessiveacclamationsofitsdifferentdivisions，whichcried，"LongliveMoreau！LonglivethesaviourofthearmyofItaly！"Buthowevergreatthisenthusiasm，itdidnotblindMoreautotheterriblepositioninwhichhefoundhimself。Attheriskofbeingout-flanked，itwasnecessaryforhimtopresentaparallellinetothatoftheRussianarmy，sothat，inordertofacehisenemy，hewasobligedtoextendhislinefromLakeLeccotoPizzighitone——thatistosay，adistanceoffiftymiles。ItistruethathemighthaveretiredtowardsPiedmontandconcentratedhistroopsatAlexandria，toawaittherethereinforcementstheDirectoryhadpromisedtosendhim。Butifhehaddonethis，hewouldhavecompromisedthesafetyofthearmyatNaples，andhaveabandonedit，isolatedasitwas，tothemercyoftheenemy。HethereforeresolvedtodefendthepassageoftheAddaaslongaspossible，inordertogivethedivisionunderDessolles，whichwastobedespatchedtohimbyMassena，timetojoinforceswithhimandtodefendhisleft，whilstGauthier，whohadreceivedorderstoevacuateTuscanyandtohastenwithforcedmarchestohisaid，shouldhavetimetoarriveandprotecthisright。Moreauhimselftookthecentre，andpersonallydefendedthefortifiedbridgeofCassano；thisbridgewasprotectedbytheRitortoCanal，andhealsodefendeditwithagreatdealofartilleryandanentrenchedvanguard。Besides，Moreau，alwaysasprudentasbrave，tookeveryprecautiontosecurearetreat，incaseofdisaster，towardstheApenninesandthecoastofGenoa。HardlywerehisdispositionscompletedbeforetheindefatigableSouvarowenteredTriveglio。AtthesametimeastheRussiancommander-in-
chiefarrivedatthislasttown，MoreauheardofthesurrenderofBergamoanditscastle，andon23rdAprilhesawtheheadsofthecolumnsofthealliedarmy。
ThesamedaytheRussiangeneraldividedhistroopsintothreestrongcolumns，correspondingtothethreeprincipalpointsintheFrenchline，eachcolumnnumericallymorethandoublethestrengthofthosetowhomtheywereopposed。Therightcolumn，ledbyGeneralWukassowich，advancedtowardsLakeLecco，whereGeneralSerrurierawaitedit。Theleftcolumn，underthecommandofMelas，tookupitspositioninfrontoftheCassanoentrenchments；andtheAustriandivision，underGeneralsZopfandOtt，whichformedthecentre，concentratedatCanonia，readyatagivenmomenttoseizeVaprio。
TheRussianandAustriantroopsbivouackedwithincannon-shotoftheFrenchoutposts。
Thatevening，Foedor，whowithhisregimentformedpartofChasteler’sdivision，wrotetoGeneralTchermayloff：
"WeareatlastoppositetheFrench，andagreatbattlemusttakeplaceto-morrowmorning；tomorroweveningIshallbealieutenantoracorpse。"
Nextmorning，26thApril，cannonresoundedatbreakofdayfromtheextremitiesofthelines；onourleftPrinceBagration’sgrenadiersattackedus，onourrightGeneralSeckendorff，whohadbeendetachedfromthecampofTriveglio，wasmarchingonCrema。
Thesetwoattacksmetwithverydifferentsuccess。Bagration’sgrenadierswererepulsedwithterribleloss，whilstSeckendorff，onthecontrary，drovetheFrenchoutofCrema，andpushedforwardtowardsthebridgeofLodi。Foedor’spredictionswerefalsified：hisportionofthearmydidnothingthewholeday；hisregimentremainedmotionless，waitingforordersthatdidnotcome。
