and sparkled with a strange light. What the stewards had heard was
plain enough; but that something more terrible than insult was yet
held in reserve they did not doubt. It was safe, therefore, not
only to fulfil, but to exceed, the letter of their instructions.
Before night the whole population were acquainted with their
duties; and an unusual mood of expectancy, not unmixed with brutish
glee, fell upon Kinesma.

By the middle of the next forenoon, Boris and his wife, seated in
the open kibitka, drawn by post-horses, reached the boundaries of
the estate, a few versts from the village. They were both silent
and slightly pale at first, but now began to exchange mechanical
remarks, to divert each other's thoughts from the coming reception.

"Here are the fields of Kinesma at last!" exclaimed Prince Boris.
"We shall see the church and castle from the top of that hill in
the distance. And there is Peter, my playmate, herding the cattle!

Peter! Good-day, brotherkin!"

Peter looked, saw the carriage close upon him, and, after a moment
of hesitation, let his arms drop stiffly by his sides, and began
howling like a mastiff by moonlight. Helena laughed heartily at
this singular response to the greeting; but Boris, after the first
astonishment was over, looked terrified.

"That was done by order," said he, with a bitter smile. "The old
bear stretches his claws out. Dare you try his hug?"

"I do not fear," she answered, her face was calm.