“Fear not for me,” said the lovely girl, rushing to her father and kneeling before him--“fear not for me!” “Kathinka, I did not know you was in the room.” “Nor was I till this moment; but the door was ajar, and I have heard all. Dear father--dear Alexis--fear not for me. I will be no burthen--I will aid you rather.” “My noble child!” said the old man, as he placed his arms around the kneeling girl, and while his tears fell fast upon her brow, “you are indeed worthy of your mother, who, with all the softness of woman, had the energy of a hero. In early life, while contending with difficulties in my business, she was ever my helper and supporter. In every day of darkness, she was my guiding-star. She has indeed bequeathed her spirit to me in you, Kathinka.” “My dear father, this is indeed most kind, and I will endeavor to make good the opinion you entertain of me. See! I have already begun my work. Do you observe this collar? I have foreseen difficulties, and I have wrought this that I may sell it and get money by it.” “Indeed!” said Pultova, “you are a brave girl;--and who put this into your head?” “I do not know--I thought of it myself, I believe.” “And who do you think will buy this collar, here at Tobolsk? Who can pay money for such finery?” “I intend to sell it to the governor’s lady. She at least has money, for I saw her at the chapel a few days since, and she was gaily dressed. I do not doubt she will pay me for the collar.” At these words a bright flush came to the old man’s cheek, and his eye flashed with the fire of pride. The thought in his mind was--“And can I condescend to live upon the money that comes from the wife of the governor, the officer, the tool of the emperor, my oppressor? And shall my daughter, a descendant of Poniatowsky, be a slave to these cringing minions of power?” But he spoke not the thought aloud. A better and wiser feeling came over him, and kissing his daughter’s cheek, he went to his room, leaving his children together. A long and serious conversation ensued between them, the result of which was a mutual determination to seek some employment, by which they could obtain the means of support for their parent and themselves. A few days after this had elapsed, when Alexis came home with an animated countenance, and finding his sister, told her of a scheme he had formed for himself, which was to join a party of fur hunters, who were about to set out for the northeastern regions of Siberia. Kathinka listened attentively, and, after some reflection, replied--“Alexis, I approve of your scheme. If our father assents to it, you must certainly go.” “It seems to me that you are very ready to part with me!” said Alexis, a little poutingly.