The Emperor entered the Cathedral of the Assumption. The crowd spread out again more evenly, and the clerk led PĂ©tyaâ âpale and breathlessâ âto the Tsar-cannon. Several people were sorry for PĂ©tya, and suddenly a crowd turned toward him and pressed round him. Those who stood nearest him attended to him, unbuttoned his coat, seated him on the raised platform of the cannon, and reproached those others (whoever they might be) who had crushed him.
âOne might easily get killed that way! What do they mean by it? Killing people! Poor dear, heâs as white as a sheet!ââ âvarious voices were heard saying.
PĂ©tya soon came to himself, the color returned to his face, the pain had passed, and at the cost of that temporary unpleasantness he had obtained a place by the cannon from where he hoped to see the Emperor who would be returning that way. PĂ©tya no longer thought of presenting his petition. If he could only see the Emperor he would be happy!