“I should peril no life which would not be just as sorely perilled elsewhere; but I think that, with the help of the workmen who are still on the spot, and a few of the lads whom I know to be ready for any wild work, I could give a fair account of some of Napoleon’s advanced guard.” “Well, since Count Rostopchine has left the city, every man may do that which is right in his own eyes. Have you arms?” “Plenty; and I, as well as the other directors nominated by the count, have his authority to distribute them as I see fit.--Ah, Pope Yefim, is that you? So you have not left us yet.” “Not yet, nor ever,” said the priest as he advanced and saluted first his aged friend, then Ivan. “I thought all the churchmen were gone already, or going to-day,” observed Ivan. “It may be so,” returned Pope Yefim, “but, whosoever goes, sorrow and death remain.” “_Remain!_” cried Ivan. “It is their carnival.” “Well, then, may not one of God’s humblest ministers remain also, to pray beside the sorrowful and to bury the dead?” “My dear pope, the part you have chosen is noble, but most perilous.” “I scarcely think so. All civilized nations respect Religion and her ministers. I have heard that Napoleon said to one of our popes, who bravely presented himself before him to plead for his flock, ‘You have done well. Your “Bog” is the same as our “Dieu.”’” “Whose altars the French have cast down, and whose worship they have forsaken; therefore they shall not prosper,” said Petrovitch. He added after a pause: “My friends, I am solitary now. Stay with me for a little while. And if Prince Ivan will forget his worldly rank in the presence of great Death, who makes all men equal, I pray you both to partake with me of what may be to all of us our last meal upon earth.” Ivan readily consented; and the attendants left in the house, who watched carefully over their aged master, served a comfortable repast. One of them informed Ivan that his servant was in their quarters, awaiting his orders. Michael had been a deeply-moved spectator of the parting between Petrovitch and his family. He had been seen coming out of the hall with a sobbing child in his arms, a little great-grandson of Petrovitch, whom he was trying to comfort. Afterwards he fraternized with the attendants, who were mujiks, like himself, and to whose inquiries he answered simply and briefly that he was Prince Ivan’s servant. The hours wore on. At last Ivan and Yefim were obliged to depart--Ivan to his work in the city, the priest to one of the numerous services of his Church.