not understand the passion which he knew Mademoiselle
Vseslavitch felt for her own country, for near Kieff the land was
sterile--the scenery somewhat uneventful. But as the leagues put
themselves between him and the town the aspect of the landscape
changed. It was early Summer or late Spring then, you remember, and
after some hours Paul found himself driven through luxuriant
vegetation. As his eye traversed the great billows of the grassy sea
he saw that one might easily become lost in the verdure. And yet what
glorious reward awaited the bold adventurer! Somewhere, beyond this
emerald ocean, waited the lady he sought.

At mid-day they stopped before a peasant's hut, in the doorway of
which a _moujik_ stood, wrapped in sheepskin and with long and shaggy
hair and beard.

"Good-day, brother; how goes it?" asked Paul, for he knew a little of
the language.

"Good-day, little father; thank God, it goes well with me," the man
answered. "What is your pleasure? How can I serve you?" and his face
unbent with a welcoming smile.

"A little food, brother, if you will," Paul replied, "for we have come
many leagues."

The _moujik_ made sign for Paul and his men to enter, and soon at a
rude table they were eating black bread and drinking _kvass_.

Fresh from the _cafes_ of Paris, Paul delighted in this primitive
simplicity. The transition from the boulevards to the _steppe_ was
most refreshing. When after a short rest they were ready to start on
again, Paul would have the man accept money for their entertainment.
But the peasant waved the coin away.

"To take payment for the bread and salt which a passing stranger
consumes in thy dwelling is a great sin," he said. "I am happy to have
served thee."

CHAPTER XIX

Once more on the road, the driver urged on his horses, already tired.
The country was fast becoming rougher, and more wooded, and now and
then Paul caught sight of hills in the distance. As the afternoon wore
on he saw that they would be fortunate if night-fall did not overtake
them before they arrived at their destination. The road was full of
deep ruts--at some stages almost impassable--and when, just as
darkness was close upon them, they came upon a large and comfortable
appearing house--evidently the home of some great landed
proprietor--Paul told the driver to turn in.

The house showed little sign of any life about it until two great
wolf-hounds came bounding out and barked loudly at the travellers.