CHAPTERXXI
　　ISeetheEmpress——MyConversationswithHer——TheValville——ILeaveZaiyaILeaveSt。PetersburgandArriveatWarsaw——ThePrincesAdamCzartoryskiandSulkowski——TheKingofPoland——TheatricalIntrigues——ByanickiIthoughtofleavingRussiaatthebeginningoftheautumn，butIwastoldbyMM。PaninandAlsuwieffthatIoughtnottogowithouthavingspokentotheempress。
　　"Ishouldbesorrytodoso，"Ireplied，"butasIcan’tfindanyonetopresentmetoher，Imustberesigned。"
　　AtlastPanintoldmetowalkinagardenfrequentedbyhermajestyatanearlyhour，andhesaidthatmeetingme，asitwerebychance，shewouldprobablyspeaktome。ItoldhimIshouldlikehimtobewithher，andheaccordinglynamedaday。
　　Irepairedtothegarden，andasIwalkedaboutImarvelledatthestatuaryitcontained，allthestatuesbeingmadeoftheworststone，andexecutedintheworstpossibletaste。Thenamescutbeneaththemgavethewholetheairofapracticaljoke。AweepingstatuewasDemocritus；another，withgrinningmouth，waslabelledHeraclitus；anoldmanwithalongbeardwasSappho；andanoldwoman，Avicenna；andsoon。
　　AsIwassmilingatthisextraordinarycollection，Isawtheczarina，precededbyCountGregoriusOrloff，andfollowedbytwoladies，approaching。CountPaninwasonherlefthand。Istoodbythehedgetoletherpass，butassoonasshecameuptomesheasked，smilingly，ifIhadbeeninterestedinthestatues。Ireplied，followinghersteps，thatIpresumedtheyhadbeenplacedtheretoimposeonfools，ortoexcitethelaughterofthoseacquaintedwithhistory。
　　"FromwhatIcanmakeout，"shereplied，"thesecretofthematteristhatmyworthyauntwasimposedon，andindeedshedidnottroubleherselfmuchaboutsuchtrifles。ButIhopeyouhaveseenotherthingsinRussialessridiculousthanthesestatues？"
　　IentertainedthesovereignformorethananhourwithmyremarksonthethingsofnoteIhadseeninSt。Petersburg。TheconversationhappenedtoturnontheKingofPrussia，andIsanghispraises；butIcensuredhisterriblehabitofalwaysinterruptingthepersonwhomhewasaddressing。CatherinesmiledandaskedmetotellherabouttheconversationIhadhadwiththismonarch，andIdidsotothebestofmyability。ShewasthenkindenoughtosaythatshehadneverseenmeattheCourtag，whichwasavocalandinstrumentalconcertgivenatthepalace，andopentoall。ItoldherthatIhadonlyattendedonce，asIwassounfortunateasnottohaveatasteformusic。AtthissheturnedtoPanin，andsaidsmilinglythatsheknewsomeoneelsewhohadthesamemisfortune。IfthereaderrememberswhatIheardhersayaboutmusicasshewasleavingtheopera，hewillpronouncemyspeechtohavebeenaverycourtier—likeone，andIconfessitwas；butwhocanresistmakingsuchspeechestoamonarch，andaboveall，amonarchinpetticoats？
　　TheczarinaturnedfrommetospeaktoM。Bezkoi，whohadjustcomeup，andasM。PaninleftthegardenIdidsotoo，delightedwiththehonourIhadhad。
　　Theempress，whowasawomanofmoderateheightandyetofamajesticappearance，thoroughlyunderstoodtheartofmakingherselfloved。
　　Shewasnotbeautiful，butyetshewassureofpleasingbyhergenialityandherwit，andalsobythatexquisitetactwhichmadeoneforgettheawfulnessofthesovereigninthegentlenessofthewoman。
　　Afewdaysafter，CountPartintoldmethattheempresshadtwiceaskedafterme，andthatthiswasasuresignIhadpleasedher。Headvisedmetolookoutforanotheropportunityofmeetingher，andsaidthatforthefutureshewouldalwaystellmetoapproachwhenevershesawme，andthatifIwantedsomeemploymentshemightpossibledosomethingforme。
　　ThoughIdidnotknowwhatemployIcouldaskforinthatdisagreeablecountry，IwasgladtohearthatIcouldhaveeasyaccesstotheCourt。WiththatideaIwalkedinthegardeneveryday，andherefollowsmysecondconversationwiththeempressShesawmeatadistanceandsentanofficertofetchmeintoherpresence。Aseverybodywastalkingofthetournament，whichhadtobepostponedonaccountofthebadweather，sheaskedmeifthiskindofentertainmentcouldbegivenatVenice。Itoldhersomeamusingstoriesonthesubjectofshowsandspectacles，andinthisrelationIremarkedthattheVenetianclimatewasmorepleasantthantheRussian，foratVenicefinedaysweretherule，whileatSt。
　　Petersburgtheyweretheexception，thoughtheyearisyoungertherethananywhereelse。
　　"Yes，"shesaid，"inyourcountryitiselevendaysolder。"
　　"WoulditnotbeworthyofyourmajestytoputRussiaonanequalitywiththerestoftheworldinthisrespect，byadoptingtheGregoriancalendar？AlltheProtestantshavedoneso，andEngland，whoadopteditfourteenyearsago，hasalreadygainedseveralmillions。AllEuropeisastonishedthattheoldstyleshouldbesufferedtoexistinacountrywherethesovereignistheheadoftheChurch，andwhosecapitalcontainsanacademyofscience。ItisthoughtthatPetertheGreat，whomadetheyearbegininJanuary，wouldhavealsoabolishedtheoldstyleifhehadnotbeenafraidofoffendingEngland，whichthenkepttradeandcommercealivethroughoutyourvastempire。"
　　"Youknow，"shereplied，withaslysmile，"thatPetertheGreatwasnotexactlyalearnedman。"
　　"Hewasmorethanamanoflearning，theimmortalPeterwasageniusofthefirstorder。Instinctsuppliedtheplaceofsciencewithhim；
　　hisjudgmentwasalwaysintheright。Hisvastgenius，hisfirmresolve，preventedhimfrommakingmistakes，andhelpedhimtodestroyallthoseabuseswhichthreatenedtoopposehisgreatdesigns。"
　　Hermajestyseemedtohaveheardmewithgreatinterest，andwasabouttoreplywhenshenoticedtwoladieswhomshesummonedtoherpresence。Tomeshesaid，——
　　"Ishallbedelightedtoreplytoyouatanothertime，"andthenturnedtowardstheladies。
　　Thetimecameineightortendays，whenIwasbeginningtothinkshehadhadenoughofme，forshehadseenmewithoutsummoningmetospeaktoher。
　　ShebeganbysayingwhatIdesiredshouldbedonewasdonealready。
　　"AlltheletterssenttoforeigncountriesandalltheimportantStaterecordsaremarkedwithbothdates。"
　　"ButImustpointouttoyourmajestythatbytheendofthecenturythedifferencewillbeoftwelvedays，noteleven。"
　　"Notatall；wehaveseentothat。Thelastyearofthiscenturywillnotbecountedasaleapyear。Itisfortunatethatthedifferenceisoneofelevendays，forasthatisthenumberwhichisaddedeveryyeartotheepactourepactsarealmostthesame。AstothecelebrationofEaster，thatisadifferentquestion。YourequinoxisonMarchthe21st，oursonthel0th，andtheastronomerssaywearebothwrong；sometimesitiswewhoarewrongandsometimesyou，astheequinoxvaries。YouknowyouarenoteveninagreementwiththeJews，whosecalculationissaidtobeperfectlyaccurate；
　　and，infine，thisdifferenceinthetimeofcelebratingEasterdoesnotdisturbinanywaypublicorderortheprogressoftheGovernment。"
　　"Yourmajesty’swordsfillmewithadmiration，buttheFestivalofChristmas————"
　　"IsupposeyouaregoingtosaythatwedonotcelebrateChristmasinthewintersolsticeasshouldproperlybedone。Weknowit，butitseemstomeamatterofnoaccount。Iwouldratherbearwiththissmallmistakethangrievouslyafflictvastnumbersofmysubjectsbydeprivingthemoftheirbirthdays。IfIdidso，therewouldbenoopencomplaintsuttered，asthatisnotthefashioninRussia；buttheywouldsayinsecretthatIwasanAtheist，andthatIdisputedtheinfallibilityoftheCouncilofNice。Youmaythinksuchcomplaintsmatterforlaughter，butIdonot，forIhavemuchmoreagreeablemotivesforamusement。"
