The young Pole, Thaddeus Stanisloff, had been appointed to a regiment, destined to proceed with many others to join the army in the Caucasus, now quartered in Moscow on its way to the south. On the same day, that Ivan had been driven from the chateau of the Baron Galetzoff, he left his home to join his regiment; taking a farewell, which he felt might too probably be the last, of his broken-hearted father, now rapidly drawing towards his end, worn out by grief and sickness. He received also the warm and cordial adieus of his generous and high-minded host. Thaddeus, naturally light-hearted and gay, by the time he reached Moscow, had forgotten the sorrow of parting, and was looking forward to the pleasure of again meeting his friend Ivan, as, soon after dusk, he rode through the streets towards the hotel where he expected to find him; but was disappointed on hearing that he had already gone out. He immediately set forth on foot by himself, in hopes of finding him at some of their usual places of resort, when, soon after leaving the hotel, the light of a torch falling strongly on his features, a small and feminine figure, who was about to pass on, stopped to look attentively at his face, and then addressed him in a timid and agitated manner. As she looked up to speak, the veil which had before concealed her face dropt on one side, and discovered the features of the Gipsy girl Azila. "I meet you most fortunately," she said, "for you may be able to give assistance, where it will be much required. Are you ready to meet a great danger to assist a friend?" "I should be unworthy to be called a friend, by any whom I should hesitate to aid, whatever the risk to myself," answered Thaddeus. "But of whom do you speak?" "Of your friend, Ivan Galetzoff! I have this moment been to his hotel, in the hope of warning him of an impending danger, with which I have but just become acquainted. I could not trust any other with such a communication to him; he has already gone out, and although I am too late to prevent him from encountering danger, I may yet be able to rescue him with your assistance." "That, I will gladly give at every risk," answered Thaddeus. "But how am I to find him? Where is he, that I may hasten to his aid?" "That, I may not tell you," answered Azila; "but trust wholly in me, and I will place you where you may be ready to lend your assistance, if required." "I will trust entirely to your guidance," said Thaddeus. "I knew that you were too noble to hesitate," rejoined Azila, in a deep tone of gratitude. "Let us then waste no more time here." "Lead the way, fair lady, and I will follow," said Thaddeus. "Have you your weapons?" she asked, "for they may be needed." "Yes, I carry my sword under my cloak." "That is well," said Azila; "and now, Sir, follow me closely, and promptly, or we may be too late."