composure-they are not usually so anxious to consult our convenience." "Do you mean to say, Jakubski, that you have no heart in the Polish cause ?" "Do you mean to say, Loeb Hertz, that you think it likely I should advocate it? Am I not a serf?" "Do you think remaining faithful to Austria will shake off the fetters?-Look at Bohemia, Moravia, Hungary, have they not the same oppressive game-laws, private courts of justiciary, feudal tenure? shades more or less, it is the same all over the Austrian dominions." A few "Why, I am bound to say," answered his companion, "that I have often heard this asserted. Even in Russia, it is firmly believed that the Emperor would long since have abolished slavery altogether, if it were not for his nobles." 'Then, shouldn't we be fools," said Pavel, with a bitter laugh, "to shed our hearts' blood merely to increase the strength of our oppressors? If that be your mission, go back to those who sent you, and tell them that there is one Pole who loves freedom better than Poland." "After helping your lords to shake off the yokes of Russia, Austria, and Prussia, you could easily, being thousands to one, be more than a match for them, and make your own terms." 66 "Think you so?" said Pavel incredulously-"I do not. But were it true," he added passionately, "rather than they should have that one hour of triumph, I would shed every drop of my blood!-It is natural that you, who move about at your pleasure, and do with your existence what you please-it is natural that you, I say, should feel none of the anger that I feel; but I-you do not know--you cannot guess what I have suffered. I speak not of the early part of my life-over that a dark shadow fell-let it pass; but throughout, I have been a butt to persecution. When I first came to this wretched place, a petition of mine was presented to the Count-it contained but the simple desire to be allowed to depart. I hoped then to begin a new existence. The boon was not only refused, but every possible hardship was added to the refusal. Still I dreamed but of departure; but how could I go when all the necessary papers, power, and what not, must be got from the authorities of my parish, who knew better than to legalize my absence in the teeth of their master!" "It is a hard law," said Locb Hertz, "that binds a man to the spot of earth on which he may happen to beborn, there to rot in poverty; when, perhaps, beyond the ridge of his native mountains, or the sand of his native shore, wealth, hope, and joy, might be his. It is a pity that a law so oppressive cannot be evaded." "I thought so, too," resumed Pavel; "but a short time after my petition was rejected, an incident occurred in our village, which showed me the futility of the attempt. A young man, determining to quit the estate, took into his head that he would do so without leave, and one day he made off with himself. It appears he managed to procure himself a false wanderbuch, and got on tolerably well for a time; but at last the fraud was detected-he was severely chastised, and sent hither with a gendarme at his back, whose gun was ready charged, to clip his wing in case he should think of flying. Three times did he go, and three times was he brought back in the same manner, each time being punished more severely than the preceding one." "Unnatural tyranny!" exclaimed Loeb Hertz. "Well," continued Pavel, "here I remained, desirous of being a soldier, but the lucky number never fell to my lot. Year after year, summer and winter, have I been exposed to all the petty annoyances of that Duski! My team was always chosen for the hardest, heaviest labour. I lost horse after horseand I loved my horses. Every blow I struck by order cut to my very soul-and yet I must keep, and rear them, to be overtoiled from sheer malice to myself. I once had a favourite dog. One day I was crossing a forest; he was with me-he was no hunting dog-he could do no harm. I was myself unarmed-I had not even a stick in my hand. He was shot dead at my feet. And here, on this barren spot where we now stand, I had grown some fruit trees. I thought-I hoped they would escape the observation of my tormentors. See now-where are my trees!" He pointed to a few shapeless stumps. "But even the worm will turn when trod upon. I have resisted long-endured much-struggled hard with myself. I have spent sleepless nights, feverish with the hot desire of revenge! When such thoughts came too strong upon me, I intreated to be allowed to depart. I have combated my evil passions like a man; but rather than fight side by side with them, and for them, IHowever, it boots not talking," he continued, with increasing energy-"I hate them with the hate of years with a hate that has grown with my growth-that has been the only