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and then all that he did for her on that terrible night
of the storm in the Urals, when he saved her life at the peril
of his own.

Thus Nadia thought of Michael. She thanked God for having given
her such a gallant protector, a friend so generous and wise.
She knew that she was safe with him, under his protection.
No brother could have done more than he. All obstacles
seemed cleared away; the performance of her journey was but a
matter of time.

Michael remained buried in thought. He also thanked God
for having brought about this meeting with Nadia, which at
the same time enabled him to do a good action, and afforded
him additional means for concealing his true character.
He delighted in the young girl's calm intrepidity.
Was she not indeed his sister? His feeling towards his beautiful
and brave companion was rather respect than affection.
He felt that hers was one of those pure and rare hearts which
are held by all in high esteem.

However, Michael's dangers were now beginning, since he had
reached Siberian ground. If the reporters were not mistaken,
if Ivan Ogareff had really passed the frontier, all his actions
must be made with extreme caution. Things were now altered;
Tartar spies swarmed in the Siberian provinces. His incognito
once discovered, his character as courier of the Czar known,
there was an end of his journey, and probably of his life.
Michael felt now more than ever the weight of his responsibility.

While such were the thoughts of those occupying the first carriage,
what was happening in the second? Nothing out of the way.
Alcide spoke in sentences; Blount replied by monosyllables.
Each looked at everything in his own light, and made notes of such
incidents as occurred on the journey--few and but slightly varied--
while they crossed the provinces of Western Siberia.

At each relay the reporters descended from their carriage
and found themselves with Michael. Except when meals were to be
taken at the post-houses, Nadia did not leave the tarantass.
When obliged to breakfast or dine, she sat at table, but was
always very reserved, and seldom joined in conversation.

Alcide, without going beyond the limits of strict propriety,
showed that he was greatly struck by the young girl.
He admired the silent energy which she showed in bearing all
the fatigues of so difficult a journey.

The forced stoppages were anything but agreeable to Michael;
so he hastened the departure at each relay, roused the innkeepers,
urged on the iemschiks, and expedited the harnessing of the tarantass.
Then the hurried meal over--always much too hurried to agree with Blount,
who was a methodical eater--they started, and were driven as eagles,
for they paid like princes.

It need scarcely be said that Blount did not trouble himself
about the girl at table. That gentleman was not in the habit
of doing two things at once. She was also one of the few
subjects of conversation which he did not care to discuss
with his companion.

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