After breakfast the Count said: "I have a stable full of horses which are at your service. I should esteem it a favor if you would use them as your own. There are many sights of interest about here. A few miles away is the town of P——, a nice little city of about five thousand. No doubt you would like to make some purchases. I will accompany you any time and act as interpreter."
They thanked him, but concluded not to visit town that day. He then led Dr. Jones into his private room and said:
"Doctor, I am desirous that you should see my daughter. I fear that you can do little more than palliate her condition, but even that would be very much for us. She is a great sufferer, and I shall be extremely grateful for anything you can do for her."
The Doctor immediately signified his readiness to see her whenever it pleased the Count.
"That north wind is still howling, and I am only too happy to be of service to your daughter, or any of God's suffering children while I am with you. Keep me busy as you like, Count. My greatest delight is to cure the sick, and the world is my field since I started on this trip for the Pole."
The Count touched a bell, and a female servant entered. He gave her some orders in Russian.
She returned in a few moments and spoke to him.
"My daughter is ready to receive us. Will you go up to her now, sir?"
"This is my daughter Feodora, Doctor Jones," said the Count as they entered her room. A tall, graceful young lady of twenty arose from a couch upon which she had been lying, and extended a thin feverish hand to the Doctor. She spoke to him in beautiful English, and Dr. Jones expressed surprise in his face so that the Count said:
"I spent several years in London, and Feodora became very proficient in the language there."