feeling of my desolate existenceand you think I would now assist them! Let them not wish me among their ranks-let them not seek to compound with their natural foes. Pshaw, they are mad with power! they think to command the heart as they crush the will.” "And you thus put yourself in the hands of a stranger-one whom you know to be an agent?" Well," said Pavel, "go and betray me if you will I am sick of life! But you will not betray me," he added, with a smile-"I read through you years ago." The men exchanged glances-they understood each other. "You must not, however," said Loeb Hertz, "be as open with all emissaries that will come to you as you are with me." "There are plenty of them about," observed Pavel; there was an organ-grinder at the public-house last night, who may not be what he seems-he was for Austria. A pedlar, too-a consort of yours "Of course," interrupted the other, quickly, "Aus] ria will try to keep the minds of the people steady, || and red flags and scarfs for the future battalion of which it is our obvious mission to prevent-we have he clergy with us.” "Ay, but there's the robot against you," said Pavel --you'll never be able to effect a rising.' "If you understood your own interest," persisted Loeb Hertz, "you would assist us first to get Poland back to ourselves, and then to make a republic of it." "I shall never swallow that bait," said Pavel, with emphasis. "I warn you honestly that I will strain every nerve to hinder the rising in this village, and, for that matter, on this estate. It's a fair warning, and war between us, I suppose." heroes; whilst the gentlemen computed, by every rule of arithmetic, but chiefly by fancy's amplification, the funds they could collect, the cost of equipment and ammunition, the number of their adherents-in short, all their available resources. The younger members of the society, friends of Casimir, practised rifle-shooting and the use of the broadsword, sang patriotic songs, dreamed themselves Kosciuskos, every man of them; and not less resolved than their seniors were, yet a great deal more blind to the difficulties and perils of the enterprise. Billiards and smoking filled up what time the discussion of the all-engrossing theme "No," said Loeb Hertz, after a moment's conside- left unemployed; and in the afternoon, cards for the ration, "no! there are other and more important || ladies-dice, and again smoking, for the youths-occuplaces to be influenced, and there is more underhand || pied pretty nearly the interval till bed-time. The young work to be done. I leave this place-I would not people would sometimes attempt a charade among have to fight it out with you." themselves; but none possessed the freedom of mind necessary to give zest to the amusement. And have you been living all this time upon that -that sort of trade ?" said Pavel. Yes, and well, too; and, depend upon it, my children, should they wish to embrace it, will find a very safe inheritance. So long as there are Jews that want emancipation, and Poles that want Poland, Europe will not know one hour's repose." "And you may be sure," said Pavel, "that if the nobles now-a-days do not yield their power with a good grace, harm will come of that, too." From that day forth, Pavel was an altered man. He no longer avoided, but, on the contrary, courted the society of his fellows. He was the chief orator in the field and in the public-house; and between him and the more resolute characters of the village sprung up a closer intimacy than had previously existed. He devoted those days which he was free to call his own to the mines, which now, like every other part of the estate, became an arena of discussion. In the meanwhile, emissaries and agents of every kind succeeded each other; some of the French propagandi who, like Loeb Hertz, under pretence of preaching the restoration of Poland, secretly paved the way for other and newer principles; some on the part of Austria, to keep alive Austrian predilections in the peasantry; others purely in the Polish interest. The clergy began to agitate in favour of the rising, and seldom a day passed without their reporting progress to the nobles, who kept up a lively intercourse with each other. Now, this point of union existed in the Count's family; they were thoroughly patriotic, hence the reason why neither the Countess nor her son quarrelled with the notion of spending the winter at Stanoiki, where plotting might be carried on more safely and conveniently than in the capital. They felt less than usual the weight of each other's society-for one great plan occupied them all, one hope fired their imagina tion-they thought and dreamed but of one objectthe liberation of Poland. Their self-love, too, was flattered; for the General, in