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

48 ТПЕ PRINCE AND THE YOUNG LADY.

manners nor language can be perceived any vestiges of that embarrassment, which for a long period tormented the august inmates of Versailles, and their courtiers also ; for what can be more embarrassing than a timid prince ?

Whatever may have been the cause, I felt relieved when I saw the Grand-duke depart; I thanked him inwardly for having so well guessed my wish, and for having so politely gratified it. A man but half-polished would scarcely have taken it into his head to leave people alone with the view of making himself agreeable to them : nevertheless, it is sometimes the greatest kindness that ean be accorded. To know how to leave a guest without wounding his feelings, is the height of urbanity — the chef-d`œuvre of hospitality. This facility is in the fashionable world what liberty without disorder would be in the political — a problem constantly proposed, and never solved.

At the moment when the Grand-duke left us,

Mademoisellewas standing behind her mother.

The prince, as he passed her, stopped, and in a very grave but rather humorous manner, made her a profound reverence, without speaking a word. The young lady, perceiving that this salutation was ironical, remained in a respectful attitude, but without returning the obeisance. I admired this little expression of feeling, which appeared to me to exhibit an exqiiisite delicacy. I doubt whether at the Russian court, any woman of twenty-five would have distinguished herself by an act of so much courage ; it was dictated only by that innocence, which to the regard due to social prerogatives knows how to join a just sentiment