Moscow: A Story of the French Invasion of 1812

mof drove into the yard of his nearest neighbour, the Boyar Demidof. The visit was expected, for Maximof had sent a messenger to give warning of his approach and to notify the boyar of the obje

hree elders occupied-as best they could-the cushioned seat behind. This was designed to hold two with moderate comfort,

ting them with voluble and exaggerated expressions of welcome, after the

mof; "make your bow, Sasha, and ask aft

Mademoiselle Vera Danilovna is

into the salon on the right and you will find her-what? You have a present for her-a

ed in the direc

the legal part of the matter immediately; after which you,

mers, and the signing of the contract of betrothal. When this latter document had been read over and approved and signed by all present, the two persons chiefly concerne

plentiful, but badly cooked, the wine plentiful also, but indifferent, and the plates and dishes were filthy. Civilisation had not as yet reached a high standard in the Russia of that day, when, even in the best houses, though the furniture might be gorgeousl

Maximof observed, to see innocent love actually in the birth, as at this moment. The fathers drank heavily and made boisterous jokes at which all present laughed aloud, including the servants and his reverence the priest, w

her of the gentlemen hesitated to use language towards the servants, whether male or female, too outrageo

and brutal manor-lords, a noted bully towards his serfs, and was hated by them in consequence even more bit

r's arm and had received a clout over his head for his car

emidof, "for five roubles, and tra

wretched man sinking upon his knees, "it i

otally unconcerned by the fellow's blubbering and entreaties, to

The children were made to kiss one another at parting, a demonstration to which the lady strongly objected though without assigning a reason until aft

her limbs, "because I was tired of playing at soldiers with him

must love him, he is yours and you

as father sold Gregory just now!" said the child. Whereat the mother c

ad a sobering influence both upon the boyar himself and upon the priest, who was with difficulty arou

entertain him in return for his dismal accounts of the cruelties an

ld them; "you may thank God, brothe

nk. Kiril had many a tale to tell at the price of a drink for each rec

an come our way," said he, addressing the man sol

ings, one that he cannot sell me away from the land and the other that I am worth more than

me does your master think of to mate his child with the whel

ell us more of the doings of your master, who must ind

he herdsman's daughter; some lords have respect

when summoned to put in the horses and start

lever little horses knowing the road homew

rive when the astute little animals suddenly shied with one accord, sending the sled

alarm, the boyar swore loudly and thumped Kiril on the back. Young S

ed in a drunken stupor and took no notice of t

ha excitedly. "I have seen six,

. "It is true," he s

danger? Whip up t

nt; "I will try other means." He took the whip and stood up to

rage; he turned in his seat and struck sav

fool," shouted Maximof. "There i

y to drive. Five minutes later the fellow was asleep again, the reins dangling. By this time the wolves had grown more daring; several had left the cover of the forest and followed the sledge in the open moon

ountess caught her husband's arm; Ki

ore we reach home. We are lost

the waist and pulled him backwards. The Count was a large and powerful man, the other was a wisp in his arms. Kiril awoke and struggled. He caught the box-board with hi

laughing that there were many trees, the fool could climb one if he was not too drunk. "Take the butt

egs and body to expel the wretched Kiril from the sledge. But the other hand clu

ghting, and now the sledge was out of sight and hearing. It went on its way without further pursuit, save for one or two stragglers who soon found

had suggestions to make as to Kiril's non-arrival. The story of Sasha's nurse was grimly suggestive. When going to bed Sasha had shown off his n

that his mother had bidden him remain silent as to this episode, and he

presence of her manor-lord and accused

rew him," she cried,

his servants take her to the flog room an

an as she was removed; but Maximof laughed and bade the servants add five strok

twenty-five strokes; after her punishment, being u

ats the words she has spoken this night

o have lost your son," her pitying fellow serfs had told her; "go quickly and

d the saying was repeated broadcast among the villagers next day, in spite of the manor-lord's threats, for this old hag had some