　　Theczarinawasdelightedtomarkmysurprise。Ididnotdoubtforamomentthatshehadmadeaspecialstudyofthewholesubject。
　　M。Alsuwiefftoldme，afewdaysafter，thatshehadverypossiblyreadalittlepamphletonthesubject，thestatementsofwhichexactlycoincidedwithherown。Hetookcaretoadd，however，thatitwasverypossibleherhighnesswasprofoundlylearnedonthematter，butthiswasmerelyacourtier’sphrase。
　　Whatshesaidwasspokenmodestlyandenergetically，andhergoodhumourandpleasantsmileremainedunmovedthroughout。Sheexercisedaconstantself—controloverherself，andhereinappearedthegreatnessofhercharacter，fornothingismoredifficult。Herdemeanour，sodifferentfromthatofthePrussianking，shewedhertobethegreatersovereignofthetwo；herfrankgenialityalwaysgavehertheadvantage，whiletheshort，curtmannersofthekingoftenexposedhimtobeingmadeadupe。InanexaminationofthelifeofFredericktheGreat，onecannothelppayingadeservedtributetohiscourage，butatthesametimeonefeelsthatifithadnotbeenforrepeatedturnsofgoodfortunehemusthavesuccumbed，whereasCatherinewaslittleindebtedtothefavoursoftheblinddeity。Shesucceededinenterpriseswhich，beforehertime，wouldhavebeenpronouncedimpossibilities，anditseemedheraimtomakemenlookuponherachievementsasofsmallaccount。
　　Ireadinoneofourmodernjournals，thosemonumentsofeditorialself—conceit，thatCatherinetheGreatdiedhappilyasshehadlived。
　　Everybodyknowsthatshediedsuddenlyonherclosestool。Bycallingsuchadeathhappy，thejournalisthintsthatitisthedeathhehimselfwouldwishfor。Everyonetohistaste，andwecanonlyhopethattheeditormayobtainhiswish；butwhotoldthissillyfellowthatCatherinedesiredsuchadeath？IfheregardssuchawishasnaturaltoapersonofherprofoundgeniusIwouldaskwhotoldhimthatmenofgeniusconsiderasuddendeathtobeahappyone？Isitbecausethatishisopinion，andarewetoconcludethatheisthereforepersonofgenius？Tocometothetruthweshouldhavetointerrogatethelateempress，andaskhersomesuchquestionas:
　　"Areyouwellpleasedtohavediedsuddenly？"
　　Shewouldprobablyreply:
　　"Whatafoolishquestion！Suchmightbethewishofonedriventodespair，orofsomeonesufferingfromalongandgrievousmalady。
　　Suchwasnotmyposition，forIenjoyedtheblessingsofhappinessandgoodhealth；noworsefatecouldhavehappenedtome。MysuddendeathpreventedmefromconcludingseveraldesignswhichImighthavebroughttoasuccessfulissueifGodhadgrantedmethewarningofa，slightillness。Butitwasnotso；Ihadtosetoutonthelongjourneyatamoment’snotice，withoutthetimetomakeanypreparations。Ismydeathanythehappierfrommynotforeseeingit？
　　Doyouthinkmesuchacowardastodreadtheapproachofwhatiscommontoall？ItellyouthatIshouldhaveaccountedmyselfhappyifIhadhadarespiteofbutaday。ThenIshouldnotcomplainoftheDivinejustice。"
　　"DoesyourhighnessaccuseGodofinjustice，then？"
　　"Whatbootsit，sinceIamalostsoul？Doyouexpectthedamnedtoacknowledgethejusticeofthedecreewhichhasconsignedthemtoeternalwoe？"
　　"Nodoubtitisadifficultmatter，butIshouldhavethoughtthatasenseofthejusticeofyourdoomwouldhavemitigatedthepainsofit。"
　　"Perhapsso，butadamnedsoulmustbewithoutconsolationforever。"
　　"Inspiteofthattherearesomephilosopherswhocallyouhappyinyourdeathbyvirtueofitssuddenness。"
　　"Notphilosophers，butfools，forinitssuddennesswasthepainandwoe。"
　　"Wellsaid；butmayIaskyourhighnessifyouadmitthepossibilityofahappyeternityafteranunhappydeath，orofanunhappydoomafterahappydeath？"
　　"Suchsuppositionsareinconceivable。Thehappinessoffuturityliesintheecstasyofthesoulinfeelingfreedfromthetrammelsofmatter，andunhappinessisthedoomofasoulwhichwasfullofremorseatthemomentitleftthebody。Butenough，formypunishmentforbidsmyfartherspeech。"
　　"Tellme，atleast，whatisthenatureofyourpunishment？"
　　"Aneverlastingweariness。Farewell。"
　　Afterthislongandfancifuldigressionthereaderwillnodoubtbeobligedbymyreturningtothisworld。
　　CountPanintoldmethatinafewdaystheempresswouldleaveforhercountryhouse，andIdeterminedtohaveaninterviewwithher，foreseeingthatitwouldbeforthelasttime。
　　Ihadbeeninthegardenforafewminuteswhenheavyrainbegantofall，andIwasgoingtoleave，whentheempresssummonedmeintoanapartmentonthegroundfloorofthepalace，whereshewaswalkingupanddownwithGregorovitchandamaidofhonour。
　　"Ihadforgottentoaskyou，"shesaid，graciously，"ifyoubelievethenewcalculationofthecalendartobeexemptfromerror？"
　　"No，yourmajesty；buttheerrorissominutethatitwillnotproduceanysensibleeffectforthespaceofnineortenthousandyears。"
　　"Ithoughtso；andinmyopinionPopeGregoryshouldnothaveacknowledgedanymistakeatall。ThePope，however，hadmuchlessdifficultyincarryingouthisreformthanIshouldhavewithmysubjects，whoaretoofondoftheirancientusagesandcustoms。"
　　"Nevertheless，Iamsureyourmajestywouldmeetwithobedience。"
　　"Nodoubt，butimaginethegriefofmyclergyinnotbeingabletocelebratethenumeroussaints’days，whichwouldfallontheelevendaystobesuppressed。Youhaveonlyonesaintforeachday，butwehaveadozenatleast。Imayremarkalsothatallancientstatesandkingdomsareattachedtotheirancientlaws。IhaveheardthatyourRepublicofVenicebeginstheyearinMarch，andthatseemstome，asitwere，amonumentandmemorialofitsantiquity——andindeedtheyearbeginsmorenaturallyinMarchthaninJanuary——butdoesnotthisusagecausesomeconfusion？"
　　"Noneatall，yourmajesty。ThelettersMV，whichweadjointoalldatesinJanuaryandFebruary，renderallmistakesimpossible。"
　　"Veniceisalsonoteworthyforitspeculiarsystemofheraldry，bytheamusingformunderwhichitportraysitspatronsaint，andbythefiveLatinwordswithwhichtheEvangelistisinvoked，inwhich，asI
　　amtold，thereisagrammaticalblunderwhichhasbecomerespectablebyitslongstanding。Butisittruethatyoudonotdistinguishbetweenthedayandnighthours？"
　　"Itis，yourmajesty，andwhatismorewereckonthedayfromthebeginningofthenight。"
　　"Suchistheforceofcustom，whichmakesusadmirewhatothernationsthinkridiculous。Youseenoinconvenienceinyourdivisionoftheday，whichstrikesmeasmostinconvenient。"
　　"Youwouldonlyhavetolookatyourwatch，andyouwouldnotneedtolistenforthecannonshotwhichannouncesthecloseofday。"
　　"Yes，butforthisoneadvantageyouhaveoverus，wehavetwooveryou。Weknowthatattwelveo’clockitiseithermid—dayormidnight。"
　　TheczarinaspoketomeaboutthefondnessoftheVenetiansforgamesofchance，andaskediftheGenoaLotteryhadbeenestablishedthere。
　　"Ihavebeenasked，"sheadded，"toallowthelotterytobeestablishedinmyowndominions；butIshouldneverpermititexceptontheconditionthatnostakeshouldbebelowarouble，andthenthepoorpeoplewouldnotbeabletorisktheirmoneyinit。"
