Page:Julian Niemcewicz - Notes of my Captivity in Russia.djvu/246

218 ; my name was at the top of it. This list was remitted to the Emperor, and the order immediately signed. But, in the mean time, Paul I. called personally upon Potocki. During this visit, he showed much wit and humour, and joined to his kindness and generosity a grace, which increased their value. “I know,” said he to Potocki, “that you have suffered much, that you have been a long time ill-treated and persecuted, but under the last reign all honest men were so, and I myself the first. My ministers were strongly opposed to your liberation; none supported my opinion, and I know not how it has prevailed. These gentlemen,” said he, alluding to his ministers, “were, in general, strongly inclined to lead me by the nose, but, unfortunately for them, I have got none.” And saying this, he passed his hand over his face, which slipped down it perpendicularly, as on a plain surface, being hardly impeded by a prominence marking the place where the nose ought to have been. “You are free,” continued he, “but promise me to be quiet.