peasants who remembered it had no less confidence in his prayers, for
they knew he loved his country, and looked after the sick and poor.
The priest was my cousin's instructor in wood-craft, and the
boon-companion of my uncle; but scarcely had I got well acquainted
with him and the Lorenskis, when two Christmas visitors arrived at
their house.

They were a brother and sister, Russian nobles, known as Count
Theodore and Countess Juana. Their native place was St Petersburg, but
they had spent years in travelling over Europe; and though nobody
knew the extent of their estates, it was supposed to be great, for
they spared no expense, and always kept the best society. Latterly
they had been somehow attracted to Poland, and became so popular among
our country nobles, that they were invited from house to house, making
new friends wherever they went, for Russians though they were, they
wished well to our country, and, among their intimates, spoke of
liberty and justice with singular eloquence. Considering this, their
popularity was no wonder. A handsomer or more accomplished pair I
never saw. Both were tall, fair, and graceful, with hair of a light
golden shade--the sister's descending almost to her feet when
unbraided, and the brother's clustering in rich curls about the brow.
They knew the dances of all nations, could play anything that was ever
invented, whether game or instrument, and talked in every tongue of
Europe, from Romaic to Swedish. Both could ride like Arabs. Count
Theodore was a splendid shot, his sister was matchless in singing, and
neither was ever tired of fun or frolic. They seemed of the Lorenskis'
years, but had seen more of the world; and though scarcely so
dignified, most people preferred the frank familiarity and lively
converse of the travelled Russians.