Page 5 (1/2)

The field-e and proceeded to the palace of

the Duke of Courland

A deathlike stillness prevailed in the streets through which he rode On

every hand were to be seen only curtained s and closed palaces;

it seemed as if this usually so brilliant and noisy quarter of St

Petersburg had suddenly becoold and silver-laced attendants, were nowhere to

be seen

The count's carriage thundered through the deserted streets, but

wherever he passed curious faces were seen peeping from the curtained

s of the palaces; all doors were hastily opened behind him, and he

was followed by the runners of the counts and princes, charged with the

duty of espying his movements

Count Munnich saw all that, and snal," said he, "and this servile Russian

nobility will rush hither, like fawning hounds, to bow before a new idol

and pay it their venal hoe now stopped before the palace of the Duke of Courland, and

with an humble and reverential mien Munnich ascended the stairs to the

brilliant apartht, he was standing at the

looking down into streets which were henceforth to be subjected

to his sway

"Your highness is surveying your realm," said Munnich, with a sreat nobility