Souvarow’sarrangementswerenotyetquitecomplete，thenightwasneededforhimtofinishthem。Duringthenight，Moreau，havingheardofSeckendorff’ssuccessonhisextremeright，sentanordertoSerruriercommandinghimtoleaveatLecco，whichwasaneasyposttodefend，the18thlightbrigadeandadetachmentofdragoonsonly，andtodrawbackwiththerestofhistroopstowardsthecentre。
Serrurierreceivedthisorderabouttwoo’clockinthemorning，andexecuteditimmediately。
OntheirsidetheRussianshadlostnotime，profitingbythedarknessofthenight。GeneralWukassowichhadrepairedthebridgeatBrevio，whichhadbeendestroyedbytheFrench，whilstGeneralChastelerhadbuiltanotherbridgetwomilesbelowthecastleofTrezzo。Thesetwobridgeshadbeen，theonerepairedandtheotherbuilt，withouttheFrenchoutpostshavingtheslightestsuspicionofwhatwastakingplace。
Surprisedattwoo’clockinthemorningbytwoAustriandivisions，which，concealedbythevillageofSanGervasio，hadreachedtherightbankoftheAddawithouttheirbeingdiscovered，thesoldiersdefendingthecastleofTrezzoabandoneditandbeataretreat。TheAustrianspursuedthemasfarasPozzo，buttheretheFrenchsuddenlyhaltedandfacedabout，forGeneralSerrurierwasatPozzo，withthetroopshehadbroughtfromLecco。Heheardthecannonadebehindhim，immediatelyhalted，and，obeyingthefirstlawofwarfare，hemarchedtowardsthenoiseandsmoke。ItwasthereforethroughhimthatthegarrisonofTrezzoralliedandresumedtheoffensive。Serruriersentanaide-de-CamptoMoreautoinformhimofthemanoeuvrehehadthoughtpropertoexecute。
ThebattlebetweentheFrenchandAustriantroopsragedwithincrediblefury。Bonaparte’sveterans，duringtheirfirstItaliancampaigns，hadadoptedacustomwhichtheycouldnotrenounce：itwastofightHisImperialMajesty’ssubjectswherevertheyfoundthem。
Nevertheless，sogreatwasthenumericalsuperiorityoftheallies，thatourtroopshadbeguntoretreat，whenloudshoutsfromtherearguardannouncedthatreinforcementshadarrived。ItwasGeneralGrenier，sentbyMoreau，whoarrivedwithhisdivisionatthemomentwhenhispresencewasmostnecessary。
Onepartofthenewdivisionreinforcedthecentrecolumn，doublingitssize；anotherpartwasextendeduponthelefttoenveloptheenemy。Thedrumsbeatafreshdownthewholeline，andourgrenadiersbeganagaintoreconquerthisbattlefieldalreadytwicelostandwon。ButatthismomenttheAustrianswerereinforcedbytheMarquisdeChastelerandhisdivision，sothatthenumericalsuperioritywasagainwiththeenemy。Grenierdrewbackhiswingtostrengthenthecentre，andSerrurier，preparingforretreatincaseofdisaster，fellbackonPozzo，whereheawaitedtheenemy。Itwasherethatthebattleragedmostfiercely：thricethevillageofPozzowastakenandre-taken，untilatlast，attackedforthefourthtimebyaforcedoubletheirowninnumbers，theFrenchwereobligedtoevacuateit。
InthislastattackanAustriancolonelwasmortallywounded，but，ontheotherhand，GeneralBeker，whocommandedtheFrenchrearguard，refusedtoretreatwithhissoldiers，andmaintainedhisgroundwithafewmen，whowereslainastheystood；hewasatlengthobligedtogiveuphisswordtoayoungRussianofficeroftheSemenofskoiregiment，who，handingoverhisprisonertohisownsoldiers，returnedimmediatelytothecombat。
ThetwoFrenchgeneralshadfixedonthevillageofVaprioasarallying-place，butatthemomentwhenourtroopswerethrownintodisorderthroughtheevacuationofPozzo，theAustriancavalrychargedheavily，andSerrurier，findinghimselfseparatedfromhiscolleague，wasobligedtoretirewithtwothousandfivehundredmentoVerderio，whilstGrenier，havingreachedtheappointedplace，Vaprio，haltedtofacetheenemyafresh。
