Part Four

XVII. WEDDING JOURNEY 217

On the Black Sea. Jason mood. Arrival in Asia. The hotel in Poti. Kutais. Count Rosmorduc. Reception at Prince Zeretelli’s. National dances. Journey to Gordi. Prince Niko with escort comes to meet us. Arrival at Gordi. Ceremonious reception.

XVIII. IN KUTAIS (1877) 227

Lessons. Rumors of war and outbreak of war. Red Cross fever. The plague on the horizon. Bad times. Conclusion of peace. Mathilde. Beginning of literary career.

XIX. TIFLIS 237

Another summer in Gordi. Business projects. Removal to Tiflis. Princess Tamara of Georgia. Our manner of life. Double position. Continued authorship. Illness.

XX. ZUGDIDI 242

The capital of Mingrelia. Our little house. Labors on the Murat estate. Social life at the Murats’ and the Dedopali’s. Lonely summer at Zugdidi. New literary labors. Prototype of Es Löwos. New horizons. Study together.

XXI. OUR LAST DAYS IN THE CAUCASUS 251

The Dedopali’s death. Death of my mother. Prospect of coming home. Translation of “The Tiger’s Skin.” Sojourn in a Mingrelian village. A bit of Georgian history. Queen Tamara.