company consisted of two lawyers, a wealthy landowner, an officer, and
four ladies. One lady was the officer's wife, another the wife of
the landowner, the third his sister--a young girl--and the fourth a
divorcee, beautiful, rich, and eccentric, who amazed and shocked the
town by her escapades.

The weather was excellent and the snow-covered road smooth as a floor.
They drove some seven miles out of town, and then stopped and consulted
as to whether they should turn back or drive farther.

'But where does this road lead to?' asked Makovkina, the beautiful
divorcee.

'To Tambov, eight miles from here,' replied one of the lawyers, who was
having a flirtation with her.

'And then where?'

'Then on to L----, past the Monastery.'

'Where that Father Sergius lives?'

'Yes.'

'Kasatsky, the handsome hermit?'

'Yes.'

'Mesdames et messieurs, let us drive on and see Kasatsky! We can stop at
Tambov and have something to eat.'