chant in the town and collect a considerable sum of
money."

"You to collect money?" questioned Akulina.

Polikey only shook his head and smiled significantly, saying:

"'You,' the mistress said to me, 'are a man resting under a grave
suspicion--a man who is considered unsafe to trust in any capacity; but
I have faith in you, and will intrust you with this important business
of mine in preference to any one else.'"

Polikey related all this in a loud voice, so that his neighbor might
hear what he had to say.

"'You promised me to reform,' my noble mistress said to me, 'and I will
be the first to show you how much faith I have in your promise. I want
you to ride into town, and, going to the principal merchant there,
collect a sum of money from him and bring it to me.' I said to my
mistress: 'Everything you order shall be done. I will only too gladly
obey your slightest wish.'

"Then my mistress said: 'Do you understand, Polikey, that your future lot
depends upon the faithful performance of this duty I impose upon you?'
I replied: 'Yes, I understand everything, and feel that I will succeed in
performing acceptably any task which you may impose upon me. I have been
accused of every kind of evil deed that it is possible to charge a man
with, but I have never done anything seriously wrong against you,
your honor.' In this way I talked to our mistress until I succeeded in
convincing her that my repentance was sincere, and she became greatly
softened toward me, saying, 'If you are successful I will give you the
first place at the court.'"

"And how much money are you to collect?" inquired Akulina.

"Fifteen hundred rubles," carelessly answered Polikey.

Akulina sadly shook her head as she asked, "When are you to start?"

"She ordered me to leave here to-morrow," Polikey replied. "'Take any
horse you please,' she said. 'Come to the office, and I will see you
there and wish you God-speed on your journey.'"

"Glory to Thee, O Lord!" said Akulina, as she arose and made the sign
of the cross. "God, I am sure, will bless you, Illitch," she added, in a
whisper, so that the people on the other side of the partition could not
hear what she said, all the while holding on to his sleeve. "Illitch,"
she cried at last, excitedly, "for God's sake promise me that you will
not touch a drop of vodki. Take an oath before God, and kiss the cross,
so that I may be sure that you will not break your promise!"

Polikey replied in most c