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of Akulina. He felt for the first time clearly that he was passionately in love with her: the romantic idea of marrying a country girl, and earning his own living, flashed across his mind, and the more he dwelt upon such a project, the more reasonable it appeared. The meetings in the wood had not been continued for some time in consequence of wet weather. He wrote a distracted letter to Akulina, in an easily legible hand, informing her of the evil which threatened them, and offering his hand. He at once deposited the letter in their post-office, and retired to rest perfectly at ease.

Firm in his decision, Aleksèy rode over to Múromsky's early on the following morning, to inform him frankly of his intentions. He hoped to excite his sympathy, and to gain him over.

"Is Grigory Ivánovitch at home?" asked he, pulling up his horse at the gate of the house at Prilútchino.

"No, sir," replied the servant; "Grigory Ivánovitch left quite early this morning."

"How provoking!" thought Aleksèy. "Is Elisavéta Grigórievna at home?"

"Yes, sir."

And Aleksèy, jumping off his horse, gave the servant the bridle, and walked in, without being announced.

"All will be decided," said he to himself, as he approached the drawing-room. "I shall explain it all to herself."

He entered and remained petrified! Lisa—no, Akulina, dear dark-haired Akulina, not in her sarafan, but in a white morning-dress, sat by the window, reading his