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

I did not fail to keep the appointment. Madame

resides at a very pretty mansion, built in a

corner of the park. She follows the empress everywhere, but she occupies, when possible, some separate house, although in the immediate vicinity of the different imperial residences. I was with her at half past ten. At a quarter before eleven we entered a carriage and four, crossed the park rapidly, and at a few minutes before eleven arrived at the gate of the cottage.

It is, as I have said, quite an English residence,

surrounded with flowers, shaded with trees, and built

in the style of the prettiest places that may be seen

near to London, about Twickenham, on the borders

of the Thames. We crossed a rather small vestibule

raised a few steps, and had just stopped to examine a

room, the furniture of which struck me as a little too

recherche for the general character of the building,

when a valet tie chamhre came to whisper a few words

in the ear of Madame, who seemed surprised.

" What is the matter?" I asked, when the man had disappeared.

" The empress is returned!"

cí How unfair ! " I exclaimed, " I shall not have time to see anything,"

Cí Perhaps not; go down into the garden by this terrace, and wait for me at the entrance of the house."

I was scarcely there two minutes before I saw the empress rapidly descending the steps of the house and coming towards me. She was alone. Her tall and slender figure possesses a singular grace ; her walk is active, light, and yet noble; she has certain move-