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

POLITENESS OF THE EMPEEOR.237

A seat was wanting, for the emperor had not expected this ninth guest; but, with a politeness the completeness of which was equivalent to the delicacy of a kind heart, he spoke in a low voice to a servant, directing; him to bring a chair and another cover, which was done without any noise or trouble.

Being placed at the extremity of the great table,

close to that of the emperor, this occurrence could

not escape my observation, nor, consequently, that of

him who was its object. But, this happily-consti

tuted young man, far from troubling himself because

he perceived he had been placed contrary to the in

tention of the sovereign, maintained, with the most

perfect sang froìd, a conversation with his two near

est neighbours, which lasted during the whole repast.

I thought to myself, he has good sense ; he does not

wish to make a public display: but, no doubt, he

only waits the moment when the emperor rises, to ap

proach him, and to offer some word of explanation.

Nothing of the kind ! When supper was over the

young Swiss, far from excusing himself, seemed to

view the honour he had received as nothing more

than was quite natural. On returning to his lodg

ing he would doubtless inscribe, with the most per

fect simplicity, in his journal — " Supped with the

emperor." However, his majesty rather abridged

the pleasure : rising, before the guests who sat at the

great table, he passed round behind our chairs, all the

while desiring that we should remain seated. The

Hereditary Grand-duke accompanied his father; I

observed this young prince stop behind the chair of a

gi`eat English nobleman, the Marquis, and ex

change some jest with the young Lord, son of