arrive. But we could not know that my personal misfortunes
were to begin at once. It was August before the Ladiskowi came that
year; and they remained in the country barely two months. The Prince was
ill, and the Princess spent all her time in nursing him, till they
started for Baden to take the waters. We saw them scarcely at all. They
did hear of the picture, and the Prince sent for me to congratulate me.
But I was not alone with him for a moment, and so got no opportunity to
ask for help more useful than praises.

"When they went away, I knew I must wait another year for my chance. But
even that was not to be. For, next year, they did not come at all to the
castle. Prince Ladiskowi's illness had become incurable; but it took
terribly long to kill him, and he had to be kept in a higher, drier
climate. On his death, two years and five months ago, we found he had
left my father one thousand roubles, and firewood from his forests
forever. This money was left to _us_. Well then, saying nothing of the
wood, my share as eldest son was at least two hundred and fifty roubles.
With this I determined to set out for Moscow, enter the school of
painting, and work so hard that, by the time my money was gone, I could
sell pictures enough to support myself. Later, I believed I could send
for my sister, have her keep house for me, and perhaps give her piano
lessons, thus relieving my parents, who were all but destitute, now,
through the loss of their patron.

"When I spoke to them of my plan, they made some difficulties about the
journey and my life in a Russian city; but I waved them all away. They
offered me half the money then; but, though perhaps you will say it was
an artist's due, I wished to be more than fair, and did not take it. I
waited one week for my mother to prepare my clothes. My furs I left to
my father, since I could not carry them all the way in August weather;
but my first purchase in Moscow had to be this wretched coat and cap,
and some woollen gloves. You are amazed, I see. But, though it was only
August 18th when I left Chernsk, it was mid-October before I entered the
streets of this city of the enemies of my race. For alas! I am a Pole;
and the very sun that shines in Russia refuses to give me warmth.

"From Choelm to Moscow, by the straightest road, is thirteen hundred
versts. Not one step of this way did I go by train; and but a hundred or
two in passing carts. Twice, at Minsk and at Smolensk, I stopped and