?' I asked, with a trembling voice.

"`About a fortnight ago only,' he answered, looking very hard at me.
`You seem very interested in the people; did you know them?'

"`I did,' I answered, doubly agitated; `but oh, father, do not ask me
questions; it can do no good.'

"`I must ask you one. Are you young Steffanos Saveleff, my old friend's
son?'

"`I am,' I answered, bowing my head. `And oh, father, I would not have
entered your house had you given me time to think of the danger I might
place you in; and you, I am sure, will not betray me.'

"`Speak not of it, my son. You have eaten of my loaf and my salt, and
drunk of my cup, and you are safe. No one saw you enter, and no one
need see you depart. Rest a little while, and then go on your way. I
must not venture to harbour you longer than a few hours. Before
daylight you should be far from this.'

"`Thanks, thanks, father!' I exclaimed. `And now you know who I am,
will you advise me how to proceed? Have I a chance of rescuing my
parents, should they be still alive? You know that I am betrothed to
Aneouta. Can I save her from the fate to which she is doomed?'

"Soukhoroukof leaned back in his chair and thought for some time. `I
have an idea,' he exclaimed at length. `The Emperor, our great Czar, is
about to be crowned shortly. On such an occasion he will surely grant
the requests of his loving subjects. Get a petition drawn up: go to
Moscow: present it. Tell the Czar your whole story. He will be
interested. If he grants your petition, as he may, ask him boldly to
increase the favour by enabling you to marry Aneouta. Say no more than
that you are betrothed to a beautiful girl who loves you, and that
difficulties which the Czar alone can overcome lie in the way of your
nuptials.'

"`Oh, my kind father, the advice you give is excellent,' I answered;
`but thousands will be offering similar petitions, and what chance shall
I have?'

"`You will have as good a chance as others,' he replied. `Try and be
one of the first. But I doubt if many will venture to present
petitions. The difficulty of reaching the city is great, and few, even
if they wish it, will be allowed to go, while those who dwell there are
not likely to have any petitions to present. Try your chance, at all
events.'

"`I will, I will,' I exclaimed, grasping eagerly at the proposal, as a
sinking man does at a straw, though I had little hope of its success.
`But how shall I reach