The Daughter of an Empress

"Ah, it is not for that," said Munnich with embarrassment; and, seeking

to give the conversation a different turn, he continued--"ah, see, Count

Ostermann, what a terrible animal is crawling there upon your dress!"

"Policy, nothing but policy," tranquilly responded Ostermann, while the

princess turned away with an expression of repugnance.

"Well," cried the prince, laughing, "explain to us, Count Ostermann,

what those disgusting insects have to do with policy or politics?"

"We are all four Germans," said Ostermann, "and consequently are all

familiar with the common saying, 'Tell me the company you keep, and I

will tell you what you are!' I have always kept that in mind since I

have been in Russia; and to make this good people forget that I am a

foreigner, I have taken particular pains to furnish myself with a supply

of their dirt and of these delicate insects. If any one asks me who I

am, I show him these creatures with whom I associate, and he immediately

concludes that I am a Russian."

Ostermann joined in the laugh that followed this explanation, but

suddenly he uttered a piercing cry, and sank down upon a chair.

"Ah, these pains will be the death of me!" he moaned--"ah, I already

feel the ravages of death in my blood; yes, I have long known that

a dangerous malady was hovering over me, and my death-bed is already

prepared at home! I am a poor failing old man, and who knows whether I

shall outlive the evening of this day?"

While Ostermann was thus lamenting, and the prince with kindly sympathy

was occupied about him, Munnich had returned the drawing to his pocket,

and was speaking in a low tone to the duchess of some yet necessary

preparations for the night. Count Ostermann, notwithstanding his

lamentations and his pretended pains, had yet a sharp ear for every

word they spoke. He very distinctly heard the duchess say: "Well, I am

satisfied! I shall expect you at about two o'clock in the morning, and

if the affair is successful, you, Count Munnich, may be sure of my

most fervent gratitude; you will then have liberated Russia, the young

emperor, and myself, from a cruel and despotic tyrant, and I shall be

eternally beholden to you."

Count Munnich's brow beamed with inward satisfaction. "I shall, then,

attain my ends," thought he. Aloud he said: "Your highness, I have but

one wish and one request; if you are willing to fulfil this, then will

there be nothing left on earth for me to desire."

"Then name your request at once, that I may grant it in advance!" said

the princess, with a smile.

"The man is getting on rapidly, and will even now get the appointment of

generalissimo," thought Ostermann. "That must never be; I must prevent

it!"