He lighted his pipe with a very imposing air, and spit several times on the floor before he replied.
Still retaining his pompous manner, he said, "She has ordered me to go to a certain merchant in the town and collect a considerable sum of money." "You to collect money ?" questioned Akulina.
Polikey only shook his head and smiled significantly, saying: "'You,' the mistress said to me, 'are a man resting under a grave suspicion--a man who is considered unsafe to trust in any capacity; but I have faith in you, and will intrust you with this important business of mine in preference to any one else.'" Polikey related all this in a loud voice, so that his neighbor might hear what he had to say.
"'You promised me to reform,' my noble mistress said to me, 'and I will be the first to show you how much faith I have in your promise.

I want you to ride into town, and, going to the principal merchant there, collect a sum of money from him and bring it to me.' I said to my mistress: 'Everything you order shall be done.

I will only too gladly obey your slightest wish.' "Then my mistress said: 'Do you understand, Polikey, that your future lot depends upon the faithful performance of this duty I impose upon you ?' I replied: 'Yes, I understand everything, and feel that I will succeed in performing acceptably any task which you may impose upon me.

I have been accused of every kind of evil deed that it is possible to charge a man with, but I have never done anything seriously wrong against you, your honor.' In this way I talked to our mistress until I succeeded in convincing her that my repentance was sincere, and she became greatly softened toward me, saying, 'If you are successful I will give you the first place at the court.'" "And how much money are you to collect ?" inquired Akulina.
"Fifteen hundred rubles," carelessly answered Polikey.
Akulina sadly shook her head as she asked, "When are you to start ?" "She ordered me to leave here to-morrow," Polikey replied.

"'Take any horse you please,' she said.