haps the more peculiar
intimacy between O'Donahue and McShane, as a valet, assisted Dimitri in
forming a good opinion of the former, as the hauteur and distance
generally preserved by the English towards their domestics are very
displeasing to the Continental servants, who, if permitted to be
familiar, will not only serve you more faithfully, but be satisfied with
more moderate wages. Dimitri spoke English and French pretty well,
German and Russian of course perfectly. He was a Russian by birth, had
been brought up at the Foundling Hospital, at Moscow, and therefore was
not a serf. He soon became intimate with McShane: and as soon as the
latter discovered that there was no intention on the part of Dimitri to
be dishonest, he was satisfied, and treated him with cordiality.

"Tell your master this," said Dimitri, "never to give his opinion on
political matters before any one while in Petersburg, or he will be
reported to the government, and will be looked upon with suspicion. All
the servants and couriers here, indeed every third person you meet, is
an agent of police."

"Then it's not at all unlikely that you are one yourself," replied
McShane.

"I am so," replied Dimitri, coolly, "and all the better for your master.
I shall be ordered to make my report in a few days, and I shall not
fail to do so."

"And what will they ask you?" said McShane.

"They will ask me first who and what your master is? Whether I have
discovered from you, if he is of family and importance in his own
country? whether he has expressed any political opinions? and whether I
have discovered the real business which brought him here?"

"And what will you reply to all this?" answered McShane.

"Why, I hardly know. I wish I knew what he wishes me to say, for he is
a gentleman whom I am very fond of, and that's the truth; perhaps you
can tell me?"

"Why, yes, I know a good deal about him, that's certain. As for his
family, there's not a better in Ireland or England, for he's royal if he
had his right."

"What!" exclaimed Dimitri.

"As sure as I'm sitting in this old arm-chair, didn't he bring letters
from the brother of the present king? does that go for nothing in this
country of yours? or do you value men by the length of their beards?"

"Men are valued here not by their titles, but by their rank as officers.
A general is a greater man than a prince," replied Dimitri.

"With all my heart, for then I'm somebody," replied McShane.