　　Irepliedtothisdiscreetobservationwithaprofoundinclinationofthehead，andthusendedmylastinterviewwiththefamousempresswhoreignedthirty—fiveyearswithoutcommittingasinglemistakeofanyimportance。Thehistorianwillalwaysplaceheramongstgreatsovereigns，thoughthemoralistwillalwaysconsiderher，andrightly，asoneofthemostnotableofdissolutewomen。
　　AfewdaysbeforeIleftIgaveanentertainmenttomyfriendsatCatherinhoff，windingupwithafinedisplayoffireworks，apresentfrommyfriendMelissino。Mysupperforthirtywasexquisite，andmyballabrilliantone。InspiteofthetenuityofmypurseIfeltobligedtogivemyfriendsthismarkofmygratitudeforthekindnesstheyhadlavishedonme。
　　IleftRussiawiththeactressValville，andImustheretellthereaderhowIcametomakeheracquaintance。
　　IhappenedtogototheFrenchplay，andtofindmyselfseatednexttoanextremelyprettyladywhowasunknowntome。Ioccasionallyaddressedanobservationtoherreferringtotheplayoractors，andIwasimmenselydelightedwithherspiritedanswers。Herexpressioncharmedme，andItookthelibertyofaskingherifshewereaRussian。
　　"No，thankGod！"shereplied，"IamaParisian，andanactressbyoccupation。MynameisValville；butIdon’twonderIamunknowntoyou，forIhavebeenonlyamonthhere，andhaveplayedbutonce。"
　　"Howisthat？"
　　"BecauseIwassounfortunateastofailtowintheczarina’sfavour。
　　However，asIwasengagedforayear，shehaskindlyorderedthatmysalaryofahundredroublesshallbepaidmonthly。AttheendoftheyearIshallgetmypassportandgo。"
　　"Iamsuretheempressthinkssheisdoingyouafavourinpayingyoufornothing。"
　　"Verylikely；butshedoesnotrememberthatIamforgettinghowtoactallthistime。"
　　"Yououghttotellherthat。"
　　"Ionlywishshewouldgivemeanaudience。"
　　"Thatisunnecessary。Ofcourse，youhavealover。"
　　"No，Ihaven’t。"
　　"It’sincredibletome！"
　　"Theysaytheincredibleoftenhappens。"
　　"Iamverygladtohearitmyself。"
　　Itookheraddress，andsentherthefollowingnotethenextday:
　　"Madam，——Ishouldliketobeginanintriguewithyou。Youhaveinspiredmewithfeelingsthatwillmakemeunhappyunlessyoureciprocatethem。Ibegtotakethelibertyofaskingmyselftosupwithyou，butpleasetellmehowmuchitwillcostme。IamobligedtoleaveforWarsawinthecourseofamonth，andIshallbehappytoofferyouaplaceinmytravellingcarriage。Ishallbeabletogetyouapassport。Thebearerofthishasorderstowait，andIhopeyouranswerwillbeasplainlywordedasmyquestion。"
　　IntwohoursIreceivedthisreply:
　　"Sir，——AsIhavetheknackofputtinganendtoanintriguewhenithasceasedtoamuseme，Ihavenohesitationinacceptingyourproposal。AstothesentimentswithwhichyousayIhaveinspiredyou，Iwilldomybesttosharethem，andtomakeyouhappy。Yoursuppershallbeready，andlateronwewillsettlethepriceofthedessert。IshallbedelightedtoaccepttheplaceinyourcarriageifyoucanobtainmyexpensestoParisaswellasmypassport。Andfinally，Ihopeyouwillfindmyplainspeakingonamatchwithyours。Goodbye，tilltheevening。"
　　Ifoundmynewfriendinacomfortablelodging，andweaccostedeachotherasifwehadbeenoldacquaintances。
　　"Ishallbedelightedtotravelwithyou，"saidshe，"butIdon’tthinkyouwillbeabletogetmypassport。"
　　"Ihavenodoubtastomysuccess，"Ireplied，"ifyouwillpresenttotheempressthepetitionIshalldraftforyou。"
　　"Iwillsurelydoso，"saidshe，givingmewritingmaterials。
　　Iwroteoutthefollowingpetition，——
　　"YourMajesty，——Iventuretoremindyourhighnessthatmyenforcedidlenessismakingmeforgetmyart，whichIhavenotyetlearntthoroughly。Yourmajesty’sgenerosityisthereforedoingmeaninjury，andyourmajestywoulddomeagreatbenefitingivingmepermissiontoleaveSt。Petersburg。"
　　"Nothingmorethanthat？"
　　"Notaword。"
　　"Yousaynothingaboutthepassport，andnothingaboutthejourney—
　　money。Iamnotarichwoman。"
　　"Doyouonlypresentthispetition；and，unlessIamverymuchmistaken，youwillhave，notonlyyourjourney—money，butalsoyouryear’ssalary。"
　　"Oh，thatwouldbetoomuch！"
　　"Notatall。YoudonotknowCatherine，butIdo。Havethiscopied，andpresentitinperson。"
　　Iwillcopyitoutmyself，forIcanwriteagoodenoughhand。
　　Indeed，italmostseemsasifIhadcomposedit；itisexactlymystyle。IbelieveyouareabetteractorthanIam，andfromthiseveningIshallcallmyselfyourpupil。Come，letushavesomesupper，thatyoumaygivememyfirstlesson。"
　　Afteradelicatesupper，seasonedbypleasantandwittytalk，MadameValvillegrantedmeallIcoulddesire。IwentdownstairsforamomenttosendawaymycoachmanandtoinstructhimwhathewastosaytoZaira，whomIhadforewarnedthatIwasgoingtoCronstadt，andmightnotreturntillthenextday。MycoachmanwasaUkrainianonwhosefidelityIcouldrely，butIknewthatitwouldbenecessaryformetobeoffwiththeoldlovebeforeIwasonwiththenew。
　　MadameValvillewaslikemostyoungFrenchwomenofherclass；shehadcharmswhichshewishedtoturntoaccount，andapassableeducation；
　　herambitionwastobekeptbyoneman，andthetitleofmistresswasmorepleasinginherearsthanthatofwife。
　　Intheintervalsoffouramorouscombatsshetoldmeenoughofherlifeformetodivinewhatithadbeen。Clerval，theactor，hadbeengatheringtogetheracompanyofactorsatParis，andmakingheracquaintancebychanceandfindinghertobeintelligent，heassuredherthatshewasabornactress，thoughshehadneversuspectedit。
　　Theideahaddazzledher，andshehadsignedtheagreement。ShestartedfromPariswithsixotheractorsandactresses，ofwhomshewastheonlyonethathadneverplayed。
　　"Ithought，"shesaid，"itwaslikewhatisdoneatParis，whereagirlgoesintothechorusortheballetwithouthavinglearnttosingordance。WhatelsecouldIthink，afteranactorlikeClervalhadassuredmeIhadatalentforactingandhadofferedmeagoodengagement？AllherequiredofmewasthatIshouldlearnbyheartandrepeatcertainpassageswhichIrehearsedinhispresence。HesaidImadeacapitalsoubrette，andhecertainlycouldnothavebeentryingtodeceiveme，butthefactishewasdeceivedhimself。A
　　fortnightaftermyarrivalImademyfirstappearance，andmyreceptionwasnotaflatteringone。"
　　"Perhapsyouwerenervous？"
　　"Nervous？notintheleast。ClervalsaidthatifIcouldhaveputontheappearanceofnervousnesstheempress，whoiskindnessitself，wouldcertainlyhaveencouragedme。"
　　IleftherthenextmorningafterIhadseenhercopyoutthepetition。Shewroteaverygoodhand。
　　"Ishallpresentitto—day，"saidshe。
　　Iwishedhergoodluck，andarrangedtosupwithheragainonthedayImeanttopartwithZaira。
　　AllFrenchgirlswhosacrificetoVenusareinthesamestyleastheValville；theyareentirelywithoutpassionorlove，buttheyarepleasantandcaressing。Theyhaveonlyoneobject；andthatistheirownprofit。Theymakeandunmakeanintriguewithasmilingfaceandwithouttheslightestdifficulty。Itistheirsystem，andifitbenotabsolutelythebestitiscertainlythemostconvenient。
　　WhenIgothomeIfoundZairasubmissivebutsad，whichannoyedmemorethanangerwouldhavedone，forIlovedher。However，itwastimetobringthemattertoanend，andtomakeupmymindtoendurethepainofparting。
