The Czarina, did not answer, but began to look through the letters. The Czar liked that, for then there would be occasion for quarrelling; and he always wished for a quarrel in order to keep his energies active.
“Pardon me, Peter,” said his wife, “but is it right that you should apply to the Swedish Government about the Dutch ships?”
“Yes, it is! All that I do is right!”
“I don’t understand it. Our Russians fired by mistake at friendly Dutch vessels, and you demand indemnity from the Swedes because the mischance occurred in Swedish waters.”
“Yes, according to Roman law, the injury must be made good in the land where it happened....”
“Yes, but....”
“It is all the same anyhow: he who can pay, pays; I cannot, and the Dutch will not, therefore the Swedes must! Do you understand?”
“No.”
“The Swedes have incited the Turks against me; they must pay for that.”
“May be! But why do you write so harshly to the Dutch Government since you like the Dutch?”