fix what shall henceforth belong to each; and each of them having received my gift, shall feel grateful for it, and faithfully execute the will of their father and benefactor.' Here Kharlof's voice faltered. I wish you good morning, madam, and you sir,' he said, turning to me; I shall have the honour of seeing you the day after tomorrow at my house.'

"My mother looked at Kharlof as he went away, and shook her head. This promises no good,' she murmured.

formal act has been drawn up, and you shail hear, point by point, my intentions. Approach,' says Kharlof to his son-in-law, who stood in an humble posture at the door, ' read, it would fatigue me.'

6

"Slotkine took the paper, and began to read with a clear but tremulous voice. The shares of the sisters were fixed with the most minute precision. From time to time Kharlof interrupted the reading, Listen, Anna, this is for you, as a reward for your zeal. Of that I make you a On the day appointed, our family present, my little Evlampia.' The two coach, drawn by four horses and driven by sisters bowed, and Kharlof gazed on them our head coachmen, a stout, patriarchal with unmoved gravity. The seignorial figure, with long grey beard, drew majesti- manor (that is, the new house) was assigncally up to the door. The importance of ed to Evlampia, the younger daughter, the act Kharlof was about to accomplish, according to ancient usage. Kharlof reand the solemnity of his invitation hall re- served to himself the right of occupying acted upon my mother, and she ordered the room he then inhabited, and also this state equipage, and desired us to ap-assigned to himself his complete maintenpear in full dress to do honour to her pro-ance, and an allowance of ten roubles a tégé. In half an hour we reached the month for his clothing. The last clause house; the dog saluted us with his howl- in the deed be read himself, That these ing, and the numerous children of the ser- wishes of a father may be accomplished by vants, who generally swarm in the court- his daughters religiously and unchanged, yards, with wooden crosses round their as a law of the Almighty; for after Him, necks, had all disappeared. Slotkine re- I am their father and their head, and have ceived us at the threshold. We entered no account to render to any one, any more the room, in the middle of which sat the than I have ever rendered. And if my motionless form of Kharlof; he had put daughters carry out my will, my fatherly on his militia jacket, a bronze medal was benediction shall be on their heads, but if on his breast, his sword at his side, his left they fail to carry out my will which hand was placed on its hilt, while his right heaven forbid - my curse will fall upon rested upon a pile of papers on the table. them now, henceforth, and to all eternity? He did not stir, he appeared even not to Kharlof closed the paper and waved it breathe. He scarcely saluted us, but, over his head. Anna threw herself upon pointing to a row of chairs, desired us to her knees, and struck the ground with her take our places. On the right were his forehead. 'And you, Evlampia?' said two daughters in full dress; Anna in a Kharloff. She reddened, and also bowed green gown and a yellow belt, Evlampia in herself to the earth. Now rise and sign, rose colour and cerise. On the left sat said Kharlof. Sign here, I am grateful the priest, an aged man, whose sad eyes, and accept, Anna; here, I am grateful and worn cassock and ragged boots betokened accept, Evlampia.' The two women signa life of poverty and labour. Next to him ed, as directed. A minute's silence folwere the attorney and the ispravnik, or lowed; Kharlof let a sob escape, and then head of the police of the district. I was said, in a low voice, Now all is yours.' seated near Souvenir, and my mother's His daughters and son-in-law exchanged steward, Lizinski, beside me. When we looks, and approaching, kissed him upon were all placed, Kharlof raised himself to the arm between the elbow and the shoulhis full height and began, I have invited der. The ispravnik then read the legal you, gentlemen, because I feel I am grow- act, and, advancing upon the doorstep ing old; my infirmities oppress ine. I have with the sisters, announced the event to received a warning, and the hour of death, the peasants of Kharlof, enjoining them as you know, comes upon us as a thief in the submission to their new proprietors-an night; in consequence of which, I do not admonition he might have dispensed with, wish that death should take me unawares. for I never saw more humble countenances, 1, the slave of the Almighty,' and he re- or peasants more tutored to obedience, peated, word for word, the phrase he had than those of Kharlof. Dressed in patched used to my mother. Conformably to the caftans, and tattered tunics, their waists decision I have taken,' he continued, point- tightly confined by their belts, as is reing to the pile of papers on the table, this quired on solemn occasions, they stood

A

motionless as statues of stone, and each He struck the table with such violence time the ispravnik addressed them, they that everything rattled in the room. made Notwitha profound obeisance. standing the entreaties of the ispravnik, Kharlof refused to show himself with his daughters. My subjects,' he said, will obey my will without my presence;' but as if to exhibit his power for the last time, he suddenly put his head out of the window, roared out, in a stentorian voice, 'Obedience!' and hastily closed the casement. The peasants appeared stupefied.

