It may be remembered, that at the moment of the execution,
Marfa Strogoff was present, stretching out her hands towards her son.
Michael gazed at her as a son would gaze at his mother,
when it is for the last time. The tears, which his pride in vain
endeavored to subdue, welling up from his heart, gathered under
his eyelids, and volatiliz-ing on the cornea, had saved his sight.
The vapor formed by his tears interposing between the glowing saber
and his eyeballs, had been sufficient to annihilate the action
of the heat. A similar effect is produced, when a workman smelter,
after dipping his hand in vapor, can with impunity hold it over
a stream of melted iron.
Michael had immediately understood the danger in which he would
be placed should he make known his secret to anyone.
He at once saw, on the other hand, that he might make use of
his supposed blindness for the accomplishment of his designs.
Because it was believed that he was blind, he would be allowed
to go free. He must therefore be blind, blind to all,
even to Nadia, blind everywhere, and not a gesture at any moment
must let the truth be suspected. His resolution was taken.
He must risk his life even to afford to all he might meet
the proof of his want of sight. We know how perfectly he acted
the part he had determined on.
His mother alone knew the truth, and he had whispered it to her
in Tomsk itself, when bending over her in the dark he covered
her with kisses.
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