　　Rinaldi，thearchitect，amanofseventy，butstillvigorousandsensual，wasinlovewithher，andhehadhintedtomeseveraltimesthathewouldbeonlytoohappytotakeheroverandtopaydoublethesumIhadgivenforher。MyanswerhadbeenthatIcouldonlygivehertoamansheliked，andthatImeanttomakeherapresentofthehundredroublesIhadgivenforher。Rinaldididnotlikethisanswer，ashehadnotverystronghopesofthegirltakingafancytohim；however，hedidnotdespair。
　　HehappenedtocallonmeontheverymorningonwhichIhaddeterminedtogiveherup，andashespokeRussianperfectlyhegaveZairatounderstandhowmuchhelovedher。Heranswerwasthathemustapplytome，asmywillwaslawtoher，butthatsheneitherlikednordislikedanyoneelse。Theoldmancouldnotobtainanymorepositivereplyandleftuswithbutfeeblehopes，butcommendinghimselftomygoodoffices。
　　Whenhehadgone，IaskedZairawhethershewouldnotlikemetoleavehertotheworthyman，whowouldtreatherashisowndaughter。
　　ShewasjustgoingtoreplywhenIwashandedanotefromMadameValville，askingmetocallonher，asshehadapieceofnewstogiveme。Iorderedthecarriageimmediately，tellingZairathatI
　　shouldnotbelong。
　　"Verygood，"shereplied，"Iwillgiveyouaplainanswerwhenyoucomeback。"
　　IfoundMadameValvilleinahighstateofdelight。
　　"Longlivethepetition！"sheexclaimed，assoonasshesawme。
　　"Iwaitedfortheempresstocomeoutofherprivatechapel。I
　　respectfullypresentedmypetition，whichshereadasshewalkedalong，andthentoldmewithakindlysmiletowaitamoment。I
　　waited，andhermajestyreturnedmethepetitioninitialledinherownhand，andbademetakeittoM。Ghelagin。Thisgentlemangavemeanexcellentreception，andtoldmethatthesovereignhandorderedhimtogivememypassport，mysalaryforayear，andahundredducatsforthejourney。Themoneywillbeforwardedinafortnight，asmynamewillhavetobesenttotheGazette。"
　　MadameValvillewasverygrateful，andwefixedthedayofourdeparture。ThreeorfourdayslaterIsentinmynametotheGazette。
　　IhadpromisedZairatocomeback，sotellingmynewlovethatI
　　wouldcomeandlivewithherassoonasIhadplacedtheyoungRussianingoodhands，Iwenthome，feelingrathercurioustohearZaira’sdetermination。
　　AfterZairahadsuppedwithmeinperfectgoodhumour，sheaskedifM。RinaldiwouldpaymebackthemoneyIhadgivenfarher。Isaidhewould，andshewenton，——
　　"ItseemstomethatIamworthmorethanIwas，forIhaveallyourpresents，andIknowItalian。"
　　"Youareright，dear，butIdon’twantittobesaidthatIhavemadeaprofitonyou；besides，Iintendtomakeyouapresentofthehundredroubles。"
　　"Asyouaregoingtomakemesuchahandsomepresent，whynotsendmebacktomyfather’shouse？Thatwouldbestillmoregenerous。IfM。
　　Rinaldireallylovesme，hecancomeandtalkitoverwithmyfather。
　　YouhavenoobjectiontohispayingmewhateversumIliketomention。"
　　"Notatall。Onthecontrary，Ishallbeverygladtoserveyourfamily，andallthemoreasRinaldiisarichman。"
　　"Verygood；youwillbealwaysdeartomeinmymemory。Youshalltakemetomyhometo—morrow；andnowletusgotobed。"
　　ThusitwasthatIpartedwiththischarminggirl，whomademelivesoberlyallthetimeIwasatSt。Petersburg。ZinowiefftoldmethatifIhadlikedtodepositasmallsumassecurityIcouldhavetakenherwithme；butIhadthoughtthematterover，anditseemedtomethatasZairagrewmorebeautifulandcharmingIshouldendbybecomingaperfectslavetoher。Possibly，however，IshouldnothavelookedintomatterssocloselyifIhadnotbeeninlovewithMadameValville。
　　Zairaspentthenextmorningingatheringtogetherherbelongings，nowlaughingandnowweeping，andeverytimethatsheleftherpackingtogivemeakissIcouldnotresistweepingmyself。WhenI
　　restoredhertoherfather，thewholefamilyfellontheirkneesaroundme。Alasforpoorhumannature！thusitisdegradedbytheironheelofoppression。Zairalookedoddlyinthehumblecottage，whereonelargemattressservedfortheentirefamily。
　　Rinalditookeverythingingoodpart。Hetoldmethatsincethedaughterwouldmakenoobjectionhehadnofearofthefatherdoingso。Hewenttothehousethenextday，buthedidnotgetthegirltillIhadleftSt。Petersburg。Hekeptherfortheremainderofhisdays，andbehavedveryhandsomelytoher。
　　AfterthismelancholyseparationMadameValvillebecamemysolemistress，andwelefttheRussiancapitalinthecourseofafewweeks。ItookanArmenianmerchantintomyservice；hehadlentmeahundredducats，andcookedverywellintheEasternstyle。IhadaletterfromthePolishresidenttoPrinceAugustusSulkowski，andanotherfromtheEnglishambassadorforPrinceAdamCzartoryski。
　　ThedayafterweleftSt。PetersburgwestoppedatKoporietodine；
　　wehadtakenwithussomechoiceviandsandexcellentwines。Twodayslaterwemetthefamouschapel—master，GaluppiorBuranelli，whowasonhiswaytoSt。Petersburgwithtwofriendsandanartiste。Hedidnotknowme，andwasastonishedtofindaVenetiandinnerawaitinghimattheinn，asalsotohearagreetinginhismothertongue。AssoonasIhadpronouncedmynameheembracedmewithexclamationsofsurpriseandjoy。
　　Theroadswereheavywithrain，sowewereaweekingettingtoRiga，andwhenwearrivedIwassorrytohearthatPrinceCharleswasnotthere。FromRiga，wewerefourdaysbeforegettingtoKonigsberg，whereMadameValville，whowasexpectedatBerlin，hadtoleaveme。
　　IlefthermyArmenian，towhomshegladlypaidthehundredducatsI
　　owedhim。Isawheragaintwoyearslater，andshallspeakofthemeetinginduetime。
　　Weseparatedlikegoodfriends，withoutanysadness。WespentthenightatKleinRoop，nearRiga，andsheofferedtogivemeherdiamonds，herjewels，andallthatshepossessed。WewerestayingwiththeCountessLowenwald，towhomIhadaletterfromthePrincessDolgorouki。Thisladyhadinherhouse，inthecapacityofgoverness，theprettyEnglishwomanwhomIhadknownasCampioni’swife。ShetoldmethatherhusbandwasatWarsaw，andthathewaslivingwithVilliers。Shegavemealetterforhim，andIpromisedtomakehimsendhersomemoney，andIkeptmyword。LittleBettywasascharmingasever，buthermotherseemedquitejealousofherandtreatedherill。
　　WhenIreachedKonigsbergIsoldmytravellingcarriageandtookaplaceinacoachforWarsaw。Wewerefourinall，andmycompanionsonlyspokeGermanandPolish，sothatIhadadreadfullytediousjourney。AtWarsawIwenttolivewithVilliers，whereIhopedtomeetCampioni。
　　ItwasnotlongbeforeIsawhim，andfoundhimwellinhealthandincomfortablequarters。Hekeptadancingschool，andhadagoodmanypupils。HewasdelightedtohavenewsofFannyandhischildren。Hesentthemsomemoney，buthadnothoughtsofhavingthematWarsaw，asFannywished。Heassuredmeshewasnothiswife。
　　HetoldmethatTomatis，themanagerofthecomicopera，hadmadeafortune，andhadinhiscompanyaMilanesedancernamedCatai，whoenchantedallthetownbyhercharmsratherthanhertalent。Gamesofchancewerepermitted，buthewarnedmethatWarsawwasfullofcard—sharpers。AVeronesenamedGiropoldi，wholivedwithanofficerfromLorraincalledBachelier，heldabankatfaroatherhouse，whereadancer，whohadbeenthemistressofthefamousAfflisioatVienna，broughtcustomers。
　　MajorSadir，whomIhavementionedbefore，keptanothergaming—house，incompanywithhismistress，whocamefromSaxony。TheBarondeSt。
