Russia in 1839 -Empire of the Czar: A Journey Through Eternal Russia

114THE HISTORY OF THELENEF.

sensations of terror, though she did not dare to hazard a question. Has the angel of death passed over Vologda ? Sueh was the silent thought of the trembling girl.

Suddenly a blaze of light appeared on the horizon.

" What is that ? " cried Xenie, struck with terror.

" I eannot tell," replied the nurse, " it is perhaps the last beams of day."

"No," replied Xenie, "it is a burning village!"

" A eastle," responded Elizabeth, in a hollow voice; " it is the nobles' turn полу."

" What do you mean ? " cried Xenie, seizing in her terror, her nurse's arm, " are the dreadful predictions of my father going to be fulfilled ? "

" Let us make haste; I have to conduct you further than our cabin."

" Where are you going to take me ? "

" To a place of safety ; there is no longer one for you in Vologda."

" But my father ! — what has become of him ? I have nothing to fear for myself; but where is my father ? "

" He is saved."

" Saved ! From what danger ? By whom ? What is it that you know ? You are trying to soothe me to make me comply with your wishes ! "

" I swear to you by the light of the Holy Spirit, my son has concealed him, and he has done it for your sake, at the peril of his own life; for all the traitors will perish this night."

" Fedor has saved my father! What generous conduct! "

" I am not generous, mademoiselle," said the young