At last came the time for the repast. When the inevitable bottle of champagne appeared-champagne made on the banks of the Don-the ispravnik proposed the healths of the new proprietors and that of the magnanimous Martin Petrovitch Kharlof. At the word magnanimous, Slotkine gave an enthusiastic cry, and rushed to embrace his benefactor. Then occurred 2. disagreeable incident. Souvenir suddenly rose, and with a fiendish laugh, exclaimed, Magnanimous! magnanimous, indeed; we shall see how he feels when he is turned out, bare-backed, into the snow.' What are you raving about, fool?' said Kharlof, with contempt. Fool!' replied Souvenir; we shall soon see who the fool is!' 'How dare you insult our revered benefactor?' cried Slotkine; 'you know, if he had the slightest wish, he would not hesitate to tear up the act of donation he has so generously granted us.'

6

But that would not prevent your turning him out in the snow,' said Souvenir.

"Silence !' cried Kharlof, in a thundering voice. 'If I were to strike you, Bitschkof, a heap of dirt would alone remain where you now stand. And you, young cur,' he said, turning to Slotkine, hold your tongue, and presume not to put in your nose where you are not called. If I, Martin Petrovitch Kharlof, had decided upon this act, who can destroy it; who, in the whole world, can oppose my will?'

"Father,' Anna hastened to say, 'that gentleman little knows us, to speak thus. You are wrong to let it make you angry.' Kharlof looked at Evlampia, but she remained stolidly silent. I thank you, daughter Anna,' said Kharlof, in a low voice; I rely upon you and upon your husband. As for you, sir, you are not made to judge Martin Kharlof; your intelligence does not reach so high. The thing is decided; my decision will not change. I am no longer master here; I am a visitor; and as such I use my privilege to retire.' He turned round, and walked slowly out of the room.

"The next day Kharlof came to dine with my mother, who referred to the incidents of the preceding day. Yes,' said Kharlof, 'something passed a little serious, but what I have upon my heart is not the idle words of Souvenir, but the bearing of Evlampia. She was a stone - a real statue. She feels nothing. Why did she not say to herself, my father must be very ill, must feel his end approaching, thus to give us up all he has; but not a word, not a look; she bowed to the ground, but not in gratitude.'

66 6

Why, Kharlof,' said my mother, 'you seem to complain; you begin to repent and be afraid of the step you have taken.' "This wounded him to the quick. All his pride arose. 'I am not among those who complain or are afraid. This earthly globe shall be dissolved before I fail in my word, or that I fear or regret what I have done. As for my daughters, they will never depart from their obedience to their father to all eternity.'

"The death of her brother-in-law called my mother away, and it was three months before we came back to our home.

"The first news my servant gave me, on my return, was that large flocks of woodcocks had arrived, and that they were "Martin Petrovitch,' began the attor- plentiful in the birch woods of Jeskova, ney, you have just accomplished a great the domain of Kharlof. I started directly, action; but if which heaven forbid and had a good day's sport. On my instead of the gratitude which is your due, way homewards I saw a peasant ploughyou should meet with some great affronting near the wayside, and immediately recognized in the miserable, starved beast he was belabouring, the favourite animal Kharlof used to drive.

"I glanced my eye upon the sisters. Anna appeared to devour the words he was speaking. I never saw the face of a woman more wicked and more venomous, yet more strangely beautiful. Evlainpia had turned away; a smile more contemptuous than ever was on her lips. Kharlof rose to speak, but his voice forsook him.

“Is Martin Kharlof dead,' I inquired, that you have his horse?'

Oh, no,' he answered, but it has been taken and sold. Many things have hap pened during your absence. Mr. Slotkine is master now.'

:

"And Martin Petrovitch? ' “He has become a mere cipher. Some fine morning he will be turned out of doors."

saddler; and when he has learned his trade he will pay us a yearly sum.'

