She narrates how, at the age of seventeen, she married the Prince, a friend of her father, and the hero of many campaigns, much older than herself, who even after the wedding, is absent the greater part of the time on his military duties.

Once, when they meet again after one of these prolonged separations, he is suddenly seized with panic, burns many documents in her presence, and takes her home to her father without, however, explaining anything.

After that she hears nothing about him for many months; no letters reach her, every one professes ignorance as to his whereabouts, but assures her he is engaged in his duties.

Even when her son is born he makes no sign, and all further efforts to pacify her prove useless.

She goes to St.Petersburg, finds out the truth, and insists on joining her husband who, with Prince Trubetzkoy and the other noble Decembrists, is in Siberia.