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

246THE EMPEROR TRULY A RUSSIAN.

his daughter, in this same winter palace — burnt down only я year ago.

Peter the Great is not dead ! His moral strength lives, and operates still. Nicholas is the only Eus-sian sovereign which Russia has had since the reign of the founder of its metropolis.

Towards the end of the soiree given at court to celebrate the nuptials of the Grand Duchess Marie, the empress sent some officers to look for me, who, after searching for a quarter of an hour, could not find me. I was standing apart, according to my frequent practice, still absorbed in contemplating the beauty of the heavens, and admiring the night, against the same window where the empress had left me. Since supper I had quitted this place only for an instant, to follow in the train of their majesties; but not having been observed I returned into the gallery, where I could contemplate at leisure the romantic spectacle of the sun rising over a great city durino-:i court ball. The officers at length discovered me in my hiding-place, and hastened to lead me to the empress, who was waiting for me. She had the goodness to say before all the court, " M. de Cystine, I have been inquiring for you for a long time — why did you avoid me ?"

" Madame, I twice placed myself before Your Majesty, but you did not observe me."

" It was your own fault, for I have been seeking for you ever since I entered the ball-room. I wish you to see every thing here in detail, in order that you may carry from Russia an opinion which may rectify that of the foolish and the mischievously disposed."