hillsides and mounds. His heart beat like a hammer. No
one there expected him; no one knew he was coming.
What will she say when she sees him? Now he beholds
the cottages of the neighbors, nearly hidden, covered in the
cherry-orchards; farther on is a straggling village of cot-
tages; and still farther is seen the well-sweep on the square
in front of the house. The lieutenant, putting spurs to his
horse, galloped swiftly; and after him flew his suite through
the village with a clatter and a noise. Here and there a
peasant, rushing out of his cottage, made a sign of the cross.
Devils! -- not devils? Tartars! -- not Tartars? The mud
spatters from under their hoofs so that you don't know who
is hurrying on. Meanwhile they are at the square, and have
halted before the closed gate.

"Hallo there! Who lives, open!"

The bustle and pounding, the barking of dogs, called out
the people from the house. They hurried to the gate
frightened, thinking it was an attack.

"Who goes?"

"Open!"

"The princes are not at home."

"But open, you son of an infidel! We are from the
prince at Lubni."

The servants at last recognized Skshetuski. "Oh, that is
you! Right away! right away!"

The gate was thrown open. Then the princess herself
appeared before the entrance, and shading her eyes with
her hand, looked at the new-comers.

Skshetuski sprang from his horse, and coming up to her
said: "Don't you know me?"

"Oh! that is you, Lieutenant. I thought it was a Tartar
raid. I salute you and beg you to enter."

"You wonder, no doubt," said Pan Yan, "at seeing me in
RozLogi. Still I have not broken my word, for the prince
sends me to Chigirin and farther. He asked me also to stop
at Rozlogi and inquire for your health."

"I am thankful to his Highness. Does he think of driv-
ing us from Rozlogi soon?"

"He doesn't think of it at all, for he knows of no cause
to drive you out; and what I have said will take place.
You will remain in Rozlogi; I have bread enough of my own."
Hearing this, the princess grew good-humored at once,
and said: "Be seated, and be as glad as I am to see you."

"Is Princess Helena well? Where is she?"