Moscow?' I asked. `It is a long, long way, I
fear, from this.'

"`Go to the banks of the Volga; you will there find steamers going up to
Nishni; get on board one of them, and your way will then be easy.'

"I warmly thanked the kind Soukhoroukof for his advice, and rose to take
my departure. I was unwilling to jeopardise him by remaining a moment
longer under his roof than was necessary. `One thing more I would wish
to speak about before I go,' said I, taking his hand. `Oh, my father,
if you would but study that book on which we place our faith, how happy,
how wise it would make you!'

"`Well, well, my son, speak not of it. Perhaps I do: I think not as I
used to do. The times are evil. It is necessary to be cautious. I
will say no more on that point. But I have another matter to speak to
you about before you go. You will want money to prosecute your plans.
I am a widower; I have no children left to me alive. The bones of my
sons whiten many a battle-field. My daughters died giving birth to
those who will be dragged off to the same fate;--slaves, slaves all. I
have no one to provide for; I am rich--rich in gold, that is to say,
poor in everything else. I can well spare what I give. Take this
purse; it contains two hundred roubles. It will help you on your way.
Heaven prosper you!'

"My heart came into my mouth as the old man uttered these words. I
could not reply to him; no words could have expressed my feelings; I
took his hand, I bathed it with tears. I fell on his neck and wept. He
saw how grateful I was; I would not have had him for a moment think me
otherwise. `And a less sum than this would have purchased my Aneouta's
freedom,' I exclaimed; for I could not help thinking of my betrothed,
though I did not in any possible way desire to withdraw it from the
still more important object of saving my parents from worse than
slavery--a banishment to Siberia, or rather, a cruel death on the road.

"`I think not,' answered my host to my last observation. `The brother
of our Barin, the Count, who owns Aneouta, is not likely to give her her
freedom for any sum a poor man can offer; through the Emperor, alone can
you hope to succeed with him. He will not refuse to comply with any
request made to him by the Czar; depend on that. If you fail with the
Emperor then come back to me, and we will try what money will do with
the Barin. I will offer to pay the money for the poor girl's freedom,
to adopt her