rank and power, and the widow Boettger
became the first lady of the empire. When I knew her she was eight and
thirty, consequently no beauty, though a woman highly endowed in mind and
manners, of keen discernment, disliking the Russians, protecting the
Prussians, and at whose aversions all trembled.

Her carriage towards the Russians was, what it must be in her situation,
lofty, cautious, and ironical, rather than kind. To me she showed the
utmost esteem on all occasions, welcomed me at her table, and often
admitted me to drink coffee in company with herself alone and Colonel
Oettinger. The countess never failed giving me to understand she had
perceived my love for the princess N---; and, though I constantly denied
the fact, she related circumstances which she could have known, as I
thought, only from my mistress herself; my silence pleased her; for the
Russians, when a lady had a partiality for them, never fail to vaunt of
their good fortune. She wished to persuade me she had observed us in
company, had read the language of our eyes, and had long penetrated our
secret. I was ignorant at that time that she had then, and long before,
entertained the maid of my mistress as a spy in her pay.

About a week after the death of the princess, the countess invited me to
take coffee with her, in her chamber; lamented my loss, and the violence
of that passion which had deprived me of all my customary vivacity, and
altered my very appearance. She seemed so interested in my behalf, and
expressed so many wishes, and so ardent to better my fate, that I could
no longer doubt. Another opportunity soon happened, which confirmed
these my suspicions: her mouth confessed her sentiments. Discretion,
secrecy, and fidelity, were the laws she imposed, and never did I
experience a more ardent passion from woman. Such was her understanding
and penetration, she knew how to rivet my affections.

Caution was the thing most necessary. She contrived, however, to make
opportunity. The chancellor valued, confided in me, and employed me in
his cabinet; so that I remained whole days in his house. My captainship
of cavalry was now no longer thought of: I was destined to political
employment. My first was to be gentleman of the chamber, which in Russia
is an office of importance, and the prospect of futurity became to me
most resplendent. Lord Hyndford, ever the repository of my secrets,
counselled me, formed plans for my conduct, rejoiced a