," said Cousin Giles.

The Russian laughed heartily.

"A dozen people, more or less, makes no difference in on? Of our
houses," he answered; "I shall be delighted to see them, and any more
you may like to ask."

"My present party, with a servant we engaged yesterday, are all I will
bring," said Cousin Giles. "When are we to set off?"

"To-morrow morning, at daybreak, to enjoy as much cool air as can be
obtained. We shall get there in two days without fatigue."

So it was all arranged. Nothing could be more pleasant or convenient.
The travellers would thus see country life in Russia to great advantage,
and be able to get back to Moscow in time for the coronation.

Alexis Ivanovitch, Cousin Giles' old friend, had been educated in
England, and afterwards served for several years on board a British
man-of-war, for the purpose of learning seamanship and navigation.
Several Russians have been allowed by the British Government to study on
board their ships; and they have, with perfect impartiality, allowed
Turks, in the same way, to learn the art of naval warfare. It was while
serving together afloat that Cousin Giles and Alexis Ivanovitch, now a
Count, had formed their friendship.

Towards evening of the second day the carriages of the travellers
reached a village standing on a height overlooking that father of
European rivers, the Volga. The scene was a lovely one. The cloudless
sky had a faint pinkish tint, while a rich mellow glow was cast over the
landscape. Far in the east, across the river, were boundless steppes,
their verdant hue depending entirely on the dews of heaven, there not
being a well or water-spring throughout their whole extent. To make
amends for the want, Nature has planted on them the juicy water-melon,
which those only who have luxuriated on it, in a hot country, can
appreciate. Here and there might be seen the camp-fires of troops of
Cossacks, bivouacking for the night, or of herdsmen preparing to watch
their cattle, or of haymakers, who go out there to prepare fodder for
the winter food of their beasts; while in the west the eye wandered over
ranges of hills, cultivated fields, and populous villages, with their
grey wooden houses peeping out from among the trees.

The village before them contained several neat houses; the gable-ends of
all, formed of wood, and often tastefully decorated with carved work,
being turned towards the road.

On the river below them, gangs of bargemen, or