Duringthistimeaterriblefightwastakingplaceinthecentre。
MelaswitheighteentotwentythousandmenhadattackedthefortifiedpostsattheheadofthebridgeofCassanoandtheRitortoCanal。
Aboutseveno’clockinthemorning，whenMoreauhadweakenedhimselfbydespatchingGrenierandhisdivision，Melas，leadingthreebattalionsofAustriangrenadiers，hadattackedthefortifications，andfortwohourstherewasterriblecarnage；thricerepulsed，andleavingmorethanfifteenhundredmenatthebaseofthefortifications，theAustrianshadthricereturnedtotheattack，eachtimebeingreinforcedbyfreshtroops，alwaysledonandencouragedbyMelas，whohadtoavengehisformerdefeats。Atlength，havingbeenattackedforthefourthtime，forcedfromtheirentrenchments，andcontestingthegroundinchbyinch，theFrenchtookshelterbehindtheirsecondfortifications，whichdefendedtheentrancetothebridgeitself：heretheywerecommandedbyMoreauinperson。
There，fortwomorehours，ahand-to-handstruggletookplace，whilsttheterribleartillerybelchedforthdeathalmostmuzzletomuzzle。
AtlasttheAustrians，rallyingforalasttime，advancedatthepointofthebayonet，and；lackingeitherladdersorfascines，piledthebodiesoftheirdeadcomradesagainstthefortifications，andsucceededinscalingthebreastworks。Therewasnotamomenttobelost。Moreauorderedaretreat，andwhilsttheFrenchwererecrossingtheAdda，heprotectedtheirpassageinpersonwithasinglebattalionofgrenadiers，ofwhomattheendofhalfanhournotmorethanahundredandtwentymenremained；threeofhisaides-
de-campwerekilledathisside。Thisretreatwasaccomplishedwithoutdisorder，andthenMoreauhimselfretired，stillfightingtheenemy，whosetfootonthebridgeassoonashereachedtheotherbank。TheAustriansimmediatelyrushedforwardtocapturehim，whensuddenlyaterriblenoisewasheardrisingabovetheroaroftheartillery；thesecondarchofthebridgewasblownintotheair，carryingwithitallthosewhowerestandingonthefatalspot。Thearmiesrecoiled，andintotheemptyspacebetweenthemfelllikerainadebrisofstonesandhumanbeings。Butatthismoment，whenMoreauhadsucceededinputtingamomentaryobstaclebetweenhimselfandMelas，GeneralGrenier’sdivisionarrivedindisorder，afterhavingbeenforcedtoevacuateVaprio，pursuedbytheAustro-RussiansunderZopf，Ott，andChasteler。Moreauorderedachangeoffront，andfacedthisnewenemy，whofelluponhimwhenheleastexpectedthem；
hesucceededinrallyingGrenier’stroopsandinre-establishingthebattle。ButwhilsthisbackwasturnedMelasrepairedthebridgeandcrossedtheriver；thusMoreaufoundhimselfattackedfrontally，intherear，andonhistwoflanks，byforcesthreetimeslargerthanhisown。Itwasthenthatalltheofficerswhosurroundedhimbeggedhimtoretreat，foronthepreservationofhispersondependedthepreservationofItalyforFrance。Moreaurefusedforsometime，forheknewtheawfulconsequencesofthebattlehehadjustlost，andhedidnotwishtosurviveit，althoughithadbeenimpossibleforhimtowinit。Atlastachosenbandsurroundedhim，and，formingasquare，drewback，whilsttherestofthearmysacrificedthemselvestocoverhisretreat；forMoreau’sgeniuswaslookeduponasthesolehopethatremainedtothem。
