which, increasing each day, had
grown into an eager desire. This desire had been often expressed in
hints to their father; but at length, in a more formal manner, by means
of a written petition, which the boys, after much deliberation, had
drawn up and presented to him, and which was now seen lying open before
him upon the table.

The petition was simply their united request, that their father would be
so good as to allow them to travel and see foreign countries--where, and
how, to be left to his wise guidance and discretion.

It was to receive an answer to this petition, that his sons were now
summoned into his presence.

CHAPTER THREE.

THE SEALED ORDERS.

"So, my youngsters!" said the baron, directing his glance upon them,
"you have a desire to to travel? You wish to see the world, do you?"

"True, papa!" modestly answered Alexis; "our tutor tells us that we are
sufficiently educated to go abroad; and, if you have no objection, we
should very much like to make a tour."

"What! before going to the University!"

"Why, papa! I thought you were not going to send us to the University
for some time to come? Did you not say, that a year of travelling was
worth ten at a University?"

"Perhaps I may have said so; but that depends upon _how_ one travels.
If you travel merely to amuse yourselves, you may go over all the world,
and come back no wiser than when you started! I have known many a man
return from a circumnavigation of the globe, without bringing with him
the knowledge of a single fact that he might not have obtained at home.
You would expect to travel in snug railway-carriages, and comfortable
steam-ships, and sleep in splendid hotels--is that your expectation?"

"Oh no, papa! whatever way you may direct, that will be agreeable to
me," said Alexis.

"As for me," rejoined Ivan, "I'm not particular. I can rough it, I'm
sure."

There was a little flavour of _bravado_ in the manner of Ivan's speech,
that showed he was scarce inclined to the roughing system, and that he
merely assumed the swaggering air, because he had no belief that he
would be called upon to make trial of it.

"If I permit you to travel," continued the baron, "where would you like
to go? You, Alexis! to what part of the world would your inclination
lead you?"

"I should like to see the new world of America--its noble rivers, and
forests, and mountains. I should certainly visit America, if it were
left to my choice; but I