“_I_ should be well content to stay here and work amongst these poor, faithful-hearted people, who gave us such a loving welcome to-day. Some of them wept with joy to see you again, Ivan.” “Yes, Clémence, I love them dearly; and they love me with the love they gave poor little Ivan Barrinka long ago. Still--the capital has attractions--” Clémence smiled. “It was a sacrifice for you to abandon the army,” she said. “How could I do otherwise? God gave me these people. Besides,” Ivan added, “my great temptation to remain in the service was the hope of one day becoming an imperial aide-de-camp. But for these posts there are far too many candidates already. It will now be necessary for the Czar to place his army upon a peace-footing, and a very difficult task that will be.--But, m’amie, you have not told me yet what you think of this old, tumble-down owl’s nest of a castle?” “The château is much better than I expected, Ivan. A few judicious repairs will do a great deal; and we can adorn and beautify as much as we like. I mean to have the loveliest of gardens, in spite of the climate; and to induce the good folk here, if possible, to care for and cultivate a few flowers for themselves.” Ivan shook his head. “And share the common fate of reformers,” he said. “The mujik is a good fellow, but you will find it hard to move him. He hates change, even change for the better. If he ever learn to read his Bible, as I hope with God’s blessing he will, I think his favourite text will be, ‘Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths.’” “And yet,” said Clémence, “you tell me he is wonderfully pliable and imitative; that if you take the little mujik from his village you can make of him anything you please--soldier, valet, coachman, musician, even scholar or artist.” “Yes; and you can make anything you please of a bar of iron--under certain conditions. But it would be almost as easy to bend the cold iron with your hand as to change the ways of the bearded mujik under the roof of his own izba.--But I think, dearest, we must rejoin our friends; I hear preparations for supper in the next room.”