A Nobleman's Nest

ose-tinted cloudlets hung high in the heavens, and seemed not to b

ing streets of O * * * the capital of a Government, sat two women; o

oscow, in a government educational institute, and, on returning thence, had lived fifty versts from O * * *, in her native village, Pokróvskoe, with her aunt and her elder brother. This brother soon removed to Petersburg on service, and kept his sister and his aunt on short commons, until his sudden death put an end to his career. Márya Dmítrievna inherited Pokróvskoe, but did not live there long; during the second year after her marriage to Kalítin, who succeeded in conquering her heart in the course of a few days, Pokróvskoe was exchanged for another estate, much more profitable, but ugly and without a manor-house, and, at the same time, Kalítin acquired a house in the town of O * * *, and settled down there permanently with

e age she had preserved the habits of her school-days; she indulged herself, was easily irritated, and even wept when her ways were interfered with; on the other hand, she was very affectionate and amiable, when all her wishes were complied with, and when no one contradicted he

he entire truth to every one, straight in the face, and, with the most scanty resources, bore herself as though she possessed thousands. She had not been able to endure the deceased Kalítin, and as soon as her niece married him, she retired to her tiny estate, where she lived for ten whole years in

ddenly inquired of Márya Dmítrievna.-"W

ther.-"What wonderful

sorry for them

rievna mad

her knitting-needles (she was knitting a huge, motley-hued scarf). "He might

akest about him! Sergyéi Pet

eated the old wo

!" remarked Márya Dmítrievna;-"to this day

by his ears,"-growled Márfa Timoféevna, and her kni

no sooner does he open his mouth, than he lies or calumniates. And he's a State Co

ergyéi Petróvitch received no education,-of course he does not

ld be better if he did not speak any language at all: then he wouldn't lie. But there he is, by the way-speak of the devil,-" adde

her curls. Márfa Timoféevn

my mother? Thou shouldst scold thy

Márya Dmítrievna, with vexation, and drumme

" squeaked a red-cheeked page-la