The thin, hollow-cheeked Chekmar, having got everything ready,kept glancing at his master with whom he had lived on the best ofterms for thirty years, and understanding the mood he was inexpected a pleasant chat. A third person rode up circumspectly throughthe wood (it was plain that he had had a lesson) and stopped behindthe count. This person was a gray-bearded old man in a woman'scloak, with a tall peaked cap on his head. He was the buffoon, whowent by a woman's name, Nastasya Ivanovna.

　　"Well, Nastasya Ivanovna!" whispered the count, winking at him."If you scare away the beast, Daniel'll give it you!"

　　"I know a thing or two myself!" said Nastasya Ivanovna.

　　"Hush!" whispered the count and turned to Simon. "Have you seenthe young countess?" he asked. "Where is she?"

　　"With young Count Peter, by the Zharov rank grass," answeredSimon, smiling. "Though she's a lady, she's very fond of hunting."

　　"And you're surprised at the way she rides, Simon, eh?" said thecount. "She's as good as many a man!"

　　"Of course! It's marvelous. So bold, so easy!"

　　"And Nicholas? Where is he? By the Lyadov upland, isn't he?"

　　"Yes, sir. He knows where to stand. He understands the matter sowell that Daniel and I are often quite astounded," said Simon, wellknowing what would please his master.

　　"Rides well, eh? And how well he looks on his horse, eh?"

　　"A perfect picture! How he chased a fox out of the rank grass by theZavarzinsk thicket the other day! Leaped a fearful place; what a sightwhen they rushed from the covert... the horse worth a thousandrubles and the rider beyond all price! Yes, one would have to searchfar to find another as smart."

　　"To search far..." repeated the count, evidently sorry Simon had notsaid more. "To search far," he said, turning back the skirt of hiscoat to get at his snuffbox.

　　"The other day when he came out from Mass in full uniform, MichaelSidorych..." Simon did not finish, for on the still air he haddistinctly caught the music of the hunt with only two or threehounds giving tongue. He bent down his head and listened, shaking awarning finger at his master. "They are on the scent of the cubs..." he whispered, "straight to the Lyadov uplands."