The Cavalier Guards 1805. Austerlitz cold sun

— Would you like to dine, your nobility? — immediately asked the sex approached, — you can treat yourself to steam beef with horseradish, our cabbage soup is very good.

— Well, perhaps… And, feed my coachman, — and Alexey nodded in the direction of Fedor, — Cabbage soup, porridge, jelly.

— Untimely… Now, I will bring everything. Do not be worried.

The young man settled down at a free table, and below, an almost familiar family was already eating lunch. But, it would be completely indecent to stare, and Alexey was hardly distracted, and found a new object to observe. The janitor set to work, and began to sweep away the straw and garbage, putting things in order. And then he pleased the floor, unloaded plates and spoons with forks from the tray. Alexey tried this carefully, but in vain he was worried. The chef of the tavern knew his business well, and the first dish was simply great. Stewed beef with mustard turned out to be a little harsh, but otherwise it tastes very good. Bread was all the more good. From sifted flour, without lumps, soft and fragrant. Well, the berry visar completed this splendor.

Here, having paid, Alexey went out into the yard. After that, not at all a spacious room, so saturated with the rich aromas of the dishes of the local culinary specialist, it breathed a little easier. Then the young man calmly sat down on a very comfortable bench. Taking up reading again.

Loneliness was not long. So, taking his time, rather even important marching, a nobleman came up, this father of the family. He touched his hat with his hand, and politely said:

— You don’t expect anyone?

— No, — and Alexey got up, respecting the age of the interlocutor, -Aleksey Mikhailovich Burlin, nobleman, at your service!

— Grigory Ilyich Kurolesov, nobleman, Yaroslavl province. Let me smoke?

— Of course.

Then Mr. Kurolesov removed a pipe stuffed with tobacco from the voluminous pocket of his gray frock coat, then struck a sickle on a copper box. Skillful movement, and tobacco began to smolder, and a new acquaintance puffed smoke with pleasure, like a boiling samovar. Sometimes, as Alexey noted, Grigory Ilyich looked at him with obvious interest.

— If this is not a romantic secret, don’t you tell me, young man, for what purpose are you going to the capital?

— Why the secret, and even romantic? Alexey did not understand.

— You, excuse me, are very young, and you travel alone. For the card did not sit down. With a book, and if I read it correctly, it’s “Poor Werther’s Suffering.” After all, one to one converges. Hopefully. that did not offend you with such a hasty explanation.

— No, of course not. I follow to the regiment. On the road, you need to entertain yourself in order to indulge in melancholy.

Alexey was surprised at his so hasty exposure, but he was not even going to be called up or blamed. And then, he did nothing wrong, so, indulged in passion.

— Ah, here you are, Grigory Ilyich, — the lady intervened in the conversation. — can’t you introduce me and my daughter to this un beau homme, such a graceful young man?

The word “graceful” sounded very meaningful in the mouth of this pleasant lady. True, a girl, so beautiful. how mysterious, while she was silent, like Alkestida, torn from captivity by Tanat.

— My wife, Zoya Pavlovna, — said Grigory Ilyich, — and my only daughter, Anna Grigorievna.

— Very happy to meet you. Alexey Mikhailovich Burlin, a nobleman, originally from the Ryazan province. Heading to St. Petersburg for military service.

— And what, everything in Ryazan live? — Zoya Pavlovna asked with an incomprehensible expression in her voice, — however, apples from those places are not bad.

— So why? And in Moscow we have a manor, not far from Yauza. Nearby are the gardens, very beautiful. But, nevertheless, in the village much more fun.

— Well, and we are forced to return to St. Petersburg, — added Grigory Ilyich, strictly looking at his wife, — to the left to the place of service, to the Berg College, under the command of Alexei Ivanovich Korsakov. There are a lot of things to do, we are all trying to find and produce saltpeter for the needs of the military department. Yes, so far, everything is not very good. In Perm, our manufactories produce few potions.

