s arm-chair, he shut his eyes, and, laying his broad hairy hand
upon Andriousha's head, he softly, gently dallied with the boy's
flaxen locks. On his countenance the gratification of curiosity was
mingled with affectionate tenderness: he was not dozing, but seemed
to be losing himself in sweet reveries. In the old man's visions
arose the dear never forgotten son, whom he almost fancied he was
caressing. When he opened his eyes, their white lashes still bore
traces of the touching society of his unearthly guest; but when he
remarked that the tear betraying the secret of his heart had
disturbed his companions, and made his daughter anxious, the former
expression of pleasure again dawned on his face, and doubled the
delighted attention of the whole party."

At length the dreaded guest arrived.

"Evil days had fallen on Obrazetz and his family. He seemed himself
as though he had lost his wife and son a second time. Khabar raged
and stormed like a mountain torrent. Anastasia, hearing the horrible
stories--is sometimes trembling like an aspen-leaf, and then weeps
like a fountain. She dares not even look forth out of the sliding
window of her bower. Why did Vassilii Feodorovitch build such a fine
house? Why did he build it so near the Great Prince's palace? 'Tis
clear, this was a temptation of the Evil One. He wanted, forsooth, to
boast of a nonsuch! He had sinned in his pride.... What would become
of him, his son and daughter! Better for them had they never been
born!... And all this affliction arose from the boyarin being about
to receive a German in his house!"

The voevoda gave strict injunctions that none of his family should go to
meet the procession; but M. Lajetchnikoff knows that all such orders are
unavailing.

"Curiosity is so strong in human nature, that it can conquer even
fear: notwithstanding the orders of the boyarin, all his servants
rushed to obtain a glance at the terrible stranger; one at the gate,
another through the crevices of the wooden fence, another over it.
Khabar, with his arms haughtily a-kimbo, gazed with stern pride from
the other gate. Now for the frightful face with mouse's ears, winking
owlish eyes streaming with fiendish fire! now for the beak! They
beheld a young man, tall, graceful, of noble deportment, overflowing
with fresh vigorous life. In his blue eyes shone the light of
goodness and benevolence through the moisture