The Duel Aleksandr Kuprin (best inspirational books .txt) đ
- Author: Aleksandr Kuprin
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âSublieutenant Romashov, the Officersâ Court of Honour, which meets today by order of the commander of the regiment, is directed to examine closely into the circumstances of the deplorable and, to the officers as a body, disgraceful scene that took place between you and Lieutenant NikolĂ€iev last night, and it is incumbent on you to render to us a most punctilious account of what you have to say with regard to this painful affair.â
Romashov stood before his judges with his arms hanging down, and plucked at the fur lining of his cap. He felt like a hunted animal, but at the same time as clumsy, feeble, and indifferent to everything as a schoolboy just âploughedâ at an examination is to his teachersâ threats and his schoolfellowsâ jeers. Coughing and stammering, in unconnected phrases and with contradictions and repetitions, Romashov began his report. At the same time, and whilst slowly observing the high âtribunalâ seated before him, he made a sort of appraisement of the private or personal feelings of its individual members towards him. âMigunov has a heart of stone, and it is a matter of supreme indifference to him how the affair turns out; but the place of honour as president and the great responsibility attached to it are, in the highest degree, flattering to his vanity. Lieutenant-Colonel âBrehmâ is looking miserable. Oh, you good old chap, perhaps you are sitting thinking of that ten-rouble note which was never returned to you? Old Liech looks glum. Heâs sober today in honour of the occasion, but the pouches under his eyes are bigger than usual. Heâs not my enemy, but has so many sins of his own to answer that he must take advantage of the occasion, and play the part of guardian and protector of morality and the âhonour of an officer.â So far as Osadchi and Peterson are concerned, they are both notoriously my enemies. By invoking the law, I might certainly challenge Osadchiâ âthe whole of the row began through his blasphemously parodying the Mass for the Deadâ âbut what then? The result in any case will be the same. Peterson smiles out of one corner of his mouth in his usual snakelike way. I am just wondering what share he had in those anonymous letters. Duvernoisâ âa sleepy beast, whose great, troubled eyes put one in mind of a cuttlefishâs. Ah, yes, Iâve never been one of Duvernoisâs favourites, and just as little of Doroshenkoâs. Yuri Alexievich, my dear boy, the prospect does indeed look gloomy for you.â
âOne instant, if you please,â interrupted Osadchi. âPresident, will you permit me to put a question?â
âCertainly,â replied Migunov, with a gracious nod.
âTell me, Sublieutenant Romashov,â began Osadchi, in an affectedly imposing and drawling tone, âwhere were you before you came to the mess in such an inexcusable condition?â
Romashov blushed deeply, and felt big drops of sweat on his forehead.
âI wasâ âI was,â he stammered, âI was in a brothel,â he added almost in a whisper.
âHa, haâ âin a brothel,â repeated Osadchi, as he purposely raised his voice and pronounced every word with unsparing distinctness. âAnd no doubt you had drinks there.â
âYes, I had been drinking,â answered Romashov, in an abrupt tone.
âI have no wish to put any more questions,â said Osadchi, turning with a bow to the president.
âSublieutenant, be good enough to continue your report,â resumed Migunov, âYou remember you have acknowledged that you threw the glass of ale at NikolĂ€ievâ âwell?â
Romashov began his story again as unmethodically and unconnectedly as before, but honourably endeavouring not to give any details. He had already, in an indirect way and with much shame, succeeded in expressing the regret he felt at his unworthy conduct, when he was once more interrupted, this time by Captain Peterson. The latter was rubbing his long, yellow-wax coloured hands with their sharp, dirty fingernails just as if he were washing himself, and said in his studiously politeâ ânay, almost friendlyâ âthin, wheedling voiceâ â
âAh, all that is quite fit and proper, and such a voluntary confession, in a way, does you credit; but tell me, were you not, before this painful story began, in the habit of visiting Lieutenant NikolĂ€ievâs house?â
Romashov drew himself up and, looking straight, not at Captain Peterson, but at Migunov, replied bluntly:
âThat is true, but I cannot understand what that has to do with the matter.â
âPray donât get excited,â exclaimed Peterson. âI only want you to answer my questions. Tell me then, was there any special cause of mutual enmity between you and Lieutenant NikolĂ€iev? I do not mean any difference in the service, but a cause of a quiteâ âerâ âif I may so put it, domestic nature?â
Romashov pulled himself up to his full height, and his glance pierced with undisguised hatred his enemyâs treacherous, black, consumptive eyes.
âI have not visited Lieutenant NikolĂ€ievâs home more frequently than those of my other acquaintances,â he replied in a hard and cutting tone. âNo previous enmity has existed between us. The whole thing happened unexpectedly and accidentally, when we were both the worse for liquor.â
âHeh, heh, heh, we have already heard about the insobriety,â Captain Peterson chimed in; âbut I will ask you once more, had not an unfriendly meeting already taken place between you and Lieutenant NikolĂ€iev? I do not for an instant suggest that you had quarrelled or come to blows, but quite simply thatâ âhow shall I put it?â âyou were a little at variance in your views of certain scandalous reports and intrigues?â
âPresident, am I bound to reply to all questions that are put to me?â exclaimed Romashov.
âThat rests entirely with you,â replied Migunov coldly. âYou can, if you wish, absolutely refuse to answer. You can also commit your answer to writing. That is your privilege.â
âIn such case I hereby declare that I will not answer any of Captain Petersonâs questions, and that not only in my interest but in his.â
After Romashov had answered a few questions of minor importance the examination was declared closed. Nevertheless, he had
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