They, too, could buy the right of residence outside the Pale, permanent or temporary, on conditions that gave them no real security.

I was proud to have an uncle who was a merchant of the First Guild, but it was very expensive for my uncle.
He had to pay so much a year for the title, and a certain percentage on the profits from his business.

This gave him the right to travel on business outside the Pale, twice a year, for not more than six months in all.

If he were found outside the Pale after his permit expired, he had to pay a fine that exceeded all he had gained by his journey, perhaps.

I used to picture my uncle on his Russian travels, hurrying, hurrying to finish his business in the limited time; while a policeman marched behind him, ticking off the days and counting up the hours.
That was a foolish fancy, but some of the things that were done in Russia really were very funny.
There were things in Polotzk that made you laugh with one eye and weep with the other, like a clown.