Thebattlelastednearlythreehourslonger，duringwhichtherearguardofthearmyperformedprodigiesofvalour。AtlengthMelas，seeingthattheenemyhadescapedhim，andbelievingthathistroops，tiredbythestubbornfight，neededrest，gaveordersthatthefightingshouldcease。HehaltedontheleftbankoftheAdda，encampinghisarmyinthevillagesofImago，Gorgonzola，andCassano，andremainedmasterofthebattlefield，uponwhichwehadlefttwothousandfivehundreddead，onehundredpiecesofcannon，andtwentyhowitzers。
ThatnightSouvarowinvitedGeneralBeckertosupperwithhim，andaskedhimbywhomhehadbeentakenprisoner。BeckerrepliedthatitwasayoungofficerbelongingtotheregimentwhichhadfirstenteredPozzo。Souvarowimmediatelyinquiredwhatregimentthiswas，anddiscoveredthatitwastheSemenofskoi；hethenorderedthatinquiriesshouldbemadetoascertaintheyoungofficer’sname。
ShortlyafterwardsSub-LieutenantFoedorRomayloffwasannounced。HepresentedGeneralBecker’sswordtoSouvarow，whoinvitedhimtoremainandtohavesupperwithhisprisoner。
NextdayFoedorwrotetohisprotector："Ihavekeptmyword。Iamalieutenant，andField-MarshalSouvarowhasrequestedhisMajestyPaulItobestowuponmetheorderofSaintVladimir。"
On28thofApril，SouvarowenteredMilan，whichMoreauhadjustabandonedinordertoretreatbeyondTesino。Thefollowingproclamationwasbyhisorderpostedonallthewallsofthecapital；
itadmirablypaintsthespiritoftheMuscovite：
"ThevictoriousarmyoftheApostolicalandRomanEmperorishere；ithasfoughtsolelyfortherestorationoftheHolyFaith，——theclergy，nobility，andancientgovernmentofItaly。People，joinusforGodandtheFaith，forwehavearrivedwithanarmyatMilanandPlacentiatoassistyou！"
ThedearlyboughtvictoriesofTrebiaandNovisucceededthatofCassano，andleftSouvarowsomuchweakenedthathewasunabletoprofitbythem。Besides，justwhentheRussiangeneralwasabouttoresumehismarch，anewplanofcampaignarrived，sentbytheAulicCouncilatVienna。TheAlliedPowershaddecidedupontheinvasionofFrance，andhadfixedtherouteeachgeneralmustfollowinordertoaccomplishthisnewproject。ItwaydecidedthatSouvarowshouldinvadeFrancebySwitzerland，andthatthearch-dukeshouldyieldhimhispositionsanddescendontheLowerRhine。
ThetroopswithwhichSouvarowwastooperateagainstMassenafromthistimewerethethirtythousandRussianshehadwithhim，thirtythousandothersdetachedfromthereservearmycommandedbyCountTolstoyinGalicia，whoweretobeledtojoinhiminSwitzerlandbyGeneralKorsakoff，aboutthirtythousandAustriansunderGeneralHotze，andlastly，fiveorsixthousandFrenchemigrantsunderthePrincedeCondeinall，anarmyofninetyorninety-fivethousandmen。TheAustriansweretoopposeMoreauandMacdonald。
FoedorhadbeenwoundedwhenenteringNovi，butSouvarowhadrewardedhimwithasecondcross，andtherankofcaptainhastenedhisconvalescence，sothattheyoungofficer，morehappythanproudofthenewrankhehadreceived，wasinaconditiontofollowthearmy，whenon13thSeptemberitmovedtowardsSalvedraandenteredthevalleyofTesino。
Sofarallhadgonewell，andaslongastheyremainedintherichandbeautifulItalianplains，Suovarowhadnothingbutpraiseforthecourageanddevotionofhissoldiers。ButwhentothefertilefieldsofLombardy，wateredbyitsbeautifulriver，succeededtheroughwaysoftheLevantine，andwhentheloftysummitsoftheSt。Gothard，coveredwiththeeternalsnows，rosebeforethem，theirenthusiasmwasquenched，theirenergydisappeared，andmelancholyforebodingsfilledtheheartsofthesesavagechildrenoftheNorth。
