two English were struck by the people's simple faith.

"We would catch every sort of disease kissing those Ikons after filthy
ulcerated beggars," Stephen Strong said to Tamara. "But the belief that
only good can come to them brings only good. The study of these people
makes one less materialistic and full of common sense. One puts more
credence in things occult."

A service was just beginning, it was some high saint's day, and the
beautiful singing, the boys' angel voices and the deep bass of the
priests, unaccompanied by any instruments or organ, impressed Tamara
far more in this old temple than the services had done in any of the
St. Petersburg churches.

A peace fell on her soul, and just as the gipsies' music had been of
the devil, so this seemed to come from heaven itself. She felt calmed
and happier when they came out.

After an early lunch they saw from the hotel windows three troikas
drawn up. Two of them Gritzko's, and one belonging to Prince
Solentzeff Zasiekin, who had also a country place in the neighbourhood.

The two, which had come a day or so before from Milasláv, were indeed
wonderful turn-outs. The Prince prided himself upon his horses, which
were renowned throughout Europe.

The graceful shaped sleighs, with the drivers in their quaint liveries
standing up to drive, always unconsciously suggest that their origin
must have been some chariot from Rome.