During his trip to Russia in 1858-1859, Dumas came to admire the work of
his contemporary and namesake, the Russian poet and writer Alexander
Sergeyvich Pushkin (1799-1837), shot to death in a duel at the age of 38.
Dumas translated at least three short stories by Pushkin, including La
Chasse Neige.
In this story, set in Russia circa 1811, a young man agrees to elope with
his love. Unfortunately, the young man becomes lost in a snowstorm, and
can't find the church. The next day, he discovers that his lover has
returned home and wants nothing more to do with him. He joins the army and
dies heroically. Some years later, another young man meets the lady and
wishes to marry her, only to be told that she can never marry, because of
the consequences of the snowstorm. But what did happen, exactly, on that
fatal night?
