private life and character
any more than you can anyone else, because then you would render
yourself liable to an action for libel."

"And you can travel where you like, in the country and out of the
country, without official permits or passports?"

"Yes, there is nothing like that known in England. Every man can go
where he likes, and live where he likes, and do anything he likes,
providing that it does not interfere with the rights of other people."

"Ah! shall we ever come to this in Russia, Akim?" Petroff said.

Akim made no answer, but Godfrey replied for him. "No doubt you will in
time, Petroff; but you see liberties like these do not grow up in a day.
We had serfs and vassals in England at one time, and feudal barons who
could do pretty much what they chose, and it was only in the course of
centuries that these things got done away with." At this moment there
was a knock at the door.

"It is Katia," Akim said, jumping up from his seat and opening the door.
A young woman entered. She was pleasant and intelligent looking. "Katia,
this is an English gentleman, a friend of ours, who has been telling us
about his country. Godfrey, this is my cousin Katia; she teaches music
in the houses of many people of good family."

"I did not expect to find visitors here," the girl said smiling. "And
how do you like our winter? it is a good deal colder than you are
accustomed to."

"It is a great deal more pleasant," Godfrey said: "I call it glorious
weather. It is infinitely better than alternate rains and winds, with
just enough frost occasionally to make you think you are going to do
some skating, and then a thaw."

"You are extravagant," the girl said, looking round; "it is a long time
since I have felt the room as warm as this. I suppose Petroff has got
his allowance?"

"Yes, and a grumbling letter. My father has a vague idea that in some
way or other I ought to pick up my living, though he never offers a
suggestion as to how I should do it."

The young woman went to the cupboard, fetched another tumbler and poured
herself out some tea, and then chatted gaily about St. Petersburg, her
pupils, and their parents.

"Do you live at the house of one of your pupils?" Godfrey asked.

"Oh no!" she said. "I don't mind work, but I like to be free when work
is over. I board in an honest family, and live in a little room at the
top of the house which is all my own and where I can see my friends."

After chatting for some