The Press.
London, England, 1857-12-19 00:00:00

command of the local militia, and the ladies
continued tranquilly at Tsenondahl.
By degrees, however, things began to as-
sume a more threatening aspect. It was
rumoured that the present was no ordinary
incursion of marauders, but a well-organised
expedition with Shamil in person at the bead
of it. Some of the wealthier inhabitants of
the neighbourhood took refuge in the town of
Telaff, and at length the inmates of Tsenon-
dahl began to grow seriously alarmed. At
this juncture, however, a message arrived from
Prince David assuring them that all was
going well, and bidding them feel no uneasi-
ness. The Prince had intended these words
to apply to himself, but unfortunately the
ladies interpreted it of their own situation,
and gave up the preparations for removal
which they had already commenced.
In a short time, however, the imminent
peril they were incurring became more and
more manifest, and at last the Princess deter-
mined to send for post-horses to Telaff, and
depart the next morning. The event hung
upon a thread ; half an hour either way was
sufficient to decide it. Fate had determined
against the ladies. The horses had arrived
and been put to. The travelling-carriage was
being loaded with plate and jewellery. The
servants had finished packing, and the ladies
were dressing for the journey. In five minutes
they would have started. But it was too late :
the marauders were upon them. One of their
party was shot as they rushed at the door of
the house, which by checking them for a
moment gave time to the ladies, the children,
and the servants to escape to the " Belvidere,"
a sort of upper chamber, in which they locked
themselves, and awaited their destiny with
what resignation they might :
In the above position the family remained as quietly as
possible for about an hour, during which time the robbers
were fully occupied searching the twenty-two rooms which
composed the lower floors of the house. With sickness of
heart the Princesses heard, from time to time, the opening
and shutting of doors, the unlocking and breaking of boxes,
the smashing of glass, and the thumping of the robbers'
fists on the keys of the pianoforte whenever it attracted the
attention of a fresh party.
The robbers appeared so thoroughly absorbed in their
work of plunder, that the Princesses became courageous,
and began to conceive projects of escape. The Princess
Orbeliani opened the door, went down stairs, and suc-
ceeded in reaching the first floor, intending, if it should
appear possible, to let down some of the elder children,
such as Salome and Marie, through the window, after
which it would be easy for them to run on to the wood.
She, however, became convinced that her plan could not
be carried out. In the lower rooms a number of moun-
taineers were engaged ransacking the Prince's cabinet.
The Princess took a hasty glance at them from the top
of the staircase, and returned to the belvidere.
Soon afterwards the. old Princess Tinia Orbeliani went
down stairs, and did not return. The Princess Tinia has
but little memory, and has never given any intelligible
account of her proceedings. It is certain, however, that
having met the rubbers, she concealed herself in a cup-
board, and thus escaped a captivity which would probably
have been fatal to her.
One of the servants suddenly conceived the idea of
bolting the robbers out. She fastened the door of the
belvidere,—an orieration which could only prolong the
suspense from which they had already suffered so much,
for, of course, the door would soon yield to blows.
The Princess Chavchavadzey was on her knees, pray-
ing and listening, when, at last, the robbers arrived.
Three or four of them ran up the staircase with a light
quick step, and, entering the room adjoining the belvidere,
began to throw out of the window the pillows and bed :
clothes, which were kept there in readiness for visitors.
Having done this, the robbers appeared to be on the point
of retiring. They went part of the way down stairs ; and
the Princesses now began to hope that they would omit to
visit the belvidere. But they hoped in vain. The moun-
taineers returned; and this time there were not merely
three or four, but a large party. They reached the end of
the staircase and shook the door, but not violently, nor
even decidedly ; so that it still remained closed: they pm•
bably expected to find the belvidere defended by an armed

force.
.It, last, more decisive measures were adopted, and the
door burst open. The robbers paused on the threshold
and broke into a loud laugh, which can only be explained
by their amusement at meeting with a group of defenceless
women, when they had anticipated nothing less than an
attack from a formidable body of men. To this wild and
ironical shout the children answered by acre scream.
The Princess Anna now stood up, pared to meet
death face to face.
The Princess Orbelisni, who it will be remembered was
next the door, was instantly seized upon, and then led
down stairs with a certain amount of attention. The
others were also laid hold of 11, the mountaineers, who
rushed, each with his captive, tdivards the staircase.
The staircase, already weakened by the peasant's saw,
gave way beneath the steps of the mountaineers, as
they
crowded down it with their prisoners. The whole party—
mountaineers, women, and ehildreu—were mingled in
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