Both could ride like Arabs. Count
Theodore was a splendid shot, his sister was matchless in singing, and
neither was ever tired of fun or frolic. They seemed of the Lorenskis'
years, but had seen more of the world; and though scarcely so
dignified, most people preferred the frank familiarity and lively
converse of the travelled Russians.
The Lorenskis themselves could not but applaud that general
preference. They and the travellers had become fast friends almost on
their first acquaintance, which took place in the previous winter; and
Count Theodore and his sister had performed a long wintry journey from
St Petersburg, to celebrate the Christmas-time with them. Peasants and
servants rejoiced at their coming, for they were known to be liberal.
The old priest said it had never been his luck to see anything decent
out of Russia before, and my uncle's entire household were delighted,
with the exception of Constantine. By and by, I guessed the cause of
his half-concealed displeasure. The brother of each pair took
wonderfully to the sister of the other. Count Theodore talked of
buying an estate in Lithuania; and the young cousins predicted, that
though Emerich and Constanza might be near neighbours, they would not
live all their days free and single.
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