　　HeleinewasalsoinWarsaw，buthisprincipaloccupationwastocontractdebtswhichhedidnotmeantopay。HealsolivedinVillier’shousewithhisprettyandvirtuousyoungwife，whowouldhavenothingtosaytous。Campionitoldmeofsomeotheradventurers，whosenamesIwasverygladtoknowthatImightthebetteravoidthem。
　　ThedayaftermyarrivalIhiredamanandacarriage，thelatterbeinganabsolutenecessityatWarsaw，whereinmytime，atallevents，itwasimpossibletogoonfoot。IreachedthecapitalofPolandattheendofOctober，1765。
　　MyfirstcallwasonPrinceAdamCzartoryski，LieutenantofPodolia，forwhomIhadanintroduction。Ifoundhimbeforeatablecoveredwithpapers，surroundedbyfortyorfiftypersons，inanimmenselibrarywhichhehadmadeintohisbedroom。Hewasmarriedtoaveryprettywoman，buthadnotyethadachildbyherbecauseshewastoothinforhistaste。
　　HereadthelongletterIgavehim，andsaidinelegantFrenchthathehadaveryhighopinionofthewriteroftheletter；butthatashewasverybusyjustthenhehopedIwouldcometosupperwithhimifIhadnothingbettertodo。
　　IdroveofftoPrinceSulkouski，whohadjustbeenappointedambassadortotheCourtofLouisXV。Theprincewastheelderoffourbrothersandamanofgreatunderstanding，butatheoristinthestyleoftheAbbeSt。Pierre。Hereadtheletter，andsaidhewantedtohavealongtalkwithme；butthatbeingobligedtogoouthewouldbeobligedifIwouldcomeanddinewithhimatfouro’clock。
　　Iacceptedtheinvitation。
　　IthenwenttoamerchantnamedSchempinski，whowastopaymefiftyducatsamonthonPapanelopulo’sorder。Mymantoldmethattherewasapublicrehearsalofanewoperaatthetheatre，andI
　　accordinglyspentthreehoursthere，knowingnoneandunknowntoall。
　　Alltheactresseswerepretty，butespeciallytheCatai，whodidnotknowthefirstelementsofdancing。Shewasgreatlyapplauded，aboveallbyPrinceRepnin，theRussianambassador，whoseemedapersonofthegreatestconsequence。
　　PrinceSulkouskikeptmeattableforfourmortalhours，talkingoneverysubjectexceptthosewithwhichIhappenedtobeacquainted。
　　Hisstrongpointswerepoliticsandcommerce，andashefoundmymindamerevoidonthesesubjects，heshoneallthemore，andtookquiteafancytome，asIbelieve，becausehefoundmesuchacapitallistener。
　　Aboutnineo’clock，havingnothingbettertodo（afavouritephrasewiththePolishnoblemen），IwenttoPrinceAdam，whoafterpronouncingmynameintroducedmetothecompany。TherewerepresentMonseigneurKrasinski，thePrince—BishopofWarmia，theChiefProthonotaryRzewuski，whomIhadknownatSt。Petersburg，thePalatinOginski，GeneralRoniker，andtwootherswhosebarbarousnamesIhaveforgotten。Thelastpersontowhomheintroducedmewashiswife，withwhomIwasverypleased。Afewmomentsafterafine—
　　lookinggentlemancameintotheroom，andeverybodystoodup。PrinceAdampronouncedmyname，andturningtomesaid，coolly，——
　　"That’stheking。"
　　Thismethodofintroducingastrangertoasovereignprincewasassuredlynotanoverwhelmingone，butitwasneverthelessasurprise；andIfoundthatanexcessofsimplicitymaybeasconfusingastheotherextreme。AtfirstIthoughttheprincemightbemakingafoolofme；butIquicklyputasidetheidea，andsteppedforwardandwasabouttokneel，buthismajestygavemehishandtokisswithexquisitegrace，andashewasabouttoaddressme，PrinceAdamshewedhimtheletteroftheEnglishambassador，whowaswellknowntotheking。Thekingreadit，stillstanding，andbegantoaskmequestionsabouttheCzarinaandtheCourt，appearingtotakegreatinterestinmyreplies。
　　Whensupperwasannouncedthekingcontinuedtotalk，andledmeintothesupper—room，andmademesitdownathisrighthand。Everybodyateheartilyexcepttheking，whoappearedtohavenoappetite，andmyself，whohadnorighttohaveanyappetite，evenifIhadnotdinedwellwithPrinceSulkouski，forIsawthewholetablehushedtolistentomyrepliestotheking’squestions。
　　Aftersupperthekingbegantocommentverygraciouslyonmyanswers。
　　Hismajestyspokesimplybutwithgreatelegance。AshewasleavinghetoldmeheshouldalwaysbedelightedtoseemeathisCourt，andPrinceAdamsaidthatifIlikedtobeintroducedtohisfather，I
　　hadonlytocallateleveno’clockthenextmorning。
　　TheKingofPolandwasofamediumheight，butwellmade。Hisfacewasnotahandsomeone，butitwaskindlyandintelligent。Hewasrathershort—sighted，andhisfeaturesinreposeboreasomewhatmelancholyexpression；butinspeaking，thewholefaceseemedtolightup。Allhesaidwasseasonedbyapleasantwit。
　　Iwaswellenoughpleasedwiththisinterview，andreturnedtomyinn，whereIfoundCampioniseatedamongstseveralguestsofeithersex，andafterstayingwiththemforhalfanhourIwenttobed。
　　Ateleveno’clockthenextdayIwaspresentedtothegreatRussianPaladin。Hewasinhisdressing—gown，surroundedbyhisgentlemeninthenationalcostume。Hewasstandingupandconversingwithhisfollowersinakindlybutgravemanner。AssoonashissonAdammentionedmyname，heunbentandgavemeamostkindlyyetdignifiedwelcome。Hismannerswerenotawful，nordidtheyinspireonewithfamiliarity，andIthoughthimlikelytobeagoodjudgeofcharacter。WhenItoldhimthatIhadonlygonetoRussiatoamusemyselfandseegoodcompany，heimmediatelyconcludedthatmyaimsincomingtoPolandwereofthesamekind；andhetoldmethathecouldintroducemetoalargecircle。HeaddedthatheshouldbegladtoseemetodinnerandsupperwheneverIhadnootherengagements。
　　Hewentbehindascreentocompletehistoilette，andsoonappearedintheuniformofhisregiment，withafairperukeinthestyleofthelateKingAugustusII。Hemadeacollectivebowtoeveryone，andwenttoseehiswife，whowasrecoveringfromadiseasewhichwouldhaveprovedfatalifithadnotbeenfortheskillofReimann，apupilofthegreatBoerhaave。TheladycameofthenowextinctfamilyofEnoff，whoseimmensewealthshebroughttoherhusband。
　　WhenhemarriedherheabandonedtheMalteseOrder，ofwhichhehadbeenaknight。Hewonhisbridebyaduelwithpistolsonhorseback。
　　Theladyhadpromisedthatherhandshouldbetheconqueror’sguerdon，andtheprincewassofortunateastokillhisrival。OfthismarriagethereissuedPrinceAdamandadaughter，nowawidow，andknownunderthenameofLubomirska，butformerlyunderthatofStrasnikowa，thatbeingthetitleoftheofficeherhusbandheldintheroyalarmy。
　　Itwasthisprincepalatineandhisbrother，theHighChancellorofLithuania，whofirstbroughtaboutthePolishtroubles。ThetwobrotherswerediscontentedwiththeirpositionattheCourtwhereCountBruhlwassupreme，andputthemselvesattheheadoftheplotfordethroningtheking，andforplacingonthethrone，underRussianprotection，theiryoungnephew，whohadoriginallygonetoSt。
　　Petersburgasanattacheattheembassy，andafterwardssucceededinwinningthefavourofCatherine，thenGrandDuchess，butsoontobecomeempress。
　　ThisyoungmanwasStanislasPoniatowski，sonofConstanceCzartoryskiandthecelebratedPoniatowski，thefriendofCharlesIII。Asluckwouldhaveit，arevolutionwasunnecessarytoplacehimonthethrone，forthekingdiedin1763，andgaveplacetoPrincePoniatowski，whowaschosenkingonthe6thofSeptember，1776，underthetitleofStanislasAugustusI。Hehadreignedtwoyearsatthetimeofmyvisit；andIfoundWarsawinastateofgaiety，foradietwastobeheldandeveryonewishedtoknowhowitwasthatCatherinehadgiventhePolesanativeking。
