“In the heat of midday!⁠ ⁠… in the vale!⁠ ⁠… of Dagestan!⁠ ⁠…

With lead in my breast!⁠ ⁠…”

“In the heat of midday!⁠ ⁠… in the vale!⁠ ⁠… of Dagestan!⁠ ⁠… With lead in my breast!⁠ ⁠…”

“Your excellency!” she wailed suddenly with a heartrending scream and a flood of tears, “protect the orphans! You have been their father’s guest⁠ ⁠… one may say aristocratic.⁠ ⁠…” She started, regaining consciousness, and gazed at all with a sort of terror, but at once recognised Sonia.

“Sonia, Sonia!” she articulated softly and caressingly, as though surprised to find her there. “Sonia darling, are you here, too?”