"Who, then, now reads to Martin Petrovitch ?'

666

"When I went in I found something had Read! What an idea, to read at his disturbed my mother. She sent suddenly age! He had but one book, and that, I for Lizinski, and said, 'Send a carriage to- am thankful to say, has disappeared.' morrow morning for Mr. Kharlof, and de- "And who shaves him now?' sire him to come here, as I hear he has no "Slotkine assumed an affable laugh, as longer one at his disposal, and tell him I if it were a good joke, and replied, No must absolutely see him. Tell, also, Slot-one; at first he singed his beard with kine, I order him to appear before me; candle; now he lets it grow. Martin mind, I order him.' Petrovitch is clothed and fed what can he want besides? Has he not declared that he desires nothing more in this world, but what is for the good of his soul? Be "His prediction was verified. My sides, he ought to recollect that, put it mother wrote him a letter with her own which way you please, all now belongs to band. He sent for answer, written upon a us. He complains we do not pay his alpiece of dirty paper,Before heaven, Ilowance. What does he require money cannot shame would kill me. Let ne for? he wants for nothing. I assure you disappear, thank you; do not torment

"Martin Petrovitch will not obey,' whispered Souvenir; 'you cannot imagine what he has become.'

me.'

“Slotkine's. interview with my mother did not occupy a quarter of an hour. She declared he should never again enter her presence; and if Kharlof's daughters dare to present themselves-for they have impudence for anything,' she said, 'show them the door. That miserable Jew,' she continued, whom I have taken out of the mire to make a man of, has the audacity to tell me I have no right to interfere with what does not concern me, and that Martin Petrovitch is treated with too much indulgence the ungrateful little toad!' "Determined to see Kharlof, I again set out with my gun to Jeskova. Suddenly I heard steps behind me, and Slotkine came out of the thicket. His face bore no trace of the obsequious humility with which, four months back, he was polishing the curb of my bridle when walking my horse up and down his father-in-law's court-yard. 'Have you killed many woodcocks?' he asked. You are aware you are shooting in our wood; but I give you leave. Your mother was very angry with me yesterday, and would hear of no explanation. I declare solemnly it is impossible to treat Martin Petrovitch otherwise; he is quite childish.'

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666

we treat him well. Now, there are the rooms, for instance, he occupies; we want them badly for ourselves, for we have no space to turn in. Then, we try to provide him occupation. Last St. Peter's day I bought him some fish-hooks-excellent English hooks, very dear. The pond is full of tench, and he has only to sit at the edge and fish all day what better_occupation for an old man? Martin Petrovitch himself approves. You know what a hot, violent man he was; now he has become quite quiet. Your mother is angry with me. She is a great lady, and holds to power as much as did formerly Martin Petrovitch. Come and judge for yourself, and, if an opportunity offers, say a word in our favour. I have the honour to salute you. Kill as many woodcocks as you like. They are birds of passage, and belong to nobody; but if a hare crosses your path, spare it—it is our game.'

"When left to myself, I exclaimed, How is it that Kharlot has not before this exterminated Slotkine? He must be subi dued indeed.'

"At the end of the garden was the pond. "Has Kharlof indeed turned fisherman?' I asked myself. I looked round, and at the bottom of a forest of rushes I But why have you sold his horse?' saw a greyish mass. It was indeed KharWhy? A fine question! What use lof, without cap, his hair dishevelled, a was it? Only to eat hay without profit. kind of linen overcoat rent at every sean, If Martin Petrovitch wishes to go out he his legs doubled under him he was seated, has only to ask; we never refuse him, un- motionless, on the bare mud. His whole less the horse is at work. Then there is appearance was so strange that my dog that little vagabond Cossack,' he continued. stopped short, and began to growl. Khar'Martin Petrovitch complains we have lof raised his head, and looked at me like taken him from him. What use was he to a wild man. My heart beat violently as I us? Now we have apprenticed him to a approached and saluted him. You are

"Come, let yourself be persuaded. Why the monstrous black, heavy being I had remain here to torment yourself?'