consequence of his knowledge of military tactics and habit of command, no less than in consideration of the weight which his name and fortune threw into the balance, was a prize of first magnitude, and esteemed accordingly. The rainy season set in, but it did not drive away the guests; and they endured the monotony of indoor life with a patience that did their patriotism much credit. The ladies spent their mornings working white One day, the dinner being over, the party assembled in the large, but somewhat desolate, saloon of the cas tle. Near the Countess were grouped several ladies, mostly, like herself, past the prime of life, engaged in low, murmuring converse, that did not preclude their catching up such phrases as, being pronounced in a louder key than the rest, escaped from the circle of men that surrounded the master of the house; whilst a few of the younger dames, reclining, in attitudes of Oriental ease, in deep fauteuils, were enjoying their cigarettos with Creole indolence-a fashion but lately imported from Paris, and viewed with virtuous indignation by the Countess Stanoiki. "You have had lawyers, notaries, and what not, with you this morning. I hope, my dear Sophie, you are not thinking of making your will?" said an elderly lady, whose consanguinity gave her the privilege of familiarity. 66 'Oh, dear, no! How could you think of such a thing, dear aunt? The General has only been signing over to me all his property. You understand," she added, in a lower voice, "if Austria gain the day, this puts confiscation out of the question." "That's not so sure, my dear," was the shrewd answer. "Depend upon it, that ruse will be seen through." "What if it be? It will be difficult to defeat it." "Some sums of money, at least, I should place abroad," said the aunt. embarrassed, "one cannot be patriotic to the degree of || besides working for us, to make roads for the Governrefusing any husband whatever." "God prosper you! good aunt, and send you wooers in plenty," said the Countess Sophie, laughing. "But hark! the gentlemen are again discussing the robot. It's your husband, as usual; he is riding his favourite hobby. He, too, like you, is but half a Pole." "Why," said the lady, timidly, "I think we have shown some boldness in coming here at all." "If you repent it, as yet no harm is done." "Hem!" answered the lady in a tone which seemed to imply that in her mind the matter deserved some consideration. "I tell you," said Count Soboski-the nobleman whose wife was conversing with the Countess Sophie"I tell you, Stanoiki, you cannot reckon on your peasantry." "Oh, that old story of the robot," said Count Leninski, a gentleman of a tiger-like aspect, despite his spare person and sharp features. "Soboski can never hold his peace on that subject." Because I view it in another light than you do." | "What would you have us to do, then?" said a powerful man, of an unhealthy white complexion, with pale eyes, thick lips, and reddish hair, on whose every lineament brutality was impressed. "Would you have us give our lands to the peasantry as a bribe for their rising ?-for, after all, these lands are ours. I don't know what you mean by the peasants not liking the robot. As well might the English tenant say he does not || like to pay rent." "True," said the General, "it is our right; and for that reason alone I have always exacted my dues with unflinching rigour. Leniency would encourage a false notion in the serfs; and what might have been intended merely as a charitable exception, would have been converted into a precedent." "But their very unwillingness to pay the tribute," persisted Soboski, "ought to make it painful to receive." "As well might you say, my dear friend," retorted Stanoiki, "that an English landlord should feel reluc tant to receive his rents. These are our rents. Never lose sight of the historical fact in the vagaries of modern liberalism. Our ancestors, having more land than they could possibly cultivate, parcelled it out in larger and lesser fragments, under certain obligations. Very well. The land is as much ours as it was theirs; its nominal proprietors must, of course, continue to perform the same services as those by which their ancestors held it of ours." "Unless," said the stout man, "you start from the somewhat primitive principle that no man has a right to more land than he can dig with his own spade, don't see what you can bring forward against that gument." ment. In fact, as with all other relics of feudality, the meaning has flown, whilst the custom remains; and custom without meaning has no base, and cannot endure." "I would have you allow them to purchase their own freedom from these feudal tenures, as in Prussia." "A precious law that of Prussia!" said Leninski. The noble must be satisfied with a capital, once paid down, equal to sixteen or twenty years of his revenue; after which time, his son, or himself, if he live, is minus that portion of his inheritance." 