ing to each other: “Great changes will take place. It is said that all those who have served thirty years will be allowed to return home.”—“May God grant it!” said they all with a deep sigh. “We shall have a Czar at last,” said one of them. “It is a long time since that has been the case,” replied the other; our old Matuszka,[1] has amused herself, I think, sufficiently.” “More than sufficiently,” said Makar, with whom I was best acquainted,” every body has his turn. I hope our unfortunate prisoners will now be released.” I love, uttered by a beautiful and adored lady, could not, I think, have given me more pleasure than the conversation of these honest men.
On the following morning I heard a triple discharge of all the cannon of the fortress and the town, and saw all the soldiers in the casemates, who were not on duty, dressed better than usual, and with their Praporszczyk
- ↑ Matuszka, which is in Russian the diminutive of mother, was the familiar name that the people gave to the Empress Catherine.
