to tell Hordt; to whom it was as news of
resurrection from the dead. "Evening of same day, an Aide-de-Camp of
the new Czar came to announce my liberty; equipage waiting to take me
at once to his Russian Majesty. Asked him to defer it till the following
day--so agitated was I." And indeed the Czar, busy taking acclamations,
oaths of fealty, riding about among his Troops by torchlight, could have
made little of me that evening. [Hermann, _Geschichte des Russischen
Staats,_ v. 241.] "Ultimately, my presentation was deferred till Sunday"
January 10th, "that it might be done with proper splendor, all the
Nobility being then usually assembled about his Majesty."

"JANUARY 10th, Waited, amid crowds of Nobility, in the Gallery,
accordingly. Was presented in the Gallery, through which the Czar,
followed by Czarina and all the Court, were passing on their way to
Chapel. Czar made a short kind speech ('Delighted to do you an act of
justice, Monsieur, and return a valuable servant to the King I esteem');
gave me his hand to kiss: Czarina did the same. General Korf," an
excellent friend, so kind to me at Konigsberg, while I was getting
carted hither, and a General now in high office here, "who had been
my introducer, led me into Chapel, to the Court's place (TRIBUNE DE LA
COUR). Czar came across repeatedly [while public worship was going on; a
Czar perhaps too regardless that way!] to talk to me; dwelt much on his
attachment to the King. On coming out, the Head Chamberlain whispered
me, 'You dine with the Court.'" Which, of course, I did.

"Table was of sixty covers; splendid as the Arabian Tales. Czar and
Czarina sat side by side; Korf and I had the honor to be placed opposite
them. Hardly were we seated when the Czar addressed me: 'You have had
no Prussian news this long while. I am glad to tell you that the King
is well, though he has had such fighting to right and left;--but I hope
there will soon be an end to all that.' Words which everybody listened
to like prophecy! [Peter is nothing of a Politician.] 'How long have you
been in prison?' continued the Czar. 'Twenty-five months and three days,
your Majesty.' 'Were you well treated?' Hordt hesitated, knew not what
to say; but, the Czar urging him, confessed, 'He had been always rather
badly used; not even allowed to buy a few books to read.' At which the
Czarina was evidently shocked: 'CELA EST BIEN BARBARE!' she exclaimed
aloud.--I wished much to return home at once; and petiti