　　Atdinner—timeIwenttothepaladin’sandfoundthreetables，ateachofwhichtherewereplacesforthirty，andthiswastheusualnumberentertainedbytheprince。TheluxuryoftheCourtpaledbeforethatofthepaladin’shouse。PrinceAdamsaidtome，"Chevalier，yourplacewillalwaysbeatmyfather’stable。"
　　Thiswasagreathonour，andIfeltit。Theprinceintroducedmetohishandsomesister，andtoseveralpalatinsandstarosts。Ididnotfailtocallonallthesegreatpersonages，sointhecourseofafortnightIfoundmyselfawelcomeguestinallthebesthouses。
　　Mypursewastooleantoallowofmyplayingorconsolingmyselfwithatheatricalbeauty，soIfellbackonthelibraryofMonseigneurZalewski，theBishopofKiowia，forwhomIhadtakenagreatliking。
　　Ispentalmostallmymorningswithhim，anditwasfromthisprelatethatIlearntalltheintriguesandcomplotsbywhichtheancientPolishconstitution，ofwhichthebishopwasagreatadmirer，hadbeenoverturned。Unhappily，hisfirmnesswasofnoavail，andafewmonthsafterIleftWarsawtheRussiantyrantsarrestedhimandhewasexiledtoSiberia。
　　Ilivedcalmlyandpeaceably，andstilllookbackuponthosedayswithpleasure。IspentmyafternoonswiththepaladinplayingtressetteanItaliangameofwhichhewasveryfond，andwhichI
　　playedwellenoughforthepaladintoliketohavemeasapartner。
　　InspiteofmysobrietyandeconomyIfoundmyselfindebtthreemonthsaftermyarrival，andIdidnotknowwheretoturnforhelp。
　　Thefiftyducatspermonth，whichweresentmefromVenice，wereinsufficient，forthemoneyIhadtospendonmycarriage，mylodging，myservant，andmydressbroughtmedowntothelowestebb，andIdidnotcaretoappealtoanyone。Butfortunehadasurpriseinstoreforme，andhithertoshehadneverleftme。
　　MadameSchmit，whomthekingforgoodreasonsofhisownhadaccommodatedwithapartmentsinthepalace，askedmeoneeveningtosupwithher，tellingmethatthekingwouldbeoftheparty。I
　　acceptedtheinvitation，andIwasdelightedtofindthedelightfulBishopKraswiski，theAbbeGuigiotti，andtwoorthreeotheramateursofItalianliterature。Theking，whoseknowledgeofliteraturewasextensive，begantotellanecdotesofclassicalwriters，quotingmanuscriptauthoritieswhichreducedmetosilence，andwhichwerepossiblyinventedbyhim。Everyonetalkedexceptmyself，andasI
　　hadhadnodinnerIatelikeanogre，onlyreplyingbymonosyllableswhenpolitenessobligedmetosaysomething。TheconversationturnedonHorace，andeveryonegavehisopiniononthegreatmaterialist’sphilosophy，andtheAbbeGuigiottiobligedmetospeakbysayingthatunlessIagreedwithhimIshouldnotkeepsilence。
　　"IfyoutakemysilenceforconsenttoyourextravaganteulogiumofHorace，"Isaid，"youaremistaken；forinmyopinionthe’neccumvenarivoletpoematapanges’，ofwhichyouthinksomuch，istomymindasatiredevoidofdelicacy。"
　　"Satireanddelicacyarehardtocombine。"
　　"NotforHorace，whosucceededinpleasingthegreatAugustus，andrenderinghimimmortalastheprotectoroflearnedmen。Indeedothersovereignsseemtoviewithhimbytakinghisnameandevenbydisguisingit。"
　　Theking（whohadtakenthenameofAugustushimself）lookedgraveandsaid，——
　　"WhatsovereignshaveadoptedadisguisedformofthenameAugustus？"
　　"ThefirstkingofSweden，whocalledhimselfGustavus，whichisonlyananagramofAugustus。"
　　"Thatisaveryamusingidea，andworthmorethanallthetaleswehavetold。Wheredidyoufindthat？"
　　"InamanuscriptatWolfenbuttel。"
　　Thekinglaughedloudly，thoughhehimselfhadbeencitingmanuscripts。Buthereturnedtothechargeandsaid，——
　　"CanyouciteanypassageofHorace（notinmanuscript）whereheshewshistalentfordelicacyandsatire？"
　　"Sir，Icouldquoteseveralpassages，buthereisonewhichseemstomeverygood:’Coyamrege’，saysthepoet，’suadepaupertatetacentes，plusquanpocentesferent。"
　　"Trueindeed，"saidtheking，withasmile。
　　MadameSchmit，whodidnotknowLatin，andinheritedcuriosityfromhermother，andeventuallyfromEve，askedthebishopwhatitmeant，andhethustranslatedit:
　　"Theythatspeaknotoftheirnecessitiesinthepresenceofaking，gainmorethantheythatareeverasking。"
　　Theladyremarkedthatshesawnothingsatiricalinthis。
　　Afterthisitwasmyturntobesilentagain；butthekingbegantotalkaboutAriosto，andexpressedadesiretoreaditwithme。I
　　repliedwithaninclinationofthehead，andHorace’swords:Temporaquoeram’。
　　Nextmorning，asIwascomingoutfrommass，thegenerousandunfortunateStanislasAugustusgavemehishandtokiss，andatthesametimeslidarollofmoneyintomyhand，saying，——
　　"ThanknoonebutHorace，anddon’ttellanyoneaboutit。"
　　Therollcontainedtwohundredducats，andIimmediatelypaidoffmydebts。SincethenIwentalmosteverymorningtotheking’scloset，wherehewasalwaysgladtoseehiscourtiers，buttherewasnomoresaidaboutreadingAriosto。HeknewItalian，butnotenoughtospeakit，andstilllesstoappreciatethebeautiesofthegreatpoet。
　　WhenIthinkofthisworthyprince，andofthegreatqualitieshepossessedasaman，Icannotunderstandhowhecametocommitsomanyerrorsasaking。Perhapstheleastofthemallwasthatheallowedhimselftosurvivehiscountry。Ashecouldnotfindafriendtokillhim，Ithinkheshouldhavekilledhimself。Butindeedhehadnoneedtoaskafriendtodohimthisservice；heshouldhaveimitatedthegreatKosciuszko，andenteredintolifeeternalbytheswordofaRussian。
　　Thecarnivalwasabrilliantone。AllEuropeseemedtohaveassembledatWarsawtoseethehappybeingwhomfortunehadsounexpectedlyraisedtoathrone，butafterseeinghimallwereagreedthat，inhiscaseatallevents，thedeityhadbeenneitherblindnorfoolish。Perhaps，however，helikedshewinghimselfrathertoomuch。
　　IhavedetectedhiminsomedistressonhisbeinginformedthattherewassuchathingasastrangerinWarsawwhohadnotseenhim。Noonehadanyneedofanintroduction，forhisCourtwas，asallCourtsshouldbe，opentoeveryone，andwhenhenoticedastrangefacehewasthefirsttospeak。
　　HereImustsetdownaneventwhichtookplacetowardstheendofJanuary。Itwas，infact，adream；and，asIthinkIhaveconfessedbefore，superstitionhadalwayssomeholdonme。
　　IdreamtIwasatabanquet，andoneofthegueststhrewabottleatmyface，thatthebloodpouredforth，thatIranmyswordthroughmyenemy’sbody，andjumpedintoacarriage，androdeaway。
　　PrinceCharlesofCourlandcametoWarsaw，andaskedmetodinewithhimatPrincePoninski’s，thesamethatbecamesonotorious，andwasafterwardsproscribedandshamefullydishonoured。Hiswasahospitablehouse，andhewassurroundedbyhisagreeablefamily。I
　　hadnevercalledonhim，ashewasnota’personagrata’tothekingorhisrelations。
　　Inthecourseofthedinnerabottleofchampagneburst，andapieceofbrokenglassstruckmejustbelowtheeye。Itcutavein，andthebloodgushedovermyface，overmyclothes，andevenoverthecloth。
　　Everybodyrose，mywoundwasboundup，theclothwaschanged，andthedinnerwentonmerrily。Iwassurprisedatthelikenessbetweenmydreamandthisincident，whileIcongratulatedmyselfonthehappydifferencebetweenthem。However，itallcametrueafterafewmonths。