66 "You forget," one of the lawyers timidly put in, the interest derived from this capital." "Here, in these parts," said Soboski, "the peasants only demand to change their feudal services into an annual rent; always providing, of course, that the lease be hereditary. Well, it is but a simple thing. The English system has not prevented the nobility of that country from being rich and powerful; why should some approximation to it be the ruin of ours?" "Because," replied Stanoiki, "one thing leads to another; and the English tenant will one day feel as much dissatisfaction in paying rent as our people do about the robot." "There we differ again," said Soboski. “The English nobleman will, ultimately, lose his ground-rent, because that is the vestige of a time that has gone by, and has no more meaning. The game-laws, too, will be abolished." Here voices became very clamorous in dissent. "Why not put the nobility down at once?" roared out Leninski. "I am very sorry to distress you," said Soboski, laughing, "but, depend upon it, it will come to that, one day, all over Europe; like everything that dates from times gone by, it will become, first worthless, then ridiculous, and finally———— "Now you deserve-you-you are a traitor to your country! You have no meaning!-I mean you have no opinion. You are a Jacobin!" spluttered the pale, fat man, in tones inarticulate with passion. 66 And I tell you," said Soboski, calmly, "that you might as well think of re-establishing chivalry, and of riding forth in link-mail, with lance and shield, as of maintaining feudal rights in our day. They must fall. It remains for you to fall with them, or to modify your position, and make it possible for the century you live in." "You don't see, gentlemen," said the thin, fierce Iman, with an expressive and bitter glance at the object ar- of momentary animosity, "that all this fine talking is merely to explain that he won't be one of us. Why not stand out like a man, and say so at once!" "Simply this," said Soboski, "that, strictly, in many cases, the land has been paid by the tenant, since first his ancestor occupied it, ten times its value. In feudal times, this sort of feudal service had a show of fairness there was something like a fair bargain in the busi if "Really," said Stanoiki, "we should like to know you are with us or against us.' 66 And if we accomplish anything," said Leninski, 'you'll come in, as such prudent men are wont to do, for your share of the booty." "We all know at what school of politeness Count Leninski has been bred," said Soboski, drawing himself up; "he need hardly say that he scorned the Court of Vienna." "He may be no courtier, but he is a good Pole!" said Casimir, insolently, "and that is better. Stanoiki saw with regret the violence of his son's temper exhibit itself towards his guest, an honoured friend, and a near relation of his wife; and, fearing lest the discussion should proceed to greater lengths, he hastily interfered. "Never mind," said Soboski, good-naturedlynever mind, my good friend. In the present fever of their blood, I can take no offence-they'll be cold enough, some of them, before this time next year. Believe me, Stanoiki," continued the Count, drawing the General aside, "I would willingly lay my old head in the grave to save my country the blow that is about to be struck at her." "We differ in opinion, but I am sure at heart we feel alike," said Stanoiki, pressing cordially his friend's hand; “but I advise you, under the circumstances, not to linger here longer than necessary. It requires some practice of life to endure an opinion opposed to our own." They retreated, still eyeing Soboski with anything but friendly looks. " Well, now that I have re-estab lished peace," said the Countess, pray tell us all about it, dear uncle, for I saw them on the point of eating you up. But you need not tell me I see it all in your crest-fallen countenance; they won't make a present of the robot to the peasants. Is not that it ?" "It is all very well to joke about it at present; but, a hundred years ago, you might, my dear niece, have seen your hall red with blood for a more insignificant quarrel than we have had to-day.” "But we have become more civilised since th I hope, said the Countess. Nevertheless," continued Soboski, "as the barbarous custom of duelling yet survives, and as I have no wish to have any of your guests' blood on my hands, or mine on theirs, you will, I am sure, not take it amiss if my wife and I start early to-morrow." Certainly not," said the Countess. "I am grateful to you, and appreciate your motives as they deserve." The following day having been fixed for a hunting excursion, the young men, ready equipped for the chase, were smoking over their coffee previous to departure, when the Arminian, whom Pavel had observed at the public-house, presented himself. "Ha!