A Hero of our time / Герой нашего времени. Книга для чтения на английском языке

As soon as I learned that the Circassian girl was in Pechorin’s quarters, I put on my epaulets and strapped on my sword and went to see him.

“He was lying on the bed in the front room, one hand under his head and the other holding a pipe that had gone out. The door leading to the next room was locked, and there was no key in the lock; all this I noticed at once. I coughed and stamped my heels on the threshold, but he pretended not to hear.

“�Ensign! Attention!’ I said as severely as I could.

“�Ah, how do you do, Maksim Maksimich. Have a pipe,’ he replied without getting up.

“�I beg your pardon! I am no Maksim Maksimich: I am captain to you!’

“�Oh, it’s all the same. Would you care to have some tea? If you only knew what a load I’ve got on my mind!’

“�I know everything,’ I replied, walking up to the bed.

“�That’s all the better, then. I am in no mood to go over it again.

“�Ensign, you have committed an offense for which I too may have to answer…’

“�Well, why not? Have we not always shared everything equally?’

“�This is no time to joke. Will you surrender your sword?’

“�mitka, my sword!’

“Mitka brought the sword. Having thus done my duty, I sat down on the bed and said: �Listen here, Grigoriy Aleksandrovich, you’d best admit that it’s wrong.’

“�What’s wrong?’

“�That you kidnapped Bela.

“�Why should I? She happens to please me.’

“Now what could I say to that? I didn’t know what to do. Nevertheless after a moment’s silence I told him he would have to give the girl back if her father insisted.

“�I don’t see why I should!’

“�But what if he finds out that she is here?’

“�How will he?’

“Again I was in a blind alley.

“�Listen, Maksim Maksimich,’ said Pechorin, rising, �you’re a good soul – if we give the girl to that barbarian he’ll either kill her or sell her. What has been done cannot be undone, and it won’t do to spoil things by being overzealous. You keep my sword, but leave her with me…’

“�Supposing you let me see her,’ said I.

“�She’s behind that door; I myself have been trying in vain to see her.