— And that you, father, are all about business… — said Zoya Pavlovna, — let’s go, we’d better drink tea…

***

The bench was still much worse than the usual chair on the veranda of their estate. But, there was nothing to choose from, and Alexey settled down here, with a book in his hand. To be honest, I didn’t sleep, I wanted to read a little, under the light of two oil lanterns hanging at the entrance. Still, the day ended quite well. And, full of impressions, while Alexey could not sleep, so I decided to read a little in the fresh air. True, from time to time it was necessary to drive away very annoying mosquitoes with a twig, who wanted to touch not the wisdom of books, but to get drunk on his blood. And their annoying buzzing distracted. The young man again waved his instrument, but immediately got up hastily.

From the door of the tavern came his new acquaintance, the charming daughter of Grigory Ilyich.

— Anna Grigorievna, — and Alexey weighed a light bow, and put his hat on the bench.

— Good evening, Alexey Mikhailovich, — the young lady answered with a gracious voice.

She sat down calmly, with her left hand habitually setting the hem of her dress. Then, she looked at him, and with a gesture of her right hand, gracefully invited her to sit next to her.

— I didn’t bother you? Je suis tellement varlee. (I am very different).

— No, very happy. I’m reading here. Vitre enterprise est tout a falt approprite. (your society is very much to the point).

— Oh, — and Anna threw up her hands, — love Werther? How cute! I, you know, have already read this novel several times! And, turning these pages, I see in this book a new one for myself.

— Not bad, though…

— Is love for a married woman withering? and the young lady smiled.

“Rather, it’s Werther’s own passion. Resembles Pygmalion’s attraction to a marble statue. Almost pointless and disastrous for both.

— But, as poets write, dear Alexey, “Not stones of women’s hearts…

— Here, the kindest Anna, Werther could destroy not only himself, but also this woman, his beloved.

Then the young lady looked at her interlocutor with a certain challenge. Not with a grain of anger, or perhaps with a desire to discover or prove something. But, calming down, she said:

— Perhaps this lady herself wished to be destroyed. “Women are killed by indifference… And so, if time happens to you, then we live on Vasilievsky Island, Universitetskaya Embankment, Skipper Channel, 14, seventh building. I will expect you.

Then the spring creaked again, and then the door slammed. A very dissatisfied maid appeared. She bowed, and said sternly:

— So your mother is worried, Anna Grigorievna…

— I’m coming, Xenia. I’m already going… — the young lady answered with annoyance.

Alexey bowed, saying goodbye. Thinking, he handed the book to his new acquaintance.

— As a keepsake. To brighten up your evenings. And for good memory.

— Thanks. How. once to the spot, Alexey. — Anna said with a kind expression, — Let’s go, Ksenia, — the young lady said in a very strict tone.

She turned, rustling with a thin canvas of a summer dress, and then, like a soft leaf from a thin branch, a thin scarf fell out of the sleeve of a girl’s robe. Alexey hastily picked up this message, not giving a gentle fabric and touch the ground. Anna turned to him, and smiled very sweetly goodbye. It seems that she noticed everything, certainly noticed how Alexey decided. Well, the young man hid this invaluable sign of attention behind the lapel of his frock coat.

Naryshkin Manor

— What, master and good. Our horses took a break, or even bowed. That’s how fun they run, — said Fedor, bedbug the reins, — sit down, they, here, are not people, they demand peace and attention. I cleaned them all the way around, wiped them with felt and cloth, Now, just like expensive, you can’t take your eyes off, — the servant praised himself.

— Thank you, Fedor…

Alexey barely heard what the servant was saying here. It seems to be important, and therefore praised. And all thoughts were only about Anna Grigorievna. He again pulled out a scarf with the initials of A. G. K. embroidered from the cuff. He felt the delicate floral aroma of perfume, sighed a little sadly.

— To the Naryshkin estate, which is on the Moika, not far away, is a master. And here, and the Moscow outpost… ‘the batman explained.

Yes, everything here was performed conscientiously. Stone building, barrier on the road. And, three soldiers with a non-commissioned officer at the head, with a new and well-sewn form of a garrison battalion. Gray such, invisible cloth, and with newfangled black, like pitch, shakos. However, the alignment of the servants was canceled, and, as the young man noticed, all three had served for many years, and did not need hair powder, thanks to their own gray hair.

“With your arrival, your nobility. I ask for your passports, — the non-commissioned officer said politely, holding his protazan in his left hand.

