Bringing his verses on the scene, the captain thought to exculpate himself on one point about which, for some reason, he always felt himself most apprehensive, and most guilty.
"'In case of her breaking her leg.' That is, of her riding on horseback.

It's a fantasy, Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch, a wild fancy, but the fancy of a poet.

One day I was struck by meeting a lady on horseback, and asked myself the vital question, 'What would happen then ?' That is, in case of accident.

All her followers turn away, all her suitors are gone.

A pretty kettle of fish.