As they had full permission to take the horses or carriage whenever they pleased, they now went to the stable and told the coachman that they should like to go for a drive in the sledge, as the weather showed signs of breaking, and the snow would probably shortly disappear.
The horses were at once put to, and, in a few minutes they were whirling over the snow.

They directed the coachman to drive into the forest where they had had the encounter with the wolves, and when well in its shelter they stopped the sledge and alighted, and requested the coachman to do the same.

Much surprised, the unrolled the sheepskin wrappings from his legs and got down from his seat.
"Alexis, you love the count, your master, do you not ?" "Yes, young lord," the Russian said earnestly, though much surprised at the question.

"His fathers have been the masters of mine for many generations.

My good lord is always kind and considerate to his serfs.
I drove his father before him.