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Updated: June 8, 2025
For these are the Volga Provinces Samara, Pensa, Voronish, Vintka, and a dozen others. No! Tver the civilized, the prosperous, the manufacturing centre. Osterno is built of wood. Should it once fairly catch alight in a high wind, all that will be left of this town will be a few charred timbers and some dazed human beings.
"Paul is a friend of mine," he said calmly. "I may be staying at Osterno with him." The rigid smile never relaxed. "Not with Karl Steinmetz on the premises," said Vassili imperturbably. "The astute Mr. Steinmetz may be removed to some other sphere of usefulness. There is a new spoke in his Teutonic wheel." "Ah!" "Prince Paul is about to marry the widow of Sydney Bamborough."
"Prince," he said frankly, "I have come to throw myself upon your generosity. Will you lend me a horse? I was riding in the forest when my horse fell over a root and lamed himself. I found I was only three miles from Osterno, so I came. My misfortune must be my excuse for this intrusion." Paul performed graciously enough that which charity and politeness demanded of him.
For a moment her beautiful face wore a hunted expression of fear. "What will you gain by that?" she asked evenly. "I? Oh, nothing. I do not care one way or the other. But there are some people who want the man very much." Etta drew in a long, deep breath. "I will go to Osterno with you, if you like," she said. "Only only I must have Maggie with me."
This man had not always been stout and placid. He too had had his day, and those who knew him said that it had been a stirring one. "That settles one question," he said. "Which question?" asked Paul. He was driving as hard as the horses could lay hoof to ground, taken with a sudden misgiving and a great desire to reach Osterno before dark. "The question of the ladies," replied Steinmetz.
The village of Osterno, lying, or rather scrambling, along the banks of the river Oster, is at no time an exhilarating spot. It is a large village, numbering over nine hundred souls, as the board affixed to its first house testifieth in incomprehensible Russian figures.
Does she consent to live in Osterno?" "Oh, yes. I think so." "Um m!" "What did you say?" "Um m," repeated Steinmetz, and the conversation somewhat naturally showed signs of collapse. At this moment the door was opened, and a servant in bright livery, with powdered wig, silk stockings, and a countenance which might have been of wood, brought in a letter on a silver tray.
Beyond them the stable-men and keepers, a little army, in red cloth tunics, with wide trousers tucked into high boots, all holding their fur caps in their hands, standing stiffly at attention, clean, honest, and not too intelligent. The castle of Osterno is built on the lines of many Russian country seats, and not a few palaces in Moscow. The Royal Palace in the Kremlin is an example.
"The last three nights, Excellency, in Osterno; but it is the same all over the estate." "Only on the estate?" "Yes, Excellency." "Are you sure of that?" "Yes, Excellency." Paul walked on in silence for some paces. The third man followed them without catching them up. "I do not understand, Excellency," said the starosta anxiously. "It is not the Nihilists." "No; it is not the Nihilists."
Steinmetz had thought that De Chauxville was in London. The Frenchman counted on the other's duties to retain him in Osterno. "Pleasure!" said De Chauxville, shaking hands. "It is mine," answered Steinmetz. The countess looked from one to the other with a smile on her foolish face. "Ah!" she exclaimed; "how pleasant it is to meet old friends! It is like by-gone times."
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