Page:The Czar, A Tale of the Time of the First Napleon.djvu/75

Rh ignorant woman, with a thin veneering of showy accomplishments, was a little horrified when their contempt for things she had been accustomed to revere was manifested in her presence; but she supposed that all must be right which was taught them by a fashionable French "professeur." At all events, they only did like other people in the beau monde, and its opinion was her idol.

Once only did Ivan see her really provoked. He often visited his kind old friend Petrovitch, as indeed for every reason he was bound to do. The easiest way of reaching or returning from the merchants' quarter was by crossing the river, in summer by a ferry-boat, in winter on foot or in a sledge. Once, however, just when the ice was beginning to break, and the passage was difficult and rather unsafe, Ivan stayed with the Petrovitches for dinner, and came home in the evening in a drosky by a longer route. The countess, before his return, had been a little alarmed for his safety, but was much more annoyed when he made his appearance and explained how his day had been spent.

"It is well enough to visit people like the Petrovitches," she said. "But to eat in their house! such a thing is never done in the world—never! For Heaven's sake, Ivan, do not let any one know of it. You would be talked about."

Adrian, who was present, took Ivan's part. "After all, mother," he said, "in St. Petersburg his Imperial Majesty has been known to drink tea in the house of a merchant."

"His Imperial Majesty," replied the countess with solemnity, "had better take care of himself."

"Which," returned Adrian, "he is abundantly able to do."

"Of course, Ivan," Madame Wertsch resumed, "you can go to the Petrovitches at proper times and in a proper way, when the old man wishes to see you."

"He will never see me again," Ivan answered sadly; "he is quite blind now."