Page:The Tsar's Window.djvu/24

 some glimpses of peasants, in long sheepskin coats, high felt boots, and fur caps. This seems to be their out-of-door costume. In some poor little huts with no visible windows appeared startled figures in bright-colored shirts belted in over the trousers, which were full, and tucked into high boots. They all had long beards, and hair parted in the middle.

All day there were endless stoppages at stations where there seemed to be no passengers to get on or off, and always that melancholy bell-ringing.

It was after dark when a forest of lights in the distance proclaimed the end of our journey to be near. I was half-dazed when I tumbled out of the cars and into the arms of Nicolas, who was waiting to welcome us. He received us most cordially, kissing Tom on both cheeks, which so embarrassed the poor fellow that he looked uncomfortable for some time after. My Russian brother-in-law is a very handsome man. In the six years which have elapsed since he carried Alice away with him, I have had time to forget how good-looking he was. I was surprised to find Alice changed so little. She has grown somewhat stouter and a trifle more self-conscious, but beyond that she is the same happy little woman as of old.

We found her at the Hotel de l'Europe when we got there, after what seemed a very long drive through streets filled with clumsy horse-cars and funny little sleighs.

Our tongues ran busily during dinner; and when Alice and her husband took their departure, I was glad to go to bed.