Chapter Sixteen.
Cousin Giles meets an old Friend—Excursion into the Interior—Fine View on the Volga—Scenes on the Road—The Count’s Estate—Welcomed with Bread and Salt—The Count’s old-fashioned Mansion—A Fishing Excursion—Winter in Russia—Russian Stoves—Modes of keeping out Cold—Mode of Dressing in Winter—Result of a Snowless Winter.
“I know that man, I am certain,” exclaimed Cousin Giles, as the travellers were on their way from their hotel to the busy part of the fair. Just before them was a tall, gentlemanly-looking man, dressed in a shooting-jacket, with a stout stick in his hand, and walking along with that free and independent air which generally distinguishes a seaman. “Hallo, old ship! Where are you bound to? Heave-to till I can come up with you, will you?” sung out Cousin Giles, in a loud, jovial voice, which instantly made the person who has been described turn his head. His countenance brightened as he did so, and with extended hands he came back, and heartily shook those of our friend.
“Well, Fairman, I am delighted to see you,” he exclaimed heartily, “I am indeed; but what has brought you to this part of the world?”
“The love of travel, and the pleasure of showing a small portion of the globe we inhabit to these young lads,” answered Cousin Giles. “But I assure you, Ivanovitch, I am equally delighted to meet you, though I should little have expected to find you acting the part of a country gentleman when last we parted on the deck of the Asia.”
“I have been through a good deal since then, but we will talk of that another time,” answered the Russian in English, without the slightest foreign accent. “Well, we have met most opportunely. I stopped a day at this place to see the humours of the fair, on my way to take possession of an estate which has lately been left me, and if I can induce you to accompany me, it will indeed be a satisfaction.”
“The very thing I should like; and as I know you are sincere, I will accept your invitation; but I have several companions, and I fear we shall crowd you,” said Cousin Giles.
The Russian laughed heartily.
“A dozen people, more or less, makes no difference in on? Of our houses,” he answered; “I shall be delighted to see them, and any more you may like to ask.”
“My present party, with a servant we engaged yesterday, are all I will bring,” said Cousin Giles. “When are we to set off?”