　　MadameBinetti，whomIhadlastseeninLondon，arrivedatWarsawwithherhusbandandPicthedancer。Shehadaletterofintroductiontotheking’sbrother，whowasageneralintheAustrianservice，andthenresidedatWarsaw。Iheardthatthedaytheycame，whenIwasatsupperatthepalatin’s。Thekingwaspresent，andsaidheshouldliketokeeptheminWarsawforaweekandseethemdance，ifathousandducatscoulddoit。
　　IwenttoseeMadameBinettiandtogiveherthegoodnewsthenextmorning。ShewasverymuchsurprisedtomeetmeinWarsaw，andstillmoresoatthenewsIgaveher。ShecalledPicwhoseemedundecided，butasweweretalkingitover，PrincePoniatowskicameintoacquaintthemwithhismajesty’swishes，andtheofferwasaccepted。
　　InthreedaysPicarrangedaballet；thecostumes，thescenery，themusic，thedancers——allwereready，andTomatisputitonhandsomelytopleasehisgenerousmaster。Thecouplegavesuchsatisfactionthattheywereengagedforayear。TheCataiwasfurious，asMadameBinettithrewhercompletelyintotheshade，and，worsestill，drewawayherlovers。Tomatis，whowasundertheCatai’sinfluence，madethingssounpleasantforMadameBinettithatthetwodancersbecamedeadlyenemies。
　　IntenortwelvedaysMadameBinettiwassettleditawell—furnishedhouse；herplatewassimplebutgood，hercellarfullofexcellentwine，hercookanartistandheradorersnumerous，amongstthembeingMoszciuskiandBranicki，theking’sfriends。
　　Thepitwasdividedintotwoparties，fortheCataiwasresolvedtomakeastandagainstthenewcomer，thoughhertalentswerenottobecomparedtoMadameBinetti’s。Shedancedinthefirstballet，andherrivalinthesecond。Thosewhoapplaudedthefirstgreetedthatsecondindeadsilence，andviceversa。IhadgreatobligationstowardsMadameBinetti，butmydutyalsodrewmetowardstheCatai，whonumberedinherpartyalltheCzartoryskisandtheirfollowing，PrinceLubomirski，andotherpowerfulnobles。ItwasplainthatI
　　couldnotdeserttoMadameBinettiwithoutearningthecontemptoftheotherparty。
　　MadameBinettireproachedmebitterly，andIlaidthecaseplainlybeforeher。SheagreedthatIcouldnotdootherwise，butbeggedmetostayawayfromthetheatreinfuture，tellingmethatshehadgotarodinpickleforTomatiswhichwouldmakehimrepentofhisimpertinence。Shecalledmeheroldestfriend；andindeedIwasveryfondofher，andcarednothingfortheCataidespiteherprettiness。
　　XavierBranicki，theroyalPostoli，KnightoftheWhiteEagle，ColonelofUhlans，theking’sfriend，wasthechiefadorerofMadameBinetti。Theladyprobablyconfidedherdispleasuretohim，andbeggedhimtotakevengeanceonthemanager，whohadcommittedsomanyoffencesagainsther。CountBranickiinhisturnprobablypromisedtoavengeherquarrel，and，ifnoopportunityofdoingsoarose，tocreateanopportunity。Atleast，thisisthewayinwhichaffairsofthiskindareusuallymanaged，andIcanfindnobetterexplanationforwhathappened。Nevertheless，thewayinwhichthePoletookvengeancewasveryoriginalandextraordinary。
　　Onthe20thofFebruaryBranickiwenttotheopera，and，contrarytohiscustom，wenttotheCatai’sdressing—room，andbegantopayhiscourttotheactress，Tomatisbeingpresent。BothheandtheactressconcludedthatBranickihadhadaquarrelwithherrival，andthoughshedidnotmuchcaretoplacehiminthenumberofheradorers，sheyetgavehimagoodreception，forsheknewitwouldbedangeroustodespisehissuitopenly。
　　WhentheCataihadcompletedhertoilet，thegallantpostolioffered。
　　herhisarmtotakehertohercarriage，whichwasatthedoor。
　　Tomatisfollowed，andItoowasthere，awaitingmycarriage。MadameCataicamedown，thecarriage—doorwasopened，shesteppedin，andBranickigotinafterher，tellingtheastonishedTomatistofollowthemintheothercarriage。Tomatisrepliedthathemeanttorideinhisowncarriage，andbeggedthecoloneltogetout。Branickipaidnoattention，andtoldthecoachmantodriveon。Tornatisforbadehimtostir，andtheman，ofcourse，obeyedhismaster。Thegallantpostciliwasthereforeobligedtogetdown，buthebadehishussargiveTomatisaboxontheear，andthisorderwassopromptlyandvigorouslyobeyedthattheunfortunatemanwasonthegroundbeforehehadtimetorecollectthathehadasword。Hegotupeventuallyanddroveoff，buthecouldeatnosupper，nodoubtbecausehehadablowtodigest。Iwastohavesuppedwithhim，butafterthissceneIhadreallynotthefacetogo。Iwenthomeinamelancholyandreflectivemood，wonderingwhetherthewholehadbeenconcerted；butIconcludedthatthiswasimpossible，asneitherBranickinorBinetticouldhaveforeseentheimpolitenessandcowardiceofTomatis。
　　Inthenextchapterthereaderwillseehowtragicallythematterended。
　　CHAPTERXXII
　　MyDuelwithBranicki——MyJourneytoLeopolandReturntoWarsaw——IReceivetheOrdertoLeave——MyDeparturewiththeUnknownOneOnreflectionIconcludedthatBranickihadnotdoneanungentlemanlythingingettingintoTomatis’scarriage；hehadmerelybehavedwithimpetuosity，asifheweretheCatai’slover。Italsoappearedtomethat，consideringtheaffronthehadreceivedfromthejealousItalian，theboxontheearwasaverymoderateformofvengeance。
　　Ablowisbad，ofcourse，butnotsobadasdeath；andBranickimightverywellhaverunhisswordthroughthemanager’sbody。Certainly，ifBranickihadkilledhimhewouldhavebeenstigmatisedasanassassin，forthoughTomatishadaswordthePolishofficer’sservantswouldneverhaveallowedhimtodrawit，neverthelessI
　　couldnothelpthinkingthatTomatisshouldhavetriedtotaketheservant’slife，evenattheriskofhisown。Hewantednomorecourageforthatthaninorderingtheking’sfavouritetocomeoutofthecarriage。HemighthaveforeseenthatthePolishnoblewouldbestungtothequick，andwouldsurelyattempttotakespeedyvengeance。
　　Thenextdaytheencounterwasthesubjectofallconversations。
　　Tomatisremainedindoorsforaweek，callingforvengeanceinvain。
　　Thekingtoldhimhecoulddonothingforhim，asBranickimaintainedhehadonlygiveninsultforinsult。IsawTomatis，whotoldmeinconfidencethathecouldeasilytakevengeance，butthatitwouldcosthimtoodear。Hehadspentfortythousandducatsonthetwoballets，andifhehadavengedhimselfhewouldhavelostitnearlyall，ashewouldbeobligedtoleavethekingdom。Theonlyconsolationhehadwasthathisgreatfriendswerekindertohimthanever，andthekinghimselfhonouredhimwithpeculiarattention。
　　MadameBinettiwastriumphant。WhenIsawhershecondoledwithmeironicallyonthemishapthathadbefallenmyfriend。Sheweariedme；butIcouldnotguessthatBranickihadonlyactedatherinstigation，andstilllessthatshehadagrudgeagainstme。
　　Indeed，ifIhadknownit，Ishouldonlyhavelaughedather，forI
　　hadnothingtodreadfromherbravo’sdagger。Ihadneverseenhimnorspokentohim；hecouldhavenoopportunityforattackingme。Hewasneverwiththekinginthemorningandneverwenttothepalatin’stosupper，beinganunpopularcharacterwiththePolishnobility。ThisBranickiwassaidtohavebeenoriginallyaCossack，Braneckibyname。Hebecametheking’sfavoriteandassumedthenameofBranicki，pretendingtobeofthesamefamilyastheillustriousmarshalofthatnamewhowasstillalive；buthe，farfromrecognizingthepretender，orderedhisshieldtobebrokenupandburiedwithhimasthelastoftherace。Howeverthatmaybe，BranickiwasthetooloftheRussianparty，thedeterminedenemyofthosewhowithstoodCatherine’sdesignofRussianisingtheancientPolishconstitution。Thekinglikedhimoutofhabit，andbecausehehadpeculiarobligationstohim。
