Russia in 1839 -Empire of the Czar: A Journey Through Eternal Russia

THE FRENCH CONSUL ЛТ MOSCOW.273

to what he attributes this arrest, and to ask him what can be said or done for him."

" You forget the country we are in," answered

M. R: " he is in a dungeon ; how could we get

access to him ? the thing is impossible."

" What is also impossible," I replied, rising, " is that Frenchmen — that any men, should leave their countryman in a critical situation, without even inquiring the cause of his misfortune."

On leaving this very prudent travelling companion, I began to think the case more serious than I had at first supposed; and I considered that, to understand the true position of the prisoner, I ought to address myself to the French consul. Being obliged to wait the usual hour for seeing that personage, I ordered back my post-horses, to the great surprise and displeasure of the feldj·äger, as they were already at the door when I cave the countermand.

At ten o'clock, I made to the French consul the above relation of facts; and found that official protector of the French full as prudent, and yet more

cold, than Doctor Rhad appeared to me. Since

he has lived in Moscow, this consul has become almost a Russian. I could not make out whether his answers were dictated by a fear founded on a knowledge of the usages of the country, or by a sentiment of wounded self-love, of ill-understood personal dignity.

"M. Pernet," he said, "passed six months in Moscow and its environs, without having thought fit, during all that time, to make the smallest approach towards the consul of France. M. Pernet must look, therefore, to himself alone to get out of the situation N 5