It was only the other night Lady Grace Morton kept her seat when the
Cardinal was speaking to her. I apologized to him for it afterwards, and
he said, with such a sweet smile, 'If these Protestants would only give
us back our churches, we 'd forgive their keeping their chairs.' The mot
was very pretty, in French, and well turned was n't it? Of course, then,
you 'll make no obstacle about the Greek Church, which I believe is
exactly like your own, only that the priest has a beard, which I think
more becoming. It looks affectionate, too; it always gives one the idea
of devotion, a girl changing her faith for her husband; and really, in
this tiresome age we live in, a new religion is the only new thing one
ever hears of. Your excellent family that sweet sister and the dear old
papa will probably make a fuss about it; but you know, after all, how
absurd that is, and if you were to marry a Chinese, there 's no saying
what strange creatures you 'd have to pray to. You 'll have to go to
Russia, but only for presentation; that over, the Prince will obtain a
renewal of his permission to reside abroad; still, if you have to pass
a winter at St. Petersburg, it will be far from disagreeable. The women
are too fond of caviare and high play; but they dress just as well as
in Paris, and wear better diamonds. Midchekoff's jewels are unequalled;
and, now that I think of it, there 's one thing I 've set my heart on,
and you must positively promise to give me, a little stiletto with an
emerald hilt and handle. I have pined for it there 's no other word
these three years. He wore it in London, and I have never had it out of
my thoughts since. You can afford to be very generous, dearest. How I
envy you that pleasure! and the delight you 'll feel in providing for
poor papa and Mary no, Elizabeth, I mean how absurd! I should say Ellen.
It was something about that tale of Elizabeth, the Exile of Siberia,
was running in my mind. The Prince will do whatever you suggest, and,
indeed, he has already hinted about your brother Frank joining the
Russian service. He 'll have him named an officer in the Emperor's
Guard. You must insist, too, upon La Rocca being your own settled upon
yourself. They tell me it 's the sweetest spot in the world; and I
'll always live there when you don't want it. I mention this about the
settlement, because there 's no saying how men will behave. I 'm sure I
never could have anticipated such a return as I have met with fro