Cousin Giles, as five or six
tall picqueurs, in splendid green-and-gold liveries, rode forth on the
above-described style of little steeds, driving before them a number of
dogs of a most mongrel appearance, at whom a pack of aristocratic
English hounds would most certainly have turned up their noses. "You
see, my predecessor was of the old school, and I do not wish to make any
sudden changes in matters of small importance, lest I should be
considered to hold his memory in slight esteem. By degrees I hope to
make improvements, but sudden changes do not suit this country."

A large number of persons, very picturesque in appearance, had now
collected in front of the mansion. The huntsmen blew their horns and
cracked their whips, the dogs barked and yelped and gave tongue in a
variety of ways, the horses pranced and kicked, the peasants shouted,
and the whole party set off towards the spot appointed for the meet. A
ride of three or four versts brought them in front of a dilapidated
building on the borders of a wood.

"That house was erected as a hunting-box by one of my predecessors many
years ago," observed the Count. Many hundreds of people used to
assemble here in the olden days, to hunt in a style of magnificence
which has now become obsolete. Open house was kept, and all comers were
welcome. Intimates of the family, or those of rank, were accommodated
inside, some in beds and some on the floor, while others bivouacked
outside as best they could under arbours of boughs or beneath the vault
of heaven. They used to hunt all day and feast all night for a whole
week or longer, without intermission. From the secluded position of the
place, it was for many months of the year totally unvisited. There
existed at that time three or four landlords, owners of large numbers of
serfs, whom they treated with great harshness, if I may not, indeed, say
with much barbarity. For long the unhappy people groaned helplessly
under their tyranny, which was made yet more severe by the cruel and
grasping dispositions of their overseers. The laws existing for the
protection of the serfs were in every way evaded, and every kopeck which
could be wrung from them was exacted without mercy. A worm will turn on
the foot which treads on it. The man who had charge of this house was
educated above his fellows. He had read in history of peasants, poor
and simple men, revolting against their rulers when tyrannised over to
excess, and though