Unexpectedgrumblingsranthroughtheranks；thensuddenlythevanguardstopped，anddeclaredthatitwouldgonofarther。InvainFoedor，whocommandedacompany，beggedandentreatedhisownmentosetanexamplebycontinuingthemarch：theythrewdowntheirarms，andlaydownbesidethem。Justastheyhadgiventhisproofofinsubordination，freshmurmurs，soundinglikeanapproachingstorm，rosefromtherearofthearmy：theywerecausedbythesightofSouvarow，whowasridingfromthereartothevanguard，andwhoarrivedatthefrontaccompaniedbythisterribleproofofmutinyandinsubordination。Whenhereachedtheheadofthecolumn，themurmuringshaddevelopedintoimprecations。
ThenSouvarowaddressedhissoldierswiththatsavageeloquencetowhichheowedthemiracleshehadeffectedwiththem，butcriesof"Retreat！Retreat！"drownedhisvoice。Thenhechoseoutthemostmutinous，andhadthemthrasheduntiltheywereovercomebythisshamefulpunishment：Butthethrashingshadnomoreinfluencethantheexhortation，andtheshoutscontinued。Souvarowsawthatallwaslostifhedidnotemploysomepowerfulandunexpectedmeansofregainingthemutineers。HeadvancedtowardsFoedor。"Captain，"
saidhe，"leavethesefoolshere，takeeightnon-commissionedofficersanddigagrave。"Foedor，astonished，gazedathisgeneralasthoughdemandinganexplanationofthisstrangeorder。"Obeyorders，"saidSouvarow。
Foedorobeyed，andtheeightmensettowork；andtenminuteslaterthegravewasdug，greatlytotheastonishmentofthewholearmy，whichhadgatheredinasemicircleontherisingslopesofthetwohillswhichborderedtheroad，standingasifonthestepsofahugeamphitheatre。
Souvarowdismountedfromhishorse，brokehisswordintwoandthrewitintothegrave，detachedhisepauletsonebyoneandthrewthemafterhissword，draggedoffthedecorationswhichcoveredhisbreastandcasttheseaftertheswordandepaulets，andthen，strippinghimselfnaked，helaydowninthegravehimself，cryinginaloudvoice——
"Covermewithearth！Leaveyourgeneralhere。Youarenolongermychildren，andIamnolongeryourfather；nothingremainstomebutdeath。"
Atthesestrangewords，whichwereutteredinsopowerfulavoicethattheywereheardbythewholearmy，theRussiangrenadiersthrewthemselvesweepingintothegrave，and，raisingtheirgeneral，askedpardonofhim，entreatinghimtoleadthemagainagainsttheenemy。
"Atlast，"criedSouvarow，"Irecognisemychildrenagain。Totheenemy！"
Notcriesbutyellsofjoygreetedhiswords。Souvaravdressedhimselfagain，andwhilsthewasdressingtheleadersofthemutinycreptinthedusttokisshisfeet。Then，whenhisepauletswerereplacedonhisshoulders，andwhenhisdecorationsagainshoneonhisbreast，heremountedhishorse，followedbythearmy，thesoldiersswearingwithonevoicethattheywouldalldieratherthanabandontheirfather。
ThesamedaySouvarowattackedAerolo；buthisluckhadturned：theconquerorofCassano，Trebia，andNovihadlefthisgood-fortunebehindintheplainsofItaly。FortwelvehourssixhundredFrenchopposedthreethousandRussiangrenadiersbeneaththewallsofthetown，andsosuccessfullythatnightfellwithoutSouvarowbeingabletodefeatthem。Nextdayhemarchedthewholeofhistroopsagainstthishandfulofbravemen，buttheskycloudedoverandthewind。