I did warn Mazeppa, telling him that I had observed the Tsar Ivan look in such a manner at the girl that one might suppose he was attracted by her. Mazeppa laughed much when I told him.
‘The youth is one of God’s afflicted,’ he said. ‘There is not life enough in his veins to warm him into admiration for the charms of a maiden. What, would the Regent have Vera marry that dolt? As soon let a maiden mate with a figure of clay.’
‘See for yourself how he gazes at her and flushes, even now!’ I said.
Mazeppa looked and laughed scornfully.
‘Bah!’ he said. ‘He is gazing at the jewel that hangs at her neck; it moves with her breathing, and he stares at it as a cat would. You are a fool, Chelminsky, to speak of that imbecile and of love in the same breath.’
This was certainly possible, though it appeared to me that the fact was otherwise, and that this unfortunate prince had actually found a face which it pleased him to gaze upon.
‘Nevertheless,’ I said, ‘without doubt they will one day cause this youth to marry someone, for the succession’s sake!’
‘Then Heaven have pity upon the lady,’ he laughed, ‘for imagine what it would be for a woman to be mated with a thing no more beautiful and man-like than this, even though they should call him Tsar of Russia! Moreover, my friend, look on this prince and on that—which is the likelier to dominate when both are grown out of leading-strings? Peter is ten times the better man already, ay, and better now than the other will ever be!’
‘She is a beautiful girl, however,’ I said, ‘and it is no wonder that even a half-man, like Ivan, should gaze upon her face with admiration!’
‘Oh, I grant that,’ said Mazeppa, flushing; ‘the best and highest of men might so gaze upon her and thank his God for the eyes that were given him to see so fair a sight withal!’