-here comes my friend and tobacconist,'t said Casimir," with the most exquisite tobacco, jus freshly prepared for the nargillis of the Sultanas. I make it a point of honour to smoke no other, because it defrauds our liege lord the Emperor." "And do you get your pipes from the same quarter -that superb amber head-piece. for instance?" "No; this head, I am forced to admit, is direct from St. Petersburg. But come, my friendly purveyor, out with your wares-tobacco-bags, velvet tube-pieces, and what not." and The Arminian now displayed his store; every possible apparatus for smoking, curious slippers and purses, a collection of daggers and pistols, all of which were speedily disposed of. "There goes as bold a smuggler," said Casimir, "with that venerable head and respectable beard, as ever crossed the frontier." Who would suspect such an apostolic-looking personage of so many peccadillos as he has in his pocket?' said one of the young men. Ha! I see there is more in him than he shows-he is gone in at the door leading to your father's apartment." There goes, too, an arch traitor, my uncle SoAnd to maintain calmness in discussion," said So- boski," said Casimir. "That's his carriage drawn up. boski, "demands refinement and education, which, II suppose I should go and bid him adieu. But no, I am sorry to say, is wanting in many of our friends." "I am afraid, my dear aunt," said the Countess Sophie, "that your husband has just experienced a dreadful downfall. He is in full flight towards us, and there's that battering-ram, Florski, and that eel Leninski, in pursuit. Let us receive the fugitive within our magic circle, and banish thence all intruders." At that moment Soboski approached the ladies, followed by some of his opponents. 66 Come, come, gentlemen," said the Countess Sophie, immediately making place for her uncle by her side, "return to your post-we'll permit no political discussion just now; so, unless you have some fine compliments to pay us, we don't acknowledge your right to intrude. What-nothing to say?—Then make off ih yourselves." will not; let my mother say what she likes. A traitor is a traitor, if he were ten times one's relation." "By the bye, is it true, Casimir, that you are to marry that lovely girl you sat near at dinner yester terday? “I suppose I must, one day," was the negligent reply. "Well, I am surprised at your coldness. I declare I should like her exceedingly." "She is very well in her way," said Casimir; "but I like my freedom better. I still hope we may be found too nearly allied to wed." You are, then, related ?" "Not that I know of; but, in rummaging up musty family documents, who knows what may be discovered?” "You are right to delay the thing, if possible," replied his friend; "one ought not to settle too early in life. But they are all ready down there, waiting only for us, I believe." not only without thanks, but without even casting a look on him who tendered it. The young lady, whose dress was slightly disarranged, showed some embarrassment at the presence of the stranger. "How often am I to tell you," said the Countess, "that delicacy towards such persons is downright indeli "But he is a man," said the young girl, in French. 'No, my dear," answered the Countess, coolly, he is a serf. "The only By this time Casimir was at their side. injury I have sustained," he said, laughing, "is a broken watch. Luckily, the sledge has suffered nothing; and you, I instantly perceived, had escaped scotfree, by the manner in which you looked after your furs and muffs. But I fear you will no more trust to my guidance.' The young men soon joined the party, which included the ladies, collected before the castle, impatient for departure, a wolf having been traced at a conside-cacy." rable distance across the country by the peasants; one of whose grievances was their being at all times liable to be taken from their own avocations, and be fagged to death in the battues. When, however, the wolf was the game in view, their discontent diminished, for that animal was looked upon by them as a common foe, in whose destruction everybody was alike interested. On this occasion, therefore, they were no laggards, and had been out since daybreak, tracking the course of the game. The dogs, the largest and most ferocious that could be got, armed with spike collars, to protect their throats from the deadly fang, bounded along beside the sledges which contained the ladies, each