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

220DINNER AT THE GOVERNOR'S.

whom I have been following, as though by track, ever since my arrival in Russia; encountering them every where, finding it impossible to avoid them, and yet never meeting an opportunity of making- direct acquaintance with them. All these people found a seat at the table of the governor, without reckoning some employes, and various other natives, who never opened their mouths except to eat. I need not add that general conversation was impossible in such a circle. In Russian society, the women never become natural except by aid of culture : their language is acquired, it is that of books; and to lose the pedantry which books instil, a long experience of the world is necessary. The wife of the governor has remained too provincial, too much herself, too Russian, too natural, iii short, to appear simple like the women of the court; besides, she has little facility in speaking French. Yesterday, in her drawing-room, all her attempts were limited to receiving her guests, with intentions of politeness the most praiseworthy, but she did nothing to put them at their ease, or to establish between them a facile intercourse. I was, therefore, very well satisfied, on rising from table, to

be able to .talk tête-à-tête, in a corner with M. .

Our conversation was drawing to a close, for all the

guests of the governor were preparing to leave, when

young Lord, who knows my countryman, ap

proached him, with a ceremonious air, and asked him

to present us to each other. This flattering advance

was made by him with the politeness of his country?

which, without being graceful, or even because it is

not graceful, is by no means devoid of a kind of