"The steward raised his hands. 'Where find a garment for such a giant? We will "Begone, I say, or I will kill you. I fetch a horse-cloth or a sheet.' will throw you into the water, to teach They have turned me out, madam,' you to dare to come and disturb an old said Kharlof, after a deep groan; they man with your imbecile advice - brat that have turned me out, Natalia Niculavna, you are.' my own daughters from my own nest.' My mother crossed herself, 'How horrible: but get up, Martin Petrovitch; do me this favour.'

Come, stand up,' said my mother in a voice of command, and tell me all that has happened.' He raised himself slowly, staggering like a drunken man, drew a chair near, and sank into it. The servants advanced with the towels and blanket, but he notioned them away with his hand, and my mother did not insist.

saved my life. Take him to bed, and when he awakes, send for the tailor to measure him for new clothes." The steward led him to his room, and hastened to procure some linen. Souvenir, who had been watching his opportunity, now came forward,. and began dancing and annoying Kharlof. Good morning, your excellence, let me kiss your hand; but why have you put on your black gloves? You treated me as a parasite, and now you are one yourself. Now you have not a roof that belongs to you. You will eat the bread of charity

"Souvenir,' I cried,' be silent,' but in

vain.

"Oh, you quite frighten me, my little brother. You might at least have combed your beautiful locks, now they must be cut with a scythe. And you still attempt to bluster, you a beggar, a naked worm. Where now is the hereditary roof of which you were so proud?'

"Mr. Bitschkof,' I cried, 'what are you about, in the name of heaven?' I was

"Madam Natalia Nicolavna,' at last he began, with effort, I am going to tell you the whole truth. Pride has been my fall, as much as it was that of Nebuchad-like me.' nezzar. I said to myself, Heaven has gifted me with intellect, and then, with the fear of approaching death on my mind, my head was turned; and I said, I will show the world, before departing this life, my generosity and my power. I will confer benefits on them all, and all shall be grateful to me to the tomb.' Kharlof started from his chair. Kicked out like a mangy dog-such is their gratitude. They took away from me Maximka, they took my carriage, my horse, they reduced | alarmed. Kharlof, who had been gradumy food, they did not pay my allowance, ally calmed down by his interview with my all has been miserably curtailed around mother, was now becoming again excited. me. And I said nothing, on account of He breathed quickly. The veins of his my pride, that my enemies should not have neck dilated, and his eyes flashed through it in their power to say, 'Look at that old his bespattered face. I threatened Souvefool, see how he now repents; and you, nir to inform my mother, but a very demon madam, you also had warned me. That is seemed to possess him. why I would never breathe a word of complaint. To-day, I went into my poor chamber, it was occupied, my bed thrown into a garret, and I was told, 'You can sleep as well there, we keep you by favour, and we want your room." And who said this to me? Volodka Slotkine, a vile upstart, a misHere his voice broke down. "But, your daughters, what did they say? asked my mother.

My daughters! they have no will of their own; they are both the slaves of Volodka. Madam, I cannot support the ingratitude of my children. When Volodka, with his insolent tongue, told me I should no longer occupy my own room, every timber of which I built with my own hands, heaven knows what darkness overshadowed me, what a knife pierced my heart. I then ran, in this horrible state, to you, my benefactress.'

"Come, repose yourself,' said mother, they shall take you to a warm room; lie down and sleep, and take some tea, and we will talk. Do not lose courage, my old friend; if they have driven you from your house, you will always find a home in mine. I have not forgotten you

"Yes,' cried he, 'most respectable gentleman. This is what you are come to. Your daughter and your son-in-law jeer at you under your hereditary roof. You said you would club them, but you are afraid. You thought you could wrestle with Mr. Slotkine, but he is too strong for you.'

No, I

"A fearful, yell interrupted Souvenir's harangue. Kharlof's face turned blue, he foamed at the mouth, and his whole frame quivered with fury. A roof, did you say?' cried he, in his iron voice. will not curse them, that would be indifferent to them; but a roof! __I will destroy it from top to bottom. They shall not have one any more than I. They shall know what it is to turn me in derision. My strength has not yet forsaken me: they shall not have a roof-No, no!' and upsetting the attendants who had just entered, he rushed out of the house.

"My mother was greatly disturbed when she heard of Kharlof's departure, and despatched Liziuski to bring him back at all costs. In an hour he returned alone. What has happened, that he does not come?'

"Nothing has happened to him, but he