Silvio . . . at that moment he was really terrible . . . Silvio raised his
hand to take aim at me. Suddenly the door opens, Masha rushes into the
room, and with a loud shriek throws herself upon my neck. Her presence
restored to me all my courage.

"'My dear,' said I to her, 'don't you see that we are joking? How
frightened you are! Go and drink a glass of water and then come back to
us; I will introduce you to an old friend and comrade.'

"Masha still doubted.

"'Tell me, is my husband speaking the truth?' said she, turning to the
terrible Silvio: 'is it true that you are only joking?'

"'He is always joking, Countess,' replied Silvio: 'once he gave me a
slap in the face in a joke; on another occasion he sent a bullet through
my cap in a joke; and just now, when he fired at me and missed me, it
was all in a joke. And now I feel inclined for a joke.'

"With these words he raised his pistol to take aim at me--right before
her! Masha threw herself at his feet.

"'Rise, Masha; are you not ashamed!' I cried in a rage: 'and you, sir,
will you cease to make fun of a poor woman? Will you fire or not?'

"'I will not,' replied Silvio: 'I am satisfied. I have seen your
confusion, your alarm. I forced you to fire at me. That is sufficient.
You will remember me. I leave you to your conscience.'

"Then he turned to go, but pausing in the doorway, and looking at the