Keever, with a leather visor, sat okay on his head, and the left sleeve of his uniform is all decorated with stripes for his long service.

— From, poilust, — answered the young man, presenting documents.

The servant, habitually examined the papers, expensive, then nodded to his assistants. Those raised the barrier, and Fedor, slamming the reins, sent his agreeable horses forward. Alexey, calmed down, sighed and stretched out his legs. As it seemed to him, the most restless in his journey was already over.

***

— What, master, now we will turn, and we are in place, — Fedor tried to calm him down.

It cannot be said that there was a slouch on the streets of St. Petersburg, but Alexey did not see so many crews in his entire life in his native village. And here, in addition, tall beautiful stone houses lined up, as if in rank, with free sidewalks nearby. And they seemed to be hugged by well-groomed, straight, as if laid out in a ruler, pavements. The abundance of passers-by, and even persons, judging by the clothes, decent, and possibly the nobility, surprised him. That decent people would walk, which generally seemed strange for a young man.

The wheels simply thundered on the cobblestone pavement, and the knock of savvy hooves, out of habit, deprived of peace. It seemed incredible to exist here, with such constant noise and rumble.

— Fedor, look, so that my room does not look outside. Did you understand?

The young man could not stand the excessive noise. He preferred silence, and not to hear the creak of wheels and the clatter of hooves all night long.

— So of course, the master… We will do everything in the best possible way. With the concept we, we will fulfill everything, do not hesitate…

Here, we reached the place. To be honest, Alexey, not knowing earlier that this is a manor, would have decided that this is a whole town. So extensive was this estate. Even, with a small well-groomed garden.

The visit to the main house did not end quickly, but after, when Alexei handed over the money to the butler, he also received the keys to the new home. And, a couple of parting words, so to speak, free:

— Behave with Syemka and Manka da Tanka… Kukharka, Maria, however, she is sensible and economic, does not fool. And Semyon is an intelligent stoker, and the janitor is good. The cellar, with the wing, is not bad, capacious and cold. It is better to take edible food at the Hay Market. Maria, knows where to buy, at a good price. Don’t worry, master… Tatiana will keep the house in order, do not hesitate.

Alexey just nodded his head. And Fedor, standing next to him, a little behind the owner, diligently kept quiet. He knew how to do it very meaningfully and even responsibly. So, to make the right impression on the master.

In general, a whole procession was now moving to the outbuilding, which became the abode of Alexei Mikhailovich Burlin. Fedor and Semyon disappeared, but returned with their master’s suitcases and baskets. The lock of the door was solemnly opened, and his servant began to dispose, taking all the trouble. He took up what he especially loved, to find activities for everyone. I didn’t like it when someone, of course, except him, sits idle.

— Semen! Put it here, but quickly! Tatyana, this must be washed, and not in the bag! Maria, put a samovar!

To interfere with such an intelligent servant would even be stupid. Alexey calmly went upstairs, along a slightly creaking staircase, to the second, residential floor. He looked around three rooms, while they were as if inanimate, empty. Here, having thrown off his boots, he calmly lay down on a leather sofa in one of them, with windows to the courtyard of the estate. It seemed that only a minute had passed, but he, immediately and imperceptibly for himself, fell asleep.

Opposite the statues of Dioscures

— Barin, the food is ready. Here, pies and tea. Everything is hot, — Tatyana made herself felt, — it’s time to have breakfast. Maria has prepared, everything is wonderful!

She lined the table with treats, very seductive in appearance, and the smell was appropriate. Attractive, in general. And the woman herself, too, in the juice itself, is a Russian beauty. Yes, and business and economic, it turned out, straight passion. Alexey looked around this charm with pleasure, with a considerable bust. Simple clothes rather emphasized than concealed the merits of her figure. What is he? So, I thought everything, of course, about the lovely Anna Grigorievna… Even sitting at the table, at pies.

— Aleksey Mikhailovich, here, your clothes are the best. Cleaned everything, but smoothed it out. Frock coat of English wool, pantaloons, freshest shirt, pins. Fancy top hat. Papers required for presentation.