driven by one of the sportsmen, sitting astride a small seat behind them. Few things are more cheering than the sight of a long train of these sledges, diversified in form and colouring, gliding swiftly over the plains; some swanshaped, glittering with gilding; others like a car of triumph, glowing with the most rich and warm hues, and lined with the costly furs of the country, the horses' heads decorated with red and white plumes, and jingling bells fringing their scarlet housings; and few things are more delicious than the motion, which can be compared to nothing but flying. They went by as if borne upon the wind; and the bells of the horses-the baying of the dogs-the loud calls of the drivers-the silvery laughter of the ladies-swept along the snowy plain like the forms of a dream, so instantaneously did that burst of life and splendour give way to ice-wrapt stillness. The sun shone brightly on the snow, and made it glitter like diamonds|| on the trees; the sharp bracing air was exhilarating; and the ladies, enveloped in their furs, gave themselves up to the full enjoyment of the hour. Casimir drove his mother and the young girl who, according to him, was destined to be his bride. He was an impetuous driver, and his sledge, distancing the rest, was soon lost to sight. 66 Whilst he was thus speaking, Pavel, for it was he, scanned the ladies with a storm of mingled emotions. Such, and so fair a creature, would have been the little Constance, destined to be Leon's bride; and this was the bride report assigned to Casimir. Such the elegant vision his dreams had portrayed-such the face he loved to contemplate; and, side by side with the gentle and pleasurable emotion which youth and beauty awaken, ran, in strange discord, these bitter words :-"No, he is not a man; he is a serf." The Countess was right. A serf could not be a man. If he were, he could not bear his condition-he must break his bonds. Nature must have stamped his blood with a more sluggish flow, or he could not tamely submit to such unutterable scorn. No-they did submit, and were serfs, and remained serfs. Now and then, indeed, they shed a little blood--ay, blood. Pavel paused in his reverie, and pondered on the word. It effaced and swept away all injuries. Yes, nothing was left for the serf but to revel in hatred! It was a mercy, he thought, that those who trampled upon their rights should not seek to blind them by a false kindness; for cruelty would nerve the arm and steel the heart. The other sledges now coming up, after a short pause, the parties separated; the men, with the dogs, and the peasants, penetrating into the wood, the ladies sledging back to the castle. 'Have a care, Casimir," said the Countess. But his "You can't think, Countess Sophie," said the bride younger companion, clapping her hands in ecstasy, ex-elect, "how the countenance of the man who came to claimed "How delightful! Quicker, quicker, Casi-help us haunts me; it was so dark and ill-boding.” mir!" "My dear, I never look at such people." "They sometimes look at us, though," said the young thoughtfully. "I wonder with what feelings?" "That, of course, is perfectly immaterial," said the Countess Stanoiki. Encouraged by these gladsome accents, Casimir increased his speed. They now entered a small planta-girl, tion, where the snow lay thin, and the protruding stumps of trees gave an occasional jolt to their vehicle. "We shall certainly be upset!" exclaimed the Coun tess, now seriously alarmed. After a long and vain pursuit, just as the day began to give tokens of its rapid decline, the hunters got Scarcely had she uttered the words, when the upon the track of a wolf, or rather wolves, for there sledge struck violently against a prostrate tree; and evidently were several. No time was now to be lost, Casimir was precipitated, by the shock, from his insecure for the light was fast fading. Excited by so many seat, to some distance. The horses, feeling themselves hours' fruitless efforts, the huntsmen became clamorous. free, now tore madly on; but they had not proceeded Some were for following one track, some another; the far before the sledge turned over, depositing the ladies greater part declaring it to be necessary to keep toin the snow that embedded the roots of the trees. Agether, as darkness would soon overtake them. The young peasant, standing near, awaiting the hunters at peasants, as animated as their masters, created much this spot, threw himself before the horses, and having confusion, baffling all the efforts of the more experienced mastered them, proceeded to the assistance of the to establish order, by their eagerness to follow the ladies. The Countess accepted the proffered succour game. At length Casimir, losing patience, struck off |