every doubt, no one believed that the seal had been lost,--
which was the prince's explanation,--and finally the unfor-
tunate prince, sentenced pro crimine perduelionis to the loss
of his honor and his head, was forced to seek safety in flight.
Arriving at Rozlogi in the night, Vassily implored his
brother Constantine, by all that was holy, to care for Hel-
ena as his own daughter, and then he disappeared forever.
It was said that he wrote a letter from Bar to Vishnyevet-
ski, entreating the prince not to take the bread out of Hel-
ena's month, and to leave her in peace at Rozlogi under the
care of Constantine; after that there was no more word of
him. There was a report that he had died suddenly, also
that he had joined the imperial army and had perished in
battle in Germany. No one, however, had certain knowl-
edge of him; but he must have died, since he inquired no
further for his daughter. Soon mention of his name ceased
and he was only remembered when his innocence became
evident. A certain Kuptsevich from Vytebsk confessed
on his death-bed that he had written, at the sioge of Smo-
lensk, the letter to Sheyiii, and sealed it with the seal
found in camp. In the face of such testimony, pity and
confusion seized all hearts. The sentence was revoked,
the name of Prince Vassily restored to honor, but for
Vassily himself the reward for his sufferings came too
late. As to Rozlogi, Yeremi did not think of confiscating
that; for the Vishnyevetskis, knowing Vassily better than
others, were never entirely convinced of his guilt. He
might even have remained under their powerful protection
and laughed at the sentence; and if he fled, it was because
he was unable to endure disgrace.

Helena grew up quietly at Rozlogi under the tender care
of her uncle, and only after his death did painful times
begin for her. The wife of Constantine, from a family
of dubious origin, was a stern, impulsive, and energetic
woman, whom her husband alone was able to keep within
bounds. After his death she gathered into her iron hand
the management of Rozlogi. The serving-men trembled
before her, the house-servants feared her as fire, and soon
she made herself known to the neighbors. During the
third year of her management she attacked the Sivinskis
of Brovarki twice with armed hand, dressed in male attire
and on horseback, leading her servants with hired Cossacks.
Once when the regiments of Prince Yeremi scattered Tar-
tar bands, plundering in the neighborhood of Semi Mogil,