— What are you talking about…

— So today you need to go to the regiment, introduce yourself. And when? I, here, talked with knowledgeable people, with Seraphim, with Ilya. They say that the regiment has now gone to Peterhof, to summer apartments.

— What are you, Fedor!

Alexey shouted it, but jumped up from the table, could hardly resist, so as not to drag the servant by the whiskey.

— All in vain you got nervous, Alexey Mikhailovich! — The servant answered hastily, retreating to the door, — In vain! So they themselves gathered, all the way, as they arrived.

— Okay… — and the young man calmed down.

He straightened his silk robe, pulled the cap over his ears, and sat down at the table. True, here the mood has improved. And then, from such a food, half dead could come to life! Alexey appreciated Maria’s culinary talent. The bunny pies seemed simply incomparable in taste, as with cabbage, eggs and onions. Now, after such a breakfast, the day did not seem so gloomy.

— Fedor, shave!

— So, Alexei Mikhailovich, so far there is nothing and no need… Your face, like an angel from an icon, — the servant answered with a sweet expression.

A young man did not argue here, of course, it is more visible from the outside.

— Okay, then put the crew, let’s go to the Voskresenskaya embankment. And Semyon is a coachman, and you, with me, are inseparable.

True, Alexey could not resist, and he ate a couple more pies and drank another cup of strong tea. Exclusively, for good spirits, of course.

***

It was absolutely impossible to say that now, in the summer months, the location of the regiment was lifeless. There are no boarded-up entrances, thundering silence or desolation. Not at all.

At the gate stood a guard of prominent soldiers in white uniforms, helmets with ridges, with carbines. The sight of these warriors inspired confidence in the impressionable Alexei Mikhailovich. And he, without a doubt, approached the mustachioed unter, and, as it seemed to him, he said firmly:

— Aleksey Mikhailovich Burlin, arrived at the place of drilling service. I have a letter of recommendation to Count Uvarov.

— Good morning, — the serviceman answered him with a certain doubt in his voice, — so the regiment is in summer apartments, only a reserve squadron is on duty here, Lieutenant Colonel Repnin is still the senior here. I can lead to his ladyship, if you wish.

— I must. And you, Fedor, will stay here with things. Do not take your eyes off good

— With the whole concept, master, — the servant immediately agreed.

Today, Semyon was with the master’s wagon. So the faithful paladin, baptized in the name of Theodore Stratilates, remained at the gate, which was not too saddened.

And Alexei Mikhailovich, now light, walked with a vigorous and gentle step, looking closely at the strict gait of the brave unter. I tried, of course, to go like this servant. The unter’s step was light, as if he touched only the socks of his boots with a cobblestone pavement. On the parade ground, it was also crowded. Three unters trained soldiers to walk in the leg. Carefully looked that each of the ordinary performed this lesson. Well, the gentlemen of the officers were not visible.

So we got to the headquarters. His guide here saluted the sentry who stood at the entrance. The same one, with a carbine at his foot, remained immovable, like a marble statue. Then the non-commissioned officer knocked on one of the white-painted doors, and waited for an answer:

— Enter.

To be honest, Burlin already thought that the head of the squadron himself said this, no, in the presence, at a table lined with green cloth, he sat behind papers gray as a harrier, wahmister. Slowly filled out notebooks, checking with entries in other papers. What should I do? And here the prose of life did not give concessions!

— Zinovy Evseevich, this young man to his excellency, Prince Repnin.

— Thank you, Boris Arkadyevich. I will report in person.

Unter turned, and rattling the savvy heels of his boots, left the room. And the wahmister rose, sighing for the raft, and, waddling like a goose on the field, opened another door.

— Your ladyship… To you, — this clerk in uniform said inquisitively, with respect in his voice.

— The pass passes, Evseich.

And, without waiting for other words, the young man, with a shock briefcase in his hands, just flew into the office.

Here, at the oak table, sat a prominent lieutenant colonel, in a beautifully sewn white uniform, with orders.

— Aleksey Mikhailovich Burlin, arrived in the regiment. I would like to be determined by the cadet, your ladyship! said the young man quickly.

