CHAPTER VII.
A post-sledge was gliding rapidly over the frozen road towards Viletna; and as it neared the village, a thin worn man, with white hair, who was sitting in it alone, leant forward and touched the driver.
"I want to go to the great house. You remember?"
"Oh, you're going to see Mikhail? He hasn't come to the great house yet, though. It's all being done up."
"No, I'm going to Madame Olsheffsky's!"
"Anna Olsheffsky! Haven't you heard she was drowned in the flood? Washed away. Just before the children lost their property to that thief of a cousin!"
The driver went on adding the details, not noticing that the gentleman had fallen back, and lay gasping as if for air.
"You knew Anna Olsheffsky, perhaps?" he said at last, turning towards the traveller. Then seeing his face, "Holy Saints! What is the matter? He'll die surely, and no help to be had!"
"She was my wife," said the gentleman hoarsely. "You don't remember me? I am André Olsheffsky."
"To think that I shouldn't have known you, Barin!" cried the driver in great excitement, dropping the reins. "Not that it's much to be wondered at, and you looking a young man when you left! Welcome home! Welcome home!"
"Where are the children?" said André Olsheffsky, brokenly. "Perhaps they're dead, too?"
"Oh, the children are all well, Barin! They are at Volodia Ivanovitch's."
"Drive me there, then," said Mr. Olsheffsky; and the sledge dashed off with a peal of its bells, and drew up with a flourish in front of Volodia's doorway.
"Do look out, Elena!" cried Boris, who was carving a wooden man with an immense pocket-knife. "Here's a sledge stopped, and a funny tall gentleman getting out—not old, but all white!"
Elena went to the window, but the stranger had disappeared into the shop.
They could hear voices talking, now loud, now soft, then a cry of astonishment from Maria. The door burst open, and Volodia, his grey hair flying, the tears rolling down his cheeks, dragged in the white-haired gentleman by the hand.
"Oh, children! children! this is a happy day. The Barin's come home. This is your father!"