The Queen of Spades | Page 3

lighted and servants began moving about.
Finally the old woman tottered into the room, completely exhausted.

Her women removed her wraps and proceeded to get her in readiness
for the night. Herman watched the proceedings with a curiosity not
unmingled with superstitious fear. When at last she was attired in cap
and gown, the old woman looked less uncanny than when she wore her
ball-dress of blue brocade.
She sat down in an easy chair beside a table, as she was in the habit of
doing before retiring, and her women withdrew. As the old lady sat
swaying to and fro, seemingly oblivious to her surroundings, Herman
crept out of his hiding-place.
At the slight noise the old woman opened her eyes, and gazed at the
intruder with a half-dazed expression.
"Have no fear, I beg of you," said Herman, in a calm voice. "I have not
come to harm you, but to ask a favor of you instead."
The Countess looked at him in silence, seemingly without
comprehending him. Herman thought she might be deaf, so he put his
lips close to her ear and repeated his remark. The listener remained
perfectly mute.
"You could make my fortune without its costing you anything,"
pleaded the young man; "only tell me the three cards which are sure to
win, and--"
Herman paused as the old woman opened her lips as if about to speak.
"It was only a jest; I swear to you, it was only a jest," came from the
withered lips.
"There was no jesting about it. Remember Tchaplitzky, who, thanks to
you, was able to pay his debts."
An expression of interior agitation passed over the face of the old
woman; then she relapsed into her former apathy.
"Will you tell me the names of the magic cards, or not?" asked Herman

after a pause.
There was no reply.
The young man then drew a pistol from his pocket, exclaiming: "You
old witch, I'll force you to tell me!"
At the sight of the weapon the Countess gave a second sign of life. She
threw back her head and put out her hands as if to protect herself; then
they dropped and she sat motionless.
Herman grasped her arm roughly, and was about to renew his threats,
when he saw that she was dead!
*****
Seated in her room, still in her ball-dress, Lisaveta gave herself up to
her reflections. She had expected to find the young officer there, but
she felt relieved to see that he was not.
Strangely enough, that very night at the ball, Tomsky had rallied her
about her preference for the young officer, assuring her that he knew
more than she supposed he did.
"Of whom are you speaking?" she had asked in alarm, fearing her
adventure had been discovered.
"Of the remarkable man," was the reply. "His name is Herman."
Lisa made no reply.
"This Herman," continued Tomsky, "is a romantic character; he has the
profile of a Napoleon and the heart of a Mephistopheles. It is said he
has at least three crimes on his conscience. But how pale you are."
"It is only a slight headache. But why do you talk to me of this
Herman?"
"Because I believe he has serious intentions concerning you."

"Where has he seen me?"
"At church, perhaps, or on the street."
The conversation was interrupted at this point, to the great regret of the
young girl. The words of Tomsky made a deep impression upon her,
and she realized how imprudently she had acted. She was thinking of
all this and a great deal more when the door of her apartment suddenly
opened, and Herman stood before her. She drew back at sight of him,
trembling violently.
"Where have you been?" she asked in a frightened whisper.
"In the bedchamber of the Countess. She is dead," was the calm reply.
"My God! What are you saying?" cried the girl.
"Furthermore, I believe that I was the cause of her death."
The words of Tomsky flashed through Lisa's mind.
Herman sat down and told her all. She listened with a feeling of terror
and disgust. So those passionate letters, that audacious pursuit were not
the result of tenderness and love. It was money that he desired. The
poor girl felt that she had in a sense been an accomplice in the death of
her benefactress. She began to weep bitterly. Herman regarded her in
silence.
"You are a monster!" exclaimed Lisa, drying her eyes.
"I didn't intend to kill her; the pistol was not even loaded.
"How are you going to get out of the house?" inquired Lisa. "It is
nearly daylight. I intended to show you the way to a secret staircase,
while the Countess was asleep, as we would have to cross her chamber.
Now