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Being free ourselves, let us make the villagers free likewise;

let us grant them as their own the possession of the land on

which they were born, which they have gained by bloody toil, and

from which they nourish us all and make us all rich. But I must

warn you that the grant of these lands will lessen our income; we

must live in moderate circumstances. I from my youth am wonted to

a frugal life; but you, Sophia, spring from a mighty line, and

have passed your early years in the capital-will you consent to

live in a village, far from the great world, like a country

girl?"

In reply Zosia said modestly,-