— So, I see that well done…

— Toot and paper. About training, and from the Noble Assembly of our province, and from his father…

— So you are the son of Mikhail Alekseevich? — Repnin answered calmly, warming his voice, — so, so… I remember a good officer, sensible… And now, then, he manages? Is the family big?

— I, the eldest, two sisters, Maria and Natalia, and the younger brother, Dmitry.

— I will definitely unsubscribe to Mikhail Alekseevich.. And the letter from Count Uvarov about your appointment is here, and the resolution of the sovereign, to accept for service in the regiment. It remains only for you to sew a uniform, to acquire a horse befitting our regiment, and a batman of good behavior.

— Actually, I have a servant, your ladyship…

— Nado to accept him for service, non-combatant. Let’s put it on the lists, and all for a short time. Order is order, you understand. In a week, I suppose, deal with everything. Here are your papers — and the regimental colonel handed over the package, -You, cadet, go to the headquarters before leaving, get letters for the regiment officers. That’s it, I’m not detaining you anymore!

Alexei, in high spirits, was returning to the gate, where a faithful servant was waiting for him. Now Burlin imagined how well Fedor would look in a cavalry guard uniform!

Like Castor and Polydevk

But, leaving the office, he almost ran into a thin young man, in addition, in the form of a cavalier. This young junker deftly dodged Burlin’s shoulder, and looked quizzically back.

“Do you think you’re offended?” Alexey asked with a defiant tone in his voice.

— In general… the junker answered with a grin.

— Do you want on pistols, or on swords?

— There is a more interesting way, young man!

— If you please, I am also accepted into the regiment as a cadet! From today!

— There is more. Alexander Ivanovich Albrecht, cadet of the cavalry guard regiment!

— Aleksey Mikhailovich Burlin, now also a cadet, — the young man answered confidently.

“If you don’t mind, we’ll go to the indoor Manege,” Albrecht explained.

— Do you want to fight there?

— Have you seen the patrons of our regiment? Albrecht did not quite answer.

— I’m sorry… — Burlin did not understand the question at all.

He did not consider himself stupid, but until he was strong in such subtleties. His new acquaintance was painfully subtly leading the thread of conversation..

— Not heavenly, but so to speak, almost earthly… Stauete Disoskur at the entrance, So Castor and Pollux humble horses. And, if you sit on a cool stallion, then I will assume that the misunderstanding between us has been settled.

— More than fair.

Alexey agreed, although he understood what a difficult task he might face. This junker could laugh at him cruelly, and he could be seriously injured. Strong skate — if not an opponent, then the test is for sure, and not easy. Not everyone could pass it. Yes, I did not want to retreat.

— From here, we are here, — explained Albrecht, pointing with his hand to a long, but rather elongated stone building under a gable roof and high windows, — This is the Manege of our regiment, where equestrian classes are held in winter, or even in summer. Come through?

Burlin only nodded back and frowned. But, thinking, I decided to surrender to chance. They were inside, the floor of the room was sprinkled with the purest, yellow sand. Two soldiers in gray working uniforms held a powerful horse of bay suit under the bridle. And the wahmister approached Albrecht, saluted, and reported:

— All ready, your nobility. If you wish, we can start.

— Thank you, Trufan Mokic. Only instead of me Alexey Mikhailovich volunteered. I decided, having entered the regiment, to show the distance in front of us. You won’t interfere, will you?

— What? — and the wahmister frowned and fell silent.

— So he’s also a regiment junker, don’t worry. If anything, you say that I am to blame. Insisted, they say. Don’t doubt it, you know, my father is influential, he will stand up.

— Right… You, here, your nobility, will see for yourself… — the wahmister turned to Alexei, — Not yet circled, it happens, and a little mischievous. And so, the horse is kind.. Does not bite, so Yegor, you see says… But, and throw off maybe, if not for his…

— Nothing wahmister, I will manage, — Burlin firmly uttered these words, and quickly approached the horse.

I felt a little sorry for my elegant pantaloons, but, leaning on the bow of the saddle, I brought my maiden leg into the stirrup, and threw my right leg, sitting down at once. Wahmister threw him reins. But the soldiers kept the hot stallion snoring now. Led by his step, and prudently. However, the horse, as you can see, did not want to offend his defenders, those who feed him and take care of him