We have read with inexplicable interest the confessions of this extraordinary woman; we were astonished to discover that her delicate fingers that once grasped the bloody hilt of a cavalry saber also wield a swift, picturesque, and fiery pen.

Before I decided to bring a large notebook of my notes to the capital and to the attention of Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin, my family had many discussions about how it might be perceived by the public, how it might be received, and what people might say. I wrote to the illustrious poet, ‘I did not dare to think, Alexander Sergeyevich, I did not dare imagine presenting a picture of my military life to the world except under the guidance of your genius. I am sending you a few pages of my notes. If you deem it possible to present them to the public without fear of accusations of impudent arrogance, please do me the honor of publishing them in your Sovremennik. However, if they are as I perceive them myself, please return them to me.’ His reply was full of courtesy and praise, and moreover, he offered to assist me as I was inexperienced in this matter. It was such a happy message! To receive such positive feedback from one of the most prominent poets in Europe, — this praise almost took my breath away. I felt the same sense of admiration that I experienced as a child when I was able to run freely in the fields without supervision. My indecisiveness now vanished, and like my brother, I began to place some hope in the success of my notes.