years of hardship and
roughing it had converted the careless school-boy into a powerful young
fellow. His spirits were as high and he was as full of fun as of old;
but the experience he had gone through had strengthened his character,
had given him self-reliance and confidence, and had, as his father and
mother soon saw, had a very beneficial effect in forming his character.

Two or three days after his arrival Godfrey wrote to Mikail. It was a
very guarded letter, because he knew that it would be opened by the
prison authorities, but it thanked him for the kindness he had shown to
him while in prison, and expressed a hope that, now that he would have
obtained partial freedom, and would be united to his wife, he would
succeed and prosper. He inclosed a five-hundred-rouble note from his
father as a present in return for the kindness he had shown him, and he
also inclosed a directed envelope, so that he could acknowledge the
receipt of the letter.

An answer written by the priest of the village--for Mikail was unable to
write--came at the end of five months. It was expressed in the most
grateful terms. He had been released four months after Godfrey left, and
the governor had, as a reward for his good conduct, allowed him to work
for a farmer instead of in the mines. He said that he was perfectly
happy, and that, as he should now be able to purchase a small farm for
himself, he should be sure to do well. "I have a boy," he said, "who was
born three months ago; we have christened him Godfrey, in memory of the
night when you saved my life at the risk of your own."

Luka was for some time a difficulty. He absolutely refused to return to
Russia, and was for a time established as doorkeeper at the office, but
in the spring after Godfrey's return the latter took him down with him
to a house Mr. Bullen had just purchased near Richmond. Luka was so
delighted with the country that he was established there, and became a
sort of general factotum, assisting in the garden, stables, or house,
wherever he could make himself useful, and being in special charge of a
sailing boat that Godfrey keeps on the river. He had picked up a good
deal of English from Godfrey on their travels, and soon came to speak it
fairly, and being regarded as a friend by all the family, he is in every
way perfectly contented with his lot. Four years after Godfrey's return,
a clerk one day came into the office with the news that a gentleman
wished to speak to h