The Captain's Daughter

Pugachov and Pyotr arrive at Shvabrin’s house at the fort. Shvabrin is surprised to see them. Pyotr insists on seeing Maria. When they burst into her bedroom, he is shocked by Maria’s sickly appearance. Shvabrin tells them Maria is his wife, but Maria denies it. Pugachov frees Maria and warns Shvabrin. Maria realizes Pugachov is the man who killed her parents and faints. Her maid goes to care for her. Pugachov, Shvabrin, and Pyotr go downstairs while she recovers. Shvabrin reveals to Pugachov that Maria is not the priest’s daughter but rather Mironov’s daughter. Pugachov is annoyed that Pyotr hid this fact from him, but he acknowledges it was done to keep Maria safe from the rebels. He agrees to let Pyotr and Maria go free. Pyotr and Maria are reunited. Pyotr decides they will go back to his family home, and they kiss. An hour later, Pyotr gets a document from Pugachov that will permit him safe passage through the rebel-held territories. Then, Pugachov leaves. Pyotr finds himself feeling empathy for the leader whom he wants to save from “the criminals whose leader he was” (87). Shortly after, Maria, her maid Palasha, Pyotr, and Savelich leave the fort together.