　　ThelifeIlivedwasreallyexemplary。Iindulgedneitherinloveaffairsnorgaming。Iworkedfortheking，hopingtobecomehissecretary。Ipaidmycourttotheprincess—palatine，wholikedmycompany，andIplayedtressettewiththepalatinhimself。
　　Onthe4thofMarch，St。Casimir’sEve，therewasabanquetatCourttowhichIhadthehonourtobeinvited。Casimirwasthenameoftheking’seldestbrother，whoheldtheofficeofgrandchamberlain。
　　AfterdinnerthekingaskedmeifIintendedgoingtothetheatre，whereaPolishplaywastobegivenforthefirsttime。Everybodywasinterestedinthisnovelty，butitwasamatterofindifferencetomeasIdidnotunderstandthelanguage，andItoldthekingasmuch。
　　"Nevermind，"saidhe，"comeinmybox。"
　　Thiswastooflatteringaninvitationtoberefused，soIobeyedtheroyalcommandandstoodbehindtheking’schair。Afterthesecondactaballetwasgiven，andthedancingofMadameCaracci，aPiedmontese，sopleasedhismajestythathewenttotheunusualpainsofclappingher。
　　Ionlyknewthedancerbysight，forIhadneverspokentoher。Shehadsometalents。HerprincipaladmirerwasCountPoninski，whowasalwaysreproachingmewhenIdinedwithhimforvisitingtheotherdancerstotheexclusionofMadameCaracci。Ithoughtofhisreproachatthetime，anddeterminedtopayheravisitaftertheballettocongratulateheronherperformanceandtheking’sapplause。OnmywayIpassedbyMadameBinetti’sdressing—room，andseeingthedooropenIstayedamoment。CountBranickicameup，andIleftwithabowandpassedontoMadameCaracci’sdressing—room。
　　Shewasastonishedtoseeme，andbeganwithkindlyreproachesformyneglect；towhichIrepliedwithcompliments，andthengivingherakissIpromisedtocomeandseeher。
　　JustasIembracedherwhoshouldenterbutBranicki，whomIhadleftamomentbeforewithMadameBinetti。Hehadclearlyfollowedmeinthehopesofpickingaquarrel。HewasaccompaniedbyBininski，hislieutenant—colonel。Assoonasheappeared，politenessmademestandupandturntogo，buthestoppedme。
　　"ItseemstomeIhavecomeatabadtime；itlooksasifyoulovedthislady。"
　　"Certainly，mylord；doesnotyourexcellencyconsiderherasworthyoflove？"
　　"Quiteso；butasithappensIlovehertoo，andIamnotthemantobearanyrivals。"
　　"AsIknowthat，Ishalllovehernomore。"
　　"Thenyougiveherup？"
　　"Withallmyheart；foreveryonemustyieldtosuchanobleasyouare。"
　　"Verygood；butIcallamanthatyieldsacoward。"
　　"Isn’tthatratherastrongexpression？"
　　AsIutteredthesewordsIlookedproudlyathimandtouchedthehiltofmysword。Threeorfourofficerswerepresentandwitnessedwhatpassed。
　　Ihadhardlygonefourpacesfromthedressing—roomwhenIheardmyselfcalled"Venetiancoward。"InspiteofmyrageIrestrainedmyself，andturnedbacksaying，coollyandfirmly，thatperhapsaVenetiancowardmightkillabravePoleoutsidethetheatre；andwithoutawaitingareplyIleftthebuildingbythechiefstaircase。
　　Iwaitedvainlyoutsidethetheatreforaquarterofanhourwithmyswordinmyhand，forIwasnotafraidoflosingfortythousandducatslikeTomatis。Atlast，halfperishingwithcold，Icalledmycarriageanddrovetothepalatin’s，wherethekingwastosup。
　　Thecoldandlonelinessbegantocoolmybrain，andIcongratulatedmyselfonmyself—restraintinnotdrawingmyswordintheactress’sdressing—room；andIfeltgladthatBranickihadnotfollowedmedownthestairs，forhisfriendBininskihadasabre，andIshouldprobablyhavebeenassassinated。
　　AlthoughthePolesarepoliteenough，thereisstillagooddealoftheoldleaveninthem。TheyarestillDaciansandSamaritansatdinner，inwar，andinfriendship，astheycallit，butwhichisoftenaburdenhardlytobeborne。Theycanneverunderstandthatamanmaybesufficientcompanyforhimself，andthatitisnotrighttodescendonhiminatroopandaskhimtogivethemdinner。
　　ImadeupmymindthatMadameBinettihadexcitedBranickitofollowme，andpossiblytotreatmeashehadtreatedTomatis。Ihadnotreceivedablowcertainly，butIhadbeencalledacoward。Ihadnochoicebuttodemandsatisfaction，butIalsodeterminedtobestudiouslymoderatethroughout。InthisframeofmindIgotdownatthepalatin’s，resolvedtotellthewholestorytotheking，leavingtohismajestythetaskofcompellinghisfavouritetogivemesatisfaction。
　　Assoonasthepalatinsawme，hereproachedmeinafriendlymannerforkeepinghimwaiting，andwesatdowntotressette。Iwashispartner，andcommittedseveralblunders。Whenitcametolosingasecondgamehesaid，——
　　"Whereisyourheadto—night？"
　　"Mylord，itisfourleaguesaway。"
　　"Arespectablemanoughttohavehisheadinthegame，andnotatadistanceoffourleagues。"
　　Withthesewordstheprincethrewdownhiscardsandbegantowalkupanddowntheroom。Iwasratherstartled，butIgotupandstoodbythefire，waitingfortheking。ButafterIhadwaitedthusforhalfanhourachamberlaincamefromthepalace，andannouncedthathismajestycouldnotdohimselfthehonourofsuppingwithmylordthatnight。
　　Thiswasablowforme，butIconcealedmydisappointment。Supperwasserved，andIsatdownasusualatthelefthandofthepalatin，whowasannoyedwithme，andchewedit。Wewereeighteenattable，andforonceIhadnoappetite。AboutthemiddleofthesupperPrinceGaspardLubomirskicamein，andchancedtositdownoppositeme。Assoonashesawmehecondoledwithmeinaloudvoiceforwhathadhappened。
　　"Iamsorryforyou，"saidhe，"butBranickiwasdrunk，andyoureallyshouldn’tcountwhathesaidasaninsult。"
　　"Whathashappened？"becameatoncethegeneralquestion。Iheldmytongue，andwhentheyaskedLubomirskiherepliedthatasIkeptsilenceitwashisdutytodothesame。
　　Thereuponthepalatin，speakinginhisfriendliestmanner，saidtome，——
　　"WhathastakenplacebetweenyouandBranicki？"
　　"Iwilltellyouthewholestory，mylord，inprivateaftersupper。"
　　Theconversationbecameindifferent，andafterthemealwasoverthepalatintookuphisstandbythesmalldoorbywhichhewasaccustomedtoleavetheroom，andthereItoldhimthewholestory。
　　Hesighed，condoledwithme，andadded，——
　　"Youhadgoodreasonsforbeingabsent—mindedatcards。"
　　"MayIpresumetoaskyourexcellency’sadvice？"
　　"Inevergiveadviceintheseaffairs，inwhichyoumustdoevery—
　　thingornothing。"
　　Thepalatinshookmebythehand，andIwenthomeandsleptforsixhours。AssoonasIawokeIsatupinbed，andmyfirstthoughtwaseverythingornothing。Isoonrejectedthelatteralternative，andI
　　sawthatImustdemandadueltothedeath。IfBranickirefusedtofightIshouldbecompelledtokillhim，evenifIweretolosemyheadforit。
　　Suchwasmydetermination；towritetohimproposingaduelatfourleaguesfromWarsaw，thisbeingthelimitofthestarostia，inwhichduellingwasforbiddenonpainofdeath。IWroteasfollows，forI
　　havekepttheroughdraftofthelettertothisday:
　　"WARSAW，"March5th，1766。5A。M。