a real gentleman--that's all."

"You don't understand this country," replied Dimitri.

"No, it beats my comprehension entirely, and that's a fact; so fill up
your glass. I hope it's not treason; but if it is, I can't help saying
it. My good friend Dimitri--"

"Stop," said Dimitri, rising and shutting the door, "now, what is it?"

"Why, just this; I haven't seen one good-looking woman since I've been
in this good-looking town of yours; now, that's the truth."

"There's more truth than treason in that," replied the courier; "but
still there are some beautiful women among the higher classes."

"It's to be hoped so; for they've left no beauty for the lower, at all
events."

"We have very beautiful women in Poland," said the courier.

"Why don't you bring a few here, then?"

"There are a great many Polish ladies in Petersburg at this moment."

"Then go down and order another bottle," said McShane, "and we'll drink
their healths."

The second bottle was finished, and McShane, who had been drinking
before, became less cautious.

"You said," observed he, "that you have many Polish ladies in
Petersburg; did you ever hear of a Princess Czartowinky?--I think that's
the name."

"Czartorinski, you mean," replied Dimitri; "to be sure I did; I served
in the family some years ago, when the old prince was alive. But where
did you see her?"

"In England, to be sure."

"Well, that's probable, for she has just returned from travelling with
her uncle."

"Is she now in Petersburg, my good fellow?"

"I believe she is--but why do wish to know?"

"Merely asked--that's all."

"Now, Macshanovich,"--for such was the familiar way in which Dimitri
addressed his supposed brother-servant--"I suspect this Princess
Czartorinski is some way connected with your master's coming here. Tell
me the truth--is such the case? I'm sure it is."

"Then you know more than I do," replied McShane, correcting himself,
"for I'm not exactly in my master's secrets; all that I do know is, that
my master met her in England, and I thought her very handsome."

"And so did he?"

"That's as may be; between ourselves, I've an idea he was a little
smitten in that quarter; but that's only my own opinion, nothing more."

"Has he ever spoken about her since you were here?" said Dimitri.

"Just once, as I handed his waistcoat to him; he said--`I wonder if all
the ladies are as handsome as that Polish princess that we met in
Cumberland?'"

"If I t