“I have seen nothing of the capital itself yet, Prince.”
“True, comparatively nothing; but this is a bad season of the year for Petersburg.”
“You have some meaning behind that,” I said pointedly.
“How could I, M. Denver? You have told me nothing yet of your experiences.”
He was blandness itself, with just the necessary shred of reproachful reminder of my omission.
“I am waiting to see the Emperor. I have asked him for an audience this morning; and as my story to you will take rather long in the telling, it would be better to postpone it.”
“His Majesty will be charmed, I am sure. Did you hear of the ruse de guerre about his indisposition?” and he smiled again.
I was getting to be rather afraid of these smiles of his.
“Yes, a paper was shown me.”
“I hoped it would be. I hoped it would be. It was a rather ingenious bit of colour. But His Majesty had to recover yesterday.”