June 16th

Many things have happened in the last few weeks; all have led to this confrontation.  This may be the final entry of this journal as I put my life on the line tonight. Earlier today I was telling a glorious tale about Pechorin sneaking in to Princess Lisgovskoys’ house. It was a glorious tale one filled with intrigue and suspense. I was telling people about our plan to find the sneak. “So along we went” I told “We took a gun loaded with a blank, just to put the wind up him…” (127)  I continued my story until it got to its stunning climax. People didn’t believe me until I gave them my solemn word and then I even gave the man’s name to the public. Of course that name was the one that belonged to my dear friend Pechorin.  Of course Pechorin confronted me right on the spot and began spouting off threats. “You stand by what you said, and you lose the right to be called a man of honor – and are in danger of your life.” (128) I couldn’t stand it. I wouldn’t take his threats; who is he to question my honor? “When I say a thing sir, I mean it and am ready to repeat it,” (128) I told him. He then promptly left the room dragging the dragoon captain with him.

That leaves us with tonight. While the duel is sure to work out as planed this still may be my very final entry to this journal. I am putting my life on the line to defend my honor and teach Pechorin a lesson.   I know I cannot die tonight because my life is to have a greater purpose. If I am to die tonight that purpose would not be properly filled. Fate has to bring me a greater destiny. Regardless if this is to be my final entry this is where my story shall conclude. At least that story could end with a death worthy of a hero. What a hero’s tail it could be.

June 12th

What an interesting week. Since the ball my group and I have been wreaking havoc on my good friend Pechorin. We held rowdy parties and spread wild rumors about him and his darling Princess Mary. Tonight at an officer’s drinking party we decided it was time to really teach this man a lesson. Not even so much in revenge for what he did with anymore; I never really wanted to marry her anyways as I said to the men “I’m not keen on getting married and I don’t believe in compromising a girl.” (121) The dragoon captain then came up with a brilliant scheme to get rid of the coward. “He’ll take him up on some trifle and challenge him to a duel. Just a minute – this is the whole point… He’ll challenge him fine. Challenge preparations, conditions - all very solemn and awesome, I’ll see to that. I’ll be your second my poor friend. All right. Only here’s the catch – we won’t put bullets in the pistols. I guarantee Pechorin will funk it. Damn it, I’ll fix the duel at six paces. Are you with me?”(122) Everyone seemed to agree with the captain’s scheme all that was left was for me to agree. “Very well, I agree,” (122) I said and our devious plan was put into motion.

June 5th

The ball tonight was an absolute disaster. That slimy coward Pechorin ruined it all, every last bit of it. It all started early in the night when Mary was rejecting my presence. “Princess you’re tormenting me,” I told her “You’ve changed a lot since I last saw you.”(111)  She rejected me again that she disliked my repetition and that she thought my greatcoat served me much better. This is the point where Pechorin had to interrupt and tell and tell me that I looked “more boyish than ever.” (111) That whole evening I attempted pressured her; on more than one occasion I tried to dance with her and I even presented her with many pleas and reproaches. What I got was more hatred. What had happened? All of a sudden she hated me with a passion and for no reason what so ever.

It was that slime Pechorin I tell you. She even was dancing the mazurka with him.  I couldn’t believe it; just days after Pechorin showed no interest in her he was steeling Mary away from me. I wouldn’t stand for this. Later that night I formed a pact with the dragoon leader and other men at the ball. We picked Mary every time during the mazurka not allowing for Pechorin to have his way. It’s time that rich, materialistic coward learned his lesson that he can’t just take things from other people. I’m going to teach this man this lesson even if it requires great force.

June 3rd

What a fantastic day! I received my commission. I celebrated over Champaign with Pechorin and Werner. Werner commented on how the new role wouldn’t affect the way people see me. He even went on to say that “Up to now you’ve been an exception but now you’ll be just one of the common run.” (104) I didn’t care what he said at that point it wouldn’t stop me from being pleased with what was happening. “Yes now I am utterly happy,” (104) I exclaimed. At that moment nothing could bring me down. Of course Pechorin had to ask whether I wanted him to tell the Princess. “No, please don’t I want it to be a surprise,” (104) I told Pechorin. I didn’t want to let her see me until my new uniform was ready.

