‘Speak, girl!’ said Sophia, a little less kindly than before.
‘Madam, having seen so little of the Tsar and—and oh, Madam, how should I love him? I revere him, as Tsar and head of the Boyars, but to love is different.’
‘Well, well, fool; in order to marry wisely it is not always necessary to love. Love yourself, that is the first thing; if you truly love yourself you should seek your own good: is not that fair logic? What better thing can a maiden have than to be chosen Tsaritsa? I say there is no better destiny for a maiden under Heaven!’
‘To love and to be loved is the best, Madam, for some,’ said Vera, hesitating.
‘Tut, fool!—love does not wear for long. A high position and power—these are the lasting blessings, and they carry love with them—yes, and every other good thing besides. Moreover, if to love and to be loved is for you the be-all and end-all, let him love you, for his part, say I; and as for you—if you cannot love him, love whom you will!’
‘Madam!’ exclaimed Vera, and was about to say I know not what indiscreet thing, when the laughter of the two or three who were present, in which Sophia herself joined, interrupted her. Vera flushed deeply, but remained silent.
‘Well, child, speak,’ said the Regent; ‘why are you dumb?’
‘I have nothing to say, Highness. I have been used to see things otherwise than as your Highness would now teach me!’
‘The way of wisdom, little fool, is to accept thankfully the gifts which the gods provide,’ said Sophia, ‘whether it be a lover or position or anything else that is good. Here you have greatness offered you: that is, it might be offered you if you should play your cards wisely; also love, of a kind!’ she ended with a quick glance at Galitsin and the others.
Galitsin laughed aloud, but turned aside to hide it.