reigners, who, whatever the topic, seemed
highly amused at his discourse.

"That is your friend, yonder," said Duchesne. "He has the true type of
John Bull about him; introduce me at once."

Duchesne scarcely permitted me to finish the introduction, when he
extended his hand, and saluted Bubbleton with great cordiality; while
the "general" did not suffer the ceremony to interrupt the flow of
his eloquence, but continued to explain, in the most minute and
circumstantial manner, the conditions of the new peace secretly
concluded between France and England. The incredulity of the listeners
was, I could perceive, considerably lessened by observing the
deferential attention with which Duchesne listened, only interrupting
the speaker by an occasional assent, or a passing question as to the
political relations of some of the great Powers.

"As to Prussia," said Bubbleton, pompously--"as to Prussia--"

"Well, what of Prussia, General?"

"We have our doubts on that subject," replied he, looking thoughtfully
around him on the group, who, completely deceived by Duchesne's manner,
now paid him marked attention.

"You'll not deprive her of Genoa, I trust," said the chevalier, with a
gravity almost inconceivable.

"That is done already," said Bubbleton. "For my own part, I told
Lauderdale we were nothing without the Bosphorus,--'the key of our
house, as your Emperor called it."

"He spoke of Russia, if I don't err," said Duchesne, with an insinuating
air of correction.

"Pardon me, you are wrong. I know Russia well. I travelled through the
steppes of Metchezaromizce with Prince Drudeszitsch. We journeyed three
hundred versts over his own estates, drawn on sledges by his serfs. You
are aware they are always harnessed by the beard, which they wear long
and plaited on purpose."

"That is towards the Crimea," interrupted the chevalier.

"Precisely. I remember a curious incident which occurred one night as
we approached Chitepsk. (You know Chitepsk? It is where they confine the
state prisoners,--a miserable, dreary tract, where the snow never melts,
and the frost is so intense you often see a drove of wolves glued fast
to the snow by the feet, and howling fearfully: a strange sight, to
be sure!) Well, the night was falling, and a thin, cutting snowdrift
beginning to drop, when Dru (I always call him so,--short) said to me,--

"'Bub' (he did the same to me) 'Bub,' said he, 'do you remark that
off-side leader?'

"'I see him