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“You have His Majesty’s figure and walk remarkably, m’sieur,” said the Prince’s man watching me closely. “From behind I myself should be deceived even at so short a distance and in so good a light as this. It is wonderful.”

“Unfortunately I can’t keep my back turned to people all the time.”

“That is true, m’sieur; but then it is always safer to turn the face to—dangers, is it not?” He put so much emphasis on the word that I turned and looked at him.

“You think a good deal of the dangers, then, Pierre?”

“There is always danger in this Russia;” and he grimaced to show his French dislike of it.

“Yet you stay here.”

“I am only a valet, m’sieur, they pass over my head. But I have been fifteen years in the country and have seen many strange things.”

“If the Emperor were really going on this business, you think he would run big risks?”

“It may be different with you, m’sieur; you may be discovered in time. But if it were the Emperor, I should rub my hands with pleasure to see him return.”

“You take a cheerful view of things, Pierre. I expect you have a liver that troubles you.”