Then Pechorin asked how things stood between us. I couldn’t bring myself to brag about her because quite frankly I had no idea where are relationship was. I sat there confused as to what I was feeling. He even asked whether she was in love with me or not.  “No respectable woman would ever say so,” (105) I told Pechorin. Then he suddenly gave me a warning that she was making a fool of me. I didn’t consider his words though, they where foolish and out of jealousy. As I left I question Pechorin’s judgment on the situation and told him that “I pity you, Pechorin.”

May 23

The day after the ball I met up with Pechorin again. I shook his hand and thanked him for what he did. After I told him that my Mary had relayed this information to me he decided he needed to ridicule me. “Look” I told him “If you wish to remain my friend, kindly refrain from making fun of my love.” (98) I was annoyed with his constant ridicule of my every move. I was in a bit of disarray though so I decided to ask him for a favor. I needed him to observe Mary for me. I couldn’t understand her behavior today. “Her eyes were full of feeling when she looked at me yesterday, but today they’re dull and cold,” (98) I told Pechorin. I never understood women to begin with and now I’m even more confused. That’s why I wanted to confide in Pechorin because I figure that he has more experience with women than I do. I should never have confided in him though as all he said was that it might be the effect of waters. I didn’t like this response “You always see the worst side of things,” I told him scornfully “Materialist! Still, let’s talk of something more material.” Happy with my pun for the day I then left Pechorin alone.

Later we went to Princess Ligovskoy’s. It was an entertaining night to say the least. I got to hear Mary sing again; such a beautiful voice she has. She attempted to converse with Pechorin who seemed distracted by some other issue. She soon got fed up and came to sit by me. We embarked on a wonderful conversation that was the highlight of the night. The conversation made me forget the events that transpired earlier today and gives me more confidence in how our relationship is developing.

May 16th

I had the great pleasure to ride with the princess this evening. I had my full attire on, saber and pistols included. It gave me a grander tone something that surly impressed the princess. Along the ride Mary asked me about staying in the Caucasus. “What is Russia to me?” (91) I replied, “A country where thousands will scorn me because they are richer than I am, while here my thick greatcoat has not stood in the way of meeting you.” (91) She then blushed and told me it was “Quite the reverse.” (91). I was quite pleased with my heroic tale I went on “My life will pass stormily, swiftly and unnoticed among the bullets of savage tribesman, and if each year God grants me one woman’s glance as radiant as…”(91) That’s when I was cut off by that slimy creature Pechorin who just appeared all of a sudden out of a bush. Scared the living daylights out of my Mary who thought he was going to hurt her. The sly devil gave a quick line in French to reassure her “ Ne craignez rien madame. Je ne suis pas plus dangereux que votre cavalier.” (91) I was quite displeased with Pechorin at that point. Why had he done that? What was his business to interrupt our grand conversation so rudely?

Later that night I found Pechorin sitting on a bench on the boulevard. He looked lonely so I went over to see what he was pondering. When he asked me where I had been I replied with the fact that I had been over at Princess Ligovskoy’s. “How well Mary sings!” (92) I remarked, she did have quite a wondrous voice indeed. I then continued to peruse him on the idea of gaining acquaintance with her. It took a while but he finally cracked saying that he may even make advances on her. He then told me that “I’ll just wait just wait till she’s fed up with listening to you.” (93) Which I thought was quite rude so I changed the subject and went on a stroll on my own towards the restaurant for some gambling.

May 15th

I have decided to put on more of a militant air as of late. I’ve been attempting to show more confidence and worry less about the leg. While the injury still hurts a great deal I have been fighting through the pain and have been limping less and less. Which has even allowed me to find the time to communicate with the Princesses. The Princess Mary seems to have somewhat of affection for me as she gives me the sweetest smiles every time I bow to her. I had a conversation about her with Pechorin. “Are you quite sure you don’t want to meet the Ligovskoys?” (84) I had asked him out of curiosity. He had seemed so distant when it came to the Princesses. He told me that he had had enough of society anywhere let alone this place. He then changed the subject on to me asking me if I had ever visited them. I told them that “I had only talked a couple times with the daughter. But it’s rather embarrassing angling for an invitation, even if it is the done thing here. It’d be a different matter if I were commissioned. ” (85) That led to a strange conversation about my liking of the princess. Have those cold dastardly eyes of his seen right through me? He even began giving me advice about entertaining the princess. I mean who is he to try and gain a confession out of me? Why is he even interested? At least for now he hasn’t discovered the ring in which I had made. It’s a beautiful ring  with the name Mary and the date of the glass incident engraved on it. I better hope that no one finds it or this situation may become very embarassing.